Buffalo plaid bargain

Buffalo plaid belted wool blend coat (size small):  Banana Republic, here
Tropical weight wool pants (size 6 Tall):  Limited Luxe, 2009
Booties:  Enzo Angiolini
Scarf:  Nordstrom Rack

There are few things I love more in life than a great bargain.  I get it from my mom.  It's just such a rush to find an awesome deal, isn't it?  When I was rushing around on Saturday, looking for a black wrap for our dressy event, I popped into Banana Republic.  I had admired this coat for months but since I had already purchased both the metro coat and the slim trench from J.Crew this year, I couldn't justify it. That is until I found one lone one on the sale rack, in my size, marked to 74.97 + an additional 40% off.  Seriously?  I bought this coat, originally priced at $250, for around $45.00.  It made my day!  It feels so soft and cozy too, I was comfortable all day today in the 30 degree weather wearing it.  Also see it on Andrea, one of my fave bloggers, at Tweed and Toile. 

Hope you're having a great Monday!  Thanks for visiting.

Cocktail attire featuring Lilly Pulitzer

Portia dress in cameo white stroke of midnight (size 6): Lilly Pulitzer, here
Oscar pumps in black patent leather:  Jessica Simpson (DSW)
Rose gold leather clutch : Marc Jacobs for Target, holiday 2012
Black wrap:  Nordstrom Rack

Hi there!  How was your weekend?  Last night we had a dressy event, a "gala" which is a fundraising effort for our parish and school.  The attire really run the gamut for the gala, but for the most part women wear cocktail dresses.  I ordered this Lilly dress from Saks Fifth Avenue for a really great price...I think it was marked from $278 to $111.  It was part of Lilly's holiday line, but I started totally overthinking and stressing about wearing it.  First, it's "winter white" with a gold sheen, and I worried that people wouldn't realize it was a winter dress.  Second, it's a lot "skimpier," of a dress than I normally wear.  Low scoop in the front and back and rather short.  And third, it is FREEZING here right now and I agonized over tights or no tights?  My mom, who is totally old school, completely balked when I mentioned wearing black tights.  Tights to her read casual, and I kind of agree.  Also, I really don't like to wear tights other than for work.  So long story short, I totally over-thought the entire outfit and drove myself crazy!  At the last minute I ran to Nordstrom Rack and picked up this inexpensive black wrap as a way to "winter-ize" the dress more, and it made me much more comfortable.  In the end I really enjoyed wearing this cocktail dress, and I hope to wear it again for a dressy event. Here is a close up of the pretty neckline:

I love all the black jewels adorning the scoopneck, making a necklace unnecessary.  I absolutely love Lilly Pulitzer for day dresses and evening dresses! 

Thanks for visiting!

Polka dot poppy cashmere for Wear Red Day

Collection polka dot cashmere sweater (size small):  J.Crew, fall 2012 (check for popbacks)
AG Stevie skinny jeans (size 28):  Anthropologie, fall 2011
Plaid cashmere scarf:  Burberry, old
Lynnea boots in suede:  Ugg

Friday, I thought you'd never be here.  I took the day off as it's been a long, stressful week with my husband traveling (he arrived home last night) and me working and taking care of the boys. It was so nice to have the day off to catch up on laundry, go to lunch with my husband and littlest boy, and just relax.  I bought this sweater on popback in December because I am an apparent cashmere hoarder and decided I needed a third polka dot cashmere sweater.  I'm almost embarassed to admit that but honestly, I've enjoyed both the green/navy combo and the camel/gray version so much, I knew I'd love the poppy one too. I didn't wear it over the holidays, choosing to save it to have something fun to look forward to wearing during the gray, gloomy days of winter.  What better day to wear it than Wear Red Day in honor of Go Red for Women?  Did you wear red today?

I bought this Burberry scarf for my husband one Christmas years ago...seriously it might have been nine or ten years ago.  He wears it when he wears his dressy blackovercoat, which is not very often.  I think I "borrow" it to wear way more than he does.  All these years later it still looks fantastic...I'll have to look into more "gifts" to give my husband that I can use too!

Hope you have a fantastic weekend!  Thank you for stopping by!

