Outfit Of The Day (Playing Catch Up)

Oh, it has been another crazy week. The big remodeling project is officially going full bore, and while it might not be progressing quite as quickly as the magic worked on all of those remodeling shows on HGTV (they never show the wifey sitting on the ground in terry shorts and a ripped, stained tee pulling out 234328472807111asdfa17.03 staples from the sub-floor for five hours straight, do they?), it has still been moving along pretty darn fast.

In the meanwhile I have been busy picking out and organizing items for our next stage of the project.  You know--everything that a good house needs in order to properly function, like sinks! And counter tops! And bed frames, chairs, coffee tables, lights, gold metallic wallpaper for the main floor bath, paint to do big, bad, bold  black and taupe rugby stripes on the two walls next to the fire place, a happy little Jonathan Adler fox and peacock lollipop holder, and a baby kitten/goldfish/hedge hog/pet rock named "Moose". 

It has been fun so far and it is beginning to really come together--look for a pictorial update on this blog sometime this weekend. :)

Moving on to the fashion--here are a few old outfit snaps from over this past month that I never got around to posting.  Enjoy!

Camisole: Modcloth (buy it here) (similar style here) (and here)
Skirt: ASOS (buy it here) (similar style here for $49) (and a midi-style skirt here)
Belt: J Crew Skinny Patent Belt in Dark Amber (buy it here) (similar style here)
Necklace: Forever 21 (similar style here) (and here)
Bracelets: Forever 21 (similar style here)  (and here)
Shoes: J Crew Valentina Pumps in Bright coral (buy them here) (similar style here)
Bag: Chloe Marcie Satchel (similar style here) (similar style here, on sale)
Nail Polish: Chanel Miami Peach (similar color here)

My eyebrow definitely arched when I found this top at Ann Taylor a few weeks ago.  It is an oddly edgy, wicked little top for the retailer; full of snaps and straps that can be fastened in a multitude of different directions to make it kind of...well, kind of look like a straight jacket?

I am a sucker for both army green and epaulettes, though, and loved the way that the top fit once I tried it on.  It is a bit unusual but still really wearable; the fabric is nice and thick with just a hint of stretch and runs a little big (I sized down one size). 

Top: Ann Taylor (buy it here + take 25% off with code "WELCOME7") (similar style here) (and here in a cowlneck)
Shorts: Urban Outfitters (similar style here) (and here) (and here, on sale!)
Shoes: Lanvin for H&M (similar style here) (and here for under $50) (and here) (and a fun splurge at Endless!)
Bag: Diane Von Furstenberg (similar style here) (and here) (and here, on sale!)

If you have followed my blog for any length of time, you likely know that I love a good blouse.  But let me say it again: good-tatted-sweet-golly-David-Beckham-holding-a-Frenchie-puppy, I love a good blouse.  Don't you?

ASOS is a goldmine for pretty tops, and when this one popped up  I had to grab it. We have been seeing a lot of pleats on skirts this year, but a pleated blouse?  Divine!  It's light, floaty, and works well both tucked in and out.  It also runs big, so keep that in mind in case you want to grab it for yourself!

I also think that one would be hard pressed to find a fashion blogger out there that doesn't own an Arty (or Arty dupe).  I grabbed the Yves Saint Laurent Arty ring earlier this year during a big sale at Saks Fifth Avenue and it's made for an excellent splurge.  I have never been one to spend a lot of money on jewelry (most items in my arsenal probably average $50 or less), but this ring has been so worth it.  It's fun, gives a happy pop of color to any outfit, and even looks cool when kind of worn upside down (oops).

Top: ASOS (buy it here) (similar style here) (and here)
Pants: BDG at Urban Outfitters (buy them here) (similar style here)
Belt: J Crew (similar style here) (and here for $11)
Ring: Yves Saint Laurent Arty in Green/Aqua (buy it here) (similar style here)
Bracelet: Forever 21 (similar style here)
Watch: Michael Michael Kors (buy it here) (similar style here)
Shoes: Miu Miu Lace-up Oxfords (buy them here) (similar style here) (and here)
Bag: Kooba Josie Clutch (similar style here for $50) (and here, on sale)



(Currently bopping to...)

