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Opening back up

10/24/2020

6 Comments

 
Popular for fall: tops & sweaters with back openings--I like them even though they might seem to defeat the purpose :)

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Abercrombie & Fitch Long-Sleeve Tie-Back Top, $39
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Zara Back Cut Out Top Limitless Contour Collection, $25.90
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Abercrombie & Fitch Mockneck Lace Bodysuit, $49
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Anthropologie Ricki Open Back Merino Turtleneck, $128
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Dynamite Open Back Mock Neck Blouse, $14
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H&M Open-backed Top, $17.99
6 Comments

Strike the pose

1/17/2020

1 Comment

 

Going to the Oscars? Or just dressing the part...
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Zara Asymmetrical Satin Effect Dress, $25.99
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Zara Draped Crop Top, $12.99
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Zara Flounced Hem Belted Skirt, $12.99
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Zara Tulle and Taffeta Dress, $9.99
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Zara Sequin Dress, $22.99
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Zara Peter Pan Collar Organza Blouse, $12.99
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Zara Embroidered Organza Top, $9.99
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Zara Long Belted Jumpsuit, $25.99
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Zara Flared Sequin Pants, $9.99
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Zara Embroidered Tulle Dress, $25.99
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Zara Mixed Print Dress with Tie, $9.99
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Zara Ruffled Tulle Mini Dress, $25.99
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Zara Embroidered Skirt, $12.99
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Zara Flared Sequin Pants, $12.99

More likely we'll be dressed like this & watching from home for the big night :-)

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Zara Relaxed Jeans with Rips, $12.99
1 Comment

Tuck n roll

11/16/2019

1 Comment

 
I love the look of jeans with a tucked-in top. But it does take work:
  • size up your jeans one size to keep from looking lumpy & stuffed in
  • choose either a wide statement belt or a low-profile belt of about an inch
  • skinny jeans work but wide or bootcut are easier
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Zara Funnel Neck Sweater, $35.90 + ZW Premium Bootcut Jeans in True Blue, $69.90
1 Comment

For the love of vests

11/16/2019

1 Comment

 
Even though they feel a bit retro, I love vests--especially long, knit ones. They can replace a blazer at work while looking equally professional. They hide figure flaws. They're warm without overheating.

My personal connection: My mom wore vests in her youth, & I passed my dissertation defense wearing a long, navy blue vest.

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Poshmark Zara Waistcoat with Lapels and Belt, $25
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Zara Full Cut Cable Knit Vest, $49.90
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Poshmark Zara Belted Vest, $43
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Zara Dress with Side Cut Outs, $49.90
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Zara Belted Vest, $69.90
1 Comment

High-neck blouses

10/5/2019

1 Comment

 
I've always loved high-neck blouses. Wear 'em with jeans to bring down their formality.

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Sundance Catalog Everyday Essence Tee, $58
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Sundance Catalog Gentle Days Top, $128
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Poshmark Gap Black Floral Mock Neck Blouse, $8
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Poshmark Zara Sheer Floral Top, $39
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Poshmark, New Zara Glossy Satin Blouse, $40
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Poshmark New Zara Size XS Gingham Puff Sleeve Mock Top, $39
1 Comment

Ceremony dresses

10/5/2019

1 Comment

 
Graduation ceremonies, holiday services, weddings...

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Zara Pleated Dotted Mesh Dress, $35.99
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Zara Lace Dress with Jewel Button, $69.90
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Zara Ruffled Print Dress, $29.99
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Zara Floral Print Dress, $35.99
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Zara Dress with Knotted Front, $35.99
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Zara Floral Print Dress, $29.99
1 Comment

Sigh. The Zara Sale pulls me back again...

6/23/2019

2 Comments

 
I haven't told you because you might hold me to it, but I am trying to stop buying clothes--pretty much at all. (Which is an odd thing for a clothing blogger to say :-) But here it is summer, my second-most-difficult-to-dress-for season (spring being the worst), & around comes the Zara sale, full of strange & alluring styles. Here are my fave picks from the hundreds of sale items...
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Zara Printed Halter Top, $12.99 (was $19.99), more colors too
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Zara Mini Flare Pants, $19.99 (was $29.90)
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Zara Animal Embossed Leather Slides, $35.99 (was $45), all sizes
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Zara Contrasting Dress, $19.99 (was $29.90)
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Zara Gemstone Pendant Earrings, $12.99 (was $19.90)
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Zara Asymmetric Top, $29.99 (was $49.90)
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Zara Plaid Jogging Pants, $25.99 (was $39.90)
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Zara Checkered Jogging Pants, $25.99 (was $39.90). I own these pants already & love them dearly. Super comfortable, true to size.
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Zara Plaid Printed Leggings, $19.99 (was $29.90). This pair is different--it's leggings, not pants.
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Zara Hooded Down Jacket, $29.99 (was $49.90)
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Zara High Waisted Shorts, $29.99 (was $39.90). I got the navy, which is no longer for sale. Black & white are available but not for sale.
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Zara Textured Top, $15.99 (was $25.90)
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Zara Rustic Top, $15.99 (was $25.90)
2 Comments

Spring sweatshirts

3/13/2019

1 Comment

 
I remember many years ago falling in love with a company called Allen Allen that would dye sweatshirts to your exact specifications from a palette of a hundred shades (does anyone remember this company?). I ordered a pale pale sky blue sweatshirt, but did I ever wear it? This question has been in my mind as I study sweatshirts now as we move into spring weather--when you need something to warm you up but not as heavy as a coat nor as wintry as a wool sweater.

