Blue & Gold kind of day

Or is this purple and gold?

Dress: Chaps ($9 at Kohl's - 90% off, y'all!)
Shoes: Kate Spade
Watch: Liz Claiborne
Squinty expression: sheer exhaustion

We did some serious work to our house (still remodeling) and HOLY CRAP am I tired. I'll post some pics of what we did later this week. I'll also consider catching up w/the 30-day photo challenge...which I've clearly failed. :-/

90% off? Yes, please!

Y'all know how I love a sale. I've been eye-balling this sweater at Kohl's since January and it FINALLY went on sale for 90% off. Paying 80% off was clearly just too much for me :)

Sweater: Dana Buchman @ Kohl's 

Jeans: Seven @ DressBarn

Unseen tank: Old Navy

Flats: Kate Spade

Bag: Michael Kors

Sunnies: Target

The light and exposure on this photo is a little off, but that's what I get for taking just one pic and hoping for the best. I really love this sweater and for $7.60, wish it came in every color of the rainbow. The keyhole at the top is crazy low if left unattended. I wore a solid black tank underneath just to err on the safe side. Don't want the boobies hanging out ALL the time, right?

Grey and totally out of my comfort zone

So far, my ploy to get myself to post more often is working! If I was already taking a pic of my shoes, why not the whole outfit, right?

Sequin cardi: Vera Wang for Kohl's
Striped tank: Lands' End
Grey legging? Grey slim pants? Dana Buchman for Kohl's
Pewter pumps: Cole Haan

Okay so these pants? I'd normally never pick them up or even think "Hey, super tight pants would look great on my cellulite!" But at 80% off? I'll give 'em a whirl. These were $8.80 and at that price, if they didn't work for work, they'd be great around-the-house pants. They're a nice, thick fabric and it doesn't cling to my fat - success! They also have some well-placed seams so they're almost slimming. The only thing I can't get out of my head is Michael Kors on Project Runway lamenting how insane the crotch of a pair of pants is. The crotch is super wonky on these. It gives me faux-toe if I'm not standing just right. Classy.

I did buy them two sizes bigger than normal and I'm 100% certain that's why I'm comfortable in them. They're fitted, but they're not too tight and don't pull. Also probably the main reason the crotch is baggy and sketchy. These are similar to what I bought, but not exact.

Have you worn anything out of your comfort zone lately? Details, please!!

I felt a little bit like Joan Holloway today.

I didn't look quite as smokin' hot, but I felt great in this dress.

Dress: borrowed from my aunt

Cardi: Kohl's

Belt: Walmart

Shoes: Stuart Weitzman

This is SO not something I'd typically wear to the office (though I totally have a Joanie job now!), but we had a "Go Red for Women" luncheon and were all encouraged to wear red. This is the first time (I think) I've ever work red on this blog as I don't even own anything red.

I didn't want to buy a new dress only to wear it once and didn't find squat at Goodwill. As luck would have it, my aunt walked in to Easter dinner with this on and I about yanked it off her - it was perfect. Fortunately we're the same size!

It has adorable cap sleeves but the weather has been ridiculous here, so I had to wear a sweater to keep from freezing.

Here's a close up of meeeeeeeee from earlier in the day:

I originally had on a necklace but decided to take it off as it was too fussy with the dress. The dress had a super cute ruffled neckline and I wanted it to be the main focus.

Can you believe I've not had a hair cut since I got married (Sept '09)? It's ridiculous. It's so dang long and drives me batshit crazy most days. HOWEVER, I don't want to wack it all off for nothing at this point. Locks of Love requires 10 inches and that's just a little too short for me right now. Guess I'll keep growing it and hope for the best!


Oh and I'd apologize about not ever posting, but that drives me nuts when other bloggers do it. Life's crazy, we're busy, blah blah blah.

Tights for short gals?

Am I missing something? Are there no tights for short ladies? I'm 5'3 and wear a size 14 and I can't find a damn pair of tights to fit me. If they're the right size for my booty, they're WAY too long. It's like they assume all big girls are also tall girls and all short girls are also small girls. This isn't the case, yo!

My patterned tights are SO CUTE yet you can't see the pattern except on the very top of my thighs (that my skirt covers thankyouverymuch). I'm constantly pulling them up all day just so I can see the pattern and justify paying more for them.

Rant over. Bring on the picture:

Top: Dana Buchman via Kohl's

Skirt: Kohl's (another one of Mama's purchases for me)

Tights: George via Walmart

Shoes: Cole Haan

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!!!

New Beginnings... and a giveaway too!

