happy friday

I was feeling very "Pinterest inspired" in this outfit today. Inspired by my various pins, I'd been looking for a jacket like this for awhile.  I found it at Loft in the final hours of my trip to Kansas last week.  Ripped the tags off and wore it on the plane home.  Yay!

Outfit details:
jacket:  Loft
top:  Emmerson Fry
necklace:  Madewell
pants:  Jen 7 jeans via Nordstrom
shoes:  Clarks (old)

wrapped!

I got so excited when I found this wrap dress on the Banana Republic website that I bought it in two colors.  It was Black Friday weekend and we were looking for a skirt for Faith online.  I ended up buying this dress for myself, and even though it is a true wrap, which I love, it did not live up to my expectations (see this dress and this one --both wrap dresses that I love).  The Banana Republic dress is about two inches shorter than I'd like and the wrap is definitely not as generous as I'd like (although I do love the sleeves and the neckline).  So I'm basically pretty "meh" about it.  Dresses are super hard to find, so the search goes on!

Outfit details:
dress:  Banana Republic
leather jacket:  LL Bean Signature
boots:  very very old from J. Crew
watch:  Michael Kors

chambray + grey

The rain is over, but we are having a lovely bout of spring weather with highs in the 60's. I love it!  The weather bounces all over the place, constantly, but both this outfit and yesterday's are mostly made up of pieces from my "winter" capsule.  I haven't put it away yet as the weather has taken this dip and I love getting a bit more wear from these pieces before I store them.

I'm in love with this chambray top from J. Crew.  It was new this fall as part of my "Winter 14/15 Capsule."  I love it because it is a true chambray fabric, not a denim shirt, which I find to be harder to wear.  This fabric is soft and lightweight and even has some drape to it.

The grey jeans are the only item I kept from my one and only Stitch Fix box (last fall).  They are Level 99 jeans and they are pretty good but I constantly have to pull them up.  I need a jean that is more cinched in at the waist.  (BTW the reason I didn't continue with Stitch Fix is because I didn't feel like they really read my profile or responded to my requests.  And the timing was not right for me since I was just about to get into capsule wardrobes.)  I'd love to hear about your experience with Stitch Fix if you've tried it.

Outfit details:
chambray shirt:  J. Crew
grey jeans:  Level 99 via Stitch Fix
shoes:  Clarks
watch:  Michael Kors

alternate test post

Okay. so here is an alternate test post.  Better and brighter, right?  Even in the full sun.  Normally I'd be taking these much later in the afternoon and no full sun, so we'll see.  I do think I like this better.

Also, in breaking news, I decided to go with these flat sandals and clutch and the leather jacket from the previous post.

dress:  Sonnet James
clutch:  Madewell
sandals:  Sam Edelman
sunglasses:  Kate Spade

date night look with jacket

This is sort of a "test" post to see if I want to re-start my style blog.  The problem has always been that it's so difficult for me to get decent outfit photos.  I'm super non-photogenic, too.  (I trust that I look better in real life with movement and expressions and stuff).  Anyway, I'm still deeply interested in the topic of style and clothes.  Love it.

So, my new Sonnet James dresses arrived.  There's been a lot of discussion about the fabric used and weather or not it's flattering for those of us who are not XS.  For me, as long as the fabric is dark, lumps, bumps, and panty lines are not much of an issue.  In a lighter fabric, then yes, it's very much an issue.  I have their Stella dress and so far I have not been able to wear it due to the unflattering lines in the back, unfortunately.  (And I got it last year, so too late to return, I'd imagine).  Anyway, this is a very comfortable dress and I love the long lines and the v-neck and 3/4 sleeves.  I've paired it here with a heeled sandal for date night, but I'd wear this with a flat sandal for just going around on a Saturday, and I'm pretty sure this is what I'm going to wear on the plane next weekend when I go to visit Carrie.

Dress:  Sonnet James Marni dress
leather jacket:  LL Bean Signature
sandals:  old Clarks--this is a very easy to wear heel so these are classic for me--I've had them 5 years and counting!

What are you doing this weekend?  We are going to see McFarland USA and go out to dinner.

my last outfit post

This is post likely my last post on FaerieMB!  I'm still fascinated by the topic of pants fits and outfit formulas, but I'm no style blogger.  It's too hard trying to get pictures of myself!  Maybe I'll try again in the future, but I don't think so.

So in the time I've been doing this blog I've become

• more and more convinced of the skinny pant silhouette.  I've no idea how that happened but now I'm mostly a skinny pant person.  Weird!  I'm curious how long the trend will last.
• become more attracted to wearing neutrals and simple styles.
• embraced the magic of the cognac boot or shoe.  I love how they make an outfit pop!  The boots I'm wearing here are by Seychelle's and I bought them from Zapppos.  Love them!  A great purchase.

