sightseeing outfit 1 :: Solvang

We just returned from a very chill trip to Solvang.  The purpose of the trip was to attend the PCPA outdoor theater production of Shrek:  The Musical (which was excellent, by the way, although freezing outdoors at night).  Otherwise we were just enjoying the hotel pool and jacuzzi, eating delicious food, visiting the miniature pony farm, visiting Ostrich Land USA, and similar fun and low stress stuff.

Outfit details:
top w/ lacy overlay:  old, J. Crew
tailored shorts:  Loft (hard to tell here but they are very dark denim and sort of high waisted)
sandals:  Tevas
bag:  Good West Co.
sunglasses:  Oliver Peoples

The bag, shorts, sunglasses, and sandals are all new this year and I'm very happy with them.  As I mentioned before, I'm just starting a one year journey of not buying any new clothes, and at this point I'm feeling very well equipped for the year, although it will be interesting to see how my feelings evolve over the course twelve months  It just occurred to me that I jumped into this project without having found or purchased a trend I'm really interested in:  wide-legged pants.  Oops!  I wonder if I will still want them next year?  Or will I ask for them as a gift at Christmas?  We'll see.

flared!

These pants are 4 years old and maybe it's about time to retire them, but I do love a high waisted flare jean from time to time. I might just have to update them. (with these maybe?)  Do you wear high waisted?  Flares?

Outfit details:
high waisted jeans:  J. Brand (old)
top:  Loft
leather jacket:  LL Bean Signature
shoes:  Clarks (very very old)

highs in the 60's

It's always super exciting when we have a stretch of cool days--so many more wardrobe options and the opportunity for jackets (and, let's be real here--sleeves!).    I love this outfit for its shoes, its patterned belt, its dark wash skinnies, its classic white button-up, and of course for its chic trench.  Well, I guess that's all of it!  No wonder I'm such a fan.

In other news, I've lost a few pounds and already my pants are fitting better and I'm feeling better.

Outfit details:
jeans:  Gap Always Skinny
belt:  J. Crew
shirt:  Everlane
trench:  Forever 21
shoes:  Gentle Souls via Garnet Hill
thin bracelets:  Moulton (and rings, not pictured)

stripes and pants

Just a quick post tonight to show you my new work pants!  I had become distressed at the number of times per week I was wearing jeans to work, and I wanted to dress things up a bit.  So I picked these up at the Gap on my trip.  However, now that I look at these photos the pants look suspiciously like these old Talbot's pants!  (I don't have them any more.  I was hoping these were a little slimmer in the cut, but I see now that they are not really.  Oh well!  It's nice to mix things up a bit.)

Outfit details:
pants:  Gap "perfect trousers"
striped top:  Forever 21
leather jacket:  LL Bean Signature
shoes:  Clarks

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

so cal rainy day

We had a So Cal "rainy day" today, and by that I mean it rained for an hour and then stopped. Oh, but what a glorious hour it was!

This outfit is a perfect demonstration of a "high-low" mix, which I love.  The trench coat and striped top are from Forever 21 and they are just perfect for me.  The wooly sweater is from Peruvian Connection (I think it is actually alpaca, so soft and light and non-itchy).  It was definitely on the expensive side but I wear it constantly and I love it.  It's my go-to at every opportunity in winter.  The more I try to figure out shopping the more I realize the value in just going with what works for you.  These pieces are all very "me" and I'm super comfortable in them.  What is your current favorite go-to piece?

trench:  Forever 21
striped top:  Forever 21
alpaca pullover:  Peruvian Connection
grey corduroy pants:  Kut from the Kloth (via Nordstrom)
boots:  Clarks

throwback navy skirt

Here is a throwback look to a skirt I've had since 2012. I love this skirt but sadly it shrank in the wash recently and now the over layer is shorter than the lining.  I'm not digging it.  It looks like this skirt will be retired soon.  I'm pretty bereft about it.

I'm pretty sure I've worn this skirt on the blog before, and also here.  By the way, this little leather jacket is proving so fun to layer over skirts and dresses.  Im liking it much more than a jeans jacket!

skirt:  J. Crew (old)
top:  J. Crew (last year)
sandals:  Clarks (old)
jacket:  LL Bean Signature

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.

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?