Work Out Anyone?

Can't speak for anyone beyond myself, but now that we have finally passed through winter (despite its attempts this week to haul us back), I've found it easier and actually felt motivated to up my workout schedule.

I needed some new gear.  And, again don't know about you, but I'm just too cheap to invest big bucks in garments to sweat in.  Most of my stuff, save my shoes (where I never skimp), comes from TJMax, Gap or Old Navy.  I try to shop the sales at the latter two.  

Picked up these pants and the jacket yesterday at Old Navy with a 35 percent discount.  (Thirty percent through today for non-cardholders.) Great bang for your buck.  Last year I scored the posted tee for $7 and it is one of my favorite shirts.  While I got two, I wish I had picked up six.  They, alas, are no longer available.

The pants have a mesh vent in the lower calf (not sure what it's for beyond looks) and run true to size.  Same for the fitted jacket which has those holes in the cuff to accommodate your thumbs (perhaps this is something that runners need?).  It, too, runs true-to-size and comes in a couple of colors. 

They offer a fitted, sleeved shirt of this 'wicking' fabric which I love, but which doesn't love me.  Cut too close for my frame, one size is too snug (every roll and crease emphazied) and the next too loose. 

If you've a need for some new active gear, I highly recommend checking Old Navy out.  I also do a fair amount of online purchasing there and find most of their reviews spot on. 

What are you doing to get active?

Outfit Details:  Jacket - Old Navy ; Tee - Old Navy - Old (new mesh tops are great colors but seem to run small); Pants - Old Navy (similar - these may be capris but mine hit more on my ankle as I have a 29 inch inseam).

Chiffon and Leather

Taking some 2014 trends for a test drive in this post.

I really like the look of leather, or as is the case in this jacket, faux leather, mixed with lace or some other feminine detail. 

So this Ann Taylor sheer-yoked top with the cotton lace collar provides that 'sweet' detail to soften the black leather moto jacket. 

This would work great with denim, but as it was a 'date' night, I dressed it up a bit with black ankle pants.  Love the way a nude pump lengthens my legs. 

The final touch was the high-low necklace look that I faked with two necklaces I already had.  Ear sparkle was provided by an ancient pair of skinny, dangle sparkly earrings.  (And I do mean ancient, I think one of the girls wore these to one of their proms.  Sometimes being a pseudo-hoarder is a GOOD thing!)

Outfit Details:  Jacket - Calvin Klein via Lord and Taylor on winter clearance in January; Top - Ann Taylor (love it in the blue/gray tone also); Pants - Calvin Klein via Lord and Taylor (January Clearance); Pumps - Michael Kors (old); Necklaces - Gifts (old).

Happy Wednesday.

Spring Review

So I can't speak for any of you, but we here in the DC area would like Spring to cease making these humming-bird like appearances, flitting in and out.  AND just. stay. put.

Here's a review of some pieces I've tried in the last several weeks.

Ah, the printed pant.  While I loved the size of the print and overall look of this printed Talbot pant, I disliked that the fabric had no give.  While standing they were fine,  but were uncomfortable when I sat down. As a bottom-heavy lady, I find a bit of stretch in narrow cut slacks and skirts helps them to fit, hang and wear comfortably.

I liked the sweater, it's on sale; but it's just a repeat, though in navy, of the no close sweater of previous seasons.  It's a good deal if you need to replace or refresh.  The white shirt is, IMHO, too thin.  I'm no fan of the see-through white button-down shirt.

I've really been drawn to Ann Taylor's early Spring offerings.  It's the navy, the blush, the black and white prints, the feminine details with a bit of edge, the list goes on.  AT is great about offering 40 percent off at least once a month.

The skirt/sweater combo was an overall hit.  If I wear skirts this short (and this is a missy) I need a tight or a younger, great pair of legs.(It's only available online, pants in the same print are available in-store.)  I might opt for this length in the height of summer, fat, saggy knees bedamned, but not at this time of year.  I loved the weight, color and makeup of the fabric. The sweater was a hit, though it may be sold out online.  Shoes and belt are from three years ago.

The Ann Taylor dress is an unusual knit, very light weight and, I suspect, very packable.  Thought the round collar was a nice detail as was the raised waist.  But this dress has soft, wide pleats.  While this works well on ladies with slimmer hips, and looks fine on me from the front, it doesn't look so great from the rear view.  The next size up might have solved the pleat-hang problem, but would have been too large through the waist and top.  I recommend it highly if you aren't hourglass or bottom heavy.

