got sole?

Just being a Friday seemed like a special enough occasion to bring out my red-soled beauties; I needed my Louboutins to celebrate surviving another workweek!

Sleeveless Cobalt Blue cotton Wrap dress AT LOFT ($12.88)

My red umbrella matches my famous red soles!

Add a white blazer to look sharp and professional: (AnnTaylor Loft  $9.88)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

How could I afford a pair of Christain Louboutins on my teaching salary you ask? Last summer just before my birthday, I was at Cabazon Premium outlets in CA, and I found this last pair of Gold D’orsay Stilettos at Barney’s New York, marked down from$895 to $349! still a ridiculous amount to pay for shoes I know, but when would I ever get such a deal again? so, I got a Barneys credit card and with the 15% discount and tax…the shoes came out to $364 exactly. A birthday treat for myself and they’ve been worth every pretty penny!

Rachel Weisz  wore the same pair at a Cannes Film Festival!Bag and necklace by Betsey Johnson; I found this zebra printed double strand heart necklace by BJ at the Village thrift for $4.90!!!!!

Stewardess Barbie

I may have gone too far with today’s ensemble, but in fashion a little avant-guarde goes a long way. I was either inspired by yesterday’s airport trip or  excited for the new PanAM show to come on, but either way I ended up slightly stewardess a la 1960’s fabulous!
(At least I wasn’t wearing a matching cap)

Shirt: glammed up this plain cotton tee with silkskirt and glitter pumps. This knit navy shirt by Merona from Target was given to me by the same friend who gave me the red gap dress, the flower and beaded details give it extra pizazz.

Skirt: Gray silk gathered tulip skirt by Ann Taylor $4.88       tights: from BR $1.97

Headband: black and white leopard print bow band 10.50 at Ann Taylor Factory (Leesburg outlets)

Scarf: vintage silk scarf, belonged to my grandma. The pattern has pale pink and purple parasolls which is why I chose the pink shoes as an accent color, plus Navy and fuschia look great together!

Shoes: Betsey Johnson pink glitter peeptoe pumps paid about $30 at Secondi consignment shop in Dupont circle, originally about $168

Bag: Silk geo-circles print in navy from Banana Republic, found it at Village Thrift for $4.90!!!!! and tucked inside is a cute matching mini-mirror

Earrings: silver bows; 3 pairs for $4 at Rugged wearhouse

Bracelets: Charm bracelets are another touch of vintage 60’s, as they were trendy then.  I’ve been collecting sterling silver charm bracelets since I was 6, and my first one was my mom’s from her childhood in the 60’s.  I have 8 full ones already, but i only wore 3 today.

Project airplane runway

I was on airport duty bright and early this morning. Had to drop my mom at Dulles at 4AM and get back for work by 7! So, I broke the jeans rule today and can only hope I don’t get fired but here’s my crack of dawn, on the go, “jet setting” runway look:

THANK GOD FOR COFFEE!!!!!!!!!

Long sleeved green tee by Michael stars, 2.99 from Angelview thrift  Palm Desert, the color and shine really compliment the patterned top layered over it.
Aline swing Top: Ann taylor 9.90 at village thrift, loved the bow detail on the neckline
Skinny trouser jeans by BR the crease line disguises them as pants vs. Denim

Suede Boots: Banana Republic 160 ish on sale last season (originally $250)

Scarf: gift,  My sister brought it back from France. A scarf is a must fir early AM errands and or anything related to travel, it says on the go chic! Plus it doubled as a head covering on my way out of Starbucks as the torrential downpour started up again.

ring: Charlotte Russe 99 cents and earrings BR hoops from Angel View Thrift Palm Desert  $2.99

White’s last stand

I don’t believe in the “No wearing white after labor day” rule but breezy white-cotton a-lines scream summertime and are awkwardly out of place in a fall wardrobe . So, here’s this skirt’s last ditch effort at being taken out of the closet before next year!

To “autumnify” it I wore olive green sweater tights underneath and added a  scarf and jacket. Simple right?    Well make sure the jacket is fitted (comes in at the smallest part of your waist) you don’t want to lose the hourglass silhouette of the A-line underneath. The brown tones down the glare a bit and the tights add visual interest and warmth.

I went light on the accessories today, except for an over the shoulder bag that although is also white, brings in hints of taupe from the snake embossed print, also the toughness of the leather negates the airiness of the cotton.

I love these shoes because the tweed and brown leather scream fall just as loudly as the white cotton screams summer, rather than going deaf from the screaming, they cancel each other out.

Rad in plaid

Here’s how to look rad in plaid;

 

 

Plaid should really be considered a neutral, depending on the density of the pattern and the color pallette involved. And as a neutral you want to avoid playing it safe by pairing it with a bold color (preferably a solid) This houndstooth print in browns and tans appears solid from a distance and the vibrant yellow pulls from that color family as an excellent compliment.

Pants: Banana Republic $14.97 Belt: black patent leather skinny belt w/ tortoise shell buckle by Ann Taylor $2.90 @ V thrift

Accessories can also be bold, but keep to the same color family and don’t have more than 2 large pieces.

