Double strand giraffe necklace + finely feathered tank

Finely feathered tank by Maeve:  Anthropologie, summer 2012
AG Stevie skinny jeans:  Anthropologie, fall 2011
Cece ballet flats in tortoise:  J.Crew, summer 2012
Double strand giraffe necklace:  J.Crew, summer 2012

Hope everyone is having a great weekend!  I wore this for a birthday party and then out to dinner with the kids and friends.  I think my giraffe necklace is going to pair well with a lot of my tops, so I'm happy I grabbed it before it sold out.  I had a lot of animals going on in this get-up...birds on the top, the giraffe on the necklace, tortoise shoes...hopefully it all worked together! 

I'm pretty worn out this morning and the kids are grumpy...a birthday party, dinner out, and then friends over at our house late was such a fun Saturday but I think we'll pay for it today!  Hope you're having a fun weekend too!  Thanks for stopping by...

Goodbye Lucille, it's been a great summer

Lucille dress in cotton-silk faille, succulent green: J.Crew, summer 2012
Ribboned rocket cardigan by Field of Flowers:  Anthropologie, winter 2012
Ashley bow ballet flat in royal blue:  Banana Republic, here
Bubble necklace in brilliant blue:  J.Crew, here

I really pushed my luck today with this too-summery outfit, as it never warmed up to where the weather folks promised it would be (thanks a lot, wrong weatherman) and I was pretty chilly all day.  Ah well, I am happy I was able to wear this Lucille one more time...this dress and the pink one were great summer staples for me. 

I seem to have an affinity for blue and green combinations.  Perhaps because those were my high school colors?  Or because it reminds me of the ocean, as I am a Pisces?  I'm not sure...but I love any shades of blue and green together. 

If you haven't tried the Ashley bow ballet flat at Banana Republic, give them a chance...they're so comfortable, come in a bunch of colors, and with the constant promos that Banana Republic runs, you can get them for a decent price. 

Happy Friday!  Thanks for reading!

Shrunken shawl cardigan, giraffe necklace, and lightening my load

Shrunken Shawl Cardigan in soft azalea:  J.Crew, winter 2008
Flair skirt in navy:  J.Crew, fall 2011
Silk cami:  J.Crew, fall 2010
Bow pumps:  Seychelles
Double stand giraffe necklace: J.Crew, fall 2012 (must have just sold out online!)

I went through my cedar chest full of sweaters last night (many of which I decided to sell...more on that in a minute) and found this adorable cashmere cardigan that I bought several years ago at J.Crew.  It is still in perfect condition: no pilling, no stretching, and it still looks new!  I was so happy to pair it with one of my favorites from last year:  The flair skirt.  Oh why didn't I buy more of these skirts when they went on sale?  It may not be as chic as a pencil skirt, but something in the way it swishes when I walk just makes me feel sassy. 

Anyway, back to the sweaters, and clothing in general:  I am really lightening my load this season.  This week, I consigned a whopping 86 items from my closet (and made a nice little chunk of  change, yay!).  Most of the items were older pieces, v-neck sweaters, old cardigans, and colors that didn't feel like "me" anymore, and I didn't think any of them would be of interest on Shop Colorful Corporate either.  So I hauled two large bins to the consignment shop, and I feel SO much better!  I literally feel lighter...like all the old clothing was weighing me down.  I would say in the past two years my shopping habits have changed pretty drastically.  Whereas before I was more about quantity, now I focus on having fewer, but nicer, items.  Pieces that I adore, and will wear, rather than a bunch of "stuff" that just sits there because I don't really love it.  I think that is why I have been loving J.Crew and Anthropologie so much in the past few years.  The clothing is so classic, and of high quality, but there's always some twist that makes them look modern and unique.

I wish this giraffe necklace was still online for you to see...it is so cute!  I will get a close up next time.  The muted colors are perfect for fall, and the little guy got a lot of compliments today!  One of the giraffes at the Cincinnati Zoo is about to have a baby, so it was perfect timing to wear this necklace!

What is your fashion concept:  Quantity or quality?  I'd love to hear your thoughts. Thanks so much for visiting! 

Girl's night featuring color block and bubble

Color block silk top: J.Crew, summer 2012
7 for All Mankind jeans:  Nordstrom (old!)
Red suede heels:  Banana Republic Man Men Collection:  Fall 2011
Bubble necklace in brilliant blue:  J.Crew, here
Grand Street Melinda Handbag:  Kate Spade, summer 2012

(NOTE before we start on this post:  I just posted a pair of Steve Madden Intyce boots in cognac leather on Shop Colorful Corporate for less than half of what they are currently retailing.  Take a look and let me know if you are interested!)

