In the Heat of the Night

This is how you know you're desperate for pics.  The fiance, the kid and I had just finished eating dinner  when I remembered that I needed my picture taken.  So just before jumping in the car,  I begged he politely offered to snap a few pics.  Mind you, we were in middle of the parking at a local restaurant with people watching.  This is the best we could do - between the laughter, shaky hands (see last picture), and my daughter begging me to turn on the car so she could watch The Princess and the Frog! I stuck to my favorite uniform - tunic and leggings.  I knew I was going to have a long day (work then taking my girl to her 2 hr dance class, so comfort was my top priority.  I jazzed it up a little with the leopard  egg necklace & flats.  

Tunic:  H&M, Leggings:  Loft, Flats:  Nine West, Necklace:  TJ Maxx

I was going to discard this picture along with the other duds, but I'm digging the Ghostbuster-esque feel of this pic!  This wonderful effect is what happens when you laugh and try to take a pic @ the same time.

Simple

How's this for short and sweet:  This is what I wore one day last week.  It took no effort or imagination.  I'm totally OK with that.  See….simple.

Top:  Loft, Jeans: Wrangler, Peep toes:  Aerosoles

Honorable Mention

I am a big fan of pattern mixing.  But I noticed that I've mainly stuck to stripes and polka dots.  I don't know if this is because I seem to buy a lot of these two patterns, or if that's my way of playing it safe.  Either way, I bring you yet another installment of stripes & pokey-dots!  Do the ruffles on my blouse count as another "pattern"?  How about my Mother's kickin azaleas?  Can I get an honorable mention for the floral print?  

Blouse:  Loft, Jeans:  Gap, Pumps:  Nine West, Flowers:  God

Green, green & mo' green

After looking at these, I realized that I was wearing nearly every shade of green possible.  My necklace, earrings, cardi, tank and  bracelet were all shades of green.  I meant to blend the shades, and I was well aware of the green pieces.  But I didn't realize just how much green I was wearing!  Oh well, that day is   over and no one (that I know of) pointed and laughed at me.  So we'll chalk this one up to a lesson learned: less really is more.

Cardi: J Crew, Tank & Jeggings:  TJ Maxx, Necklace & Bracelet:  NY & Co, Flats:  Bandolino

Raspberry & Flowers

Every once in a while I'm too busy to iron on the weekends and have to come up with somethign to wear on the fly.  When those days come around, I'm so thankful that Loft specializes in matchy-matchy items.  I think I bought this sweater and tank last year at one of the outlets.  But it sure came in handy.  The bonus is that I didn't iron it…I just shook 'em out and kept it moving.

Cardi & Tank:  Loft, Jeans:  Wrangler, Shoes:  Nine West, Necklace & Earrings:  Dillards

Recycling

Funny story about this outfit…I actually almost wore it to take my bestie out for her birthday a couple of weeks ago.  But when I laid it out, I thought it was not really going-out material, but would be perfect for work.  So I pulled out something a little more appropriate for an evening out (which we forgot to take pictures of), and now I've recycled this one for a work day.  Hey!  I've gone green - and not just my jacket.  

Blazer & Jeans: Loft, Tank:  Talbots, Pumps:  DSW

The Patriot

Normally I shy away from wearing red, white & blue together.  I've always thought it was too predictable and safe.  Not to mention there's always a little old lady wearing some form of seersucker-meets a flag-meets an apple-meets her grandkids names in those same colors.  But on this day, I put all those thoughts aside and deliberately pulled together this patriotic get-up.  And surprisingly, I like it.  Now if I can just find a patch with my kid's name on it to sew on this jacket…..

Blazer:  Nautica, Tank:  F21, Jeans:  Gap, Shoes:  Enzo Angiolini

Copy Cat

This outfit is a shameless copy of one of my favorite bloggers.  Tania of What Would a Nerd Wear posted almost this exact same outfit back in Sept 2011.  I actually copied borrowed her style idea before I started my own blog, but I love it so much I had to repeat it.  Normally I would not have pictured these items together, but the trio of neutrals work so well together.  Now back in the day being a copycat was almost as bad as being a tattler…now it's just plain smart.

Jacket:  Gap, Dress:  Loft, Boots:  Jessica Simpson, Boot sox: Macy's, Belt:  F21

Sunny Side Up

After complaining about the lack of Winter, I have given in to the warm weather and am embracing Spring.  What better way to celebrate the start of my fav season than wearing my sunny cardi and equally canary shoes!  And can I just gush about this shirt?!  I was a little hesitant to jump on the ikat bandwagon, but this halter makes me so glad I did.  I found it online at Ann Taylor at the end of last summer, for a super great price.  Tara of Mix and Match fashion wore this version of an Ann Taylor ikat blouse in a February post, and I'm really digging the purple tone.  I think this was the perfect way to say "Hola Beautiful Spring & Adios Boring Winter!"

Cardi & Crops:  Loft, Halter:  Ann Taylor, Shoes:  Nine West

Bonus:  this is what I wore on the day Mr. D proposed. Awww!

Sporty McSportson

Every once in a while I say to heck with "real clothes" and dress the way I really want to.  Obviously, this OOTD post represents one of those moods.  The cool part is that this is totally acceptable in my office!  To jazz things up a little, I added my yellow-laced Pumas.  I don't get to wear these very often so whenever I can tie in that bright yellow color, I go for it.

I wish I had some fantastic story about playing a sport or doing something cool to injure my wrist.  But sadly I don't.  I did a rather poorly executed cartwheel about 2 years ago and strained some tendons in my wrist, so from time-to-time the tendonitis flares up and I have to wear this lovely brace.  But if anyone asks, I was playing field hockey and nearly broke my wrist on some chick's face!