Outfit Of The Day (Double Take)

One of the reasons I like fashion blogging is because it's now totally normal to take pictures of oneself to post online to complete strangers and expect that they somehow care um, I mean it's super awesome to both encourage and perpetuate deviantly insane, vain behavior errr, I AM DESPERATE AND IT'S ALL I HAVE, we are all secretly working together on a massive cure for global warming, Conan O'Brien losing his funny, and VPL's...and no one knows it yet!

Surprise!  Jaaaaaazz hands!  I'm lying.

But I do think it is fun to draw inspiration from what we all wear, don't you? I know that I certainly have found tons of great brain-candy just from clicking around aimlessly on various fashion blogs--the creativity out there can be amazing.

The problem? As a blog reader, I often find myself wishing that certain bloggers would feature certain items more than once or twice. The solution? As a blogger, I have the mighty, mighty power to do it myself right here. 

So I have been trying a little harder to post more OOTD's featuring certain items, especially if you guys leave requests in comments or e-mails. I can't do it all but I sure can try, right?  To do some of it, that is--why shoot for the moon when the ground is nice and has squishy, comfortable things like air-conditioning, Haagen Daz Cookie Dough Ice Cream, and Ryan Gosling? Exactly.

Enough of my musings on mediocrity and on to the outfit(s)! The 'basic wrap dress' is called basic for a reason, since they pretty much work for anything. Dress them up with simple jewelry and smart pumps and you're set for work; dress them down with funky shoes and belts and you're set for a night out.  

Better yet? Since the wrap dress is considered a basic, that means there are tons of options out there at a nice variety of price points, colors, and styles--I picked this dress up for a mere $25 at Forever 21 about a month ago. $25! 

So here it is styled two different ways.  While it isn't anything earth-shattering, I do think it is a great example of what different accessories can do to dress up a simple/boring item.  Enjoy!

Dress: Forever 21 (similar style here) (and here, on sale!) (and an option at ASOS, too)
Belt: J Crew (buy it here) (similar style here) (and here at Ann Taylor)
Shoes: Elizabeth & James (buy them here) (similar style here) (and here for $24.99)
Scarf: LOFT (similar style here in "army")
Bag: Lanvin Metallic Python Mini Pop Bag (buy it here) (similar style here) (and here for under $50)

Dress: Forever 21 (similar style here) (and here, on sale!) (and an option at ASOS, too)
Belt; J Crew (similar style here) (and here for under $11)
Pumps: J Crew Valentina Pumps in Vibrant Coral (buy them here) (similar style here for under $100) (and here, on sale)
Cuffs: Forever 21 (similar style here) (love this, too!)
Bag: Lanvin Sweet Dora Crossbody (buy it here) (similar style here) (love this, too!)
Lipcolor: Rouge à lèvres du petit chien (yes yes yes, totally)

Outfit Of The Day (A Peppering of Leopard-ing)

If any of you guys follow me on Twitter or Facebook, you likely already know that I escaped our home in Colorado last week to spend some time up in the Black Hills area with my parents.  There were several motivations for my mission (to keep the barky little chihuahuas out of the remodeling mayhem and destruction, to keep the klutzy little Chloe away from the nail gun) (etc etc etc) but it's also something that I don't do enough--spend some quality time with my parents.

Aaaand they have a hot tub and my mom makes really good cupcakes. Really good cupcakes.

(But just so we're all clear here, I have already promised Husband that during the NEXT big project, I'll totally stay home and oversee the whole thing and he can come up to the Black Hills with the pups to sit in my parent's hot tub and eat cupcakes. It's just a teeny-tiny mere coincidence that our next big project is redoing the walk-in closet to look like a Miu Miu boutique, okay?) (Which reminds me-- I have a lot of bag and shoe shopping to do for decor, ha ha ha har har ha har I'm funny.)

