outfit post: purple floral dress, red cardigan, red ballet flats

Inspiration - All the Pretty Birds

This inspiration photo is one of the first pins I ever pinned on Pinterest - way before I ever had this outfit blog. I just thought - wow - that purple dress looks exactly like that old weird gap dress I have in the back of my closet and never wear. Except at that time I didn't have red shoes or a red cardigan and my loose personal policy for this site is to not buy any clothing items just to match a photo - anything new must be for my normal life not for a photo opportunity. So, finally, two years later I now own a red cardigan and red shoes (both from Old Navy) and I was excited to be able to try this picture out!

Red ballet flats worn previously:
Grey sweater & boyfriend jeans
Navy knit sweater & cropped jeans

Top: Red cardigan - Old Navy shop same, similar, similar Dress: White & purple floral dress - Gap similar, similar, similar, similar Oscar de la Renta Shoes: Red ballet flats - Old Navy shop same, similar, gold cap toe Accessories: Woven belt - free from H&M dress similar, similar, similar Gold link watch - Michael Kors shop same,  similar,  similar

outfit post: white button down, grey pencil skirt, gold belt, pink chunky bead necklace

Inspiration - Banana Republic

This outfit is almost identical to the outfit I wore here and here. I just added a necklace and removed the cardigan. Sometimes I get on kicks of liking a particular outfit "base" and then just swapping one thing around and hoping it looks like a new/different look.

Top: White button down blouse - Banana Republic similar, similar, similar Bottom: Grey pencil suit skirt - Ann Taylor   similar, similar, similar Shoes: Nude pumps - Nine West   shop same similar, similar similar with lower heel Accessories: Pink chunky bead necklace - Loft love, similar, similar, flowers Gold link watch - Michael Kors  shop same  similar  similar  different but really cute Gold belt - Target shop same similar

outfit posts: citron green sweater, grey 'editor' pants

Inspiration - J.Crew via Net-a-Porter

Work has been so crazy lately. I am in a cycle of wake up, workworkworkwork, try to grab a few bites of lunch, workworkworkwork and then collapse at the end of the day. I'm struggling with keeping up with everything in my life - including putting an outfit post up here each day. So I apologize if I'm a terrible comment responder and what I write in each post is super brief and boring. I'm dreaming of how fun it would be to be independently wealthy where hobbies like this blog could be leisurely artistic activities and have more then 15 minutes of my attention per day! :)

Someone just added this blog to the Get Off My Internet forums. Hopefully if I find time this weekend I can respond to some of the suggestions and look for areas of improvement to make this site better! 

Top: Citron sweater - Loft similar , button down, long sleeved, tank  shop inspiration ($$) Bottom: Grey 'Editor' pant - Express shop same, similar, similar, shop designer ($$!)  Shoes: Black pumps - Nine West shop same cute patent cap toe  similar with slightly lower heel Accessories: Gold pendant necklace - Target   shop same    love Gold link watch - Michael Kors shop same,  similar,  similar

outfit posts: burgundy cardigan, black ruffle tank, polka-dot pencil skirt

Inspiration - Nordstrom

I had fun watching the Oscars on Sunday night and admiring all the glitter and glitz. Makes me wish that I had any sort of occasion in my life that required a full-on fancy pants ball gown with sparkle. My life contains lots of work days, some nice dinners, lots of casual days, the occasional wedding/baby-shower and a few nights on the town... all lovely events but zero reasons to wear a ball gown. It really seems like life should contain more reasons to wear a ridiculously extravagant dress! Need to start working on that one... :)

Polka-dot pencil skirt worn previously:
2012 in review- Polka Dot Skirt
One suitcase item - business capsule wardrobe

Top: Black ruffle tank - White House Black Market  similar, similar, similar Burgundy cardigan - Target similar, similar, similar  Bottom: Polka-dot pencil skirt - J.Crew shop same similar, graphic a-line, a-line just for fun ($$) Oscar de la Renta Shoes: Black pumps - Nine West shop same cute patent cap toe  similar with slightly lower heel Accessories: Gold link watch - Michael Kors shop same,  similar,  similar

outfit posts: striped shirt, black cardigan, grey 'editor' pants

Inspiration - Banana Republic

Somebody's got a case of the Mondays. Not super inspired. But sometimes simple is good. Neutral colors. Favorite striped shirt. Why do weekends go by so fast? Blerg.

