Something New

{shirt: loft | pants: loft | necklace: bauble bar | clutch: dooney and bourke | shoes: target | sunnies: F21}

I think I'm in the market for something new. But not new clothes, which is surprising since this is predominately a fashion blog. Something new that is a bit more fulfilling. Don't get my wrong, I sure do love new clothes. But I also try to be reasonable with my purchases so that I can save money for things with more meaning- like travel and family. In fact, I've recently put my self on an unofficial 3 month shopping ban. (how's that for non-committal?). You see, I've got a big trip coming up at the end of June and for right now, I'd like to spend my money on my travels instead of on my wardrobe. Also, my closet is really full.  Sometimes it takes not buying anything new to realize what you already have.

 So why am I in the market for something new? Good question. I'd like to do something new with this little blog. New layout, new series, new content- but I haven't figured out just the right thing(s). So I'm putting it in writing. I will do something new. Maybe that will motivate me into some commitment!

Pleats and Stripes

{shirt: loft | skirt: loft (similar) | necklace: target | purse: target | shoes: payless | watch: michael kors} 

There is something about stripes that just make any outfit and easy outfit. Sometimes I think, "what should I pair with this?" and then I remember that it doesn't matter, because I am wearing stripes. With stripes, everything else just falls into place. 

Except today these stripes made me think everything was easy, and I forgot about the weather, and now my legs are cold. Go figure. Fortunately, I keep a Snuggie at my desk (no joke). It's blue and it matches my skirt. So maybe my stripe theory is back on!

the shirt dress.

{dress: Gap | jacket: h&m (similar) | clutch: dooney and bourke | shoes: shoe mint (similar)}

This is my first shirt dress. And even though I'm wearing it, I'm still not sure how I feel about shirt dresses.  Even though I've worn other dresses that are this length or shorter, there is something about the loose fit and shirt like feel that just occasionally startles me into thinking that I forgot my pants.. After a few seconds I remember that this is a dress and I am fully clothed in public. Phew. 

Do you wear shirt dresses? Am I alone in this feeling? 

The New Neutral

(shirt: loft | cardigan: old navy | pants: loft | shoes: banana | scarf: h&m}

A few days ago I told you about my love for pastels, and especially, these shoes. They are the perfect mint. And believe it or not, mint seems to go with just about everything. I think I'll start calling it "the new neutral".  

Ok, so this theory might not be so obvious from my outfit above, since it's only black,white, and mint. Sometimes my outfit and my thinking don't quite connect. But use your imagination, will ya? 

mint and pink? yep. 

mint and yellow? yep. 

mint and hunter green? yep. 

mint and light, medium, or dark blue? yep. 

You see my point? And, in case you were wondering, both my shoes and my shirt are in mint condition. (za-zing!)

Also, that last photo is my squinty face. I save it for special, sunny occasions. In case you were wondering... 

Floral. Stripes. Spring.

{shirt: nordstrom rack (similar) | skirt: old navy | bag: target (similar)}

When two of my favorite items meet, I know it's going to be good. Striped pencil skirt? Yes, please. Add in some floral and I'd say this outfit marks the first day of spring! (although you couldn't tell that by looking outside right now...it's pouring buckets in my town!).

Favorite Things

{sweater: old navy (similar) | pants: c/o ronen chen | bag: target | scarf: h&m}

If I had to make a list of my favorite things, purple would be on it. It’s my favorite color, which means if something is purple, there is a good chance that I’m going to like it. Unless it’s something I don’t like, in which case, the color purple won’t make a difference. I can only be swayed so far by color alone. But when it comes to purple, I’m happy to sway lighter and darker, like to lilac and aubergine. Which brings me to my actual point- that being my lilac sweater. Nothing in particular about the sweater, but just the fact that it’s lilac and I like it. 

I also like these pants and would like to thank Ronen Chen for sending them my way. They are the perfect material and billowy in all the right places for a modern, old-fashioned look. I know that sounds like an oxymoron, but somehow, it's possible. 

And that's enough nonsense for a Wednesday. I hope you are all having a great week and thanks for stopping by! 

Black and White Glamour

{shirt: old navy | pants: banana | clutch: F21 | shoes: payless | necklace: thrifted}

As you may know from this post, I've had black and white on the mind lately. It's so simple, yet it makes me feel glamorous. That, and the Oscar's. Nothing says glamour like wearing sweatpants while

watching beautiful people in beautiful gowns hand out gold statues. 

And I guess there were some beautiful suits thrown in the mix too. But as my niece says "why are the boys all wearing the same thing?" It reminds me of those embarrassing days in high schools when another girl had on the same outfit and we'd try to play it off like we wanted to be matching. Except our outfits weren't thousands of dollar suits. They were graphic tee shirts and jeans that were 3 sizes too big from the local mall. So I guess it's really not like the Oscar's at all. Either way, I think my niece was right. The girls have way more fun.

Pencil Skirts

{blouse: Jcrew factory | skirt: banana (similar) | scarf: h&m | shoes: payless}

In case you haven't noticed, let me tell you, that I'm a big fan of pencil skirts. In these winter months, tights are essential (at least in my climate) when wearing any type of skirt. And since I get dressed most days, and some of those days involve skirts, black tights have started to feel a little predictable. 

I haven't gotten too adventurous with my tight selection, but I am thinking about branching out. So I started with gray. A safe baby step away from black. When I wear colored tights, I like to think of the 2/3 rule. I try to match 2 out of 3- skirt, tights, shoes. Gray skirt, Gray tights, black shoes. 2 out of 3. Look out readers, I just snuck in a little math lesson. 

mirror, mirror.

{sweater vest: urban (thrifted) | turtle neck: h&m | pants you can't see: banana | iphone case: society 6}

It's been a rainy week here in PDX. (that's airport lingo for Portland). So rainy, that I haven't been able to take any outside photos. And if it's not rainy, it's either dark out or I am at work. The woes of a fashion blogger in January... 

Luckily, I snapped this photo in the bathroom mirror at work (my coworkers think I'm nuts) so that I could still show you my favorite thrifted sweater vest! If this weather keeps up, you might be seeing many more of these photos. Unless any bloggers out there have any tips for rainy day [month] outfit photos? 

Minty

{blazer: Express (similar) | tee: Jcrew | skirt: Jcrew | scarf: F21 | boots: Steven via DSW}

I'm thankful for Friday and four day work weeks. After taking a few weeks off to be with family, it's been an adjustment to join the working world again. But finding things to be thankful for always helps pull me through.  

 Oh, and I'm thankful for scarves. brrrr. We've been on a cold streak here in the NW. The kind of cold streak where I wear my down coat like a sweatshirt and only take it off for outfit photos. 

sweater collection

{cardigan: old navy (similar) | skirt: jcrew factory | snood: h&m | shoes: payless} 

I was feeling a little down when I could't find a purple sweater in my sweater collection. I thought, "what good is a blue skirt without a purple sweater?" That's when this cardigan stepped in to save the day. Buttoned up with a snood scarf on top, it might as well be a plain old sweater (with buttons). Look out sweaters, there's a new kid in town.