Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Daily Outfit - Jen - 8/31/10

Something tells me that I'm ready for the fall. Also, the empire waist did me no favors, today.

Why does Sebastian always steal my thunder?


Cardigan: Newport News
Top: Old Navy
Skirt: Old Navy
Heels: Nine West

Daily Outfit - Kate - 8/31/10

I had to look professional today, for work.



Seems that my idea of "professional" is most other peoples' idea of "would you like some more tea and cookies dearie?" because apparently I looked like a grandma.

A smokin' hot grandma, RIGHT?! Oh, and one with a blurry attack dog, too. Can't forget that detail.

Seems I've gotta work on this whole idea of professional + stylish + NO BLAZERS DAMMIT. (they make me look like a linebacker. Yes, even that one.)*

Cardigan: Old Navy, 2010
Tee: thrifted, originally Target
Scarf: thrifted
Skirt: Sears, 2008
Shoes: I dunno
Earrings: MUM

~~~
*LLBean tweed jacket, though, does not. <3 LLBean.

Monday, August 30, 2010

Daily Outfit - Jen - 8/30/10

I'd been wanting to find a way to dress down this blouse, and I'm pretty sure I accomplished that, today. Waaay down. Points for not wearing a tee? No? Yes?

I was at Fry's this evening and noticed that my right sandal is broken. Suckage and sadness. That's one way to force me into varying my shoes, because if you haven't noticed, I've been wearing these just about every ding dang dong day.


Cardigan: J. Crew Outlet
Blouse: Ann Taylor Loft
Shorts: J. Crew (Outlet?)
Milk stains: Silk Chocolate Soy Milk via Connor, my nephew
Sandals: Steve Madden
Purse: Gift

Dear Kate

Have you seen Despicable Me? LOVED IT. Anyway, the entire time I kept thinking that it was awesome that Gru was wearing a turtleneck sweater. What kind of villain wears a turtleneck sweater!

Gru

Oh, I couldn't help but notice the goodies in your most recent Spoils post. Looooove everything. Waaannt everything. Gimmmeeee everythiiiinnnngg. (PLEASE.)

Yours,
Jen

Photo via videodetective.com

Daily Outfit - Kate - 8/30/10

One picture day, though that does *not* accurately reflect how I felt about this outfit:



I LOVED THIS. So cute. So fun. I've been wanting a waistcoat for *ages* and I finally got one and it's purple and corduroy and happy and it's everything I hoped for and more! I think wearing a puffy shirt under it may be my new favorite.

The shoes though? NOT my new favorite. They killed my feet ded. I kicked them off as soon as I walked in the door and my feet were so swollen they looked like they belonged on a 45-year-old obese WalMart shopper with a pair or yorkies and a pink scrunchie in her bleach-blond hair.

Which is my way of saying: in this case, you get what you pay for.

Skirt: GAP, super old
Top: Old Navy, 2009
Waistcoat: Old Navy, 2010
Heels: Madden Girl via Marshall's, 2010

The Spoils: mostly Old Navy, and Daily Outfit - Kate - 8/29/10

EDIT - fixed the pictures!

I ran some errands yesterday. One of those errands involved Old Navy, and a 30% Friends and Family discount.

Good (read: bad) things happen when I run an errand in Old Navy. Especially with a discount in hand.

A purple wide-wale corduroy waistcoat happens, for example. As you shall see later.

Also, a new denim knee-length skirt happens:

It's so I don't have to wear the same one every day. Mix it up a bit!

And then there's an airy woven tunic thingy:



($8.99 on clearance!)

Oh, and a cute little ruffled henley:

Look at me, all explorin' outside the box! Shaddup. It's a big step. For me.

And because we can't be *too* adventurous, we end up in Grey Cardigan Land.

But it fits perfectly, and was only $7!

Why buy one cardigan, when you can buy *two*?!

This one is different, though. 'Cause it's purple. And lace. And cropped. And $11.

After leaving Old Navy, I decided to inflict some damage at the adjacent Marshall's. To the tune of $7 pumps:


Which I wore today and... ::shudder::. Glad I didn't pay more than $7 for them!

Oh, and a Talbots skirt:


It may not look like much now, but I can tell ya that it's the *perfect* length to pair with these beauties.

