Monday, January 31, 2011

Spring Is Not Here Yet!

WHOA like Keanu Reeves... mega close-up!

grey and white striped button-up from Banana Republic, grey leopard print silk scarf from Express, ruched corduroy skirt by XCVI, Circa Joan & David riding boots

Even though I am longing to wear bright oranges, reds, and pinks, I have to remind myself it's not springtime yet. So for a little while you'll see me in neutrals and pastels. I do love wearing grey, white and black. Click for larger photos!

Sunday, January 30, 2011

Fascinating Forever 21

We receive the weekly mag Bloomberg Businessweek. For a business mag, it's very interesting to me. I learn about all kinds of things going on in the corporate world. And they always have at least a little something about fashion in it.

This past week it was more than a little something. They have a long feature article about Forever 21. I don't shop there;I only have bought two shirts (and was given a coat) from them. But I knew nothing about the background of the store. Here's what I learned that interested me:

  • It was started in L.A. by a married couple, Korean immigrants, in 1982. They are the sole owners today.
  • Their two daughters are in charge of PR/marketing and the company's visuals.
  • They claim to be Christians, which explains why John 3:16 is printed on the bottom of every Forever 21 shopping bag.
  • Of the many times Forever 21 has been sued since the first lawsuit in 2001, all have been settled out of court, with the arrangements confidential.
  • There is a documentary called Made in L.A. about a lawsuit and boycott of F21 by workers unions. It won an Emmy in 2008.
  • The Budget Babe's blog is mentioned in the article, making the point of how shoppers are trying to recreate designer looks on a budget.
  • It is also very interesting how much of their company remains secretive, with the headquarters difficult to get into and the owners hard to get in contact with.
I hope you found these points as interesting as I did! I don't advocate knockoffs, but I do respect the privacy of this family company and how their hard work ethic brought them to create this fast-fashion chain.

Friday, January 28, 2011

Double Belted Like a G-6

husband's denim shirt, skirt from LOFT, Rosegold suede booties, two belts by Calvin Klein, OPI Nomad's Dream nail polish

So the idea from this outfit comes from Refinery29, who featured an outfit pairing a denim shirt with an A-line skirt. So I tried it! I didn't have an oversized scarf that would work, so I threw on two belts and was done with it. Felt supremely stylish all day long.

Thursday, January 27, 2011

Layering a Dress with a Long Cardi

taupe shirtdress by Calvin Klein, long camel cardi by Rampage, V Italia brown leather boots

This is what I wore to church on Sunday, cozy and warm despite the snowfall. I think what would really make this outfit perfect is a pair of camel-colored boots. But I don't have any, so this works too! Click for larger photos!

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Top 7 Household Items That Will Wreck Your Manicure

Long after your manicure dries, there are items that lie in wait around your home. Their goal, by design, is to chip or dent your nails, no matter how many coats you have so carefully applied. But I will expose them, so that maybe you can avoid these common predators! May I present to you, in no particular order, the Items That Will Wreck Your Manicure.

Pour Spout on Dishwasher Detergent.
This sharp, steel monstrosity is guaranteed to send the lacquer chips flying. This also goes for the container of Morton Salt in my kitchen. Couldn’t it have been designed to be opened via a nice, curved, plastic pulltab?


Stickers.
New shoes, new dishes, and salad dressing/ketchup bottles come with stickers you have to scrape off. We have Goo-Gone but I’m afraid it, too, would wreck my nails.


Bottle of Conditioner.
See this snap-top bottle? It’s practically designed to be opened with your nails. It’s really difficult to open with the fleshy part of your thumb. The bummer is, once you chip a nail with this, water will get under your chip, if you’re in the shower. It’s a manicure-breaker.


Pant Buttons.
It’s not the unbuttoning that can dent and smush your nails. It’s the rebuttoning. Some days I wish my jeans would snap closed.


Spice Jars.
I should wait for a day when my nails are unpainted, then go through all my spice jars and remove the plastic thingy with the holes for “sprinking”. I only use measuring spoons, and to do that, you need to remove the plastic thingy with your fingernails. Knives are too thick to fit in the crevice, and if you use a knife to try to pry the plastic thingy off, you end up flinging spice all over the kitchen. At least that’s what happens to me.


