Outfit Of The Day (As Light As A Feather)

Once upon a time a very lovely woman named Coco Chanel said, "Elegance does not consist in putting on a new dress."  And it's true--it is easy to run out and buy new things, wear them for a few months, and then send them off to the mysterious Island Of Misfit Joys, never to be thought of again.  But is it really what style is about?

I think that one of the best things about fashion is figuring out new ways to wear old things.  It's a challenge! It exercises the brain!  And while it is not always easy, it is a must to those of us that don't have an endless budget or empty hangers hanging in our closets.

While there are several ways to make something old look fresh, these two are my favorite:

1. Never underestimate the power of accessories.  For instance: feathers, super bright colors, 70's inspired, and boho-chic are all hot at the moment, and stores like Forever 21 + Target always have a great selection of super trendy jewelry and belts for cheap.  A simple necklace or the right belt can make something old look immediately brand new.

2. Shape it into something fresh by belting it, cuffing it, rolling it, twisting it, pinning it, wearing it backwards, wearing it upside down, wearing it with a chihuahua attached to it, and/or if you're brave--take it apart and sew it into something new!

3. (Yeeeeah- I'm not that brave.)

The Nanette Lepore blazer that I am wearing in the pictures below is now nearly 4 years old, and while it was perfectly on-trend when I bought it, it does have a tendency to now look slightly dated.  The past 4 years in the super-exciting-world-of-blazers has taken us on a whirlwind ride of the oversized boyfriends, dramatic shoulders, and open, drapey fronts.

Or in other words: everything this jacket is not.

But I love this blazer and paid a pretty penny for it, so by rolling up the sleeves and popping the collar,it takes the look from slightly sweet and office-y to something a bit edgier and modern.  And most importantly?  It's easy, took almost no effort, and didn't cost a dime.

I wore this last Monday while furniture shopping with Husband + eating at the Cherry Cricket.  And I apologize for the super-duper contrast in these pics--we've taken off our window coverings to paint the trim, and in a few years maybe we'll put them back on! You know, considering how quickly we're getting everything else done:

Blouse: ASOS Ruffle Bow blouse (buy it here) (similar style here) (and here) (and a fun option here, too!)
Jacket: Nanette Lepore Bow Jacket (similar style here) (and here)
Jeans: J Brand Lovestory (similar style here) (and here at Old Navy!)
Necklace: Express (buy it here - spend $75 and take $25 off with code "9014") (similar style here for $18)
Ring: Banana Republic (buy it here, on sale)
Shoes: Valentino Studded Kitten Heels (similar style here) (and here under $100!)
Bag: Valentino Aphrodite Bow Leopard Print Bag (similar style here)(and here for $450) (and here)
Nailpolish: Chanel Le Vernis in Pearl Drop (buy it here w/ free shipping!)

Un-Outfit Of The Day (Linger In Lusk)

Ah, so.  As I'm sure most of you already know (assuming you follow my aimless ramblings on twitter)  (and if you do, I sincerely apologize) that I'm currently off on a little road trip at the moment, heading back "home" to South Dakota to celebrate with my gramma for her 80th birthday.  

Gramma Chloe Conspiracy is turnin' 80!  It seems like just yesterday, she wasn't....um 80.  Yow.  :(

When I originally hatched the plan to do this it was December and unseasonably sunny and warm in Colorado.  Pile into my car with a chihuahua or two for a 12 hour roadtrip to South Dakota to surprise my grandma? Nooooooo problem! Husband couldn't come with so I'd be doing it alone, darnit, but I've done the trip alone before.  It's EASY PEASY, you guys--download a mindless Sophia Kinsella audiobook, set the roadster on cruise control, and done.

Well I've never done the trip alone before at the end of fucking February, when the snow comes down hard and whips wickedly across the flat terrain and vulnerable highways of Wyoming.  Oh Wyoming.  I'm not very smart, am I?

So needless to say a 6 hour trip today (I'm first heading up to my mom's in the Black Hills to spend the night to chop the journey into two days) took about seven, except you know--I am not actually at my mom's.  I am only in Lusk, Wyoming, stopped for the night due to feeling sick after eating five big boxes of Hot Tamales due to stressful eating because I WAS PRETTY SURE I WAS ABOUT TO DIE AFTER SLIDING HERE DOING 45 MILES PER HOUR THE WHOLE WAY. 

