we like great big hairy chested men!

Today I'm sporting a piece that Evs so affectionately refers to as the Hairy Chest Jacket.

I usually respond to his cracks by belting out a Really, Really Cool & Tough (<-- Sarcasm) Sorority Song from back in the day.  

But I'll refrain from those shenanigans here.

Chiffon Ruffle Jacket - Ann Taylor

Green Top - Banana Republic

Black Pencil Skirt - Michael by Michael Kors

Rose Metallic "Claudia" Pumps - J.Crew via Ebay

Stamped K Necklace - Sonya Renee

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 

basketcase

One of my favorite work shells, this apricot silk number from Banana Republic is an example of a high-quality professional wardrobe piece that will last forever if proper care is taken!  I've had it for five years and regularly wear it with brown, black, navy, and gray suits, as well as belted with skinny jeans for nights out!  

Since I have dinner plans with one of my favorites, this top is perfect for the work-to-cocktails transition!  And I ADORE the neckline detail - perhaps the best part being that the basket-weave is so tight that regular nude bra straps don't show through!  Three Cheers for No Strapless Bras at Work! 

Silk Apricot Basketweave Shell - Banana Republic

Black Suit Jacket - custom tailored: Bangkok, Thailand

Black Pencil Skirt - Michael by Michael Kors via Nordstrom

Serengeti "Juliet" Pumps - J.Crew 

Pearl Cluster Earrings - Etsy Seller Bridal Emunique 

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 

Girly Office Wear

Wednesday, April 7

This is my Mad Men Dress... I feel very Betty Draper-esque whilst wearing it... as if I could reach under my desk come 2 p.m. (or, hell, 9:30 a.m.) and find a chilled martini shaker, just waiting for a couple of olives.

I also luuurve this print... I'd like to find a duo of wingback chairs covered in similar material... or perhaps a rug!  I do not luuurve my roots... seriously considering going darker again... 

Silk Printed Dress with Covered Belt - Milly

Black Flannel & Patent "Molly" Pumps - J.Crew

Pearl Cluster Earrings - Etsy Seller Bridal Emunique

Gold Medallion Necklace - gift 

Tuesday, April 8

I purchased this jacket on mega-sale after stalking Ann Taylor for months... Plus, I got the added bonus of using my 15% off birthday coupon!  I love half-jackets for the warmer Texas Springs and Summers, and... HELLO RUFFLES!  

I'm not sure how much I love the jacket with the pleated skirt, but I didn't have time to dig either of my pencils out of the dry cleaning bags this morning.  Also, I'm always hesitant to wear peach with black - fearing something Halloween-y might result... but I just don't have very many shells plain enough to go under a jacket with this much detail...  oh well!  

Wool Blend + Chiffon Ruffle Jacket - Ann Taylor

Peach Shell - Banana Republic

Pleated Wool Blend Skirt - Banana Republic

Patent Serengeti "Juliet" Pumps - J.Crew

Gold Flower Earrings - J.Crew

Gold Medallion Necklace - gift

Gold Flower Cocktail Ring - J.Crew

embarrassing

As in, the quality of these photos is becoming hella embarrassing.  {Yes.  I said "hella."  I am practicing for my triumphant return to the West Coast later this week.}  If only my point-and-shoot could email new photos straight to my computer... I don't know how you gals with OOTD blogs featuring actual, decent, non-iPhone photos do it everyday...  I'm lucky if I remember to upload from my actual camera once a month.

Oh well.  Perhaps part of ITPitB's "charm" is gritty photography?  Yes?  Anyone?

Bueller?

Thursday, March 25

You might recognize this ensemble from my first interview with ANP (Anon Non-Profit)... I know, I know... I've repeated already.   For shame!!

Black Suit Jacket - Banana Republic

Violet Dress - Banana Republic

Black Flannel & Patent "Molly" Bow Pump - J.Crew

Mini Gold Disc Earrings - Sonya Renee

Gold Medallion Necklace - Gift

Gold Flower Cocktail Ring - J.Crew

Blush Metallic Skinny Belt - J.Crew

Friday, March 26

Its as if LEC looked into my closet and decreed: "We shall now make a shoe to match Kate's favorite wrap dress."  

Print Wrap Dress - BCBG

Canvas "Heritage" Ballet Flats - LEC

Gold Tassel Necklace - Gift

Gold Medallion Necklace - Gift

Ivory & Gold Cuff - Banana Republic

"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 

plumb pleased

For my second interview with ANP (Anonymous Non-Profit, anyone?), I wanted to keep the same "business, but not stuffily-corporate" vibe, but I didn't want to overdo the dress + jacket combo.   After having great success with purple hues last week, I settled on my silk plum skirt, an silk ivory button-down, and a 3/4-sleeved jacket in dark gray.  Black tights and my "Harper" pumps rounded out the ensemble. 

As a wee first year law student with summer clerkship interviews looming, I high-tailed it to the Banana Republic outlet and picked up two suits (one black and one brown), and one shirt (this one!)... four years later, I still wear all five pieces.  I'm not usually a huge fan of button downs under suits (because I tend to feel like an FBI agent when I do so), but I love the feminine detail on this shirt.  If only it were a couple of inches longer... if I'm wearing a skirt that sits lower like this one, the shirt often rides up and becomes untucked... not cool! 

