OOTD: Lots of Flowy

Sometimes you just want to look pulled together, but completely comfortable.  This maxi skirt is a perfect way to cover up, skim my curves (or lack thereof) and deliver pops of color.  Throw in the messy hair and a sosloppyitlookslikeIjustthrewitonbutitscompletelyintentional patterned scarf.  It was all like wearing PJs and what not!

 
Outfit Details
Top: StyleMint Lenox (similar at Nordstrom here and here)
Skirt: Anthropologie Manteo Maxi (similar Alice+Olivia here, at Neiman Marcus here)
Shoes: Target Pearce Pumps (similar Corso Como here, Jimmy Choo here)
Scarf: Urban Outfitters (similar at Nordstrom here, Alexander McQueen here)
Belt: Mom's closet :) (similar at The Limited here, Neiman Marcus here)



 

My eyes are all blurry as I type this post up.  I think my vision is getting worse from all this time I spend on my computer.  Ack!  So much digital in this digital age.  Yesterday I was at a coffee shop with a bunch of folks and we were all on our phones.  We've all reverted back to the 2 year old version of socializing - playing next to each other.  Anyone else have this problem?

Thanks for stopping by!

collectionID:491001,username:tolookforstyle

OOTD: Hearts and Dots

Okay, back on track.  I'm sitting in a Starbucks working on blog stuff and trying to work through some things.  (And if you follow me on Twitter, you'll know what one of them is!) I actually have a ridiculous backlog of ideas that I'm going to try to start churning out the next few weeks, so I'm super excited!

This outfit I went for pattern on pattern (again), but this time with hearts and dots.  I kept the rest of the outfit neutral  so it didn't end up quite so busy. 

 
Outfit Details
Cardigan: MANGO (similar at Modcloth here, Forever 21 here)
Top: Tucker for Target (similar at New York & Co here, Modcloth here)
Skirt: Anthropologie Gifted Skirt (similar at MiuMiu here, Modcloth here)
Shoes: Target Pearce Pumps (similar Corso Como here, Jimmy Choo here)
Belt: My mom's closet (similar here, here)

 

I'm really scared of these shoes getting trashed because they match my skin tone so well.  I should have bought 2 more pairs.  Target is the bomb diggity.  

Thanks for stopping by!  

collectionID:440985,username:tolookforstyle

OOTD: Camera Play

Sorry for the posting lull!  I'll come clean and admit that the Final Fantasy XIII-2 came out a week ago and I picked it up on Friday.  Sooo..I've been otherwise occupied with that along with a weekend in Napa with some friends and my cousin coming to visit.  Hence the lack of posting.  BUT! There are still outfits to be had:

 
Outfit Details
Top: Thrifted (similar at Bluefly here, Neiman Marcus here)
Cardigan: Banana Republic Factory (similar at J Crew here, Forever 21 here)
Skirt; Urban Outfitters (similar at J Crew here)
Tights: We Love Colors (similar Lori's Shoes here)
Shoes: Steve Madden Viscious via Nordstrom Rack (buy here, similar at Coach here)
Necklace: Therapy Boutique (similar at Endless here, Max & Chloe here)

I was reading Camera Tips for Beginners and started playing with things like aperture, iso and shutter speed on my camera.  Nothing super exciting yet -- the only thing I can say is that it looks like 4pm in the photos and it was actually 5:30pm, which is when the sun typically is mostly set.  But it's a neat little overview if you're interested in getting started with taking pictures.  What I'd really like to learn is how to take pictures of a focused subject with a blurred background.  I haven't QUITE gotten the hang of it yet.  Do you have some favorite camera tricks to share with me?

Thanks for stopping by!

collectionID:462087,username:tolookforstyle,width:500

Spending Recap: January 2012

Someone tell me why I committed to doing this again?  Fashion week has gotten me into all kinds of hankering for pretty clothes.  But I SUPPOSE cutting back on unnecessary spending and having a more discerning eye for pieces is important.   /cue disgruntled tone of voice.

Anyway, this was definitely more of a thrifty month!  Here's a recap of what I got in January:

 

Item(s): Thrifting finds - Polka dot turtleneck, J Crew purple button down, Silk Scarf, Pink Gingham Shirt, Nanette Lepore skirt, Ben Sherman Gingham shirt
Cost: $40
Original retail price:  Who knows?  Let's pretend $1000000

Why: A few of the items I've bought displayed above.  Thrifting is super fun!  Really picked up some great items on the cheap.  I guess I'm really having a gingham moment. 
Assessment: This is the way to go when I have the itch to shop.  Definitely going to keep this going.

 

Image from coolspotters.com

Item(s): StyleMint Fillmore shirt (sold out)

Cost: $30
Original retail price:  $30


Why: This is my cheat item.  Admittedly, I forgot to skip this month so I had to get something, but I probably would have gotten it anyway.  I've been looking for an ever-so-slightly over sized shirt and the grey/blue is super pretty. 

Assessment: I keep wearing this top, so it's definitely worth the money. Want to try the StyleMint service out?  Check it out here.

And finally, Modcloth is the bane of my existence.  I did get some Christmas money from one of my aunts though, so some of this haul is c/o her.  They had their Cabin Fever sale with some seriously cute stuff. 

Item(s): Modcloth Foliage of Innocence Dress

Cost: $16
Original retail price:  $53

Why: Pretty, pretty pattern! And the back is open so it's pretty sexy.

