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! 

Purple Urple

Day...

Dress: Banana Republic

Argyle Cardigan: Land's End Canvas

Black Tights: Spanx

Gray OTK "Hero" Boots: Banana

Pearl Cluster Earrings: Etsy Seller Bridal Emunique

Skinny Blush Metallic Belt: J.Crew
White Ceramic Watch: Fossil

Night...

{how's that for a confused blond look?}

{birthday kicks!}

Sweater: Banana

Metallic Peep-Toe Wedges: Tory Burch

alpaca, alpaca

The Evster is super excited about my Alpaca Vest.  

As am I.  With fickle Texas temperatures throughout the winter months, vests are always a good bet. They can be worn over sweaters, long-sleeve tees, blousy tunices - even dresses.  

This one is quite cuddly... me encanta! 

Cranberry Silk Sweater - Banana Republic

Alpaca Vest - GAP*

Black Jeggings - GAP

Gray OTK "Hero" Boots - Banana Republic

Faux Pearl Earrings... not a clue

*in stores now, but can't find the link online

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

  

Yipes! Stripes!

Fruit Stripe Gum!  It's the Yummy Fruity One!

I could go on... but I'll refrain.

One of the perks of being too lazy to unwrap your dry cleaning is that, eventually, you will stumble upon something you forgot you owned... Surprise!  "New" Sweater for You!

And, no, that's not a baby bump.

Well, not a human baby bump, anyway.

Perhaps a risotto baby bump.  Yum.

Yellow & Beige Sweater - GAP (Winter 2009)

Brown Ruffle Skirt - Old Navy (forever ago)

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

Pearl Cluster Earrings - Etsy Seller Bridal Emunique

Back in Black

Wow!  I don't think I've ever gotten as many sweet comments on ITPitB as I did with the Wrightsville Dress - I'm so glad y'all love it as much as I do!

Glumly, today is more than a tad more sedate.  But you can't go wrong with a basic black shift... and I love the slight tulip-ness of this one's skirt!

Black Dress - Ann Taylor

Tomato Patent "Juliet" Pumps - J.Crew

Pearl Cluster Earrings - Etsy Seller Bridal Emunique

Being Bad.

Today, I'm being a bit naughty... a SLEEVELESS TOP SANS JACKET / CARDIGAN.

I know.  The shame!  

This is not a habit I suggest making for any lady-lawyer / conservative-career-gal type, but the state of my dry-cleaning pile has reached DEFCON 5 + the high today is 106.  It's officially August in Texas.  I do have a light pashmina-type wrap in my office so I shall be spending my day swathed loosely in fabric as not to sully my Appropriate Office Attire Rep.  Also, please note that the overly-aggressive blush situation was remedied during my commute.  

Torquoise Silk Blouse - Ann Taylor Loft

Pencil Skirt - Michael by Michael Kors via Nordstrom

Black Perfect Platform Pumps - Ann Taylor

Pearl Cluster Earrings - Etsy Seller Bridal Emunique

Gold Medallion Necklace - gift 

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

ruby-like slippers

I'm sure it's pretty apparent from my OOTDs that I'm a bit Juliet Pump Obsessed. Why J. Crew hasn't brought back the Juliet, I'll never know... it's one the universe's many secrets.  It's also a stupid secret because I guaran-damn-tee you that I'd snatch up a pair in every single color if they'd reappear in my Fall catalog.

Oh well.  For now, there's always eBay.  Of which I have to thank for THESE!

They are crackly and metallic and blush and PERFECT. And only $50.00 + $7 shipping!  {Note: These aren't technically "Juliets" - they are "Claudia" but are the exact same shape and fit... just crackly metallic leather with a covered heel as opposed to the patent with the wood heel.}

So cute, I wore them yesterday as well.  Faux-pas?  Dorothy wore her sparkly shoes all the way down that yellow brick road, so I figure I'm probably okay with a Monday/Tuesday Double Dose.  