Blouse - Carole Little brand, Marshall's

Jeans - Gap Essential Fit

Nude heels - Apt 9, Kohl's
















Today is my last day at a job that I've been at for 11 years. While I've grown very tired of the stress and frustrations of the job, I've come to love a lot of the people I work with, so it's very bittersweet for me. I'm sure there will be plenty of tears when I finally walk out the door. Not only am I leaving a job, I'm leaving an industry that I've been in in one capacity or another for pretty much my whole working adult life. It's very exciting, but also a little scary!

In honor of my new beginnings and fresh start, I'm vowing to get things organized and get a fresh start in my personal life as well. Part of that is cleaning out the things that I don't use or need anymore. Ladies, my loss is your gain! I have a few gently used and new items that are up for grabs. So here is the dealeo... I'm looking for ideas for my "1st Day Outfit". My new career is in a very creative field, and I will have a front office position, so I need some ideas on fun creative outfits that still look professional and give a good 1st impression. Post your ideas in the comment section and on Monday June 15th I'll choose a winner!

Like Ally's giveaway from before, if you post this on your blog with a link back to this post, you'll get another entry. Be sure to email us with your link so we can be sure to count you!



















2 Forever21 necklaces
1 Old Navy necklace
set of 3 sparkly bracelets
1 Gap faux patent leather red clutch (never even carried!)
1 Target faux leopard print frame clutch (Used once!)
And who knows, by the time it's mailed off to you, I may throw some more stuff in there! :)

Cold days and getting back into routines

Purple Turtleneck: Kohl's

Black Leather Jacket: Ann Taylor

Pencil Skirt: Express

Argyle Tights: The Limited

Boots: Chinese Laundry

We are entering a major cold snap in the Ohio Valley--as in wind chills below 0! Yikes! Therefore, when my new argyle tights that I had been cyber stalking for a sale arrived in the mail, I decided to wear them immediately. As cold as it is (it's about 25 degrees right now) it's going to be even colder in the next few days which means there is NO WAY I will wear a skirt. Seriously, a girl's legs can only be asked to endure so much.

Other news to note is that I'm going to be getting back into the habit next week of working out. I'm serious enough that I have scheduled 4 days on my calendar! In the spring, I'm really good about going for walks but I don't walk in the bitter cold or when it's dark outside (and lately I leave home when it's dark and come home when it's dark). What I do enjoy doing, and find very relaxing after a long day at work, is pilates. And let me tell you something, if you do it correctly, it works! I did really well for a while and then just got out of the habit so I am going to get back into routine. I know it will not only make me feel better about myself (and maybe help me not regret my 7:30 a.m. chocolate binge this morning as much) but also give me more energy to get through the day. I get up at 5:50 a.m. every morning and by 9 p.m. I'm ready to fall flat on my face. I think even a half hour workout will help energize me a bit more--seriously, when I'm falling dead asleep before American Idol even goes off, we have a problem!

Item Stalking Pays Off!

Turtleneck: Apt 9/Kohl's

Necklace: The Limited

Tweed Pants: The Limited

Pumps: Pleaser

This necklace was a perfect example of stalking an item. I saw it several months ago for $38, but there was no way I wanted to spend that. There were sales for Buy 1, Get One Half Off....but I still didn't want to pay that either.

When I was shopping a couple weeks ago, imagine my delight when I see the necklace-- but now marked down to $14.99! Success!

I like it because of the mix of pearls and metal and the pins on there--it's very Victorian. There is a larger picture below so you can see and appreciate!

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!

Not what I thought it would be....

Printed Scarf: The Limited

Black Button Down: NY and Co

Tweed Pencil Skirt: CAbi

Red Tights: Kohl's

Boots: Maripa

It's that time of the year...went to a holiday breakfast this morning and decided I wanted to look festive! Red tights seemed to do the trick (although truth be told, I'll wear this outfit outside of the holidays--you know I always wear red and black in the winter, especially on UofL game days!)

This skirt is an anomaly. I think its a little large in the hips so if I wear anything over it (meaning not tucked in), it makes my hips look sooo wide because the material bunches. It's a thicker material too which probably adds to my self consciousness. So that's why you always see this skirt with a basic oxford shirt and accessories to pump it up--what I bought thinking it would be a great basic that goes with anything has turned out to be one of the more limiting items in my wardrobe. Go figure.

What item have you bought that just didn't turn out the way you thought it would?

It's all about the coat

Red Leather Jacket with Houndstooth Trim: Speigel

Black Turtleneck: Apt 9/Kohl's

Tweed Pants: Limited

Pearls: Graduation Gift

Pearl Headband: Forever 21

Black Pumps: BCBGirls

I've mentioned before that I have an obsession with winter coats. It's so bad that, at the age of 27, I feel like I have to smuggle my new ones into my own place because my mother lectures me because I buy so many! However, when you have a job where you walk a lot downtown, sometimes the coat is the most important part of an outfit. Today's coat is my absolute favorite.

