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 

Virgin Voyage...

... of my new boots!  Yippee for cooler temperatures!

I'm making very few purchases for Fall/Winter this year... I've got my eye on a new dinning room table (oh how I love thee, World Market), plus there's just not much that's knocking my socks off this season!  A new pair of jeans, a few sweaters, and a pair of gorgeous over-the-knee boots are the only things on my shopping list this season!  

CHECK for the boots! 

These (from BR) hit at mid-knee or fold up to the full-on "OTK" style... I adore the color and think they'll prosper long after the over-the-knee trend bites the dust.  Plus, I scored them for less than half-price thanks to some killer discounts and coupons!  

Navy Ruffle-Neck Dress - Shoshana

Bright Cherry "Heritage" Cardigan - Lands' End Canvas

"Hero" Over-the-Knee Boot in Grey Stone - Banana Republic

Blue Earrings - gift

Blush Metallic Skinny Belt - J.Crew

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

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

look, ma! i'm legal!

Yesterday I had occasion to dress like an attorney.  Or maybe what Gossip Girl thinks an attorney should look like, but whateverItotallyworeajacketshutup.

I reeeeeally need to figure out a better camera / lighting option.  Even I am getting annoyed with me and my poor photo quality.  

This skirt was a Christmas gift and its been sitting very forlornly in my closet next to all my other business silks and wool-blends.  Its such a pretty color and I love the gathered waistband (see what appears to be a "belly picture" - BITE YOUR TONGUE - below).   I prefer to tuck a blouse in with this skirt but this situation required a jacket.  

Blouse-y Silk Black Jacket - Banana Republic (Fall 2007)

Silk Plum Skirt - J. Crew (Winter 2009)

Black Textured Tights - Merona via Target

Black Suede Boots - Cole Haan via Nordstrom (Fall 2008)

Black Satin Headband - Ann Taylor

Gold Figure-8 Earrings - Christmas Gift

*I also wore an Ivory & Gold Cuff - Banana Republic - not pictured

rainy day tunic

So, I promise that I did, in fact, get dressed this week.  Yesterday, I forgot to take photos and on Tuesday... there was, um, a cameltoe "issue" in my snapshots.  Not my best foot forward (ha! toe? foot? funny?), you could say.

Luckily today there are no unfortunate wardrobe malfunctions PLUS the lovely UPS man brought me my brand-spankin' new, brand-spankin' free Tucker tunic from Gilt Groupe!

Normally this is a top I'd belt but the addition of My Favorite Sweater Ever takes away the need.  A skinny belt over the sweater works well too - a la my past Tucker dress + chunky sweater combo.

I bought this sweater on a whim in Winter 2008, but it quickly became one of my most useful Texas "cold" weather stables.  Today, for example, its chilly outside.  Chilly enough that a jacket is warranted.  Except my plans include a Husband Birthday Shopping Trip at the mall.  And its not cold enough to wear my coat while I browse, but its also freakin' annoying to lug an outer-layer around during my excursion.  Chunky Sweater = Perfect Solution!  It'll keep me warm enough as I travel to and fro, but won't make me sweaty or encumbered while I'm indoors!

Plum, Violet, & Sterling Tunic Top - Tucker via Gilt

Chunky Wrap Sweater - Banana Republic

"Always Skinny" Jeans - GAP

Boots - Banana Republic

Gold Figure-Eight Earrings - Christmas gift

Gold Medallion Necklace - wedding gift

Gold C Cuff - Coach

National Championship Attire

Fabulous time in LA and Pasadena (full scoop, including B List Celeb Sightings, here)... and - in case you were holding your breath - my outfits worked out quite nicely!

