new buddy

I feel like Purple and I are really getting along lately... My college roommate was a purple fiend. Thus, I OD'd-by-Osmosis on the hue and have just recently found myself enjoying it again.  

Purple Knit Dress - Banana Republic

Eggplant "Heritage" Cardigan - LEC

Quilted/Patent-Toe Gray & Black Flats - Delman

Amethyst Drop Earrings - gift

Skinny Black Patent Belt - came attached to some suit pants from LOFT

White Ceramic Watch - Fossil

Chunky Gold Cuff - Coach

casual friday

While blue jeans aren't kosher on Casual Fridays in my office {only for attorneys...THE INJUSTICE!}, it seems I can get away with white trouser jeans... Perhaps they've been mistaken for linen pants, seeing as my Ironing Skillz are about nil?  And I suppose the long tank helps with the camouflage. 

Either / or... I'm not telling! 

Marigold "Heritage" Cardigan - LEC

Striped Ruffle-Neck Racerback Tank - LEC

White Trouser Jeans - GAP

Gold Reva Flats - Tory Burch

{Faux} Pearl & Diamond Studs - Banana Republic

White Ceramic Watch - Fossil

Gold Bangle - Coach

Vegas: Moth Woman

Printed "Moth" Top - local boutique {"Mine"... I think}

Black Tank - Forever 21

Always Skinny Jeans - GAP

Silver Metallic Peep-toe Wedges - Tory Burch

Earrings - Anthropologie

Big Gold Bangle - Coach

Sparkly Bangle - Banana

mellow yellow

Worn for Birthday Dinner at Hibiscus.

Sunny Safari Blouse - Girls from Savoy / Anthropologie

White Tank - Nordstrom Intimates

Always Skinny Jeans - GAP

Silver Metallic Peep-Toe Wedges - Tory Burch

Earrings - Amrita Singh

K Stamped Necklace - Sonya Renee

Gold Medallion Necklace - gift

White Ceramic Watch - Fossil

Sparkle Bangle - Banana Republic

Gold Bangle - Coach

ruby-like slippers

I'm sure it's pretty apparent from my OOTDs that I'm a bit Juliet Pump Obsessed. Why J. Crew hasn't brought back the Juliet, I'll never know... it's one the universe's many secrets.  It's also a stupid secret because I guaran-damn-tee you that I'd snatch up a pair in every single color if they'd reappear in my Fall catalog.

Oh well.  For now, there's always eBay.  Of which I have to thank for THESE!

They are crackly and metallic and blush and PERFECT. And only $50.00 + $7 shipping!  {Note: These aren't technically "Juliets" - they are "Claudia" but are the exact same shape and fit... just crackly metallic leather with a covered heel as opposed to the patent with the wood heel.}

So cute, I wore them yesterday as well.  Faux-pas?  Dorothy wore her sparkly shoes all the way down that yellow brick road, so I figure I'm probably okay with a Monday/Tuesday Double Dose.  

Belted Silk Print Dress - Milly 

Blush Metallic Crackle "Claudia" Pump - J.Crew

Pearls - Gift 

Ruffle Neck Dress - Shoshana

"Heritage" Cardigan - LEC

Blush Metallic Crackle "Claudia" Pump - J.Crew

Gold Medallion Necklace - gift

Ivory & Gold Bangle - gift

Blush Metallic Skinny Belt - J.Crew

candy colors

I've been a bad OOTD Blogger... Apologies!  But I have been taking photos - so you get a 3-for-1 this evening!

Looking at them all together... I definitely don't shy away from color, eh? 

Wednesday

Tie-Neck Blouse - Lands' End Canvas

Cami - Nordstrom

Chinese Lantern Skirt - French Connection 

Gold "Reva" Flats - Tory Burch 

Gold & Amethyst Feather Earrings - Kendra Scott

Thursday

Pink Ruffle Neck Shell - J.Crew

Orange Spice Heritage Cardigan - Lands' End Canvas

Black Pleated Suit Skirt - Banana Republic

Black Patent "Perfect Platform" Pump - Ann Taylor

Pearl Cluster Earrings - Etsy Seller Bridal Emunique

Gold Cuff - Coach 

Friday

Blue Lagoon Heritage Cardigan - Lands' End Canvas

Green Dress - Maggie London via Nordstrom

Chocolate Patent Peep-Toe Wedges - Banana Republic

Gold Figure-8 Earrings - gift 

Are you a fan of bold colors for work? 