New black suit by Ann Taylor

Tropical wool Rosmonde jacket in black (size 6):   Ann Taylor, here
Tropical wool Clairette pencil skirt in black (size 6 Tall):  Ann Taylor, here
Non-iron fitted shirt (size 6): Banana Republic

Apologies for the unexpected lack of posts this week.  My husband is out of town and I've had an incredibly busy week at work and absolutely no time for anything else except taking care of the kids.  My mom has been a huge help but still...to all the single moms out there, you have my utmost respect.  It is VERY difficult to parent alone.  I'm completely exhausted and it's only Wednesday.

I had a very important day at work so I wore my new suit that I bought for a steal at Ann Taylor.  The jacket and skirt were a total of about $95, which I think is fantastic for a tropical weight wool suit I can wear for all but the hottest of seasons.  The jacket has the slightest peplum flair in the back, a little detail that I love.

I find that as much as I love color, when I'm wearing a full-on suit it has to be black, gray or navy...any other color and I'm feeling more Golden Girl than Working Girl.  Is that just me? 

Sorry for the blurry picture.  It was taken at 6:30 AM by my 7 year old son.   Now we're all off to bed.  Thanks for reading!

Striped tippi + bubble in pink

Striped tippi (size small): J.Crew, fall 2012
Silk peter pan collar top (size 4):  J.Crew, 2010
Skinny jeans (size 6 Long) Banana Republic, 2009
Boots:  Coach, 2009
Bubble necklace & earrings in neon azalea:  J.Crew, summer 2012

Sunday evening once again!  The weekends just fly by around here.  We had a birthday party for my middle son who is turning 6 today, and here is what I wore.  We went to one of those places with a bunch of huge bouncy castles where the kids ran around like maniacs for 2 hours, and I felt way overdressed.  Apparently 90% of the general population believes that putting on clothing other than huge hoodies and sweatpants is too much work. Why I ask you?   It can't be good for one's state of mind to dress like that and be seen in public.  I witnessed firsthand today what Stacy and Clinton call the "pajamafication of America."  Anyway, don't worry... I didn't feel bad or out of place, even though I was overdressed.  What would make me feel bad?  Schlepping around in  sweats and gym shoes all the time.

What are your thoughts on the pamajafication of America?

J.Crew Factory banded shift dress in viridian green

Banded shift dress in viridian green (size 6):  J.Crew Factory, fall 2012
Intyce boots in black leather:  Steve Madden
Necklace:  Anthropologie, fall 2012

Happy Friday!  It's freezing and gloomy here but this pretty dress kept me warm and colorful today.  I bought this on a totally impulsive whim a couple weeks ago when the Factory website was offering an additional 40% off.  It looks a little rumpled now because this picture was taken at the end of the day, but it really is a nice piece.  I've been really happy with my Factory purchases lately, and with the additional percentage off I paid around $45 for it.  It is a wool blend but that's ok...the material still feels nice. I love the thick band around the waist...very flattering.  Also see Blondie, Esquire looking very cute in it here!

Hope everyone has a healthy and fun weekend!

Giant bow sweater + festival blue + metro coat

Giant bow sweater (size small):  J.Crew, fall 2012
Wool No. 2 pencil skirt in festival blue (size 6):  J.Crew, fall 2012
Heels:  Jones New York (DSW)

I wore this sweater casually with jeans here and loved it.  Today I wanted to give it a try with a pencil skirt for work.  A simple sweater and skirt combo is really kicked up a knotch with the fun bow and leopard shoes, which are low enough to run around painlessly all day.  Sadly most people didn't see my cute bow sweater though, as most of my day was spent in my coat: 

Double cloth metro coat with Thinsulate in vintage berry (size 6 Tall) : 
J.Crew, limited sizes here
Wool plaid scarf in fuschia/green:  J.Crew, fall 2012

I was on the fence about this coat when I first purchased it, and now I can't believe I ever questioned it.  I love it!  The color, shape, length...love it all.  I do wish it had functional pockets though.  J.Crew, what's up with these useless flaps?  Fortunately I loved the coat enough to overlook this feature...but I know pockets or lack thereof can be a deal breaker for some girls.

Thanks for reading!  For a fun post about dressing warm and stylish, check out one of my favorite bloggers, Tasia, over at Ruffles and Sequins.