Ssh! Don't tell Jeff I'm already planning outfits, OK?

Goodwill was my last stop, and I tried on a *bunch* of stuff but only came away with one item:

We shall see. It's a bit tight, and it needs a slip, but that grey floral print is just so charming, and the color's so bright and cheery! Worth a shot at $2, yes?

::contented sigh::

Oh! I almost forgot! Sunday night I had a work function to attend, and it was really casual. So I test-drove a couple of my new pieces:

I felt like major hotness!


Yeah, this one will definitely be repeated at some point.

Top: Old Navy
Tank: who knows?
Skirt: Old Navy
Belt: Target, 2008
Sandals: Sofft, 2009
Necklace: super old
Earrings: Kirksville Farmer's Market, circa 2006

Dear Jen

It's a fine line between "dressing to suit your body type" (good) and "dressing to hide self-perceived but invisible flaws" (bad), isn't it? You know what I mean?

I wonder which side of the line I'm on? What is it about buying a loose shirt that feels so awkward, but cinching it with a waistcoat feels so comfortable? And in what bizarre world are black heels a daring adventure, but pink cowboy boots aren't?

This is...odd. But fun.

I need to find a way to show off my newfound toned legs. Something a bit more mature than a micromini a la 2004, perhaps.

<3
Kate

Friday, August 27, 2010

Friday Favorites - 8/27/10

Jen's Favorites:




Kate's Favorites:

I can't wait 'till my hair is long enough to braid!

::drool::

LOVE this ensemble from SWF!

Daily Outfit - Jen - 8/27/10

I had lunch with Jarod today, and he managed to compliment my outfit 3 times in one hour. Specifically, he really seemed to love my slacks. I don't really care for them, but I'll take whatever compliment I can get.

It's the weekend, folks. Make it a happy one!



Cardigan: Newport News
Blouse: J. Crew Outlet
Slacks: Banana Republic
Belt: Gap
Heels: Nine West

Thursday, August 26, 2010

Daily Outfit - Jen - 8/26/10

I think I wore almost this exact outfit recently. I'm realizing that I really love this type of skirt - is it technically a pencil skirt or does it need to be more form-fitting? I don't know. Whatever type of skirt this is, I like it. I think they are my new favorite thing to wear to work. (GASP)





Cardigan: H&M
Top: Nordstrom Rack
Skirt: Old Navy
Heels: Nine West

Daily Outfit - Kate - 8/26/10

Today, I am blurry.




For real, and for pictures.

'Tis a shame, because I think this outfit - with corduroy and woven cotton, and comfy summery flats - perfectly embodied A. from Academichic's recent discussion about summer/fall transitional outfits.

I could go into a bunch of detail here but really it just boils down to: I missed my corduroy skirt. I like this top. It's cold so I wear a cardigan.

Practicality FTW!

Top: a billion years old.
Cardigan: Target
Skirt: GAP, fall 2009
Flats: Dillards, circa 2007ish
Necklace: booth at Strange Folk, 2008
Earrings: mumsie

Daily Outfit - Kate - 8/25/10

Despite the obviously fake smile, I really did like yesterday's outfit.



I usually wear this jersey skirt super-casual (like, with a tee and flip-flops), but took it a bit outside the box. All day long I felt like I was prancing around in my pyjamas...and heels. :-D


Also, this scarf is my favorite. <3.

Top: Francesca's Collections, 2009
Skirt: Target, 2008(?)
Scarf: Target, 2010
Earrings: mum
Shoes: Naturalizer, winter 2009

Daily Outfit - Kate - 8/24/10

We had "class pictures" today. By which I mean, "staff pictures." By which I mean GODDAMNIT I GOT STUCK FRONT ROW CENTER.

Just like third grade all over again. Too short for the middle row, too tall (?) for the edges of the front.

Anyway, I wore this:


That's a total repeat of what I wore for my first day and yeah, the picture is recycled too. I'd already had enough picture-taking fun.

Oh but I did wear a necklace. Um. yeah.

(GAWD I am one crotchety little bitch!)

Everything: Target ::sigh::
Shoes: Sofft, via Dillards(?)

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Daily Outfit - Jen - 8/25/10