Belted Silk Print Dress - Milly 

Blush Metallic Crackle "Claudia" Pump - J.Crew

Pearls - Gift 

Ruffle Neck Dress - Shoshana

"Heritage" Cardigan - LEC

Blush Metallic Crackle "Claudia" Pump - J.Crew

Gold Medallion Necklace - gift

Ivory & Gold Bangle - gift

Blush Metallic Skinny Belt - J.Crew

candy colors

I've been a bad OOTD Blogger... Apologies!  But I have been taking photos - so you get a 3-for-1 this evening!

Looking at them all together... I definitely don't shy away from color, eh? 

Wednesday

Tie-Neck Blouse - Lands' End Canvas

Cami - Nordstrom

Chinese Lantern Skirt - French Connection 

Gold "Reva" Flats - Tory Burch 

Gold & Amethyst Feather Earrings - Kendra Scott

Thursday

Pink Ruffle Neck Shell - J.Crew

Orange Spice Heritage Cardigan - Lands' End Canvas

Black Pleated Suit Skirt - Banana Republic

Black Patent "Perfect Platform" Pump - Ann Taylor

Pearl Cluster Earrings - Etsy Seller Bridal Emunique

Gold Cuff - Coach 

Friday

Blue Lagoon Heritage Cardigan - Lands' End Canvas

Green Dress - Maggie London via Nordstrom

Chocolate Patent Peep-Toe Wedges - Banana Republic

Gold Figure-8 Earrings - gift 

Are you a fan of bold colors for work? 

LEC Boyfriend Cardigan

Last week, I scooped up my first Lands' End Canvas Collection Boyfriend Cardigan at the 30% Off Summer Sale (still happening now!).  Love it... but so, so, so glad I listened to Erin and sized down.  This sucker is obviously meant to be blousier, because even the Small is roomy on me (and I am not a Small).   But I'm digging it belted for work and it will be great over a slim-fit tank and skinny jeans, paired with flats for the Fall! 

Deep Sapphire Boyfriend Cardigan - Lands' End Canvas

Sherbert Silk Shell - Banana Republic

Black Pencil Skirt - Michael by Michael Kors via Nordstrom

Serengeti Patent "Juliet" Pumps - J.Crew

Pearl Cluster Earrings - Etsy Seller Bridal Emunique

Gold Medallion Necklace - gift

Black Ruffle Ribbon Belt - Etsy Seller Heart of Light

Repeat

I've worn this before, so I hesitated to even post it, but this is meant to be a little fashion diary and real people wear the same outfits more than once, goshdarnit.  Plus, it's one of my favorites.

Bold Sun "Heritage" Cardigan - Lands' End Canvas

Silk Rosette Neck Shell - J.Crew

Grey and Cream Taffeta A-Line Skirt - J.Crew

Nude "Happy" Pumps - Ann Klein via Piperlime

Pearl Cluster Earrings - Etsy Seller Bridal Emunique

Gold Medallion Necklace - gift 

Kate's Thoughts on Platform Pumps at Work

Ahhh platform pumps...

... they make your legs look longer and slimmer, and the big boost under the ball of your foot distributes weight more evenly, making for more comfy shoes!  

So what's not to love? 

Nothing... in the right atmosphere!  For nights out, I pair mine with everything... skinny jeans, skirts and dresses of all silhouettes - from slimmer fits to floatier varieties.  

But for the office?  Personally, I do think you can make room for platform pumps in your workwear... but when I start sashaying around in mega-high stilettos and a pencil skirt, I feel more Jessica Rabbit and less Competent Kate. 

I like fuller and slightly longer circle skirts to compensate for a sassier shoe... this combo tones the sex-appeal way down while still allowing for some fun in the footwear department!  

{terribly awkward pose... yikes!}

Do you rock the platform pumps at work?  

Sorbet Cap Sleeve Shell - Banana Republic

Chinese Lantern Circle Skirt - French Connection

Black Patent Platform Pumps - Ann Taylor

Pearl Cluster Earrings - Etsy: Bridal Emunique

Skiystone Necklace - Anthropologie

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