the un-maternity dress

During these "Is She or Isn't She?" weeks, I've mostly been sporting my regular ol' work frocks {non-mat pants having forsaken my hips a while back}.  The all-star of the bunch?  My sole Lilly dress...

Oddly, this thing has a ton of room in the belly -- so much so that I would have sent it right back to RueLaLa had we not just found out about the wee bean.  I anticipate this one working for quite some time!  

{16 weeks}

"Jolie" Dress - Lilly Pulitzer via RueLaLa

Pink "Heritage" Cardigan - Lands End Canvas

Blush Metallic Pumps - J.Crew via eBay

Gold Flower Earrings - J.Crew

Blush Metallic Skinny Belt - J.Crew

love letters

I'm not usually a Lilly Pulitzer Person.  Hot pink giraffes are cute on zee kidlets, but not so much on grown women, in my humble opinion.  That said, I spied this shift on RueLaLa and thought it was pretty cute... whimsical, but still.... mature? I mean, yes, there are a few {well-placed, thank god}} gigantic pink lip prints on it, but I dig the different font prints and the typewriter.

I even discovered a little Valentine to good ol' Wake Forest...

Navy "Love Letter" Dress - Lilly Pulitzer via RueLaLa

Blush Metallic Pumps - J.Crew

Gold Flower Earrings - J.Crew

Blush Metallic Skinny Belt - J.Crew

White Ceramic Watch - Fossil

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

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)

Linen + Lilly (you suck)

Last Friday, I skirted panted the No Jeans on Casual Friday issue by busting out my new linen pants from GAP (Sale! $25! Score!)...

Back in my OCD Days, I was anti-linen... Too! Many! Wrinkles!  I've since embraced the wonders of linen... and I no longer break out in hives if socks get left on the bathroom floor (although nagging over said socks isn't something I've yet grown out of).  

Between the "fancy" t-shirt, the sandals, and the feel-like-pajama-pants pants, it was a pretty comfy Friday! 

The sandals are the first item of Lilly Pulitzer I've ever purchased, and while I find them rather cute, I have to say that I am WHOLLY UNIMPRESSED with the quality. I've worn them maybe 10 times and the heels have half-peeled off (making a really unpleasant flapping sound every time I take a step).  WTF, LILLY?  Not only do you create woman's clothing that looks like a Floridian four year old's bed spread (grown women in hot pink giraffes?  bleh), but the few age-appropriate items you do design fall apart in an instant?  NO THANK YOU.  Our very brief relationship is officially over even if I do think some of your tunics are cute and I'd really like some of those pineapple pajamas.  Super glad that the only "money" I spent on these suckers was RueLaLa credits!  

Lagoon "Heritage" Cardigan - Lands' End Canvas

Yellow Tee - GAP

Chocolate Linen Pants - GAP

Gold Ball Sandals - Lilly Pulitzer (BOO)

Figure 8 Earrings - gift

Gold Medallion Necklace - gift

Gold C Necklace - Coach

weekend wear!

First-up, HDH & MH's Engagement Party!

Since it was such a hit on Pawley's Island, and the print seemed to fit the fun "TexMex & Tequila" party theme, this vibrant, one-shoulder Trina Turk was an obvious choice in which to cheers H & M's impending nuptials!  This dress ranks high on my Favorites List and originally appeared in Evs' & My Wedding Wardrobe Lineup!  

One-Shouldered Dress - Trina Turk via RueLaLa

Pink Satin Rosette Sandals - White House Black Market (ironic)

White & Gold Statement Earrings - Kendra Scott via RueLaLa

Gold C Cuff (not pictured) - Coach

Additionally... a Quick-Fix for Errand-Running!

Thank Gawd it's sundress season again!  My closet is chock-full of 'em from seasons' past (this one happens to be my college grad dress from 2005!) and they are the absolute easiest things to throw on!  

For example, Sunday morning found us with a rumpled hair, a hankering for Mediterranean food, and a full to-do list of errands requiring attention.  A quick brush-through, some bronzer, and a breezy dress-and-cardigan combo and 10 minutes later I was good to go.  

Absolutely love this coral print and the lace / bust / braided strap detail.  And these silver sandals?  Happy, happy, happy momentos purchased on Mykonos during our trip to Greece in 2007... When these wear out, I'll be a Sad Panda.  

Coral Print Sundress - Designer Unknown, Purchased in Willminton Beach, NC

"Heritage" Cardigan in Bold Sun - Land's End Canvas

Silver Sandals - Street Vendor Purchase, Mykonos, Greece

Gold Medallion Necklace -gift 

"work-cocktail"

Today's post is a study in reinterpreting the cocktail dress for the work environment!  {woo hoo!  how snotty do I sound?}

I'm a big fan of purchasing clothes that serve more than one purpose - I get more bang for my buck and I get to go to work feeling semi-snazzy in my "modified party clothes!"

