It's me again, Margaret

I'm having a hell of a time finding a good spot at work to snap a pic. It's too dark in our house in the mornings and it's been too dang cold to go outside. Maybe I'll get this figured out soon 'cause I'm sure you're just DYING out there without me, right? ;)

Sweater: Kohl's

Pencil skirt: Kohl's

Black t-shirt: Old Navy

Tights: George via Walmart

Necklace: gift

Shoes: Calvin Klein

Fake buttons: Dollar Tree




















So since I have to dress up a bit more at the new job, I've had to buy some more clothes. Fortunately, I'm spoiled rotten and my sweet Mama has been going nuts at Kohl's on my behalf. Seriously, they should just rename the store "Mama's." She picked up this sweater and this skirt for me. I don't even have to try this stuff on - it's perfect! I hate shopping (but love to buy) and I can't even begin to tell you how much I've appreciated her picking up sweaters, skirts, and dresses for me and then picking up the tab!

Since I clearly don't shop for myself anymore, I have to fess up that Al even bought these tights. I knew he was stopping by Walmart after work the other night, so I told him to call me when he got there. The poor fella called and said, "Okay. I'm wandering around the lingerie section. Tell me what you want!" Of course they didn't have the plain black (non control top) tights I wanted in stock. So he used his best judgement and picked out these. He also picked out a patterned pair too. I'd have never bought either of these on my own, so I think I should send him out more often!

The only thing that I don't like about this sweater is that it just buttons at the top. I feel kinda smothered sometimes and really needed my neckline open today.

I've lost a few pounds recently so most of my pants have been too big. I was at Dollar Tree (my FAVORITE store) the other day and saw these fake buttons and thought they might be a good solution for my too-big-pants situation. They're made so you can get an extra inch out of your too-small pants, but they do a hell of a job cinching up my pants! Now, that Amazon link doesn't show the same exact buttons I bought, but they're pretty much identical AND they're only $1 for 8 buttons at the Dollar Tree. Seriously - don't buy a thing until you check Dollar Tree first. I get all our allergy medicine, office candy, cleaning supplies, and all sorts of stuff there.

Anyway, back to my sweater situation. It didn't look good unbuttoned and it was smothering me buttoned up top. I kept thinking, "Dang. If only I had buttons HERE." And a light bulb went off. Seriously, it was like one of those infomercials haha. I grabbed the two gray buttons and voila!

Each pack of 8 has 2 black, 2 gray, 2 tan and 2 brown buttons. They're fantastic and totally worth a buck.

I have been snapping pics of partial outfits here and there and may compile them into one big post if I get a chance this week. I've missed you, poodles!!!

Gravely and cool

We had a cool snap recently (though I guess it's not a "snap." It's November after all) and I ended up dressing like the weather: Dark and sleepy.
Dress: Target

black/white scarf: vintage Vera

Green Tajmina: Target

Gray tights: Walmart

Pewter heels: Cole Haan

Bracelet: gift







I had originally photographed this outfit earlier in the day at work but you couldn't tell my tights were gray, so I took this when I went to visit Al out at the house. He's been working until after midnight every night and we're close to being ready to move in. Now, we will be sleeping in the kitchen for a while, but at least we'll there!
I love this scarf SO much. It's probably one of my very favorites. I scored it on eBay a year or so ago for a few bucks.

















This bracelet is one of my prized possessions. Before the wedding, I'd asked Al if he had any jewelry that was his mom's so I could wear it at our wedding. I was going to wear a bracelet of my mom's and I thought it'd be nice to wear something that was his mom's. She passed away several years ago and I wanted a way to pay tribute to her without being too morbid.

Al didn't have any but called his sister. She called me and said their mom didn't dress up much but that she had this bracelet and necklace that had been given to their mom by her grandmother. Al's sister said I probably wouldn't like it but gave it to Al for me to wear. She told me I could keep it since she never dressed up and it was way too flashy for her. Well, you know how I feel about flash :) I bawled a little (I pretty much cried the whole week before the wedding. Overwhelming emotions, y'all.) but was so honored and thrilled that she wanted me to have this jewelry.

When Al came home with it the tears started flowing again. It was perfection. It was totally my style, totally matched what I was going for jewelry-wise for the wedding, and would be the perfect compliment to my mom's bracelet.

