Classic Chic

Denim Jacket: Gap

Black Lace Tee: CAbi

Black Pants: Harold's

Red Bracelet: Forever 21

Pumps: Pleaser

Sometimes you don't need to over think an outfit. Today was one of those days. I was standing in my closet, feeling uninspired in all black and was debating on what jacket to wear. Then I saw the denim and thought black, denim and punches of red would be perfect.

Is it anything revolutionary? No. But do I always feel classic and chic in this ensemble (especially walking down the street with my red patent purse and oversize sunglasses)? You bet.

Thursday -- Ally

Yes, ladies (and dudes)...I'm alive. I have a new work schedule and snapping pics before the office opens isn't an option anymore. I'm working on getting up earlier and taking them at home, but if you know me, you know that's going to be EXTREMELY difficult. Bear with me!!

Cardi: NY&Co.

Black pleated tank: NY&Co.

Pants: Old Navy

Shoes: Sofft











No, this isn't our house - it's the office I used to work in (I filled in the other day). Isn't that wallpaper something??

Did y'all hear what I got into this weekend yet?? Al and I along with another friend met Tracey, Kimberly, Dave, KT and her friend Kathy in St. Louis to celebrate Mardi Gras! It was SO COLD but we had the best time. Lots of drinks and good food! It's amazing how you can barely "know" someone in person, but know them so well via phone and email. The girls and I had a blast and it was so good to have a mini blogger reunion!

Al and I didn't take many pics, but KT and Kimberly took up the slack!

We called Al "Abraham Drinkin" this weekend! His tall and thin build topped with a top had made for an easy joke. :)











KT, Ally, and Kimberly

You can see half of Tracey's Gucci sunglasses just behind my head...I promise she was there!!










Be sure to check out KT and Kimberly's blogs for their take on the weekend!

The results of sickness and boredom

Wrap Dress: CAbi

Rodeo Belt: CAbi

Lace Cami: Old Navy

Boots: Maripa

Holy cow, it's warm enough to go out without tights today! However, I can't get into having completely bare legs in February-- they haven't seen the light for months and are far too pale so I kept the tall boots on. However, just feeling the breeze is nice!

I need to have someone take a picture of me in natural light....cause there is a little bit of copper in my hair now! What can I say--I wasn't feeling well after work, was bored and decided to just put some red in my hair which I've never done before. I've been a brunette and a pretty light blonde but never had any red in it before. Kinda fun and something new!

Office Envy

Polka Dot Cardigan: The Limited

Black Cami: Old Navy

Black Pants: Harold's (rest-in-peace oh wonderful Harold's)

Belt: The Limited

Pumps: Pleaser

Funny story with this cardigan. Several months ago a co-worker and I made a Friday afternoon lunch mall trip. On such trip, we both saw the above pictured cardigan and both really liked it, however neither of us could make ourselves dole out $50 for it and figured if one of us broke down at a later date, it would just be meant to be. However, I went home that evening and had a $15 reward coupon in my mailbox, which just seemed like a sign that I should go back and buy it--so I did. See? Meant to be.

Earlier this week, the co-worker walked by my desk and called me a not nice name (jokingly) and said it was unfair that I bought said cardigan and never wore it or appreciated it! That's really just been because it's been cold and the cardigan is 3/4 sleeve, however, I did decide to pull it out today so she would know that the purchase and race back to The Limited had not gone to waste!

A seasonal rant

Denim Jacket: Gap

Pink Sweater: Ann Taylor Loft

Scarf: Mark

Cami: The Limited

Skinny Charcoal Pants: CAbi

Pumps: Nine West

Time for a rant here folks. I just wish the weather would be seasonably appropriate.

I like living in a place where we have 4 seasons. I get to vary my wardrobe quite a bit that way. I have winter coats and gloves and I have tank tops--and I wear them all during the course of the year. I could never live in a place with the same weather year round. I get bored too easily.

That said, I'm at my wits end with the Ohio Valley. Can we not just be seasonably appropriate and the "average" temperature? It's either wind chills below 0 or 70 degrees. Literally. There has been hardly any in between. I need normal. I need average. I need to still be in winter in February. But winter without ice. And without sub zero temperatures. Maybe like a high of 45. Yeah that would be seasonably appropriate.

Wacky Wednesday - Daniel

Back again!

