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.

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.

Give 'em the ole razzle dazzle

I am a big fan of Broadway musicals. And I expect no one reading this blog is shocked by this tidbit of information. It incorporates my favorite things: costumes and music.

That being said, today I was reminded of the song "Razzle Dazzle" from the show (and movie) "Chicago". In the movie, Richard Gere sang the song as defense attorney Billy Flynne. Basically, the song is about how the jury will get so caught up in his spectacular presentation, they won't care about guilt. Sample lyrics:

Give 'em the old razzle dazzle
Razzle Dazzle 'em
Give 'em an act with lots of flash in it
And the reaction will be passionate
Give 'em the old hocus pocus
Bead and feather 'em
How can they see with sequins in their eyes?

Today's Outfit:



Today at work, a lady commented that she liked my outfit. She went on to say that she has never seen me wearing the same thing twice. She assumed I had "a ton" of things in my closet and she would probably not live long enough to ever see me wear all of my clothes. I explained to her that I have, in fact, worn this outfit before, with the exception of the top. I wear this embroidered, cotton top on the weekends, with capris or shorts. It is casual, but I love the neckline so I wore it to the office.

Me on June 2nd:



I explained to her that I have very limited closet space and in all actuality limited clothing. I told her that I have been wearing and re-wearing a fair amount of the same pieces for 90 days, but in different ways. As I was explaining this to her, she stood there captivated, hanging on my every word. I could see her wheels turning. She was trying to recall outfits I had worn and piece it all together in her mind. "Well", she said, "you do a very good job at making it all seem new."

Of course, this is my point. This is the point of the blog and the business model for my wardrobe consultation company. You can create outfits that appear to be new using the existing pieces in your wardrobe. It just takes a bit of hocus pocus. Razzle Dazzle 'em and baby, you're a star!

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shirt: harve benard

skirt: Apt. 9

belt: Old Navy

shoes: Jessica Simpson