TBMD

The dress code at my workplace is fairly lax, though the casual environment is nowhere near the heydays of the dot-com bubble. As I geek out at home in front of the computer in casual clothes, sometimes I just need to put on a pair of shoes before walking into work to do the same thing. It is nice to be able to wear weekend attire to the office, but sometimes the lines between work and home do start to blur. I'll then turn to slacks or pencil skirts for the daytime, items that have a decidedly professional vibe, but worn in a business casual way so I don't stand out like a sore thumb.

As my birthday came and went this year, I'm finally getting around to accepting that I've entered a new decade of my life. I jokingly compared it to the stages of grief, but of course on a much smaller scale. As silly as it sounds, my closet has helped play a role. I've begun to look at certain items I own a different way. Whoa, I must be maturing if I think bright blue tights are juvenile now. Nevertheless, I gave it one last hurrah before adding it to the donation bin.

I was in no hurry to refill the bright blue accessory hole in my wardrobe. However, seeing Phiphi and Kelly in two of my favorite outfits of theirs ever, each complete with blue suede shoes, I knew I've found the blue item for my slowly maturing self.

Like Jean, we both eyed the J.Crew Everly pumps. While the shoes worked wonderfully for her, they unfortunately were much too uncomfortable on my wider feet. What I ended up keeping are these Sole Society Desirae almond toe pumps in twilight blue (sold here). I typically wear 6-6.5 in shoes and took these in a size 6. I'd compare the fit to Nine West and Zara shoes. It's probably best to size down if you have narrow feet.

The blue suede color is brighter in real life than on the website. The first photo below is a pretty accurate representation of the color. The shoes are comfortable right out of the box and didn't require a break-in period (no blisters). I can't attest to the comfort level when it comes to walking/standing for hours. But for work purposes when I'm mostly sitting behind a desk, these shoes look and feel great.

Sale alert: LOFT F&F 40% off everything through 8/18 with code FRIENDS.

- Modern skinny jeans - $20.93-$53.70 with code (review / outfits: here, here, here)
- Pamela scalloped Mary Jane pumps - $53.70 with code (I'm wearing size 6 - review / outfits: here, here)

I placed an order to try the pleated tie neck shell - hope it works out!

Also at J.Crew, take an extra 30% off sale items through 8/20 with code SHOP30.

It was surprisingly chilly the other morning -- lows 60s in mid-August?! So I donned a lightweight jacket for my morning commute to work. If I had taken photos in the late afternoon, the jacket would've been nowhere in sight. As is, today's outfit is a preview of what's to come this fall.

Have a good weekend, everyone!

Today's outfit is inspired by a photo found on Pinterest (I much prefer to credit the original source, but can't seem to find the link). The theme is light blue on navy with the addition of a scarf. I chose casual brown sandals to round out the look. As someone who mostly wears neutral colored shoes, I was surprised to realize that the only brown pair of shoes I owned prior to this summer were a pair of booties. I'm so glad I went out and bought brown summer sandals this year because I sure have worn them enough to get my money's worth!

As expected by now, a week can't go by without another maxi dress outfit ;)