The ladies here have been crazy busy, and I decided that I'd help them out and post something that I wore here recently. My girlfriend and I went out Friday night in order to celebrate V-day without hitting the mess that would be Saturday night, so I got myself gussied up and here's what came of it:



Shirt: Old Navy - $10
Corduroys: Old Navy - $15
Shoes: Timberland - $70

We went out to my favorite nice-sit-down-place-that's-not-really-fancy, Red Lobster, and had a great time. Then on Saturday we exchanged our gifts, cleaned my apartment (she really does rock!), and bummed around. It was an awesome weekend!

Now, I'll get out of the way and let the ladies post again. Y'all take care!

Shopaholic and Me :-)

Jacket: Ann Taylor

Cardigan: The Limited

Cami: Old Navy

Belt: The Limited

Jeans: Cabi

Pumps: Pleaser

Purse: Beijo "Unchain My Heart"

Anyone who knows me knows that I was beyond excited to see "Confessions of a Shopaholic." I adored the books, own and have read all 5, and couldn't wait to see how they made the movie. I hadn't been that excited for a movie premiere since The Devil Wears Prada (which funny side story-- I drug my entire family to it when we were on vacation in Hilton Head a few years ago and told them they all had to wear their most fashionable outfit to attend with me (I even bought tickets for everyone I was so pumped). Well they, and the rest of the theatre, looked at me like I was crazy as I bebopped into the theatre wearing designer jeans, a funky printed tee and gold heels, and boucned on my seat in excitement, surrounded by khaki short and flip flops!)

So on Valentines Day, Jamie, our friend Kim and me had a total girls day. We met for cupcakes at 2:30 (where Kim surprised us with gifts-- The Little Pink Book of Elegance: The Modern Girl's Guide to Living with Style!) and then headed out to movie #1 of the day "He's Just Not That Into You." (Side note--LOVED IT!!!! Seriously, every girl saw them self in some way in that movie even if you didn't want to admit it. I'll own up to being guilty of the "casual drive by" before).

We then headed to have a fabulous dinner at Cafe Lou Lou and then to Tinseltown for an evening showing of "Confessions of a Shopaholic." I was tres excited in the lobby as you can tell by my picture posing with the handbag sign. I wasn't the only one--the line to get into the movie was like a fashion show.

So all that said, my thoughts on the movie were this: It was cute, it was fun, the clothes were nice (but not nearly as good as Sex and the City) but they didn't do the books justice at all. I think my biggest issue is that they totally messed up the character of Luke Brandon. In the books, Luke is a little standoffish, a little edgy, a little egotistical, and completely intriging and appealing. I didn't really find Hugh Dancy's Luke to be any of those things. Isla Fisher was a great Becky though.

Did you see the movie? What did you think?

Monday - Ally

This is technically a weekend outfit, but it is what it is :) I've been really busy lately and haven't had time during lunch to do new posts and I've been too exhausted in the evenings. I'm sorry!!!

Sweater: NY&Co.

Navy tank: Old Navy

Jeans: Gap

Flats: Liz Claiborne

Necklace: New Orleans trip









I know you all hate this necklace so I decided to make you REALLY hate it with yet another close up :)



















The shoes - I wish I had these in other colors!!

Ready for warmer weather!

Pink Sweater: Ann Taylor Loft

Charcoal Pinstripe Pants: Hi Polly

Black Turtleneck: The Limited

Pumps: Pleaser

It's been so cold I haven't worn my pink sweater since I bought it because it's not long sleeved. Understandable. But I got tired of staring at it hanging in the closet and decided it was time to take the tags off and start layering. I still like the style sweater better without anything underneath, but this gets the job done. Besides pink makes everything brighter. Now if only it would get warm enough to wear my skinny gray ankle pants again...I think they would look much cuter with the shirt.

Outfit inspiration from the web

Yellow Blazer: Ann Taylor Loft

Zebra Print Cardigan: Ann Taylor Loft

Navy Pants: CAbi (Lauren trouser)

Boots: Maripa

We're back in business--I found my camera. I'm sure you're all relived.

When I was looking at this blazer online, they had sample outfits and this was one of them (well they had jeans instead of navy pants but I made work appropriate). I never would have thought to put a zebra cardigan under this blazer but it's a different look. I always enjoy when a line gives you different outfit combinations for a garmet. CAbi is great about that as well. I need the ideas. I'm not nearly as imaginative as you people probably think I am. Usually someone in a magazine or website has forged a look first or inspired me in some way. I'm no Rachel Zoe. I don't have the vision myself usually! Oh well, imitation is the best form of flattery!

