Blog Archives

What a wore to a winterfest party (pieces from the last of the Zara sale)

1/31/2016

Over the holidays, I realized it was a lot of fun to wear a colorful outfit instead of black. So I was happy to wear a couple colorful pieces I picked up in the Zara sale (still ongoing but beginning to dry up) to a winterfest gathering over the weekend.

The skirt was just $12.99; the sheer aubergine shirt is $22.99. The wrap is old--from Anthropolgie several years back.

Zara Long Printed Shirt, $15.99

Zara Mini Skirt, $12.99

Detail: Zara Long Printed Shirt, $15.99

A few more pieces from the Zara sale:

Zara Printed Skirt, $12.99

Zara Twist Knit Cape, $39.99

Zara Velvet Top, $9.99

Zara Bootcut Jeans, $15.99

3 Comments

Manipulating the merchandise

1/24/2016

0 Comments

My goal is always to spend no more than $20 on a dress.

Still, I'm willing to do what it takes to make the dress wearable.

I ordered this dress for $29.99 & tried it in a size 4 & a size 6. Both felt too tight. I returned the dresses at the store.

In Urban Outfitters' post-holiday sale, the dress went down to $17.99, so I bought it again in a size 8 & wore it with tights & a turtleneck to a New Year's Day party :-)

But, for work, it felt too short, so I had it taken down an inch & a half (the alteration cost me $15). I think now I can wear the dress on a casual work day if I wear a top underneath, or this summer, I can wear it with just a tank as I have here...

Urban Outfitters Cooperative Brooklyn Bell Sleeve Mini Dress, $19.99

Text me: these t-shirts have a few words to say

1/23/2016

0 Comments

Zara Geometric Flocked Top, $15.99

Zara Text T-shirt, $22.90

Zara T-shirt with Embroidered Text, $22.90

Zara Text T-shirt, $12.99

GAP Sail Away Long-sleeve Tee, $39.95

Urban Outfitters Petals And Peacocks Bite Me Tee, $59

Etsy MoodCatz Mini - Cute but psycho T-shirt, $24.97

Anthropologie Winter Wonderland Baseball Tee, $39.95 minus 40%

Zara Yourself Text T-shirt, $12.99

Zara Asymmetric Printed Top, $22.90

0 Comments

Denim dresses

1/16/2016

0 Comments

Ann Taylor Denim Shirtdress, $139 minus 40%

Need Supply Sabine Dress, $58.99

Need Supply Narita Dress, $89

Need Supply Denim Dynomite Minidress, $128

Zara Denim Dress, $22.99

Urban Outfitters Cooperative Brooklyn Bell Sleeve Mini Dress, $19.99

Joules Dark Blue Chambray Esme Casual Dress, $53.50

GAP Tencel® Denim Fit & Flare Dress, $49.99 minus 20%

Boden Cord & Denim Shirt Dress, $94.40

Topshop MOTO Denim Western Dress, $80

Boden Harriet Shift Tunic Dress, $75.60

Asos Denim Belted Shirt Dress In Rich Blue Wash, $59.87

0 Comments

$12.99

1/10/2016

0 Comments

Need a basic white shirt or a slinky tank? The Zara sale is beginning to heat up.

Here are several selections at $12.99 or less....

Zara Sheer Top, $9.99

Zara Strappy Top, $12.99

Zara Top with Crossover Back, $12.99

Zara Layered Top, $12.99

Zara Combined Peplum Top, $12.99

Zara Velvet Top, $12.99

Zara Top with Fringed Front, $12.99

Zara Jacquard Gemstone Dress, $12.99

Zara Striped Jacquard Dress, $12.99

Zara Velvet Jacquard Dress, $12.99

Zara Short Sleeve Knit Sweater, $9.99

Zara Basic T-shirt, $7.99

Zara Blue Floral T-shirt, $12.99

Zara Flowing T-shirt, $12.99

Zara T-shirt with Necklace Neckline, $9.99

Zara Basic Shirt, $12.99

Zara Poplin Shirt, $12.99

Basic white button-down, more sizes than the one above:

Zara Basic Shirt, $12.99

Zara Blouse with Studded Bib Front, $12.99

Zara Cross-Over Printed Top, $12.99

Loose-Fit Shirt, $12.99

And one at $19.99...

Zara Printed Top, $19.99

0 Comments

How to enjoy wearing clothes

1/7/2016

0 Comments

Some people wear clothes only because they have to. Others love their clothes a bit too much. But like a girl twirling in a flared dress, most of us could probably enjoy our clothes just a little more. Here are some ideas on how to do that...

Enjoy the fabrics you wear
Whether they're soft & silky or rough & tough, enjoy the feeling on your skin of the fabrics you wear. And once it's time to change into loungewear or pjs after a hard day's work, savor the change into the cozy comfort of home.

Bundle up
Whether it's finding a place to hang our coats or pulling on thick socks, winter forces us to deal with our clothes. Bury yourself up in a heavy winter coat & help someone on with hers. Wrap on a long scarf. Stomp in heavy boots through in the snow.

Let your clothes distract you
As grown-ups we tend to put aside our physical demands. We push up our sleeves to keep them out of our way.
We want to get dressed quickly, easily, & mindlessly.
Turn your attention the other way: roll down your sleeves & pull them over your hands. Pay attention to the details: the tortoise-shell buttons, the stitching, the ornamental touches.

Dress for the occasion
We dress up for a special event to give its due, to give weight to its importance. So dress for the occasion. We so rarely wear anything fancy--relish the once-a-year opportunity, & do it up right.

Twirl the skirt
Clothes help us celebrate the seasons, take note of the routines & rituals in our lives, & commemorate occasions. Primping & fussing is too much, but taking time & care with our dress can be a pleasure that helps us appreciate the little things.

0 Comments

5 essentials for the office

1/2/2016

4 Comments

If the house were burning down, & I had to grab 5 things to wear to work for the next several weeks, here's what I'd grab...

my 5 essentials for the office:

1. Basic, comfy, dressy loafers

Black goes with everything, & a heel allows me to wear them with skirts & dresses. Works most seasons with or without hose or tights.

Aerosoles pumps, $29

2. Dressy jeans

Days that require in-between clothes (not too dressy, not too casual) are for me the hardest to dress for, & they seem to occur all the time. Enter the dressy, dark jean (a denim skirt or dress works similarly). Add heels or boots, & you're set.

Banana Republic jeans, $30

3. Cardigan

My friend & colleague Monica (who inspired this post :) keeps an almost identical sweater hanging in her office. The temperature can be so unpredictable at work, it's nice to have a layer to throw on. Also adds a little finish to any outfit.

GAP cardigan, $15

3. All-season skirt

Most days I prefer a skirt to pants--just more comfortable. Prints, solids, pencil, a-line--all good.

Anthropologie skirt, purchased on ebay, $40

5. Floral blouse

It's hard to find a blouse that's the right fabric, right pattern. I've been wearing & loving this one for over 5 years.

J. Crew blouse, was a gift

Most of these items from my closet have been worn again & again over many years. I think they've earned their keep & proven they are essential.

Of course, also essential to my day at work is good snacks & lots of hot tea!--comforts to help us through the day :-))

What are your top 5 essentials for the office?

4 Comments