unenthused?

Nothing too exciting to see here... the blousy top paired with a cardigan is pretty standard work day fare for me these days!

Orange Basketweave Top - Banana Republic {circa '07}

Sterling "Jackie" Cardigan - J.Crew

Black Flowy Pants - on loan, Old Navy Maternity {circa '06}

Gray & Black Quilted Flats - Delman via Gilt

Black "Danielle" Earrings - Kendra Scott

White Ceramic Watch - Fossil

Ultimate Panel Trouser Maternity Jean

Well!

It's been awhile!

I fully admit that vanity played heavily into my hiatus.  Ye ol' uterus squatter has been doing a number on my energy, skin, and mid-section... not to mention my wardrobe.  1,983% worth it, of course, but I'd be lying if I said I've been hung-ho about my appearance these past few months.  

But.... ahhhh... there it is... Second Trimester!  My energy's {mostly} back which means I've become reacquainted with my hairdryer and mascara.  And, this week {#14, if anyone's keeping track}, I swallowed my pride and fully embraced maternity pants!  And they feel delicious! 

For the most part, my tops and dresses still work, but, since the BellaBand and I never got along, my bottoms are ready for a stretchy-waistband-type-makeover.  

And so here we are. 

Apologies for starting this new phase in ITPitB with such a boring ensemble, but that's just how the cookie crumbles... But! I am really thrilled to review GAP's new Ultimate Panel Trouser Maternity Jeans**... 

Black "Bra Friendly" Tank - SNUG Camisoles

Eggplant "Heritage" Cardigan - Lands End Canvas

Ultimate Panel Trouser Jeans - GAP

Gunmetal "Lissie" Flats - Tory Burch

Yellow "Danielle" Earrings - Kendra Scott 

With their super dark wash and wide trouser leg, these jeans are perfect for casual workdays.  GAP's new "ultimate panel" is higher in the back and lower in the front.  I'm told this provides support for back and {my currently "squint-or-you'll-miss-it"} belly.

WHATEVER "TECHNOLOGY" I'M JUST PSYCHED I CAN BREATHE NOW.

{Sizing Note: These are my regular GAP denim size in the Long length.} 

I bought two of these SNUG camisoles** when they were on sale at Zulily.  I should have bought every color - these things are amazing.  They are not maternity wear, but are a super stretchy, super long, one-size-fits-all {sizes 0-24} tank so they work great for those with or without buns in zee oven.  They do not bunch or ride up up... a rarity!  Also, they are thin, but not too thin - I feel like I can wear them with an unbuttoned cardigan and not look as if I'm walking around in my underwear in public.  Good stuff all around.  {Although, WARNING: their website could use a revamp... quite amateurish and, sometimes, like an online retailer for strippers.}  

Mamas or mamas-to-be: What are some of your favorite maternity brands?  

**As a GAP Brand Ambassador, I was given a pair of these jeans by GAP as a gift.  I was not asked, nor do I feel obligated, to review them... But I like them so much that I wanted to share with y'all!  The SNUG camisole was not a freebie... Just another product I'm excited to have discovered. 

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

Double Time

Yesterday's outfit....

Black Shift - GAP

Citron "Heritage" Cardigan - LEC

Gold & Black Pom Flats - GAP

Yellow "Danielle" Earrings - Kendra Scott

Blush Metallic Skinny Belt - J.Crew

White Ceramic Watch - Fossil

... and today's! 

Silk Tunic - Tucker

Gray Tank - LEC

Black Boy-Fit Pants - GAP

Metallic Silver Peep-Toe Wedges - Tory Burch

Gold & Amethyst Feather Earrings - Kendra Scott

White Ceramic Watch - Fossil

ahoy!

Perhaps my favorite purchase of the season... Nautical Striped Pique Dress from LEC... qualifies as a semi-mini-dress while remaining casual.  I usually don't wear dresses this short to work {unless it's winter and there are opaque tights involved}... BUT!  It's Casual Friday and there are no clients or bosses in the office... So... HERE ARE MY LEGS, WORLD.

Nautical Striped Pique Dress - LEC

Gold Reva Flats - Tory Burch

Cobalt Earrings - gift

White Ceramic Watch - Fossil

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

Tunic Time. Like Turtle Time. With Less Pinot Grigio.

I'm a Tunic Freak.

Tunic 12 Step Program?  Sign me up.

