Oxford

Walking around the streets of Oxford among all the colleges and academics made me long to be a student again. So much literary genious resounds in the town and my favorite part of the day was getting to eat in the Eagle and the Child; better known endearingly to C.S. Lewis an Tolkien as “the bird and the baby”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My first fish and chips since I arrived and a Nicholson ale

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Another literary experience……inside the Divinity School Chapel, standing where Harry Potter’s hospital bed was placed during scenes filmed for the movies!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sleeveless silk Blue Rose tea dress by Ann Taylor; covered by a teal knit open cardigan and the ballet flats I bought at Dorothy Perkins in Bicester for 7 pounds = $11

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In front of another one of the colleges

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Right before the walking tour with Mr. Darcy

Hello?

One lastpint for the road

lack the knack to pack

Even though I poured through my wardrobe for days and thought I had several sensible yet fabulous ensembles, I felt like a fish out of water  when I got here, nothing I packed was working and I knew I had to shop immediately.

On the way back from the airport we popped into one charity shop and I grabbed this French Connection ruffle sleeved blouse (3.75 pounds = about $6) and this Forever 21 black sundress cvered in yellow roses, with front button detailing (also 3.75 pounds) and a pair of aviators for 95 pence (aboout $1.50)

The combination gave me a fun look that I preferred to anythingI had in my valise to explore the tiny town of Bicester

I wish I’d packed my nice boots and leggings, but these Nine West buckle shoes I had packed as my “dress pair” were satisfactory though not ideal. And to keep me warm while I eat my icelolly, I wear a loose black cardi (borrowed from Mum

Summer Suiting

Here’s a work look for the dog days of summer; Choose a bright sleeveless blouse like this Paisley top by J.Crew (Village Thrift $4.45) and a neutral skirt with a length just above the knee; the ruffle on this brown plaid one adds a playful touch; less  structured and serious (also $4.45 from thrift)

It’s better to wear sheer pantyhose; the intense hue of these weighs the summer look down, but I only have colored tights without runs.

Wear closed toed pumps in a warm neutral (T-strap oxford heels by Ann Taylor) Oxfords are a hot trend this season as the menswear look takes off for fall.

Just a few accessories; only 2 of my stacked ring set from target; and only choose one with a pop of color like these plastic bangles.

A-maize-ing

I bought this yellow strapless dress; for only $6  in Palm Springs, and only two years later,  it was the perfect vineyard frock for a warm wet summers day.

The two toned blue empire waist band and sweetheart neckline piping were such sharp details; I couldn’t believe this wasn’t a designer label. The  folded panels on the front give it structure while hiding any flaws

Shoes were a tough match; I debated on my red-orange ballet flats to really pop out; but I thought the closed toes made it look stuffy and more office oriented, so my go-to summer 2012 sandal, the Native American beaded pair  finished the job.

I added a Banana Republic striped short sleeve cardigan in navy and grey, a brighter maize colored envelope clutch for a monochromatic effect and kept the jewelry minimal for a casual feel

Cupcakes and Vintage lace

A vintage slip is a great foundation to any ensemble; especially where bits of lace may peek out; but the best part…when its time for bed you’re already in a gorgeous nightgown!  Anyways, layered under the Garnett Hill dusty rose skirt and Banana Republic ruffle V-neck top is a chiffon nightgown you can see  sheer extra tier and lace design under the neckline ruffles.

The leather peep-toe booties give the saccharin look an edge as well as the chain link purse I forgot to get in the photo.

The stacked rings were only 3.98 at Target, just a dollar per ring and you can rearrange them any way you choose and they match the bling of the Betsey Johnson pearl encrusted bow earrings ($16 at TJMaxx) and rhinestone necklace (bday gift from my BFF)

The delicious cupcakes of Confections Bakery in Woodbridge  were just as sweet as this ensemble

My Mecca

Forget Disneyland; Potomac Mills has always been the happiest place on earth for me, my Mecca, my Tiffany’s, my Shangri-la…well you get the point, besides I lost my camera at Disneyland and cried most of the day; it was not happy.

Most of what I’m wearing came from the Banana Republic  beside; yellow eyelet blouse, and gladiator wedges.

The cargo skirt by J.Crew although one size too large was a goodwill find  at $3.75 ; the necklace and Loeffler Randall purse are both finds from the Village thrift. Simple Summer Chic.

Pumped Up Kicks

Very Rarely do I wear Sneaks; but Converse “casualizes” everything and brings this ethereal blouse back down to earth.

This is what I call my Project Runway wall; thanks to some Ikea furnishings and my dressform.

Here’s the blouse tucked in for a neater appearance and for visual interest a metallic bag. by Kate Spade

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Southwestern Sunset

I may have strayed to the avante garde side again today, but these brilliant sunset hued pieces said ” Come on….layer me, you know you want to….” Like a little Faustian Devil in my closet.

 

 

It looks like I’m wearing New Mexico!

The top is 2 blouses; the peach ruffles underneath are from an Ann Taylor silk sleeveless button up ($4.88) and the the patterned one is from Banana Republic(Thrift $5.90) Talbot’s A-Line Skirt from the Snob Shop consignment in W-S. ($2.50)

#2 Yellow Pencil

It’s on your supply list for school; why not put it on the supply list for your closet. A pencil skirt is fundamental to any wardrobe, but this linen one; though wrinkly, is light and breezy for summer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gladiator Wedges and spaghetti strap floral blouse keep you cool while looking hot

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And dress work appropriate with a cap-sleeve sequinned crochet cover (This one by WhiteHouse Black Market)

belly dancing

I went to a belly dancing class at the YWCA with my sister; and I didn’t have a long billowy skirt or harem dress, but these flowy layers fit in ok; especially when I picked the pink scarf.

You can’t go wrong with an accessory that jingles across your butt….definitely let that one behind when class was over.

Of course I didn’t get to the gym barefoot….in this picture you can see my purple suede platform loafers by Charlotte Ronson and a gold necklace  that jingles as much as the scarf

The silk paisley blouse by express tucked into this cotton Banana Republic A-line skirt, slimmed down the ruffles created a waist from the top band of the skirt with beautiful shell buttons up the side