Plaid, Check, Polka Dot, Stripe

Which is the pattern that you like?  This is a ditty played between cartoons on Disney mornings which my kids love, and my daughter utililzes whenever she helps me decide what to wear.  She helped with both of these outfits.  While polka dots usually win out with Stinkerbell, these two days, she picked plaid and stripes.  I had to agree with her :-)



Tunic - BDGB (thrifted);                Dress - Old Navy (thrifted);
Bangles (thrifted)                                  Cardi - Target;
Boots - Charlotte Russe - (thrifted)          Shoes - Madden (thrifted);
Necklace, Earrings and Ring - Steinmart    Necklaces - Express and Premiere
Belt - NY & Co                                                        



Arbor Day

 Necklace - Premier; Earrings - ??; Ring - Steinmart; Bracelets - Macy's

 Skirt - Talbot's (thrifted); Shirt - TJ Maxx; Shoes - Steve Madden (thrifted)

I have had this green and brown patterned skirt for years, but have only worn it three times, because I struggle with how to pair it with anything other than green, brown, or white/cream.  And here I go again, being boring.  I will force myself to wear it again very soon and break out of comfortable.

Ladies Day Out

Shirt - Macy's (FREE); Skirt - Dots; Pumps - Thrifted; Bracelets - Macy's; Necklace and Earrings - Premiere; Glasses - Banana Republic via Giovanetti Eye Care

I saw this shirt online a while ago and thought little of it. I don't know if the model was too skinny or if it was the way she was standing, but it just looked bleh. When my mom convinced me to try it on during a recent ladies day out, I was floored at how adorable it looked. I love the lacey feminine details and the muted floral pallette. Thanks MOM! And Macy's rewards bucks making it free made it even cuter!

And the skirt....I've tried several times to look at Dots because of the inexpensive cost, but was not impressed. Fabrics seemed cheap; Clothes poorly slapped together. I gave them another try this spring when I was looking for shorts. I was struggling because every regular store, like Old Navy and Target, made shorts that were the equivalent of but-moo-moos when you passed size 12. They lacked shape and just hung like bags. So I tried Dots, remembering they had a plus sized section. What I found was surprisingly good quality, excellent fit and a good variety of stylish options for the plus sized. True, the plus sections was super small and much more expensive than the skinny side, but it was choc full of gems and reasonable priced. I found 3 pairs of shorts and a brown pencil skirt with adorable ruching down the sides.

Maybe I've figured out their plan. Skinny women can shop anywhere, so cut corners where you can and make em cheap.... But plus sized women want fit and fashion and will pay a bit more...within reason, that is.

School's Out for Summer

Skirt - Ralph Lauren (Macy's FREE); Cardi - Gap; Shirt - Style & Co (Macys FREE); Belt and Ring - NY & Co; Shoes - Jessica Simpson (TJ Maxx); Earrings - Premiere; Necklace- Thrifted.
I took my last two exams for the spring this week. I aced them both. Now, maybe I can take a moment or two to blog occasionally. I'm really behind.

Sexy, Sassy Secretary

Shirt - Thrifted; Skirt - JC Penny; Vest - Thrifted; Shoes - Madden (Thrifted); Earrings - Steinmart; Bracelets - Premiere

This is what happens when Husby trys to play Austin Powers with the camera. Loved this retro shirt - Found it at St. Vincent DePaul for I think $2.00. It really is from the 60's, Polyester and all. The sleeves would most likely fit Sophie, however, so I just pretended that they are 3/4 length cause I loved the rest of the shirt so much. And I can't believe I never paired this vest with this skirt before. I felt like perfect Mad Men secretary. Minus the voluptuous boobies.

Comfy Sexy

Cardi and Shirt - Old Navy; Pants - Style & Co (Macy's); Shoes - Steinmart; Belt - Thrifted; Necklace - Premiere; Earrings - Lia Sophia (gift from MIL)

This outfit is pretty basic. Nothing out of the ordinary and super comfy. Great outfit for work and school. That's about it.

Sweater - Steinmart; Skirt and Tights - Old Navy; Boots - Macy's; Belt - Dots; Earrings - Chico's; Necklaces - Premeire

Husby went so far as to call me sexy in this outfit. He told me multiple times that I looked really good. I guess he must like this one :-P This is one of those way-after-winter-on-the-clearance-rack-for-$3.50-becuase-it's-the-last-sweater-in-the-store finds. And it is the only sweater that I didn't pack away for the summer because it's warm yet light weight enough to slap on over a tank while sitting by a fire drinking a beer with my neighbors. This is my new go-to sweater.

