Matchy, Matchy Stripes

I had a big meeting today and a long holiday weekend (thanks, presidents) to obsess over my big meeting ensemble. I had the perfect look planned. I even ironed it. Then, it happened. It being more snow. About four inches of new accumulation on top of the nonsense that is the melting and freezing and remelting and refreezing slushy slop that has basically made me give up trying to look stylish on a daily basis. 

Instantly, my awesome ironed and well planned outfit was out the window. Even though I'm tired of rehashing my winter wardrobe, I was determined to come up with something fun and professional that I hadn't worn before. I started with a Gap skirt that I bought in January for just under $7 and built my look around it - super happy with the result! Cute, warm (key), professional and I didn't have to buy anything new! Here's how I wore it: 

Skirt: black and royal stripe, Gap, $6.97 (super sale, this season)

Blouse: white with navy blue ribbon accent, J. Crew Factory, $19 (clearance - reduced from $79, this season)

Jacket: wool, Old Navy, super sale, old (perfectly matches the stripes in my skirt)

Heels: Talbots, old 

P.S. The meeting went well! Also, I wore snow boots to work and changed into the heels. Never sacrifice your good shoes! 

Valentine's Day Options

Valentine's Day doesn't really bother me. Some people seem to have really strong opinions about either loving or hating the day. To me, any day that involves candy and/or chocolate is a-okay with me (no matter my relationship status). Because Valentine's Day is on a work day this year, I decided to come up with a few options for the office, as well as a casual option. 

I bought these Gap pants last weekend for $9 (reduced from $54). I had been searching for them for weeks in my size and was so excited to finally find them. Although I like options one and two, I think the third option will be the one I go with. 

One:

Top: Old Navy chambray, $15 (last season)

Sweater: Gap, $12 (last season)

Pants: Gap, $9 (this season)

Jewelry: Faux pearls, Wal Mart

Two: 

Top: Old Navy

Sweater: Forever 21 (generic J. Crew Tippi Heart Me), $15 (last season)

Pants: Gap

Jewelry: Wal Mart

Three (work outfit I chose):

Jacket: Gap, $32 (this season)

Top: Old Navy

Pants: Gap

Jewelry: Wal Mart

Top: Old Navy

Sweater: J. Crew Tippi Heart Me, $6 (thrifted)

Jeans: Gap, boyfriend, $19 (past season)

Shoes: Loft, $23 (last season)

Jewelry: Wal Mart

Also, I discovered a camera timer app. Clearly, I haven't perfected using it, but this certainly opens up some options for me. Peace out, selfies. Kind of. These are still selfies. 

The $5 J. Crew Pencil Skirt

If you read my pages looking for tips, you likely questioned that whole shopping via social media business I mentioned. After all, who goes on Instagram or Facebook to buy and/or sell things? Turns out, a lot of people! My first Instagram purchase was a vintage leather pencil skirt from a girl I follow on Instagram ($20). She could have kept the money and never sent the skirt, but indeed, it came in the mail (from Oklahoma), and when I wore it, I posted a picture, which she blessed with a double tap and a compliment. Since then, I've successfully bought and sold (quite a bit, actually) through social media. Just the other day, I was super excited to be the first commenter on a post for a mustard yellow pencil skirt from J. Crew (for only $5). The seller is expecting her first child and is apparently quite confident that her waist will never again see a size 2-4, because she is selling all of her clothes. I met her in a Panera Bread to exchange cash for skirt and was thrilled to get home and find that it's such a good fit. Here's how I wore it: 

Skirt: J. Crew (2011), via Facebook via Panera Bread, $5

Shirt: Old Navy, $14.97 (sale, fall 2012)

Shoes: Loft, $22 (sale, winter 2012)

Necklace: Forever 21, $4 (years ago, can't believe it hasn't fallen apart)

Earrings and bracelets: fake pearls, Wal-Mart, $5

What I Wore Yesterday

Putting an outfit together on a hot June day is next to impossible. You want to look nice, but have to be prepared for the following challenges 1. sweating 2. being cold in air conditioning and 3. your hair/makeup getting all kinds of unruly. I tried to solve these problems yesterday by keeping it simple - the less fuss the better! 

What I wore: 

Eugenia Kim for Target hat (2010, clearance)

Striped Mossimo maxi dress (Target, this season, $29.99)

Vintage Longchamp crossbody bag (one of my favorite thrifted finds, $20)

Old Navy flip flops ($2.50)

(many thanks to a photographer far too talented to be on my blog for the photo of me)

The Longchamp bag has been in rotation recently as one of my favorite purses. Let it be known that I did meet a total stranger in a post office parking lot to buy this. Isn't it beautiful?