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

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

chambray + stripes

This is a Sunday outfit. I wore this to take the boys to see Cinderella (loved it!!) and to play in the park and run into Barnes and Noble for a book (unbeknownst to me, I let Dieter buy a book that Ken had already ordered for him as a surprise.  Oops!).

I love this dress for a casual weekend look.  I probably wouldn't wear this to work (but who knows?  Maybe styled differently with a belt and not the chambray?).  This is another new Sonnet James dress.  I sized up in this one and ordered a medium (as a point of reference, my black dress in the previous post is a small).

dress:  Sonnet James
chambray top:  J. Crew (old!)
tote:  Madewell
clogs:  Swedish Hasbeens

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?

scarf + stripes

Happy Tuesday!  I am always so happy to make it through Tuesday of a normal week.  It is all downhill from here, right?  Sort of. 

I threw on this scarf as an afterthought while running out the door, but I ended up really liking it.  I aspire to be able to effortlessly wear scarves.  I love adding color and pattern but usually I'm not sure what to do with them.  Scarf + stripes inspiration here.

Regular scarf inspiration here, here, and here.

Outfit details:
pants:  Talbot's
top:  local boutique
scarf: Gap
shoes:  Clark's

thursday at last! day/evening

Thursday at last! It was a hectic week at work, but I don't know why I'm so very stressed and on edge.  Thank goodness we have a 4 day weekend.  I am SO ready for it. 

The top look is what I wore to work today--the world's easiest outfit.  I've worn this combination many times.  When I got home I changed into the shorts look and we went out for soft-serve ice cream, to kick-off the weekend.  Much needed. 

Outfit 1:
floral blouse:  Anthro
jeans:  J. Brand
necklace:  Francesca's
platforms:  LL Bean Signature

Outfit 2:
shorts:  LL Bean Signature
striped top:  Garnet Hill
cargo jacket:  Gap
bag:  J. Crew
slip-on sneakers:  Old Navy

easy monday

I know I've already worn this dress on the blog, but I love the idea of showing real daily outfits. I needed the world's easiest outfit today since I got in last night from my trip and it was bright and early back to work this morning.  Also, I was interested in styling this dress a little differently this time (the last time I posted this dress it came off as more "middle aged" than I had anticipated!).  I love a jean jacket for making a dress seem a little more textured and casual.  I changed out the belt and shoes too, and added a necklace with more color. 

What are you wearing this week?  It looks like it's going to be pretty warm here, so I'm going for dresses on some days and pants with sleeveless tops on the others.  I think dresses for work are the easiest thing out there.

Outfit details:
dress:  Lands' End
belt and necklace:  Anthro
wedges:  Clarks
denim jacket:  Old Navy
bracelet:  Etsy (Young Frankk shop)

happy {almost} weekend!

We made it through Thursday, you guys. Hooray!  I'm taking a "personal" hour tomorrow at work (leaving one hour early) and headed to Burbank to pick up my friend at the airport.  We're spending a "friends" weekend in Covina.  We go to Ikea and get mani-pedis.  It's our thing.  It's fun.

I paired this outfit with a black blazer in the morning, but it didn't get photographed, alas.  (I take pictures in the afternoon and was just too lazy to put it back on).  I like the silhouette of these skinny jeans much better with the longer top.  I'm thinking the longer tops are key with skinny pants.  Doing the new blog is teaching me stuff!

What are your plans this weekend?

Outfit details:
jeans:  Levis
striped top:  Gap
heels:  Clarks
necklace:  Laura Lombardi (via Pretty Mommy)
bracelet:  Etsy (Young Frankk)

chevrons!

The weather turned hot today, so I was glad to be wearing a summery dress at work. When I saw this dress in the store, I made a beeline for it. Love the lineny fabric and the pretty chevrons and the fitted waist. The fact that it has wide straps makes it super work appropriate too.  Like yesterday, I only wore the sweater a short time, but I feel it needs to be documented because this is how the outfit started its day.

Outfit details:
dress:  Lands' End
cardigan:  consignment shop
sandals:  Clarks
bracelet:  Etsy
chevron necklace:  Lisa Leonard Designs

trench coat look

This look is from last week when it was much colder and practically rained! (Exciting for Southern California. In truth, though, it only misted. Still exciting stuff). I should have photographed the outfit without the jacket. I was feeling pretty good about the trench layered over stripes. Sort of wish I'd bought a slimmer cut trench, but this was on major sale at Gap after Christmas and I pounced on it.

Outfit details:
mid-rise skinny jeans:  Levis
trench:  Gap
striped top:  Old Navy
wedges:  Clarks