I did snap some OOTD shots right before I left, though, so here we go! I think we are all probably a little burned-out by now with online critiques and reviews of the Mad Men Collection for Banana Republic (joan!  betty!  lady-like chic!) (sometimes I tell Petunia that Don Draper is her real dad!) (which is a lie: it's actually Brad Gorescki!) (and where are the crocheted plant holders and moth-ball scented perfume so I can be oh-so-stylish Ida Blankenship?!), yes?

So I'll keep it short. I am a sucker for leopard, and in the end this cardigan was the only thing I grabbed from the collection. I really like its lighter, neutral color scheme and slight nubbiness; it is a little bit itchy but nothing that my sensitive, ridiculously-rash-prone skin can't handle.  It's also just the right weight to wear now in hotter weather for a quick cover-up in harsh, air-conditioned climates.

Ta da, and stay tuned for my awesome fashion recap on Sturgis Bike Week coming up here later this week, vroom vroom:

Cardigan: Mad Men for Banana Republic Cardigan in Cafe Au Lait (buy it here + take 25% off on orders of $100+ w/ code "BR25OFF100") (similar style here) (and here under $50)

Tank: J Crew  Radiette Cami (buy it here) (similar style here) (and here)

Shorts: Lulus.com (similar style here) (and here)

Belt: J Crew (similar style here for $20) (and here for under $10)

Watch: Michael Kors Runway Large Watch (buy it here) (similar style here)

Shoes: J Crew Mona Pumps (buy them here) (similar style here) (and here)

Bag: Chloe Paraty in Rosewood (similar style here) (and here for under $50) (and here for $35.99) (and love this at Topshop, too!)

Nail Polish: Chanel Miami Peach (similar color here)

Did you grab anything from the Mad Men Collection at Banana Republic? Does your husband let you operate nail guns?  And did you know that Petunia's real daddy is Brad Goreski? Share in the comments! <3

Currently Loving (August 2011)

It's that time of month again: here are 11 things that I am loving right now.  Links and more information are all below--enjoy!

1. Valentino Rockstud Python Flats (neimanmarcus.com) - A flat version of my most-loved kitten heels and in python?! Gorgeous, pretty, love.

2. ASOS Pleated Maxi (asos.com) - So. I created this little image about 10 days ago and meant to post it before my last 'outfit of the day', which...didn't happen. Pardon the redundancy here, my dears!  But hey, I do love the skirt (and judging from the comments, I'm glad you all loved it too!).

3. Blue Raspberry Snow Cone Shampoo, Shower Gel, and Bubble Bath (philosophy.com) - Philosophy is well-known for their fun, limited edition scents that they come out with every season (Cinnamon Red Hots! Chocolate Easter bunnies!), but this scent is hands down my favorite of all time. It's so sweet and juicy! (plus take 10% off with code "FRIENDS")

4. Rachel Zoe Natalie Tie Collar Blouse (piperlime.com) - Say what you will about the boho-tastic Californian stylist, but her new clothing, shoe, and handbag collection has been making waves (ha, get it?) in the fashion world. It is with good reason, too: it's full of gorgeous coats, beautiful capes, sophisticated blouses, and perfect pants cut in her signature wide-leg flare style.  Love this leopard-print bow blouse!

5. Free People City Floating Cape (freepeople.com) - Capes are cool, cozy, and set to be the coat-shape of the season--isn't this one divine?

6. Giorgio Armani Eye To Kill Mascara (giorgioarmanibeauty.com) - There are lots of fancy mascaras out there (and I've tried them all, I swear!) but this is my current favorite.  It lengthens and volumizes while leaving lashes soft--not stiff, woohoo!  It also doesn't bother my sensitive eyes.

7. Karl Lagerfeld for Macy's (nymag.com) - While reactions to the collection have been a bit mixed, there are a few pretty, standout pieces in the limited edition line (like this dress, and this one too!). The price points seem decent too, with most items falling between $50 to $70--look for it at a Macy's near you on August 31st.

8. Prada 'Minimal Baroque' Round Sunglasses (nordstrom.com) - I love a good pair of fun sunglasses, and when I spied these pretty puppies in pictures of Prada's Spring 2011 runway show I was immeeeediately smitten.  The rococo-swirly arms and big, round shades make these both cool and comfy, and I reach for them whenever I need to make a change-up from my tighter-fitting cat-eyes shades.

