I'm not a morning person at all. So when I'm forced to wake up at the crack of dawn, you bet I'll take my sweet time enjoying the first rays of sunrise. I kept my outfit simple (coordinating colors, minimal mixing and matching) which worked out well because the peachy colors of the sunrise really is the star of the show.

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.

That saying, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" could apply to outfits as well. I've worn this top and skirt combo before and will continue to do so because they're a great pairing. For today's look, I tweaked the accessories a bit just to keep things fresh for the blog.

How important is the background for making or breaking outfit photos? I'd say judging by today's set, pretty damn important. I try to rotate between a handful of locations for outfit photos... casual, park-like settings for casual outfits, and buildings in the background for work outfits (because nothing says take me seriously by looking like I'm about to walk into a building). So just let your imagination run wild for today's photos.

Today, I'm wearing a peplum top tucked into a high-waisted skirt. I think the proportions worked out well enough, though the outfit was a bit high maintenance. I found myself continually looking down and adjusting some fabric here and there so the peplum part stayed put. I do not look good when I wear tops that are completely tucked in, hence the need for half/semi tucks.

'Tis my favorite (floral) time of the year! Not like anything else can compete with these gorgeous hydrangeas, but keeping my outfit easy and simple nonetheless (PS: today's dress is on sale for 50% off and free shipping).

There's not much I need to say about today's outfit -- the post title speaks for itself. Hope y'all have a great weekend!

Keeping plans simple on this rainy weekend: eyes will be glued to the TV all day long. On the schedule will be catching up on Suits (I kinda stopped watching shows the last couple of years, lol. My attention span is not what it used to be) and hoping the Capitals do not give me a heart attack. Hope y'all have a good one!

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.

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 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

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.