April layers

Wrap Tee: CAbi

Button Down: Bitten

Scarf: Limited

Pinstripe Pants: Banana Republic

Pumps: Charles David

April is such a weird month. The weather is so up and down that you can't always wear your spring clothes but yet it IS April so you don't want to be wearing wool.

This outfit seemed perfect for the cold snap. A teal tee, lined light gray pants and a bright colored scarf kept me warm--but still feeling seasonably approrpriate!

One Hand Down....

Wrap Tee: CAbi

3/4 Sleeve White Button Down: Bitten

Tweed Pants: Ann Taylor

Patent Pumps: Chinese Laundry


There is no such thing as minor surgery I've determined. I have had a ganglion cyst on my wrist several months that has really become quite bothersome so we made the decision to take it out. No biggie. So I thought. That is until I headed into surgery and they started hooking me up to monitors. And giving me sedatives. And I woke up with my hand wrapped in a cast. And I left in a sling. Yep, real minor.

It's actually not that bad- no pain. Biggest inconvenience is having to cover my arm in plastic to shower. AND figuring out what I can wear that will stretch over the bandage and casting. Well those things and how to flat iron your hair with one hand and put pomade in without being able to rub it in your palms!

Many of you have seen my raves over the CAbi wrap tee. The blue version came in the mail yesterday- since it has so much stretch, it was the perfect option to get on over the casting! My shirt underneath is 3/4 so that worked as well!

A little amusing photo below--me at work trying to look my most pitiful.

The purchase I never regretted

Cord Jacket: Mossimo

White Button Down: Bitten

Tweed Skirt: J Crew

Nude Fishnets: Vera Wang/Kohl's

Tall Boots: Maripa

Cashmere Scarf: Burberry (ok not cheap, but work with me for a day)

You always remember your first frivolous, designer purchase--the one you spend a good chunk of your paycheck on or in my case, almost all your Christmas money. That item that you look at and think "Yes, be jealous, that's mine."

This Burberry scarf is that item to me. I was 20 and Santa had just bought me a new camel peacoat for Christmas and I decided I wanted a Burberry scarf to go with it. So while Dad was fitted in Rodes for a new suit he was picking up in a day after Christmas sale, I tried on Burberry scarves.

Was it a huge amount of money for a 20 year old who's job was working for $6 an hour in the university's Admissions office? Absolutely. Most of my friends and family thought I had seriously lost my mind. However, have I ever regretted the purchase, even for a minute? Never, not one. It's classic, it's chic and will truly last forever and never go out of style. And come cold winter days, unless I'm wearing pink or some clashing color, it's the only scarf I reach for. And will for years to come.

What was your first frivolous purchase? Did you regret it?

Showing some Olympic spirit!

RED Cardigan: The Limited

WHITE Cami: The Limited

BLUE Belt: Forever 21

Skirt: J Crew

Shoes: MIA






WHITE button down: Bitten

RED bangle: Forever 21

BLUE jeans: CAbi

RED Shoes: Diba

Belt: CAbi














Got so mad at the Chinese cutting off the national anthem on Michael Phelps' medal ceremony (on the word "free" at that) Saturday evening that I had to answer my Olympic Challenge twice. I'm just glad I didn't agree to dress in red, white and blue for the number of days of gold medals Michael Phelps wins!

Decided to wear some of my favorite "outfit" shoes to accomplish the challenge--they themselves meet the criteria. I threw on the red cardigan and khaki shirt this morning. And decided if I was going to be flaming USA, I may as well go all out so threw on the blue belt.

I went for a far more subtle look on Saturday evening when I went to movie, dinner and drinks with Jamie and some of our other friends. It was a gorgeous evening and we sat outside on the patio for almost 4 hours just talking and laughing. I only live 90 minutes from my Northern Kentucky friends--but still don't see them far enough so it was wonderful to get some true quality time.

I'm not the only one wearing red, white and blue this week showing their Olympic spirit! Kelly showed off her USA spirit and our favorite Shoegal and WorkthatWardrobe girls showed off their Great Britain spirit! Thanks for participating--it's not too late for the rest of you!!

Tuesday - Leslie

Shirt: Bitten

Skirt: Express

Shoes: Fioni

Bag: B's Purses

I gave Ally advanced warning that I was going to rock the exposed zipper trend today, since she commented just a couple weeks ago about not being sure of the trend. :-) I'm not sure it's my favorite trend persay, but for the price I paid for the skirt, I figured it was a simple basic and had an extra punch so I'd take it home with me. The skirt actually has a bit of "bubble skirt" shape to it.

This may actually be the cheapest outfit I've ever worn (excluding the bag)! My skirt was $9.99, the shirt is Bitten so I know it was under $10 and the shoes were like $20 from Payless. Can't beat an entire outfit under $50!!

Monday - Tracey

Black scoop neck tshirt - Old Navy

Flower print skirt - H&M

Bag - Marc by Marc Jacobs

Bronze open toe wedges - Bitten














I hate Mondays, but Mondays are infinitely much better when you have new fun stuff to wear! I picked up the skirt and the shoes in Indy this past Friday. Allison and I had a somewhat scary experience trying to find the Steve and Barry's store... but we made it there in and out in one piece. Since we spent so much time at H&M and Trader Joe's (with me screaming "time schedule!" at Allison the whole time. Sorry, Ally!)We only had about 15 min to do some power shopping and these shoes were the only thing I bought. Honestly, I don't think we really needed much more time than that. I get the feeling the good stuff in the Bitten line gets picked over pretty quick. Please ignore the blue heel slip pads in the shoes. In most of my shoes I have to wear these. They are a must have for me. My favorite ones are the gray Dr Scholl's spongy kind or the Walgreen's or Rite-Aid generic versions of them. If you are ever in need of these, stay away from the gel ones. They are horrible!
Is it Friday yet?

Friday-- Leslie

Top: Bitten by SJP

Black Skirt: The Limited

Brown Belt: The Limited

Leopard Print Pumps: Nine West

Leopard Print Scarf: Stolen from my grandmother

Decided to use my leopard print accessories today to ease into wearing black and brown together. I think the colors look so chic worn together but it's scary because people said it was such a faux pas for so many years.

I really love this skirt. You can't tell in the picture but it has buttons all down the side. I bought the same skirt in a colored tweed when they came out and the black one was only available one size larger so I went ahead and bought it even though I could grab wads of fabric at my hips. I can't believe I would ever be happy at being a size larger or anything but I am soooo glad this skirt still fits. It's truly one of my favorite items in my closet. You can probably tell I have a real affinity for the knee length pencil skirt. Since I am built so straight, I've found I can wear it without "bumps" at my hips as my mom so eloquently says and it actually adds some curves.

Received a ton of compliments on this outfit at work today. I think it was the classy- conservative at the top that worked it's way down to high leopard print peep toes that gave the extra spark that people seemed to comment on.

Funny comment from a co-worker today--she described someone as "the one who dresses like a nice church girl." I said in my best offended voice, "I'm a nice church girl!!!!" (and I am). The response, "Yes, but you're flashy." Not much to say in response there.