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

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 

flying high

Cheeseball Post Title.  Apologies.

I admit... this is one of those dresses that I lusted after, finally purchased... and have never worn.  I think it's been sitting in the ol' closet since February.  Sad, little airplanes.  :(  All alone.  But the age old problem is, of course, where does one wear a dress festooned with old-timey biplanes?  A wedding on the Carolina coast is an option that comes to mind... too bad an Ironing Incident left my little dress high-and-dry.

So, today I just decided to suck it up and stop waiting for a "Wrightsville Dress Appropriate Event."  Summer's almost over (well, the heat's not almost over... but Labor Day will be here before we know it), and this frock is just too cute to keep tucked away until 2011.  

Evs' remark(s) when I pulled this out of the closet this morning?  Does that dress really have planes on it?  It's strapless... are you really going to wear that to work?

Yes... Thank you, Captain Obvious... and, Yes.  

Wrightsville Dress - Anthropologie

Bold Sun "Heritage" Cardigan - Lands' End Canvas

Chocolate Patent Peep-Toe Wedges - Banana Republic

Gold Flower Earrings - J.Crew

Wide Brown Belt - Target

Sailor Stripes

Perhaps my favorite purchase of the summer, I've worn the Perilla Dress from Anthro into the ground on the weekends.  Luckily, with a cami and a cardigan, it can pull double-duty during the workweek as well!

 Perilla Dress - Anthropologie

Lace Cami - Banana Republic

Bold Sun "Heritage" Cardigan - Lands' End Canvas

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

Gold Metallic Headband - Target

Pearl Cluster Earrings - Etsy seller Bridal Emunique

Gold Medallion Necklace - gift

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

Take That, DVF!

Today I'm sporting one of my proudest buys... a wrap dress from Target that always garners "Where did you get that!" compliments, has held up quite nicely over the past 4 years, and only cost me about $25, if my recollection serves me correctly!  

But wait - the plot thickens!  No fancy "Famous Designer X for Target" label here... just plain ol' Merona!  

Navy Print Jersey Wrap Dress - Merona via Target

Gunmetal "Lissie" Flats - Tory Burch 

Gold Flower Earrings - J.Crew

Skystone Necklace - Anthropologie

ruffles galore

Today, for good ol' "casual Friday," I pulled this skirt from the depths of my closet and thought "huh. wonder if this still fits."  Like a glove.  Love it when that happens.  I'm not exactly sure of it's "birth date" but I know I have photos of it frolicking around Spain Fall Semester of my Junior year of college... so it's at least 7!  And from Old Navy, to boot!

I dig the ruffly hem! 

{is it "to boot" or "too boot"? hmmmmmmm}

With my bottom half covered (literally), I had one of those mornings trying to figure out what to wear on top.  There is currently a pile at least 17 blouses deep on our bed... carnage from this morning.  Evs, knowing I was having issues, attempted a fashion compliment... "You look great!  Except I'm getting a little sick of that cardigan."

EXCUSE ME???  SICK of the HERITAGE CARDIGAN???

DIVORCE!!!

My fabulous cousin Angela has the IN at all the fun jewelry shows... and thus I got a fabulous super special surprise in my mailbox yesterday!  Check out the best Van Kleef-esque necklace and earring set EVER!  Perfect for layering and I love the mix of the crosshatch pattern with the open shamrock.  I can't wait to wear the earrings, either (I'm definitely a Mixer Upper of Sets - makes things less matchy-matchy!).  

Layered Ruffle Tank - Anthropologie

Golden Sun "Heritage" Cardigan - Lands' End Canvas

Brown Ruffle Skirt - Old Navy

Gold "Reva" Flats - Tory Burch

Gold Medallion Necklace - gift

Gold Van Kleef-esque Necklace - gift

oops

It appears that I have been neglecting little ol' ITPitB... but don't worry!  Bathroom / Bad-Lighting-Bedroom Phots HAVE been taken!

Consider this a "Closet Dump":

Friday, March 12

Also known as The First & Only Day I Wore Jeans to Work (the employee manual says "jeans on Fridays"... apparently that doesn't apply to attorneys... MORTIFICATION!)

Hair is getting hella-long... Time for a trim!

Embellished Blossom Cardigan - Ann Taylor Loft

Shimmery Orange Tee - Michael Stars

"Always Skinny" Jeans - GAP

Gold "Reva" Flats - Tory Burch

Gold Figure 8 Earrings - gift

Gold Medallion Necklace - gift

Monday, March 15

I love this jacket - purchased mega on-sale last Spring from J.Crew.  I'm digging the black, white, and red combo!  For some odd reason, I always remember that Claudia from the Babysitters' Club decorated her room in these tones... which still registers as "eternally chic" for me! 

White Atelier Jacket - J.Crew (Spring 2009)

Black Pinstripe Pants - J.Crew (circa 2001)

Red Patent "Juliet" Pumps - J.Crew

Black Satin Headband - Ann Taylor

Gold Figure 8 Earrings - gift

{Evs is dressed entirely in Brooks Brothers}

Tuesday, March 16

Favorite Suit Dress!  Super curvy + pockets!  

 Great 3/4 Sleeved Jacket - Ann Taylor

Black Wool Sheath - Ann Taylor

Patent, Satin, & Flannel "Molly" Pumps - J.Crew

Skystone Necklace - Anthropologie

Ivory & Gold Cuff - Banana Republic

Wednesday, March 17

Happy St. Paddy's Day!  