Assessment: This actually turned out to be a little tighter on the hips than I expected.  And the material has no give, so while I still LOVE the print, I probably would relegate this piece to wear as a "shirt" under a skirt or going out for short periods of time. 

Item(s): Modcloth Desert Winter Sandal

Cost: $15
Original retail price:  $50


Why: Sky high heels and a neat wrap strap in an amazing color.

Assessment: I actually had to put in my own holes for the straps (I have skinny ankles), but otherwise, these are super cute!  I need more comfy, high heels for my pants (I'm short) and these fit the bill.

Item(s): Modcloth Glitz Time to Shine Heel
Cost: $29
Original retail price:  $100

Why: I lost my gold sandals a few years ago at a bachelorette party and have since been missing fancy glitzy shoes.  And Pour La Victoire does glitzy so well.

Assessment: Wore this on the Ostentatious Train I talked about in an earlier post.  Comfy for stilettos and super pretty!

Item(s): Modcloth Instant En-Wrapture Dress

Cost: $20
Original retail price:  $70

Why: I'm a sucker for chambray recently.  And this was just so sweet and would pair with so many great things.

Assessment:Wearing this tomorrow, but it fits sublimely.  It's soft and a great, versatile piece.

Total Damage for January: $150 - $50 Xmas present = $100

Is it cheating that my aunt contributed to my shopping this month?  I don't think so!  Either way, this is the best I've done so far, even if you take the $150 where it is.  And if not, I totally met my goal this month!  So far, I've become more and more open to thrifting and the great treasures it can bring and I'm absolutely saving hundreds more dollars that I can put towards other things.  So thrilled!

Stay tuned for February! Is this a passing phase, or can I stick with it?

Thanks for stopping by!

OOTD: Jaunty

When I see a cocked hat, I immediately think of the word jaunty.  Google says that jaunty means "Having or expressing a lively, cheerful, and self-confident manner."  I guess an off center hat epitomizes a lively, cheerful person?   What images do you associate words with?

 
Outfit Details
Blazer: Thrifted Ben Sherman (similar Alice+Olivia in green here, Newport News here)
Shirt: Express (similar Target here, Victoria's Secret here)
Bottoms: Express (similar Express here, similar AG here)
Shoes: Steve Madden Viscious via Nordstrom Rack (buy here, similar at Coach here)
Hat: Can't remember! (similar here, here)
Necklace: Rue 21 (similar here, here)

 

I picked up the Urban Decay Naked palette after scouring the internet for the best neutral eye shadows.  I've been using it the past few days and I LOOOOVE it.   I'll try to take close ups of my eye makeup in the upcoming shots.  Anyone have recommendations on good combinations of the colors on it? I've been trolling YouTube for ideas. 

Thanks for stopping by!

collectionID:418021,username:tolookforstyle,width:500

OOTD: Of Mice and (Wo)Men

I am a tomboy.  I used to dress in a way that a tomboy stereotypically would.  I thought that wearing stretch black flares with some funky Sketchers was a pretty fashionable way to rock.  (Ah youth...) Aeropostale was my favorite store what with their hoodies and baby T's with cute animals on them.  All pants, all the time.  Basically, I could take off running or play a soccer game or chase off a thief that tried to steal some grandma's purse at any moment.  Because you never know.

Well, I think I must have hit my pants quota some time when I turned 23, because now I can't seem to get enough of dresses and skirts!  Pants are a rare occurrence, and a pair of dress pants that hasn't seen the light of day in a VERY long time has made it in an OOTD.  And when you wear a shirt with mice on it, it calls for manly pants.  Well, they're flared, so I guess not all THAT manly.

 
Outfit Details
Top: Anthropologie Tarpan Button Down (similar Thomas Pink here, Equipment here)
Cardigan: Target (similar at Kohls here, Red Valentino here)
Bottoms: The Limited Exact Stretch (similar on sale here, Max Studio here)
Shoes: Anthropologie After Five Heels (similar at Endless here, here)
Belt: J Crew Factory (similar at Labour of Love here, the Limited here)
Headband: Goody (buy in purple here)

   
   

Wow, I must have been having some wacko hair day.   totally intended for my hair to come out that way.  

Thanks for stopping by!

collectionID:388608,username:tolookforstyle,width:600

OOTD: Fruit

Well, between the tangerine color and the pears on my shorts, this was the best title I could come up with.  I think I tried on various pairs of culottes last summer at various retailers and I just couldn't really get behind them.  I think it's because they're like a skirt, but I can't wear them high waisted the way I typically wear skirts.  Whatever, this pair has grown on me now! They feel like pajamas in their nice, soft cotton and I don't have to worry so much about keeping my legs closed while sitting.  Not that I would do that.  I'm a lady, thankyouverymuch.

 

Outfit Details
Top: Anthropologie Ripple Effect Tee (similar Free People here, LOFT here)
Shorts: Anthropologie Bosc Culottes (similar Tibi in black here, Rag and Bone here)
Shoes: Steven by Steve Madden (buy here - not many green left!, similar here)
Necklace: Francesca's Collections (similar here, here, here)

 

The sun was so bright on the day I wore this outfit!  It just made me want to wear bright, bright colors. 

Thanks for stopping by!

collectionID:390183,username:tolookforstyle,width:500