Flashy New Year

I'm not going to be subtle in the new year if my recent aquisitions are any indication.

It's all metallic and shiny and iridescent and FUN!

I saw this metallic cable knit sweater at Gap when walking in downtown Chicago and promptly ordered it and the stripe-y skirt it was paired with.

I was also smitten with over-the-top gold sweaters and this cable-knit version from Michael Kors is perfectly excessive.

I've been eyeing up this faux leather cutout dress from Betsey Johnson and when prices dropped, I nabbed it!

A while ago I saw a gorgeous shot on Pinterest of a woman wearing a gold foil skirt paired with a white button down shirt.  I knew I needed to get one.  This one from Zara's is perfect.

Plus this dark green coated denim skirt was calling to me too.  Also Zara.

Spring will be here soon.  The Sugarberry dress from Anthropologie is perfect for day or night.  I love the unusual color especially since it is covered in pailettes.  Plus 50% off and then another 25%, made it actually pretty reasonable for such a fancy dress.

But the best are the shoes I've been stalking went on sale!  Sophia Webster's iridescent peep-toe crown heels - aka Gigi - are finally mine!!!

So yeah.  Nothing subtle here!

Maybe I need a metallic silver sweater too.... hmmm....

Ensemble Du Jour: 2-23-11

Even though the days are still cool, the bright skies feel like Spring.  It doesn't feel right to wear dark tones.  It's time for color!

I started with the shoes and worked from there.  I paired a tomato red Gap sweater, with a khaki pencil skirt and grey and white Nautica scarf.

I love this butterfly pin.  It was my grandmother's and is very intricate with movable wings.  I thought wearing it as a pin would be a nice tie back to my shoe details.

I just got these gorgeous crochet tights from Sock Dreams.  They're so beautiful.  I plan on wearing them with an airy white dress and oxfords this summer.

But, yep, it was all about the shoes!  I just received three (!!!) pairs of custom Hetty Rose shoes and these are the first to be unveiled.  I'm going to do some more romance shots but I couldn't wait to share!

I'm smitten by so many of her fabrics. It's hard to choose just one.  I love the butterflies, outlined in metallic ink with large embroidered butterflies in silver thread.

This design is the Amalie, which is my favorite shape.  A perfect round-toe pump paired with glorious fabrics.  How can you resist?

Ensemble du Jour: 11-16-10

Hey look!  I'm feeling better so I actually took a picture with my face it in.  Oh, yeah.  hello new hair!

I just used my camera phone so I didn't get a shot of the full outfit, but basically I've been wearing my new Gap black pants like every other day, so whatevs.

The cardigan is a Merona one with a black cami underneath.  The pants, as I mentioned were Gap and the necklaces are both from JCrew. For shoes, I wore my YSL Tribute peep-toes.

But the scarf was the focal point.  I received this pretty thing in the mail yesterday and wanted to wear it right away.   Admittedly I was a bit nervous about it when I first opened the package and felt it.  The maker is Fraas and they had called this new "Cashmink" link.  I typically would not promote cashmere or fur of any kind but then I read further to see that this was made of a new exclusive acrylic that is 20% finer than cashmere.  This scarf is amazingly soft and warm. And the color is very vibrant.

I am a big scarf fan. I think have at least 15 - 20 in various colors and levels of casual to fancy.  I have a bunch of solids that I wear when traveling.  I have the ones I keep in my coat to match my coat.  I have fun knitted ones that are super long.  I love this purple plaid but after being seduced by it's snuggly-softness I think I want more.  Fraas has lots of solid colors (maybe the light pink and the ivory) but I love the other plaids and patterns too. 

There less than $30, so you'll probably be seeing me wearing more of these around.

Looking for Love

Sometimes, new hair means you need new clothes right?

Not that I "need" a lot of stuff but I did have a vision.  I wanted/needed three specific things that felt were missing in my closet.  I wanted 1. a black velvet blazer, 2. a black knit blazer and 3. black straight leg pants.

So I had a mission and I figured that between my local stores, I'd find something.  But isn't it totally frustrating when you can't find what you want?  I went to JCrew, Talbots, Ann Taylor, Black Market, and even into Brooks Brothers.  Nothing.

