Random Roundup

I really don't know how I accumulate these so quickly because I feel like I do this recap all the time! But, I've got another 10.5 outfits to share that haven't formally made the blog, so here ya go! As with all my random roundup posts, I'm only linking to items that are still available.

 Necklace: Express | Blazer: The Limited | Tank: Express | Bottoms: Express | Wedges: Tory Burch

I was actually inspired to put together this outfit based on my monochromatic outfit I posted. I mentioned in the post that I wanted to mix grey and wine together, and this outfit was the result. Plus I adore these wedges (flashback post here), and I don't wear them enough!

Scarf: H&M | Earrings: Stella and Dot | Necklace: Stella and Dot | Jacket: Kenna-T | Top: JCrew | Watch: Kate Spade | Jeans: Express | Booties: Report

This is one of my favorite sweaters - last seen here with the same Tory Burch wedges from above! No real frills about this outfit, but I love the silhouette and love cognac and grey together! It's nice not to over think things sometimes, right?

Vest: JCrew Factory | Necklace: Kate Spade | Top: Express | Bracelets: Cara, Kate Spade | Bottoms: Express | Boots: MICHAEL Michael Kors (on sale here)

Ah, the obligatory Instagram uniform. I reallllllllly debated on whether or not I wanted to wear the herringbone/buffalo plaid combo since it's been done once or twice before, but what can I say? There's a reason why it's a popular combo. And you know what, I have yet to see someone else walking around with this combo in real life. I've never even seen another person wearing the herringbone vest! So, outside of Instagram, I'll pretend this combo is unique to me. 

Blazer: Express | Scarf: Express | Top: Express | Pants: Express (similar) | Skirt: The Limited | Boots: MICHAEL Michael Kors (on sale here)

This was a work travel outfit when I was flying into the snow storm that was New York. I had a planning meeting to go to in the evening, but really didn't want to wear a pencil skirt all day when I was at the airport. So, I just swapped the pants for the skirt. I did bring some heels for the meeting, too, but with the snow, I just kept the boots on and figured the New Yorkers are used to this look. Sometimes my limbs are not worth sacrificing for fashion.

In other news, I'm in love with this blazer and so very glad I bought it! I had gotten rid of all my other suiting items when I transitioned into this job. I have another black blazer, but it's cropped, and this length is perfect!

Necklace: Stella and Dot | Scarf worn as a shawl: Zara | Belt: Gap | Top: LOFT | Bottoms: Express | Boots: Coach "Adair"

I decided to try the whole scarf as a belted shawl thing, and I la-la-loved it! Though, I will say that it takes a wee bit of coordination and trial and error. Folding this in half to make a triangle still left this huge on me, it was draping so low. I had to fold it over one more time. 

I experimented with belting the front AND the back, and then also leaving the back out of the belt. I liked it better belted front and back. 

And then the last piece you have to deal with are your arms. You can quickly get tyrannosaurus-rex arms depending on how you belt yourself in. Ideally, I would stand there with my arms out to a T and have a second person fold and drape and belt your scarf for you. What, you don't have a person for that?

If you manage to be fully coordinated - the outcome is the best. I was amazed how warm this was, too! But, when you're literally wearing a blanket folded in half around your shoulders, it shouldn't be a surprise that you'd be warm!

Scarf: J Crew Factory | Jacket: Express | Top: Hinge | Leggings: Express | Boots: Coach "Adair"

This is a modified version of this outfit here. Of course when it came time to wear that actual outfit, it was raining outside, and my feet were asking for knee high boots and not calf-hair pumps. So, I made that outfit just a bit more casual - similar color palette, but in a more relaxed way.

Scarf: Express | Vest: Old Navy | Chambray: JCrew Factory | Tunic: Express | Leg Warmers: Grace and Lace | Leggings: Zella | Booties: Naturalizer

Can I be real for a second? I think this outfit is ridiculous. But I wore it to the airport, and I figured it's a step up from pajamas, right? It's just challenging dressing for the airport in the winter because I want to be warm, but I don't want to carry a jacket around with me. Vests and scarves work perfect. For dinner, I did change into a chambray so I could wear an actual jacket.

I almost didn't post this on Instagram because of its ridiculousness, but of course, it is one of my all time most "liked" posts. Oh Instagram, I really don't understand you, do I?

Scarf: H&M | Tunic: Express | Leggings: Pulse | Jacket: Express | Shoes: Sam Edelman

I had to fly to Toronto the day after we got back from DC, so admittedly, some of the same items came with me to save on packing time - like this tunic. It's just the perfect pairing with leggings, and great for layers. The tunic is so old (see more about it here), and one of my most favorite items I've ever gotten from Express. And I've got A LOT from Express...

Scarf: Express | Vest: JCrew | Chambray: JCrew Factory | Top: BP | Bottoms: American Eagle | Booties: Sam Edelman

This was my Thanksgiving outfit. Clearly a bit on the casual side, but we really just ate and lounged and then did a bit of shopping with the family, so it was pretty appropriate. I'm in love with this cranberry vest and am sad it's not online anymore. It was marked down to around $50 in store, and I highly recommend it if you can find it!