I had a girls' night last night but paid for it today my friends.  Two things I don't do much of during the week:  Eat pasta or drink wine.  Not because I don't want to, but because it makes me feel sluggish the next day, especially during my early morning workouts.  But last night I had both, at one of my favorite wine bars in town.  So yeah, I was dragging a bit today but a fun night with friends is always worth a little pain, right?

I know many of you didn't share my love for this color block top.  That's ok.  I love it still, and I think the blue bubble necklace is a great finishing touch.  I didn't mean to match my bag, but it looked so good with the outfit that I had to show you of course! 

Are you indulging in the 25% off  $150 promotion at J.Crew?  I have something special on hold at my local J.Crew, which I will be scurrying back for tomorrow.  Can I tell you how much I love all the sales associates who work at the Cincinnati J.Crew...if you're reading this girls, you are awesome! 

Thanks for visiting!

Tipped blazer and cafe capri in wool

Navy tipped blazer:  Banana Republic, spring 2012
Lace top: Banana Republic, spring 2012
Cafe capri in wool, bright dahlia:  J.Crew, winter 2012
Necklace, Anthropologie, summer 2012
Bow pumps:  Joan & David

It definitely felt like fall today, and I was excited to pull out some of my favorite pieces from last year to wear against the chill in the air.  Lately I have really been getting inspiration from my favorite bloggers.  I had to wear my tipped blazer after seeing Andrea in one over at Tweed and Toile.  How did I ever decide on what to wear before I followed fashion blogs? 

I bought this necklace at Anthropologie this week on sale for $39.99 but I can't find it online, it must be sold out.  It's a great chunky statement piece that matches so many items because it's so colorful.  Lately I've really been drawn to jewelry...and when I first started blogging I barely ever wore accessories.  I'm evolving!

Do you enjoy wearing fun statement jewelry?  (Hello bubble necklace!) Thanks for visiting!

No. 2 pencil in double serge wool, berry pink



Dots within blouse by Sariah:  Anthropologie, fall 2011
No. 2 pencil skirt in double serge wool, berry pink:  J.Crew, here
Bow pumps:  Mojo Moxy, DSW, fall 2011
Giraffe enamel bracelet:  J.Crew, summer 2012

Another Monday, made better by bright colors and my favorite combo, pink and green!  I must admit, I did have some inspiration with this outfit.  I love Lisa's pink and green outfit here don't you?  It's just such a pretty pairing, pink and green.  I knew I wanted to do my own version for work!

Again a note on sizing, if you didn't see it before:  this pencil skirt is the regular length and I am 5'10".  It hits me right at mid-knee so unless you are taller than 5'10", or you like your pencil skirts to hit at more of a midi length, I think the regular length should fit most ladies just fine.  I know there was a lot of grumbling about how this year's No. 2 pencil skirts in double serge wool don't seem as thick as in years past.  I don't disagree, but I still believe that they are the nicest skirts being offered at any of the major retailers right now.  And at the special price of $98, espeically if you can catch them with an additional 30% off promo, they are not too bad in price.  What can I say?  You know I drink too much of the Crew-lade.

Thank you for all of your kind comments about our family pictures!  I really appreciate all of the nice words!  You ladies are the BEST!  Thanks for visiting!

Toothpick ankle jeans in garment dyed twill + chambray + bubble

Linen-cotton chambray shirt: Banana Republic, summer 2012
Toothpick ankle jean in garment dyed twill:  J.Crew, summer 2012, other colors here
Bubble necklace in kelly green:  J.Crew, here
Cece ballet flat in tortoise:  J.Crew, summer 2012

I was super excited when I ordered this green jeans on popback for $49.99 (these are a 28 Tall for reference) a couple months ago.  But when I received them and tried them on, the first thing I thought was that I looked just like Will Ferrell in Elf.  All I could see were really long, green elf legs.  So I folded them and put them in my jeans stack, unsure if I'd ever wear them, and unable to return them as they were final sale.  But when when I went to Old Navy the other day to pick up some clothes for my boys, one of their ads featured a woman wearing green jeans and a chambray shirt.  It looked so fresh and preppy that I immediately decided to copy the look.  I wore this for a casual dinner out with friends and kids last night, and I loved how it turned out, elf legs and all.  It's like I had to build up my bravery to wear them, and now I love them!

Tell me, do you ever have to work up courage to wear a bold clothing item in your closet?
Thank for visiting!