The Blues Have It

I just noticed it has been  more than a month since my last blog post.  Going back to work three days a week, vacationing in Isle of Palm and meeting social obligations just completely consumed the month of June. 

While I've been posting on FB via my iPhone, I haven't done due diligence about providing links to outfit posts.  Not sure how much any of you like/use the links, but I like to provide them on the blog. 

After a really lovely long Fourth of July weekend with temps that had you reaching for a sweater to watch the fireworks on Friday night, real July hit us with a vengeance yesterday.  In fact, when my Mr. Wonderful snapped these pictures for me this morning, I felt pretty snappy, I was so hot.  After a few failed attempts,  we got it done. Part of the problem lies in dressing for your deep freezer of an office, but snapping photos off your patio where the temp and the humidity is on the rise. I felt as if I were standing in a sauna.

Anyway, this is a nothing fancy outfit.  I love this no-iron white blouse, which though pricey is really no-iron and worth every cent of its cost.  When one shows wear, I just try to grab a new one when L&T has a percentage off everything sale. I scored the skirt when Ann Taylor had a promo that took 50 percent off the entire site.  I was delighted with its light weight and graphic navy print.

I'm also loving these new nude d'orsay flats from Halogen which I picked up at Nordstrom.  The leather is as soft as a glove and the shoes were comfortable right out of the box.

What do you have that you love and think is worth every cent you paid and maybe more?

Outfit Details:  Blouse - Jones NY no iron via Lord & Taylor; Skirt - Ann Taylor ; Vest - Old Navy ; Shoes - Halogen via Nordstrom

Pretty in Python

You saw almost this exact look a few weeks back, but today I mixed it up a bit with a gray striped tee.  Still looking for possible outfit combinations other than the obvious black, gray, ivory or white.

I didn't purchase this jacket until perhaps a month ago, and have only worn it one other time because of its weight.  It's actually a knit material, fairly heavy.  It's so comfortable, yet polished, doesn't wrinkle (great if I get damp from rain) and today's cool weather is the perfect temp. 

Normally I avoid  wearing white when it's rainy, don't know why, probably think it will get too dirty.  Today I threw caution to the wind; after all, these jeans do wash. 

If I were wearing this to the office, I would just switch out the white jeans for dressier white slacks or a white skirt...easy peesy.

Hope you have a great Friday.

OUTFIT DETAILS: Jacket -  Ann Taylor (on sale now, note that it has very long sleeves if that is an issue for you.  I just pushed them up); Tee - JCrew (on sale now); Jeans - Talbots (old, but similar on sale); Shoes - French Connection via Nordstrom (no longer available there but I lust for these by Jimmy Choo, and these would work, and I  almost bought these; Belt - Talbots - OLD; Bag - Michael Kors via Macy's - OLD; Necklace and Earrings  - Talbots (last year); Bracelet - Gifted; Watch - Kate Spade New York via Nordstrom.

Three Stripes and Your In

So I remembered, belatedly and only have reading a post by a fellow blogger, that this was Memorial Day Weekend.  It didn't particularly register for me as it is never a big deal for us.  Both our girls are in education, so one isn't yet done with school and the other is always dealing with Graduation at this time of year.  It doesn't lend itself to a family getaway.  And,  because we have always lived near I-95 which  in our area turns into a parking lot days before the holiday, we decided that unless we were flying somewhere, we weren't traveling.

But that doesn't mean that there aren't things to do  and nearby places to go.  Whatever your weekend plans, I hope you get great weather and have memorable times.

Here are my takes on three different holiday looks in red, white and blue.  Most of these things are closet staples, the sweater and gold pumps are from this month.

Outfit Details:  Tee - St. James (purchased in Paris last Spring); Jeans - Old Navy; Shoes - Talbots (old); Belt - Talbots - Old; Necklace - Gift; Sunglasses - Miu Miu.  Outfit Two - Same Tee; Sweater - Talbots; Skirt - Old Navy (old); Shoes - Macy's (old); Belt - Talbots - Old. Outfit Three - Sweater - Talbots; Top - Ann Taylor (love this one);  Jeans - Talbots (old); Pumps - Cole Hahn via Off Fifth; Bag - Coach via Lord & Taylor; Necklace - J Crew.

Which is your favorite?

Three Wins & a Wish

I've been loving a lot at Ann Taylor recently.  And I've had great success snagging great pieces at great prices. 

The first two outfits were earlier posts, I thought worthy of a visual revisit.  I can't tell you how much I love the top in outfit one and how easily I think it could transition to a business look by changing out the jeans for a narrow trouser or skirt. 

