Vestiness, take 2

So after Tuesday's vest experiment, I decided to break out the other vest I bought this summer - a pretty purple cable-knit, much more in my comfort zone!

With my new favorite soft corduroy skirt, and the lovely laciness of this blouse, I felt warm, cozy, professional , and a little bit romantic.

Today was just cold enough to break out my absolute favorite fall coat.

Every tiem I put it on I hear: bum dum da dum dummmm CARMEN SAN DIEGO!

White blouse: American Eagle

Purple vest: via TJMaxx

Belt: thrifted at Goodwill

Gray cord skirt: j.crew outlet

Brown boots: Payless

Bead bracelet: gift from my sister

Earrings: hand-me-down from mom

Necklace: gifted

Red coat: Old Navy

WCC wrap-up (again)

OK, I know I already did this post, but look at this cute little graphic C. made for me:

There are so many of me! I am amused.

Thanks C.!

bright shoes on a dreary day

There's so much I love about this outfit. Number one, though, is the jumper. For Old Navy, it's surprisingly well-made and fully lined. I used to have another one, exactly the same cut, but red/green/blue plaid. Unfortunately, the size was slightly off and I had to give it away. Ah well. I still have this one (and in truth, this one is the cuter of the two).

I sometimes wear it with a turtleneck, but that always ends up with me looking like a kindergartener. I do it anyway, but I think the dress with the white button-up looks much more adult.

Also, can we please talk about these tights? I feel like a Can-Can dancer! I'm not sure how much they do for my legs or the outfit, but you know what? I don't care. They are awesome and I love them.

So, even though it's raining today (oh wait, the sun JUST came out. phooey. I already took my pics) I think I'm brightening up the world with my cuteness.


Here's a detail on the ruffles:



The shoes are ever-so-slightly deeper than this pic. They aren't as candy-apple as the picture below suggests.
White ruffled shirt: Old Navy
Gray pinstripe jumper: Old Navy
Charcoal striped tights: Lane Bryant
Red mary janes: Miss Bisou via J.C.Penney
Red headband: Claire's

Vestiness.

This vest was another $5 TJMaxx find. I saw it on the clearance rack and thought, hey, this is that silly little vest all the teenyboppers are wearing. Then I tried it on. And...it was really cute. And flattering. So I brought it home.

But then, every time I tried to wear it, I got horrible 80's flashbacks and/or felt like I was posing as a teenager. Neither are good feelings, and I usually shoved it back into the closet. So today was a bit of a challenge to myself, to make this vest feel like me. Mixing it with my new favorite gray/purple/mustard scheme helped. :)

What do you think? How else do you lovely ladies out there style vests?

Sorry for the terrible picture quality - in real life this sweater is a very pretty fuschia color! See?

And the necklace is a very pretty green, like so:

Vest: TJMaxx
Sweater: Banana Republic outlet

Gray skirt: j.crew outlet

Flats: Target

Earrings and necklace: gifted

Watch: Target

four day recap

So, I was not a winner in this challenge. Friday I just totally crapped out. It was too cold for the items I had left to work with (the yellow cardi was warmish, but Friday I needed long sleeves, and I'd already worn the brown shirt twice), and I had to meet with an HR woman at David's Bridal, which meant wearing dressier items than those I had chosen here, and excuses excuses, I failed.

But I am pretty happy about the fact that I was able to pull off even four days of this challenge! And a challenge it certainly was! Next time I'll be able to better choose what would work and what wouldn't for five days.

Congrats to everyone else who finished and took part!

WCC: B.'s wrap-up

Here are my five outfits from ten pieces last week:

Ha, I sure do love that looking-down pose. I think I did a pretty good job of changing it up every day. None of these outfits scream "repeat" to me. I did rely awfully heavily on that white blouse though.

Things I learned from this challenge:

1. It is certainly relaxing to have my outfits planned out for the week. I spent a lot less time panicking in the mornings. But...

2. I missed the freedom to swap things out at the last minute or to add jewelry. That part is, well, really fun.

3. Red shoes go with all kinds of things!

4. I own waaaaaay more clothing than I need. I can get by on a lot less. Which I think is ultimately the moral of this particular challenge.

Which outfit is your favorite?

Apple Harvest Day

OK, I lied. WCC wrap-up will be later.

Despite the drizzly rain, E. and I checked out Apple Harvest Day, where we bought: apple cider doughnuts (my favorite), apple crisp with real whipped cream, and a bag of apples for $1. Yay for supporting local business!

I love me a cider doughnut.

Ha, the apple matches my sweater.

I found this bright cozy tunic at TJMaxx last year for $5, and am always trying to figure out how best to style it. Today I tried it with jeans and a brown belt. I've worn it in the winter with black dress pants and a long sleeved black t shirt too. Anyone have any suggestions?

Red tunic: Loverocks via TJMaxx
Gray tank 1: GAP
Gray tank 2: three-pack at Costoc
Belt: GAP, ages ago
Jeans: Banana Republic
Watch: Target
Earrings: Target
Apple: street festival!