The necklace is just like the bracelet, only longer. I need to get the clasp repaired, but I probably wouldn't wear it b/c I'm so afraid to lose it. The bracelet is too big and gets hung on stuff, so I'm going to reserve it for special occasions too. Wearing it all day made me a nervous wreck and I fiddled with it constantly.

Sorry I've not shared any wedding pictures yet. I want to make sure the photographer is okay with me posting them (they're not released to us yet), and I've been forgetful about asking. In short: the photographs are amazing and I can't wait to do a wedding wrap up on how I blew my wad on shoes (imagine that) and managed to make it all come together in spite of that.

Growing on me....

Wrap Top: Ann Taylor Loft

Necklace: Just Jewelry

Pencil Skirt: CAbi

Gray Tights: Old Navy

Pumps: Pleaser

Wrap tops normally arent exceptionally flattering on me but for some reason I think this one really works. Who knows? Either way, I originally bought the shirt because I don't have a great deal of yellow in my closet and nothing with the hot yellow and gray combo and it was a $10 clearance deal so an easy way to add a trend. I'm glad I did--I think it's going to get more use than I even thought it would! And with the 3/4 sleeves, I think it can go into spring and summer with white pants as well!

I'm thinking seeing the picture that I wish I had worn black tights instead of gray. The gray are a perfect color match--but I'm just not liking how choppy it makes the bottom half of the outfit look. Oh well, it's different and worth a try and man, I must say Old Navy tights are very soft, thick and comfortable. I highly recommend- they are in danger of knocking Merona off my top tights spot.

My inner Blair Waldorf

Black Leather Jacket: Mossimo

White Button Down: Banana Republic

Printed Scarf: Mossimo

Brown Tweed Skirt: J Crew

Red Tights: Kohl's

Black Boots: Marisa (Rack Room Shoes)

I've said before that I was totally going to pull a Blair Waldorf and put on red tights one day. And you know I never lie--so as promised, here is my first red tights outfit!

I feel like this is exceptionally brave because, not only am I wearing bright red tights, but I'm also mixing brown and black which is one of those color combos that used to be so taboo that it's hard to get comfortable with it again. Luckily, this scarf has black, brown, camel, red and white in it, so it made it easy to incorporate all the colors.

Kickin it up in purple tights

Black Leather Blazer: Mossimo

Black Hourglass Sweater (not able to see): CAbi

Charcoal Pencil Skirt: Express

Plum Tights: Merona

Pumps: Type Z

Scarf: Mark

I went straight to meetings this morning and started with one of my "bosses" (I have just one "big boss" who I officially report to but several internal stakeholders I also often refer to as "bosses"). He walked out of his office, looked down once, looked down twice and then looked down yet again. I could just see the wheels turning in his head thinking "Are her legs purple??" The answer was yes! Unless you work in a completely conservative office environment, I think colored tights are a great way to add some unexpected flash to a neutral outfit. They have just not been worn for so many years by most people which I think is what causes the initial shock factor the first time you see someone wearing them. They have been a hit though. I've only worn these twice and have had more people stop and ask me where I got them then I can count on both hands.

I have a pair of red I'm going to introduce soon as well. Any other color tights ideas you think would be fun to incorporate? I'm also wanting a pair of large gray and black houndstooth print tights. I think those would be very fun with a black dress.

(Sad news to note--as I was walking back to the office this afternoon, I felt wobbly all of a sudden. My left heel had started to break! I clomped down the street the rest of the way to keep it from separating any more than it already was. I'm taking them to the shoe repair man tomorrow to see if repair is possible. Cross your fingers--I've grown pretty fond of these!)

Thursday -- Ally

Well, you win some and you lose some. Today's outfit has been the biggest headache. It looks cute enough in this pic, but in practice, it's annoying.
Cardi: NY&Co.

Navy dress: Target

Green lacy top: Target

vintage slip visible at hem: thrifted

Tights: Walmart (can't find a link. They're the George ones. May be instore only)

Boots: Frye

Necklace: no idea





The idea of this was much better than the practice (sorta like how Communism is good on paper but bad in practice). When standing still, the lace edge of the slip at the hem of the dress was cute. However, when I sat then stood, I had to adjust and pull and tug to get everything to hang just right. Then I'd take a step and the dress would jack up in the back. *sigh*

See? It means well. It just doesn't work b/c it bugs me. If you're not comfortable in something, it'll look like crap no matter how cute it really is.

