Mako Blouse by Anna Sui + festival blue pencil skirt

Mako Blouse by Anna Sui:  Anthropologie, 2010
Double Serge wool No. 2 pencil skirt in festival blue:  J.Crew, here
Boots:  Ann Taylor (old)

We all have items in our closets that we love but that don't get nearly enough play, don't we?  This blouse is one of mine.  I adore it but rarely wear it because...well it's just kind of  blousey and difficult to style.  But it's such a perfect match for J.Crew's festival blue color that this outfit was a no-brainer.  Which is what I need for a Friday.  (Also see the lovely Molly of Anthromollogies rock this blouse here.)  I always feel like I should be going to a Mexican fiesta or something in this top.  Or maybe a folk dance.  Whatever.  I made it work for the corporate world, right? 

How do you make difficult to style items work for you?  Thanks for visiting!

J.Crew Lady Jacket in berry...delicious

Lady jacket in double serge wool (bright berry):  J.Crew, other colors here
Leigh dress:  J.Crew Factory, here
Bow heels:  Mojo Moxy (DSW)

Today is a crazy-busy work day which started with an early morning mass with my second-grader and kindergartener.  My second-grader read one of the petitions so of course I was so proud of him.  Going to their school mass is always such a peaceful, beautiful way to start the day. 

I love this lady jacket so much.  For around $70, it was a steal!  Typically I have to stay away from this style jacket at J.Crew, as they are normally too short on me.  But this one seemed to hit me at a decent length and looks fine with dresses.  Did you grab this at a steal?  This berry color is sold out but the spicy gold is really pretty too! 

Gotta run...thanks for stopping by!

Hacking jacket in turquoise + coral scarf

Hacking jacket in turquoise:  J.Crew, fall 2011. This year's version here
1035 pant in stretch wool, heather flannel:  J.Crew, fall 2011.  This year's version here
Pumps:  Vince Camuto
Cashmere scarf:  T.J. Maxx

So I have this love/hate relationship with winter coats.  I love how stylish they can be, but I hate how hot I get, with being in and out of my car and in and out of offices all day long.  So typically during the cold months, unless it's below freezing, snowing, or raining, I am much more likely to be wearing a wool blazer and scarf rather than an actual winter coat.  In fact, that was the big purchase I was considering making yesterday from J.Crew, a new winter coat.  But I just couldn't justify the need to spend more than $200 right now on a coat for myself when Christmas is right around the corner.  I am sure I will purchase a new one in the near future, but it's still just not cold enough for me! 

It's my second day this week in a turquoise/coral combo.  And amid all the black and gray coats you see all day long in Ohio, I definitely stood out. Here's a picture without the scarf, I wore my retro jade Tippi underneath.

Hmmm I could use a necklace but I wore the scarf for most of the day. 

Thank you for reading! 

Some old and new J.Crew: Chimera Jacket + retro jade cafe capris

Wool pleated-silk chimera jacket in dusty blossom:  J.Crew, fall 2009
Wool cafe capri in retro jade:  J.Crew, here
Silk leopard top:  Ann Taylor, 2011
Heels:  Joan & David

Happy Cyber Monday! Anyone get some good deals?  I'm still debating a big J.Crew purchase but I'm just not sure I'm ready to pull the trigger today.  I still have a few hours left to decide!  Wouldn't it be awesome though if J.Crew would have offered a really exciting deal, like 50% off the sale price?  I'm just not that excited by either J.Crew or Anthropologie's Black Friday/Cyber Monday deals. 

I'm loving these retro jade capris and especially how they paired with this older jacket from J.Crew.  I'm wearing a 6 Tall and they fit great, and don't seem to be stretching out as badly as the ones from last year .  As far as the jacket goes, the chimera has always been a favorite of mine.  For my working mom lifestyle, blazers and jackets make the best investment pieces. I wear them for years, and if they're good quality they last forever and hold a good resale value too.

Going back to the grind today after 5 days off was tough but yet a relief at the same time.  A relief in the fact that we were back on our regular schedule and I wasn't stuffing myself with food I don't normally eat.  I need to detox this week! 

Thanks for reading!

