Fancy!

... My new Diptic App, that is.

Black & White Shirt Dress - BCBG

Citron "Heritage" Cardigan - LEC

Blush Metallic Skinny Belt - JCrew

Metallic Wedges - Tory Burch

Amethyst Feather Earrings - Kendra Scott

Barney Tights

That's what Evs calls these.

He also asked if this wasn't the same thing I wore yesterday.  

Um.  No.  But I see his point. 

Dress - BCBG

Tights - Merona via Target

Black Patent Loafer Pump - Cole Haan

Pearl Cluster Earrings - Etsy Seller Bridal Emunique

Belt - Banana Republic

White Ceramic Watch - Fossil

Some questions answered...

- How do you create your wavy hair? 

I do the "curl down" with a 2 inch barrel curling iron... check out this how-to from Amy and Lyndsay! 

- Where did you buy the silver metallic peep-toe wedges?

They were purchased at Neiman Marcus although I cannot find them online.  The NorthPark store in Dallas had them 3 weeks ago! 

like PJs...

... but work appropriate.

Boy, do I need a pedicure.

Knit Print Dress - Milly

Metallic Peep-Toe Wedges - Tory Burch

Amethyst Earrings - gift

White Ceramic Watch - Fossil

Ruffle Belt - Etsy Seller Heart of Flight

Pants Galore

I've worn pants 3x this week.  That's has to be some kind of record.  Thankfully, I've still managed to work a cardigan into the program thrice as well... otherwise my coworkers might start to wonder.

Today's Pant Selection: also courtesy of GAP... the Slim Cropped style.  Note: I always wear a "tall" in GAP pants, so these hit a bit lower on the ankle on me than they appear on the model.  

Chevron Tunic - Tucker via Gilt Groupe

Slip Cropped Black Pant - GAP

Patent Serengeti "Juliet" Pumps - J.Crew

Amethyst & Gold Feather Earrings - Kendra Scott

3rd Verse, Slightly Different than the First

I wear this dress a lot.  I wear all of my work dresses a lot.  It's all about the accessories with those items you wear over and over again.  With this particular BCBG shirt dress, I've paired...

... a girly ribbon belt / colorful tights...

... a bright cardigan / metallic skinny belt...

... and red patent pumps / wide black belt!

Black & White Print Shirt Dress - BCBG

Tomato Patent "Juliet" Pumps - J.Crew

Clover Earrings - gift

Gold Medallion Necklace - gift

Wide Black Belt - Banana Republic

Good news!  Good news!  Our new house has a full length mirror... wait for it... IN THE BATHROOM.  Therefore, I shall soon return to actually taking photos in the bathroom.  So, ya know, get pumped for more crappy iPhone photos, but with better lighting! 

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 

Hot Child in the City

All my Clemson gals will be pleased again...

'Twas another Purple + Orange Day!  And, another Heritage Cardigan Day... because, obviously, I had to commemorate NOT wearing one ALL WEEK last week by... WEARING ONE TODAY!.

There was no A/C in our half of the building today.  No AirCon + 91 degrees outside = No bueno.   No AirCon + 91 degrees outside + working in a public health services building = Really, really, really no bueno. 

It felt like going to work on the set of Dirty Dancing Two: Havana Nights, except without the (a) Patrick Swayze cameo, (b) mojitos, or (c) muddled attempts to metaphorize political and social revolution in a clever manner which appeals to the bubblegum set. 

Moral of the Story: I promise not to whine about the 76 Degree Rule in our household for at least 27 hours.  

Bright Orange "Heritage" Cardigan - Lands' End Canvas

Creamsicle Silk Blend Shell - Banana Republic

Eggplant Silk Skirt - J.Crew

Chocolate Brown Peep-Toe Wedges - Banana Republic

Pearl Cluster Earrings - Etsy Seller Bridal Emunique

Gold Clover Necklace - gift

Gold Medallion Necklace - gift 

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

black & white medallion shirt dress

Another easy-peasy frock for work... BCBG makes the best poly/spandex knit wrap and shirt dresses - I always scour the outlets and sales racks for their tale-tell patterns!

I will say, since we've been chatting about appropriate professional dressing recently, this is probably as short of a skirt/dress that I would go sans opaque tights at the office.... And I probably wouldn't have worn it bare-legged at all in a law firm setting.

{styled last fall, in a slightly more formal office environment}

And you'll also note that the red shoes (OH MY GAWD! SHOOT HER NOW!) (!!!!!!!) are making an appearance today...  

I had some questions about particular shades of red.... I don't think it really matters so long as the shoes themselves aren't cheap-y looking (ahem).  Mine are quite tomato-y... so much so that they were the perfect Ketchup Shoes! 

I think the round-toe and relatively short, stacked, wooden heel make the Juliet Pumps (official J. Crew color is actually "tomato") appropriate for the office in every color... unless your office is uber-traditional.  

Black & White Medallion Print Shirt Dress - BCBG

Patent "Juliet" Pumps in Tomato - J.Crew

Black Satin Headband - Ann Taylor

Pearl Cluster Earrings - Etsy Seller Bridal Emunique

Gold Medallion Necklace - gift 

Black Belt - Banana Republic 

the so-comfy-it-could-be-a-nightgown dress

I usually reserve this dress for a Hangover Day (NOT THAT I EVER HAVE THOSE DURING THE WORK WEEK), but it had just been far too long (BECAUSE I AM A RESPONSIBLE ADULT WHO NEVER OVER-IMBIBES)...

This Milly frock is oh-so-soft - it feels like your favorite PJ pants against your skin!  Add a custom ruffle belt from the wondrous land that is Etsy and my favorite Spring work shoes from Ann Klein, and we've got ourselves a lovely little Monday ensemble!  

Ivory, Gray & Black Print Jersey Dress - Milly

Nude Flower Medallion Pumps - Ann Klein via Piperlime

Gold Figure-8 Earrings - gift

Ivory & Gold Bangle - Banana Republic

Black Ruffle Belt - Heart of Light

weekend wear: anniversary edition

Evs and I celebrated One Big Ol' Year today!  Most of the day was spent in yoga pants and green-and-gold duds, lallygagging in the park with the Boom and cheering on the Bears in the Elite Eight, but we did get gussied up for a delicious brunch at Fearings...

I was hoping to make it a yearly tradition to sport my "going-away ensemble" on our anniversary, but it seemed a little too formal for Sunday brunch... maybe next year, if we celebrate with a fancypants dinner.  

I did, however, wear my wedding bracelet, earrings and shoes!  

The bathrooms at Fearings / Rattlesnake?  Best ever.  Sadly, the sexy lighting doesn't make for amazeballs photo-taking... but you get the idea! 

Marigold "Heritage" Cardy - LEC

Ikat Print Silk Shift - Cynthia Steffe 

Marigold Satin "Carmen" Peep-Toes - J.Crew

Cluster Pearl Earrings - Bridal Emunique

Antique Button Pearl Necklace - Miss Joan's Hobby

"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

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

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)