But you know what doesn't bug me? These tights. They're the cheapie $5 ones at Walmart and I like them FAR more than the $6 ones at Target. They're a lot thicker and not as sheer. They're super soft and warm AND the waist band is all wide and doesn't dig. Total winner!



I also don't like this green top with the dress/cardi. I like where I was going with the lace and color contrast, but it just didn't work. I think if the top weren't v-neck it would have gone better.

It also pulled to one side and with all the layers I had going on, I finally just let it go :) It was a balmy 25 this morning when I left so while annoying, the layers were greatly appreciated!




No close up of the boots (sorta forgot!) but these are probably my favorite shoes. I know it's hard to pick a favorite, but these are it. They're comfortable for about eight hours, but after that, not so much. I walked the Seven Hills of Rome in these bad boys, so they're in it for the long haul!

Weekend -- Ally

Tracey and I both had a day off and we spent it together. We had the BEST day and it was some much-needed BFF time.

We started off with brunch at Toast on Market, did a little shopping on Market Street, and moved on to the mall for a Sephora and Coach stop. After that, I popped in the salon to get my bangs trimmed (Finally!!!) then we ended the day at Churchill Downs for their Fall Meet. I won a whopping $5! We met up w/Al and some friends for dinner/drinks and called it a day. It was the ultimate battery charge for us both!

I can't stop wearing this wrap despite it being difficult to wear. I gave up on tying it and just let it hang! I had a lady stop me on the street to compliment it, so it couldn't have been that bad!
Wrap sweater: Target

Thin, black long sleeved T: Old Navy

Denim pencil skirt: Lands' End

Green tights: Target

Boots: Payless

Bag: Furla

Jasper stone necklace: Sarah Balmer via Scout

Sunnies: MaxStudio




Isn't this necklace beautiful?? Scout was having their holiday open house and everything was 20% off. I couldn't resist!!! It's so heavy and substantial too.

I love the colors of the stones - you know it'll match anything.







All smiles after a couple $2 Hurricanes and $2 bets!

Foray into colored tights -- Leslie

Black Wrap Tee: CAbi

Black Pencil Skirt: The Limited

Scarf: Mark

Plum Tights: Merona

Pumps: Type A

Decided to channel my inner Gossip Girl and try out wearing colored tights today--and it was quite fun! In fact I liked it so much I ordered some red tights as well (contrary to what some people think--you know who you are-- I think they could be cute, especially around the holidays! :-) ). They received good comments for the most part! One co-worker said this morning she didn't like them--but they had grown on her by the end of the day and this evening I had 3 different people stop and ask me where I got them while I was standing in a lobby chatting in the evening. Funness! However, I will say I had read that if you're going to wear colored tights you have to walk with confidence which I made a habit to do all day (I try to every day but today even more so than normal)-- because they were noticed and statement making! If I was nervous about wearing them (and no doubt, I was--there is a fine line between trendy and chic and teenage 80s flashback as we all know), I couldn't show it. And I didn't. I think so much of fashion is like that--if you are confident and believe in what you have on, others start to believe as well no matter what their original instinct.

3 random pieces of note on this picture:
1. There is evidently a water spot on my camera lens. There is NOT a white round spot on the center of my skirt
2. This is my favorite ultra flattering wrap tee. However, I hate that my scarf fell to the side the way it did in the pic on the left because you can't see any of the ruching and waist definition it gives like you could the other time I wore it. I'll fix it for the next wearing so you can see-- it's a great shirt and I'm going to be getting it in teal as well I like the fit so much (and the fact that it's the only wrap top I don't have to pin to keep from flashing everyone).
3. I got this mop of hair cut at lunch--it had gotten so long for me! It's only been 7 weeks but my hair grows fast, plus with short hair, 7 weeks is an eternity between cuts!

Last but not least, my inspiration for red tights....Miss Blair Waldorf. Blair inspired me to wear feathers earlier this season. I just try not to think about the fact that they play high schoolers on tv and I'm about a decade past that. Seriously, what high schooler dresses like that?!?!?!