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

turquoise & red

This was a huge wedding color combination the year we said "I Do."  Not my personal nuptial style, but I do like the contrast!

Red Dress - Ann Taylor Loft

Turquoise "Heritage" Cardigan - LEC

Brown Mary Janes - Banana Republic

Gold Flower Earrings - J.Crew

White Ceramic Watch - Fossil

springy

So my posts here are a bit spastic... no rhyme or reason for why - I just haven't quite gotten back into my groove of snapping daily photos!  

... But, I figured a new red dress was worth the effort! 

I love styles like this because they flow seamlessly from work to play, and {let's be honest} the cinched elastic waist accommodates a little weight gain.  Without the belt, there is a nice blouse-y effect!  And I love the rip-stop zipper pocket detail! 

Have you bought anything new for Spring? 

Red Dress - Ann Taylor LOFT {current}

Cream Cardigan - J.Crew {circa 2008}

Brown Peep-toe Pumps - Banana Republic {circa 2008}

Yellow "Danielle" Earrings - Kendra Scott {current}

White Ceramic Watch - Fossil

Wide Brown Belt - Target {circa 2009}

holly jolly office holiday party

Last week, I did a little post over on EA about my holiday party attire potentials...

Unfortunately, we skipped my department's party on Friday after finding out that Evs' grandmother passed away, and I was too busy trying out my Shake Weight and sneaking Hypnotiq into everyone's glass at our Holiday Fest to snap any photos on Saturday, but here's how the ensemble for Evs' department's Christmas shindig on Thursday shaped up...

I was pretty pleased overall... (save for my roots!) - I love this skirt from Ann Taylor Loft - and it's currently 50% off!  It has definitely added a nice dash of color to my winter "business casual" duds. 

 Black Turtleneck - Banana Republic

Floral Twisted Hem Skirt - Ann Taylor Loft

Tights - Spanx

Perfect Patent Pump - Ann Taylor

Earrings - Anthropologie

Black Cocktail Ring - The Limited

C Medallion Necklace - Coach

Gold Cuff - Coach 

Cheeky-Pinky

It's the Hairy Chest Shell!  {Not to be confused with the Hairy Chest Jacket!} This one works best with a little something to reign in the ruffle-fest... like a skinny belt!  

PS: Does my mirror need a major 409-ing or what? 

Slim-Crops from GAP, obvs.  And the shoes...I'm in love!  (Oddly, these don't appear to be online... but I bought them in-store 2 weeks ago for $40 - total steal!)

My dad is going to be tickled that so many people ask about my medallion coin necklace!  Read all about it here.  And please forgive my chesticle-mole... the iPhone makes it looks completely creepy.

Pint "Heritage" Cardigan - Lands' End Canvas

Blush Ruffle Shell - Ann Taylor Loft

Black "Slim Cropped" Pants - GAP

Gold & Black Pom-Pom Flats - GAP

Pearl Cluster Earrings - Etsy Seller Bridal Emunique

K-Stamp Necklace - Sonya Renee

Gold Medallion Coin Necklace - gift

Metallic Blush Skinny Belt - J.Crew

  

we like great big hairy chested men!

Today I'm sporting a piece that Evs so affectionately refers to as the Hairy Chest Jacket.

I usually respond to his cracks by belting out a Really, Really Cool & Tough (<-- Sarcasm) Sorority Song from back in the day.  

But I'll refrain from those shenanigans here.

Chiffon Ruffle Jacket - Ann Taylor

Green Top - Banana Republic

Black Pencil Skirt - Michael by Michael Kors

Rose Metallic "Claudia" Pumps - J.Crew via Ebay

Stamped K Necklace - Sonya Renee

me again

Took a little hiatus there, now didn't we?

We'll blame it on The Big Move.  {I'm finding The Big Move to be an excellent excuse that covers a wholelotta lazy ground.}

But.

BUT!

I think you'll find the B wherein ITP to be much improved!  Let's take a looksie...

Ooo!  Ahhh!  

Three Cheers for Non-Grainy Photos! 

(and rain forest showers)

(and Diet Coke)

Gray Blazer - GAP

Basket Print Dress - Theory

Gray Tights - Target

Perfect Patent Platform Pump - Ann Taylor

Pearl Cluster Earrings - Etsy Seller Bridal Emunique

K Stamp Necklace - Sonya Renee

Rooster Coin Necklace - read about it here

for shame

Let's get one thing straight before we dive right into my shame-spiral... I don't DO Jeggings.  I fully embraced the skinny jeans and the leggings last year... booties won me over in 2009 after two years of internal struggle... and last week I succumbed to a pair of (NON HOOKER) over-the-knee boots.  But I stand firm in my stance against Jeggings.  