I'D SWITCH THE CAPS OFF BUT MY HANDS WON'T STOP SHAKING AND TRIGGERING IT back on.

Lusk is a bit of a funny place.  Husband and I have been through here dozens of times as we head back and forth between Denver and South Dakota, and it always surprises us as to how quaint and tidy it is.  Small towns in this part of the world aren't exactly known for being picturesque, and anyone who has been through the smaller towns of Wyoming (or Nebraska/South Dakota for that matter) probably knows what I'm talking about. This is the last frontier, after all--and with it comes a certain pride full of everything wild, dusty, and unkempt. This includes both the people and their houses, too.  Yeehaw?

Lusk is different though; it's as if the entire town (population: 1,629) is full of cookie baking grandmas.  Houses are bright and clean, lawns are trimmed and well-kept, and the main drag through town is wide and prettily paved....when not covered in snow.  I (literally) slid into a hotel here, fearful of what I might find, but the room is just like the town. Petunia has her own bed, her own room even and TV with 300 channels of Direct TV, but of course is choosing to steal mine.  She hates watching Jersey Shore alone:

If there is a good spot to be stuck in Wyoming, I suppose Lusk is it.   And so I've decided to take a little break from jumping on the hotel bed(s) with Petunia and screaming the lyrics to Destiny Child's hit 2001 song "Survivor",  much as I imagine the pioneers did hundreds of years ago and that Charlie Sheen is doing right this moment on his little vacay in the Bahamas because a little bit of Beyonce is the wrong way only way to heal a mind, to do a quick update on this old blog.

And while you don't get an update of what I'm wearing today (trust me: driving all day in bad winter weather does not a cute outfit make) this is what I wore this past Saturday while furniture shopping and watching my nephew play bball during much warmer weather. 

I will admit that I'm a little obsessed with my snake necklace at the moment, mostly because it's so light that I often forget I'm wearing it. And it's fun!  Hissst:

Blouse: Topshop Floral Frill Tunic (buy it here) (similar style by Joie here) (and under $50 at macy's here!)
Skirt: J Crew (similar style here) (and here for $28) (and a more tailored, longer version here)
Shoes: Valentino Studded Kitten Heels (similar style here) (and here under $100!)
Necklace: ALDO (buy it here - on sale for $9.98)
Ring: Banana Republic (buy it here - now 30% off!)
Bag: Chloe Metallic Marcie Satchel in Gunmetal (similar style here) (and here from the wonderful Nanette Lepore) (and a fun option here that would also work well by Badgley Mischka)

Is there any item in your wardrobe you're currently obsessed with?  Share in the comments & have a happy weekend!

In Review - Ann Taylor's Antique Lace Tiered Skirt and Lily Peep Toe Canvas Booties

Furniture shopping this weekend was a slight bust.  Husband and I traipsed up to Scandinavian Designs and to a few other furniture stores this past weekend to see what we could see, and while I found plenty of super fun things (dining room tables!  chairs!  pretty wall sconces that look like funky flowers!  a super stunning $7200 leather bed frame!) (red onions on my All American chicken sandwich at The Cherry Cricket so strong they burned my nose!) we didn't find anything to actually take home with us.  Except, you know, bad heart burn. See the part about that chicken sandwich.

So on Monday night during the very last 15 minutes of the 15% off  furniture sale at Z Gallerie, I gave in and custom ordered the Alister sofa and chair. It is what I had originally wanted, in a beautiful aqua blue-green called "blue mist" no less, and well...why not? Husband and I are quickly discovering that this remodel is going to expensive and complicated no matter how we dice it, so we might as well do it right the first time and get what we really want. I'm excited, readers, and they should be here sometime in the beginning of May!  

So now I'm on the hunt for some floor lamps, a coffee table, and a fun chaise. And some art for the wall, too!  And a chihuahua puppy named Cricket to sit on the new furniture. And a chihuahua puppy named Moose to sit on the new furniture.  And (of course- I might be a novice but I'm not dumb, geez!) some new  swanky throw pillows for the new furniture so  the chihuahua puppy named Cricket and the chihuahua puppy named Moose will have something to sit on as they sit on the new furniture.

