The last outfit post summed up the reality of my everyday life perfectly: working a desk job in a conservative office while trying to infuse some fun with bright colors into equally boring workwear.

Today's outfit is a complete 180 from the last. Fun, crazy, and definitely not in the least boring. It's probably a bit much for my office quite honestly. Any fashion shops in need of a code monkey? Let me know. (All kidding aside, I really do love my current job)

Today's outfit was thrown together with the hot and humid summer heat in mind -- a 3/4-length cotton cardigan that I do not mind sweating profusely in, a silky sleeveless tank that is cool to the touch, and a pencil skirt because legs need to breathe too. There's no practical reason for the accessories chosen other than they are simply some of my current favorites.

Earlier in the year, one of the security guards at work stopped to inquire about my tulle midi skirt. I was disappointed to tell her that it was from a couple seasons ago, therefore sold out. We then reminisced about items that we loved and regretted not buying multiples of. I told her if I ever see this skirt again, she will be the first to know. Lo and behold, Banana Republic came through this season and brought back this skirt in two colors! I wasn't sure which one of us was more excited -- me sharing the news or her upon hearing the news.

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.

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 walked around all day in the office with my jacket on *insert upside-down face emoji* -- all because I thought for sure it's short-sleeve weather. This sweater tee is made of substantial fabric... but the office just needed to be about 5 degrees warmer. Watch me wear this ensemble again next week and be complaining about sweating because we're supposedly heading straight to summer.