I went for ladylike and simple with my outfit--the black turtleneck has ruching at the shoulders and neckline and my pearls added to the simple, girly look. However, the coat takes it from simple and ladylike to flashy I think. I saw this coat in the Spiegel catalog a couple years ago and immediately handed it over to Santa. I must have been good that year. :-)

I don't typically take photos in my outerwear but I'm going to make a point to in the next few weeks with all of the various ones so you can see the collection. The great thing about coats is they last forever so you can build a collection without forking out a lot at once. And would you believe, as many coats as I own, that I don't own a basic black or khaki trench coat? That's one of Tim Gunn's 10 essentials! I put that on the Santa this for this year!

All about the pearls

Purple pintucked turtleneck: Apt 9/Kohl's

Bronze jacket and charcoal pants: CAbi

Chunky metal and pearl necklace: Limited

Pearl Headband: Forever 21

Platform Pumps: Type A

I saw this necklace on clearance at the Limited last weekend and decided it was a must-have. I love the gold chunky strands with the big pearls as well--it is ladylike but has a bit of edge all at once. I took a picture with and without the jacket because I literally kept taking it off and on all day long--one room was hot and the next was cold so I figured it was only fair to see it both ways!

I walked into the hospital this afternoon for a meeting and had a lady I work with stop and say she loved my jacket (it looks so much better in person than it photographs) and the chunky necklace....and that I look like I could be walking the streets of New York--in Kentucky! Don't you love a comment like that??? Totally makes you smile a little more and walk a little taller! I really think it was the necklace though that changed the look of the entire outfit and transformed it from a very basic ensemble to a more exciting one. A great clearance purchase, that's for sure!

Divided Loyalties -- Leslie

Saturday was one of the most exciting sporting events I've been to. Not because it was a big tournament or game but because I had courtside seats to the NKU vs UofL exhibition game in the brand new Bank of Kentucky Center at NKU.

As many of you know, I was raised and am still a huge UofL fan. But I loved my college experience and tell everyone who will listen how wonderful NKU is. You can imagine how exciting it was to literally be right on the floor sitting in the arena that we helped lobby for when I was in Student Government. We drove through campus before parking and also saw the new Student Union. I was so proud!

I've been thinking for weeks how I was going to equally represent both schools in my attire. The answer arrived with the new yellow cord skirt I found for $10 at Ann Taylor Loft. Pair that with a red turtleneck sweater, a denim jacket and tall black boots and I had both teams covered!

It was Jamie's birthday and we went to the game together (along with my grandmother and father and several of our college buddies who were there as well) and had a great time! See below for a couple pictures of us at the game! (I can tell you my attire but J will have to fill us in on hers in the comment section.)

Yellow Cord Skirt: Ann Taylor Loft

Burgundy Turtleneck: Apt 9/Kohl's

Tall Black Boots are not pictured

Denim Jacket: Gap

Cheap Cashmere

Stylelist reported earlier this week that cashmere is no longer in demand--a sign of the troubled economy no doubt.

I love cashmere. The way I see it, if you're going to have to trapse through the snow and frigid cold to work in the winter, you may as well have the warmest, softest sweater on. I've built up a decent collection over the years--after all if you care for it well and use a sweater comb to keep it looking fresh, cashmere can last forever.

However, the economy is getting in the way of cashmere love. Which is why I feel the need to let you all know that this week when I was at Kohl's they had cashmere on sale!!!! There were solid color cardigans and some argyle as well. I think they were all around $60 each-- a bargain for cashmere. I have a couple Kohl's cashmere sweaters from a few years ago and honestly, as I like them just as well as some of the cashmere I have at twice that price.

Get thee to Kohl's for warm, snuggly cashmere!

Friday -- Ally

TGIF, y'all! I have a super fun, exciting weekend and am ready to get the heck out of Dodge!

One of my favorite hot ladies and my DAB, Krissa (aka Sparky) is coming down to visit all the way from Peoria, IL. I've not seen her since last October and we're LONG overdue for a girly weekend of beer, movies and painted toes.


Top: NY&Co.

Skirt: Target

Necklace: Walmart

Shoes: Kohl's











I'm in a bit of a black/white/pop-of-color rut this week. It's one of my favorite looks and it's super easy. I love how I can wear just about anything with this skirt and it's SO comfortable too.

These were an impulse purchase a few months ago. I wanted some cute red shoes to wear with the dress I actually wore yesterday. I have red pumps but I wanted something patent and open toed. We were at Kohl's getting Al shoes and of course I needed a pair too!

Unfortunately, they pinch my piggies so they're more for show than go.





I hope everyone has a GREAT weekend. Stay tuned for a guest post from Miss Sparky!!