Bluesday

For some reason this Tuesday has felt like a Monday. But it's nearly the end of the day and I can't complain. And with the sun staying out a bit longer, well... I don't have reason be sad (although I still mourn the loss of an hour of sleep..bah).

I put this together this morning on a whim when I decided that I really didn't want to wear a skirt today - and quite frankly with the cold air blasting in here I'd probably have frozen today, and as a result, this won out instead.

Hooray for stripes, the color blue, and red patent flats!  I also really like the grey and pink lining that peeks out of the blazer - such a fun, girly add on. And, I feel as though I really need to get wearing light clothing items out of my system as fast as possible because London and Paris are calling for temps below 50. Brrr. Perhaps I will have to look like a dorky tourist with uggs after all.

Are there any items that are absolute necessities that you take while traveling?

Blouse: Banana Republic
Blazer and jeans: Gap
Shoes: Tory Burch
Scarf: Gift

A new outfit favorite

While shopping this past weekend at both Target and the J Crew outlet I picked up another gingham shirt and a black pullover sweater. I feel as though I've been waiting all week to wear this outfit and I've decided its a new favorite of mine. The weather is pretty overcast and chilly here today so I'm glad for the layers and extra added bit of warmth as I try not to freeze in my office.

See what I mean about this new favorite outfit thing? Maybe I just need to go back to simple outfits that I feel comfortable and confident in. Such as this one.. that I have to try not to wear every day.

Are there any pieces or outfit combinations that you just feel the most confident in?

Button down: Target (exact)
Pullover: J Crew Factory (exact)
Necklace: Forever 21 (exact)
Jeans: Seven for all Mankind
Shoes: Gap

And linking up with Mix and Match Fashion for  What I wore to work today!

 

Blue and green

Hello, March! I'm glad that you are finally here - and with it, a trip to London and Paris in less than 2 weeks. Not only am I now contemplating what to pack but I'm trying not to freak myself out silly over the fact that I have to fly from London - San Francisco home by myself. Have I ever mentioned that I hate flying? Well, I hate flying. Someone, pass the advil pm.

This past weekend DH and I grabbed my car and drove. Saturday we went north along highway 1 and stopped in Stinson Beach for clam chowder, Petaluma for cheese, and finally made it to Santa Rosa and spent some time at Russian River Brewing Company. Sunday we headed east, mainly in the direction of the Livermore Outlets where I indulged in J Crew and Gap. I picked up the button down I'm wearing today for the nifty price of 12. I feel as though I had to stop myself from buying 5, heh.

 
I'm starting to really, really like blue and green paired together. Call it a spring awakening but it might be my new favorite thing. And the little buttons on this cardigan? Love them too.

And my hair has decided to be a frizzball today. Ahh, Mondays.

Are there any color combos that you've discovered or rediscovered lately? I'd love to hear all about it!

Cardigan: C Wonder
Button down: Gap Outlet
Necklace: Forever 21
Skirt: Banana Republic
Shoes: Lands End

February Budget

February... where did you go! I can't believe it's time to wrap up yet another month. Here's what I added to my wardrobe throughout February:

Fitted boyfriend cat print shirt, striped blazer, plaid shirt, green and blue bracelets - Gap, 32.97, 51.53, 4.27 1.69 ea
Red cashmere v neck sweater - Nordstrom, 51.90
Cece ballet flats in boulevard green - J Crew, 49.99 (not too sure if i should keep these... can green be a neutral?)
Gold bracelet - Banana Republic, 10.19
Plaid pullover - Old Navy (similar colors at link), 19.99

Would love to hear your thoughts on some of these items. I'm still a bit torn on the blazer and the green shoes. :)


Linking up with Franish!

Collared blazer love

For some reason four day work weeks always feel longer than 5 day weeks. I mean you are really only working 32 hours instead of 40 (if you go by a clock) but the days just drag on. 5 o'clock is looming here and I can't wait!

I wore this to work yesterday and am kicking myself for not picking up more of the jackie sweaters when I got this one... they just look so good and have longer sleeves than the tippi. I think a red and royal blue would be nice... or navy. White? Beige? Oi vey.

 I also have to admit that I really like the new lighting in this office bathroom.

And can I stop for a second and mention how much I love peter pan collars, especially ones that have embellishments on them? When I grabbed this top from H&M sometime last year I thought it was going to be one of those purchases that I always regret. But I'm glad to see that it's versatile and I can pair it under sweaters to add a bit of glam to my outfit.

I've also been searching for a collar necklace or two to add to my collection..so if anyone has any that they've picked up recently let me know. I particularly like this one from C Wonder but the price stops me from pulling the trigger on buying it.

Are there certain items in your closet that you hesitated on purchasing but end up loving?

And because its a Friday... T minus 22 days until Europe!

Blazer & Jeans: Banana Republic similar blazer here, jeans here
Jackie sweater: J Crew
Scarf: Nordstrom, similar rose print here
Peter pan collar shirt: H&M

Venetian Red & TOPIO wrap up

So I have to admit that I kinda failed on the last bit of the TOPIO challenge. Thursday and Friday were both such long days at work and I felt as if I was fighting off the virus again that my last two outfits really lacked gusto. So I apologize for the lack of photos and outfit creativity.

Hidden above in this outfit was a cute little necklace that my mom got for me at Forever 21 (Katie is also wearing it here!) and on Thursday I wore this..

Cashmere is amazing, by the way. I'd like to add a few more to my sweater wardrobe but some of the prices are just so expensive. But something that I'd like to start doing is buying quality over quality - and that goes for shoes, jeans, blazers, button downs - really from going forward if I have to pay a bit more for it but it lasts longer then I'm okay with that.

Jeans: Banana Republic
Jacket: J Crew
Sweater: Nordstrom (in Venetian Red)
Button down: Old Navy
Necklace: Forever 21 (similar)

And for Friday... I took my new bracelet (camera hand above) and paired it with a button down and jeans. You'll have to forgive me for only one photo of my accessory because it was just such a long day.

Adorable, yeah? It's mine and DH's initial. :)

After looking at my oxford shirt in Thursday's outfit I'm realizing that I need to replace it with a better button down. If you have a recommendation for a favorite one let me know... I'm always interested in a good blouse!

Stripes and sequins and plaid

Officially a new favorite combo of mine. Lets take a refresher from day one of TOPIO:

And that turned into yesterday's below:

Again, I think this shirt is going to prove to be more useful than I originally thought. And can we stop for a second and can I tell you how much I adore this plaid blazer? It came to me from a fellow J Crew lover who hadn't used it that much.. so I snapped it up. Blazer wardrobe officially completed. I had on a pair of maroon tassel loafers to tie this all together but ouch, they really hurt while trying to break them in.
Top: Loft
Blazer: J Crew
Jeans: Gap

And today... I mixed plaid with a skirt, plain blouse, and bright colored scarf to get this:

I apologize to you for the wrinkles on my skirt but I've been up since 5:45 (blech). I'm not quite sure if the purple in the scarf is too overpowering for this outfit but hey that's what fashion and experimenting is all about, yeah?

And can I also admit that I'm horrible at scarf tying? I really need to learn to do something other than the one style above.

Blazer, skirt: J Crew
Blouse: H&M
Scarf: Hermes

Do you have any tips on tying scarves? If so...let me hear it!