Plaid Swing

Gray/red/white/orange tartan swing coat, No Boundaries. Orange sweater vest and black sweater, Merona. Dark denim, Express. Orange slingbacks, Gianni Bini (borrowed from Fashion Lady). Brass bangle, World Market.

Honestly, I need another blazer like I need a hole in the head. Furthermore, I do not need to buy any more trendy swing blazers. But this one was so cute and only $25 at Walmart. And I just swapped away a blazer to Shivaya, so I’m not really adding to my wardrobe. (Shivaya sent me these bangles for the blazer.)

I’m wearing mismatched socks today, but I doubt anyone will notice.

Red Velvet Versatility

Red velvet jacket, Cami. Lace overlay cami, George. Embellished hem skirt, Newport News. Brown boots, Nine West. Amber pendant, Ali’s Boutique. Beaded necklaces, Body Central.

This jacket has proven to be fairly versatile. I’ve paired it with brown, black, and red with good results. I think my favorite combo was with the leopard tank and peep-toes (middle picture). But my favorite photo is the one I took laying on the floor in the hallway.


Click for a larger image

Which outfit is your favorite?
	Open jacket with black
	Tweedy skirt
	Leopard accents
	All red and on the floor
	Today's
pollcode.com free polls

Pumpernickel

Navy swing cardigan, Mossimo. Tartan wool jumper, Pendleton (via swap). Navy tights, Hue. Brown boots, Nine West.

The cafeteria at work switched bagel providers and we have all new flavors to choose from. The pretzel bagels are gone…but I’m more than happy to replace them with PUMPERNICKEL!

Indian Skirt Again

Black turtleneck sweater, Charlotte Russe (I love this thing!) Indian textile skirt, 4th of July flea market Longview, WA. Black tights, Danskin. Blue silk scarf, Thailand. Black pumps, Michelle D. Hoop earrings with multicolored beads, World Market.

I’ve sort of worn this outfit before (*gasp*). I wore this skirt, these shoes, black tights, and a black, turtleneck sweater last February. For the record, I’m wearing a different sweater and pair of tights (I think) today.

I experimented with a few necklaces before deciding they looked too insignificant juxtaposed against the skirt’s ornate embroidery. This scarf softens the severity of the black top without competing with the skirt. In fact, it is very close to the same color as the skirt’s sequins.

Detail shot of earrings and true scarf and skirt colors (no flash) and my ENORMOUS head:

I Listen

Subtly pinstriped vest, H&M. White lace blouse, Newport News. Velvet dress, NY & Co (shortened by me). Patterned tights, Merona. Black patent slingbacks, Audrey Brooke. Circular brooch, thrifted.

I’ll admit that receiving negative, or even constructively critical, comments can sting a little. Unless the feedback is obviously mean-spirited, I try to read them with an open mind. When I wore this dress in October, lisalisa suggested I hem it up. I mulled over her suggestion and, yesterday, chopped over six inches off.











I wouldn’t call myself an accomplished sewer. I did poorly in the sewing section of Home Ec. I’m creative, though, so I bought this machine (secondhand) to do home décor projects (like my roman blinds) and simple clothing alteration. It’s an old sewing machine, but I’m very happy with it.

Black Friday

Navy swing cardigan, Mossimo. Yellow tee, Charlotte Russe. Corduroy miniskirt, London Jean. Brown herringbone tights, Forever 21. Brown boots, Nine West. Greenish scarf, import store.

The biggest shopping day of the year? I avoided the mall until late afternoon and then found it to be almost deserted. I was happy to shop the sales without the crowds!

The kitties got their Christmas present early…a new, tall scratching post. They almost got three new brothers (I was so tempted by the kittens at PetSmart), but I exercised some restraint.

(Monty is scratching so furiously that he’s blurry!)

Tunic and Leggings for Thanksgiving

Red sweater dress, Forever 21. White tuxedo-style shirt, Merona. Navy leggings, Danskin. Brown boots, Nine West. Golden apple watch necklace, Forever 21. Bangles, swap.

We had a DELICIOUS Thanksgiving at Julie’s and I drank far too much wine. My favorite thing on the menu was sweet potatoes with a praline topping. I had two helpings.

Fishy-poo III is home for the holidays. He normally lives on my desk, at the office. The four-day Thanksgiving break and my long Christmas/New Year’s break are too long for him to go without eating, though. I was desperate for a container to transport him home in and settled on this water bottle. He has since upgraded to a covered aquarium. Fishy-poo II’s untimely demise was due to living in an open bowl, with four cats.

One Day Left

Black turtleneck, Merona. Oriental tunic, Forever 21 (via swap). Dark denim, Express. Lime green pumps, Colin Stuart. Silver bird pendant and red patent headband, Xhilaration.

Last day of work before the Thanksgiving break!

Leopard and Coral

Cream blazer, Apostrophe. Coral blouse, Worthington. Leopard scarf (through belt loops). Trouser jeans, Express. Brown booties, Style & Co. Beaded necklaces, Body Central.