Or maybe... Don't.  I would have 'nary a thing to wear.

Tunic Top - Tucker

Gray Tank - Lands' End Canvas

Black "Boyfit" Pants - GAP

Gunmetal "Lissie" Flats - Tory Burch via Neiman Marcus

sunday brunch

New iPhone makes things rather yellow... huh

Plum "Heritage" Cardigan - Lands' End Canvas

Royal Blue Silk Rosette Tank - Banana

Always Skinny Jeans - GAP

Gray & Black Quilted/Patent Flats - Delman

Gold C Necklace - 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

  

two-fer

Thursday's Ensemble...

Dress - Milly

Belt - Banana Republic

Black Tights - Merona via Target

Boots - Banana Republic

Flower Earrings - Banana Republic

Friday's Ensemble...

Another fabulous pair of black GAP pants!  These are the Real Skinnies in Tall.  And I'm adoring my Belted Sweater Vest (also a la GAP).. I plan on living in this thing for winter!  

Belted Sweater Vest - GAP

White Fitted Tee - Old Navy

Black "Real Skinny" Pants - GAP

Gunmetal "Lissie" Flats - Tory Burch

Gold & Amethyst Feather Earrings - Kendra Scott 

My Pants are Not Pleated. Pinky-Swear.

Um.  I now realize it appears as if my new Boy Fit GAP Pants are pleated.  I can assure you, they are not.  They are actually rather awesome in a relaxed-yet-still-professional kind of way.  I'm mildly obsessed.  And this is coming from a Generally Anti-Pants Girl.  

Slouchy... 

...sans Jerry Curl. 

Lagoon "Heritage" Cardigan - Land's End Canvas

Turquoise Silk Shell - Banana Republic

Black Boy Fit Pants - GAP

Gunmetal "Lissie" Flats - Tory Burch

Summer's End

Yes.  Your eyes do not deceive you.  I wear white jeans after Labor Day.  Other people do it too.  The high today is 96 degrees, so antiquated fashion "rules" can suck it!

But, I do like to keep things seasonally appropriate... hence the ballet flats and the cooler weather items up top.  Wooo-weeee someone needs some lipstick and a re-highlight!  

"Beetlejuice" Open Cardigan - Francesca's Collections

Lace Cami - Banana Republic

White Jeans - GAP

Gunmetal "Lissie" Flats - Tory Burch 

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

More Rebellion

Yep.  Back again with a sleeveless top. It's been 106 every afternoon when I get in my car to go home, so DECORUM BE DAMNED!  I also rather enjoy Heather's comment that perhaps Michelle O has broken the bonds of the "Must Cover Thine Arms" Regulations... although, I wish I actually had my favorite First Lady's arms...

Maybe in another life. 

Silk Shell - J.Crew

Chinese Lantern Print Skirt - French Connection

Gold "Reva" Flats - Tory Burch

Gold Metallic Headband - Target

Gold Medallion Necklace - gift

Gold C Cuff - Coach

Casual Friday Polo Dress

Two posts in 1 hour - major, I know!

My mom actually pointed out this Lands' End polo dress to me... just like Ralph L's but half the price!  I love it for running errands in the summer (although Evs hates it and calls it the Shapeless Wonder) and it even works for Casual Fridays when paired with my favorite Heritage cardigans! 

Navy Mesh Polo Dress - Lands' End

Blue Lagoon "Heritage" Cardigan - Lands' End Canvas

Gunmetal "Lissie" Flats - Tori Burch

Pearl Studs - not a clue

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! 

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!

last minute look

This morning, I awoke to these words: "Hey honey, kinda cool that you got to sleep in this morning, right?"

Ummmmmmmm come again?

Time on the clock?  7:30 a.m.

Time Kate's alarm is supposed to ring?  6:30 a.m.

Effffffffffffffffffffffffffffff.

That would be why my hair looks as if I'm about to attend an adult ballet class.

And why the only stitch of makeup on my face is lipstick and mascara. 

And why I'm taking photos at the gym.  {which, actually, is way better than my lameass closet mirror.}

Black & White Print Jersey Shirt Dress - BCBG

Turquoise "Heritage" Cardigan - Lands' End Canvas

Gunmetal "Lissie" Flats - Tory Burch

Cobalt Bead Earrings - gift

Gold Medallion Necklace - gift 

Blush Metallic Skinny Belt - J.Crew