TBMD

According to my blog postings, I've been wearing pants every day for the last month and a half (!) I don't own many winter skirts and dresses, so the ones I do own will be making repeated appearances when the mood strikes.

Have a good weekend, everyone!

Today's outfit features the same neutral color scheme using some of the same items as another outfit from warmer days. I wish I could say that I simply added some layers to transition the outfit from fall to winter, but nope, the outfit only came together after I stumbled across a J.Crew collage (bottom left outfit).

There is a silver lining to this frigid winter that we've been experiencing. All it took was a few days of "bone chilling cold" for me to acclimate to "normal" winter temperatures. Not that I wish for this weather pattern every year, but just trying to stay positive and look forward to spring.

Have a good Monday, everyone!

I wore this outfit on a surprisingly (but much welcome) spring-like day earlier in the week. Temps were in the 50s (!) and I couldn't resist putting together an outfit with bright colors. The extra cheesy smile and spring in my step summed up my happy mood perfectly.

I was so confident that today's outfit is a head-to-toe copy of some photo I've run across in the past. Turns out, what I pulled from memory is an outfit created using various inspiration sources (one, two, three) -- leather pants here, gray sweater there, and finishing off with blue suede shoes. I'll take this as an early warning sign that I need to start eating more anti-aging food.

A quick post on this holiday Monday (for some). Have a good one!

A few noteworthy sale alerts for this long holiday weekend:

1) Take 50% off everything at Ann Taylor with code WINTER50.

Recent buys/items seen on the blog include:
- Silk blouse - $49 (TTS - I'm wearing sz 00 / outfit: below)
- Pave cabochon stretch bracelet - $14.75 (outfits: here, here)
- Tweed clutch - $52.50 (outfit: here)

I recently placed an order for: park stripe side zip sweater ($40), pearlized stone statement necklace ($59 - loved Jean's long version), estate pave link necklace ($39.75 - loved Elle's shimmer version).

2) Take 40% off full-priced styles (excludes Lou & Grey) with code GET40 + extra 60% off sale styles at LOFT.

Closet and seasonal favorites include:
- Vaughn t-strap sandals - $17.70 (TTS, wearing sz 6 / outfits: here)
- Knit denim leggings - $35.70 (TTS, wearing sz 24 / outfits: here, here, here)
- Modern skinny jeans - $20 - $41.70 (old review here / outfit: here)
- Modern straight jeans - $24 - $41.70 (believe it used to be called the modern slim / outfits: below, here, here)

I went a little stripe crazy and ordered: inked stripe long sleeve cotton tee in dusty rose ($17.70), button shoulder cable sweater in winter blueberry ($22), Lou & Grey mariner stripe tunic ($49.50 - excluded from promo).

More stores listed on the right sidebar. Happy shopping!

This is outfit #I've-lost-count of the same cowlneck sweater worn over a different top with pants. The slight variation in today's outfit is in the form of bold colors using a green silk blouse with blue suede shoes. I don't think I'll be satisfied until I try every shirt and shoe combination in my wardrobe with this sweater!

I was second-guessing myself when choosing shoes for today's outfit. The bright colored pants were already eye-catching, so to add sparkly shoes to the mix gave me pause. Individually, each item could stand out on its own, but together, the shoes easily took the back seat to the pants. I might even say the gold buttons on my coat would draw eyes before the shoes.

Sale alert: Through today 1/13, use code NEWSTYLE and take 35% off at Banana Republic, Old Navy, and Gap + 25% off at Piperlime.

Some recent buys/old favorites include:
- Old Navy military-style jacket - $25.96 (I sized up to a S for a looser fit / outfits: here, here)
- Gap leather loafers - $32.47 (I sized up to 7 but really should have taken my normal sz 6, or at most 6.5 because the leather has stretched / outfits: here, here, here)
- Gap cowlneck sweater - $19.49 - $25.99 (TTS - I'm wearing XS in both gray and black / outfits: here, here, here)
- Gap printed poplin PJ set - $38.97 (TTS - I'm wearing XS / outfit: here)
- Gap broken-in straight khakis - $32.47 (TTS - I'm wearing sz 00 / outfits: here, here, here)
- Banana Republic animal print haircalf skinny belt - $49.50 (TTS - I'm wearing XS / outfit: here)

Also, take 40% off final sale at J.Crew through 1/21 with code FUNSALE.