Lobster-Claw Clasps.
A day I paint my nails is a day when I fear wearing a necklace. If the initial opening of the clasp (and holding it open with my fingernail) doesn’t wreck my manicure, then the fiddling around behind my neck, blindly trying to hook it on the other end, will.


Pop Cans.
I drink a lot of Coke. From cans. That pop-top requires you to slide your fingers under it and lift. I can’t tell you how many times this has dented or chipped my nails!

These items are the enemy of the well-polished woman. Are there items around your house that ruin your manicure, my friends? Please tell us in the comments!

lobster clasp photo from alibaba.com

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Nothing Like A Crisp White Shirt

white button-up shirt from Brooks Brothers, paper bag pants by Madewell, Circa Joan & David patent brown pumps

Ah, it's nice to just feature a simple white button-up shirt. This non-iron, 3/4 sleeve one is a dream come true. It's not at all sheer, it's sturdy, and it washes well. I also love the look of a loose, long, slightly sheer white shirt--over a neutral skirt--but I don't have one. Perhaps someday!

Don't forget to enter my nail polish giveaway! Scroll down to enter.

Friday, January 21, 2011

My First Giveaway is Coming Soon!

grey corderoy blazer by XCVI, magenta shirt by Jones New York, black dress pants from LOFT, Sperry Top-Sider snowboots, necklace from White House Black Market, Zoya Casey nail polish

We have a lot of snow, about 6-8 inches. Me and the StormCooper made it to work fine, but it doesn't do too well in the snow, especially going up hills.

I am excited to announce that on Monday, I will be doing my first giveaway! (HINT: one of the items I am wearing--only a new, unworn version-- will be part of the prize package.) Please come back then to enter. Have a great weekend, my friends!

Thursday, January 20, 2011

Leopard Camel

leopard lace shirt by I.N.C., burgandy button-up by Calvin Klein, brown striped pants by BCBGMaxAzria, V Italia brown leather boots

You've seen this leopard lace top before, but with a completely different ensemble. Still trying to match my Casey nail polish! Have a wonderful day, my friends!

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Do My Nails Match My Outfit?

burgandy cardi by Free People, burgandy satin blouse by BCBGMaxAzria, skirt from LOFT, Circa Joan & David patent low heels, Zoya Casey nail polish


I often decide what to wear based on what's on my nails. I received my three free Zoya nail polishes last week; this is Casey. A dark burgandy creme, it is so fabulous. This is three coats topped with OPI Top Coat.

This blouse is my usual Christmas blouse, but I pulled it out for work. It makes me look pregnant. I am not. The cardi adds visual pounds too, because it is cut to drape, which means extra bulk on the sides. Click for larger photos!

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Grey Another Way

black military blazer by Calvin Klein, grey high-waisted cords from Victoria's Secret, white tee by Splendid, grey croc rainboots by Aquatalia, Zoya Irene nail polish

Here are my comfy grey cords, which I like to wear with my comfy grey rainboots. I am yearning for the bright colors of spring, especially orange, magenta, and yellow. But most of those colors are packed away until, probably, April. In the meantime, I can always wear brighter colors on my nails! I got my free Zoyas last Friday, and the first to go on was an olive/grass green named Irene.

Monday, January 17, 2011

All Bundled Up

This isn't so much an outfit post but a post showing my winter ensemble, complete with funny hat. I've needed to bundle up lately with my Larry Levine camel coat, cashmere scarf, furry camel hat, and new Sorel snowboots. Click for a closeup!

Thursday, January 13, 2011

The Great Snowboot Debate!

black cashmere sweater by Magaschoni, almond button-up by Calvin Klein, black pants from LOFT, snowboots by Sperry Top-Sider, necklace from White House, Black Market


Time to show off my fabulous new almond suede-and-leather snowboots! I won them on the fab blog, Midtown Girl. A little slouchy, a lot warm. Of course, these are wearing-to-work boots, meaning I packed my shoes and changed into them once I arrived at the office. I keep trying to convince my husband of the necessity of this, but he doesn't want to do it. It turns into a debate every time there is a lot of rain or snow. I don't want to ruin my shoes. He doesn't want the hassle of carrying shoes with him, or the wasted time changing his shoes when he arrives somewhere. I should tell him, hey, if Mr. Rogers did it, so can you! Maybe next time. Click for larger photos!