Sightseeing - Wednesday and Friday:

Black & White Stripped Open Cardy - Francesca's Collections

Gray Ruffle V-Neck Tee - J.Crew

Hot Pink "Real Straight" Cords - GAP ($19.99 on sale)

Gunmetal "Lissie" Flats - Tory Burch via Neimans

Gold Flower Earrings - J.Crew

Striped Silk-Blend  V-Neck Sweater - GAP (here)

"Always Skinny" Jeans - GAP

Gunmetal "Lissie" Flats - Tory Burch via Neimans

Gold Medallion Necklace - wedding present

Gold Flower Earrings - J.Crew

Black Leather Bag - Coach (similar to the "New Leather Dome Satchel" and "Madison Large Sabrina" bags at Coach)

Game Day Outfit:

Wool-Blend Faux Wrap Dress - Banana Republic

Black Lace Cami - Banana Republic

Black Leggings (axed mid-day) - Lululemon Wunder Under Pants

Boots - Ariat

Gold Chain Figure-8 Earrings - Christmas present

Gold Medallion Necklace - wedding present

The wrap dress worked out really, really well!  I received loads of comments on it at the tailgate and it was warm enough until about an hour after the sun went down - then I threw on Evs' orange North Face fleece and a scarf and was good to go!

headed to victory!

My travel outfit to LAX (please excuse the blatant sucking-in pose... just-washed-jeans and all):

I usually like to wear flats whilst flying the friendly skies but the boots are comfy and take up too much room in the checked baggage.  I like to carry on my coat as well to save room.

Orange Sweatshirt-Sweater - GAP

"Always Skinny" Jeans - GAP

Boots - Ariat

Quilted Coat - Calvin Klein via Nordstrom

Horn Hat - The Co-op

Gold Medallion Necklace - wedding present

HOOK 'EM! 

audition

We're holding try-outs this week here at ITPitB** for the ultimate National Championship Game Day Attire.  Today's dress is an obvious frontrunner as it immediately conforms to 3 of the 4 sectors on the Fan Fashion Rubric: Cuteness, Comfort, & Color.  But can it handle the COLD?  {Those trixie minxes out in Cali lull you into false hope of warm weather, what with their sunkissed glows and their froyo, but when you're sitting in a concrete wind tunnel after sundown clutching a frosty souvenir-sized Miller Lite, you think you've died and gone to Minnesota.}

Today was a blustery 28 degrees in Dallas today and I milled around the West Village for a while without losing any toesies.  The dress is a wool-blend and quite snuggly... Game Day will probably find me adding a black turtleneck, leggings and my low heeled cowboy boots.

And, Mom?  I see you down there in Austin, shaking your head at the computer screen!  I SEE YOU!  I HAVE MAGIC POWERS!  THIS IS REALLY WARM!  I PROMISE!  I also promise, promise, promise, pinkie-swear to wear my gloves and perhaps a hat, barring static-y hair.

This is my favorite bracelet of all time and probably the oldest piece of costume jewelry I still have (I was 19? Urban Outfitters?  Sounds about right).  Its also lucky.  Too bad Alabama is all fickle and can't pick ONE freakin' mascot and insists on being both the Really Nasty Ocean Tide That Kills Fish And Makes The Beach All Stinky Sometimes AND the Elephants, thus ruining all of my lucky accessory fun.

Orange Wool-Blend Wrap Dress - Banana Republic (Fall 2008)

Gray Tights - Merona via Target

Brown Leather Boots - Banana Republic (Winter 2007)

Gold Chain Figure-Eight Earrings - gift from mom

Gold Medallion Necklace - wedding present

Elefantitas Bracelet - Urban Outfitters (circa 2002)

**which Evs has so cleverly suggested I rename ITPWtFIW (that would be "I Take Photos Wherever the Fuck I Want").  It has a certain je nous se qua (you know I like a well placed expletive!), but the acronym is a bit too long to Stitch-a-Wish on a ball cap.  Such is another conundrum to keep me up at night.  Sigh.

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)

call me cosby

We're getting creative over here at ITPitB!  New day, new weather forecast, new photo-taking-time.

Today, its just me... sittin' all casual-like on the Yellow Painterly Paisley.  You know, totally natural.

Pretty much in love with my Crazy Cosby Cardigan (sadly, not the official Anthropologie name). Funky covered buttons?  Check!  Teeny-tiny hook-and-eye closures to prevent Gaping Button Boobage?  Check!