Dirty Martini, Extra Olive

Cardi and Tank - Gap; Skirt - JC Penny; Shoes - Madden (thrifted); Belt - Thrifted; Bracelet - Steinmart; Earrings - Chico's; Necklace - Premiere

I found this tank and cardi on the clearance rack at the Gap when I took my bestie there for her birthday. I love the dark green background and the earth-toned floral print of the tank, and I've been wanting a sweater this color FOREVER, so it was like I struck gold.

The second gold was the olive green heels. I love all things olive, since my eyes are that color, but it's been surprisingly hard to find. Military green - Easy. Lime - all over the place. But a good olive has been elusive. These pumps were sitting, ever so elegantly, on a shelf in my fave thrift store for $10, almost like they were waiting for me. I won't say that they are super comfy, but they have made it through a few full days at the office without me resorting to my emergency flats, so they rate pretty high on the comfort scale.

This outfit was a winner all around. I felt feminine, fashionable, and in my autumn element.

Rating - Two Thumbs Up

Striking

Shirt - Liz Claiborne (thrifted); Scarf used as belt- thrifted; Skirt- JC Penny;

Necklace and Bangles - Steinmart; Shoes - Madden (thrifted)

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My boss sprung on me the desire for me to attend a community meeting as the face of my company and our client at about 3:00 at work. What I loved most about this outfit was that I felt no need to change between work and the meeting. I felt confident, classy, and just the right amount of sexy. I shone at the event, being one of the more outgoing 'working' the event and ended up making positive contact with many of the concerned members of the community. I guess the bartender in me will always make me approachable. I was told by a random stranger that I was striking. This is my new power suit. And with all of the clearance and thrifted items that it incorporates, I was clothed head to toe for under $30. YAY!!

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Rating - Two Thumbs Up.

Dusty Blue

Shirt - Steinmart; Sweater - Thrifted; Skirt - Old Navy; Boots - Marshalls; Tights - NY & Co;

I am in LOVE with long sweaters lately. I've thrifted two recently, this dusty blue number being the second, and I just can't get enough. I even find myself putting them on over my jammies at night to snuggle on the couch with the kids before bedtime. And making pancakes with them on in the morning...or taking the dog out so that others can see them too. There is something so comforting about them, and yet so stylish, especially when I match with a belt and some boots.

Rating - Two Thumbs Up

Farewell, Old Friend

Pants - Jones New York (steinmart); Shirt - JC Penny; Belt - Steinmart; Sweater - TJ Maxx;

Shoes - Nine West (thirfted); Necklace - Thrifted; Earrings - Premiere

This outfit was thrown together totally last minute as I saw this shirt that I bought last summer when I was rearranging my closet and wanted to wear it. I love everything about how this outfit looked and felt. This shirt was such a pleasant surprise. I would never have paired red, magenta and brown before purchasing this, and was drawn to the ugliness of the pattern. It's really quite beautiful.

The old friend, however, is the pants. These pants are brown with gold sparkles are highwaisted, wide legged and all sorts of amazing. But they are also wool and very itchy, so after this picture was taken, I retired them into my winter clothes bin to be resurrected next October. I'll miss you, sweet pants.

. Rating - Two Thumbs Up Always love it when I follow up a crappy outfit with a faboo one!

Even the Stylish have Bad Days

Dress - Motherhood Maternity; Boots - Macy's; Vest - Tommy Hilfiger (vis Macy's); Belt - Baby Phat (thrifted); Sock Tops
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This outfit is a product of my compulsive need to make maternity clothes work in a non-maternity way. This dress failed. I loved the color blocking, and it was one of my faves when I was prego with both babies, but this dress will have to be retired to await my little sister getting pregnant.
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It probably didn't help that I woke up too late to wash my hair, which needed it badly, but I felt frumpy all day.
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Rating - One Thumb Sideways (husby), One Thumb Down

Skirt Love

Skirt, Shirt, Sweater, Belt and Shoes - Thrifted; Tights - Old Navy;

Earrings - Steinmart; Necklace - Premeire

This outfit is almost entirely the fruit of my Valentine's thrifting excursion to find a colorful pencil skirt. As you can see I was successful. It was 25% off day and my outfit cost a total of $8.50. That's some thrifting I can get behind (and Husby was okay with, too). The skirt was $1.50, so it has already earned its worth :-) The shoes are a bit odd in that they won't zip up (even when off), but I actually kind of liked them unzipped anyway, so here they are. I love the orangey leather, which is so on trend know. I love the red skirt and it will be making MANY return appearances, as well as the cream lace shirt, which is such a fun neutral piece. Rating - Two Thumbs Up

Boudoir Chic

Skirt and belt - JC Penny; Lace Top - TJ Maxx; Shirt - Style & Co (Macy's);

Tights - Old Navy; Necklace and Ring - Steinmart; Earrings - Premiere; Shoes - Madden (thrifted)

When I got dressed this morning, I was a bit apprehensive that this outfit may be a bit to sexy for work. But, seeing as all of my naughty parts were sufficiently covered and I was in love with the outfit, I threw caution to the wind. And I'm so glad I did. I felt a bit more than the appropriate amount of sexy at work (which made me even more productive) and got tons of compliments on the outfit. Plus, this necklace, one of my favorite statement pieces, making an appearance always makes for a great day. AND, the proportions were just right, making me look long and lean(er).

