Cuff Me

I'm a copy-cat.  I saw Slynnro's adorable cuffed-sleeve blazer and had to have it.   Luckily, she's cool like that, and so the gray version is now mine, thanks to the Wednesday 40% off (45% if you use a GAP or affiliate plastic!) coupon!  

Love the lining on the cuffs, love the length, love the fit, love that it can be work-appropriately slimmer fitting or a in flattering boyfriend style for the weekends!  

Lightweight Wool Blazer - GAP

Black Lace Cami - Banana Republic

Black Pencil Skirt - Michael by Michael Kors via Nordstrom

Nude "Happy" Pumps - Ann Klein via Piperlime

Feathered Headband - Etsy Seller Featherbrain

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? 

LEC Boyfriend Cardigan

Last week, I scooped up my first Lands' End Canvas Collection Boyfriend Cardigan at the 30% Off Summer Sale (still happening now!).  Love it... but so, so, so glad I listened to Erin and sized down.  This sucker is obviously meant to be blousier, because even the Small is roomy on me (and I am not a Small).   But I'm digging it belted for work and it will be great over a slim-fit tank and skinny jeans, paired with flats for the Fall! 

Deep Sapphire Boyfriend Cardigan - Lands' End Canvas

Sherbert Silk Shell - Banana Republic

Black Pencil Skirt - Michael by Michael Kors via Nordstrom

Serengeti Patent "Juliet" Pumps - J.Crew

Pearl Cluster Earrings - Etsy Seller Bridal Emunique

Gold Medallion Necklace - gift

Black Ruffle Ribbon Belt - Etsy Seller Heart of Light

weeeeeeeeeeee're baaaaaaaaaack!

Did Poltergeist scare the bejesus out of any other children of the 80s?  Numero Uno actually didn't shake my bones, but, for some reason, PIII was pee-pants inducing for a young K.   Shuuuuuudder!  

So we took a little break from the bathroom crappy iPhone photos, yes?  

Never fear, Carol Anne!  We're back and better of crappier quality than ever!  

We'll forge ahead per usual come Monday, but here are three looks you missed that are slightly better than your average ITPitB Heritage Cardigan Look Bear.  {How many times can one the "cross-though" function before it stops being semi-clever?}  

Breezy Blousy Print-Mixin'

I usually save this top for skinny jeans and black pencil skirts... but it turns out it looks pretty alright with the Mrs. Doubtfire skirt too!  The Serengeti Pumps mixed with the semi-psychedelic print is one of my favorite combinations to jazz up a work ensemble! 

Blousy Print Top - Nordstrom (brand unknown)

Brown Pleated Wool Suit Skirt - Banana Republic

Patent Serengeti "Juliet" Pumps - J.Crew

Gold Leather Headband - Target

Gold Link Necklace - J.Crew

Gold Medallion Necklace -gift

Cheap-n-Casual Circle Skirt Friday

I purchased this skirt in NYC with my mom when I was 20 - from some random shop in SoHo.  It was one of those items that I bought because my mom really, really wanted me to (not to mention it only cost something 18 buckaroos).  I'll admit, in the past 7 years, it hasn't gotten a lot of play in my closet rotation.  But for some reason I've held onto it... and recently, my pack-ratting paid off, as it's one of my "new" favorites!  

Obviously (hook 'em) I love the color... but I also love that it's part hippie-chick, part Donna Reed.  It's a skirt that makes me want to do a few SYTYCD moves whilst waiting for the fax machine! 

Coral Cable Knit Sweater - Merona via Target

Burnt Orange Print Circle Skirt - brand unknown

Gold "Reva" Flats - Tory Burch 

Gold Leather Headband - Target

Gold Link Necklace (doubled) - J.Crew

Gold Medallion Necklace - gift

Wide Brown Belt - Merona via Target

New, Go-To Hairdo

Back to my roots (get it? hair? roots? ha!)... snapping photos in the bathroom!  Although this is an ITPitB First... I Take Photos in the Greek Place Bathroom!  Yum, yum, yum, gyros in my tum!  Anyhoo, I think I finally mastered the side-bun without looking like a disheveled ballerina... aka: you'll be seeing a lot more of this style as the summer heat renders blow-drying intolerable. 

Outfit Stats... here!

Have a fantabulous weekend... See you on Monday!

basketcase

One of my favorite work shells, this apricot silk number from Banana Republic is an example of a high-quality professional wardrobe piece that will last forever if proper care is taken!  I've had it for five years and regularly wear it with brown, black, navy, and gray suits, as well as belted with skinny jeans for nights out!  

Since I have dinner plans with one of my favorites, this top is perfect for the work-to-cocktails transition!  And I ADORE the neckline detail - perhaps the best part being that the basket-weave is so tight that regular nude bra straps don't show through!  Three Cheers for No Strapless Bras at Work! 

