Cozy Neutral

I never used to be a sweater wearer. I felt they made me look fat. Who knows, they might, but I guess I've gotten over caring just a little.  I might've just gotten so cold that I gave in.  I might be overestimating the results of my gym membership and underestimating the affects of holiday eating.  You be the judge.

When I'm tired from work or going into a day that I know will be exhausting, I don't want to wear a button down shirt or blazer, even if they do have a little stretch. No. I want to be wearing the closest thing to pajamas while still being chic. Don't roll your eyes, why do you think the wrap dress was invented? Mhmm. It's comfortable, yet universally flattering.  Sidenote: Banana Republic has some adorable patterned ones out right now, if you haven't discovered "your" wrap dress yet.  Wrap dresses and sweaters are the perfect marriage between cozy and professional, I think, and I wore many sweaters as well as my wrap dress this week as I have been beat.

What I'm Wearing:

Sweater: The Limited

Necklace: Forever 21

Jeans: Express

Colorblock Wedges: Kohl's by Elle

Honestly, The Limited should pay me, I talk about their clothes so much. Alas, they don't, but are more than welcome to at any time.  I can't help it if they have cute sweaters that are usually on sale, now can I?  This one was a whole $12, I think, after an extra 40% off clearance.  You really can't turn down a super-soft natural blend sweater for under $15.  Nope, you can't and that's why my credit card is frozen in a block of ice in my freezer right now.

Thanks for reading!

Thrifted Cardigan

 A few weeks ago, I wrote about a drawing I'd won for a gift certificate for a second-hand shop.  I'll be the first to admit that I'm not usually a thrifter.  To be honest, after years of groping through Goodwill and Salvation Army racks for theatre costumes, it kind of grosses me out.  The costume designer I interned with as a junior made us wear rubber gloves when we went shopping, and they were always black with grime by the time we left.  I was pleasantly surprised with the clean cuteness of this second-hand shop combined with the 100% wool J.Crew cardigan I found set me at ease.  After a trip to the dry cleaners, my new cardi was ready to go.

Goofy!

The Writer and I have a challenge going on that's going to be affecting the number of skirts I wear this month.  He's decided that he wants to do the whole "No Shave November" thing.  He can do as he pleases, but he knows I prefer a clean-shaven face or just a little stubble.  I just don't like the idea of having to search through a man's beard to kiss him.  So, as an incentive to make "No Shave November" last a much shorter amount of time than the whole month of November, I am participating as well.  I'm not at all excited about not shaving, but if its what I have to do, I will wear pants or dark tights for a whole month or however long he can stand it.  Game on!

What I'm Wearing:

Gray Twist Cardigan: J.Crew (thrifted)

Plaid Satin Shell: The Limited

Pants: Express Editor Pant

Textured D'Orsay Heels: Charlotte Russe

Cozy Wraps + New Shoes

My confidence bolstered by this video that I posted a few days ago, I decided to try out my wrap sweater in a new way.  I wanted to be cozy, since I had a long day in front of me.  A forgiving sweater just felt right.  I tied the top two corners together, crossed the sides over and put the knot over my head to form a cowl-type drape.

 What I'm Wearing:

Wrap Sweater: Victoria's Secret Cotton Cashmere Wrap

White Tank: Victoria's Secret

Pinstriped Pants: Hand-Me-Down from A

Obi Belt: Express

Black Fabric Buckle Pumps: Christian Siriano for Payless

The obi belt was one of those accessories that I'd bought a while ago during one of Express' clearance sales, but never quite figured out how to wear.  It never looked right with anything I paired it with, probably because I don't wear too many loose tops.  The tied, twisted, and draped sweater does have a little bit of a kimono feel, doesn't it?  I finally made it work!

I've always been intrigued by Christian Siriano's line for Payless.  I've liked many of his styles, but have been afraid to buy them because my feet instantly hurt when Payless is even so much as named.  My curiosity overcame my common sense when, in need of some black pumps for work, I decided to give them a try.  They are a little narrow in the toe box and lack cushioning, unfortunately.  I'll be adding some gel inserts before I decide for sure whether I like them or not.  

Autumn Glow

What I'm Wearing:

Sweater: The Limited

Pencil Skirt: H&M

Tassel Pumps: Mudd (so old, ha!)

Wood Bead Necklace: Hand-Me-Down from Mom

Bag: Coach

Just one picture for today-the camera's batteries died after two shots and I was in such a rush to get out the door.  I like wearing sweaters to work that can go with jeans for later in the day.  It makes meeting up with the The Writer and/or friends so much easier when half my outfit is already put together.