A few recent buys/old favorites included in the sale:
- Majesty peacoat - $131.99 for colors vintage berry and heather mineral (wearing 00 / outfits: below, here, here)
- Tissue turtleneck tee in heather stripe - $11.99 (wearing XS / outfits: here, here)
- Tissue turtleneck tee - $17.99 (wearing XS in yellow, XXS in red - prefer XS / outfits: here, here, here)
- Etta pumps - $107.99 - $192 (wearing sz 6.5 / review + outfit here)

Happy Monday!

[photo above and below]: Taken the morning after the polar vortex of a bay that feeds into the Potomac River. At first glance it just looks like foamy waves, right? The entire bay (as far as I could see) was actually frozen over with waves in mid-ripple. Sorry for the low quality photos (wasn't expecting to see this, so only had a prime lens on me), but I swear it was so cool to see in person. Though not as impressive as the frozen pier up in Lake Michigan.

The color inspiration for today's outfit comes from the gorgeous Pierrepont Hicks Gadwall Parka in navy, white/gray stripes, and burnt orange. After looking at these photos, there are a couple things I'd change for next time. I would've much preferred a top in a shade closer to burnt orange rather than the tomato red. Also, I think a pair of light blue skinny jeans would've suited the casual vibe of the outfit better than black jeans. Both items have now been mentally wish-listed!

2014 has only begun and I'm already at a loss for an accompanying outfit description. Nevertheless, a work appropriate outfit to start off a new work week. Have a good one!

I wanted to wear the scarf messily wrapped around my neck, but the jersey material wasn't the best choice. The material is too slinky, so I couldn't maintain the structured look that I envisioned in my head. I went with the next best thing, and just draped the scarf with the ends hanging. I wasn't looking for any extra warmth from the scarf, but for added color interest? Sure!

I first heard of Everlane from either Caroline or Kimmie (or maybe both). I think they were talking about tees at the time, but since I wasn't in the market for one, I filed the name away to check out later. When I eventually got around to window browse, I ended up really liking their items. They offer closet basics such as tees, sweaters, and blouses in clean, simple lines -- reminds me of Vince at a lower price point.

My uniform as of late has been loose tops with form-fitting bottoms, so I decided to give their silk blouse a try. It also helps that I've discovered a $2/item dry cleaners nearby so my lazy self no longer dreads washing items by hand. I chose the nude color, which is a pretty peachy-pink in person. Sheerness is not an issue with this color, but may be with a lighter color like white. Regardless, I wear a nude cami underneath. I don't own many 100% silk items in my closet, so the slight sheen of the fabric took a little getting used to (not visible in photos, more apparent in person). The fabric feels substantial so hopefully it can withstand random snags. But most of all, I love the way it drapes.

The cut of the blouse is straight through the torso, so it already has the loose-fitting look I was looking for. When deciding on sizing, I stumbled across a forum thread where one person shared that Everlane blouses fit similar to Equipment Brett blouses and are much slimmer than Equipment Signature blouses. Can anyone who's familiar with both share their thoughts?

Everlane silk blouse measurements:
- in XS (by me): 15.25" shoulder-to-shoulder / 27.5" length / 23.13" sleeve length
- in XS (from thread): 15.13" shoulder-to-shoulder
- in S (from thread): 15.63" shoulder-to-shoulder

Also see the silk blouse on Kileen, Elle, and Kelly.

Everlane offers free shipping and free returns on your first order, which is great if you're unsure of sizing or just want to try out their items. I had actually placed an order with a typo in my shipping address, so I quickly canceled my order. When I resubmitted my order, the system didn't reapply the first time free shipping offer, but an email to customer service rectified that. I've also read through other forum threads that customer service is prompt and helpful with sizing inquiries.

The last of my Black Friday purchase is this black sleeveless vest. I've loved how Elle wore both her black and white theory vests and was seriously contemplating the same purchase... until I saw Express' version for a fraction of the price. I learned my lesson with my last vest purchase (now donated) because the fabric was too stiff to drape nicely. For reference, I'm wearing a size 0 in the Express vest, but could've probably went with a 00 as well.

Happy 2014, everyone!

I'm not sure what's up with my smirk below, so please excuse that. Unfortunately this was the best photo of the batch with the vest buttoned.