Anyone home?

It's clearly been a year since I've updated CotC and almost three years since I posted with any regularity. I've been posting outfits on Instagram and got a couple "I miss your blog" comments. I miss it tremendously, but so much has changed in the past few years that it's been hard to keep up with it. I no longer work in a light-filled office, I don't live in a townhouse with a fantastic deck, and I now work from home so most days it's yoga pants and a Skynnard tshirt - super fashionable, right?!

But, I do leave the house a couple times a week, so that's better than nothing!

Dress: Target (from 2009 I think)
Cardigan: Forever 21
Belt: thrifted
Wedges: Nine West

This is what I wore to Weight Watchers. The navy/white dress is my "weigh in dress" so I try to jazz it up differently each week. I have a couple old ways I've worn it I'll post soon.

So what's new, y'all?! Babies? Husbands? Houses? New jobs? Puppies and kittens????

Basic black

I wear a lot of black. This we all know. So when given a $20 gift card to Macy's from a coworker, what'd I do? I scoured the sale rack for a black dress. But I already have black dresses. So I had to find one that was special and I think I did :)

Dress: Nine West

Belt: came off another dress

Flats: Stuart Weitzman





























Cute, right? It was originally $118, marked down to $41, and after my gift card and an additional discount at the register, I walked away paying $15 for this dress. I also picked up a pair of dress slacks for $2.99. Can't beat that!!!! All together I saved 75% off retail.

How'd I get an additional discount at the register? I asked for one. Extra 15% for me! It never hurts to just ask the cashier if he or she has any coupons they could use for you. Being extra nice doesn't hurt, but you should be doing that anyway.

The dress is from the petites section and I rarely even darken the door of that section. I'm short, but I'm not petite. This dress has made me a believer and I'll definitely keep my eyes on that section more. The waist and bust are the right length for me and it doesn't bunch up in the back like most dresses do. It's a smidge shorter than I'm used to, but I think the proportions are right. I just think my knees could use some Photoshopping :D

Here's a close up of the adorable inverted pleats on the dress:

Have you scored any great deals lately?

Oh hey. Remember me?

I swear I didn't forget I had a blog, y'all. I'm sure I've mentioned it a time or two but I'm BUSY. This house remodeling is bananas and couple that with work and I'm one busy bee. I've also been wearing the same 10 things you've already seen - BORING. Anyhoo, Tracey and I had a Ladies Day yesterday and went shopping and to lunch and to the track. We had a great day and plan to do this on the regular. Now, for the reason you're here:

Dress: Target

Cardigan: Target

Wedges: Nine West

Sleepy, hungover face: $3 margaritas

I walked out and forgot jewelry this morning - whoops! You can see how lazy I am when I'm not blogging daily! :)

I'm having a really really hard time taking pics with my iPhone. I can't find a good spot at work to take them anymore b/c the phone won't prop itself up like my old phone would. Right now I'm rigging my business card holder on top of a paperweight and then I lean that all up against a picture frame. Kinda inconvenient.

However, I love my iPhone. I'd marry it if I could. I plan on sharing some of my favorite apps in a future post :)

So let's talk about this dress. You know how all the sections at Target run together and one second you're in regular sizes and the next you're in maternity? Okay. So I spied this a few racks over and snatched it up. Then I noticed the size was all weird. It was a 1. What the hell is a one? I read the tag and saw they considered a 1 a 14-16. Seeing as how I fluctuate between a 12 and 14 (more on the upper end these days) I thought I'd give it a whirl. It fits pretty well. I had to really cinch up the straps because the bust is pretty big on me but it's quite the relief not to have to squeeze my boobies into a dress made for a B-cup. The rest of the dress fits like a 12/14 just with more boobie room. Sweet! After looking at the Target.com site I can see this is their Juniors' Plus sizing - pretty perfect if you're on the upper end of regular women's sizing! My shopping selection at Target just grew tremendously!

What's your favorite new "find" while shopping? I'm totally stoked about this Juniors' Plus business - It's all a little on the short side, but since I'm also a little on the short side, it's all the right length!

Black Tie on a Budget

As I sit here watching the Emmy Awards, I am looking at all the FABULOUS gowns and thinking about how expensive they are and way out of the average person's reach. It got me to thinking about the black tie affair that I was just at this past weekend, The KentuckyBourbon Festival Tasting and Gala. Like most of us, I was shopping on a budget. I found this great dress at Nordstrom's online on sale for $78.90. The jewelry was picked up at Forever 21 and is a lot cuter and sparkly in person! I already owned the shoes and the Rafe silver clutch that I carried, which helped with the budget. As I shopped I looked for a dress that I knew would work with silver or gold shoes since I already owned both of those.

I wish I hadn't been such a dork and actually gotten a few full length pictures of me being all fancy, but all the bourbon was flowing and I had sensory overload and my ADD set in. Sorry, Ladies!