So That's How Its Done!

Fly-away cardigans are still on the shelves this fall.  Some are easy to wear, but one of them had me stumped.  This one:

source

The Victoria's Secret Cotton Cashmere Wrap boasts that it's able to be worn in an endless variety of styles.  Trouble was, I couldn't figure out how to style it without it looking bulky.  This morning, I found this great video that solved my frustrations!

Obviously, the sweater in the video is from DKNY and comes in more colors than the Victoria's Secret one, but the concept is the same.  Yay for new wardrobe options that don't require any shopping!

Curls, Pearls & Pink

Yesterday, one of my managers looked down at my planner and expressed shock that it was pink.  I guess I've avoided wearing pink to the office, since I see it as a not-so-serious color and I want to be seen as serious about my job.  I made her a deal, when I wore pink I'd let her know. Turns out, she wasn't in today.

I didn't have to go in until 1pm today, so I took the time to curl my hair.  I haven't done that in over a year because my hair had gotten so long, I didn't think it would hold.  Since I'm missing a few inches now, it held much better.  I had to comb the curls out a bit after I took the rollers out.  I had some Shirley Temple curls, at first.

I was supposed to have a fairly important interview at work today, but my interviewer postponed it, leaving me fairly useless until at least Tuesday.  You see, I need to pass a series of interviews before I can conduct business unsupervised.  Its an understandable phase of training, but since all of the area offices are short-staffed, its important for me to get up on my feet as soon as possible. I passed the first interview with very few problems and I'm ready for round two.  Hopefully next week will see me standing on my own two feet.

What I'm Wearing:

Pink Faux Wrap Tank: ELLE (Kohl's)

Chocolate Tie-Waist Cardigan: The Limited

Plaid Pencil Skirt: The Limited

Pearl Headband: Forever 21

Beige Pumps: JS by Jessica

Tote Bag: Merona (Target)

I'm pretty sure I've worn something from The Limited almost every day.  I can't help that I love so many of their clothes and they usually have spectacular deals!  I went right shopping there before I started my new job and got skirts and dresses buy one, get one free.  I'm determined to branch out now that I've enough in my wardrobe to function professionally, but the femininity of The Limited's pieces serve me well.  I left my apartment this afternoon feeling very much like Betty Draper.

Fall Layering for the Office (10.20.11)

 Today was a milestone at work.  I filled out my very first expense report!  I was amazed at what I'll be getting reimbursed for last week's travel.  Apparently, the IRS sets standards for these sorts of things, but since the amount is more than double what I spent on gas this month, I'm excited!  I guess its supposed to cover "wear and tear" on your personal vehicle, but if you knew my car, you'd know its about as worn and torn as it can get before needing replaced.  We put a new transmission in it earlier this year because it would be cheaper than finding a new car at such short notice, but when the new transmission calls it quits, so do I.  Needless to say, I'll be looking forward to traveling for work more.

What I'm Wearing:

Red Sleeveless Button-Down: Express

Gathered Sleeve Cardigan: The Limited

Black Pants: Express Editor Pant

Suede Leopard Pumps: JS by Jessica

Since I don't have (free) laundry facilities at my apartment, I usually take my things over to The Writer's to wash every other weekend or so.  I always like my outfits the first week better, haha.  This is the second week.  Today, I decided to be daring and give my new leopard print shoes a day out.  I'd bought them a while ago and hadn't worn them because I was still getting a feel for the office dress code.  By now, I've accepted that I will probably be the most "dressed-up" one there and I'm ok with that.

I rarely wear pants to work, partially due to the fact that I don't own work appropriate pants in colors other than black and black pinstripe.  I like looking feminine and love almost nothing more than a pencil skirt.  Every working woman/any woman with style should own one.  They're polished, yet sexy, professional, yet feminine.  Anyways, I didn't wear a pencil skirt today, so I'll quit talking about them, for now.  I figured wearing the leopard pumps with pants that would partially hide them would be a good way to ease an otherwise in-your-face shoe into the workplace.  Also, today was predicted to have a high of 45 degrees Farenheit, so I didn't mind having my legs a little more covered up.  I layered a tank underneath the sleeveless top, as well, for some extra warmth and coverage.  There's something about leopard that just begs to be worn with red and khaki.  Maybe its the obvious choice, but since I'm a little bit of a newbie with prints, I'm sticking to it.