I struggle with incorporating this blazer into outfits. The color seems so formal. I’ve only worn it three times before. How have you liked it best(montage and poll below)? (And, yes, in the second picture, I am wearing two different boots!)













Click for a larger image.

How have you liked the cream blazer best?
	Emerald and Cream
	Mismatched Boots
	Over Casual
	Leopard and Coral
pollcode.com free polls

Cranberry Wine

Gray cardigan, NY & Co. Black sweater, Merona. Red corduroy skirt, H&M. Black boots, Jennifer Moore.

My friend Julie is treating us to Thanksgiving dinner. I went to Jungle Jim’s tonight, intending to buy cranberry wine to bring to the fete. I guess I’m not the only one who thinks cranberry wine is Thanksgiving-appropriate because it was all gone! I’ll be bringing a bottle each of cherry and blueberry wine instead. Sorry, Julie!

Vested

Turquoise top, thrifted. White blouse, Worthington. Cropped vest, Charlotte Russe. Gray skirt, Eddie Bauer. Fishnet tights, Danskin. Silver peeptoes, BCBG Girls. Long black beads, thrifted.

So happy to be home and reunited with my tripod! Yoda’s head is in the bottom corner of the photo. He missed me.

Chicago: Day 2

Sweater dress, Melton. Black turtleneck sweater, Charlotte Russe. Fishnet tights, Danskin, Black patent maryjanes, Xhilaration.

This dress has always puzzled me. The knit material and color scheme suggest “winter,” but the baring bodice and lack of sleeves says “summer.” I’ve always topped it with a cardigan to winterize the cut, but never thought to wear something long-sleeved under the dress until this season.

I miss my tripod. Taking pictures in the bathroom mirror while perched on the toilet is fun, but the quality isn’t as good.

Chicago: Day 1

Swing jacket, Apostrophe. Sheer pink blouse, Bebe. Black skirt, from my USMC “blues” uniform. Black tights, Danskin. Black patent maryjanes, Xhilaration. Pink crescent earrings, Girlshop.

I’m traveling to Chicago today. The hat (below) won’t go with me because it would be too much of a pain to travel with. Tomorrow, you'll get a horribly blurry picture of my all black outfit, taken without a tripod and in the cruddy hotel room lighting. I bet you can't wait.

For outside, I added: Cloche hat, Scala Collezione. Black velvet, ruched gloves, TJ Maxx.

Yellow and Navy

Leather jacket, Wilson’s Leather. Navy and white wrap dress, Merona. White slip (visible at neckline), vintage. Yellow tee, Wet Seal. Navy tights, Hue. Yellow patent pumps, Victoria Spenser. Brown scarf. Amber pendant, Ali’s Boutique. Amber drop earrings, gifted. Corny bracelet, Into the Fray.

Yet another outfit featuring this wrap dress from Target.

Country Plaid

Brown velvet jacket, FANG. Lace blouse, H&M (via swap). Plaid skirt, Jones NY Country (thrifted). Brown boots, Nine West. Earrings, Express. Orange bag, Target.

All day meeting – no time for blogging!

Man Tie

Red oxford body suit, Moda International. Red/green/blue tie, Steinberg’s Clothing Inc, Norwood, OH (vintage). Gray tulip skirt, Moda International. Nude fishnet tights, Simply Vera. Yellow pumps, Victoria Spenser. Metal and enamel earrings and brass bracelet, World Market.

I love ties. I could spend hours browsing through them in the men’s department. I love the colors, patterns, textures. I choose odd colored ties, pair them with even odder colored shirts, and force Mike to wear them. Still, despite the vicarious pleasure of dressing my husband, I’m envious of his ties.

I found this tie at Hollywood Vintage, in Northside. I was attracted to the colors and woven texture. Mike found that it was too short for him, but it’s the perfect length for my scrawny neck and short torso. Now I need no longer be envious!

I feel very serious in a tie.

P.S. I have a full business calendar this week, so posting may be behind schedule.

Notre Dame v Air Force

Left: Gray cap, Nine West. Blue sweater, Merona. Gray, sequined tank, H&M (via swap). Jeans, Lucky. Black loafers, American Eagle. Center: Striped scarf. Gray cardigan, NY &Co. Right: Down jacket, Via Spiga. Red leather gloves and black bag, Wal*Mart.

I’ve never understood football. I’d watch it to ogle the shiny-pants-clad bums, but that’s about it. So I was understandably unexcited about driving over 4 hours to South Bend, IN to see Notre Dame play the Air Force Academy. Mike’s brother is in the academy and paying an obscene amount of money to sit on uncomfortable benches and freeze our asses off was the only way for them to see one another before the holidays.

Surprisingly, though, I had a really good time. I usually drink myself into a stupor in order to endure sporting events, but the stadium is dry, so I had nothing to do but watch the game. Amazingly, I actually understood the rules (for the first time ever) and followed the action. It was kind of fun. I found it much easier to understand the intricacies of the game in real life, versus on television.

I even found myself testing some of my newfound knowledge to idly watch football on Sunday night, as I leafed through an old Lucky. I guess this old dog can learn some new tricks.