Speaking of recommendations, this top came highly recommended by Gina, and she never leads you astray. It's the perfect layering piece, and I ended up ordering it in a burgundy stripe as well!

Sweatshirt: The Foundrie | Bottoms: Express | Shoes: Express

And last but not least is my Black Friday shopping outfit. It was early, so I definitely went for casual comfort. If these JCrew Factory sweats I had ordered had arrived, I would have totally worn those instead! You can see a better view of this sweatshirt here. I feel like I've been plugging The Foundrie a lot on Instagram lately. I met them during the St. Louis Fashion Week festivities, and I gotta say that everything they sell is darling, and I could spend hours in their store!

That's it for now, until the next dozen OOTDs accumulate! Oh, and there's just a couple more days to enter the $650 EXPRESS Gift Card Giveaway! Check it out here if you haven't already!

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Linking up for:  Midwest Bloggers, Friday Favorites, Favorite Fashion Friday, Weekend Wind-down

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Fall tones

This dress is my take on the red and black plaid dress from Old Navy (similar here) that seems to be everywhere. While I like that dress in theory, I feel like it would swallow me alive. I found this adorable alternative at Pulse, and it's aptly named "Autumn Harvest Dress." Of course, when I try to photograph this, the wind makes it difficult. Let's try it with a knit hat.

OK, yeah, I can't do it. I always feel like I look dumb in hats.

Sunnies: Vince Camuto | Jacket: Kenna-T (option, option) | Dress: Pulse (option, option) | Tights: Hue (option) | Boots: Naturalizer (option, option)

It's feeling more and more like fall, which is all good - I loved grabbing these fall toned pieces and getting all bundled up! But what terrifies me is winter. How is it that snow is starting to creep into my Instagram feed? I have mixed feelings about the holidays - a part of me is really excited, but the other part is in denial that we're already at that time of the year. Seeing the Christmas Tree up at the mall over the weekend was a big wake up call that it's actually *not* too early to start buying Christmas presents. I really have no idea how time can possibly fly so darn fast!

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Straight

I don't know why, and you'll probably think I'm crazy, but for whatever reason, I have a really hard time just wearing my hair down and straight. I feel like it's so heavy so it just hangs and looks flat. But then I see so many other people who wear it this way and I'm envious, so, why don't/can't I wear my hair like this more? I didn't realize how long it's been getting until I took these photos, either. Probably because I'm usually curling it or wearing it up!

It's been a pretty hectic last couple of weeks. Actually, it's been a crazy October, to say the least. It felt really good to be able to take legit blog photos this weekend. Last week, I was forced (because I was sick last weekend) to only post 3 times last week, and even still all 3 posts were pre-written, in that they were outfits I had worn well in advance. Although it was nice to have extra time back in my life, I felt pretty disconnected from the blogging world!

Sunnies: Gucci (option) | Necklace: Stella & Dot | Jacket: Kenna-T (option, budget option) | Dress: Bailey 44 | Heels: Joe's

I originally started this blog as my OOTD documentary on steroids, so to speak. I was taking selfies every morning of everything I wore, and then I graduated from taking photos on my phone to taking photos on a real camera. And then all of a sudden, it went from taking photos every morning before work to taking photos in advance on the weekend. So this past week when I was just "living life" without proper photos of my outfits - I felt lost! Not sure what my life has come to, but I'll say that I'm not quite done sharing my outfits with you, so I hope you're not quite done looking at them yet. :)

Thanks for sticking with me!

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Weekend wear

Jacket: Kenna-T (option) | Top: Rubbish (option) | Scarf: Express | Bag: Gucci (budget option here and here) | Jeans: Express | Bracelet: Express | Boots: Coach (option)

My dress code is pretty flexible at work, so a lot of times there's a blurry line that separates my work attire from my weekend attire. But I'd say in general, at least in the cooler months, my weekend wear consists of skinny bottoms, an easy top, a scarf, and boots. Case in point - here are some recent weekend looks that made it on Instagram but didn't make the blog.

Left: Jacket: Express | Scarf: Express | Top: Express | Leggings: Zella | Bag: Ralph Lauren | Boots: Frye

Middle:  Scarf: Express | Sweatshirt: Express | Bag: Foley + Corinna | Jeans: Delia's | Boots: Vince Camuto

Right: Scarf: H&M | Top: JCrew Factory | Leggings: Express | Sneakers: Isabel Marant

While I'm excited as the next person to walk around bare legged with my toes hanging out, I do love my comfy weekend wear. I love layers. I love print mixing. I love boots. I'll have to do another one of these for the warm weather months so I can compare my typical summer weekend outfits with these!

