Wardrobe replacement stress

I dont care that it's the heat of summer. My office is cold so I put on my favorite long sleeve wrap tee today and felt blissfully comfortable! While I have a short sleeve version in white and lime, they just arent the same as the long sleeve and how utterly comfy and warm I feel in them. I cant wait to grab the new dark fall colors this fall at my favorite home clothing party!

You know those items in your closet that you begin to stress out about them wearing out because you don't know how you'll survive without them? (Well, I do this but I stress out about a lot of "what if's" in life and my closet is no exception!) This tee is one of those as well as this J Crew khaki pencil skirt. I bought the skirt a few years ago when I needed a tan color skirt for an event (it was that or shorts and you all know how often you see me in shorts --other than cotton workout shorts, I own one pair -- and I just got those on vacation!) so I just grabbed the skirt for the event with no long-term plans. It quickly turned into a 3-season wardrobe staple. It fits great and goes with everything. When I dropped grease on it a couple months ago, I stood at the sink scrubbing for several minutes -- because there was no way I was going to lose this skirt! I think it has another year in it if I'm lucky -- It's starting to feel worn -- so Im on the lookout already for a replacement!

What item in your closet are you already worrying about having to try to replace one day?

Great shoes

I'm fortunate to live only 20 minutes from the Zappos outlet -- it's a great place to go and check for shoes anytime, but especially when they have their 50% off sale and you get an additional 50-off the already discounted shoes!

These shoes were from that latest haul -- they are Guess, satin and have a big ol' flower at the peep toe. They are slightly over-the-top but that's what I love about them. I refuse to spend a large sum of money on "outfit shoes" such as these -- but when you can get them for $27.50, well, that makes it all acceptable!

The prodigal blogger returns...

Looks like I just took a three week vacation, huh? Whoops! My computer is still acting up. The battery is pretty much shot (has about a 7 minute life) and while that's manageable, the outlet for the plug is loose so it's a miracle to get the battery charging cable to make contact. I don't have the patience for it most nights and have been borrowing Al's when he's not looking.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it :)

In other news, I've not felt cute so I've not taken a single outfit pic in two weeks. You know what is cute? The shoes I wore in the last pic I snapped:
Cardi: NY&Co.

Orange cami: Target

Pencil skirt: NY&Co.

Necklace: Target (I think)

Leopard flats: Stuart Weitzman










Aren't these smack-your-mama-good???!!

(And no, I'd never smack my mama b/c she'd put me in the ground and that's no way for a good daughter to behave.)

I scored these for...are you ready for it? $45. Forty freaking five dollars. I <3 the Zappos sale!!

They're pony hair and soft and absolute perfection.

Professional in Pink

I always feel a bit like Elle Woods when I wear this jacket.

That's ok though because Elle Woods kicked butt.

That's all.

Playing favorites

Ruffle Shirt: The Limited

Khaki Skirt: J Crew

Floral Pumps: Target

These floral pumps from Target and this ruffle wrap shirt are some of my favorite wardrobe items. When I bought them each a year ago, I didnt think they would turn out to be in favorite status the way they have been. The ruffles on the shirt are always a bit out of control -- but I've come to like that about it! And the shoes....well, wearing them always makes me smile! In fact, I showed them to a friend last year and she ended up having her bridesmaids wear these shoes with turquoise dresses/brown sash earlier this spring and they were adorable! Multi-versatile, I tell you--they work all the way down to jeans and up to bridesmaid dresses!

They always say blondes have more fun...

Blonde Hair and Bangs: The Chopping Block

Madras Jacket: Ann Taylor Loft

Cami: Old Navy

Skirt: The Limited

Belt: The Limited

Pumps: Steve Madden

I've been feeling in a rut, which I usually address with my favorite mood enhancing drug of choice -- the salon! I went in wanting change and left with it!