Or, denim-colored jeggings, that is.  

Because, you see, when you have a coupon for a free pair of jeans that is about to expire and all your little heart desires is a pair of GAP Always Skinnies in Black, but all three stores you visit happen to be out of black Skinnies (in EVERY size), you can be forced to take drastic measures.  

Drastic Measures = Black "Jeggings"... WHICH, I am not even counting as "jeggings" because they have a working zipper and button - the Hallmark of a true jegging being it's purely pull-on style. 

I prefer to think of them as psuedo-pixie-pants a la J.Crew Fall 2009, thankyouverymuch.  Or, just black skinny pants.  Which is exactly what they look like.  OKAY?!

Outfit Uno:

Black & White Polka Dot Top - Banana Republic

Black Jeggings Skinny Pants - GAP

Gunmetal "Lissie" Flats - Tory Burch

Black Satin Headband - Ann Taylor

Silver Hoop Earrings - gift

Outfit Dos

Gray Cuffed Blazer - GAP

Teal Silk Shell - Banana Republic

Black Jeggings Skinny Pants - GAP

Blush Metallic "Claudia" Pumps - J.Crew via Ebay

Black Satin Headband - Ann Taylor

Gold Tassel Necklace - gift

Back in Black

Wow!  I don't think I've ever gotten as many sweet comments on ITPitB as I did with the Wrightsville Dress - I'm so glad y'all love it as much as I do!

Glumly, today is more than a tad more sedate.  But you can't go wrong with a basic black shift... and I love the slight tulip-ness of this one's skirt!

Black Dress - Ann Taylor

Tomato Patent "Juliet" Pumps - J.Crew

Pearl Cluster Earrings - Etsy Seller Bridal Emunique

Being Bad.

Today, I'm being a bit naughty... a SLEEVELESS TOP SANS JACKET / CARDIGAN.

I know.  The shame!  

This is not a habit I suggest making for any lady-lawyer / conservative-career-gal type, but the state of my dry-cleaning pile has reached DEFCON 5 + the high today is 106.  It's officially August in Texas.  I do have a light pashmina-type wrap in my office so I shall be spending my day swathed loosely in fabric as not to sully my Appropriate Office Attire Rep.  Also, please note that the overly-aggressive blush situation was remedied during my commute.  

Torquoise Silk Blouse - Ann Taylor Loft

Pencil Skirt - Michael by Michael Kors via Nordstrom

Black Perfect Platform Pumps - Ann Taylor

Pearl Cluster Earrings - Etsy Seller Bridal Emunique

Gold Medallion Necklace - gift 

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? 

Kate's Thoughts on Platform Pumps at Work

Ahhh platform pumps...

... they make your legs look longer and slimmer, and the big boost under the ball of your foot distributes weight more evenly, making for more comfy shoes!  

So what's not to love? 

Nothing... in the right atmosphere!  For nights out, I pair mine with everything... skinny jeans, skirts and dresses of all silhouettes - from slimmer fits to floatier varieties.  

But for the office?  Personally, I do think you can make room for platform pumps in your workwear... but when I start sashaying around in mega-high stilettos and a pencil skirt, I feel more Jessica Rabbit and less Competent Kate. 

I like fuller and slightly longer circle skirts to compensate for a sassier shoe... this combo tones the sex-appeal way down while still allowing for some fun in the footwear department!  

{terribly awkward pose... yikes!}

Do you rock the platform pumps at work?  

Sorbet Cap Sleeve Shell - Banana Republic

Chinese Lantern Circle Skirt - French Connection

Black Patent Platform Pumps - Ann Taylor

Pearl Cluster Earrings - Etsy: Bridal Emunique

Skiystone Necklace - Anthropologie

Evolution of an Ensemble

This is how so many of my mornings go...

ISM (Inspired Shower Moment) leads to interesting layering...

... which I'm digging...

...but not with the pants!

(length of ruffly shell cuts me off at the thigh, 

enhancing their thuderness)

Oooo, I do like it with the pencil though...

... but NAY on the chunkier loafer-pumps. 