I'd love it if you leave me a comment about your favorite outfit formula lately.  And thanks so much for reading!!

pinspired

I was inspired by this photo on Pinterest to layer a black blazer over a denim vest.   I loved the look and I love that it is fallish enough now to wear this.

blazer:  Target
vest:  J. Crew
striped top:  Gap
pants:  Gap
mary jane's:  Clark's

What outfits have you been inspired by on Pinterest lately?

fall re-style

Just thought I'd share how I re-styled this dress for fall.  Last seen here.

Outfit details:
dress and belt:  Garnett Hill
tights:  Target
scarf:  gift from my mom
shoes:  Clark's

tuesday workwear

It has been so long since I've blogged that I feel a little rusty!  We had a 3 day weekend and just got back from Knott's Berry Farm late(ish) last night.  I threw this outfit together quickly this morning (I actually wore it last week too, so I knew I liked it).

These linen Talbot's pants have turned out to be real workhorses this fall season.  I'm wearing them much more now than I did in seasons past.  They just seem sort of dressy and work-y to me.  The top is one I purchased at Anthro over the summer, and I just broke it out last week.  I was waiting for fall weather to arrive.  I'm so happy with it, and plan to repeat this outfit quite a bit while the fall is still so warm.  And the clogs?  Those I bought for Faith over the summer (long story--originally I'd purchased some Swedish Hasbeens for her, which she loved, but the leather strap on those broke in the first week and we had to return them.  I got her these instead, but she didn't like them).  Aren't they cute?  I think they make the outfit.

I'm still doing a modified "capsule" wardrobe and I love it.  I love having fewer choices and it is interesting to see what I choose to have out and what I have no desire to wear (and stays packed up in trash bags in my studio).  I'll write more about this eventually.  I've had a lot of fun pondering my wardrobe, truth be told.

Outfit details:
pants:  Talbot's
top:  Anthro
clogs:  Lotta from Stockholm
watch:  Michael Kors
necklace:  thrifted

summer now, for real

It's starting to feel like summer now for real. It's heating up and I haven't dreamed about school in awhile (a good thing--I'm starting to relax).  Today I went out to lunch and shopping with my mom and my older kids.  Fun! 

Outfit details:
dress and belt:  Garnet Hill
wedges:  Clarkk's
bracelet:  Young Frankk, via Etsy
necklace:  Anthro

a few palm springs looks

Here are some of the looks I wore in Palm Springs last week. It was such a fun trip, you guys. I think we had perfect summer Palm Springs weather. The days were about 100 degrees and at night it dropped down into the 80's. Last year it was much hotter, more in the 105s, which makes a big difference.

I have found that Palm Springs calls for a very casual vibe and flat sandals and flip flops.  I wanted to get a pedicure before I left--I highly recommend it--but alas the timing did not work out.  Also recommended--bring a jean jacket for ice cold movie theaters and restaurants.

Look 1:  this black Gap dress is proving to be a summer staple.  I have it in grey too, but I find I'm wearing the black much more.  Sandals:  Gap; Bag: J. Crew; Belt: Anthro

Look 2:  dress and sandals:  Gap; bag:  J. Crew; necklace:  Garnet Hill

Look 2:  maxi skirt:  J. Crew; tank:  Target; cuff:  Etsy (Young Frankk); flip flops:  Rainbow, via J. Crew (on major sale last year).

on my birthday

Today is my birthday! Ken and the boys took me out to breakfast this morning, and this is what I wore. We went on vacation last week and hopefully I'll post some of my outfits from Palm Springs pretty soon (Ken was nice enough to snap from outfit photos on the iPhone).

So, I'm 48 today. I'm trying not to focus on my actual age so much as just make plans for health and vitality in the year to come. I'm definitely planning a "health week" this week to recover from vacation eating and set the right tone for summer.

Outfit details:
dress:  Gap
belt:  Garnet Hill
sweater: Gap
flats:  Clark's
bag:  J. Crew
necklace:  Laura Lombardi (via Pretty Mommy)
bracelet:  Mercedes Salazar (via Shop Bop)

tried and true

This dress is definitely an oldie but a goodie. Perhaps my favorite, longest wearing dress of all time. You can see me wearing in here in 2007! That is some longevity!

This dress cost a bit more--especially at the time--but I've worn it so many times over the years that the cost per wearing is actually very low.  And although it is showing a bit of wear now, it is still going strong.  Do you ever splurge on nicer pieces but wear them many times over the years?  That is how I want to shop more of the time.

Speaking of splurges, I'd love to go crazy and buy this dress. (It's way more than I would ever spend on a dress, but isn't it fun?)

Outfit details:
dress:  Ann Taylor
shoes:  Clark's
bracelet:  Etsy
necklace:  thrifted

PS--linking up with Passion for Fashion tomorrow!