See?  Two things down, twooooo hundred more to go.

On to easier things: FASHION!  I had grabbed the Lily Canvas Peep-Toe booties from Ann Taylor when they first popped up online and cannot rave about them enough--they are light, comfy, and surprisingly easy to walk in considering the height. They are also a great option if you missed out on the Louboutin Lady Derby booties, as the shape is fairly similar and the lower cut makes them super flattering for everyone, even petites!  

And even better, they're now on sale - shoppers can take $50 off and get free shipping on all full-price shoe purchases at Ann Taylor plus 30% off on one item with code "FEBAFF30" - meaning that the booties are now $103.60 after all discounts, sa-weet.

The fabric also has a very slight sparkle to it that makes them super pretty in spite of having a little bit of  masculine influence.  If you want to grab them for yourself consider sizing up 1/2 a size - I took these home in a size 7.5 (and I'm usually a size 7).  I'm going to be wearing these a lot this spring!

I'm also a sucker for all things full of ruffles and prettiness, and the Antique Lace Tiered Skirt from Ann Taylor also caught my eye and was an immediate purchase.  It is so pretty!  But it does run a little big, because the elastic around the waist is stretchy, so consider sizing down if you want a tighter fit.  I didn't size down and find it comfy albeit a bit looser than what I normally wear in skirts.  But that's okay!  It'll be my Old Country Buffet Skirt, youknowhowIdo.  I'm wearing it in the "petite" length (and I'm 5'2").

Leaning tower of Chloe, darn tripod:

Jacket: Anthropologie Pizzoccheri Jacket (similar style here) (this would work well, too!)
Top: GAP Pleated T (buy it here + take 20% off thru tonight with code "GAPSAVE20")
Skirt: Ann Taylor Antique Lace Tiered Skirt (buy it here) (similar style at F21 here) (and here) (and a pretty option for $39 here)
Belt: J Crew Whip-Snake Belt (buy it here - on sale + take 30% off with code "AYC93K")
Necklace: ALDO Boxton Snake Necklace (buy it here)

Shoes: Ann Taylor Lily Peep Toes (buy them here + take $50 off + take 30% off with code "FEBAFF30") (similar style at Vince Camuto here) (and here)

Bag: Chloe Marcie Crossbody (similar style here) (and here) (and here)

Outfit Of The Day (Ooh I Got A Back Up Plan To The Back Up Plan To Back Up My Back Up Plan)

Oh, more remodeling stuff.  We're finally ready to get the big stuff done, and so we had some flooring people come out on Wednesday to measure and give estimates.  Wood floors!  New tile! It's a comin'!  

Husband and I are also heading out this weekend to see if we can get some furniture shopping done, and so with that I decided to make a list.  You see, I am a very "list type" of person. If I don't have a list, I careen violently out of control and bad things happen.  If I don't have a list, we end up with items like soy ice cream bars, artificial nail glue, and 10 boxes of Hot Tamales that I then have to eat for breakfast for two weeks straight only because the massive cereal aisle is too overwhelming and I can't make up my mind and/or remember what I need and when that happens Hot tamales are always the answer.  Always.

I am so list-orientated I have this book sitting on my coffee table and I don't read it 'cuz it's funny, I read it for the tips.  My handwriting is so awful that I can't even read what I write on the list (which I assure you, readers--is only sign of my secret, secret genius), mind you, but it still helps to organize all of my flighty and fortuitous thoughts. 