Shirt (or this shirt's reverse-twin with bigger white and smaller black stripes) worn previously:
Skinny jeans & brown boots
Yellow coat & bootcut jeans
Skinny jeans & purple wedges
Tan pleather jacket & skinny jeans
Navy cardigan & white bootcut jeans
Mustard pencil skirt & teal bubble necklace
Navy trench & wellies
Black shorts
Military jacket & black cropped pant
Purple cropped pant
Neon yellow heels, tan trench & skinny jeans
One suitcase packing item - vacation capsule
One suitcase packing item - business trip
One suitcase packing item - winter capsule

Top: Striped black and white long sleeved - H&M similar, similar, similar Black cardigan - Old Navy  shop same, very cute from Target, similar shop inspiration Bottom: Grey 'editor' pant - Express shop same, similar, similar Shoes: Black pumps - Nine West shop same cute patent cap toe  similar with slightly lower heel Accessories: Black patent belt - Target  shop same, similar, similar Gold, silver, pearl multi-strand necklace - Ann Taylor  similar, similar, similar, expensive, similar Gold link watch - Michael Kors shop same,  similar,  similar

outfit posts: black ruffle tank, denim pencil skirt, black strappy heels

Inspiration - Miranda Kerr

So exciting to get off the plane that had left feels-like-16 degree rain, sleet and gusty wind and step into 80 degree Florida weather. To celebrate coming home I got a little dressed up to head out to dinner with my hubby and embraced the fact I could wear a tank top and strappy heels.

(Just realized the fabric/color is the reverse of yesterday's really casual look.)

Top: Black ruffle tank - White House Black Market  similar, similar, similar Bottom: Denim pencil skirt - Loft  shop same - love!, similar, similar Shoes: Black strappy heels -Vince Camuto  similar, similar, similar Accessories: Assorted black & silver bracelets - F21 similar, similar  super expensive designer

outfit post: chambray shirt, black skinny jeans, brown boots

Inspiration - J.Crew

Heading home today!! This is my travel outfit - easy, doesn't wrinkle and soft/stretchy enough to be comfy for extended walking and sitting in the airport and on my flight. (Carrying my winter coat as well in case I get chilly - and because it doesn't fit in my carry-on.) Excited to see my hubby and sleep in my own bed!!

Top: Chambray shirt - Old Navy  similar, similar, similar  Bottom: Black skinny jean - Target Mossimo shop same, similar, similar  Shoes: Brown boots - Alfani (Macy's brand) similar similar  this year's version of my pair Accessories: Gold, silver, pearl multi-strand necklace - Ann Taylor  similar, similar, expensive Gold link watch - Michael Kors shop same, similar,  similar

outfit post: green/mustard cardigan, black pencil skirt, burgundy pumps

Inspiration - Banana Republic

If I had to pick a favorite & most worn piece of clothing it would be this cardigan. Something about the color makes all boring & simple outfits seem cheered up. If I can't get my brain to work in the early morning while I'm to figure out what to put on - it's my go-to selection that I know I'll be happy for the whole day. (Sometimes I will get dressed in a haze of sleep and then half way through the day catch a glance of myself in the office bathroom mirror and wonder WTF I was thinking/doing when I got dressed. Whoopsie.)

And I randomly really like the fun pairing of the almost neutral colored but still a little pop of burgundy color of the pumps mixed with the mustard/green of the cardigan.


Previous wears of this (& my other super similar) green/mustard cardigan:
Green floral blouse & black pants
Navy skirt & black polka-dot blouse
Printed pencil skirt & white tie top
Striped top & black pencil skirt
Teal & black wrap dress
Green floral blouse & grey pants
Polka-dot pencil skirt & white tie blouse
Grey sheath dress
Black cropped pants & white tie blouse
Brown pencil skirt & white tie blouse
White button down & black cropped pants
Black pencil skirt & black blouse
Bootcut jeans & white button down