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Black Friday Lust List

Sunnies: TOMS | Jacket: Kenna-T (splurge, save) | Sweater: JCrew (gifted) | Necklace: JCrew (gifted) (option) | Chambray: JCrew Factory | Bag: Marc by Marc Jacobs (option) | Leggings: Zella | Bracelet: JCrew (option) | Boots: Vince Camuto

It took all my strength to wake up and get ready for work this morning. The husband took today off as a vacation day. I'm running pretty slim on vacation days since I have to save some for Christmas. Knowing today would be a short, easy, and quiet day, I decided to go ahead and just go in. But it was rough. On top of that, I hadn't picked out my outfit ahead of time, so I just kind of stood there in my closet room staring aimlessly waiting for inspiration to jump out at me. And it did - the frog. The frog jumped at me! This sweater is a hand me down from a good friend - it's cashmere and quirky, perfect for a half-ish day at work.

So, I haven't talked about Black Friday yet! Frankly, I have no business shopping on Black Friday considering how much shopping I've done the rest of the year, much less this week. I have a few things ordered and on their way to me, which I will have to summarize in a weekend post. For now, I thought I would share some of my if-money-were-no-object Black Friday wishes.

Click the thumbnail below for product information.

I have an iPad already - an iPad2, but the husband just got the Air and really likes it. A friend of ours is interested in buying mine should I upgrade… but it's kind of like buying a new car. Mine works, it's paid off, do I really want that car payment? If money were no object…

As I said yesterday, my black moto jacket from Express is getting lots of air time. The one I'm wearing today is also one of my favorites - it was a splurge a couple years ago, and I've worn it to death and will wear it until it's in shreds. It makes me want another moto jacket, but in oxblood. How many moto jackets does one *need* though is the question. If money were no object…

I need another purse like I need a hole in my head. And I need another Kate Spade product like I need a hole in my head. But gosh, isn't this Beau beautiful? Everytime I see it in the blogosphere, I just sigh. If money were no object…

I debated on these Manolos as a birthday present for myself this year. I ended up buying some animal print/studded Alice and Oliva pumps instead, but I can't stop thinking about these. AND Nordsrom just marked them down, but of course, they're only available in a size 8. I have my Nordstrom SA investigating my size. If it's meant to be, it's meant to be, and if money were no object…

So, what about you? What's on your list for yourself or others, whether that be real life or fantasy life?

Linking up with:

Bethany and Meghan for Three-fer Thursday

Agi for Tres Chic Fashion Thursday
Sherry for Fashion Informant

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First date

 

 

Sunnies: Oakley | Jacket: Kenna-T (option) | Top: Express | Scarf: Express | Leggings: Express | Boots: Naturalizer (similar)

This will be the first time I modeled an outfit *before* actually wearing it. I'm in Atlanta as we speak. I am here for a quick overnight trip, and knew I would not really be in a position to take outfit photos, so I went ahead and took these as I was packing. Yeah, I'm dorky like that. I had to work in the day and was meeting a friend for dinner. But it's not just any friend, it's a friend that I've had for, oh, about 7 years now, but we have never met in person before. Some may describe it as a pen pal relationship - I mean, isn't that what online relationships are? We met through a shopping forum, became Facebook friends, text friends, and in all honesty, I do consider her a real life friend! So what does one wear to meet a friend they've had for years but never met face to face before - a fellow shopping guru, nonetheless?! Something that is packable. Fun but not overly stated. So, here you go. And as I promised, here's the outfit sans jacket.

 

So, what did we do? It was basically the best first date ever. It started off with a little Annie Griffin warehouse shopping. There were so many great pieces with serious markdowns. I ended up with a lace panel dress and a print top.

 

Annie Griffin - Dress: "Lisa" | Top: "Allison"

Next was dinner. We are both from Texas, and naturally Mexican food addicts. I wouldn't necessarily consider myself to be a Mexican food snob by any means, but I do certainly think some is better than others. We went to a place called Taqueria Del Sol - which apparently have locations in about 4 or so other states, but I had never eaten it nor heard of it until today. I ordered one carnitas taco, one brisket taco, and a side of rice. Everything was seriously amazing, and as I type this, I'm wishing I had leftovers.

  

Taqueria Del Sol: Photo Source here

We walked off our dinner a bit and browsed in a couple of stores. Call me crazy, but I really wanted this striped quilted vest from J Crew. I resisted - didn't even bother to try it on, because I could not spend that much money on a vest - something that I know won't get a ton of use in my wardrobe. But I shall stalk it in case it ever goes on crazy sale.

 One scoop salty caramel, one scoop black coffee - from Jeni's

And last but not least - we had ice cream from Jeni's. It was pretty freaking delicious. Creamy like custard, just the perfect amount of sweetness, and my combo of salty caramel plus black coffee was basically heaven. It's great being able to try amazing food while I travel, just sucks when I crave it but can't have it at home!

I told you it was a good first date! Oh, and if you'd like to "meet" my friend, Kate, she blogs over at What Kate Likes - so go check her out!!

Linking up with Allison, Christina, Lauren (Style Elixir), 

Bethany and Meghan for Three-fer Thursday

Tara for What I Wore to Work

Erin for Working Girl with Style

Elle and Jacqueline for Spotlight Weekly

Agi for Tres Chic Fashion Thursday
Sherry for Fashion Informant

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