Trouser Jeans

Red satin blouse, trouser jeans, and acorn necklace, Express. Black cami (barely visible), NY & Co. Plaid pumps, Charlotte Russe.

Although we technically do not have casual Friday at my workplace, I like wearing denim on Fridays. I’ve been longing for a pair of trouser-style jeans to wear to work. This pair, from Express, was a good fit. (Express, in general, fits me well.) They were a bit long, so I washed them in hot water and tumbled dry to shrink them up a bit.

Tartan Jumper

Black, short-sleeved velvet blazer, Forever 21. Wool tartan jumper, Pendleton (via swap). White lace blouse, Newport News. Tights, Danskin. Mary-janes, Xhilaration. Brooch, thrifted. Gold watch, Raymond Weil.

This jumper has been making the rounds on the swap group. I see why. It’s absolutely adorable, but strangely cut: narrow in the hips, but generous above. It would fit best on an inverted triangle shape. I’m a triangle, but, sadly, not inverted. A jacket on top hides the excess fabric quite nicely, though.

Swapped Scarf

Brown jacquard jacket, Apt 9. Cream V-neck sweater, American Rag. Brown strapless dress, Newport News. Green/red/purple silk scarf, swap. Burgundy sash, NY & Co (from my velvet dress). Green peep-toes, Wet Seal. Brown, ribbed tights, Merona. Exotic skin purse, Caprice (thrifted and vintage).

Detail without the jacket. This brooch is broken, so I sewed it to my sweater for the day.

Blue and Red

Blue cardigan, Gap. White lace tank and burgundy bead necklace, George. Red tweedy pants, Moda International. Brown booties (badly needing a hit of shoe polish), Style & Co. Blue purse, Wilson’s Leather.

I was inspired by Fashion Lady’s blue/red combo last week, on Halloween.














In this “in the mirror” shot, you can see some “behind the scenes” details – my tripod, my outfit for Thursday, and the week’s weather report. If you click on the image, you’ll be taken to my flickr photo page, with notes.

Back in Cinci

White oxford shirt, Gap. Blue sweater vest, Karen Scott. Tweedy skirt, Newport News. Braided leather belt and blue purse, Wilson’s Leather. Tights, Merona. Brown pumps, Mossimo. Earrings, Express. Gold watch, Raymond Weil. Brass bracelet, World Market.

Back to work in Cincinnati. That is all.

A Murder is Announced

Little black dress. Black floral-patterened tights, Merona. Red heels, X Appeal. Red headband and feathered chandelier earrings, Claire’s. Tapestry purse, Apt 9.

We went out to see Tri-County Players’ production of A Murder is Announced. As I’ve mentioned before, I detest mysteries. I attended to support my friends, but actually ended up enjoying the production.

This is my little black dress. It’s probably the last time I’ll wear it. I’ve always been uncomfortable with the length. The top layer is sheer and the bottom layer barely covers my butt, so the effect is rather indecent when backlit. It’s also a cheap construction and started to fall apart when I washed it the next day. So, I need a new LBD. Any suggestions? Links?

Back view

Topped with my beloved Bebe coat.

Cafe Istanbul

White sweater with faux fur, I Doll (via swap). Green fine-gauge sweater, Merona. Dark denim, Express (overdyed by me). Brown booties, Style and Co. Gray hat, Nine West. Earrings, World Market.

I arrived back in Cincinnati around 8 p.m. this evening and Mike picked me up for a 9 p.m. dinner at Café Istanbul with two of my birthday buddies (Nov 5 and 8). The evening was supposed to end with bar hopping, but we were all pooped from long days. I ended the day with a photosession instead.

Detail of my hat, earrings, and 32-year-old face.

Orlando: Day 2

Jacquard blazer, Forever 21 (borrowed from Fashion Lady). Navy tank, Merona. Khaki slacks, Moda International. Khaki slingbacks, Linea Paolo. Faux pearls, JC Penney or something. Gold watch, Raymond Weil.

I apologize for the poor picture(s). They both turned out terribly, but I’m hoping that betwixt them both you can tell what I’m wearing. My camera is feeling ill. Maybe I need a new one for my birthday.

Yes, it’s my birthday today! I was going to be all mysterious about my age, but that seemed pretentious. I’m 32. I will not tell you my weight, however.

I’ve lived in Ohio for over three years now, and just discovered that, in this state, one’s driver’s license expires on one’s birthday. So, if Hurricane Noel decides to keep me from my evening flight home, I’m going to have some identification problems tomorrow. Thankfully, the hurricane is predicted to track north, up the coastline. Now I just need a ride to the license bureau tomorrow morning.

Orlando: Day 1

Striped blazer, Merona. Black, cowl-neck tank, Apt 9. Khaki skirt, Talbot’s (thrifted). Khaki slingbacks, Linea Paolo. Parrot necklace, gift from my friend Elaine. Gold watch, Raymond Weil.

I’m in sunny (okay, cloudy) Florida today. I’ve got an all day (till 9 p.m.) work event, so I’m prepared to transition from the office to a dinner.

My friend Elaine gave me this awesome parrot necklace. I think she told me that she got it in Florida. If so, it’s home!