9. Lanvin Happy Mini Pop Python Bag (barneys.com) - Slithery-snake prints are set to be a huge upcoming trend this fall, and this bag keeps the scaly material super pretty with a nice, gold metallic sheen. Only someone like Mr. Alber Elbaz could find a fancy gold metallic python to kill and make into a beautiful bag, mmhm. ;)

10. Fantasy Fur Cuffs (asos.com) - Even though the cold weather of winter is still a ways away, I grabbed these cuffs as soon as I saw them pop up on asos.com. They attach easily to the sleeve of any jacket (or hey, even a long-sleeve sweater or sweater dress) and are a super fun way to keep old jackets and coats looking fresh for under $30. So easy!  (And if you like these, make sure to check out the fur collars, too!)

11. Hazel & Dewey - I found this new charming boutique last month while wondering down Broadway here in Denver.  They describe themselves as a "modern mercantile" that "curates quality goods that are courageously designed, for gifts, guests and hosts alike." and indeed, they do--while the store itself isn't big, the selection is super cool.  Find everything from pretty stationary to unique bowls and dish towels--if you love the housewares in Anthropologie or are looking for a unique gift, you will LOVE this!

What's on your "lust list" for this month? Share in the comments! :)

Outfit Of The Day (High-Low, High-Low, It's Off To Work We Go...)

Hello blog world, how are you?

I'm grrrrreat. Some pretty major demolition happened in our house this past weekend--we cut, tore, stomped, hammered, ripped, and threw away all we could to the point that Husband and I have been hobbling around  every evening like two 90-year olds.  Things are sore that I didn't even know could be sore from this, like my chin and right earlobe and left lung and all of my hair; and everything is now covered in that powdery, sneezable woody dust that only occurs with construction. I also have to stop Kitty nearly every 10 seconds to fish something (staples? old carpet padding? my sanity?) that she has collected in her long, swishy-swooshy chihuahua tail.

This is all worthless without pictures, isn't it?  So a little further down is a shot looking into our home from this afternoon. I really liked the way the sunlight was hitting the chair, as if it were a lone, sturdy buoy left serenely bobbing in the ocean after a chaotic storm. Oh cushion-less chair, you daffy, highfalutin beacon of sanguineness, you.

(And my 9-year old nephew also tried to dismantle it  {along with its matching couch we bought earlier this year, too} so we could take it to the dump along with all of the other junk--it's still making me laugh nearly 72 hours later.)

We are beginning with the upstairs master bedroom area and working down, so the main floor has yet to be completely ripped to shreds.  It's instead doing a mighty fine job of holding some of the chaos and clutter in the meanwhile, and you can see the (almost) bare, now carpet-less stairs to the right:

Here is a shot of our bedroom; the dark gray paint (SW's "Garret Gray") is going both here and in our  walk-in closet.  It is very dark and lovely, lovely, lovely:

And here is one last shot at the corner of our (almost) empty, white-walled closet before I finished moving it all into our basement for safe keeping.  It will eventually be something grand-ish, but for now:

And of course--a big, huge thanks to everyone who came over and helped us this weekend! Ya'll know who you are, we couldn't have done it without you, and I am totally working on Husband to get a Slurpee machine installed in this bish as it only seems practical practically awesome, and it'll save us the  precious minutes of running to 7-11 to get them. Wishusluck.

Now for an outfit. Pleats are a big trend at the moment, as are high-low hems and sheer, wispy layers, and I wasn't really sold on it until I took another look at Gucci's F/W 2011 collection.  While the looks there were super dramatic and high-glam:

....there is still something wearable and neat about it, too.  It's like the best of both worlds--is it a mini skirt?  A maxi?  A mini-axi-axi?

"Oh, lots of girls in Hong Kong were wearing those skirts," my twin sister said a few weeks ago as we were out shopping together; she had just recently returned from another two-week trip to China. "I thought they forgot to wear the correct length slip underneath or something weird.  Ugh."

