Tuesday -- Ally

It appears I've fallen off the planet, no? It's been really hectic at work and in the lives of those around me. Whew! Oh and did I mention it's hot out? It was 89 yesterday and is supposed to get over 90 today. I can't handle it.
Cashmere t-shirt/sweater: Talbot's

Skirt: Talbot's

Wedges: Target

Necklaces: all gifts












Looks like I'm on a Talbot's kick, huh? I found some awesome deals online (skirt was only $11) and some so-so deals in store (sweater was $37). It's remarkable how much more expensive stuff is in their store vs. online. If you spy something there, I highly recommend checking it out online. They email coupon codes almost weekly so you can really save.

I heart these shoes. The leather straps are bronze, silver, and gold (how Olympian!) and the wedge is a dark, shapely cork. I love how "scalloped" the cork is. I should have taken a pic from the back - it's super thin - almost like a heel.








I layered my regular pearl strand, a scattered 3-strand, and a silver/pearl fleur de lis. My coworker kept looking at it and finally she said, "I can't stop staring at your necklace" and reached in to figure out what was going on. She thought it was all one piece so mission accomplished.








On a side note, I'm not sure why I look so tan (well, tan for me) in these pics. I'm no proponent for tanning and am the 2nd biggest fan of sunscreen (Tracey is #1). I've not been tanning or out in the sun and slather on SPF 70 regularly. You ladies all better be wearing your sunscreen every day! I've been known to sneak-attack and spray down my friends if they refuse. You never know where I'll be hiding :)

Tweed Pants: Ann Taylor

Green Cashmere Sweater: J Crew

Purple Cami: Old Navy

Boots: Maripa

Feeling a little Mardi Gras wearing green and purple together today but I just didn't want to wear a "normal" color underneath. It's kinda fun to have an unexpected pop of color.

These pants are so drapey, which I never realized until I started photographing my outfits. For maximum flattering and effect, I think they really need a tucked in shirt with a belt. But sometimes, as we all know, it isn't about what is the number one most flattering--it's about what is the most comfortable. And this outfit was indeed that!

Pricing it out

Tie neck blouse: The Limited

Cashmere Sweater: Brooks Brothers

Black and Camel Pinstripe Pants: Banana Republic

Boots: Chinese Laundry

I was asked to start posting the price of some of my items because not all of them are "cheap" per say (i.e. Banana Republic). The issue with that is that some of my items are so many years old, I have no clue what I paid for them, except that I never shop at places like Banana except on the clearance rack.

I really buy a lot of investment pieces that last for years. Take this sweater, my first piece of cashmere which my parents got for me for Christmas 7 years ago. It still looks literally like it did the day it came out of the box. I don't think it was on sale when they bought it--but whatever the price, after 7 years, it's been worth it!

These pants were a day after Christmas bargain either 3 or 4 years ago. If I am remembering right, they were $19.99. But they are basic and never go out of style--and I like them even more because they cost less than the price to get dinner and a movie!

I will make an effort to put prices on more expensive brand items as we go forward if I remember them just to give you an idea--but remember, price isn't everything. This sweater is a perfect example of that!

Brrr.....

Red Cashmere Turtleneck: Kohl's

Zebra Scarf: Local Boutique

Black Cords: The Limited

Boots: Chinese Laundry (via Zappos)

I couldn't get warm today. Even with cords and cashmere and a scarf I shivered in front of my space heater all day. In fact, my poor space heater is so overwhelmed that it only runs for about 3 minutes at a time, then I turn it off and shiver for 10, then I turn it back on and it works again for another 3 minutes, then the whole process starts all over again.

This sweater is one piece of my cashmere collection I've talked about before...I've actually been quite pleased with my Kohl's cashmere!

So where do your toes go?

Scarf: Contest gift from Kimberly

Cashmere Sweater: Lands End

Gray Wool Pants: Banana Republic

Camel Boots: Payless

You've probably noticed that, more often than not, I'm in pointy toe shoes of some sort. They're sort of a trademark-- I have peep toes and a pair of round toes, but nothing makes me feel more confident than a pair of pointy toe shoes.

I've had these boots for years--since college actually (and for the record, I graduated in 2003 if that tells you anything)--I run down nice boots in no time but cheapy Payless boots last forever! Anyhow, these were one of the first pointy toe shoes I ever bought. I'll never forget walking into the Greek Lounge (Delta Gamma here) one day and there were some fraternity guys I knew hanging out. Well I see them all whispering to each other and kinda looking at me and the ground and I was starting to really get a complex! I finally asked them if something was wrong and one of them looked at me completely seriously and said, "We're all just wondering where your toes go in those."

Haha! I showed them that my toes didn't go all the way to the top but it cracked me up that they were so perplexed!

These boots were made for walkin....

RED Boots: Maripa (Rack Room Shoes for $20!)

Black Skirt: CAbi

Black Cashmere Turtleneck Sweater: J Crew

Black Leather Jacket: Ann Taylor

I've been on the hunt for months for tall red boots--they were everyplace last year and no place this year. Imagine my surprise when one of my co-workers tells me that Rack Room Shoes has my boots that I already have in black and brown on clearance in RED! I went the next day! I decided for their first wearing that they should be the statement and wore all black so they would stand out. I didn't have it for my picture but my purse is a patent red Beijo bag with my red, white, brown and black scarf tied on it.

I took the picture with my coat on this morning--I'm not wearing it all day because I think it's bulky with the turtleneck sweater, but I had already gotten bundled up and didn't feel like taking it off just to snap a picture. Oh well, I figure it just adds to the outerwear addiction show.

Baby it's cold outside!

Orange Cashmere Sweater: J Crew

White Oxford: Old Navy

Brown Tweed Pants: Ann Taylor Loft

Boots: Maripa


Baby it's cold outside! These are one of my "super cold day" pair of pants. They are a soft wool tweed with flecks of ivory, blue and orange in them and a very soft lining to keep me extra warm. Add a long sleeve shirt and a cashmere sweater...and well, it gets me through the cold days!

J Crew is my ultimate favorite cashmere. I have this orange, a kelly green v-neck and a black turtleneck. Well worth the investment in my opinion! I try to get some on sale at the end of the season every year.

A girl should always be building her cashmere collection! I have quite the collection I'll tell you about in addition to the above pieces--but keep in mind it has been built over 6 years now and many pieces were Christmas gifts from family--I'm not a total glutton! I would also recommend checking out thecashmere at Lands End (you'll see my adorable lavender johnny collar one sometime soon) and the line at Kohl's (I have red and pastel lime turtlenecks). Both are cheaper than J Crew and are almost as good (the Lands End in particular is a steal for the quality and warmth you get). If you're looking for an "entry-level" price point for cashmere, Old Navy can be a good option (I have a gray crew neck tee and brown shawl sweater from their collection).

Cashmere can cost anywhere from $50 to thousands....A girl can be cheap--but for investment pieces like a classic cashmere sweater that will last for years, buy the best you can reasonably afford (end of the season sales can really help with this). The nicer the cotton, the longer it will last, less it will nubb, etc.