And it's  also why I probably sound drunk here on this blog half the time 

SO!  I decided to sit down and make a list of things we "need" for this remodel.  So far it includes:

1. black (modern, comfy) leather sectional for living room 
2. so--seafoam-green-it-hurts chairs from z gallerie
3. gold light of some sort for kitchen table
4. Or a silver light of some sort for the kitchen table
5. Um. A gold and silver light for the kitchen table?
6. Cool laser light and music show for the master bath shower
7. Hot pink!  Hot pink light for the kitchen table! That spins! 
8. bed frame that isn't over $1,000 because IT'S A FUCKING BED FRAME.  UNLESS I CAN EAT IT, DRIVE IT, AND/OR CARRY IT ON MY SHOULDER (and preferably all at the same time), under $1,000 it is.
9. Punching bag to use for when the bedframe situation makes me angry.
10. contact UPS and/or the American Furniture Warehouse tiger guy to see how much bubble wrap is needed for our bubble wrap room
11. Ball pit to jump into off the top railing of the stairs
12. Princess Bed for Petunia
13. Race Car bed for Kitty
14. Princess Bed for me 'cuz I always wanted one when I was little and never got one.
15. a pretty dining room table
16. bottle of advil. the big one.

So!  It looks like we're off to a great start here. I will keep ya'll updated.

Happy Friday!

Top: Lover Tilly Blouse (buy it here) (similar style here) (and here + take 30% off, discount applied on last page of check out) (and similar style here under $50) (and here under $25!)

Skirt: Suuuper old Odille from Anthropologie (similar style here) (and here) (and here in "persimmon")

Shoes: Valentino Studded Kitten heels (similar style here) (and here) (and love these in brown!)

Necklace: Banana Republic Secret Charms Arrow Necklace (buy it here)

Bag: Chloé Saskia Satchel (similar style here + take 10% off with code "0215SWSRII") (and here)

Nail polish: Chanel Le Vernis Nail Colour in Black Pearl (buy it here w/ free shipping)

(currently stuck in my head)

Outfit Of The Day (Sunny With A Chance Of Some Flares)

First things first: I kept meaning to write about this but between Valentine's Day, work, getting ready to head back to Sioux Falls + Minneapolis sans Husband for a few weeks, and trying to get a 3,000 square foot house ready for new floors (they go in sometime in the next 3 weeks while I'm gone, eek!), it didn't happen.  The awesome Roxy over at Effortless Anthropologie did a "Things You Love" week last week, and when she sent an email my way asking me to participate I was more than excited to write something up!  You can see what I (and many other fab fashion bloggers) love right here.  You know, in case you're not quite sick of the mushy stuff yet. ;)

Gorgeously beautiful highs in the 60's here in Colorado suddenly have me excited and ready to rock some of the trends that are quickly zooming this way for spring.  While we still have lots of winter left (anyone remember the blizzard 8 years ago on St. Patrick's Day? It literally went from warm weather in the 60's to about three feet of snow over night!) (AND I HAD LIVED HERE FOR 3 MONTHS AND DID NOT OWN A SINGLE SHOVEL, SO. LESSON LEARNED- COLORADO IS SNEAKY-SNEAKY!), it is always nice to have a sunny break in the midst of the dreary winter bleakness.

And speaking of highs in the 60's--highs from the 70's, the 1970's, are slated to be huge for spring. 

It definitely seems like the high-waisted, flared, boho-happy-hippy trends come back every few years, doesn't it? But much like how it is nice to have an occasional break in the winter bleakness, it is also nice to have a break in the sleek, super tight skinny jeans that have been all the rage for the past few years. Flares are simply much more flattering to us shorties and anything high-waisted makes me happy--I am over seeing undies when women bend over, thank you.

(And if you're recoiling in horror while remembering the tight, Bebe-and-Guess-and-Wet-Seal extreme flares from the late 90's, fear not! Skinnies are still sticking around, although it looks like they will be going high-waisted too- interesting!)

Like any good little fashion blogger, I have already waisted (errrr, wasted) no time trying out a few of the high-waisted wide legs and flares for petites. While the J Brand Lovestory jean  will always be my favorite because they're stretchy, comfy, and hem up extremely well for anyone of any height (see them on me here), I was excited to see the 7 For All Mankind Rachel Zoe extreme bellbottom at Piperlime pop up in PETITE! They're called the  Rachel Petite Bellbottom, and jeans that already have the correct knee-breaks and don't need a trip to the tailor are always a hit with me.