Tee:  F21, Jeans:  Wrangler, Kicks:  Puma via DSW, Wrist Brace: Orthopedic Office

Adult S.M.O.D.

OK, who wants to sign my petition for Adult S.M.O.D. (Standard Mode of Dress)?  The kiddies who have to wear uniforms to school have it made.  Khaki bottoms, primary color shirt, decent shoes….shoot, sign me up!  But if I could just tweak that a little and make a tunic and jeggings/skinnies and riding boots the standard, I would be a happy camper.  Um maybe not a camper, they wear those ug-lee shorts pulled up to their pits and button down shirts.  I'll settle for this to be my S.M.O.D.

Tunic:  J Crew, Skinnies: TJ Maxx, Boots:  Jessica Simpson via Dillards

*SN: I was too lazy to change my cami after I realized it was showing under my shirt.  So let's consider this to be accidental on purpose.

Farewell Tour

I think I wore this outfit about 2 weeks ago…on one of the last chilly days of March.  As everyone knows, the winter was eerily warm, which made dressing for the season a little challenging.  This ruffled vest is one of my fav pieces.  I'm not sure why, but I love wearing it.  I hope think it's slenderizing so that's always a big plus.  But, since the temps are determined to stay in the 70s, I guess I"ll retire my old friend to the winter section of the closet.  Farewell vest, cords and ankle boots.  I'll see you again around October (I hope).

Vest:  TJ Maxx, Tee:  Gap, Cords:  J Crew, Boots: Nine West

It's a Wrap

This is one of those outfits that I was so excited to wear, but was so disappointed once I had it on.  Last year I wanted one of these Victoria Secret's Wrap sweaters, but I didn't want to pay full price for it.  So late in the year, I found this one on clearance on their website.  Even though this thing comes with directions on how to wear it, I CANNOT get it right!  No matter how I wear it, I feel goofy.  If I wear it  loose, I feel like a superhero; if I wear it wrapped over one shoulder I feel like a show-off, and I can't for the life of me master tying this sucka!  I don't know if I'll wear it again, at least not for a while.  So yes, it's a wrap cardigan, but it's also a wrap for this cardigan.  (I'm so clever.)

Sweater:  Victoria Secret, Shirt & Necklace:  Loft, Jeans:  Wrangler, Boots:  Enzo Angiolini

He Put a Ring On It!

Instead of an OOTD post, I have to share something with you all...  Lately, the BF and I have been talking about the M-word.  Remember this hint post? So last night, we attended a local Bridal Show. You know, just to get business cards from vendors and get some ideas.  Not to mention a free meal! (Yes, we're those people who go to Sam's Club & BJs on the weekends to eat the free samples.)  Anyhoo, after walking around for a while, he pulled me into a photo booth and we took a few goofy pics - which I will not post because we got caught in the rain and my hair was jacked!  Then he asked if I would marry him...I was like, uh yeah - that's why we're here.  But then he got all serious and got down on one knee in the booth and asked again!  (insert Awwws here).  So dumb me, says "Yes baby, but where's my ring?"  And he pulled the box out of his pocket and said, "It's right here baby." (insert more Awwws & a few tears here)  So throughout all this, the camera in the booth is taking pics and we actually got the best parts of the proposal captured.  How cool is that?!  Anyway, below are a couple pics of my ring, Isabella (yes I named her).  

And the sweetest part of all...yesterday was National Proposal Day (which I casually mentioned to him), but he already knew it and had planned the proposal all along.  He is the sweetest guy ever.  I love you Mr. D!

Hot Date Pt 2

"What does one wear on a date with their 5 y/o daughter?"

That was the question I asked myself for several days leading up to our girls' night out.  I finally decided to go with something that I could get away with at work, while still looking kinda cool.  This is actually a replica of an outfit that I wore to a birthday party for one of my friend's mother.  I love the look of the leggings inside my high-heeled leather boots.  I'm pretty sure this bubble tunic is supposed to be a dress since I bought it from the Juniors' dept., but I'm way too tall and old mature to wear a dress that short.  The grey blazer is also a Jr dept. find.  So what have we learned?  That you can do Mommy duty and still look chic?  Nope.  We've learned that I unashamedly shop alongside pre-teens and will soon probably wear my daughter's clothes.  That's all….class dismissed.

Blazer:  Dillards (Jr Dept), Tunic & Leggings:  TJ Maxx (Jr Dept), Boots:  Nine West via TJ Maxx, Necklace:  NY&Co

Hot Date Pt 1

A couple weeks ago, a group of my girlfriends and I decided to take our daughters out to dinner and to see the Ailey II dance performance that was in town.  (Sidenote: it was an excellent performance.  Two thumbs up.) This is what my lil Princess wore on our hot date.   We dressed the girls in their fanciest frocks so they would look like little Princesses.  They were too cute!  And they acted like little ladies the whole time.  Hmmm, if Fancy Dress = Good Behavior, maybe I should let her wear her Easter dress to school….

Dress & Cardigan:  Belk, Tights: Carolina Dancewear, Shoes:  Payless

Stay tuned for what I wore for said date....

Lucky Charms

I actually wore this outfit last week, but I'm posting it today in honor of St. Paddy's Day.  First, I have to say that I am not a fan of St. Patrick's Day.  I've never tried to understand it, and I threaten to sock anyone who dares to pinch me.  In fact, every year on that day I make sure I don't wear green!  I'm not much of a drinker, so I can't even use it as an excuse to get "to' up".  :)  But, even though it's not really my kind of Holiday, I decided to play nice and act like I get it.  So, to all my St. P loving friends, this one's for you.  My ode to Leprechauns, shamrocks, green jello shots and Lucky Charms cereal.

Sweater: Gift from Mom, Shirt:  J Crew (thrifted), Jeans: Wrangler, Boots:  Bandolino