Outfits Not Just Clothes

blazer/belt-Gap(similar here and more options here ), blouse/skirt-Banana Republic(similar here and here ), ring/bracelet- Jewel Mint , heels-Forever 21(similar here ), pearls-Gifted My mother gave me these pearls for Christmas, how classic, right?! So I went for an ultra ladylike outfit to showcase them. I got several compliments on this "dress" which is actually a blouse and skirt! Since both are from Banana (even though they were purchased, literally years apart) the colors match up perfectly, which is one advantage of pairing pieces from the same store--compatibility! I also think this is a great example of an outfit of neutrals being graphic and chic. Regular readers know I love bright color, but I also enjoy pairing black, beige, white, grey, navy,--any combination of these "workhorse" colors can be just as striking as a look of bold hues. 

I love that this piece has thumb holes!  The pink in this necklace is welcome break from all of the navy and teal going on.  cardi- Le Tote , blouse/pants-Gap(similar here and here ), loafers-Target(similar here ), necklace-Bauble Bar(similar here ), rings- Jewel Mint There's a lot of matchy-ness going on in this outfit. The stripes of the cardi and the seersucker of the pants call to each other, while the blouse and loafers are almost a dead match. Usually, I try to steer clear of matchy-matchy looks, but sometimes you can't keep certain pieces apart, especially when one is from the latest Le Tote and you're in desperate need of a cover-up to ward off chills from the blasting AC at work. That's just one scenario, of course. As for the rest of it, the combo of navy and teal feels very fresh and very spring, especially with seersucker. Is this the most professional look for work? No, it's runs a bit more preppy casual, but it's...

blouse / necklace - Le Tote , shorts-Uniqlo(more shorts here ), loafers- G. H. Bass , belt-Gap(similar here ), bracelet- Jewel Mint , sunnies-Ralph Lauren(similar here )  This combo of dark plaid and burgundy, with these loafers reminds me of the early season of Facts of Life , right? This outfit is definitely giving shout-outs to school uniforms, and these shorts will sing in fall paired with tights, boots, and a collared shirt/sweater combo. I'm picturing it now and salivating at the crisp fall style possibilities...  But, for the here and now it's summer and I need to get my shorts game up and running! My closet is overdue for both a good purge and a seasonal switch over, so that'll be my weekend.  And here's a pic of the FoL cast for comparison:

I got a call from one of my dear friends who lives in Denver while we were shooting, so I had to take it. This angle tells me it's time to address those roots!  Action Shot! jacket- Mikkat Market , dress- Style Mint , necklace-Need Supply(similar here ), sneakers- Converse , bracelet-J.Crew(more options here ), watch- Nixon via Urban Outfitters , bag- Le Tote As the post title says this is a great brunch outfit. Fun, sporty, and comfy - all essential elements for a successful, summertime brunch ensemble. Granted, I didn't really NEED the jacket, as it's full-on summer here in Pittsburgh, but it's not so hot that I was dying in it, and it's always a good idea to have a layer handy to combat blasting ACs. I love the combination of stripes with military-inspired outerwear, it feels very late-60's to me without being obnoxious/obvious.   Oh, and FYI said brunch was had at Ten Penny downtown, great coffee and the carrot ...

In this post I highlighted some recent online orders, and my ongoing quest for the perfect-for-me white blazer for this season.  I've also picked up a few more casual pieces: Old Navy Shirtdress Gap Tee-Shirt Dress True, these first two dress are similar in that both are striped, but I see the shirtdress as a breezy office option, while the oversized T-shirt number would be great for transitioning into fall.  Gap Midi Skirt I've experimented with midi skirts in the past, with unsuccessful results. This version, with its elasticized waistband I feel will be not only flattering, but also versatile in that I can play around with where it sits on my torso. Plus I love this color, so fresh!  Old Navy Denim Romper  Oh Rompers... I like the IDEA of rompers and jumpsuits, but it's a rare day that I'm able to pull one off IRL... I have high hopes for this number, I always have the option of returning it, which doesn't mean failure on my ...