Wanted: My Camera Back

Fur Lined Puffy Vest: Ann Taylor Loft

Wrap Tee: Cabi

White Shirt: Brooks Brothers

Camel Pants: Ann Taylor

Boots (not seen): Maripa

Bad news. My camera, crappy as it is, is missing. Yeah. So you're getting a Blackbery picture today because that's all I have at the moment. And we (my co-worker and me) couldn't get a full length shot. So sorry. Hopefully I'll be able to locate the camera this evening. Because here's the deal-- either I find my camera or this blogging expedition is over. And I dont want that to be the case. But in the last 4 months, I've had to buy a new laptop (my 6 year old one literally fell apart), refridgerator/freezer (don't even get me started-- my 2.5 year old one crashed and burned and warranty is only one year) and tv (well, the tv was the only one I didn't HAVE to buy but I got such a great deal and I wanted HD). So no more electronics for me for a long while. Seriously. Need to find camera, because as old and crappy as it is, it's still better than the cell phone camera.

I walked out the door this morning to more snow! Ugh. So I layered and wore my puffy vest with a hood so I didnt have to carry an umbrella walking to the office. I know snow is precipitation just like rain, but I always feel dumb carrying an umbrella in the snow. But I feel very eskimo wearing my furry hood vest. So I went with the latter today.

Some fun weekend wear

Leather Jacket: Ann Taylor

Wrap Tee: CAbi

Denim Pencil Skirt: Gap

Argyle Tights: The Limited

Tall Boots: Chinese Laundry

Was heading out for birthday dinner at P.F. Chang's with a group of good friends...I never get to wear denim to work so my weekend wear is always denim. Usually I'm in jeans, but decided to switch it up this evening and wear the skirt so I could wear my cute tights again!

With the ice storm we had last week in the Ohio Valley, cute tights are about the ONLY positive thing I can say about winter right now!

Wednesday -- Ally

Looks like I'm continuing with this week's Michelle Obama theme! I wore fuschia and big pearls. I don't *love* this outfit, but I love the pieces involved. The scarf looks wonky and the sweater keeps rolling up. It's just a little shorter than what I like in a sweater.

However, the scarf is one of my favorite new accessories. It was given to me by my friend Laura for Christmas. The pearls, as you know, are a fav too :)

Sweater: Old Navy

Black shirt under: Old Navy

Pants: you guessed it...Old Navy

Scarf: Nicole Miller

Shoes: Steven by Steve Madden

Michelle Obama pearls: Walmart










Also, don't forget to head over to the Thrifty Muse and vote on the Michelle Obama wardrobe challenge!

Really cool or really embarrassing?

Scarf: The Limited

Wrap Tee: CAbi

Houndstooth Skirt: Issac Mizrahi for Target

Boots: Chinese Laundry

So a few days after Christmas I go to my mailbox and have a package from The Limited. I open it up and inside is a beautiful black and white silky chain print scarf. I was way excited--but trying to remember if I had ordered it. I didn't remember, but it was my style and looked just like me, so who knew?

As I continued to dig into the box there was a card. From The Limited. Wishing me a happy holiday and thanking me for being one of their best customers.

Yeah, seriously.

I debated (and am still debating) whether that's really cool or really embarrassing!

Michelle Obama-inspired Ally

The lovely ladies of Thrifty Muse are holding a Michelle Obama Wardrobe Challenge today and you KNOW I couldn't say no to it! I've been inspired by Mrs. Obama for a while now and have named my favorite necklace after her :) I love simple, classic looks with a little punch and she's perfected it.

Since I was so damn excited about this challenge, I wore a MO outfit yesterday AND today! The New York Daily News has a great MO photo gallery that served as some inspiration.

As soon as I saw this outfit I fell in loooooove. It's so classic and chic. And let it be known, I LOVE that she doesn't wear hose. LOVE IT. I think hose are so dated and just not a good look for women under 65.

However, if your legs aren't beautifully colored and long like Mrs. O's, I'd say keep those babies covered until Spring ;) You know, like what Leslie and I are doing!











Camel cardi: NY&Co.