A couple years ago, sweatshirts were the new silk blouses--you could wear them everywhere--to work, with a dressy skirt--but I think they're back to being weekend wear again now.

I remember once buying the sweatshirt to my now-alma mater--where is that sweatshirt now??

I've also bought new sweatshirts now & again over the years that I haven't worn, & I have a couple athletic tops--so do I actually need a new sweatshirt? How many sweatshirts do you own? How many do you need? Have you bought one lately I should take a look at?

Well, anyhow, here are a few of my finds from my search for the perfect sweatshirt...

This sweatshirt/shirt combo has received rave reviews, & I love navy, so I'm going to give it a try. I always wear a shirt under a sweatshirt, so maybe the built-in collar will save some bulk?
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J. Crew Factory Woven ruffle-neck pullover, $32
Sometimes the most basic might be the best of all. No brand name on the chest...
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Zara men's pouch pocket sweatshirt, 9 colors, $39.90
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Uniqlo Men's Long-sleeve Hooded Sweatshirt, $29.90
Text on clothing has become more popular over the past few years; the placement of the text is fun on this sweatshirt. H&M also often has the lowest price on basics.
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H&M Sweatshirt, $9.99
Of course, I love this sweatshirt. Or do I? Does the embroidery make it or ruin it?
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Poshmark J Crew Women's Embroidered Flower Sweatshirt, every size, new $39
If you did pick a logo to wear on your sweatshirt, which one would it be? I like the color of this A&B sweatshirt. Would we ever put a blazer over our sweatshirt like this...?
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Abercrombie & Fitch Print Logo Sweatshirt, $36
As always Zara has about a billion sweatshirts, some like works of art, & some basic, & I semi-love them all.
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Zara Basic Sweatshirt, 6 colors, $17.90
I like this idea of belting a longer sweatshirt, but would we ever do it?...
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Zara Soft Feel Sweatshirt, $17.99
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Zara Sparkly Stripe Sweatshirt, $39.90
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Zara Sweatshirt with Chain at Collar, $19.99
I'm a sucker for this marled blue...

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Poshmark Nike Gym Vintage Full Zip Hoodie, XS, $35
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Kohl's Men's Champion Fleece Powerblend Top, $35
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GAP Softspun Long Sleeve Lace-Up Tunic, $32.99
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J. Crew Marled Jewel-neck Sweater, various sizes & prices
1 Comment

Brunch with a friend

12/28/2018

1 Comment

 
There's a special category of outfits I call "Brunch with a friend." These are outfits you can't wear to work because they're a bit too low cut or statementy. You can't wear them out with your spouse or beau--they'll just call your style weird. The only person who will respect your fashion-forward self is your friend.

For this brunch, you can dress up all your want or go as casual/comfy as you choose. You can try out a new combination, or you can wear an old favorite. You can wear those crazy shoes you never get to wear. You can pretend you're a movie star. You can wear your clothes oversized and baggy or tight as a glove. You just have to feel fabulous in them.

Now let's have a New Year's toast to dear friends everywhere!


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Here are some outfits I might wear for this wonderful outing...


I love the idea of a jumpsuit! I tried one, & it made me look like an airplane mechanic, but this one looks simple, easy, & pretty.
Maybe it's time to try again...

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ZARA JUMPSUIT WITH BELT AND BUCKLE, $25.99



I'm in love with this retro-feel co-ord suit! I know the pockets are odd, but I could give it a try with a friend! I love the bare legs & tall boots. Feels so much like something from The Graduate.
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ZARA POLO SWEATER WITH CONTRASTING PIPING, $29.99, + SKIRT WITH CONTRAST PIPING, $25.99, + HIGH-HEELED LEATHER BOOTS, $199



Comfy & fun & look at those boots!!
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ZARA JOGGING PANTS, $22.99, + MOCK NECK T-SHIRT, $17.99, + ZIPPERED ANKLE BOOTS, $49.99



So pretty yet almost impossible to wear to any event except a party or brunch... :-))
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ZARA FLORAL PRINT WRAP BLOUSE, $25.99 + FLORAL PRINTED PANTS, $29.99




Look at the lovely bow at the back! I love this blouse, & I know my husband would say I look like a nun if I wore it. I also love her cropped brown wide-wale cords!
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ZARA PLAID BLOUSE WITH TIE, $29.99, + ZW PREMIUM MARINE STRAIGHT PANTS IN BROWN, $39.99, + LEATHER STILETTO HEELED ANKLE BOOTS, $99.99
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Back of blouse




Such pretty, pajama-like pants! Perfect for brunch!
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ZARA PRINTED PANTS, $29.99


1 Comment

Picks from the Zara sale

12/27/2018

1 Comment

 
As usual, the Zara sale is so huge that you could really just take one category each day to explore (just shoes for instance).

I've also discovered that as I suspected, all the old trends have just been absorbed into the new--so front-slit skirts, pompoms, animal print, low-rise jeans--they're all here, still in style, not a flash in the pan.

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ZARA A-LINE KNIT SKIRT, $29.99
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ZARA V-NECK BODYSUIT, $15.99
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ZARA WINDBREAKER WITH BAG, $29.99
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ZARA TECHNICAL FABRIC SHOPPER, $19.99
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ZARA COLOR BLOCK CABLE KNIT SWEATER, $45.99
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ZARA PLAID PENCIL SKIRT, $29.99
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ZARA CROPPED SWEATER, $29.99
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ZARA VINYL SHOPPER, $19.99
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ZARA MIXED NECKLACE, $12.99
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ZARA SPARKLY SNAKESKIN PRINT LEGGINGS, $29.99
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ZARA SEQUIN SKIRT, $39.99
1 Comment
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