When I accidentally oversleep (read: purposely sleep in), I just don't have time to get fancy. I don't think this outfit is too terrible as my default. I love this color, and it's comfortable. But I know, I know - I'm supposed to be stepping outside of my comfort zone and experimenting and having fun with my clothes. I need some inspiration! Or important people visiting the office! As it happens, important people are visiting the office tomorrow and Friday, so you're guaranteed no jeans for at least the next 2 days.




Shirt: Nordstrom Rack
Jeans: Nordstrom Rack
Necklace: Thrifted
Sandals: Tory Burch via Nordstrom

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Dear Jen

I'm still too traumatized for a proper post.

You see, today they assembled all 1oo+ people in our department for the semi-annual Department Staff Photo Extravaganza. And by some piss-poor stroke of luck, Yours Truly has been situated front and center in said photo.

Yours Truly really wishes that she had worn a better outfit - or at least some nice heels - rather than a casual cotton cardi and her worn-out brown sandals.

Yours Truly is going to go crawl under a rock now.

<3
Yours Truly

Monday, August 23, 2010

Daily Outfit - Jen - 8/23/10

I never thought I would ever, EVER, say this (eh, or rather write this), but holy crap. It feels good to be out of jeans. Skirts and heels make me feel so fancy and feminine!






Cardigan: Tulle
Top: Ann Taylor Loft
Skirt: Old Navy
Belt: J. Crew Outlet
Heels: Steve Madden

Dear Kate

You may have noticed that I've been pinning my bangs back recently. Okay, maybe you haven't noticed but Jarod has and has been telling me how cute and pretty and blah blah barf I look, so I asked him point-blank.

"Do you prefer me without bangs?!"

Because my bangs are kind of my thing - not my thing as in no one else has them, but I have them and wear them a particular way, and I've had them and worn them a particular way for some time. Anyway, Jarod is very cautious about how he answers these kinds of questions.

"I like ALL long hair."

Okay, so he doesn't not like my bangs? He just prefers all of my hair to be the same length? What?

Soooo, I'm growing my bangs out and my forehead feels naked.

Oh, and happy Monday! ;)

Yours,
Jen

Friday, August 20, 2010

Daily Outfit - Jen - 8/20/10

Today, I wore black to mourn my fashion choices this week. It also just so happens that this dress is one of my favs.




Dress: Target
Sandals: Steve Madden

Friday Favorites - 8/20/10

Jen's Favorites:

I love how Diana organizes her jewelry! I've been known to store my jewelry in plastic bags.

I want this outfit SO badly! So casual and pretty!


Veronika's tutorial inspired me to immediately curl my hair after I'd read her post. Now I just need to go out and get velcro rollers! LOVE HER HAIR.

Thursday, August 19, 2010

Daily Outfit - Kate - 8/19/10

YAY MOM!



I'd have never been daring enough to pick it up on my own, but when when it's given to me? HECK YES!

My mom has always had great taste in clothes for me, actually. Even when I was in the ennui-soaked throes of teenagerdom, I'd often defer to her suggestions. I remember one time in particular when I was about 16, Mom went to Chicago and visited Forever 21 and H&M (this was before they had those in KC) and bought me back such wonderment as I'd never seen before - frilly skirts, a little pink tank top that I *still* wear, and the cutest jacket! How many teenagers are so lucky (and moreover, how many teenagers *realize* it?)?

So what I'm getting at is, Mom's taste has come through for me again. This may be my new favorite top.



It's frilly and flowy and comfy and airy and comfy and sexy.



I love how it looks with this thrifted belt. And, probably, with all my other belts :-D



Top: Wal-Mart. $3. Clearance. (I KNOW!!!!)
Belt: thrifted in Sarasota
Jeanskirt: Old Navy
Earrings: mom
Bracelet: booth at Red Barn, circa 2007
Shoes: heckifiknow

Daily Outfit - Jen - 8/19/10

Only I could manage to look masculine in a jean skirt and ruffle top.


Top: Macy's
Skirt: Old Navy
Sandals: Steve Madden