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Military Butterfly

grey sweater from Espirit, olive skirt from J.Crew, Botkier handbag, riding boots by Circa Joan & David, butterfly ring unknown, OPI Kreme de la Kremlin nail polish


One of the late Christmas gifts I received was this large, beautiful pearl-studded butterfly ring. I'm not much of a ring girl, but I do enjoy wearing it! Click to look closer!

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Scarf...or Cape?

red scarf from Arden B., patent red flats by Repetto, black pants from LOFT, black button-up by Calvin Klein

I love this warm sweater scarf that I got from Arden B., who was giving them away a few years ago. It makes a great wrap when you want to wear something that is not warm. Click for a larger photo!

Monday, January 10, 2011

Paper Bag Pants and an Award

black blazer by Sandra Angelozzi, grey Nightmare Before Christmas t-shirt (turned inside out), paper bag pants by Madewell, Calvin Klein suede booties

Am I possibly in style enough to own something featured today on Who What Wear's January Picks? There are those paper bag pants I love so much. And I have to say, I have a white cable knit sweater similar to the one they feature too.

I was honored to be receive a Stylish Blogger Award from Styrch at her blog Pretty In Dayton. I have to tell you seven things about myself, so here goes:

1. I grew up a very picky eater, and rarely ate veggies or fruits. Until I met my husband. He has helped me expand my tastes. I even like broccoli, spinach, peas, and
edamame now!

2. My dream vacation is to visit Jerusalem. I would love to breathe the air and feel the climate that Jesus lived in!

3. I love horror movies. Especially ones with zombies.

4. I am a graphic designer by day.

5. I walked down the aisle to the music "Princess Leia's Theme" by John Williams.

6. If I won the lottery (which I don't even play, so it's pretty impossible) I would open a no-kill cat shelter.

7. My favorite book of the Bible is Isaiah. And chapter 8 of Romans is simply amazing. There is so much there.

Friday, January 7, 2011

Cozy Friday

blue cashmere cardi from JCrew, brown metallic skirt by Paul & Joe, V Italia brown leather boots

The weekend is almost here, my friends! Have a fashionable one!

Thursday, January 6, 2011

Monochromatic

striped button-up shirt by Nine West, camel pants from LOFT, TreVero belt from Dillards, Rosegold olive suede booties, Ray-Ban aviator sunglasses

Here's a monochromatic outfit with varying patterns. I like playing the snake texture of the belt off the stripes in the shirt. And I like this outfit because it matches my hair.

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

eBay Score, Ft. Lauderdale Shirt, and a Hoodie

7 for all Mankind Josefina jeans, printed top from Georgiou, olive hoodie by DKNY Jeans, Rosegold olive suede booties



Almost all my denim is Joe's Jeans, and I wanted to venture into new brand land. These jeans are Sevens, and this style is a skinny boyfriend: fitted in the leg but roomy in the thigh and hip. This particular wash is being sold for $198 on many different sites, so when I saw these jeans on eBay for $19.99, I put in the first bid. I wasn't the last bidder, but I was able to come away with them for around $38. I love them. My husband dryly asks if I bought them with the holes in them on purpose.

This ruched printed top holds a memory for me, I got it when vacationing with my sister in Ft. Lauderdale, probably six years ago. Does anyone from Florida know of the mall store Georgiou? I got this top and a pair of dark straight leg jeans there.

Click for close-ups!

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

By The Dawn's Early Light

brown sweater by August Silk, olive turtleneck by Vince, cropped plaid pants from LOFT, Deka Ray necklace, V Italia boots

An early-morning shot with a touch of sun. God is good. All the time.

Monday, January 3, 2011

New Year, New Haircut


white cable-knit sweater from the Limited, 7 for all Mankind Josephina jeans in Vintage California wash, Katie & Kelly leopard flats


Time for a new start, including new Tron-inspired hair! Well, I went in with asymmetrical, stacked hopes of a futuristic look, but am happy with a toned-down version. New Year's Day was beautifully sunny, great for taking photos! Have a peaceful week, my friends!