Category:

What have you bought for me lately?

4/1/2014

Do you sometimes recount exactly what you've bought lately to see how much you've spent?
Here are the 8 items I've bought in the past few weeks to help me make the transition to spring. The total cost I paid is around $200 after discounts I took advantage of. (P.S. I bought a lot of other stuff I returned.)

10 Ways I Save $ for Clothes

Gotta Stretch that Dollar Bill

How Much Should You Pay for Shipping?

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How many ways can you button a cardigan?

3/19/2014

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Boden Cocktail Cardigan, $74

I've been a little bored with cardigans lately, which recently inspired me to try buttoning them down my back. That went ok, not perfect.

So what can we do to mix up the cardigan rut? Well, how do you usually wear your cardigans that have buttons? Do you wear them open most of the time?

I typically button a few buttons in the middle.

But I think it's time I tried buttoning them all the way up & wearing
them as tops.

I'm also drawn to the classic look of buttoning the top button--this one takes a bit of guts, though, because we want to avoid looking like our grandmas.

One more option is to button most of the buttons at the top & leave a couple open at the bottom (my favorite choice at the moment).

Here are some examples of each option...

Buttoning the top button or two
There's something a little retro & nostalgic about buttoning the top button. Is it too conservative?

Anthropologie Danika Cardigan, $128

I've noticed it's mostly British sites that model the cardigan buttoned at the top.

Boden Beaded Stripe Cardigan, $44.40 to $59.20

Boden Broderie Cardigan, $110.40

Boden Fair Isle Cardigan, $39.20 to $49

Buttoned all the way & worn as a top

Anthropologie Lace-ruled Cardigan

Anthropologie Chiffon-Fringe Cardigan, $98

Joe Fresh Crew Neck Cardigan, $17.99

Victoria's Secret The Sexy Cardi, $19.99

Buttoning a couple buttons in the middle
Up until this very moment, I thought buttoning a button or two in the middle looked carefree & light. But looking at these models below now, it seems very conservative to me--maybe even more so than buttoning the top button!

Boden Pretty Piped Cardigan, $68

Land's End Women's Regular Long Sleeve Fine Gauge Supima Lurex Cardigan, $54.99

LOFT Cotton Modal V-neck Cardigan, $49.50

Wrap London Sian Cardi, $59

Mix it up a bit...
I love this option below...

& this light little cropped sweater--

Anthropologie Shirley Midi Cardigan, $128

Boden Favourite Cropped Cardigan, $58

Garnet Hill Cashmere Peplum Cardigan, $68

Boden Crew Neck Cashmere Cardigan, $84

But I still love cardigans buttoned down the back...

Anthropologie Dotlace Pullover, $49.95

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Dressing all in one color
& other ways to mix up
what you already own

Two great deals on long, open cardis:

Love Culture Knit Rib Flyaway Cardigan, $14.95

Target Merona Women's Bellona Open Layering Cardigan, $11.98

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Take-a-graphic-tee-to-work Day

3/7/2014

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Typically graphic tees are only for the weekend. But I think these ones are pretty enough to wear to work under a jacket or cardigan.

Banana Republic Palm Tree Graphic Tee, $39.50

J. Crew Linen These Are the Days Tee, $45

J. Crew LINEN THESE ARE THE DAYS TEE, $45

The lovely Julia Cruzan on her blog Glitter and Juls; Her outfit details: Skirt: The Loft factory Shoes: Forever 21 Necklace: Ell & Emm

J. C. Penney Joe Fresh Graphic Tee, $6.99

Super Obvious Tips

Do pick a tee that fits you well.
Don't wear a trashed out tee. You may want to iron your tee.
Make sure your tee isn't too see-through.
Don't wear a now-yellowed white tee or a tee with stains.
Don't wear any offensive language on your tee.

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Stripes with benefits

2/16/2014

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We knew we could wear a striped tee with solids, but how 'bout with patterns, lace, florals, & more?

stripes with solids...