Schoolboy + Tippi + bubble featuring turqoise and coral

Schoolboy blazer in heather coral:  J.Crew, 2009
Tippi sweater in retro jade:  J.Crew, fall 2012 other colors here
Coral silk blouse:  J.Crew, 2010
Skinny jeans:  Banana Republic, 2010
Boots:  Coach, 2009
Handbag:  Kate Spade, summer 2012
Lil' Bubble necklace:  J.Crew Factory, other colors here
Sunglasses:  Coach, old

Although I'm sad to see Thanksgiving break coming to a close, I'm feeling pretty content right now as I sit here in front of the Christmas tree sipping a glass of Pinot Noir, writing this blog entry while the kids watch iCarly. (Hey, I'l take the 30 minutes of peace.)  We had a great day today, visitng the aquarium and eating at our favorite pizza place.  This picture was actually taken at Newport on the Levy in Kentucky, which is right across the Ohio River from Cincinnati.  It's a pretty view of the Queen City.

Coral and turquoise is my second fave color combo after pink and green.  It just feels fresh to me.  And really, where would we be without the Tippi sweater?  One of the best classics to come out of J.Crew, ever. I may not stop collecting them until I have every color in the rainbow. 

I did zip, zilch, zero Black Friday shopping.  Instead I slept in until 9:00 AM.  Because while there may have been deals to be had, beauty sleep is priceless once you hit your mid-thirties, ladies.

Thanks for visiting!

Updated: Plaid trousers 2 ways, my only thrifted closet item



Black ruffle neck cardigan and black silk cami:  J.Crew Factory, 2008

Plaid wool trousers: J.Crew, thrfted!

Bow pumps: Tahari

Chambray shirt:  Banana Republic, summer 2012
Plaid wool pants:  J.Crew, my only thrifted closet item!
Red wedges:  Me Too

 I think it's awesome when people can find amazing treasures at thrift stores.  But as much as I love a good bargain, I just don't get into thrift shopping.  I don't really have the time it takes to dig and find the good stuff.  However, I do have a dear friend that does a lot of thrifting, and she has found countless deals.  She even runs a little eBay business, selling much of what she finds at a great profit.  One day last spring she texted me a picture of these J.Crew plaid pants and said they looked like me.  She found them in a Goodwill in Cincinnati.  Of course I ran right over and bought them...I think they were $4.99, and in perfect condition.  I'd always wanted a bright pair of plaid pants, like these, but I didn't want to spend a lot because I knew I'd only wear them a couple times a year around the holidays.  So I was happy to find these!  They're great wool material, fully lined, and a size 6.  I had to take them to the tailor and have the hem let down, and now they're perfect on me.  I'm happy to see so many plaid pants at J.Crew and Factory right now, the trend, (which is actually more a classic), is still going strong.

I admit, it takes some guts to wear these babies.  At least for me.  And I struggled with what to pair with them to not look like a clown.  As you can see I tried them out two ways.  I like the black top better, but I first tried chambray, since that is the style answer to everything isn't it?   When I came down the stairs in this outfit, my husband started humming the Brady Bunch song and my 5 year old asked me why I was wearing pajama pants to go out.  Hmmm...not the biggest confidence booster.  But then I decided I didn't care...I love my plaid pants!  I wore them to go Christmas tree shopping (only real trees for us) and enjoyed every minute of it. 

Anyone know what year these may be from at J.Crew?  The fit is called "favorite fit."  I tried to find them online to no avail.

Thanks for stopping by!  Which way do you like these plaid pants? 

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Allie dress in aqua abstract floral:  J.Crew, summer 2012
Bubble necklace in kelly green:  J.Crew, fall 2012
Pumps:  Seychelles

Happy Thanksgiving to all my blog friends!  I am so thankful to be a part of such a wonderful, kind, inspiring community.  Blogging has given me so much more happiness than I ever expected, and I have loved "meeting" every single one of you!

This Allie dress has been quite a player in my fall wardrobe.  I ordered it in late September and have already worn it three times...the sign of a true winner for sure!  I changed it up with a bubble necklace (that you can hardly see!) and darker pumps for this gorgeous Thanksgiving Day...I don't remember a Thanksgiving EVER being this warm in Ohio. 

That's all I have time for today...I promise I will respond to yesterday's comments tomorrow!  As always, thank you for reading and have a wonderful Thanksgiving!!!