I will say that these don't run nearly as small around the waist as the original (I sized up one size from my normal 7 For All Mankind sizing since they're high waisted), but the inseam is still quite long.  My normal inseam is around 29"; in the photos below I am wearing my Prada booties with them which have a heel of around 4.5 inches.  This means that it isn't a true petite inseam of around 30", but they're still not dreadfully long, either.  To me the length is perfect, as my J  Brand's are hemmed to about the same length and I wholeheartedly believe that flares work best on us shorties when paired with a high heel, as it only helps to lengthen our legs and make us appear like we don't need to still sit on a booster seat while out dining. Even if, um, you know--we do.

In comparison, the J Brand Lovestory's aren't quite as high-waisted as these, run tighter through the butt and thighs, and have a smaller flare so they're a great option if you want to rock the trend without going overboard.  I do love the 7 For All Mankind Bellbottoms though! They're extreme, but still super fun to wear and comfy to boot.

I'm ready to throw on some cat-eye sunnies (Prada Postcards in 'havana" are my current weapon of choice), drop the top on the roadster, and bump some The Brothers of Chico Dusty: Big Boi Vs. The Black Keys (obsessed!) Spring is in the air!

Cardigan: J Crew Mixed Tape Cardigan in Bronzed Twig (similar style here) (and here in olive) (and here, on sale!)
Top: Go Jane (buy it here + take 20% off with code "LUVGJ20A") (similar style here, too)
Belt: J Crew Whip-Snake Waist Belt in Copper (buy it here) (similar style here at ASOS)
Jeans: 7 For All Mankind Rachel Petite Bellbottom (buy them here) (similar style here under $100) (and here + take 20% off through tonight with code "GAPLOVE")
Boots: Prada Harness Booties (similar style here) (and here) (and here by Report Signature)
Purse: Fendi B-Bag (similar style here) (and here)

(currently playing in the hizzhouse)

Outfit Of The Evening (Be Mine, Valentine)

Happy Valentine's Day!

Did you guys do anything fun with your lovely loved ones? A date night, perhaps? A tasty dinner? A week long gorge-fest on Brach's cinnamon hearts?  

(OR MAYBE ALL THREE?)

Well, after I had the chance to fully digest the sweet, sugary gummy spicy goodness out of my belly from a small and completely accidental incident that happened earlier last week (ohstoplookingatmethatway), Husband surprised me with a date night on Friday night to Shanahan's.

Shanahan's, hooray!

If you live in Denver you probably know what a Shanahan's is; if you don't live in Denver it is the swank steakhouse owned by this freakishly tan buggy-eyed dude that no longer lives here.

And while the freakishly tan buggy-eyed dude totally freaks me out, he does run ("run") a mighty fine restaurant. I am not a food snob by any stretch of the imagination and I am also not a believer that you need to spend a pretty penny on food in order for it to be good.  But, you know--if you do feel like being a food snob and spending a pretty penny on food, it is the place to be.

It is so good with great service, a wine list as thick and as heavy as a phone book, a perfectly cozy, softly-lit atmosphere, and incredibly tasty good.

So Husband and I got happily, dorkily dressed up like teenagers before prom, as is allowable on Any Valentine's Day Date per The Inane Rules Of Fashion™, and then we traipsed off into the night to stuff ourselves with the steak (for him), chicken (for me), truffle mac n' cheese (for both of us) and a heated chocolate caramel pecan brownie topped with marshmallow ice cream for dessert. It was divine.  Thank you, Husband! It was perfect, ♥ you.

I rocked my Haute Hippie feather skirt, a turquoise cowl neck, my Claude Mater pumps, and a lightweight navy jacket on top as restaurants are always cold; Husband donned a suit and a Valentine's Day perfect pink shirt. These pictures are all sorts of awful in quality since we snapped them right before we left in an incredibly dark living room, but they're still fun and kinda shareable nonetheless.

Enjoy and happy Valentine's Day, my dears!