Dress - Nordie's , $78.90

Shoes - Nine West outlet, $25.00

Earrings - Forever 21, $8.80

Bracelet - Forever 21 , $10.80

So, there you have it! Black tie for under $125. Most celebs on the red carpet have underwear on that cost more than that. :)

Will they make it?

Khaki Pencil Skirt: J Crew

Leopard Print Peep Toe Pumps: Nine West via Marshalls

My leopard print pumps may be forced to make their way into mush and grime for a media story from flooding this afternoon. No other spare shoes on site to change into. Peep toe means grime not only ruins shoes but hits bare feet. This could be bad folks. Update coming on whether the leopard pumps survived in my next post. Cross your fingers for them--and my feet!

Bless You Hollywood Fashion Tape

Outfit: Yep, still not happening

Belt: The Limited

Pumps: Nine West

Bless Hollywood Fashion Tape. I had always meant to order some but never got around to it so imagine my delight when I saw a box at Targetlast week. I tossed it in the cart and forgot about it.

As I'm running out the door at 6:30 a.m. this morning (yeah...still crazy at work....) I notice my fuchsia top is gaping badly between the first 2 buttons and I didn't wear a camisole. I grabbed a strip of tape, headed for the door and hoped for the best.

I'm quite pleased to say that it is fabulous! Held the fabric together perfectly all day for no-gaping! This is going to be a wardrobe must-keep-on-hand for sure. Love it for buttons, holding a scarf in place, "hemming" a pair of pants for the day...the possibilities are going to be endless! Who needs a needle and thread when you can smack fashion tape on it? Not this girl!

It may not be flashy...

Denim Jacket: Gap Outlet

Belt: The Limited

Dress: Can't tell you

Leopard Pumps: Nine West via Marshall's

Sometimes I try to put together these flashy outfits and while I think they can be cute, I don't know that they are always "me" and I think it shows. However, this outfit just feels quintessentially "Leslie." It may not be exciting-- but it's how I am the most comfortable! At the core, I'm still a classic dresser at heart.

Random note : this dress looks terrible belted with the jacket off on me. However, I've found that as long as I keep a jacket on, belts add a lot to the look of this dress and add color and dimension. So I'm going to stick with it!

Ally - Nine West pumps

While I do a pretty good job finding cute jewelry at Forever 21, I'm also not a stick-thin 15-year-old and most of their clothing doesn't even come close to fitting me. I've not tried ordering from their other lines online, but what I've seen is very nice. The quality isn't the best, but it is a good source for something cute and trendy.

On a recent shopping trip with Tracey (see a pattern??) we swung by to see if anything would catch our eye. I made round after round in the store and FINALLY saw this top right before I left. I tried it on because I hate their return policy and much to my surprise it fit. Not only did it fit, but it's kinda too big in spots. It's really flowy and REALLY low cut. For what it's worth, I got the large. Usually a large at F21 is WAY TOO SMALL in the chest department, but I think their sizing is so skewed it's a crap shoot.
Polka dot top: F21

red tank: Target

pants: Old Navy

red pointy toe shoes: Nine West

bracelet: Walmart

Tracey - Saturday shopping

Linen Blend Faux wrap dress - Old Navy

Flower sandals - Nine West

Necklace - Sarah Balmer



































Hey Everyone! Sorry that I've been incognito for a while. I'm hoping to be around more starting right now! Allison and Leslie have done a great job of making up for my slacking :)

Today Allison and I had an eating and shopping day. We ate, shopped, ate some more and then ate some more! We set out this afternoon for lunch at California Pizza Kitchen and then on to Sephora where they were doing "Southern Belle makeovers" in honor of the new show Southern Belles: Louisville. It starts May 21st on the Soap Network. I know all of us Louisville girls will be watching!! I myself am pretty excited about it.

Make sure to keep an eye out on the blog for some cute new accessories that Allison and I picked up at Forever 21 today. We are both really excited about working them in to some outfits!
I hope everyone had a great weekend!

Time to pull out the favorite spring color!

Green Sweater: Old Navy

White Shirt: Old Navy

Boho Scarf: The Limited

Gray Pants: CAbi (Lauren trouser)

Pumps: Nine West

I think spring may have finally arrived. And I celebrated by digging my light gray pants and spring green sweater out of the closet! It's always fun at the beginning of each new season to pull out all the clothes you haven't worn in a while. They feel "new" again and it makes getting dressed a little more exciting and less routine after the heavy duty winter months.

This color green has become my favorite "spring" color in the last couple of years. I just realized when I was digging this morning that I have an abundance of sweaters in "spring green." I need to add some fuschia to the mix and I'll be ready to go. But never green and fuschia together. Just can't do it. But it gets into personal issues of my own...let's just say some habits die hard, even after six years!