I decided to wander around Anthropologie just to see what they might have and after looking for a while and trying a bunch of stuff on, I didn't find anything.  But just as I was walking out, I spied a black jacket on the back of a rack. It wasn't plush as velvet but is more like a fine-wale cord.  But it does have neat top-stitching and bonus: patch pockets! Daughters of the Liberation Tulip Curtsy Blazer - $118

I wanted a black knit jacket too.  Something that had some structure but was really soft and comfortable.  I could still look nice but not be boxed in.  I had given up on this as well, as I found it after I tried on some other thing but the Gap didn't fail me.  When I saw that this was knit but with satin Tuxedo lapels, I knew it was perfect.  Gap Tuxedo Blazer - $69.50

But what I had really gone to Gap for was black pants.   I'm not a huge wearer of pants and jeans but I usually do okay getting them there.   Gap has a whole range of styles out including these straight leg ones.   What is great, at least for me, is that they have the three lengths as well.  The ankle length is usually what I get (yes, I'm that short) as they fit me with a bit of length for heels. I may go back for the cropped style too. Gap True Straight Pants - $49.50

As frustrating as not finding what you want, it's that great when you find exactly what you want!  Any successful shopping excursions for you lately?

Taking Stock

I usually need to get a few cardigans and sweaters each Fall.  I end am able to hold them over for a few years but I wear them a lot and they tend to get worn out.  I usually go to Target for some basics in solid colors and then JCrew for nicer v-necks. 

But this year, I'm not shopping at Target.

I stopped spending my money there when they stopped supporting people's rights by funding anti-LGBT rights politicians.   Now I don't support them.

So I've spent my money elsewhere.   I am looking for more more independent sources but also bought a few items at Gap. 

I'm finally getting to wear my olive green items (outfit post to follow).  I found a great olive sequined top that I wore under my jacket from YOOX and this cardigan is going to be the lighter version of that.  Plus, it's a great green to pair up with all sorts of colors.

V-neck sweaters are what I wear all winter long.  I got this in charcoal, purple, navy and tomato red.

Cowlneck is my second favorite neckline.  I'm sticking pretty close to my palette of greys and blacks but I like the fun stripe too.

I was smitten by these stripes, especially the black and white one.  Usually I buy argyle but I think I OD'd on argyle so I'm backing away this year.   These are especially comfy as I'm wearing the navy/red one right now with a denim skirt, navy tights and lace-up mid-calf boots.

I searched out a good promo code online so I got all of these for a pretty big discount.

How do you stock up for Fall? 

Ensemble du Jour - 2-19-10

I came home from New York with a terrible cold that I'm still trying to get over. But, I still have to go to work, you know? I just want to be snuggly and comfortable but not resort to the typical black.



I wore:
- JCrew cable knit sweater in forest
- Gap denim skirt
- We Love Colors orange tights
- Aerosoles Sixty Chic buckle heels
- Felt rose from Etsy



Say Hi to the pups!

Back to the business of getting well.

*cough, cough!*

Ensemble du Jour

I'm trying to catch up on my outfit posts. Sadly, my day-to-day small camera is, as I've mentioned, crap. And getting dark by 5pm really impedes on my picture taking time. So I made the hubby take pics today of my outfits from during the week.

This is what I wore on Wednesday. Quite a long day since we had vet appointments for the dogs and then I taught a class that night and then came home to do more work... so basically I was on the go from 6:30a.m. until 1:00a.m.

At least I was comfy.



It was chilly but not overly so.



I wore a black Merona baby-doll style jacket over a red Gap v-neck which was paired with a creme mini-skirt from Anthropologie.



I have a huge collection of vintage gloves and I really love to wear wrist-length ones, especially if they have a neat element like these with the stitching and scalloped edges.

These gloves are usually just a few dollars so grab them when you can. I think I have about 15 pairs and they aren't too precious so you can actually use them and not worry.



I like how the glove detail matches the cut-out design on the Nine West Ruffle mary janes.

More pics at Flickr.

Elements of Sunday

When I don't have the hubby around to take decent shots, I get stuck with my own efforts at self portraiture which doesn't work when you can't remember how to use the timer on the good camera.

So this is all I've got.

On Sunday, the dogs were still in boarding so we got up, took care of the other pets and went out for a late breakfast.







I wore my JCrew v-neck sweater with the sparkly Scottie dog, Gap jeans cuffed with sequin Chucks and my mini-retro case.

Then I came home and took a nap. Did you have a good weekend?

Ensemble du Jour

This is back when Target and the Go International collections were something to be excited about.

I love love love the Luella jacket. I am so glad I bought it a million years ago.



It is so much more vibrant in person.



I usually like to wear this with a bright blue shoe to pick up the smallest stripe color but today I really wanted to wear these Jimmy Choo Violin heels (purchased maybe, I don't know, 7 years ago). A jacket and jeans are one of my best pairings, especially my favorite Gap Long & Leans - because I am neither long or lean.



I remember these shoes being totally TOTALLY knocked off my Steven Madden and getting so pissed.



Not sure if his had the cute little extra strap that came off the sides, though.

I haven't fallen in love with many Choos lately. I used to love them the most but they've changed their style to be really, I don't know... trendy I guess. They used to be unique and sexy but now I feel blase about most of them.

I am interested in seeing how the H&M pairing turns out. I like a few from the collection but we'll see how they look in person.