Well. It does sort of look that way, doesn't it? But this pleated maxi skirt from ASOS is so much fun to wear that it doesn't matter how odd it might look to our twin-sisters-with-world-traveler-entitlement issues, I discovered--the pleated, airy top layer dramatically swishes and  swooshes around as you walk, and the mini skirt underneath adds a bit of interest without being too scandalous. It makes me want to spin and twirl like a happy little loon, a loon that totally forgot to wear the correct length slip underneath.

(Want it for yourself? To give you an idea on the length: I am 5'2" and wearing the petite length with 3 1/2" heels; it skims the floor nicely but is short enough that I don't get tripped up in it. It's perfect, I'd say! I also sized up one size per usual in ASOS Petite clothing.)

I have been wearing this skirt mostly with cotton tanks and camp shirts right now in the hot summer weather, but can't wait to pair it with soft, slouchy sweaters and heavier layers this fall:

 {yeah, trying to get my janky stupid clicky camera remote to work nooooo idea.}

Top: J Crew (similar style here) (and here) (and here, on sale!) (and in pretty, pretty colors here)
Belt: Forever 21 (similar style here) (and here for under $10)
Skirt: ASOS (buy it here) (buy it in petite- the length I am wearing- here!) (an un-pleated style here) (and a more demure style here!)
Necklace: Forever 21 (buy it here) (similar style here) (and here)
Bag: J Crew Galaxy Sequin Crossbody (similar style here) (and here on sale for $36) (and here by Rebecca Minkoff!)
Shoes: ALDO Goodsite Sandals (similar style here) (and here) (and here on sale - 50% off!)

(Currently swishing around to...)

Outfit Of The Day (A Meow Mix)

Another very quick update for today--we are in the process of  finally getting the bamboo floors installed! It has been a bit of a fiasco, as most home improvement projects usually are (hey, I watch HGTV!), and logistically it is still going to be a cluster-to-the-f-u-you-know-what as we get down to actually getting the floors down, but.


I seriously can't wait!

What you have not seen in my OOTD snaps from over this past month are the bundles and piles of bamboo sitting everywhere around me, acclimating to the house. It will be great to finally get it all done so we can then move on to the other 2348428374 things that need to be done and I can stop using the piles of bamboo as makeshift coffee tables to set all of my crap on, oh boy.

(But truth be told, I kind of like having 15 coffee tables in my entry way alone--why isn't this a major interior design trend?)

Weekend warriors Husband and I most certainly are not (one of these days I will sit down and tell ya'll the dastardly and dangerous tale of us trying to change a lightbulb high on our vaulted ceilings that involved a ladder, a suction cup, five rubber bands, a chihuahua in a ruffly dress, a deck of UNO cards, those useless loopy potholders we all made in the early 90's and I'm not talking about Pauly Shore, two very long hours, and my DIY parents looking at me so strangely, as if I had somehow failed them) but it has still been awesome picking out things with Husband and doing this thing together.  Go team.

So stay tuned, eyebrow-wiggle-eyebrow-wiggle-eyebrow-wiggle:

Top: J Crew Boatneck Painter Tee in Warm Sienna (buy it here) (similar style here + take 30% off with code "off30") (and here for $21)
Shorts: J Crew (similar style here) (and here, on sale) (and here for under $50) (and here at Anthropologie)
Belt: American Eagle Outfitters (similar style here + take 20% off with code "EXTRA20" thru 8/5) (and similar here)
Necklace: Lulu Frost Quad Pearl Pipe necklace (buy it here, on sale!) (love this, too!) (and a pretty option on Etsy)
Bracelets: Rosa Loves DC & Gorjana (buy it here)
Eyeglasses: Vintage Cateyes (similar style here) (and here) (and here for $20.69!)
Shoes: J Crew Valentina Pumps in Vibrant Coral (buy them here) (similar style here under $70) (and here by Steve Madden)
Bag: Fendi B Bag (similar style here) (and here on sale!) (and here for 50% off)




(Currently Bouncing To...)