Most people who read this blog probably have no clue that, up until about 3 years ago, I had heavy blonde highlights (from about the time I was 12 til I was 25). I was wanting change then, went to a new colorist and we took my hair to a warm chestnut brown where it has stayed, give or take a couple shades, for the past 3 years (my natural color is an ashy brown).

Well, my hair fades horribly in the sun and I wanted a change so I decided to just go back to the blonde just for the summer months (as well as add some pixie like bangs across my forehead as opposed to side swiping them like I always have--which is making me crazy, just for the record).

Reaction has been mixed -- some of my family members have always hated my hair dark (I always loved it so I told them I didnt care!) so they were overjoyed with the return to blondeness. But some people have told me that, while change is always good, they prefer me as a brunette. I have to say, I lean towards agreeing with the latter. I just feel warmer and more "me" with chesnut hair.

Below is another picture taken the next day at Churchill Downs in natural light so you can see the color better--and see that Im already trying to shove the bangs to the side!

But that said...some of my most fun times in life have been as a blonde...so it cant be all that bad!

What do you think? Blonde or brunette?

First and Last

Dress - Merona Target

Navy cardigan - Gap

Gold Peep Toe Kitten Heels - AK Anne Klein via Zappos Outlet

Owl Necklace - Forever 21














So, When I left this morning I felt kinda great. All cury, and bangin' and fabulous.. THEN I looked at this picture and OMG. I hate what this dress does to my thighs. It shows every little lump, bump, and crevice. I'm even wearing Spanx. This will probably be the 1st and last time that I wear this. Darn it!


























Ally has shown you her cute owl knecklace from Forever21 and here is mine! Mine is a little blinged out. I'm not sure you can tell from the pic, but he has little rhinestones around his eyes. He's so cute!

I got these great little gold peep toes from the Zappos outlet when Ally and I went a few weeks ago. They are having another big sale!! After all discounts they were $25. A great deal!

Sunday afternoon bridal shower

(Still on vacation so backdating a few posts to keep you gals occupied for the week!)

Had a Sunday afternoon bridal shower and decided to put on my white jeans. I know some people think jeans are inappropriate for a shower but A) I think white denim is different and looks crisper and B) I don't get to wear them during the week so I like to try to a lot on the weekend. So I put on a cute blazer and bright colors and decided I thought that combination was shower appropriate. What do you think? Yea or nay?

And in classic Leslie fashion, I changed the pants into my grey ones and wore the same thing to work on Monday morning!

3 season wardrobe items

I really like to buy "3-season" items for my wardrobe to maximize it -- items that can typically be worn most seasons except either the heat of summer or dead of winter. This shirt is a great example--I bought it in December off the fall clearance rack but have worn it across multiple seasons -- with black in the winter, gray in the spring and I plan to with white jeans for the summer!

I like living in an area that truly has 4 seasons because I have the chance to wear a lot of different types of clothing. I have friends who live in all cold climates or warm climates and while that would certainly simplify the wardrobe, I don't think the clothes horse in me would like it!

Leslie + Flat Sandals?!?!?

FLATS: Mossimo at Target

Yes, you are not seeing things. That is me wearing -- I can't believe it either-- flats! I finally have a single pair in my closet (not counting my Old Navy wedge flip flops which I don't truly count as "flats").

I know it seems crazy but I wear some sort of heels all the time. I own one pair of sneakers and that's it. And no flat summer sandals. It really goes back to a body image issue and mental issue -- I typically feel short and squatty in flats and heels just make my posture better, make me feel sassier, etc.

However, when I came across these flats, I thought they were cute enough that I may be ready to take the plunge against short and squatty and try them out. I'm so glad I did--I think they are adorable, they are obviously comfortable, and I do really feel good in them! I think maybe I need the other pair in turquiose. Maybe.

But this still doesn't end my love affair with 3 inch heels. Just so you know. Just makes me know that I may survive the trauma of no longer being able to wear heels when my back gives out eventually from wearing them non-stop for years.