Ally - Sam Edelman flats

Seeing as how I've put about a third of my outfits on the internet for you all to see, I feel as though I need to push myself a little. The reason you only see a third of them is because I'm laaazy and get comfortable with stuff and outfits and wear the same stuff/combos. It gets boring, but it does work. Great for the workplace, lousy for blogging.

I was digging in my closet the other night and realized, heh, that I have a lot of shoes. When I say "a lot" I mean "so many it's a sin." So I've decided I'm going to challenge myself to wear a different pair of shoes in each blog entry this month. That doesn't sound like a lot, but if you'll click around, you'll see I wear these flats ALL THE TIME. Al and I will eventually be moving and I have GOT to get rid of some shoes or he'll divorce me by the end of September (oh, have I mentioned we're getting married in 97 days!!!!!!!!!).

Cardigan: no idea what brand. From Marshall's

lacy cami: Old Navy

Pencil skirt: NY&Co.

long pearls: Walmart

flats: Sam Edelman










How freakin cute is this sweater? I love how it has a pearl "belt" around it.

I also love it was only $15 :)











If I have to peel myself away from my beloved flats, I'm challening you all to do the same. Break out of a rut with me! Email me at the link on the right and tell me what you're doing (send pics!!) and we'll put them on the blog!!

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!

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!

Election Day blogger challenge WINNER!!!

Thanks to everyone who participated in our Election Day blogger challenge! I am still pumped over the election and drug this out as long as possible! :)

Originally I had Al look at all the pics and he picked the one who most represented "the spirit of Election Day" (whatever that is...), but after Kimberly did hers w/the random list generator I felt obligated to be all official :) Guess how that turned out? The same winner!! It's fate, and Hillary, collect your prize! Email me (address to the right) your mailing info and I'll get your super special gift pack in the mail!

The entries (click on the pic to be taken to the blog of the pretty gal in the pic):

Election Day blogger challenge

Don't forget to email/post your Election Day outfits! We're accepting entries until the end of the week, so don't dilly dally!

Kimberly's also running a contest (great minds think alike!) so enter both and double your chances at winning something awesome! Kimberly sends the best presents too, so you'll be glad you did!

Voting Ally

Happy Election Day, y'all! I'm SO EXCITED today's here and can't wait to watch the news all night. We're going to a party at a friend's house (it's actually an Obamathon to be precise) so we'll all be up together watching the results. Can't wait!!

Sorry I look so tired - it's the end of a long work day for me and I'm beat!!

Sweater - JCP

Skirt - Banana Republic

Scarf - vintage Vera, ebay

Shoes - Target










My MO Pearls didn't show up, so it looks like I'm in search of a new set. Cross your fingers Walmart still has 'em cheap!

I don't really own much in the way of red, so I went with green today since the environment and green causes are so close to my heart :) I've been saving this Vera scarf just for today and figure it took the place of the "I Voted" sticker I didn't get :( Leslie and I are very bummed our county doesn't give them out. Al called earlier, though, and said he made one for me and it's even laminated with Scotch Tape. Sweet!!











Don't forget to email us a pic of you at the polls or in your Election Day best! We've already gotten several pics and can't wait to see more!!!

Still sporting the red, white and blue

Scarf: Thrifted gift from Kimberly

Wrap Dress: CAbi

Heels: Fioni

A couple weeks ago, the fabulous Kimberly had a giveaway on her blog and I was lucky enough to win the sunglasses! Imagine my surprise when they came in the mail--wrapped in this beautiful thrifted scarf! She said it reminded her of me and this way, I could show my Olympic spirit all year long! Thanks Kimberly--you are too sweet and I hope I'm doing your scarf justice in its first wearing today!

You could also enter this post under "Blogger Challenge" in the colors of the New England Patriots. I'm wearing the red, white and blue in honor of Jamie's blogger challenge eye candy--Tom Brady. Poor Tom tore his ACL. Ouch. But worse than rehab is not being able to see his oh-so pretty face for an entire year. All the women of America say get well soon, Tommy!

Sporting my Red & Black for the Blogger Challenge!

Dress: Merona

Belt: The Limited

Red Patent Pumps: Pleaser

I've been a University of Louisville fan since I was 5 and my grandmother kidnapped me for the day and took me shopping for UofL clothes. It was the beginning of a sports obsession.

The UofL t-shirt was quickly followed by a custom-made cheerleader uniform worn to all football and basketball games; endless cardinal decals that were placed at the exact angle on the cheekbone; road trips to endless conference tournaments, away games and bowl games (coolest places have been Texas A &M/College Station for a football game; Navy/Annapolis for a football game; and the FINAL FOUR in St. Louis in 2005); and an endless wardrobe of red and black!!

For my first completion of the Blogger Challenge (with all the red and black I own, I'll absolutely complete more than once!), I put on my favorite black and white print dress and patent red heels. Simple yes--but also pretty chic and cheap! This entire outfit was less than $60!

September Challenge...

NOW THAT I HAVE YOUR ATTENTION :) As we have been alluding to in recent weeks, it is time for the latest fashion challenge...ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL!?!?!?!

Leslie and I attended the University of Louisville vs. University of Kentucky game Sunday and for those who do not know, it is always a true test of our friendship - given I bleed blue and Leslie is a Cards fan through and through. And of course this is not the forum to brag, but I will for one moment; C-A-T-S, Cats! Cats! Cats!

I digress - your challenge my fashionista friends is to dress in your favorite teams colors. This is a wonderful opportunity to mix it up and incorporate some incredible colors. This was always a challenge for me when I worked for the Bengals - 4 years of trying to utilize orange and black without looking like a jack-o-lantern. Feel free to not only work in clothing but accessories like purses, shoes, jewelry etc...Pets are also not to be left out, I know many of us are animal lovers and have some fabulous accessories to show off. Now some of our readers are from Europe, so we are certainly open for you to show off your favorite futbol colors! REMEMBER to let us know what team you are representing!!

Our challenge will last until Sunday September 14th and at the end there might be a prize be involved!

So go out and show us what you got! Be Agressive, B-E Agressive!

And please enjoy your manjoyment of Tom Brady!

Olympic Challenge Wrap Up

As I type this, I am watching the Olympic Closing Ceremonies which means 3 things:

#1: I'll be able to start sleeping through the night again at normal intervals I hope
#2: No more swimmer boys for 4 more years
#3: Our first "Blogger Challenge", the Olympic Challenge, has come to and end.

I'm kinda sad to see all of the above come to an end--because they have been so entertaining and fun to watch! I thought everyone may enjoy seeing all the photos of the patriotic red, white and blue lined up next to each other. We saw so many great looks! The simple denim with red and white accents; navy wrap dresses accented with red shoes; and then innovative looks unique all in their own. Did you have a favorite outfit?

Many thanks to all our participants! Each of their posts and blogs have been linked throughout the past 2 weeks. You can search for a particular blogger if you like by searching the keyword "Blogger Challenge."

Jamie will be posting our next Blogger Challenge in a couple weeks. You get one clue: Get your game faces on!