Swap out the white jeans in outfit two for a skirt or dress pants in white, gray, black, navy or small tweed and it becomes work appropriate. The white, sleeveless top adds perfect texture underneath any jacket or looks great on its own.  The subtle gray tones and print in the sweater jacket provide endless possibilities. 

Outfit three is a wish--as in I wish I had a reason to purchase this beautiful dress. I think it would be perfect for a graduation, a shower, a day wedding or a great office dress.   I'm a huge fan of the shirt dress and this full-skirted, pale pink, three-quarter sleeved dress is a grand slam.  When trying it on in-store, I just used the belt and sandals I was wearing.  It can be worn belt-less as it comes; but because I just love a belt and what it does for my shape, I think a pale snake print in any width would look terrific.  This dress is a Miss, making it a bit long on my 5'2 frame.  If you want or need a longer dress, this one would be perfect for you.  We shorter girls might want to hem it a bit so that is doesn't hit in the largest part of our calf. The possibilities are endless!

What do you think?

Shoe Score

 

 

 

 

I've been jonesing for a pair of gold metallic pumps this spring or a cute pair of low (key word low, but not flat, not to be found) sandals.   Hadn't had much success until I spied these Cole Hahns at Saks Off Fifth during a shopping trip to the Hilton Head, SC outlets.  My wonderful older daughter gifted them to me. (She is fabulous!) 

 

A terrific height with the Cole Hahn Air Nike sole, they were comfortable right out of the box.  This is testament to the fact that good-looking foot wear can also be comfortable foot wear.

 

I love the way this top from Ann Taylor combines a number of current fashion trends in a totally lovely and office and age appropriate way.  The neutral, the perforation, the crop all done over a longer under layer.  Perfection!

 

Both the pumps and the top provide a layer of polish to my favorite boyfriend jeans that makes them lunch, dinner, event appropriate.  That's a win/win for me!

 

Outfit Details:  Top - Ann Taylor (currently on sale with an extra 40 percent off); Sweater - Loft (old, but if you need a cardigan any neutral one will do, the threads on the front of this include some metallic which provides the darker tone); Jeans - Old Navy (currently on sale); Pumps - Cole Hahn via Saks Off Fifth (not available online but I also love these which seem perfect for summer.

 

Have you found a new favorite wardrobe piece this spring?  Please share!

 

Channeling Audrey

Not too long ago someone on Facebook posted a copy of a Talbot's Collection Look Book from the Michael Smaldone days.  I think Michael is a creative genius and am only sorry he is no longer Creative Director of one of my go-to stores.

Anyway, looking at the contents of that collection reminded me that I had this skirt, this Pantone color of the year, lilac skirt.   In the Look Book it was paired with a white, collared blouse and worn with a wide black belt.  I loved the white blouse, nixed the black belt for this more summer- like jute one. Because it is on the long side, I tried it on with several different pair of shoes.

Just for fun, because it is sunny and warm and racing season (one of these days I'm going to attend the Kentucky Derby again, attending when you are two doesn't count for the bucket list), I threw on the hat the for the last look. 

I felt Audreyish and Lucyish (with out Ms. Ball's red hair, however) and very fifties.  Somehow, it reminded me of my mom.  And I loved it.

Hope you have a lovely Mother's Day Weekend, whether because you are one, because you have/had a great one, or both. 

Outfit Details - Skirt - Talbots (old from 2010); Blouse - Talbots (old); Belt - Chicos (old); Necklace - JCrew (summer 2013); Shoes I - French Connection via  Nordstrom; Shoes II - Talbots (old); Shoes III - Boutique Blowing Rock NC (summer 2013). 

Which shoes do you like best?

Finding Your Stripes

 

I can't seem to get enough stripes in my life.  I gravitate to them like a bee to honey.

I found this dress at Loft on sale with an additional percentage off.  They regularly run a percentage off of sale or current merchandise.  This dress is a heavier knit and the stripes in the middle darken creating a great hourglass look.

Black and white is on trend this season and it's a favorite of mine.  Here I've brightened it up with a pop of color and a floral kitten heel.  I added a narrow, gold braided belt and a gold necklace and I'm off to brunch, lunch, dinner or church.  Switch out the cardigan for a jacket and it's office or meeting appropriate.   

Details:  Dress - Loft; Cardigan - Talbots (this one is from earlier this year, but it's available on sale with an extra 30 percent off); Shoes - AK via Macy's (old, but you may like these I LOVE them); Belt & Necklace - Talbots (old).

Happy Hump Day, got weekend plans?