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.

saturday walk downtown

Hello!  I wore this outfit when the boys and I walked downtown last Sunday.  It was still chilly last weekend (thus the light jacket) but next weekend it is supposed to be 99!!  So I guess we should have enjoyed the cooler weather while it lasted (secretly I don't like the overcast "May gray" weather we get every year).

After our little excursion downtown we stopped at the gas station and bought M&Ms and when we got home we mixed them with popcorn and watched Despicable Me.  Very fun mom and sons time.

jeans:  high-waisted Levis via Zappos (style 721)
top:  white tee from the Gap
jacket:  old, from the Gap
sandals:  random white Bass sandals from Zappos (last year; now I can't find Bass on Zappos anymore :(
bag: Madewell

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)

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

monday, monday

This dress is old, but I don't think I've shared it on this blog before.  I thrifted this dress in 2011, and I still love it.  Crazy, right?  But I love it because it

• has a true wrap
• is school colors for my current school
• has a flattering fit
• is wash and wear--seriously, just throw it in the wash
• comes down to my knee (a length that is surprisingly hard to find lately)
• reminds me of the 70's

What is  your favorite dress fit and length? 

dress:  thrifted

shoes:  Steve Madden 

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

dots

Dots today.  The weather keeps changing--today called for peeling off morning layers but it is very cold in the mornings. 

Outfit details:
blouse:  J. Crew
jeans:  Levis
shoes:  Dr. Scholl's
bag:  J. Crew

grey + mustard

Today I wore this grey + mustard combination.  The bright cardigan really perks this outfit up, which is actually very nice for a Monday.  I also like that this white top has a lacy overlay--it dresses up the corduroy pants a bit. 

What do you guys think about this pant silhouette (boot cut cords vs. skinny pants)?  I'm so curious to find the best pants shape. 

Outfit details:
mustard cardigan:  Target
grey cords:  J. Crew
white top:  J. Crew
"snakeskin" wedges:  Clark's
watch:  Michael Kors
necklace:  Anthro

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

weekend style

 Here is my "weekend style" from last Sunday.  To me, weekend style is helped immensely by the opportunity to layer.  Any style is, come to think of it.  We had a blast of fall weather over the weekend, and it was fun to wear a jacket to Sunday morning breakfast.

Outfit details:
jacket:  Gap
top:  J. Crew
jeans:  J. Crew
flats:  Frye
bracelet:  Mercedes Salazar
watch:  Michael Kors
necklace:  vintage, gift from Carrie
bag:  J. Crew

a work look for a tuesday

Here is what I wore to work today. I think I like these chambray pants from Anthro, but they sure do stretch out a lot--even though I sized down!  Actually, looking at these photos--and doing this blog in general--make me really curious about what is the most flattering work pant?  I hope to answer that question eventually.

Faith and I found this top while thrifting.  We both were dying over it.  She took it first, but she just can't handle any kind of gathers or puffed sleeves, so I ended up with it.  I love the bright embroidery on the front.

It is just cool enough in the mornings to layer on a light cardigan.  My office is warm so I end up peeling off layers daily (sadly), but it is fun to layer even briefly.

Outfit details:
pants:  Anthro
top:  thrifted Lucky brand
cardi:  Target
sandals:  Clark's

sleeves!

It cooled off a bit this week--it was cool enough for sleeves! I was so happy to wear this top for the first time since I bought it several weeks ago. 

I'm still liking these linen pants for a work look.  They don't photograph all that well, but they have cute pocket flaps on the back, and I do think there is something to be said for a work-y pant.  I feel put together and more professional in something like this, as opposed to jeans. 

I'm still very much embracing simple looks at the moment, with just a statement jewelery piece or two.  So easy!

top:  J. Crew
pants:  Talbots
heels:  Clark's
watch:  Michael Kors
necklace:  Laura Lombardi