Green Button Sweater - Banana Republic (Spring 2008)

Brown Pleated Suit Skirt - Banana Republic (circa 2006)

Serengeti Patent "Juliet" Pumps - J.Crew

Gold Flower Earrings - J.Crew

Gold C Cuff - Coach

Thursday, March 18

Its the Lands' End Canvas Heritage Cardigan in action!  If you haven't already read, I'm a tad obsessed with these cardys!  The "Bold Sun" color is the perfect way to cheer on my Demon Deacons today as they face UT (my other, and very first, love... hence the orange under-shell!) in the first round of the NCAA Championship.  Let the March Madness begin!  

For those who are curious, when it comes to basketball, I'm a Wake gal all the way... for everything else, GO HORNS! {And no, I wasn't indulging in a little "Wake Up Wine" this morning... that would be one of our water goblets in my hand.}

Bold Sun Heritage Cardigan - Lands' End Canvas Collection

Orange Silk Lattice Shell - Banana Republic (Spring 2008)

Black Pencil Skirt - Ann Taylor

Black Patent Loafers - Cole Haan

Gold Figure 8 Earrings - gift

Black Belt - Banana Republic

mitten-chic

Worn to my friend SAI's wedding gown fitting + vino and pizza night:

What's that, you ask?  My mittens?  Ooooooo... you mean MY OFFICIAL VANCOUVER 2010 WINTER OLYMPIC MITTENS?  

{mittens + Canadian truffles = gloriousness}

MASSIVE thank-yous to my fabulous bloggy friend Liane (Running for Wine - check her out!) for sending me the highly-coveted, oh-so-fabulous Maple Leaf Mittens all the way from British Columbia!  I pretty much haven't taken them off... which makes for difficult typing and/or sweaty hands when it was 60 degrees outside last weekend. 

Silk Tunic Top - Hale Bob via RueLaLa

White Cami - Nordstrom

"Always Skinny" Jeans - GAP

Serengeti "Juliet" Pumps - J.Crew

 Skystone Necklace - Anthropologie

Ivory & Gold Bangle - Banana Republic

2010 Olympic Mittens - AWESOMENSS

out-n-about

Pretty much obsessed with the Swirled Azita Tunic from Anthro...

Also pretty obsessed with the lighting in this very smoky rugby bar in Fort Worth... Usually, one can only dream of such fantastic fluorescent track fixtures whilst enjoying $6 pitchers of Miller Lite with a gaggle of men in stripey shirts and tiny net shorts. 

 And while we're obsessing, a Big Gracias to Ann Taylor for the inception of the Perfect Platform Pump in patent... beautifully made, heart-breakingly high, and both price and comfort are on the "decent" side (as far as 4 inch stilettos go, obvs).  And yes, that would have made me a whopping 6'1'' on Saturday night... thank goodness for tall husbands! 

Lastly... an Oldy but a Goody... a sherbet colored car coat in cotton chino... an Old Navy Cheapie from 6 years ago:

Swirled Azita Tunic - Anthropologie

"Always Skinny" Jeans - GAP

Perfect Platform Patent Pumps - Ann Taylor

Cotton Chino Car Coat - Old Navy

Ivory & Gold Statement Earrings - Amrita Singh via RLL

Gold Medallion Necklace - wedding present

Ivory & Gold Bangle - Banana Republic

shrieking violets

First up... my interview ensemble from Thursday morning!

The organization I'm interviewing with is not a private law firm, so I wanted to steer clear of the Big Black Corporate Power Suit while still appearing professional.  A non-matchy dress + jacket combo did the trick just dandily along with my Interview / Court Hose and black bow pumps. 

And I suppose the outfit did the trick, as I'm going in for a second interview on Monday!  Yay! 

Violet Dress - Banana Republic

Black Suit Jacket - Banana Republic

"Blackest Black" Sheer Hose - Leggs (yes, $3.99 drugstore variety)

Black Flannel "Molly" Pumps - J.Crew (Fall 2009)

Gold Figure-Eight Earrings - present

Gold Medallion Necklace - wedding present

... and taking violet casual later that afternoon for lunch (and, um, margaritas) with B!

I purchased this shirt on my first major shopping endeavor since I became unemployed.  Thanks to birthday money and the 15% discount from Anthro, I came home with three stellar spring / summer pieces.  I have a love/hate relationship with this pairing...love being obvious (ruffles! mini pom-poms! delicate lattice buttons!)... and the hate... I kind of feel like either a four year old on a cool Easter morning or a entry level student at Clown College.  Oh well. 

Violet "Jackie" Cardigan - J.Crew (here)

"Friendly Competition" Top - Odille via Anthropologie (here)

"Always Skinny" Jeans - GAP

Gold Metallic "Reva" Flats - Tory Burch via Neiman Marcus

Pave Ball Earrings - Banana Republic

Gold Medallion Necklace - wedding present 

mixin' prints

Yesterday, I did not mix shit. I did, however, mix prints.  Which is not the same thing at all.  But might kind-of-sort-of rhyme.  If you're Heidi Montag Pratt, that is.

I swear, if J.Crew does not bring back the Juliets then WE. ARE. OVER. For reals. 

Cashmere Argyle Sweater - Banana Republic (Winter 2008)

"Always Skinny" Jeans - GAP

Serengeti "Juliet" Pumps - J.Crew (BRING THEM BACK)

Skystone Necklace - Anthropologie (Winter 2009)