What's your favorite "spring" color to wear?

Getting at least one wearing in this season...

Winter White Jacket: Banana Republic

Black Turtleneck: The Limited

Black Pants: Harold's

Giraffe Print Pumps: Nine West

I rarely wear this jacket because it has a wonderful suit skirt that is stunning and looks great with a black turtleneck and tall black boots...but about 15 lbs ago. It depresses me to not be able to wear the suit so I just don't wear the jacket too. However, there I stood in my closet on a rainy morning in all black and needed something to punch it up. I considered going the route of the red heels and denim jacket again but then saw this jacket and my giraffe shoes and decided I'd get a wearing in of this jacket before spring officially came. Truly, I need to consign the suit and make some money on it. It's in great condition and gorgeous. I just can't seem to make myself do it because what if I get the flu, lose 10 lbs and fit back into it? I would really miss it then.

Side note--how is it that your hair KNOWS it's raining and refuses to coorperate--before you ever even walk outside for the day??? I just don't understand.

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.

Go Norse!

Wrap Tee: CAbi

Scarf: The Limited

Charcoal Pinstripe Pants: Meet Polly

Pumps: Nine West

Had a few requirements when getting ready this morning....A) Have an outfit where all I needed to change was into jeans after work--the rest would work without having to change, B) was Black and Gold in nature since I am going to the NKU game after work and C) therefore also went and coordinated with my new favorite piece of outerwear, also in NKU colors. This fit the bill!

A few of the Louisville area NKU alumnae are meeting up for pizza and then heading to Bellarmine to cheer on the Norse. I rarely get to see my alma mater play in person and it's always great to catch up with the college crew!

New Outerwear Addition

Jacket: Ann Taylor Loft



Hanky Wrap Tee (not seen): CAbi



Jeans: Sundown fit from Lucky Brand Jeans



Pumps: Nine West



I've mentioned my love of outerwear numerous times before. A girl can never own too many winter coats as far as I'm concerned! However, it is bad enough that my mother adamently refuses to purchase outwear for me on principle. Thank goodness my dad doesn't!



Every year on Christmas Eve, we get special gifts picked out by Dad just for his girls. This coat was this year's Daddy present. As I gleefully opened it, my mom announced that she had nothing to do with it! Haha. I do love the coat though!



I got a new pair of Lucky Jeans shopping the day after Christmas--they were 50% off! I basically only wear my Cabi pair and my old Lucky pair but they were getting too worn out so I replaced them with these. I actually like these better--before I wore the sweet and low which is a mid rise, easy fit, flare. These are a mid rise, slim fit, bootcut which I like much better.



I am a huge fan of premium denim. I used to own close to ten pair of jeans--but didn't really love any of them. Now I own only 2 or 3--I pay more for them but they feel better, fit better, look better, etc. I have succeeded in convincing my mom and sister as well! Mom broke down a while back but Ashley held on but seeing the 50% off sale, she decided she could finally be convinced! Maybe they'll do a guest post in their new hottie jeans one day for us!

My mood enhancing drug of choice -- Leslie

Black Button Down: NY and Company

Tweed Pencil Skirt: CAbi

Giraffe Print Pumps: Nine West

Swirl Print Scarf: Mossimo

This may very well be the final bare-legged photo for the next 5 months or so. The cold is moving in...and I think it may be for good this time. I've been trying to wear a few cute outfits with bare legs--just because I "can" for a few more days!

Good news though....my red tights arrived in the mail yesterday so cold weather fun-ness awaits :-)

By the way, I feel that everyone should own animal print pumps. Trust me when I say you totally feel better when you're feeling a bit draggy during the work day and you look down and see giraffe print. Seriously, who wouldn't feel better at that sight?

Whoever said that clothes don't set your mood was seriously mistaken. If I'm feeling kinda blah in the morning and just throw on khakis, a sweater and loafers, I feel blah all day long and never really snap out of it. If I know I'm going to have a long or tough day, I make a point to try to wear something that is powerful, chic, brings back a positive memory (like a piece of jewelry or accessory) and/or that makes me smile. Fashion is like my mood enhancing drug of choice. :-)

Leslie's Election Day Ensemble

Red Pantsuit: Express

White Shirt: The Limited

Leopard Belt: Nine West

Brown Patent Pumps: Chinese Laundry

As instructed by Ally, I showed my support on election day with my favorite red ensemble--my ultra fabulous, leopard print lined, red, power pantsuit--with my true RED lipstick!! Hopefully it'll bring some luck for the red team (as I write this returns are just starting to come in! I always love election night just for the sheer excitement it brings!)