Also?  GAP Always Skinnies?  SO EASY to tuck into boots (even these that pull on rather than zip up)!  Seriously, if you are looking for a pair of skinny jeans, you cannot beat these for $69!  {Which I am not just saying because I got these for promo-ing GAP - I've spent my own money on a second pair, I love them so much!}

"Crazy Cosby Cardigan" - Moth via Anthropologie

Creamsicle Silk Shell - Banana Republic

Always Skinny Jeans - GAP

Brown Leather Boots - Banana Republic

Amethyst & Gold Feather Earrings - Kendra Scott via Gilt Fuse

Gold Medallion Necklace - wedding present

Hammered Gold Bangles - Kendra Scott via Gilt Fuse

your bum is showing

Today was my first day performing some personal assistant tasks for a family friend (re: no Anne Hathaway / Meryl Streep Dramatics happening here).  Suffice to say, its a pretty sweet temp gig to have whilst keeping an eye out for my next career move.  Plus?  An excuse to dress myself on a daily basis!  Woo hoo!

But this shall not go down as The Day I Ran Someone Else's Fun Errands!  No!

December 7, 2009 must henceforth be known as The Day I First Attempted To Wear Leggings As Pants!

I've seen this look all over the place on skinny, skinny girls but have been afraid to open my trunk and expose my junk, if you know what I mean.  But then I figured, hell, I work out in running tights without draping my arse in yards of excess fabric, so I might as well give this trend a go in the Real Life Clothes Department.

Honestly, eh.  Not sure if I pulled it off without looking tragically undressed.

One thing's for certain: Anthropologie's dressing rooms have the best lighting of all time.  No visible cellulite on the tum-tum and I saved myself $8 by plucking my own brows in the super-illuminating mirror (I do this in airplane bathrooms too - Best. Lighting. Ever.)!  Maybe this little bloggy's new name is ITPitAnthroDressingRooms!

What's your verdict?  Sporting Leggings as Pants this season?  Or are you a Tunics Only Type of Gal (or guy, we don't discriminate!)?

Mint Turtleneck - Banana Republic

Chunky Button Cardigan - Banana Republic

Black Leggings - Hue via Nordstrom

Riding Boots with Back Tie - Me Too via Piperlime

Feathered Headband - Etsy Seller Feather Brain

Black Cocktail Ring - The Limited

weekend wear

This is the post in which I reveal how terrible the full-length mirror situation is in our casa... We have one of those BB&B dorm-room-style cheapies in the guest room but that's it.  And if you're trying to take a semi-quality photo in it at night?  Yeah, ain't happening.  Hence this bathroom balancing act:

Worn for Double Date Night at Dali Wine Bar:

Printed Silk Mini Tunic Dress - brand unknown, via Elements Boutique

Black Tights - Merona via Target

Black Riding Boots - Me Too via Piperlime

Gold Flower Earrings - J.Crew

Gold Medallion Chain Necklace - Coach

Hammered Gold Bangles - Kendra Scott via Gilt Fuse

Bauble Cocktail Ring - J.Crew

Photos in the Ghetto Mirror work considerably better mid-day:

Although I much prefer the dressing room at Neimans:

{taken merely to spite the same person who claims that a $600 sequined dress with ruffly shoulder pads is not, in fact, an investment}

Worn for lunch at Salata and holiday window shopping:

Oversized Pullover w/ Hood - Ann Taylor Loft

Green and White Tissue Tee - GAP

Leggings - Hue via Nordstrom

Uggs - self-explanatory

Gold Flower Earrings - J.Crew

Bag - Bruna Tote by Marc Jacobs via Saks

Does Martin + Osa's dressing rooms remind anyone else of being trapped inside a giant oak tree?  A la the Keebler Elves?  Sadly, M+O carries neither pointy-toed shoes nor E.L.Fudge cookies.  However their men's cashmere selection is rockin'....

Worn for more holiday shopping (actually crossing some peeps off the list today!) and miscellaneous Man Errands (Home Depot, Lowe's, boo):

Tunic Top - Trina Turk via Gilt Groupe

Real Straight Jeans - GAP

Gunmetal Flats - Tory Burch via Neimans

Gold Medallion Necklace - wedding gift