Talbot's has a 40 off one item currently and AT is doing 30 off tops.  But watch AT, there's likely to be an overall site/store discount in the next 10 days. 

Have a great weekend.

March Madness - Week in Review

It's been a crazy week, a big snow on Monday followed by crazy cold for the next three days.  On Friday, boom we reached a balmy 37 degrees.

I don't know about you, but during these last two plus months of snow and artic cold, my get-up-and-go, got-up-and-went.  I'm sure it's moved to a warm climate planning to return along with warmer temps.  Come back, come back, wherever your are!

I've been doing a short consulting gig a few days a week.   This round up is from Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.  All of these items have been featured before except for the camel skirt.  It's a bargain I snagged on sale from JJill after the first of the year.  My favorite JJill offerings are always their knits and this skirt is no exception.  A great weight and machine washable, a win-win.

I liked the navy outfit better without the belt, but added that look for interest.  Hope you are having a good day, sunny here at last. What are you wearing these days?

Oh the Weather Outside is Frightful

As you can see, we got about a foot of snow overnight and now are experiencing a drizzling icy/rain mix with more snow expected overnight.  Pretty hunkered down here in warm and comfy clothes, not worthy of a post.  But fashion is almost always on my mind and through the magic of power and the internet, I'm been doing a little virtual shopping of the President's Day sales.  I mean I can't go outside!

While my world may be covered in white, I'm thinking about how much I love camel as a neutral--camel with black and navy and red...  I was pretty happy when I landed a camel cashmere pullover from Talbots RH sale. But once this dreadful artic weather clears out and the darn snow melts and our weather returns to normal (Lord I hope it returns to normal after this) it will be too warm here to wear much cashmere.  So I want something to wear into spring. 

Navy, under-represented in my wardrobe, has finally returned and I love navy.  I am so excited that it has once again returned in a big way and I think Ann Taylor is showing some beautiful things. 

So after receiving an  Ann Taylor promotion, good throughout the weekend, I did some online shopping and landed three sweaters and two striped tees.  The promo is for 30 percent off full price and an extra 60 percent off sale, use code SHOPANN. I found some great items in the sale stuff. 

I snagged a beautiful camel sweater jacket, a zipped navy cardigan, two striped tees and a blush sweater that just called to me.

Here's what ended up in my cart: 

Sweater Jacket
Striped Tee
Sweater
Striped Tee
Sweater

We'll see what works when it arrives.  Snagged any bargains lately?

Perfectly Plaid

 

I'm not a fan of Punxsutawney Phil, he is, after all a rodent, but the dislike really intensifies when his annual prediction is for six more weeks of winter. 

So. Over. Winter.

I've pretty much snagged up all my winter bargains.  It appears as if I'll get plenty of wear from them over the next six weeks.

Nothing more comfy than leggings and plaid flannel.  Loved the colors in this Ralph Lauren plaid on markdown at Lord & Taylor.  Throw on a pair of boots, a scarf for warmth and it's good to go.

Outfit Details:  Shirt - Ralph Lauren via Lord & Taylor (Similar;) Tee - Lord & Taylor; Leggings - Hue via Macy's (old, Similar); Boots - Vince Camuto via Lord & Taylor (available here: Volero Wide Calf Boot); Scarf - Gift. 

Same Dress, Different Day(s)

Camel dress on day two.   

I love camel with black.  Throw in a little leopard for pattern and it may be, for me, outfit perfection. 

The  middle look exemplifies what a difference a shoe makes.  The cognac flat breaks up the leg line from knee to foot.  Not good, IMHO for a short-legged, curvy girl.  (I'm not sure why I appear shorter in the middle picture, the pumps are less than an inch high.) Swamping out the flats for a pair of black pumps adds a touch of height and elongates my leg.

The short faux leather jacket in the second outfit adds a bit of edge.

Outfit Details:  Left: Dress, Jacket, Belt, Scarf, Tights - Talbots (dress is sold out online, other pieces are old).
Middle:  Jacket - Lord & Taylor similar; Scarf - gift; Shoes - Michael Kors via Nordstrom.
Right: Pumps (old).

So which one gets your vote?