Pineapple Upside Down Cake

While the weather doesn’t feel like a tropical paradise….there’s no reason our accessories can’t help us dream of one. In colonial Williamsburg, pineapples were a symbol of hospitality and friendship, So I love this necklace from H&M ($5.95) representing my 2 homes; Hawai’i and Virginia, plus pineapples are just fun!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There was an apple too; Alex said I should get the apple for teacher, but the exotic fruits are more my style 😉

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

crew neck cotton sweater by Ann Taylor layered over a hounds tooth button down oxford in the same color palette says office casual, while the gold houndstooth pleated skirt (both by Banana Republic) dresses it up for a non-Friday fancy ensemble and gives a simultaneous 70’s retro vibe,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The front-facing pleats were sitting strangely, so I turned the skirt 3/4 and they straightened out. I opted for these low-heeled loafers from Nine-west because my T-straps cut the length of my legs and my feet have suffered enough in tight  boots this week.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Finally, a wide belt; although it detracts from the pineapple, I don’t like the skinny waist band of the skirt, no problem; mock-crock print brown belt

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Excellent earrings!

The Princess and the Peacock

Can you guess which is which? Since I’m wearing the stunning  emerald and amethyst  tie neck silk halter with peacock feather print from Banana Republic, then my sister must be the princess; though she’d probably argue that I think I’m both….

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There’s no lilac in the blouse, but I love this lighter shade of purple for the belt to monochromatically compliment it and make it pop against the grey skirt. J.Crew skinny leather belt $2.90 from Village Thrift. Silk tie halter blouse $12.97 on clearance at BR.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I layered over this Kelly Green cotton knit tunic From the BR Factory outlet ($5.99) and tucked both into my favorite ultra  high-waisted pencil; with dark thin vertical stripes (H&M skirt $4.90 from VT)   to elongate the body.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Still a la mode (and not the ice-cream kind) are these stacked bangles. I opted for red to compliment the already bold colors, but not to blend into a sea of green (red and green are literally complimentary colors or opposites on the color wheel—so one is a perfect accent piece while the other is predominant in the ensemb.) Bracelets, about $3.00 total from various thrift stores/hand-me-downs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This envelope shoulder bag/ convertible clutch with art-deco detailing provides structure and visual interest and sits at just the right height on the body to not overwhelm the top half or bulk up the bottom. ($3.45 from VT)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Irridescent eggplant pumps by Jessica simpson, $16.90 brand new  from VT)

Loving Lebanon

 

Tonight I got to be a mystery shopper with my best friend and we had the best meal ever at the Lebanese Taverna. Appetizers, wine, entrees and dessert, we were living the high life!

This time I wore a pink cashmere Vneck from Banana republic over the Michael Kors shift dress ($12.90)

We both picked the perfect accessory; Alex’s gold peacock feather to compliment her blue top and my golden giraffe pendant reflects the animal motif of my dress

 

Ordering was the hardest part….

Suspended!

Suspenders need to make a solid come back, they pop in and out of the magazines so briefly that you can’t find them anywhere. H&M had this pair for $9.95 and they are totally adorable!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

even though they’re braided pleather, they compliment my Sophie braided boots from BR

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This checkered shirt was my grandma’s….vintage Sears.

 

Nerdy Chic!

Driving me Paisley

I couldn’t take my eyes off this stretch knit paisley skirt in rich jewel tones and pastels; it popped off the rack and for only $1.95 (Village Thrift) it found a home in my closet. Since it was going to warm up a bit today, I though I’d give it a test spin. With casual fabrics like denim or jersey knit, hosiery isn’t apropos, so I had to wear it without tights.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I had these open toed, strappy, Betsey Johnson beauts in mind too ($36 from Nordstrom’s), so no stockings was a better choice.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This cute purple polka dotted peplum top with velvet bow by Heatherette came from Secondi consignment shop in Dupont Circle–one of my favorite places to find designer labels for less. ($19.50)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Again, stacking bangles is an inexpensive way to add a pricey looking accessory: teal: $1.45-brand new from Target with its tag still on

and only $ 1.89 for the others combined!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cropped cardigan and lace cami by Banana Republic

French Poodle?