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Rating - Two Emphatic Thumbs Up

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This outfit also got me thinking about my newly developed clothing worth theory (which is helping me curb my spending). Before I buy something, I always try it on and then try to put a monetary value on how much I like it. I liked this shirt $10 worth. THEN I look at the price tag. This shirt was $11. But its originality, both for my closet and in general, gave it an extra worth buck and I bought it. But how do I come up with this worth?

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Easy. I divide the amount I paid for the item by the amount of times I expect myself to wear it. If I can think of enough outfits off the bat to bring it's worth down to $2-$3 per wearing, I'll go ahead and purchase. Then, once it is in my closet, I try to wear it enough to bring that value down to $1. If I wear this $11.00 shirt 11 times, then I've suceeded in my challenge and adequatley valued it's worth at purchase. Currently, it's at $5.50. I've more than succeeded for the skirt, earrings, belt, necklace and shoes :-)

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I know, it borders on the ridiculous, but I am an engineer after all. Math is a part of nearly every thought I have.

Crazy Spoutings of a Shoe Addict

Cardi - Macy's (FREE); Skirt and Belt - JC Penny; Shirt - NY & Co (thrifted);

Tights - We Love Colors; Shoes - FREE (from my boss)

Close up of the cutie-pa-tootie shoes. My boss decided after getting pregnant with her third child that heels were no longer in the cards for her. Lucky for me, she has big honkin' feet like I do. She gives me first dibs before sending them to Goodwill. Even more lucky for me, cause I'd probably end up paying for them at Goodwill cause she had good shoe taste. However, when it comes to shoes I have a weird kind of mantra. While on one hand I feel that you can never have too many shoes, on the other hand, I feel that shoes have souls (haha I'm so clever) and must fulfill their shoe destiny. Therefore, I won't adopt or purchase a pair of shoes that are too similar to shoes that I have in my closet, so that all get worn. When I took these, I had no brown pumps. These shoes have been worn plenty and have smiling, happy, bright orange auras to match their cute little bows. It's all about Karma. Happy shoes won't break a heel or allow you to twist your ankle or give you blisters.

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Don't get me wrong. I couldn't have 50+ pairs of shoes and bee too narrow in my shoe sorting. Example: I have pewter flats and pumps;Red flats, pumps and Mary Janes; and black pointed toe mid heel, rounded toe low heel, rounded toe T-straps with ruffles and a high heel, flat boots with scrunchy calves, etc, etc....etc. Do you have good shoe Karma?? Am I just a Crazy shoe lady??

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And here is the Fugly sweater's second wearing. I'm not nearly as happy with this look as I was the last, but I've got at least 6 shirts of varying colors or styles to pair with this cardi before I make a definitive decision. C'mon people....free makes it even better!!

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Rating - Two Thumbs Up

Sprung Spring

Sweater - NY & Co (thrifted); Shirt - thrifted; Pants - Target;

Shoes - Steinmart; Jewelry - Premeire

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So the sun is shining on a relatively basis around here, except the weather can't decide if it is spring or winter, fluctuating from the 30's to the mid 50's and back again within a week. So, I brought out some spring colors to brighten up the inside of my office. I really love this crazy 70's print shirt, especially since I have both a purple and green skirt which can be paired with it when the weather gets nicer. Lots of possibilities.

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Rating - Two Thumbs Up

Gradumacation

Sweater - Steinmart; Jeans - TJ Maxx; T-Shirt - Banana Republic (Gap Outlet);

Scarf - Thrifted; Boots - Macy's; Belt - Steinmart; Jewelry - Premiere

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This sweater is an oldie but a goodie. I bought this right after I had my son, who was my first attempt at nursing. This sweater got me through last winter, probably my most worn item, cause all I had to do was unbutton one of the sides and slide him under to nurse and I was still covered. Plus, I could wear my Baby Bjorn underneath it, giving Eli extra warmth when I was shopping.

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But after I didn't have him strapped on or nursing, I wasn't quite sure how to wear this. The color was so gorgeous that I was determined to make it work someday. Looks like a belt did the trick.