Bracelets: plastic leopard bangle $1 from target     gold scarab bracelet: estate sale find! (c. 1960)

Shoes: Patent Forest green pumps by Guess from Marshalls $29

To be more conservative for work, I needed a cover/wrap, so to fit with the 70’s vibe this open front batwing sleeve sweater from Ann Taylor

To balance out the large bangle here are some delicate pieces that are unique to me: these earrings are Hawaiian Honu’s (turtles my favorite animal) I found this pair, not while I was living in HI, but at an antique shop in Fredericksburg for $5 and these are usually 30+ at the tourist shops! They were just waiting for me to find them!

And this necklace is a letter bead with an E on it for my name ($35 handmade found at a boutique in Memphis TN fashion district)

Candy Apple Red wine

Apple wine and red wrap dresses are the perfect fall combination.

This dress was a hand-me down from my friend Stephanie and I love it, its a cotton surplice empire waist tie-back from Gap.

I paired it with my suede BR boots from last season and a few bronzey autumn touches

accessories: earrings are tigers-eye dangles from Village thrift ($1.45) tortoise shell bracelets (BR $10) and Nautilus necklacePerfect fall weather for eating daddy’s birthday dinner outside with the family

Branded at the drive in

Brand name label that is….ok probably my worst pun ever, but I had been saving my newest Bestey Johnson dress for the perfect occasion and this Saturday One of my biggest dreams came true! I finally got to go to a drive in movie! Wolfgang Jack, costume contests, classic car show and American Graffiti….Best Day ever!

Betsey Johnson strapless rose tea dress  from Secondi (a consignment shop in Dupont Circle) $89.50

Blue cropped cardi from Banana Republic at $6.90 at Village Thrift

Green suede kitten heels: by Ann Taylor from Village thrift $9.90

Bow Headband Chatlotte Russe $1.99 Cat eye sunglasses $4 at 5 and Below

HULA HOOP CONTEST!!!!!

The dress was a Huge Hit, I got compliments all evening and I won a free popcorn in the costume contest!!!!

Lace it up

Elegant antique lace and vintage inspired accessories are sexy but demure

Top: Ann Taylor: brand new with tags from Village thrift (50% off 6.90 = $3.45)

Denim: BR  trouser jeans $19.99

Shoes: Missoni for target $39.99 (once again the hard architectural detailing is a nice contrast against the soft feminine lace)

WRISTLETTE: KATE SPADE $25      Necklace: pocketwatch on chain from target $14.99

Headband: urban outfitters 4.99

Finally time for happy hour!

Vertical Limits

These navy tights under my navy vertical striped pencil skirt created lots of length, but I still couldn’t resist the extra height so I wore my leopard print stilettos (I’m barely 5’3″ I need every inch I can get) Remember to create the illusion of longer legs wear the same color hosiery as your bottom half and or shoe; this trompe l’oeil (trick of the eye) makes one continuous vertical line to follow and voila! Instant height.

Orange is a great pop for navy. Navy is actually a horrible color on me, but the trick is when a color is unflattering to your skintone,. just keep it away from your face, the orange brings out the warmth and the navy just stays a neutral in the background.

Shoes: Leopard print peep-toe slingbacks by Jessica simpson $39.99 at Marshall’s but worth every penny, sexiest shoes I own!

Tights: banana republic $2.97

Skirt: H&M  50% off $7.90=3.95  @ Village thrift….also found a great skinny bicolor belt in orange/gray for $2.90 same day.

Top: orange short sleeve sweater by Banana Republic $4.90 @ Vthrift

Earrings:  navy blue enamel over gold flower clip-ons (50% off 3.90= $1.95)

Bag: Betsey Johnson from Marshalls $35     gray Mohair Sweater: Nicole Miller Collection 6.90 at Village thrift

midnight cowgirl

Another country western look for me on a dreary, drizzly Wednesday. My red leather jacket takes me from day to night so I’m ready to grab some Pizza @ Brixx and stay up for movie-night. The moccasin boot babies make a return since my Tuesday afternoon shopping excursion was fruitless in the new fall boots department. The 3 tiered skirt I was wearing had a country flare from the I heart Ronson line.

Skirt: I heart Ronson (Charlotte Ronson’s line for JCPenny’s $12.99

Boots:$60 genuine leather “Sioux” boots by Coconuts from Nordstroms

I think of all my blouses, this may be the one that makes my boobs look the biggest so its clearly my fav! 🙂  The way the ruffles and folds of slinky fabric gather and fall in just the right places, but mostly because of the wide boat/scoop neckline. At work, I thought it covered up my tatt, but I guess when I took my jacket off, the sleeve got turned up  and a 6th grader asked if the wings were of an eagle…..oops, oh well, at least no one else noticed

Top: BR silk cotton flutter sleeve tank in neutral. $6.90 at thrift

Sequin Earrings: gift from Alex

Ring, for another dash of spice, I threw on a red and gold cocktail ring, Charlotte Russe 99 cents

Finally the red jacket: was $200, I got it for $50 (75% off for non-math people)—-Zac Posen for Target