Silk Apricot Basketweave Shell - Banana Republic

Black Suit Jacket - custom tailored: Bangkok, Thailand

Black Pencil Skirt - Michael by Michael Kors via Nordstrom

Serengeti "Juliet" Pumps - J.Crew 

Pearl Cluster Earrings - Etsy Seller Bridal Emunique 

Black Belt - Banana Republic

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

you'll have to rip my cardigan from my dead, lifeless fingers

As you can see from my outfit choices this week, if you told me I could no longer wear cardigans to work, I'd slap you silly... I'm talking Stephen vs. Irene Real World Seattle Style here, folks. 

This was one of those mornings where I had in mind what I wanted to wear (dark turquoise rosette neck shell - pictured - with a pencil skirt and jacket).  Then the pencil skirt was no where to be found.  Nether were my favorite pinstripe pants.  So then I had to go with option 3 - black pants from BR that I love but are high-waters in anything but flats.  And I think flats look lame with a full, formal suit... Off goes the jacket in exchange for the cardigan.  

And THAT'S how we got to 3 LEC Heritage Cardigans in 4 days.  Wphew. 

"Heritage" Cardigan in Turquoise Sea - Land's End Canvas

Dark Turquoise Silk Rosette Neck Shell - Banana Republic

Black Pants - Banana Republic

Black Bow Flats - Jessica Simpson via Nordstrom

Gold Disc Earrings - Sonya Rene 

Gold Medallion Necklace - gift 

Note: For those of you have have asked about LEC's sizing, I did a post on EA (click here) extolling the virtues of LEC and including a little blip about sizing!  

pleasing pleats

I think I tried every single non-matchy-suit jacket in my arsenal on this morning... and I'm none-too-pleased that this selection could use a good ironing... but, as it so often is the case, it'll just have to do!

I do like how the pleats on the front of the jacket mimic the sassy kick-pleats on the back of my pencil skirt (which, sadly, do not photograph with the crappy iPhone camera... but they're there... you'll just have to trust me on this).  

Chino Pleated Jacket - Banana Republic (forever ago)

Black Pencil Skirt - Michael by Michael Kors

Patent Serengeti "Juliet" Pumps - J.Crew

Black Satin Headband - Ann Taylor

Pearl Cluster Earrings - Etsy Seller Bridal Emunique

Sapphire Ring - 21st birthday gift 

UnCasual Friday

After my jeans debacle last week ("BUT IT WAS IN THE EMPLOYEE MANUAL!!!"), I attempted to redeem myself with my Friday Attire.  I still sported Lazy Hair and flats, but threw on a dress and cardigan to appease the Wardrobe Police (even though I'm the only attorney in the office today - I don't need Bad Employee JuJu!).  Of course I forgot to take full-length shots before I left, but here's the best I could do with the Sbux bathroom! 

Teal Ruffle Neck Cotton Dress - Nordstrom (exact brand unknown)

Black Boyfriend Cardigan - White + Warren

Metallic Gunmetal "Lissie" Flats - Tory Burch

Gold & Amethyst Feather Earrings - Kendra Scott

Gold Medallion Necklace - gift

Magenta Skinny Belt - The Limited 

For everyone with Lands' End Canvas sizing questions, head on over to EA for a guide!  

resolution...

... tomorrow, I shall not wear a flowy top boasting polka dots, if only for fear of becoming "That New Chick With The Penchant For Silky Polka Dotted Blouses."

Which is sooooo not as cool a nickname as the moniker I'm hoping for:  "That New Chick Whose A Badass."  

Also: I shall high-tail it to CVS for sunless tanner, ASAP.   Milky White Legs (and not in a sexy Nicole Kidman Way).... Arrrrrrggggggg! 

Navy "Silk Dot Print Tunic" - Banana Republic

Black Pencil Skirt - Michael by Michael Kors via Nordstrom

Black Flannel & Satin "Molly" Pumps - J.Crew

Gold Feather Earrings - Kendra Scott via Gilt Fuse

Gold Medallion Necklace - wedding present 

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

IKEA Chic

A week or so ago, I awoke with the overwhelming desire to visit IKEA.  Seriously.  It was as if that mammoth, blue and yellow Swedish Mecca was calling me home with its fizzy pear water and 100 count tea lights for $3.99.   Like a sailor to the siren call, I went... Wearing "Leggings as Pants," no doubt.  Comfy... but I caught the view of my backside in the warehouse track lighting.... Not Okay.  

Unwashed Hair: Day Two --> Twisty Pony

Black Boyfriend Cardy - White + Warren via Gilt Groupe

Pink, Ivory & Black Ruffle Shell - Shoshana via Rue La La

Black Leggings - Hue via Nordstrom

Brown Boots - Banana Republic (Winter 2007)

Gilded Bon Bon Earrings - Anthropologie (Winter 2009)

Gold Medallion Necklace - wedding present

Blush Metallic Skinny Belt - J.Crew

Sapphire & Diamond Right-hand Ring - 21st bday present