If I didn't have a plane, perhaps my sleeves could help me fly home

Somewhere between crazed and pissed off, there is this face:



Honestly people, I think I've forgotten how to do this. Is Barbizon still enrolling?

What can I say about today's ensemble? To be practical, since it was below 30 degrees today with, a windchill in the teens, I definitely aimed for warmth. In reality, since I never actually have to come in contact with fresh air (thanks to a strategic positioning of parking structures), I can pretend it is in the 50's and wear a skirt.

The story behind this sweater (and yes, there is always a story), is that one day last year my boss told me he need me to fly to Austin for the day to work on a project at a client's office. Sure, no problem. I happily hoped on the plane and earned some SWA rapid rewards. However, that "one day" turned into three days. So, rather than commute back and forth to Dallas, I decided to take advantage of being in my hometown. I drove my rental car as fast as I could to the local Target and set about figuring out how to wear the same black pants for another two days. Which was not hard to do, really. The tricky part was figuring out how to do "full face" makeup with a new tube of mascara, the pressed powder in my purse and borrowed eyeshadow from mom. Did you know you can't expense lipstick?!

To recap, this sweater was one I bought and wore with black pants...one day...a year ago...in Austin. And even with all the time I have had to consider it, I honestly don't know where the sleeve width starts and stops on this thing -- they are quite vast.

sweater: Mossimo
t-shirt: Mossimo (freak coincidence really)
skirt: Banana Republic
belt: Fashion Focus
boots: Calvin Klein
necklace: Cookie Lee

To quote Psychedelic Furs-- trying to be "Pretty in Pink"

And this is what happens when your staff photographer is busy and you try to use the self-timer without a proper tripod:



I've come to realize I look a bit crazed when I smile for no reason. But that is neither here nor there.

I was unable to capture myself from the knees down, but I can tell you that I wore gray tights and my gray platform heels with gunmetal embellishments. I once read that if you don't have -- or cannot afford -- a pair of boots, you can "easily mimic the look by wearing a skirt, tights and shoes in the same color." I personally think you'd have to be a moron to confuse tights/shoes for boots, but nonetheless, it does make for a nice long line (which I wish I could show you, but...)

I first fell in love with the sweater/shirt layered look when I was in Chicago. As you can see, I basically just swapped the blue sweater for a pink one and the black skirt for a gray one. I know it may seem odd to wear cotton candy pink in the dead of winter, but it is a wool sweater. Interestingly enough (or not) I got this sweater at my consignment store about four years ago. I remember it was four years ago, because I initially wore it with soft knit gaucho pants. [If that's not dated, I don't know what is.]

I have kept this sweater because it's in exceedingly great shape for being almost seven years old. And I know how old it is because the small tag on the side seam reads "HO/03" which translates to Holiday Season 2003. Most major chain stores put these little labels in their clothes. It's good to look for this tag so you know if what you are willing to pay full price for is actually "last season" -- think Elle Woods in "Legally Blonde."

blouse: Anne Klein
sweater: Gap
skirt: Ann Taylor Factory Outlet
necklace: Cookie Lee
earrings: New York & Co.

To quote Simple Minds -- Don't you forget about me

Hello dear friends! It has been so long since my last post, I seriously thought Blogspot would have locked me out of my account. But since they didn't jump on that opportunity when they had the chance, here I am...again. I want to thank those of you who have inquired / hounded me about my lack of posts. I appreciate knowing you enjoy reading these things. And though I do not believe in "New Year's Resolutions," I will resolve to try to post more often in 2010.

In the months since I last posted, I have compiled several "blog worthy" outfits, but for whatever reason they were never captured in a digital image and posted. I guess it would have behooved me to ask Santa for a tripod, but I can't dwell on that now. I just hope I can remember what conglomeration of things I threw on my body and thought "ooh, this is good" so I can wear them again and share them with you. I know one involved a leather skirt and I think I may have at one point layered cardigans.

Today's ensemble is brought to you by the expression: "Don't you look stylish?" It was not "Don't you look stylish." or "Don't you look stylish!" It was definitely, an inquiry -- "Don't you look stylish?" Inflection on the "don't." This of course makes me laugh (and over analyze). Submitted for your approval:




Sweater: Mossimo
Jacket: Hinge (with slight modifications)
Skirt: New York & Co.
Tights: Apt. 9
Shoes: Fabulosity by Kimora Lee Simmons (I know...I know.)
Necklace and Bracelet: New York and Co.

Can-can I wear ruffles? Yes!

I bought this wool skirt when it was 100 degrees outside. And I have patiently bided my time since August for the mercury to dip low enough for me to wear it.

When I stepped outside this morning, it was 50 degrees -- perfect! Not realizing the temperature would hit 70, I happily pulled on my tights, my awesome wool skirt, boots and sweater. Adding a wide belt for good measure (surprise, surprise) and I set off for the office. No sooner was I on the road heading east that the sun hit me through the windshield and I realized I had jumped the gun. Nonetheless, I sought refuge in my air conditioned office -- for once, grateful they kept temperature so chilly.

I really like this skirt. However, ruffles on one's lower half are not usually recommended -- unless you happen to be a can-can dancer.



