What Goes Around Comes Around

Pretty certain I've confessed about my love of tight pants previously, but I do have an exception.  I absolutely adore classic trousers - in denim, of course.  For my figure type, they are usually very flattering.  The slant of the pockets, the higher flat waist, a fit that hugs the hips and then widens and elongates the legs.  What's not to like?

A few years ago I splurged on a pair of white Seven denim trousers (still have and love them).  Instantly, I was in love.  And shhhh, but I used to wear them to my "no jeans" job in the city.  You couldn't tell they were denim.  At least I wasn't telling!

How thrilled was I this season with the resurgence of the denim trouser.  I will be buying another pair or two, but for now I settled on a pair from the Gap and it's love all over again.  Dressed them up a bit today for the office.

jeans & top - Gap; jacket - Theory; belt - Ann Taylor; booties - Madden Girl; bag - older Isabella Fiore; nails - Zoya Emme

These jeans are great.  Super comfortable.  They fit perfectly (although they appear to run long.  I usually wear a long length, but when I tried the long, they were ridiculously so).  I love all the perfect little details too.  Can't wait to search my closet for other goodies to use to rock these jeans.

Are you going to sport any of the wider leg styles this year?

My Unintended Interview Wear

Last week I interviewed for a corporate job at the urging of one the lawyers I worked for in my last corporate position (law firm) in Manhattan.  Was I looking to go back to full time office work?  No, but sometimes things fall into your lap for a reason.  Needless to say, the fact that she thought of me for her position was extremely flattering.  But yikes, corporate!!  Do I even have anything to wear to the interview??

Well, I thought I did.  There were a pair of unworn black dress pants from J Crew sitting in my closet for the past two years.  Perfect.  Black pants, black jacket and a nice top.  I'm all set.  Around rolls the morning of the interview and hello, my ass and hips can't fill out the damn pants and they look awful.  Not even belt loops to try and wrangle them in a bit.  I can't go diaper butted to an interview!  Ugh!

What's a girl to do??

Since I'm so into taking fashion risks (not), I remembered the gorgeous blouse I got during the Ann Taylor sale that I couldn't wait to wear with my white denim trousers.  And, well, I have a great fitting pair of white dress pants in the closet too!  Despite my husband's reminder that it is in fact well after Labor Day, I went with it.  Hey, it was this or jeans - not much to choose from.  So, here is my mid-level corporate, spend your life in a cubicle, job interview look.

Jacket - H&M; blouse and belt - Ann Taylor; pants - Club Monaco; black pumps - so old the name wore off; toned down interview makeup - Meow on face, Stardust on eyes (out of business), NYX on lips

I was as comfortable as is possible for being "dressed" and enduring the 2 1/2 hour interview process (grrrr...corporate America).  If not for the wonderful fashion blogs I've been reading, I never would've put white pants with this outfit and definitely not in the middle of freakin' winter.  The old me would've cried for a bit, complained to my husband that my wardrobe sucks and my ass is flat and I clearly need those J Lo butt implants, and then went through the day feeling miserable in my ill-fitting black pants hoping nobody would be noticing my baggy butt and droopy crotch.  Sometimes change is good!

Still cannot wait to wear this blouse with my white jeans.  C'mon warm spring air.

Stay tuned to see if I succumb to the allures of cube dwelling.

Haul With a Purpose

When I get a Saturday without the kids, I usually like to get any shopping done early in the morning.  Well, this past Saturday I was kidless and did something I've never done before - went to the mall - with a list, determined not to stray from it.  And we did good!!

Since my resolution to become a better shopper, I have reorganized my closet, purged all yuckiness and made a list of the items I need to tie everything together.  That list resides in my bag and is updated regularly.

My current list includes: black blazer, denim/chambray shirt (dressy & casual), black tote, anorak jacket, pencil skirt, floral scarf, trench, cloche, bow blouse, red cardigan, blouse to go with white trousers, thin belts (brown & black), bow neck silk halter (in a bright color), short black leather jacket, a great dress

So, Ann Taylor 40% off coupon in hand, I set out.  Parked and headed straight to my planned destination.  Another thing out of the ordinary, I tried things on in the store!!  I never do that.  I usually buy, take home and then return whatever I didn't like.  This typically causes me to hold on to things that I may not love.

After Ann Taylor (regular & Loft), I hit Lord & Taylor (have a gift card), left empty handed and drove to Target.  Here's what I ended up with (all of it from my list - well, one exception but I know what I can wear it with).

Ann Taylor Haul by BettyRay featuring a snake belt

And my "bonus" shirt (the one on your right).  It was just so soft and comfy and I loved the asymmetrical neckline.  Oh yeah, and it was $12.  But, did I buy it just because it was cheap?  Nope, it will go perfectly with a black wool mini I've had for years.

Hope you enjoyed my haul. I know i did!  Keep your eyes out for some OOTDs using these pieces.  I have three in mind already.

 

Enjoy your day everybody.  I'm off to cut these items from my wish list.  Yay!!