TBMD

A neutral outfit doesn't have to be boring. I love mixing in textures (calf hair pumps), prints (when in doubt, leopard), varying metals (see closeup shot of jewelry below), proportions (short trench, longer peplum top), and finally, a subtle pop of color that is bottle green. There are so many details to draw the eye, but yet, the overall effect is quite cohesive.

I hope you're not sick of my favorite outfit of 2019 yet because I sure am planning on wearing it until its last loose thread. The first variation was decidedly a winter outfit. The second was quite spring-like. Today's is somewhere in-between, perfect for all the fickle transitional weather we've been having.

The mere thought of wristlets conjures up memories of my first "purse", the Coach wristlet. <insert laughing/crying emoji> Who else lived in this glorious era and what did yours look like? Mine was the signature C monogram in green.

In the years since, my love for bags have grown, collection has expanded, and tastes have matured (I'd like to think so anyway). So it's funny to feel like I've come full circle with the latest purchase: Polene Numero Six.
The shape of this clutch/wristlet/small purse is simply stunning in its simplicity. I love the way the wrist strap loops through the gold hardware to keep the inner contents secure while maintaining its shape. Tangent: one of my pet peeves with traditional wristlets is the floppiness of the wrist strap.

With so many colors to choose from, I had a hard time deciding. Ultimately my eyes kept going back to the crocodile print, and felt the navy version fits with my wardrobe better than burgundy or black. If I were to choose between the monochrome colors, peach would be my pick (not a fan of the contrast stitching with some of the other color options).

As much as I loved the Numero Six, I couldn't hit the checkout button due to reservations of it fitting in with my lifestyle. You see, with the dimensions being 18 x 14.5 x 5.5 (in cm), would a smartphone even fit (I have the iPhone XR)? Let alone my other daily necessities like car keys and credit cards. In the Coach wristlet era, this would not even be a dilemma.
I scoured the Internet but couldn't find definitive answers. Some said only smaller iPhones would fit; others said bigger phones will have to be placed inside diagonally. I ended up spamming a handful of Numero Six Instagram photos asking if the owners can fit their phones inside (pats self on back for resourcefulness). Thank you to all who replied with assurances that though the clutch is small, XR phones fit fine inside!
As you can see, the right side is slightly larger, and I'm able to fit my iPhone XR with Casetify case snugly inside with no more room to spare. I actually placed my phone diagonally initially, but was not able to close the clutch. There is also an inner compartment for credit cards and bills. Then in-between fits my car keys comfortably. Whew! I'm happy to say this practically impractical clutch will fit in with my lifestyle just fine.

Just like how sports writers make bold predictions before an upcoming season (or even the playoffs), I'd like to make one myself as we're starting 2019. Today's outfit will be my favorite of the year. There's so much to this look that I love -- from the soft faux fur to the silhouette to the color palette... this entire look defines my style down to a T.

Today's look is a bit different than my usual. It's fun, ladylike, and a little crazy. The proportions work okay when I'm walking around, but when standing still, they look a tad off. I wish the top was more cropped or the skirt was longer. All in all though, I enjoyed this experiment.

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!

Today's outfit is what I dub my "ladies who lunch" look. I've been playing the housewife for a couple of weeks before starting a new job. Unlike the last time, this change is on my terms (my 1099 dreams are finally coming true!) The only downside is the state of this blog. I'll be taking the Metro to the new job, so that means I won't be lugging my tripod and camera along. I'm not sure when I'll find the time and place to take outfit photos... weekends? Should I just stick to iPhone photos? Everything is up in the air right now, so just a heads up that posts will be very sporadic while I figure things out.

Photos thanks to DH!

Day 23, Thursday: Things you've learned that school won't teach you

1) Politicking at work. Sadly, work performance isn't the end-all, be-all. Soft skills matter. A lot.

2) Filing taxes. I was ecstatic when my brother decided to major in finance. Coming from a technical background, I figured he can now do my taxes because finance = business = taxes. WRONG. He said something about taking classes that only dealt with taxes at the corporate level. To this day, I still dread preparing my own taxes.

Apparently school taught me everything else in life because nothing else comes to mind. Just kidding. I'm still slowly waking up with coffee.