Gray 3/4-Sleeve Jacket - Ann Taylor

Short-Sleeved, Silk, Ivory Tuxedo Shirt - Banana Republic Outlet ('06)

Silk Plum Skirt - J.Crew (Winter 2009)

Black Tights - Merona via Target

Black Patent & Suede "Harper" Pumps - J.Crew (Fall 2009)

Pave Ball Earrings - Banana Republic

Gold Medallion Necklace - wedding present 

Gold "C" Cuff - Coach

{btw: I got the job!}

shrieking violets

First up... my interview ensemble from Thursday morning!

The organization I'm interviewing with is not a private law firm, so I wanted to steer clear of the Big Black Corporate Power Suit while still appearing professional.  A non-matchy dress + jacket combo did the trick just dandily along with my Interview / Court Hose and black bow pumps. 

And I suppose the outfit did the trick, as I'm going in for a second interview on Monday!  Yay! 

Violet Dress - Banana Republic

Black Suit Jacket - Banana Republic

"Blackest Black" Sheer Hose - Leggs (yes, $3.99 drugstore variety)

Black Flannel "Molly" Pumps - J.Crew (Fall 2009)

Gold Figure-Eight Earrings - present

Gold Medallion Necklace - wedding present

... and taking violet casual later that afternoon for lunch (and, um, margaritas) with B!

I purchased this shirt on my first major shopping endeavor since I became unemployed.  Thanks to birthday money and the 15% discount from Anthro, I came home with three stellar spring / summer pieces.  I have a love/hate relationship with this pairing...love being obvious (ruffles! mini pom-poms! delicate lattice buttons!)... and the hate... I kind of feel like either a four year old on a cool Easter morning or a entry level student at Clown College.  Oh well. 

Violet "Jackie" Cardigan - J.Crew (here)

"Friendly Competition" Top - Odille via Anthropologie (here)

"Always Skinny" Jeans - GAP

Gold Metallic "Reva" Flats - Tory Burch via Neiman Marcus

Pave Ball Earrings - Banana Republic

Gold Medallion Necklace - wedding 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

sparkly workday!

I purchased this jacket last year as part of my NYE attire, but have since sported it at the office on several occasions.  This much silver sparkle might not work everywhere, but this is Dallas and goshdarnit if I'm not to going revel in the perks of living in a city where bigger (and sparklier) is always better!

Actually, I was told today that I looked "very professional"... my deductive reasoning skills tell me that this means "Yo, Kate, sometimes you look like an overdressed Whole Foods manager," but I'm going to take it as a compliment... and a permission slip to wear more sparkly things!

Attempted to get the cute, sassy pleats at the bottom of the skirt, but alas, iPhone photography fails me once again.

Jacket - J.Crew

Cami - Banana Republic

Pencil Skirt - Michael by Michael Kors via Nordstrom

Black Tights - Merona via Target

Black Suede & Patent "Harper" Pumps - J.Crew

Seed Pearl Necklace - Christmas gift

Black Cocktail Ring - The Limited

and we're back!

Woot, woot!  iPhone delivery!  Score 1 for an otherwise crappy Tuesday!

Let's get on with it, shall we?

Not going to lie - I've been wanting to wear this jacket all week but have been waiting until my ladies' room photo sessions could resume... Vanity, thy name is Shrunken Prep-School Blazer from Ann Taylor Loft!  ATL and its big sista Regular Ol' AT have really stepped it up this season - there's about a dozen things I'd  scoop up from each of the Anns if I weren't on a self-imposed spending hiatus.

This blazer is definitely a keeper though - I love the crest buttons and the tweed / velvet combo... there's something very Sexy-Skull-&-Bones-Society about the new prep school jacket trend and I am totally digging it!  Can't wait to wear this with something slightly more funky in NYC this weekend!

(oh dear. bad lip angle)

The silk shell is also an ATL find and the perfect top for work-to-cocktails (which I'm hoping to snag with HDH tonight... fingers crossed for my secret - and very unlikely - gettaway).  ATL actually had this top styled with a wider belt at the waist and I think I'll try that next time for a slightly more flattering look.

And yes, I know what you're thinking: MORE RUFFLES, but I just can't stop.  Is there Ruffle and Rosette Rehap?  Perhaps someplace lovely and green and cool in Northern California?  Where I can do sunrise yoga and make my own green tea bags and take horse therapy?  Send the brochure my way if you get a chance.

(jazz hands for early work departure luck)

Prep School Vest - Ann Taylor Loft (link not on website)

Cascade Ruffle Shell - in "Rosette(!)" - ATL

Pencil Skirt - Michael by Michael Kors via Nordstrom

Serengeti "Juliet" Pumps - J.Crew

Gold Flower Cocktail Ring - J.Crew

Gold Medallion Necklace - wedding gift

Gold Link Chain - J.Crew

And a lovely reader inquired as to the patent heels on the J.Crew Harper pumps... I have found that the patent leather covering on the heels holds up pretty well!  I wear these shoes All.The.Time. and am greatly impressed with the quality of both the suede (which I treated with protector) and the patent.  Granted, I do not walk in them as much as a gal in NYC or Chicago or some other fabulous place with the wonders of efficient public transportation, but I've done my fair share of tromping around Uptown Dallas in these shoes and to date, they only bare a small nick on the right heel.  As an aside, I generally prefer my patent leather shoes to my normal leather ones - so much easier to polish and keep looking shiny and new!