Ann Taylor Shimmer Stripe Long Sleeve Top, $24.99 minus 60% with code SHOPANN

Victoria's Secret Low-back Ballet Tee, $34.50

stripes with patterns...

J. Crew Factory Outfit Obsession #2

Here's her top:

J. Crew Factory stripe boatneck tee, $24.50

stripes with geometric patterns in a similar color ...

Banana Republic Bold-Stripe Metallic-Trim Tee, $39.50

Boden stripe tee with Statement Ankle Skimmer, $118

stripes with dots...

Boden Essential Short Sleeve Tee, $20-$22

stripes with florals...

Ann Taylor Petite Ottoman Stripe Ponte A-Line Top, $29.88 minus 60% with code SHOPANN

stripes with lace...

Ann Taylor Petite Shoulder Button Striped Top, $19.88 minus 60% with code SHOPANN

Stripes with sequins...

Joe Fresh outfit: striped top & sequin skirt

Can't find exact top on left, but this Joe Fresh striped tee is $6.99 minus 15%

Joe Fresh Fringe Sequin Skirt, $16.99 minus 15%

stripes with side-stripe pants...

Ann Taylor Petite Striped Ponte Boatneck Top, $59 minus 30% with code SHOPANN

stripes with stripes...

Ann Taylor Striped Perfect Long Sleeve Shirt, $79.50 minus 30%

To quote my husband, "They're breaking all the rules. Do people really wear stripes with patterns like that?"
Do you think they've gone too far?

T-shirt Sunday Tees

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Back to the ole burgundy & blue

1/21/2014

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I've been obsessed with burgundy with blue for some time (see post here) & have been amazed how many new outfits I've come up with thanks to this surprising color combination.

3 from Boden

Here are my latest outfits assembled with this color combo...

New Abercrombie & Fitch striped oxford, H&M skirt, GAP maternity cardigan, cabernet tights

Just a minor variation--a decade-old blue-gray shirt from Target with the same H&M skirt, cabernet tights

Very cheap J. C.. Penny Joe Fresh skirt (around $2.97 in store), old wine/aubergine-colored GAP cardigan, new sleeveless thin white shirt from Abercrombie & Fitch to wear underneath, navy tights

Super old Boden merino sweater, same thin sleeveless Abercrombie shirt, old Banana Republic cord skirt, heather brown tights

After I told my 8-year old son/photographer about the color scheme, he picked out this outfit for me.
At first I thought I was just humoring him putting it on, but then I realized I really liked it!

Never underestimate the power of children to mix up your wardrobe in new, fun ways.

The Photographer

Here's my photographer (Spencer), fitting in well with this post in his blue & red pajamas :-)

A selfie by the photographer standing in my closet wearing a Target t-shirt in burgundy & blue:-)

Got any burgundy & blue? Have you tried wearing these colors together?

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Inspiration equation:
cranberry + icy blue

Spring shirts & blouses, $10 & up

Two years in quick review

The Challenge, part 2:
stirring up the work wardrobe

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Inspired by a throw rug & an illustration from a kids' book?

6/6/2013

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Blue & orange (and maybe a touch of white). I wouldn't have thought I'd like this combo except for the Broncos! But I've been looking at this kids' rug from Target and thinking "hmmm--looks fresh, makes me feel happy." And then reading my favorite kids' book The Trouble with Mister by Debra Keller the other day, I noticed this adorable orange and blue outfit in an illustration by Shannon McNeill. That's it--I'd seek out a navy skirt, throw some orange on it, and see if it might work.

The Skirt:

Love this $14.99 skirt from Joe Fresh!

J. C. Penny Joe Fresh Print A-Line Skirt, $14.99

Paired with orange or coral:

Paired with J. Crew boatneck tee (more available)

Styled with Boden tee & cardi

Paired with black or gray:

Well, if I don't feel like the orange combo, I can always go with black or gray...

