Orange You Glad?

Mixing my professional and casual wardrobes is sometimes a challenge for me.  I'm always afraid of looking too masculine if I wear a button-down shirt outside of work.  A while ago, I saw a picture of some editor of something dancing at a party with a button-down shirt knotted in the front.  Since it looked good on her, I decided to try it with a silky, over-sized blouse from Express.  I was pretty happy knotting my shirt like I used to do back in the 90's.  I never got away with it for long back then, my mother always told me to put my shirt down.  My five year old self probably wasn't smart enough to remember the tank underneath all the time, haha.

Speaking of, are the 90's making another go 'round? Neon is out in full force, that's for sure, and I've started noticing more tops with knotted features. I think these things are ok, as long as no one is gathering their baggy tee shirts to the side and holding them there with a scrunchy.  Really, as long as the scrunchy doesn't make a comeback, we'll survive.

Notice something different about my pictures today? They're outside! I asked the Writer to play photographer for me, so we went out side for some shots.  It was a little windy and brisk, but I'm sure we were all sick of seeing my pantry doors. I'm not yet comfortable taking my tripod outside with me as some of my male neighbors have been known to be fairly rude.

What I'm Wearing:

Tank: The Limited

White Button-Down: Express 

Jeans: Charlottle Russe (I think)

Ankle Boots: Blowfish

CIAO!

Colored Denim

How much am I in love with the colored denim trend?? So much.  I'm pretty sure I tried on a different pair of colored skinny jeans each time I went to Target for the last few months and was disappointed as many times because they fit funky.  It was as if they didn't get looser through the the thighs, no matter what size I tried on.

Thankfully, H&M was there to come to my trendy rescue.  I didn't even bother trying on Express', as cute and colorful as they were, because I couldn't justify their prices on something so trendy.  Even though February is over and new clothes are allowed, I'm still trying to be frugal.  H&M delivered on spring trends for me as I found a dotted peplum top, a pastel dress, and my green jeans for around $50. Can't beat that!  I want to go back immediately, though, because we just missed the Marni collection for H&M and some of those pieces look adorable.

What I'm Wearing:

Striped Tee: American Eagle

Scarf: a little shop off Dam Square in Amsterdam (2006)

Green Skinny Jeans: H&M

Studded Flats: American Eagle

One think I was surprised to love about these jeans is the rise.  For so many years I've been a low-slung, hiphugger girl which made me a little skeptical of how high on the hips these jeans sit.  In fact, I almost didn't try them on.  I'm so glad I did!  I found the slightly higher rise to be quite slimming, even though I paired the pants with horizontal stripes.  Reason #2 for going back to H&M immediately: more high-waisted skinny jeans!  Between jeans like this and my New Year's resolution of working out, I may beat the love handles in 2012!

My Mini Stay-cation

On Saturday, I started my lovely long weekend off my redeeming my birthday gift certificate from The Writer for a relaxing massage.  I haven't had a massage in so many years and it was so much more wonderful that I could have ever imagined, I didn't want to end.  I was so calmed that I actually took a nice long nap that afternoon.  Its amazing what not having to go work anytime soon with do for you.

What I'm Wearing:

Tee: Target

Scarf: Forever 21

Trouser Jeans: Freestyle Revolution

Sneakers: Converse

Bag: Coach

I woke up in time to get ready to go out to dinner with Ang.  Its never good when the first thing your server says to you is that its her second day on the job. So, naturally, Ang ordered the complicated cocktail that required pouring pink alcohol over a fluff of cotton candy at our table.  Poor woman, it wasn't her night.

Today got off to a slow start too, but hey, I'm practically on vacation.  After a morning with The Writer, I strolled through DSW armed with my Christmas and birthday gift cards.  I found some bright blue pumps that were really cute, but pinched too much.  There were some other cute spring heels, but I'm not ready for the bright neon colors. Target was a bust also and I left empty handed. The Writer and I are going to H&M up around Cleveland tomorrow, so hopefully I'll have better luck then.  I'm not sure how I'd rather spend my staycation than with The Writer, relaxing and sprucing up my wardrobe.

Dress for the Life You Want

It was brought to my attention several times during the past week that I look unusual.  I'm not sure if the commenting customers meant to be complimentary, but that's how I chose to take it.  Most recently I was told that I am "an old soul", that my face and dress are from a different era.  Since I consider Joan from Man Men a style inspiration, I was flattered.  The other customer flat out asked, "You're not from around here, are you?" I thought I had been short with her or said something in an accent that only shows up on certain words when people are looking for it.  No, it was the fact that I looked put together at work.  She confessed to me how she loves to wear vintage but hates the looks she gets from people in this area.  Why is looking put together or polished so uncommon?

At least I know I'm not the only one saddened by the general lack of style in this geographic area.  Honestly, its almost as if some people don't even bother to get dressed.  I see more than one person out and about in their pajama pants daily.  If you count sweatpants as pajamas (which I do - wear them at home or at the gym!), that number quadruples.  Forget tailoring.  Not everything must be knitted, people!

  

Sometimes its tempting not to care because it seems like no one else does.  I get depressed when I start feeling like this, as if everything is starting to deteriorate at once.  It takes courage to take charge of your life and your wardrobe! I firmly believe more people should do both.  I don't want to get stuck in the complacency that I see all around me.  They say you should dress for the job you want, particularly in interviews, but I say, dress for the LIFE you want.  Clothes make us feel a certain way, are you going to be ready to talk to that really important person about your latest and greatest idea in your sweatpants? I don't think so!

What I'm Wearing:

Tie-Front Blouse: The Limited

Button Pocket Trousers: Kohl's

Satin Slingbacks: Nina (probably from Marshall's a long time ago)

Gold & Cream Cuff: The Limited 

Hey! It's OK to be Awesome!

"A Finer Night You Know You'll Never See"

Even though it has been almost a week since Valentine's Day, I wanted to share some pictures and details of my date night with The Writer.

My knight in shining armor arrived at my door bearing a beautiful bouquet of flowers:

Each of us opened our gifts from the other before heading off to the local art museum to take a spin through the galleries before dinner.  My presents make me smile, not only because I love them, but because they prove how well The Writer knows me and how thoughtful he is.  He ordered in chocolates from Sockerbit, a NYC candy store that I'd visited and raved about last summer.  They are delicious!  He also found The Sartorialist's book of street style photos for me. Hello, endless inspiration!

After the art museum, which was quite enjoyable, we continued on for a late dinner at Kozmo's, a reclaimed laundromat.  What used to be a very utilitarian space is now a spacious, yet cozy, dining establishment.  The floor and parts of the walls that aren't exposed brick are perfectly stained to reflect a familiar glow and the booths are big enough to lie down in, not that we tried.

When we'd finished our scrumptious meals,  we came back to my apartment for champagne and strawberries and other desserts I'd spent the day making.  I might've gone a little overboard on the sweets, since we still have quite a few left over.  It was fun having a variety and I'm pretty sure The Writer was in sugar heaven.

Our Feast!

Strawberry and Blackberry Thumbprint Cookies 

Chocolate and Peanut Butter Covered Brownies

Chocolate Covered Strawberries

Happy Valentine's Day!

Title: Cinderella by Rogers & Hammerstein