Monday, September 28, 2009

Find of the Weekend: Grey Luxe Top


The husband and I spent our Friday and Saturday nights in the quaint little town of Dahlonega, Georgia. I can't believe we are already celebrating our one year anniversary...

Anyway, I digress...

One find from this weekend was this Luxe top. The silky smooth purplish-grey blouse features deep under-the-arm holes, a lucite-jeweled neckline and a tie waist. I'm in love!

If you're in Dahlonega and have an itch to do some non-outlet mall shopping, hit up Dress Up Boutique (right off the square). The trendy shop is run by a dedicated, young husband/wife pair. The shop is stocked with tons of crave-worthy threads, most (or all) of which are under $100. My top was $31.

Should I wear this with jeans? Black leggings and platform gladiators? Black skinny jeans and boots? The possibilities are endless!

(More info on visiting Dahlonega in a forthcoming post!)

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Second Day of Work: A Little More Fun

My second day of work was a little more fun from both experience and attire perspectives. I'm starting to understand the personalities of my colleagues and better understand the business. And I wore open toe shoes and a belt to cinch my waist.

And did I mention my office is the temperature of a deep freezer? I had goosebumps under my two light sweaters.



  • Cream knit top: Christmas gift (Kohl's or somewhere)
  • Brown short-sleeve sweater: Mossimo via Target
  • Skirt: Banana Republic
  • Shoes: Bandolino via Ross
  • Belt: Liz Claiborne via Ross
  • Necklace: one of the five I bought from eBay last week
What's your business casual look? I need Stacy and Clinton!

Monday, September 21, 2009

First Day of Work (and a <$50 outfit post)


I had trouble falling asleep last night. And this morning TOTALLY felt like the first day of school. 

"What should I wear?" 
"Will these shoes give off a good first impression?" 
"Pants or skirt for the first day?" 
"I wonder how they feel about open toes..."


For my first day at the new (business casual) job, I finally settled on a new-ish black dress, low-heeled Mary Janes and black tights with a barely-visible argyle pattern. I intended to put on my shapes chain necklace but forgot (whoops). Maybe I was too distracted by how the torrential rain was going to ruin my rarely flat-ironed hair? (FYI: I am aware that this photo is terrible — I ran out of time for re-dos.)

I'm already itching to wear something a little more funky (but still totally appropriate and within dress code). Part of this feeling comes from seeing my new colleague Peggy's workplace attire for the second time. When I visited the office two weeks ago, she had on a totally approp bohemian-style dress with creams, teals and browns and fabulous costume jewelry. Today she had on a tiered black dress, black kitten heels with roses on the toes (they were much cuter/less kitsch then they sound) and a cluster of metal, lucite and faux gemstone costume jewelry. Business casual can be fun and professional, right?

Dress: Evan Picone via Ross ($17.99 on clearance)
Tights: Anne Klein ($7.99 for a pack of two - Ross)
Shoes: Kenneth Cole Reaction (gifted from sister because they were too small for her)
Total: $25.98 (would have been $39.98 if I hadn't forgotten the necklace...)

Now that I have a reason to get dressed every morning, I hope to be back to posting outfits semi-regularly.

Note to self: get a better camera. Either the user or the camera sucks with indoor photos. Question to self: why so shiny? ALL THE TIME?

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Interesting...


So, today FabSugar posted a photo of (and criticized...) Tinsley Mortimer (NY socialite). Her outfit looks familiar-ish...

I suppose I get docked style points?

Sunday, September 13, 2009

Funky Jewelry Love (eBay Seller Recommendation)

It was destined to happen. 

I started a little early Christmas shopping for my husband, four parents, 11 in-laws, four brothers, one sister, three step-brothers, three stepsisters and friends. Despite the big task at hand, I became distracted by wonderfully awesome eBay items that I want for myself!

I just bid on this delicious lot of FIVE vintage necklaces (current bid: $14.99 with free shipping!!!). 


(By the way, I'll reach through my computer and warmly smack any of you readers who may try and outbid me. She has plenty of other options — many with free shipping — so you shouldn't need to bid on the necklaces I'm eyeing.)

Here are just a few other intriguing items being offered by PowerSeller 44brendee (note: this seller has 100% positive feedback).

Glam charm bracelet: $8


Lot of four fab costume necklaces: $14.99


10 assorted pierced earrings (dangly, hoop, etc.) for $14.99

I'm reminded all over again why I heart eBay. Happy shopping, friends! 

Christian Siriano Spring 2010 Collection


I was such the Christian Siriano fan when he appeared on Project Runway a few seasons back. His "fierceness" was alluring, charming, fun, funky and confident. 

Siriano showed his Spring 2010 collection at Fashion Week this week. Advocates of Siriano's edgy, not-so-ready-to-wear looks won't be disappointed (a mock turtleneck catsuit?) — but I do feel he didn't take as many risks with this collection as he did with earlier ones. Regardless, it's fierce.

See a slideshow of the entire collection here.

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Wedding Attire

We went to a BEAUTIFUL wedding in Greenville, South Carolina this weekend. Our friends Marnie and Tom really went all out with the wedding location (a mountain chapel with great views), the reception (a hollowed-out old factory building with paper lanterns swinging from the rafters) and the details (coloring books for the kids and silly hats and mustaches for the kids — or adults — to play with).

I was a little perplexed about what to wear for this wedding. The ceremony was at 4:30pm and the reception at about 6. The weather was a very tolerable low 80's — and the wedding featured a sit-down dinner. I decided to take a little bit of a risk and wear a shorter magenta number ($42 at Deja Vu boutique in Panama City, FL), the elastic/patent belt I picked up in DC ($18) and some new-ish patent leather gladiator heels ($25 - Nine West via Ross). My legs felt a little more bare than usual, but it was fun to dress up in something a little more glamorous than my typical little black dress. My little clutch is from the Junior League's Nearly New store ($4). I'm still kicking myself for forgetting to put on some little shiny black earrings. Argh!

What would you wear to a 4:30 late Spring/early Fall wedding?

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Irony: New Suit

It's ironic that a post about not shopping is followed by, well, a post about... shopping.

I stopped by Ross this morning (note: my favorite Decatur/Atlanta Ross is the one inside North DeKalb Mall) to pick up a stool for our office. Since we re-staged the room, the original computer chair looked too bulky. I found a cherry-stained wood stool for $11.99. Score.

But, I couldn't help stopping by the women's clothes section. I mean, after all, a recent discussion with friends concluded with the decision that I need a suit. I have some mix and match black blazers, skirts and pants, but no suit. And I am job hunting. 

Since I was on a time crunch, I grabbed two suits in my size and brought them home with me. Oh, I and I snagged an Evan Picone cap-sleeve knit dress for $17.99. And a 3/4 sleeve, long flannel button-up shirt. Ahh!

I haven't tried on the other items yet, but the Anne Klein suit fits GREAT. It feels so durable, nice and tailored. You can't see it in the photos, but the jacket has a detailed collar with some rouching. The best part: The original tag says $320" for the two-piece suit... and Ross had it for $49.99. 

In other news, I am SOOO ready for my hair to be long again.