Paired with Anthropologie Sparrow pullover

I'm thinking about getting this Garnet Hill Pleated-Detail Scoop-Neck Tee, $24

Paired with old Banana Republic cardi

What do you think? Like the blue & orange or prefer the basics?

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Blue with black:
an elegant combination

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We are prepared to make a statement

5/27/2013

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I've been collecting statement necklaces over the years, many of which I've worn exactly zero times. But now a white shirt and a style from J. Crew has me preparing to bring them out. Do you wear statement necklaces?
Which one below is your favorite?

The Inspiration:

J. Crew Factory Outfit with white button-down shirt, $26

My White Shirt:

J. C. Penny Joe Fresh Poplin Button-front Shirt, $19

Three new looks:

White shirt with Banana Republic statement necklace (worn once until now)

Similar look:

Piperlime Three Row Beaded Statement Necklace by Pim + Larkin, $46

White shirt with adapted Anthropologie statement necklace (worn several times)

Similar looks:

J. Crew Factory Resin Droplet Necklace, $44

J. Crew Factory Wilma Bead Necklace, $24.50

White shirt with Anthropologie statement necklace (never worn until now)

Similar looks:

Banana Republic Corsage Necklace, $89.50 minus 35%

Piperlime Flower Link Statement Necklace by Sabine, $44

More of my favorite statement necklaces...

From Anthropologie...

Anthropologie Fertile Crescent Bib Necklace, $68 (styled on Anthropologie site)

Anthropologie Smoky Florets Necklace, $48

Anthropologie Winter Blossoms Bib Necklace, $58 (styled on Anthropologie site)

From J. Crew Factory and Piperlime

J. Crew Factory Cameo Chandelier Necklace, $24.50

I think this one would look really pretty with a black
v-neck or dress for a night out.

Piperlime Half Flower Necklace by Tinley Road, $36

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The basic white shirt

5/15/2013

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A clean white cotton shirt makes me feel fresh & put together no matter how messy I feel inside.
Fun to pair with printed pants or shorts. Always classic with jeans.
I have to repurchase them now & then because they turn yellowish after a while.

It's actually a little hard to find the right white shirt. Here's what I look for:
--no pockets
--feminine cut, not boxy
--small collar
--the right length to tuck or untuck

Here are 4 such shirts and a few ways to style them:

1. J.C. Penny Joe Fresh Poplin Button-front Shirt

J. C. Penny Joe Fresh Poplin Button-front Shirt, $19

This Joe Fresh shirt is the most affordable of the choices.

Try it with bright printed pants or shorts.

2. New York and Company Classic Stretch Button Front Shirt

New York and Company Classic Stretch Button Front Shirt, $32.95, buy 1 get 1 50% off

Shirt on left styled by
New York and Company

3. Mango Cotton Long Shirt

Mango Cotton Long Shirt, $49.99

Mango is a new store for me--is it one of your favorites?

Shirt on the left styled by Mango

4. J. Crew Factory White Button-down Shirt

J. Crew Factory White Button-down Shirt, $52.50, minus 30% with the code SALE30

Shirt on the left styled by
J. Crew Factory--Outfit Obsession #3

The White Shirt. Reliable, bright, clean. Modeled beautifully in this video "Lonely Boy" by The Black Keys:

More basics:

The basic black pant:
Christie vs. Kate

Basic black bag

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Button up?

4/9/2013

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Do you ever wear your collar buttoned to the top button?

J. C. Penny Joe Fresh Gingham Shirt, $19

More...

Gingham style

Chambray
at all prices

Revenge of
the nerds

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The eyes have it

4/4/2013

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Last year we saw a little eyelet lace along with other fabrics that both hide and reveal what's underneath. This year eyelet is everywhere--in jackets, dresses, tops, in every color, many variations, and now quite affordable.
Perfect for work but also fun in shorts!