OOTD: Falling Leaves

Happy Black Friday everyone!  Hopefully you've overcome your food coma and are gearing up for one of the most crazy, spendy day of the year.  This is actually one of my favorite traditions -- waking up at the crack of dawn (or in the case of some outlets, midnight) and getting ready to fill my wardrobe with fun wintery clothing.  Unfortunately, I have other, immovable plans today (not to mention that I would be violating my Savings goals two days after I set them if you read Wednesday's post), so I will have to bow out of 2011's time honored consuming tradition.  But! Whether you decide to click it quick at home or brave the cold and join the legions of shoppers or just hide until it's over, I hope you have a wonderful day :).  What are your plans? Share them with me!

 
Outfit Details
Top: Anthropologie
Cardigan: Anthropologie
Jeans: AG Stevie Crops
Boots: Zigi Soho Mixer Boots 


 

In honor of the delicious day of thanks, I give you an outfit with browns and oranges with touches of yellow.  This is a loungewear shirt sold by Anthro circa 2007, but its just too cute to wear only inside the house! Sorry about the mobile phone camera quality -- it just gets dark waaaay to early now! 

Enjoy your long weekend, I'm sure you deserve it.  Thanks for stopping by!  

to look for: Savings

Image courtesy of BestCashCow.com

Okay, I think it's time for a confession.  I'm ashamed to say that I have failed a few of my objectives of this blog.  If you've read my "About Me" section, you'll see that a subset of the goals are:

• Prove to myself that I don’t need to constantly shop to have a solid, mix & match closet of clothes: This may be a delusion on my part.  But, I figure that the blog will keep me honest, and also will help me shop my own closet.
• Develop a system for adding pieces to my closet: A blog archive will help me find the gaps in my wardrobe – and the unnecessary.  (I’m talking to YOU, frilly pink prom dress!)

The sad truth of the matter is not only have I failed to meet these objectives, I actually went in the opposite direction! I spent the better part of the first 6 months of writing this blog shopping.  Constantly.  Its the peril of reading other blogs focused on fashion as well as looking for inspiration for my own blog posts.  What? The trends are micro-pleated skirts and red skinny jeans?  OMG. Must. Find. Now.  I ended up getting sucked into a money-grubbing monster of my own making. 

I'm fortunate to have a career such that I didn't end up in tens of thousands of dollars of debt.  That money, however, could have been saved to go towards a better distribution of things.  Like vacations.  Like savings for a house.  Instead, I bought things -- things that, after wearing them for the first time, I couldn't figure out how to wear them a second.  And it was too late to return them.  Now I have closet full of clothes that desperately needs to be edited and possibly purged.

So what am I going to do about it?  Well, I'm not going to stop blogging about style.  It's something I'm passionate about and I still find it really fun.  I am, however, going to start the (painful) journey of learning how to edit my wardrobe and practice restraint.  Here are the goals I am now setting for myself:

• Reduce my budget for clothing/accessories to $100/month.  This is going to tough.  Really tough.  I know that this may be a much higher budget that some of you have, but trust me, I used to blow this number away.  No more. 
• Use Pinterest to clearly identify and pin the items that I'm vying for.  Sometimes I get swept up in sales at my favorite stores or flash sales hosted by RueLaLa or Gilt.  Doing this will provide me a documented reminder of what I actually want in my wardrobe.
• Only buy items that are thrifted or 75% off or more.  Good style is timeless.  This will help me save money, but allow me to satisfy my love for shopping.  There is a caveat in the next bullet...
• One freebie a month.  I can buy one full priced or slightly discounted item a month.  I'll have to consider carefully and make it count. That's where Pinterest will come in.  

I'm going to start there.  Lessening my budget will free up funds for other fun things.   Eventually I want to do a few challenges where I wear everything in my closet or style up an item I haven't worn several times to determine whether or not I want to keep it.  But for now, I plan to disclose what I've bought and how well (or badly) I'm doing.  Nothing like blasting your finances on the interwebs right?

This is going to be really hard for me (oh first world problems).  I may destroy this goal more than once.  But the first step is accountability, so I'm just going to go with it.  

What do you do to curb your shopping habit?  Do you even have one?  How do you develop your wardrobe?  Share in the comments!

Thanks for stopping by!

Guest Post: OOTD - Green & Simple

Hello everyone! My name is Kyle and I blog over at Life Extravaganza. Thessa is in Cabo right now (jealous!) and she asked me if I wanted to guest post over in style-land. I was hesitant at first - I'm a far cry from a fashion blogger. Although I do like to dip my toes in the fashion waters, my style is very simple and cost-effective (a better word for cheap). 

Well, usually, that is. Unless I find an amazing pair of shoes. Or jacket. Or dress. Or...anyway, let's just move on to my outfit of the day! 

