TBMD

I gave myself 10 minutes max to do my hair this morning. If I couldn't figure out how to tie the bandana into a cute headband, I would resort to tying it around my wrist. Thank goodness it took me about three tries to part my hair just right, fluff it out, and knot the bandana. I think the final look turned out even better than I had imagined.

As promised, today's post features a semi tucked-in sweater (now $25) with wide leg cropped pants (now $32). I loved how this outfit turned out, with the yellow pants being the main attraction against a palette of neutrals. It's just a tad crazy for my stuffy work environment (government), but not too much so.

There are so many cute ways to wear a scarf. The simplest might just be draping it over the shoulders. It doesn't add warmth (not necessary this time of year anyway), but it does add visual interest. Simplicity at its best.

Am I the only one who thinks we pretty much went from winter straight to summer? I'm happily pretending it's still spring... and will continue to wear jackets until it becomes unbearably hot (or officially summer), whichever comes first.

The previous few years I was all about wide leg pants that skimmed the floor (examples: one, two, three). I love how comfortable these pants were and how tall I looked even with flats on.

What has captured my heart this season? A wide leg and cropped version. Now this is a silhouette that I never imagined I would be drawn to, let alone wear. For these types of pants, I think it helps to find one with a high waist as it shortens the torso and lengthens the legs. Wearing high heels and tucked in shirts also help to give the illusion of longer legs. For today's outfit, I thought the embroidered floral top was a fun pairing with the yellow bottoms, albeit making me a little "boxy" looking. Stayed tuned for a post next week featuring a (semi) tucked-in sweater with these pants!

I just ruined my average of going a year between ways to wear posts with this back-to-back post. This is what happens when I'm on a roll.

Today's post shows the power of accessories. Two looks that feature the same graphic tee and midi skirt, but each with a distinctive vibe. One is a little dressier with a draped trench and fun heels. The second is decidedly laid-back with an easy cardigan and flats.

Thanks to Helen's comment, I realized an entire year has passed since I've done a ways to wear post.

It's been raining most of this week, so I thought it fitting to compile a round up of my past looks with red rain boots (which I lovingly refer to as my "Boo boots"). This post is bittersweet because I recently discovered a 1" rip on the side of the soles. I don't think they are salvageable now :( So here's a look back at old outfits as I say RIP red rain boots.

I call this my "prim and proper" outfit -- a modern take on a conservative look for the office. Ladies who I usually pass in the hallways with a quick "Hey!" stopped me to inquire and pay compliments, especially the tulle midi skirt. I hate being the bearer of bad news when I told them the skirt is from Banana Republic last year. There's nothing worse when something is within reach, but not quite. The conversation usually then flows to all the times when we wished we had the foresight to buy multiples of something we loved. When we realize this, of course the items are sold out. #firstworldproblems

Stripes, oh how I love thee. It's a pattern that suits any occasion -- work, dressy, weekends, just to name a few, and one that I can't get enough of. Oh, periwinkle blue? Don't mind if I add that to my growing collection.

Today's outfit felt familiar to me. After digging through archived posts, not only do I wear the pink + blue combination often, there were two prior outfits (here, here) that involved this exact striped skirt. I guess I like to stick to the tried-and-true even with newer items in my closet.

Today's outfit looks boring at first glance. Black and white? It's only a step up from all black, imo.

Look closer though... the colors may not draw attention, but the textures sure should. A hint of fringe along the hem of the white sweater tee? A smooth leather jacket contrasting against an "eyelash" fringe pencil skirt? Nope, not a typical black and white outfit anymore.

Around this time last year, I switched jobs to one where I took the Metro every day. I wore heels perhaps 3 times max the few months I was there before an unexpected opportunity came along that I couldn't turn down. Since then, I've been back to driving daily. That meant, hello heels! I felt like a little girl wearing her mom's shoes those first few weeks -- taking baby steps and a bit unsteady on my feet. All these months later, I'm not sure if my heel-wearing skills are what they once were.

I got these Kefee heel inserts recently for my shoes that fit slightly loose, either from leather stretching out over time or just running a tad large. The sandals I'm wearing today are the latter, so I stuck heel inserts underneath my toes and behind my heels. Instead of using 2 separate pieces for each shoe's heel and having to trim the ends, I cut one piece in half. Voila, instant comfort without the wobbliness. Only time will tell how they hold up, but so far so good.

Heatwave or not, summer has officially arrived! It's been particularly challenging this year because the combination of humidity and allergies has been kicking my butt. I do what I can to stay comfortable, like wearing breathable cotton to stay cool and also sunglasses to shield flying pollen. As an added bonus, it also hides my watery eyes... though not much can be helped when the waterworks start on very high pollen days.

I went with some friends for afternoon tea at the Ritz Carlton in Tysons recently. I may have been a tad overdressed (we decided on cocktail attire, just because), but I was oh-so-comfortable while helping myself to a variety of desserts, sushi (from their Cherry Blossoms set), and tea. I love white dresses, but the color is limited to pretty much non-wedding dressy events, of which I don't partake much in. So I'll take any excuse to wear (white) dresses that are just collecting dust in my closet.

I imagine if I were to ever visit somewhere cold and rainy (Scotland?), this is what I would look like. Colorful (and packable) jacket amidst the dreary backdrop? Cozy scarf? Rain boots? Oversized and lightweight bag? Lots of comfortable neutrals? Checkkkkkk!