More from the dark recesses of the closet - OOTD

It's been a bit of an internal battle to put off wearing some of my newer clothing in order to dust off some of my older stuff.  The skirt today comes from the same years ago sale room haul as my "donkey" skirt from last week.  As Overcaffinated commented the other day - wow, I really do have a ton of stuff.  It just seems that none of my bottoms, tops, accessories compliment each other.  I'm in true need of a stylist to come over, go through my stuff and show me all my options.  I'm sure I could probably get through a year or two without a repeat with all my stuff.  LOL

Anyhoo, this skirt my husband hates - hates!!  He says it's too poofy and big for my body (there are three additional layers under here, including crinoline).  Well, I can't help it, I love items that channel June Cleaver.  :)  I think the only reason I don't wear it more often is because I can't see beyond pairing it with white on top.  I'm sure red or another color would work too, but I just don't have the guts or the vision I guess.  So today I did the usual and put white on top.  Was thinking of red shoes but then stuck with the old safe choice again.  Looking at the pics, I don't care for the bright yellow on top, but what can ya do.

Promise, I'm not picking my undies in that first pic.

skirt - Odille for Anthropologie; tank - Loft; cardigan - Old Navy; shoes - Preview; bracelet - Anthropologie "Rock Candy"; necklace - Etsy; toes - OPI Anklets of Amethyst

Can't say I'll keep this on much after getting home from the office, but perhaps I'll vacuum and dust my house the whole ensemble so I can really be like June!

Do you like fuller skirt styles?  I'd be perfectly happy living in an episode of Happy Days or Grease.

Mod Cloth Color Injection OOTD

Couldn't resist the cozy sale at Mod Cloth last week despite the "final sale" condition.  Luckily, I didn't purchase much and only had two items that are now gracing my Ebay "Items for Sale" page!  :)

Since the temps dipped again today, I knew it was going to be a jeans day.  Totally had a skirt and tights in mind but it just wasn't to be.  So I threw together two of my Mod Cloth sale items to bring a little color into my day.  How'd I do?  Still something missing, right?

Trying a new indoor photo spot and Rico just had to get in on the action.

top - Flying Tomato via Mod Cloth; cardi - By Jam via Mod Cloth; jeans - Lucky Brand Lil' Maggie; shoes - Gap; necklace - Ann Taylor Loft

Probably could've done some cuter shoes but my pants are too short for heels (they are my favs though and I can't let them go).  So ballet flats it was.

Signing off with a little puppy love.  Happy Monday!

There once was a purple sweater

it was ruffly and thick and had a funky bow and buttons where buttons need not be.  The minute I spotted it, I was sure I would just love, love, love it.  And then I put it on. Que the chirping crickets.  Hmmm...totally on the fence with this one.  My husband liked it.  And I mean REALLY liked it.  I was showered with smooches before work.  One thing I know I like though, it is slimming (yay).

Perhaps it would be better with some black wide leg trousers?  Perhaps I just need to get really into working out again.  And by getting really into it, I mean actually doing some form of physical activity besides laundry.  Grrrr, nasty winter!  You need to leave now!!

So here's my new lady - the Anthropologie Peppered Cardigan

And, since it's what I do, I had to style it with jeans

Sweater - Anthropologie; tank - Victoria's Secret; jeans - ReRock for Express; booties - Madden Girl; necklace - Loft; nails - Zoya Mata Hari

Ok, so I went the whole day in my purple ruffly goodness.  It's been decided that I like it.  The empire waist really elongates the body and that is always a good thing.  The bow is still kind of weird for me and the flounce may make me look a little hippy, but as of right now, it is not destined for ebay.

Mixed Media & Big Boots

This was one of those days where the outfit I had all set out the night before, just didn't work.  My last minute scramble to get myself dressed resulted in a variety of this and that.  We have corduroy, velvet, wool and the always wonderful, pleather.  My husband was surprised that it all seemed to come together.  It was ok.  Not sure it will make a repeat appearance all in the same day again.  :)

The pics - sorry, didn't notice that my curtains are nearly the exact color of my pants until my little photo session was complete.  Durr... 

Cord leggings - American Eagle; sweater - Madewell; velvet tank & necklace - Loft; boots - G for Guess; nails - OPI's Lucertainly Look Marvelous

All in all, a comfy outfit.  But my fake leather boots (a/k/a vegan leather LOL) are a little squeaky when I sit down and they look like pirate boots with the whole top flap and all.  Anyone have an eye patch and parrot I can borrow?