A favorite, on Thursday

Busted out an old J.Crew cardigan that's been overshadowed by all the LEC that's been going on in my wardrobe lately...

The petals have seen better days, but I love the weight and the 3/4 length sleeves for summer! 

And without the cardigan...

Blue Ruffle Neck Dress - Shoshana

Ivory Petal Cardigan - J.Crew

Patent Serengeti "Juliet" Pumps - J.Crew

Shamrock Earrings - gift

Gold Medallion Necklace - gift

Elephant Bangle - Urban Outfitters (a thousand yrs ago)

I Said Brrrrrrr, It's Cold in Here...

In anticipation of the A/C being out again today, I ditched my normal jacket / cardigan and let my airy LEC blouse have some fun by its lonesome. 

And yet... the A/C is magically fixed and I now work in an icecream truck.  OBVIOUSLY. 

Such is life, yes? 

Baby Pink Bow-Neck Blouse - Lands' End Canvas

Camisole - Target 

Brown Wook Suit Skirt - Banana Republic

Brown Buckle Peep-Toe Pumps - Banana Republic

Gold Clover Earrings - gift

Gold Medallion Necklace - gift

Gold C Cuff - Coach

makin' it work + garment care

Every Thursday, I lead an information session for potential clients or folks who have on general legal questions.  I usually try to wear a legit suit for these meetings so that I look the Lady Lawyer Part... otherwise, I usually get the "eres tan joven para ser abogada!" (you are too young to be a lawyer!) or "hablas espanol! que sopresa!" (you speak Spanish! what a surprise!).

Truth be told, I always get that last comment, regardless of my attire, but the suit jacket tends to discourage the "but you're a baby!" remarks.  Unfortunately, I was fresh out of clean suits, so the Turn-a-Dress-into-a-Skirt + Jacket combo had to do... Makin' it work, like my Favorite Gay Boyfriend Tim G.

Half-Sleeve Tie-Waist Jacket - Banana Republic

Silk Circle Dress - Banana Republic 

Patent Loafer Pumps - Cole Haan 

Gold Bangle - Coach 

And to answer a question from yesterday...

Garment Care:  I'll be honest with you, we are Dry Cleaning People.  I LOATHE ironing and between Evs and myself, we have tons of items that cannot be washed normally in the W/D.  I used to attempt hand-washing, line-drying, then ironing on some of my "hand wash only" items, but it just took too much time and my clothes never held up as nicely.  Therefore, the only thing that gets laundered in our home are t-shirts, socks, workout gear, jeans/shorts, PJs, linens (as in towels and sheets - not clothes made from linen) and unmentionables.  

Nearly everything you see me wearing here to work gets dry cleaned... including things like my cotton cardigans, sweaters and shells.  I know the tag says they are safe for the washer and dryer, but dry cleaning doesn't screw with the shape and doesn't cause pilling.  Plus everything comes back neatly pressed and feeling new.  You'll often see me wearing clothes I purchased several years ago... they would not be in a wearable condition today if I was tasked with laundering them!   

To cut down on cost, I've found a dry-cleaner that runs weekly specials, I steer clear of the "designer dry cleaners" (I'm lookin' at you Bibbentuckers and Eco-Cleaners!), and we wear things until they are truly dirty - ie: until they are visibly stained or smell.  That sounds gross, but most things don't need to be washed after one wear (or two, or three) if you are clean when you put them on and avoid spillage.  Plus, wool suiting shouldn't be dry cleaned unless absolutely necessary as it causes the material to get shiny.  Evs has a portable steamer which helps immensely to gussy up suits after sitting in them for 14 hours.  

ruffle necks

I am unbelieveably miffed today.  Yesterday I couldn't find the skirt I wanted and today I couldn't find the dress I wanted.  {Our poor dry-cleaner is continually blamed for these incidents... and then-->} Of course while searching for said dress this morning, I found the skirt I was clamoring for yesterday.  So maybe tomorrow I'll find that dress.  Of course it will be TOO LATE because I have fun plans TONIGHT.  Blech.  

Tuesday

I was told I looked very lawyerly yesterday... a comment which always leads me to believe that I don't look very lawyerly most other days.  Pfffftttt.  

Striped Ruffle Collar Button-Down - J. Crew

Brown Pleated Wool Suit Skirt - Banana Republic

Tomato "Juliet" Pumps - J.Crew

Floral Earrings - J.Crew

Wednesday 

I have a presentation today and had my outfit all planned out last night... and then POOF, desired frock was no where to be found.  So I grabbed this one and went with it... only to remember that this dress is a tad short.  Here's hoping there's a podium to stand behind. 