Daintier Flannel Bow Pumps are just the ticket! 

Final Verdict?

Dusty Amethyst Ruffle Front Shell - Ann Taylor Loft

Dark Blue V-Neck Cardigan - J.Crew

Black Pencil Skirt - Ann Taylor

Black Flannel Bow Pumps - J.Crew

Black Satin Headband - Ann Taylor

Gold Shamrock Earrings - gift

Skinny Blush Metallic Belt - J.Crew

Cast-Offs

Black Pants - Banana Republic

Gold "Reva" Flats - Tory Burch

Black Patent Loafer Pumps - Cole Haan 

And an answer... I had a question about how the Heritage cardigans wear... I definitely wear these multiple times before cleaning - I don't find they stretch out at all!  Although, my normal "medium" in tops is slightly looser in the Lands' End Canvas sizing, so the cardigans are a bit larger to begin with... so there's really no pulling that would cause stretching.  The only part that wears a bit are the bends in the elbows (they get wrinkly), but those are usually back to normal after I hang them up for a while! 

weekend --> work wear!

My Monday Fashion Plan of Attack was to transform my new dress from Cocktail to Coffee Break... initially I was contemplating lots of Accessory Experimentation... and then HORROR OF TEXAS HORRORS our A/C went out. 

Luckily, our detached guest room has a window unit so our little family didn't die of heat exhaustion in our sleep... but come morning time, 87 degrees did not a pleasant dressing room atmosphere make.  

Thus... HERITAGE CARDIGAN.  

THAT'S IT!  ALL WE GET FOR TODAY!  

No fun belts.  No Extreme Layering.  No perky hair. 

JUST THAT DAMN CARDIGAN.**

**PS: My colleagues have officially noticed The Cardigan Obsession.  2 weeks ago, someone proposed the creation of a spreadsheet to keep track of which color I wear on what day.  Awesome.  I am officially Crazy Cardigan Lady.  Perhaps I should look into purchasing 27 cats with whom to loll around in order to really round out the cliche imagery.  

I'll try harder next time. 

Pinkie swear. 

Vibrant Animal Print Ruffle Dress - Ann Taylor

Bold Sun "Heritage" Cardigan - Lands' End Canvas

Chocolate Patent Peep Toe Wedges - Banana Republic

Gold Floral Earrings - J.Crew

Gold Medallion Necklace - gift

weekend wear

This weekend, we had the pleasure of dinning with Evs' boss, Evs' summer clerk, and both of their lovely wives. It's so nice to enjoy an evening with work people where you don't have to feel "on"... and where you enjoy the most delectable mustard cream sauce you've ever had the pleasure of dipping your fingers halibut in!  

I was planning on busting out a fancy white sundress that hasn't seen the light of day since our honeymoon (hence the reason that I only purchased one of these types of "bridal ensembles"... where do girls wear all these white dresses after the festivities are over???), but this little pink number called to me from the window of Ann Taylor... 

... and I'm super-psyched to transform it into work-wear this week!  It's the exact type of frock I look for to serve dual-purposes... flirty details, fun fabric, but a classic and none-too-sexy cut.  You better believe there will be a Bold Sun or Bright Orange Heritage Cardigan over this new addition in the coming days!  

Vibrant Animal Print Ruffle Dress - Ann Taylor

Satin Marigold "Carmen" Peep Toes - J. Crew (wedding shoes!)

Sunglasses - Banana Republic

White Enamel Necklace - Banana Republic (gift)

Bauble Cocktail Ring - J.Crew 

We All Hate Kristen Stewart!

And I am oh-so-glad we could share that moment together... ahhhhhhhh!   Cathartic, yes?

Tuesday (which was a no-good, very-bad day) 

Printed Wrap Dress - Banana Republic, Summer 2006

Lace Cami - Banana Republic

Navy Cotton Blazer - J.Crew

Patent Serengeti "Juliet" Pumps - J.Crew

Pearl Cluster Earrings - Etsy Seller Bridal Emunique

Gold Medallion Necklace - gift

Wide Brown Belt - Merona via Target

Wednesday 

Printed Chiffon Tunic - Banana Republic

Black Pencil Skirt - Ann Taylor

Bone Patent "Jolie" Peep-Toes Pumps - J.Crew 

THESE SHOES CAN BE YOURS!

Gold Clover Earrings - gift

Gold Medallion Necklace - gift 

Skinny Blush Metallic Belt - J.Crew