 Jacket: Urban Outfitters (similar style here) (and here) (and here)
Top: Banana Republic (similar style here) (and here) (and a ruffly version at ASOS)
Skirt: Haute Hippie (buy it here) (similar style here for $28) (and a similar shape skirt with tiers of lace instead of feathers at Ann Taylor)
Tights: Banana Republic (similar style here)
Ring: Ann Taylor (similar style here)
Shoes: Christian Louboutin Mater Claudes (buy them here) (similar style here for under $100)
Bag (not shown): Chloe Paraty in Rosewood to match Hubby's shirt (similar style here) (and here) (and here)

Good Exchange Fashion Show and Clothing Swap (Smashin' Denver-Style Fashion)

So  I had seen the recent commercials with the uber-so-cute-I-might-have-a-totally-huge-girl-crush-on-her-'cuz-she-has-two-chihuahuas-and-is-short-and-is-a-news-weather-person-but-still-dresses-super-adorable and it-creeps-Husband-out-that-I-know-so-much-about-her-ha-ha-ha Lisa Hidalgo, discussing a local fashion show and clothing swap benefiting the Goodwill's youth programs AND featuring the (robbed!!!) almost-winner-of-Project-Runway-Season-8 Mondo Guerra.  

And so I decided last week that HEY. I should go!  Because I love supporting a good cause! And I love supporting the local (almost nonexistent) fashion scene!  And I LOVE  Lisa Hidalgo I mean Mondo Guerra!

(And if they were ever a Hollywood power celeb couple and one of them was the hunky ex-husband to Jen Aniston and I were Perez Hilton they'd just be LisaHidalOndo!)

And well, I also love fashion...duh.

So I threw it past Husband, as he watches Project Runway with me sometimes (while chugging beer, eating wings, reading Sports Illustrated, and scratching himself with his man card--of course); we then asked our awesome and quite fashionable pre-teen niece to also come with and we set out to have a good time.

And have a good time, we did!  The event was tonight and we almost didn't get in  because somebody forgot to get tickets beforehand, oops, and it turned out that they were completely sold out and only letting a few dozen in at the door.  The venue was packed full to capacity and they cut the line off right behind Husband--so we literally made it in by the skin of his pants.  Good thing he was actually wearing some tonight, hm? 

But close call or not,  I am so glad that we did make it in--the crowd was great and energetic, the catered food was fabulous, and it was amazing to be there supporting such a wonderful cause.  I even met one of my blog readers, another fellow local fashion blogger, which was awesome! (& it was so great to meet you!)

The event itself was a hubbub of various activities, from local retailers promoting themselves to a clothing swap to a free food fest, but the main event of the evening was a fashion show put on by some of the kids in the Goodwill's youth programs.  The kids all designed re-purposed creations from the Goodwill. 

Or in other words: they took the old and turned it into something fabulous and new.

It was a blast to see future designers (and models?) strut their creative stuff on the runway.  The talent there was impressive and much better than anything this girl-that-can-barely-sew-on-a-button can do.  Way to go, guys!  

Here's Mondo with the adorable winner of the show:

But the best event of all tonight (by far!) was standing behind Mondo's mom before the show started.  She was decked out in her son's  Piperlime shirt to benefit AmFAR, and she gave him a HUGE kiss as he came out into the crowd.  I almost cried--mostly out of being so insanely proud that a local dude is stamping his name in fashion, but also because my iPhone caught such a crappy, blurry snap of it:

  It happened, and it was awesome, so trust.  Also--it was super hard to not reach out and touch his fancy hair.

And Mondo totally staring at me in fear, as I'm pretty sure he knew I wanted to lunge out and hug his fancy hair. Hehehehh.

All in all it was a great event benefiting a wonderful cause, and a huge round of applause goes to those that put it on--it wouldn't have been such a fabulous time with out you, so THANK YOU!  It was amazing, Denver, hurrah. ♥

Outfit Of The Day (The Fuzz Ball Part 2)

I had popped on my LOFT fur vest over a sweater when I schlepped out to work this past weekend in the super cold and snow, and when I came back home I tossed it down with the rest of my stuff near our front door.  I am a very organized person, you see, and I always know where my stuff is in case I lose it: IT'S HEAPED IN A PILE BY THE FRONT DOOR.

(Unless it's heaped in a pile on the stairs.  Or heaped in a pile on the kitchen table. Or heaped in a pile in my closet.  Or um...okay I'll stop now.) (my neat-freak Virgo husband loooooves meeee!)