Turquoise Ruffle Neck Dress - unknown brand via Nordstrom

V-Neck Boyfriend Cardigan - White & Warren

Suede & Patent "Harper" Pumps - J.Crew

Flannel & Patent "Molly" Bow Pumps - J.Crew (ie, what I'm actually wearing - they were in the car and the "Harpers" were a seasonally inappropriate stand-in for the photo)

Gold Feather Earrings - Kendra Scott via Gilt Fuse

Gold Medallion Necklace - gift

Ivory & Gold Bangle - Banana Republic

Magenta Skinny Belt - The Limited

circle up!

I love a circle skirt... they just make me want to twirl!  This particular skirt (styled for fall here) is potentially my longest running item of clothing in my closet save for my missing pinstripe wool pants from J.Crew (WHERE ARE YOU?  COME HOME!).  For such a bold print, it's surprisingly versatile!

The perfect solution to the "Casual Friday but Can't Wear Jeans" Conundrum!

I've had this blouse for quite awhile too... hailing back to my "First Suit Purchase" days... love, love, love high quality pieces like these that stand the test of time!  

Happy Chinese Lanterns!

 Sheer Peach Button-Down - Banana Republic

Cami - Nordstrom Intimates

Chinese Lantern Circle Skirt - French Connection

Gold "Reva" Flats - Tory Burch

Gold Figure-8 Earrings - gift

Gold Medallion Necklace - gift

Ivory & Gold Bangle - Banana Republic

double trouble

Outfits from Tuesday and Wednesday (be forewarned, I'm not ecstatic about either of these... I'm off my mojo this week)....

Tuesday

Bottom Line:  This top looks better with jeans... it's too long to leave untucked with a suit skirt or pants and, while it looks better with a pencil skirt, the sweater material is thick and leaves a big line across your middle when tucked into to a more form-fitting skirt.  I tried to do the juxtaposing pleats thing here but... meh.

Horizontal Pleats Sweater - Banana Republic

Pleated Suit Skirt - Banana Republic

Black Patent Loafer-Pumps - Cole Haan

Gold Figure-8 Earrings - gift

Gold Medallion Necklace - gift

Gold C Bangle - Coach

Wednesday

Honestly, I am so fed up with my hair and ready for today's appointment that I don't really care what's currently clothing my person!  The cape cardigan is a little kooky but I think its fun in a different sort of way, while the addition of the skinny belt to the dress delineates my waist, ensuring that I don't look like a crazy blob of a cat lady.  

And Evs would like it made known that he HATES this headband.  With a fiery passion.  

Silver Silk Cardigan Cape - Banana Republic

Black Suit Dress - Ann Taylor

Nude "Happy" Pumps - Ann Klein 

Rosette Headband - Etsy Seller Vie Moderne

Micro Pave Ball Earrings - Banana Republic

Blush Metallic Skinny Belt - J. Crew

favorite dress! favorite dress!

Yeah.... so.... I say that about a lot of dresses in my closet, but this is definitely my favorite Double Duty Dress!  I've sported this frock for rehearsal dinners (here), evenings out with Evs' superiors, parties hosted in our own home, plus to the office oodles of times (example / example).**  Bare-shouldered it's a fab, if somewhat conservative, cocktail dress / Add a cardigan and its TCB Time (Professional Style)! 

I love mixing up accessories with this dress... it works with brown, black, leopard, red, nude, or gold footwear - open-toed, pumps, or flats - and I've belted it with a wide brown belt as well as a skinny metallic blush-colored belt.  Today, I stuck with the "mixed media" chain + fabric belt that came with the dress, added a dusty amethyst cardigan, gold jewelry, and perhaps my favorite springtime pumps (with the ivory bangle to tie it all together!).  

{woah. big foot.}

I really need to start taking these photos after putting on lipstick (always save it for the car)... jeesh!  

Dusty Amethyst (my description - not their's!) "Jackie" Cardigan - J.Crew

Navy Ruffle Dress w/ Belt - Shoshana

Nude "Happy" Pumps - Anne Klein via Piperlime

Gold Headband - Target

Gold & Amethyst Feather Earrings - Kendra Scott via Gilt

Gold Medallion Necklace - gift

Ivory & Gold Cuff - Banana Republic 

** I should point out that the first example of this dress worn in a somewhat professional setting is circa my mini-break from legit gainful employment... So no, I wouldn't wear those platform shoes to my old or my current office.