But I figured since the ruffles were low on the skirt, I could pull it off. I don't think it added bulk, but rather provided balance with my cinched in in waist. If I saw this skirt on someone, I would chase them down the street to find out where they got it. So imagine my surprise when I walk into the office and hear -- and this is a direct quote -- "Oh. (pause) Ruffles. (pause) Cute."



Oh well, you can-can't please all of the people all of the time. But I can-can still love what I wear! And I really would love to wear this outfit again, but next time I'll make sure the high is 50 degrees. There's a reason sheeps get shaved in the summer -- wool is very warm.

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sweater: Ann Taylor
necklace: H&M
bracelet: Cookie Lee
belt: Fashion Focus
skirt: DKNY
boots: Calvin Klein

Shoes with a view

Today I awoke and readied myself for another busy day in Chicago. First order of business, Round Two at H&M, which just happens to be 3 blocks from where we are staying. The sun was finally out today. I decided to wear a skirt and my new boots -- which I had just bought last night.



I layered up with an H&M turtleneck (bought last year during a trip to Boston), a off-white Michael Kors jacket (another great consignment find) and a denim skirt. You can't tell in the photo, but I also rocked a pair of nude fishnets.

As I mentioned in my blog post the other day, Chicagoans are not big on color. There is a lot of black and gray here. Needless to say, my colorful outfits stick out like a sore thumb. But not trying to hide my not-from-around-here-ness, I proudly marched up Michigan Avenue to H&M. By the time I returned back to our bed and breakfast, I decided jeans would be a better idea.

Of course, this idea had nothing to do with the fact that I had bought the cutest tweed, plaid shoes at H&M that I thought would look adorable peeking out from jeans...well, maybe it had a little to do with it. But I think all shoes deserve equal and fair wear. It is just that some of them are lucky enough to view Chicago's glittering skyline on a beautiful, crisp Autumn day. Lucky shoes indeed.



And while Chicago may not dress like they do in Dallas, they still have one common thread -- they will comment on my shoes. The lady taking our tickets at the Aquarium said "I can't believe you are brave enough to wear those shoes walking around." As per my usual, I gave her a smile and explained, "this was nothing," and they were about "two inches shorter than what I usually wear." Even so, by the end of the day, which included a visit to the world's largest indoor aquarium, a walk to Buckingham Fountain and then the John Hancock Observation Deck and a final walk back to the B&B -- I must say, might feet were killing me! It is not often I say that, but they really were. On the upside, the postcard view with my cute new shoes is a great keepsake and now that I broke in my new shoes, next time won't be so bad.

Chicago - Take 2

One thing I learned from tromping across NYC awhile back, is that I cannot wear the same pair of shoes two days in a row. This is not a question of being fashionable, its simply a matter of giving my feet a break. And after yesterday's traipse across Chicago in my knee-high Calvin Klein boots, I needed to switch gears.

Since today's itinerary included a river boat architectural cruise, I opted for jeans instead of a skirt and tights. I wore my brown equestrian boots under the jeans for added warmth. I tried to tuck in, but the jeans were the wrong cut for tucking. Needless to say, when the rain came -- and it did come -- my jeans got soaked. We had to make a pit stop back to our B & B to refresh and dry off.



After a quick breather, we headed off to dinner and walked around, and around and around. Eventually ending up back at the river where we took the cruise tour. We then walked back north on Michigan Avenue -- the Mag Mile.

My first day in Chicago, I found a pair of boots I just loved. But the store did not have my size. Every time I saw the store I would go in and ask about the boots. Either they didn't have my size, or the color I wanted. While working our way back up the Mag Mile to our hotel, I stopped in a shoe store along the way. Jackpot! I snagged the size and color I wanted.

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sweater: Ann Taylor Loft
blazer: Banana Republic
jeans: Joe's Jeans, Muse cut
boots: Nine West

Look who just blew into town

Welcome to Dressing On The Side -- Chicago edition.

When I decided on an October vacation in Chicago, I was looking forward to the leaves changing on the trees, and sunny, crisp days shopping on Michigan Avenue -- otherwise known as the Magnificent Mile. However, I picked a rainy and cold week to visit. The wind is blowing the rain sideways and my hair is getting knotted and soaked. Nonetheless, I forge ahead.

Despite the not-so-ideal weather, I decided to put my best foot forward. So, for my first full day in town, I wore a ruffled, white button-up blouse under a cropped blue sweater paired with a black skirt, black tights and black boots. If nothing else, the boots kept my legs dry as we ventured out to The Field Museum where we saw "Sue" the largest and most complete T-Rex fossil ever found. We explored the Real Pirate Exhibit, where I was slightly shocked to realize I dressed a bit like a pirate myself. To quote Jerry Seinfeld from the puffy shirt episode: "I don't wanna be a pirate!"



I was grateful that I had the foresight to purchase a raincoat before I visited The Windy City. Although, I was slightly surprised to see that I (apparently) am the only one in Chicago with a bright pink raincoat. And it may explain some of the looks I got while riding the subway. I think my raincoat screams, "Howdy ya'll! I'm not from 'round here!"



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blouse: Nine West
sweater: Ann Taylor Loft
skirt: Banana Republic
boots: Calvin Klein
jacket: 23rd St.