I’m having a love-hate relationship with today’s ensemble. I love this pink striped A-line with black waist bow detail from Ann Taylor($4.45) ;

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

but how do I get black and pink to keep from feeling like this:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Somehow I keep getting visions of a fluffy french poodle…although with the knee high boots do I look more like a French Prostitute?….my fashion barometer is way off because I can’t tell. I feel like this outfit couldn’t get more kitschy unless I added a beret.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I hate that the layering sweater is also baby pink, but I didn’t want to go overboard with the black either and it is  a soft cozy V-neck from BR.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I love the fit of this cap-sleeved cotton eyelet jacket; it de-poodles the look a little

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

However, the accessory I want to draw your attention to is this vintage white popcorn handbag. My sister collected a few of them and I hadn’t thought much of them until today, for a retro vibe!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Blazer Babe

H&M had a slew of blazers on display and this tuxedo style, lapel-less look is the perfect way to round out my winter wardrobe at just under $35.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The denim floral skirt (Kimchi Blue from Urban outfitters) is also worn in my “Zip it” post back in October, but this time for as much more polished edge, a blazer replaces the garden party cardi, I added Dark green Guess pumps to make the purse pop. The shoes also compliment the forest green turtleneck by Brooks Brothers, instead of the lighter teal one worn in the fall.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Normally I would have tucked my top into the pencil skirt, yes even sweaters can be tucked, and added a belt, I had the perfect skinny purple one by J.Crew, but the waistband on this skirt  is cut funky, it’s shorter and tighter, which doesn’t give the top part a smooth finish. Watch out for this when buying any bottom that has a belted waist band, I promise its not your body that looks bulgy, it’s the cut of the piece —that type of waistband was not designed for pear shaped women.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Also, on colder days and to add a unique touch, I layer my tights. A pink pair underneath the taupe ones gives a subtle hint of a rosey hue; while the neutral taupe still dominates (plus if you get a run in the first pair then you have a back-up!)  try it

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Today was the first day of crew practice for the season, so I wore my silver oar pendant for luck and this bracelet: can you tell that it is a coxswain with a megaphone and 8 rowers sitting in a boat on the waves of the water?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Citrine Dream

I always take the worst Photos on my best ensemble days….this is in my top 20 and I wish you could really see why, but the gold and green shades don’t show strongly and the burgandy shoes/purse I picked to compliment those tones appear more murky brown. (use past posts for a true color reference)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Again we see the Gold lame pencil by J.Crew (from thrift) but this time I sported a silky citrine ruffle neck swiss-dot print top with butterfly cap sleeves from Banana Republic.  A wide metallic gold leather belt cinches in excess fabric and draws the eye to your narrowest part creating an hourglass.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
I love the accessories for this look, both the gold scroll work earrings and gold beaded bracelet only cost $3.00 at the Sears’ Outlet.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Plaid’ll do it

The leather buckles on the mini-pockets of this skirt sold me; I love equestrian details. So, this plaid wool Ann Taylor Skirt made its way home with me for only $4.90.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My braided Sophie leather knee Boots from BR were a perfect match and to keep my toes snugly,I tucked in some fair isle cream colored stockings.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For extra bundling I wrapped my self in two sweaters;  a rich forest green sleeveless mock turtle by BR, and on top a cream surplice long sleeved cashmere sweater, also by BR (both thriftstore finds!)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At the point where the surplice neckline meets, I added a cream-colored enamel coated bow pin for daintyness.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Still adoring my coach maroon ostrich leather satchel!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Delicate green gems dangle from looped wire earrings; my new favorite pair!

V-day 2012

Since I had such a blast on V-day last year, I thought I’d try to recapture the magic by wearing the same skirt in signature Vday color: pink with sparkles! I think I picked it up at goodwill in Cat City, CA for $2.99. And it survived a T-rex attack as I literally climbed into the belly of the beast at the Robotics Dinosaur Museum in Cabazon, right off good old I-10.

I paired it with a matching pink v-neck sweater, teal cardi, wide silver belt and silver peep toe pumps, but in the next pic you can see my special V-day accessory, a glass heart pendant, which I left behind in Cali and took my real heart packing!

Hmm…I think I also left about 20 pounds behind too, because in this year’s V-day escapade in Clifton I look a little more svelte…but it could just be the clothes

First, a little Vino at Paradise Springs Winery!    http://www.paradisespringswinery.com/index.html

 

 

 

 

 

Now the tunic length top over an already over-the knee skirt creates a strange  body proportion for petite sizes. The torso appears much longer than it should and the hemline shortens the legs by not falling at the kneecap. However, playing with proportion can be avant garde and you may find yourself a bellwether in the fashion world.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Next, a little stroll down the tracks…very difficult in these Vera Wang boots

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

All aboard! Good thing this A-line skirt and empire cut  tunic top can hide a big caboose!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here I am hiding myself next to this darling little lunch spot; the Clifton Cafe

http://www.cliftoncafe.com

I love the stacked bangles; the pink and white were .90 from thrift and the thicker white cuff was $1 from Charlotte rousse

Fashion magz are always showing designer “resin” cuffs for $40 a pop or more!  Plastic is plastic people ! You can find them so much cheaper almost anywhere and they look identical!