xxoo

Happy Heart Day!

Pink "Heritage" Cardigan - LEC

Orange Lattice Neck Silk Shell - Banana

Black Boy Fit Pants - GAP

Blush Crinkle Metallic Shoes - J.Crew

Gold Headband - Target

Gold Flower Earrings - J.Crew

White Ceramic Watch - Fossil

be(ar)gyled

Who loves a lame title?  

This girl! 

This is about as Blair Waldorf as I'll roll... but it was a fun way to spice up a sweater that I usually wear with jeans and boots!  

Argyle Sweater - Banana Republic

Silk Plum Skirt - J.Crew

Black Tights - Spanx

Black Patent Oxford Pumps - Cole Haan

Gold Headband - Target 

Two Favorites, Better Together

Navy Ruffle-Neck Shoshana Dress vs. Lilac Knit Banana Dress... it's always a toss up for my Favorite Work Appropriate Frock... the Shoshana is more fun, but the BR is comfy-cozy and the silhouette is so easy to pair with cardigans and blazers.  3 weeks ago, the Shoshana met my Gray Cuff-Sleeve Blazer from GAP... today, it's the Knit's turn to take it for a spin...

I need to work on my facials.  I look a little... Dazed?  Constipated?  Dazed & Constipated?  We'll just blame it on the surprise depletion of coffee filters in my pantry this morning and call it a Monday, shall we? 

Gray Cuffed-Sleeve Blazer - GAP

Lilac Knit Dress - Banana Republic

Blush Metallic "Claudia" Pumps - J.Crew

Gold Headband - Target 

Gold & Amethyst Feather Earrings - Kendra Scott 

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

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

Sailor Stripes

Perhaps my favorite purchase of the summer, I've worn the Perilla Dress from Anthro into the ground on the weekends.  Luckily, with a cami and a cardigan, it can pull double-duty during the workweek as well!

 Perilla Dress - Anthropologie

Lace Cami - Banana Republic

Bold Sun "Heritage" Cardigan - Lands' End Canvas

Metallic Blush "Claudia" Pumps - J.Crew via eBay

Gold Metallic Headband - Target

Pearl Cluster Earrings - Etsy seller Bridal Emunique

Gold Medallion Necklace - gift

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!

Another Mad Men-Inspired Look!

This is the other flirty office frock in my arsenal... although I admit to preferring the other one as I find it to be more flattering.  But this one is adjustable and the material is slick (ie: When I spill my coffee down the front of me, it doesn't stain if I act fast!  Score!). 

The cami is pretty essential to this dress... Its one of those trixy minxes that appears conservative in the breasticle area until you sit down.... and then the front pleats pop open like a Jack-in-the-Box (a lesson I learned the hard way the first time I took this one for a spin).  

Khaki Colored Dress - Calvin Klein 

Black Lace Camisole - Banana Republic

Black Patent Loafer Pumps - Cole Haan

Black Satin Headband - Ann Taylor

Pearl Cluster Earrings - Etsy Seller Bridal Emunique

Gold Medallion Necklace - gift

Gold C Cuff Bracelet - Coach

Also... Get the scoop on my wardrobe for last weekend's wedding in South Carolina right now on EA!  

{Click here for the wedding recap}

{Click here for the wardrobe review}

double trouble

Outfits from Tuesday and Wednesday (be forewarned, I'm not ecstatic about either of these... I'm off my mojo this week)....

Tuesday

Bottom Line:  This top looks better with jeans... it's too long to leave untucked with a suit skirt or pants and, while it looks better with a pencil skirt, the sweater material is thick and leaves a big line across your middle when tucked into to a more form-fitting skirt.  I tried to do the juxtaposing pleats thing here but... meh.

Horizontal Pleats Sweater - Banana Republic

Pleated Suit Skirt - Banana Republic

Black Patent Loafer-Pumps - Cole Haan

Gold Figure-8 Earrings - gift

Gold Medallion Necklace - gift

Gold C Bangle - Coach

Wednesday

Honestly, I am so fed up with my hair and ready for today's appointment that I don't really care what's currently clothing my person!  The cape cardigan is a little kooky but I think its fun in a different sort of way, while the addition of the skinny belt to the dress delineates my waist, ensuring that I don't look like a crazy blob of a cat lady.  

And Evs would like it made known that he HATES this headband.  With a fiery passion.  

Silver Silk Cardigan Cape - Banana Republic

Black Suit Dress - Ann Taylor

Nude "Happy" Pumps - Ann Klein 

Rosette Headband - Etsy Seller Vie Moderne

Micro Pave Ball Earrings - Banana Republic

Blush Metallic Skinny Belt - J. Crew

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 

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 

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