 

First, let's talk about this coat. This is my favorite peacoat out of all the ones I own. It's Jessica Simpson and has the most amazing shape to it.

 

The way it flows at the bottom, the sleeves, the back, everything is perfect! Except for one thing...it picks up cat fur like you wouldn't believe. Luckily, you can't see the cat fur in the pictures - I'm hoping that's true in real life as well. Unfortunately, I'm starting to accept the fact that when I wear this coat, it's like I'm branding myself with a "Crazy Cat Lady" sign.

Two out of four of the culprits. 

Ahem. Back to the outfit! 

Outfit details:
Coat: Jessica Simpson from Macys
Dress: Mai Tai from Forever 21 (I think - it was years ago)
Cami: Old Navy
Leggings: Saks Fifth Avenue
Outlet Boots: Aerosoles

I need to put in a plug for these boots also. They aren't the sexiest boots ever but they are incredibly comfortable! I actually love Aerosoles (but only the cute shoes) because I could walk all day in their shoes. 

The boyfriend also agreed to have his outfit captured - although I didn't tell him I'd be putting him in this post. Let's hope he doesn't mind!

 

Outfit details:
Sweater: Old Navy
Pants: Van Heusen
Shoes: Kenneth Cole
Sunglasses: DKNY
Necklace: Jade from his mom

I just realized the boyfriend is more fashionable than me. I should start a fashion blog just about him. 

Thanks for visiting (and thanks Thessa for trusting me with your blog)! Feel free to hop on over to my corner of the Internet at Life Extravaganza and check out my (not-so-fashionable) life.

Fitting Room Reviews: Dresses

Well it's the holiday week, so lets take a look at some possible holiday pieces at our favorite store, Anthropologie :).

 
   
  Dulcie Dress, Weston Wear, sz S, $158

This dress reminds me of something that a ballerina would wear.  Not that I think she would actually wear it, but its ballerina-inspired.  There are several layers of tulle at the skirt and a lace bodice.  On the hanger it looked pretty weird, but i have to admit -- I like it. I love how it isn't skanky but still has a definite party theme. This would be great with some shiny shoes or a glitter bolero.  Maybe both!    The dress fits TTS.  Wishlisted and a possible contender for a holiday party. 

Unconditional Osier Dress, Weston Wear, sz XS, $168

Weston Wear wins again!  I know this dress has been reviewed up and down the blogosphere, but I couldn't let it pass without my 2 cents.  This is another great party dress that could also be dressed down.  It comes with a spaghetti strap slip so that only the arms are see through and I love the shape it makes.  The skirt is just full enough and the fabric is comfortable to the touch.  This dress fits TTS.  The blue is divine.  I haven't tried to brown, but I'm sure its fantastic as well.  Wishlisted. 

Knitting Patterns Chemise, Lilka, sz XS, $148

Uh…150 bucks for a chemise Anthro?  Really?  Well, okay.  When I saw this on the rack, the vibrant colors sucked me in.  They reminded me of something in the middle east or India with its pattern and the way it dropped on the hanger.  Upon closer inspection, the material was silk with some nice weight to it.  Hmm.  Maybe this was an amazing dress hidden in the lounge section?  Alas, it wasn't meant to be.  It hung on me and belting it caused strange folds.  Combine that with the price and its a pass.  Maybe try a size down if you want to take a closer look at this one.

What are you keeping your eye on for dressing this holiday season?  Have you picked your looks out already?  Stay tuned for more reviews!

Thanks for stopping by!

OOTD: Cape Plaid

The to look for: Style house hold is super busy this weekend.  We're hosting a "Friendsgiving" this Saturday for all the folks that are traveling home for the real holiday that want another excuse to get a food coma with friends this week.  It's going to be a party of 9-10, so we're pretty excited.  I have claimed the turkey (eek!) and pecan pie.  I feel like hibernating just thinking about it.

 
Outfit Details
Dress: Bought off Melrose
Cardigan: BP via Nordstrom
Tights: Anthropologie
Shoes: Anthropologie Open Space Wedges
Coat: Anthropologie Craftmanship Capelet


 

Today you get a picture of a coat!  I used to think that capes were super cute, but not functional to the point of hilarity.  I mean, exposed arms in the dead of winter?  Hah! You'd get to wear it between the temperatures of 33-40 degrees and then move on to a "real" coat.   Then I moved to the Bay Area.  Well, what do you know?  That range IS what winter tends to stay in.  So I said -- Bring on the capes!  And I did.  In yellow/gray plaid no less.  Well, if you can't join a trend, guess you'll just have to move to a place where you can.  

Any impractical trends that you're dying to try, but can't?  Tell me about it!  