And suddenly out of seemingly nowhere, Petunia was growling!  And growling, and growling...aaaand growling.  She apparently thought it was a real thing, this limp carcass of faux fur laying on the ground in defeat next to my handbag, car keys, cell phone, a pile of pens, a tape measure, some mismatched socks, and the bold  dumb hopes and dreams and smooth, youthful skin I sadly misplaced last year; and like any good chihuahua she was ready to attack.

So I did what any good dog mother would do: I scooped her up in it and wrapped her up tight, just to be funny, and much to my surprise she immediately dug around, settled in, crossed her paws, and closed her eyes for a snooze.  Of course--she went from wanting to kill to wanting a good nap lickity split, just like any good chihuahua.

What a great in-vest-ment, no?  Ha:

and I am going to hug her, and squeeze her, and call her george.

They are the silliest dogs ever.

On to the outfit for today! Tops that already have some sort of embellishment are probably one of the easiest things to wear, as they come pre-accessorized and need little help from anything extra.  This top from Anthropologie got mixed reviews on the website but I absolutely love it!  It has just the right amount of detail, and only needs a fun ring or two to pull it all together.

I have also really been feeling GAP at the moment, as ya'll probably already know.  They've been trying to re-brand and re-image a bit, and the new spring collection is full of lots of grabby-hand-inducing stuff.  The linen skirt I'm wearing below actually has a super gorgeous, gold luster to it (you can't see it well from these pictures, but trusssst--it's there!) and is perfect for wearing both now with tights and later this summer with a pair of pretty shoes.

And oh yes, don't forget the fun shoes:

Top: Deletta Corinthian Top (similar style here) (and here, on sale!)
Skirt: GAP (buy it here) (similar style here, on sale!) (and by Elie Tahari, also on sale)
Tights: Banana Republic (similar style here) (and here)
Shoes: Calvin Klein Collection Laura Fur Bootie (similar style here) (and here) (and here for $50!)
Ring: Banana Republic Sugar Ring (buy it here)
Bag: Chloe Gunmetal Metallic Marcie (similar style here) (and here) (and here by Nanette Lepore)

Nail polish: Chanel Le Vernis Nail Colour in Pearl Drop (buy it here + it ships for free!)

Sneaky Peeky (The Fuzz Ball)

I'm here, I'm here.  As most of you have probably noticed, I had to throw this blog on a bit of a hiatus over the past week due to having to focus on a few stressful off-blog life matters.  And, well, I'll be honest--I didn't have much to say.  I had plenty to think about, but the words wouldn't quite tumble out of my head to style themselves in an appropriate fashion here, no pun intended given this blog. 

My brain has been turned into the equivalent of the big shoebox I keep on a shelf in my closet, full of old necklaces I no longer wear but don't have the heart to donate or throw away; no matter how neatly I put the necklaces into the box and no matter how delicately I remove them from the box, they always come back out in one single massive, tangled, knotted, obnoxious jumble.

But oh well, that's life. Let's carry on--and speaking of fashion, Mercedes Benz Fashion Week kicks off on Friday!  Well, it really starts on Thursday, but the good stuff doesn't happen until Friday.  Are you excited?  I am!

I would like to give a big thanks to everyone in NYC who sent an invitation to a party, or a show, or a function my way over the past few weeks.  I feel so honored, but so sad that I have to (again!) decline.  I will make it there soon, I promise--so don't give up on me yet!

And I would also like to give a big thanks to everyone that thinks this girl in Colorado is important enough to have a part in such a lovely world.  The niche of fashion blogging is booming, and while most retailers and designers seem to mostly hone in on bloggers based out of NYC or LA it's still great to know that all of us in the middle of things are at least getting a little bit of the love, too.

When I originally started this blog I honestly never imagined that it would head this way, and I definitely never imagined that two years later I would still be at it.  I hit 2,000 followers on Google Friend Connect over the weekend and I know many, many more that follow me in other ways--you guys are the best, and my blog wouldn't be what it is without you!  I've met so many great people and learned so much about myself from doing this, and I thank all of you from the bottom of my lil' heart.

Enough of this mushy crap, eh? Here's a sneak peek of what's coming up:

More tomorrow!