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Top: White ruffle blouse - Old Navy  similar, similar, really cute Mustard/green cardigan - J.Crew similar, similar, similar Bottom: Black pencil skirt - Ann Taylor  similar, shop same, similar Shoes: Burgundy "Gelareh" pumps - ShoeMint  shop same very similar similar with kitten heel Accessories: Gold, silver, pearl multi-strand necklace - Ann Taylor  similar, similar, similar, expensive, similar Gold link watch - Michael Kors shop same,  similar,  similar

outfit post: orange shirt, olive green striped cardigan, black 'editor' pants

Inspiration - Stacy London

When in doubt - Stacy London is your lady. Easy, fun mid-week outfit. That's all. :)

Previous posts inspired by Stacy London:
Green cardigan & black pencil skirt
Burgundy/purple cropped pants, striped top, mustard scarf, boots
Purple cropped pants, polka-dot blouse, black blazer

Top: Olive green cardigan - Loft  similar, similar, similar Orange shirt - Express  similar, similar Bottom: Black 'Editor' pant - Express shop same, similar, similar  Shoes: Black pumps - Nine West shop same cute patent cap toe  similar with slightly lower heel Accessories: Gold pendant necklace - Target   shop same    love Gold link watch - Michael Kors shop same,  similar,  similar

outfit post: pink sweater, floral pencil skirt, burgundy pumps

Inspiration - J.Crew

This is kind of sort of the outfit that I actually ended up wearing out of the house... but not really. Right before I left for work I decided I was going to be cold so I put on black tights and black shoes instead of the burgundy pumps. Then I looked in the mirror and my bottom half looked dark and my top half had the bright pink sweater which looked a little wrong. So then I swapped this sweater for the exact same one in a darker purple color (I bought two of the same sweater on super sale at Target 4-5 years ago - do you do that? Love something that fits well and is a bargain so you buy multiples of the same thing but in different colors?) and added a black scarf. By that time I was running too late to take another picture. So maybe you can imagine instead? Black tights, black heels, darker sweater in same cut and a black scarf! :) This will definitely be re-worn in warmer weather!

Wore this floral pencil skirt previously:
Maroon camp shirt
Chambray shirt (very first post ever on this blog!)
Light purple tank & white cardigan

Wore this pink sweater previously:
Pink tweed pencil skirt
Black skinny jeans

Top: Pink cable knit sweater - Merona Target love, similar, similar  Bottom: Floral pencil skirt - Loft  similar, similar, similar shop inspiration ($$) expensive, expensive Shoes: Burgundy "Gelareh" pumps - ShoeMint  shop same very similar similar with kitten heel Accessories: Gold link watch - Michael Kors shop same,  similar,  similar

outfit post: black suit jacket, black suit pants, white ruffle blouse, yellow belt

Inspiration - Ann Taylor

When I travel onsite for client configuration workshops I always try to wear a suit on the first day. Most companies who buy our software have a pretty casual dress code (as is the case with the majority of US companies, I think) but the occasional client will have a buttoned up environment (especially law firms and banks) so I always think it wise to lean towards over-dressed then under-dressed until you know the culture of the company. It never hurts to make a good impression!

That said, just because I want to make a professional impression, it doesn't mean I can't have a little fun with my look. That's what inspired this outfit - it's a serious normal basic black suit but when you add the yellow belt it adds a tiny touch of fun and color to the otherwise serious outfit.

Wore this ruffle blouse previously:
Navy cardigan & white shorts
Pink cardigan & grey pants
Purple cardigan & grey pants
Skinny jeans & knit cardigan
Yellow a-line floral skirt
Rust cardigan & patterned pencil skirt
Rust cardigan & black pencil skirt

Wore this yellow belt previously:
White button down shirt & navy pants
Mint polka-dot blouse & black cropped pants
Purple and pink striped tank & wide legged jeans
Green floral blouse, green cardigan & black pants
Green floral blouse, grey cardigan & boyfriend jeans

Top: White ruffle blouse - Old Navy  similar, similar, really cute Black suit jacket - Ann Taylor shop same, similar, similar  Bottom: Black suit pants - Ann Taylor  shop same, similar, similar, similar  Shoes: Black pumps - Nine West shop same cute patent cap toe  similar with slightly lower heel Accessories: Yellow belt - Target  shop same, similar, similar Gold link watch - Michael Kors shop same,  similar,  similar