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This day I was heading to school (hence the jeans) but I was meeting with an advisor to talk about nailing down a graduation date. I didn't want to wear my typical sweatshirt and pony tail, because part of this meeting involved some begging. Begging them to count my full time job in my Civil Engineering firm as my Mechanical Engineering co-op requirement. Begging them to take the Civil classes that I had taken as part of my associates degree and count them as some of the mechanical technical electives. Begging them to waive the remaining technical electives because of my work experience. All of these items are possible, but at the whim of the person making the call, so I needed to look like a grown up who was taking responsibility, who wasn't just looking for the easy way out. I needed to look like the mom supporting her family while trying to further her education to make their lives better. When I'm in a sweatshirt and ponytail, I just look 12. I think I pulled it off nicely, because I may be able to graduate in the summer of 2013, instead of the summer of 2015 as originally thought. YAY ME!!
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Rating - Two Thumbs Up (which means a lot for a jeans outfit)

Can You Tell Me How to Get?

Sweater Dress - From Mom; Vest - Steinmart; Tights - We Love Colors;

Boots, Scarf and Hat - Thrifted; Earrings - Premeire

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The hat was not a part of the outfit, but I wore it out in the snow and it did a number on my hair, so it became part of it for the rest of the evening. The scarf, vest and boots are all OHWs today. I was told by a co-worker that I was wearing too many colors, and that I looked like I belonged on Sesame Street. I laughed it off, but the truth was that it bothered me a bit. In fact, the conservative engineers that I work with often make comments about my attire, and they are not very often positive. If I didn't have such good self esteem, I'd start dressing as boring as they do. But I like my wardrobe, and I like my choices and outfits, even the ones that don't work. Most of the time I laugh when they joke and jibe, but every once in a while, the insecure little kid that was made fun of for wearing her big sisters' hand-me downs feels the poke a bit too sharply. I was self conscious all day. One day I will truly be able to not let it bother me, but today I am human.

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On another note, this was my first time wearing this sweater dress my mom gave me, and sadly it's not going to remain in my closet. It's a bit too thick and bulky up top and the neck kinda made me feel like I was being choked all day. This dress is being retired not because of lack of imagination, but because of the discomfort I suffered all day wearing it.

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Rating - Two Thumbs Down

Wrapped Up in Cheetah

Skirt - Liz Claiborne (thrifted); Sweater - Thrifted; Belt - Baby Phat - Thrifted;

Shirt - FREE (from Mom); Bangles and Ring - Steinmart; Shoes - Thrifted

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The skirt here is the one hit wonder. Every time I've tried to wear it, I've paired it with a black shirt, which just bored me. Then, my mom gave me this gold number and an idea sparked. I was happy with this outfit when I left, but there were some issues. First, the skirt is a wrap skirt, so it's got extra fabric in the front which makes me look bigger. Not a problem if I wear a more form fitting shirt on the top, but this blousy number only accentuated the problem. Can't see it in the pic above, but if you took a side view, whoa Nelly. I'm not giving up on the skirt, though. Next time, I think I'll try using the black wrap shirt I always want to pull, but adding lots of color with accessories and see how that goes.

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Rating - Two Thumbs Sideways

Grunge Faux Pas

Vest - August Silk (TJ Maxx); Plaid Tunic - Style & Co (Macy's); Skirt - Old Navy;

Boots - Macy's; Belt - Steinmart; Bracelet - thrifted; Earrings - Premiere
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The OHW for this outfit is the tunic, but this outfit represents a first for me. The first time wearing brown and black together. Also told since childhood that this was a fashion faux pas, I've seen others pairing brown and black lately and have been dying to try it. When I found this tunic at Macy's a few months ago, with brown and black lines making the plaid (it also mixes silver and gold), I found my perfect opportunity. Of course, the first time I wore it I chickened out and wore it with black leggings, sweater and boots. Baby steps.
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While Husby didn't like this outfit because it was too segmented, I absolutely LOVED it for the very same reason. The breaks added interest and made the outfit visually stimulating, while elongating me and taking focus off of my apple shape. I felt long and lean and fabulous all day long.
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And, Style Underdog, I am sporting Sock Tops.....I'll be suprised if I have any whole socks by the end of the winter.... THANK YOU!!!
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Rating - One Thumb Sideways (Husby), One Thumb Up (ME!)

And the Hits Just Keep on Coming

Shirt - Old Navy (thrifted); Sweater - Gap (maternity); Pants - Target (circa 2001); Shoes - Steinmart; Bangle - Old Navy; Earrings - Chicos
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Boring. This outfit was super-de-duper boring. But so very comfortable. I could have put on some tights and heels and really spiffed up the deal, but I knew this was going to be a crazy work day for me and my knee was really hurting from wearing heels the day before (because I fell down the stairs with a huge basket of laundry and landed square on my left knee) and it was going to snow and I just wanted to be comfy. I was very happy, despite looking boring.
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The OHW (one hit wonder) in this outfit is the blouse. I have to be a little careful how I wear it because it is exceedingly short, even for a short-waisted leggy dame like myself. The first time was with a blazer and high waisted skirt.
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Rating - Two Thumbs Sideways