Purple lace cami: Old Navy

Black pants: Old Navy

purple trouser socks: TJ Maxx

Black double-strap Mary Janes: Target

necklace: gift







Closeups:

































Mrs. O also really knows how to work a pair of pants. Hers fit FAR better than any of mine do, but I think being almost 6' tall is on her side in this case :)



















I also love the black studded Azzedine Alaia belt she wore with almost everything this summer. The suds are just enough and while I am still looking for one in my budget, I do have shoes that are of the same style!



















I think a woman's best accessory is her family. Mrs. Obama always looks stunning when she's in the arms of her husband or when she's with her daughters.



























Today's inspiration comes from a combination of all these last few photos:
black button down: Old Navy

black cuffed trousers: Old Navy

Pink/orange scarf: vintage Vera via Athena

black studded slingbacks: Nine West

This is one of my favorite scarves and I've been waiting to wear it. When I saw Sasha in her cute pink/orange coat and scarf at the Inauguration I knew this scarf would be more "in" now than ever before. Thanks, S!!








Closeups:




























Family is important to us all, not just fabulous First Ladies. This bracelet belonged to my Me-Maw and she gave it to me years and years and years ago.



















I may keep this MO stuff up all week, y'all. I've had so much fun with it. I make no secret about being inspired by her as it is, but I have a few other outfits in mind...stay tuned!!

I don't have this dress (yet!) but how adorable is it? It'd be very Mrs. Obama with some flats and fat pearls:


And these flats?? Yes, please!!



I hear DC is cold this time of year, so a coat is necessary too!

Evolving Look and No More Cowgirl

Red Shirt: NY and Co

Rodeo Belt: CAbi

Pencil Skirt: CAbi

Boots: Maripa

So it's no secret that I sometimes wear the same thing I wore on the weekend to work on Monday. The same people don't see me so why not? Monday's are hard enough without having to think of what to wear in the morning.

It's amazing how changing pants/skirts can change the total look of an outfit. When I wore this over the weekend I felt all cowgirl in jeans but I don't think it looks that way at all with a plaid pencil skirt.

How have you worn items in your wardrobe one way and then have had them look completely different when you wear another way?

Icy Ally update

Our power is back on!!!!!!!!!!! We were without for about 52 hours and we came home just after lunch Saturday. While we had a good time with my parents playing cards and watching movies, it is great to be back home. We didn't lose any groceries out of our fridge (thanks to Al's expert snowbox freezer he made on the balcony) and our pipes didn't freeze. All in all, it was a win-win. We're fortunate to have only been out just over 2 days. Some folks have been out since early Tuesday and are still out.

I wasn't the happiest of campers this week as situations like this tend to bring out people's true colors. Getting yelled at for stuff that is not my fault or responsibility AT ALL gets old so I might've been a little cranky at work. I also might've not smiled for most of Tuesday or Wednesday.
Old tshirt; circa 2001: from college/sorority

Jeans: Gap

Boots: Frye

Scowl: The toll of hearing constant complaining about snow/ice all day.

It's a really good possibility I slept in that tshirt the night before too.

I thought I had more outfit pics that turned out, but not so much. I was taking them in a different place and had a hard time getting one to turn out.






In other more exciting news, we heard back from the vet about Maddy. The lump she (our amazing vet) removed was a malignant Nerve Sheath Tumor but fortunately, she got all of it and we won't have to have Maddy treated for it in the future. She said we should just keep an eye on Miss M and rub her down frequently to check for new ones. Since she's gotten one, it's possible for her to get more.

Maddy's recovering nicely and is slowly growing new fur :) She's milking it for all it's worth, though, and is currently wrapped up in a blankie and watching Animal Planet.

Thanks again for all your sweet words, emails, phone calls, and text messages. It meant the world to us.

My inner Cowgirl

Rodeo Belt: CAbi

Jeans: Sundown Fit- Lucky Brand Jeans

Red Shirt: NY and Co

Boots: Maripa

I laughed when I saw this picture because it's about as "cowgirl" as you'll ever see me. I don't own cowboy boots, nor I suspect will I ever, but I do love this belt. It was $89 on CAbi's fall line back in 2006 and even though I got it at half off as a hostess gift, it was a difficult purchase. I really wasn't a belt person at the time so it was really a splurge for me. However, it's been one that has paid off. I wear it quite a bit in many different ways (as I'm showing a few of with these links)--with jeans and a button down like today, and then over top a sweater with a preppy plaid shirt and vest. In fact, this belt was the one that made me understand that a belt really can change the entire look of an outfit.

(this is my favorite wearing next to the green sweater vest and pencil skirt)