Case in Point:

Monday:

This is not the most exciting dress... actually, I wouldn't classify this as "cocktail" but it is silk and sleeveless and works for a whole slew of social events (church, showers, graduations, etc)... But throw a jacket over it or a button down under it, and it becomes a fabulous work dress! 

Black Suit Jacket - Banana Republic

Silk "Circles" Tulip Dress - Banana Republic

Black Tights - Merona via Target

Patent & Suede "Harper" Pumps - J.Crew

Gold Figure-8 Earrings - gift

Gold Medallion Necklace - gift 

Tuesday:

Obsessed with this Theory steal from RueLaLa.... First, the top portion is a super-stretchy, super-flattering, super-comfy lycra blend that reminds me of my favorite ballet leotards from back in the Skinny Days.  Empire Waist is tricky on my body type at times - making me appear more bottom heavy and pair-shaped than is entirely fair.  But for some reason... this works.  I always feel thin in this dress!  The paint-brush basket-weave pattern on the silk skirt is understated but a little unexpected.  Pop on a bright turquoise cardy from LEC, and we're ready for a day of work, to be followed thereafter with dinner and drinks!  

Are you sick of my LEC Heritage Cardy Love yet?  Seriously y'all, these colors are GORGEOUS!  So vibrant!  I think I need more!  Come on, coupons! 

"Heritage" Cardigan in Turquoise Sea - Lands' End Canvas

"Mixed Media" Dress - Theory via RueLaLa

Perfect Patent Platform Pumps - Ann Taylor

Seed Pearl Necklace - gift 

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

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

ayudame

So, Confession: I used to be a bit secretly judgmental of the stay-at-home-types who schlepped around in glorified sweatsuits all day.  Is it that hard to get dressed?

Um, yes.

The Bitch Named Karma continues to rear its ugly head because, for the past two days, I've been the ultimate Sweat Suit Schlepper - and not even the cutesy, matching kind.  When your big daily date with functioning adult society consists purely of a couple hours at the gym and a grocery store run, I consider matching socks a victory.  And, as hard as I've tried to teach The Boom about accessorizing, she just looks at me funny if I fold laundry in a statement necklace.

So apologies for the lack of fashion-inspired posts.  HOWEVER, I do need some opinions...

Unemployment = No Shopping for Katers.  Exception: Free Stuff.  I wracked up enough credits on RueLaLa (join here!) to purchase this dress by Theory:

Full-body ruffles are not usually a look that I take a chance on since my body is, well, fuller.  But its a free dress, I love the color (aptly titled "black cherry" - a very deep raspberry), and I thought it might work for either a wedding I have in a couple of weeks or a party being thrown on my birthday (sadly, not a party for me).  But, alas, I'm not sure if this is a keeper or not:

Let's play Pro/Con:

Pros:

- pretty color

- comfy

- allows for "fat days"

- my normal size fits!  (truth be told, this is not a reason to keep anything but since its made by notoriously-small Theory, I did do a little happy dance when I slid it on!)

Cons:

- entirely too short to transition into day-wear, even with tights

- I feel like a bon-bon... and not in a "damn, I look delicious!" sort of way

Thoughts?  Opinions?  I'm leaning towards sending it back.  It is not a "need" piece.

Also - to answer some emails I received regarding the Wunder Under Pants by Lululemon:

- Yes, they are SUPER long - I can easily roll them up into capris if I want.  But!  Lululemon will hem any of their pants for free... even if you purchase online, take them into your nearest store and they'll fix you right up!

- I purchased the plain, ole, regular Wunder Unders... I can't vouch for any of the fleece-lined or amped up varieties... but I love all my Lululemon pieces so any of their inventory is worth a try!

- No, I do not have skinny legs.  In fact, they are feeling quite wobbly at the moment.  However, I do not feel like a cow in these... which is excellent.

NYE Attire + Bonus

Our NYE was pretty low-key: yummy steak dinner at home with the 'rents and then a party thrown by the 'rents of my high school bestie / matron of honor CSP. 

I still managed to squeeze in some sparkle / drink my fair share of celebratory bubbly.

Sequin tank in "blush" - Ann Taylor Loft (similar here)

Real Skinny Jeans - GAP (here)

Patent Serengeti "Juliet" Pumps - J.Crew

"Gilded BonBon" Earrings - Anthropologie (here)

Bauble Cocktail Ring - J.Crew (similar here)

Ivory & Gold Bangle - Banana Republic (similar here)

Hot Pink Pashmina - gift (similar here)

Busted out one of my all-time favorite RueLaLa finds on Wednesday for happy hour with the familia and a girls' dinner with CSP, her madre and mi madre!

Oh DVF!  I wish I could afford you every day!

Chevron Sweater Dress - Diane Von Furstenburg via RueLaLa (similar here; and here)

Purple Tights - Merona via Target (here)

Brown Leather Boots - Banana Republic (similar here)

Gold & Amethyst Feather Earrings - Kendra Scott via Gilt Fuse (similar here)

Gold Tassel Necklace - gift (similar here)

Gold Flower Cocktail Ring - J.Crew (similar here)