Thanks for stopping by!

OOTD: Balance that Check

Can I just say that I hate traffic?  Especially traffic that is consistent with your daily commute?  To me it just seems like an enormous waste of time to sit in your car alone driving at 10mph with the other 2000 people on the road in cars alone.  And it's not like you can multitask either -- at best, you can listen to NPR or books on tape, but even those get inane and boring.  I'm all about time efficiency, and traffic is definitely an enemy of the efficient.  Generally, I take the train to work, but I had an appointment that required me to leave directly from work to a location inconvenient to public transportation.  During rush hour.  Hence my grumpiness.  Hmph.  What about you?  Do you have to deal with traffic in your daily commute?  Commiserate with me!

Outfit Details
Top: J Crew Silk Henley
Blazer: Anthropologie Checks and Balances Blazer
Bottoms: Gap 1969 Jeans
Boots: Anthropologie Bucolic Fields Boots
Scarf: Macys via Xmas Gift
   

I love that this blazer is called Checks and Balances blazer.  Why?  I don't know.  It just tickles my funny bone.  

Thanks for stopping by!  

OOTD: Streamlined

I am totally jonesing for Thanksgiving break already.  It's incredibly hard to concentrate at work.  Good thing I can still be productive while thinking up rocking outfits and writing on this blog.  Nothing like a nice, creative distraction.

 
Outfit Details
Top: H&M
Skirt: Anthropologie Abstract Greenery Skirt
Shoes: Uggs
Necklace: Anthropologie

 

Sometimes its nice to put on a simple shirt and skirt with boots for a streamlined look.  Hey, at least I'm not naked.  Right?  Right.  

Thanks for stopping by!

OOTD: Ladylike

Today was a bold color day.  I was reading InStyle the other day and colbalt was pretty prevalent.  So I decided to be relatively uninspired and just go with it.  Throw in black tights and black pumps for elongated legs and a hair twist and we have a nice, lady like look.

 
Outfit Details
Dress: Anthropologie Lapis Lazuli Dress
Cardigan: Leifsdottir via eBay
Tights: Anna Sui via Marshalls
Shoes: Seychelles via Nordstrom Rack
Belt: Forever 21
Necklace: Kohls
 

I even threw in a close up of my accessories for once!  Win!  And some remixes of the dress for you: 

 

Thanks for stopping by! 

OOTD: Lotsa Patterns

The weekend is the perfect time to experiment with clothes.  And experiment I did -- I count no less than 4 patterns on this outfit!  Chevron, gingham, stripes and herringbone?  So crazy it works:

 
Outfit Details
Top: Shop in Melrose, LA
Cardigan: Express
Skirt: J Crew Check Gingham Skirt
Tights: Anna Sui
Shoes: Seychelles via Nordstrom Rack
Scarf: Missoni for Target


 

Netflix has added Gossip Girl to its Instant Replay and I added it to our queue.   It's highly disturbing watching upper class high schoolers drink like fish and spend money wildly, but I can't seem to stop watching it!  It's like a guilty pleasure.  Do you have any TV shows that are that way for you? 

Thanks for stopping by!

OOTD: Eyeliner and Comfort

One of the perils of working from home is that in moments of frustration, you wander around the house.  Since my desk is near my bathroom, which contains my make up bag, well -- I end up with raccoon eyes and red lipstick.  Along with my comfy, cozy hooded henley and skinny jeans, its was a fun juxtaposition of appearance.

 
Outfit Details
Top: Urban Outfitters
Pants: Gap
Shoes: Anthropologie Diamond Stitch Skimmers
Scarf: Clothing Swap

 

I hope everyone has a happy Veterans Day!  Thanks to everyone who served our country - your sacrifice is appreciated. 

Thanks for stopping by!

OOTD: Fall Foliage

One of the simple joys for me is to camp out at a local coffee shop (Starbucks brand name not required) with free wireless and do something productive.  Whether its reading a book, doing homework or working on a blog post, there's something about being in the middle of a bustling place that is inspiring.  It also reminds me of my college days, where there was no set routine and every day something new happened or there was something new to meet.  So here I am in the fresh air, capitalizing on the last few hours of sunshine.

Today's outfit is a bit funky.  I've always been attracted to the idea of wearing something "fancy" and informalizing it by throwing in bunched up knee highs and boots.  Yes I just made up a word.

 
Outfit Details
Top: Forever 21
Dress: Anthropologie Verdant Slip Dress
Blazer: Uniqlo
Boots: Anthropologie Bucolic Fields Boots
Necklace: From Mom
Belt: J Crew Factory
Socks: American Apparel


 

So what are one of those small things that give you a little bit of happiness?  Share in the comments while I bask in my little bit o' happy. 

Thanks for stopping by!