Daily Outfit - Jen - 8/18/10

I wore this yesterday. It's probably clear now why I wasn't in any hurry to post this outfit. Can you see the defeat in my eyes? I couldn't even be bothered to straighten out my top.




Top: Old Navy
Jeans: No idea
Necklace: Gift

The Spoils: miscellaneous

EDITED: Fixed the pictures.

I went shopping on Saturday. It wasn't a "pop into the store and look around" or a "just browse a bit". It was actual SHOPPING.

And nevertheless, I just came away with a few items. Either I'm too stupid to figure it out, too discriminating, or too parsimonious.

Either way, though, I love what I *did* get.

($7.99, clearance, New York & Co.)

This is the most perfect-fitting shirt ever. EVER. It's amazing. It's one of those ones where I came out of the dressing room to show my shopping partner and then there was *mutual* squee-ing.

So you know what I did, right?


Yup. Bought it in two colors. But hey - are they not both patterned (thus filling a wardrobe gap)? Are they not both supercheap? And versatile? YES. So it's OK.

I love this plaid.

It reminds me of fabric from the '30s.

And then...another plaid shirt came along:

This one is a bit different though, eh? Decidedly more casual, in a cotton/linen blend and an awesome color palette that reminds me of my grandma (in a good way). This was only $12 at Marshall's - how could I resist?

These next couple items just rock my world. Back about a month or so ago when I was feeling really uncertain about my job (ie, "would I still have one?" and was griping to my mom about the recent dearth of clothing purchases, she picked up a couple items for me, so I wouldn't have to be new-clothes-less forever and ever. THAT'S WHAT MOMS ARE FOR, YO.



I LOVE this top. The jersey fabric is so incredibly soft and comfy, and I can already think of about 40 bazillion ways to style it.

Check out the super-cute neckline detail:



(Does it remind you of something Jen would wear?)

Actually, I may wear it today :-)

Finally, check out this gorgeousness:

Mom got that at a shop in Lawrence, KS when she was there with friends recently. I love it! The color is *so* "me", don't you think? I can tell already it'll be a frequently-worn wardrobe staple :-)

New clothes = happy Kate.

Daily Outfit - Kate - 8/18/10

One of my favorite outfits in recent memory.



(even though I didn't remember to look at myself in a mirror before posing for photos - hence the skirt wonkiness and sweater ride-upiness.)

This was one where after I got dressed I kept going back to my full-length mirror and full-on *admiring* the look. Especially the red flowers on the cardigan buttons, and the red heels. LOVE.


Mayor McPuppy liked it, too.

(OH CRAP THERE'S SOMETHING IN MY HAIR. ::sigh:: I'm a mess.)

But like I said...was totally hot in person. I promise.

Cardigan: thrifted, from Avalon Exchange
Tee: GAP
Skirt: GAP
Heels: Kenneth Cole, via DSW
Earrings: mum
Ring: MacroSun

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Daily Outfit - Kate - 8/17/10

Roxie loves her mama.



We smile together. In Roxie-land, you smile by opening your mouth really wide and sticking your tongue out.

Roxie loves to smile. I love to see Roxie smile. Jeff loves to watch me make an idiot of myself. It all works out, you see?



Top: Old Navy, 2009
Belt: thrifted
Skirt: LLBean, 2008
Sandals: Sofft, summer 2009
Earrings: mumsie

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Daily Outfit - Jen - 8/17/10

Soooo. I'd lovingly been referencing last week as the "week of poo," and on Friday, I thought that the week of poo was officially over. That's until this morning around 5 AM when my olfactory sense AWOKE ME FROM MY SLEEP to let me know that I'd transitioned from last week's figurative week of poo to this week's literal week of poo.

Obviously, my plans to be fancier this week are being thwarted by... who knows? What have I ever done to anybody!

So I wore earrings, today. There. Fancy. Thank you.






Tee: Old Navy
Jeans: No idea
Earrings: No idea circa 2004
 
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