Now & Later

For a long time I had only been wearing one item in one way every time.  No wonder I was bored with my clothes!  These days when I purchase an item of clothing, I try to envision different ways to wear it.  A recent purchase is this scalloped pink skirt.  I tried two different looks with it, one for now and one for when the weather warms up.

Sleek, basic look with black cowl neck sweater and boots.

And then the later.

You may remember this navy blouse from this post.

 

 Since the colors are strong, navy and pink, I kept the heels nude.

I added the blazer to keep it work appropriate.

Happy Monday!

Linking with Outfit Posts
Linking with Not Dead Yet Style
Linking with Still Being Molly

Black Sweater: Gap
Skirt: Loft
Boots: Etienne Aigner Celina
Watch: Tourneau
Ring: New York and Company

Blazer: Banana Republic Outlet
Blouse: Target
Skirt: Loft
Shoes: Target
Watch:Tourneau
Ring: New York and Company

On Money and Minimalism

I really like that certain bloggers post their budgets as well as the items they bought over the past month.  In part because I'm just nosy, in part because I like seeing people's thought processes, and in part because I just like looking at clothes. 
I haven't done that type of post myself because, well, I don't have an exact budget.  While there's no number in my mind that I have to stay under, I do try to be very conscious of my purchases.  I remember just five years ago, talking about how someday I wanted a bedroom sized closet with a spinning clothes rack, a la Clueless (or for those younger readers, Lisa Vanderpump's on RHOBH).  Now I want the opposite, a wardrobe that is as small as possible but as functional as possible.  I'm not sure when that transition took place, but in general I find I just want less stuff.  Of course it coincides with my deciding to start an outfit blog- hmm, not the best timing.

I did pretty well in January, the only item I bought was a pair of tights.  I thought about doing a budget post, but it would have just been boring.  In February though I bought a few more things:

Liverpool Jeans Company, Ross, $7.99

Like many women I have trouble finding bottoms that fit my curvy bottom, and my size fluctuates a little with time of month and year.  I just wanted a pair of pants to wear around the house that would fit no matter what.  These stretchy ones are definitely more stylish than my current go-to, Rodney's Mickey Mouse pajamas (and my son gets concerned that Mickey is going to fall off of them).

Blouse, Target, $9.98

I already own this blouse in pink and wear it every weekend. It does wrinkle easily which is annoying.  I like the saturated tomato color, but wasn't sure I needed a second one.  I debated buying this for a while (translation- while walking around Target shopping).  The convincing argument was that I have been trying to be conscious of what colors look better on me, and this is one of them.  Even if I just wear it on weekends it will pay for itself.

Blouse, Loft (bought with credit from a scarf I returned)

 I'm having a pink moment.  See skirt below.

Skirt, Loft, $36

I seem to be into pink lately.  The scalloped edges are a nice detail.

Max Studio Sweater Skirt, TJ Maxx, $24.99

This one is going to get its own post.  I know it's not a smart purchase, but somehow I really wanted it.

Total:  $8 + 10 + 0 + 36 + 25 = 79
Overall the total is reasonable, but I do think some of these items are emotional buys and not completely necessary.  It's been a stressful month.  I may need that revolving clothes rack yet!

Linking up with Fran's Budgeting Bloggers

Dolman- Something New

Although the title of this post is Something New, the items in this outfit are anything but.  You have seen the pants and boots before, but probably not this sweater.  I love the style, but it is not a typical silhouette on me because I have trouble "making it work."

This sweater is actually a hand me down.  Someone at work brought in a box of clothes she no longer wanted (for someone else), and mentioned it to me in passing.  My silent reaction was: my style is nothing like yours, what could I possibly want from your discards?  But I went and looked, and found this great sweater.  Lesson learned about keeping an open mind.  I guess that's why it works- I didn't pick it, and I couldn't mess it up!

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Linking with Tres-Chic Fashion Thursday



Sweater: Hand me down
Tshirt: Target
Pants: Dalia Collection via Marshalls/TJ Maxx
Boots: Report
Watch: Tourneau
Necklace: Limited

Bold (er)

The last time I wore this skirt, I went with a warm neutral look.  This time I decided to try something bolder, with a bright blue sweater, leopard belt, and black boots.

This sweater is beautiful, I need to wear it more often! 

 

Looking at this photo is giving me flashbacks to high school when I used to wear black shoes with white socks, ugh!  The shoes were menswear inspired (I still like that style).  But  those embarrasing memores are why I haven't been able to get on board with wearing brogues or oxfords this time around.   Maybe the right pair (and some new socks!) will change my mind.

Linking up with Vodka Infused Lemonade
Linking up with  Pleated Poppy

Sweater:  H & M
Tshirt: Prob Target
Belt:  Nordstrom's
Skirt: Limited
Tights:  Kohls
Boots: Etienne Aigner
Watch: Tourneau

Pattern Mixing at Work

This was a Friday outfit.  Technically this is pattern mixing, though it doesn't feel like it because the pattern on the pants is very subtle.  Since all the items had threads of brown it felt pretty safe.  The blouse is a bit much for work on its own, so I tend to cover it up, either with a vest like here or a jacket as below.

Linking up with Still Being Molly

Jacket:  Kohl's
Blouse:  Loft
Pants:  Dahlia Collection via Marshalls/TJ Maxx
Sunglasses:  Kohl's