As Ally mentioned, our county doesn't give out "I Voted" stickers. When I started voting in that county 2 years ago, I was quite unhappy when I asked for my sticker when I finished voting and they said they didn't give them out. Evidently, I'm not the only one noticing either. The local paper did a story today on the fact that we don't have stickers. Evidently, some idiots in the past were sticking them on the voting property and such when they left and ruined it for everyone. I wish they would just have them for the good people like me that specifically ask.

My family knows my distress at the fact that I receive no sticker so my grandmother who votes in the next county over got an extra sticker and gave it to me to wear today! Yea, thanks Gran! Below, I am in the office at work gleefully pointing out my oh so fashionable "I Voted" sticker.

Yes, I am a nerd.

Enjoy tonight everyone! Regardless of who wins or loses, it's been an exciting race to watch. And we're going to have a highly fashionable First Lady either way!

Monday -- Ally

We had our first frost last week and everything survived with the exception of most of my basil. I wish I had just cut it back before the frost, but you know how that goes :)

Top: Old Navy

Tank: Lands' End

Pants: Old Navy

Shoes: Nine West

Necklace/bracelet: Walmart









I copied the Sweet E today and mixed teal and red. She really has a way with color and was spot-on with this combo.

I know it's late notice for a blogger challenge, but I'm challenging you to not only VOTE tomorrow, but to be inspired in your clothing by the election. Love your Michelle Obama pearls? Wear 'em. Live in a red state? Wear red. You get the gist. We don't get political here (it's impolite, ya know) but VOTE VOTE VOTE. Email us pics of you in your voting finest and we'll post them later in the week AND enter you in a drawing for a prize. If you take a pic in the voting booth (where that's legal) or even at your polling location, you'll get a double entry!

Oh and speaking of Michelle Obama pearls, mine have gone MIA since vacation. I have a sinking feeling they're living in New England now :(

An Outfit Optical Illusion

White Lace Cami (best camis ever!): Old Navy

Red Cable Knit Sweater: NY and Co

Scarf: Mossimo

Charcoal Pencil Skirt: Express

Wide Patent Stretch Belt: The Limited

Giraffe Print Pumps: Nine West

Spent far too long this morning debating whether to wear this outfit with or without the belt. So I did what I normally do when I'm in doubt- I wear it to work and then make the ladies in the office decide which way it looks best. I tell them helping me get dressed every day has to be the best part of the job :-)

I feel like some outfits are optical illusions. They look great from the front. But not so good from the side. Although my co-workers swore that I was wrong, I felt that way wearing this outfit. I was feeling pretty cute and confident and then as I was walking down the street, I did a quick side reflection check in the windows of a building (What? Like you don't do the same thing...) and realized it wasn't nearly as cute/flattering from the side. So I decided I would walk sideways and only face forward to people the rest of the day. I'm all about rational, realistic solutions to fashion issues that arise.

What to do, what to do?

Pencil Skirt, Turtleneck Sweater and Rodeo Belt: CAbi

Leopard Print Pumps: Nine West

What do you wear when it's October and 85 degrees outside? I want to feel seasonably appropriate but it's sure hard when it's that warm. At least it wasn't humid. And a shortsleeve turtleneck sweater seemed perfect!

I have this exact skirt in black and white tweed too...and I've been debating whether I need to shorten it about an inch. It currently ends at the bottom of my kneecap. I wear the skirts frequently with tall boots in the winter and I read this weekend that when wearing tall boots with a pencil skirt, you should show a bit of a break between the skirt and boot for the maximum slimming effect. However, they also say the slimmest part of your leg is at the bottom of your kneecap so it's good to have skirts end there. So what are your thoughts??? (And no, buying new boots is not an option!) Hem or no hem?

Skinny Pants?!?!?!?

Charcoal Cigarette Pants: CAbi

Black Wrap Tee: CAbi

Scarf: The Limited

Yellow Pumps: Nine West

Skinny pants are pretty scary. Wide leg and flare pants have been the norm for so long (since I was in middle school!!) that seeing anything with a tapered leg makes me squirm. However, skinny pants are becoming popular again, so I decided if I could find a flattering pair, I would try it out!

I tried on several pairs (one of which, a pair of jeans, our friend Kim declared "very unfortunate" on me) and finally came across a pair that when I walked out, everyone in the room said "Now those work on you!" They're fun to wear- just so different than every other pair of pants I own. I'm looking forward to incorporating them with a lot of outfits this fall and winter. I think the key is you have to be willing to wear heels to look decent in a skinny pants. And you all know that is no problem for me.

And may I just say how much I adore this shirt? It's a wrap tee and the wrap and ruching is ultra-flattering. But the best part is that it has some stretch to hold it in place at the chest level. This means it truly forms to the body and is the first wrap shirt I've ever owned that does not have to be pinned to keep me from flashing everyone. I love it. I would buy in every color if they offered it. They don't- but they do offer in teal so I'm going to grab that as well.