The Look for Less - Anthropologie

Does anyone remember a show called The Look for Less?  I think it was on E! or TLC, or maybe I'm just nuts.  Anyway, those types of shows, television segments and magazine articles are always my favorite.  It's so great to see a designer outfit get cut down in price for us regular folks.

This is my first attempt at re-creating a look I love but didn't want to fork over the big bucks for.  My look is not exactly close, but just a loose interpretation and, well, much less expensive (still on the lookout for a rockin' anorak though).  Plus, it was comfy!

The Anthropologie Look (approx $350 not including oversized ring and shoes which are currently sold out online, poop)

Betty Ray's Look for Less (approx $155 with shoes)

Jeans - Lucky Brand (way old); tank - Tinley Road from Piperlime ($29); scarf - Ann Taylor Loft ($12 from 40% off sale); jacket - Target ($20 on sale); booties - Madden Girl ($39 after $10 coupon); cocktail ring - vintage, gift from the hubs; nails - OPI's Lucertainly Look Marvelous

Of course, I'd still love the Anthro outfit - especially those cute shoes!

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!!

Black & Brown OOTD

I've seen a lot of posts about breaking the whole don't wear brown and black together "rule".  Figured I'd give it a try.  I think this looked much better in person than it does in the photos, but maybe not.  Definitely out of my comfort zone and I feel like I'm having an off week with the whole fashion thing, but I will not give up (yet).  Luckily, it was a comfy outfit.  I highly recommend corduroy leggings - soft and comfy!  Maybe this needs a thin belt at the waist or a longer cardi or something?  Or maybe I just need a stylist!

Sorry about the photos, I'm still headless and tripodless.  Perhaps I got prematurely excited about Dolica sending me a free replacement part.  Arrrrgh.

Pants - Blank via Piperlime; cardi - Victoria's Secret; print tank - Madewell; white tank - Loft; botties - G by Guess; spider necklace - Little King custom (wedding gift from the hubbers)

My next job to tackle is accessories.  I've never been big on necklaces, earrings, etc., but I see how they can really make an outfit.  Hoping to find some nice pieces to tie my wardrobe together.  Would love some recommendations - particularly for Etsy sellers.  I love supporting  independent artisans.

So, I Used to Love These Pants

But after seeing myself wearing them, not so much.  They make me look much bigger on the bottom than I am.  Sigh...

Figured I'd share anyway as I went ahead and paired some things from my closet that I never would've before.

Going headless as I just couldn't get a pic where I didn't look like an angry old lady.  LOL

Whoops, the flash makes a sheer shirt a bit too sheer (didn't look at the pics until I got home from the office - eek)

Outtake - Rico loves to check out what I'm doing.  I think he wants to eat my camera remote

Wide leg trousers - Gap; blouse - Express; cardi - Banana Republic; necklace - Ann Taylor Loft; shoes - random black patent pumps (not shown)

I like the upper portion here, but I'm very not happy about the pants.  I've had these for years too and wore them often when I worked in Manhattan!  Oh well.  Perhaps this top will look better with a leaner pant or a pencil skirt.

Cutesy Poo Outfit Pic Added

Well, I posted previously about my Ann Taylor Loft outfit HERE.  I thought I loved it, but after seeing this picture (which my daughter took so excuse the tilt), I'm not so sure.  I think it's the booties, they need to be laced tighter perhaps.

Today we were headed to IKEA and the mall so I switched out the pants and grabbed some grey moto jeggings (Express - possibly my absolute favorite jeans) and tall black leather boots (Geox - found at Nordstrom Rack).  Made a much cuter outfit IMO. Unfortunately, none of the pics my daughter took of that one came out.  Anyway, I still like the cami and cardigan together - to heck with what the husband thinks!  :)

Quick side note about my tripod.  As mentioned, I accidentally threw out the head that attaches my camera to the tripod.  Well, a quick call to Dolica customer service and after emailing them my receipt from Amazon (from January), they are sending me a complementary replacement part!  I even told them that I threw it out.  Excellent customer service if you ask me, and because of that, I highly recommend purchasing from them if you are in the market for tripods, camera bags, etc.

Ok, back to the topic at hand. Here's the crooked outfit picture and a very lame mirror pic (sorry, antique mirror and the only semi-full length in the house) of the moto jeans followed by similar jeans and boots found on Polyvore.

moto by BettyRay featuring geox shoes