Thursday, October 31, 2013

Indian Summer Part 2 (AKA Best Skirt Ever)

Some time ago, I found this perfect Ann Taylor PETITE(!) pencil skirt for $6 at a local thrift store. Ann Taylor. My size. Goes with EVERYTHING and is also a great piece for transitioning from summer to fall. Last week was cool with freezing temperatures and morning frost. Today was in the 70s. Go figure.

Left: Turquoise cardigan: Ann Taylor. Shirt: Target. Belt: Steve Madden (gift). Shoes: Old Navy
Middle: Scarf: thrifted. Shirt & Shoes: Old Navy
Right: Cardigan: Gap. Tank Top: Target. Shoes: Old Navy

Scarves: Wal-Mart. Shirts: Target. Belt: thrifted. Boots: Rack Room Shoes. Shoes: Toms.

I am loving these infinity scarves from Wal-Mart, of all places. They come in many colors (I also have green!) and are super soft. I got the idea to wear a graphic tea with a pencil skirt from Audrey over at Putting Me Together. Here is the link to her fun ideas for dressing down a pencil skirt.


Thursday, October 17, 2013

Orange Cousins & Simple Pleasures


Nothing like fall break from teaching to have a day out with my cousin. We don't require much. Just some time at Barnes and Nobles, Pumpkin Spice Lattes from Starbucks, and posing with oddities at TJ Maxx. We must have been in an autumn mood because we both wore orange.

I am currently dealing with a pinched nerve in my back that is sending constant pain down my leg. Not fun. I have been living in sweats for the past three weeks so I was determined to look a little bit put together for our outing. I wore athletic pants/tights because I had Physical Therapy earlier in the day but dressed them up with the shirt and boots.

Chambray Shirt: Target, Orange Shirt: From a friend, Tights: TJ Maxx, Boots: LLBean.

Thanks to all yesterday's walking and shopping, I'm spending today on the couch icing my leg. This whole experience has been very eye-opening. I have a whole new appreciation for those with back issues and chronic pain. Some days I'm positive and other days I feel like this pain will never go away. But amidst this ordeal, I have been forced to sit still and appreciate simple pleasures. Such as a savory cup of tea. Or a beautiful evening sky.




Monday, October 14, 2013

Indian Summer

Top: Wal-Mart (I HATE Wal-Mart but once in a while find something I can't pass up.) Cardigan: LandsEnd. Jeans: JC Penney. Shoes: TopSiders. Boots: LL Bean. Necklace: Self-made with materials from Michael's.

90 degrees one day. 50 degrees the next. I'm ready for some steady fall weather. In the meantime, here are some outfits I concocted to deal with the transition from summer to fall. I've tried to wear outfits that look like fall but are tolerable in the heat because I refuse to wear shorts or tank tops in OCTOBER.

Shirt: Target. Cardigan: Old Navy. Jeans: JC Penney. Boots: Macy's. Scarf: Wal-Mart (Like I said....I HATE Wal-Mart but they sure do have cute scarves.) Purse: Gift from Mom.

I suppose this next line-up could go from cool summer nights to cold winter days. But I just bought this versatile top from Target and the vest from LandsEnd and was DYING to wear them!

Top: Target. Turtleneck: Thrifted. Vest: LandsEnd. Jeans: JCPenney. Shoes: TopSiders. Brown Boots: LL Bean. Black Boots: Macy's. Necklace: Luray Caverns gift shop (they have some cute and cheap jewelry!)



Wednesday, October 9, 2013

Summer Recap

July, August, September, OCTOBER! My how the time does fly. Another summer gone. Another school year started. My thesis is not quite finished but I'm trying to stay positive and focused in spite of a exercise-related back injury that has me on muscle relaxants and physical therapy. Folks, when it rains it POURS. That being said, the road to regular blog posts is just around the corner.

Exhibit A: THE DRESS. I have become borderline obsessed with dresses because they require little to no thought and make one instantly polished. Here is a recap of dresses that kept me smiling throughout the summer months.  Dress: Ross. Shoes: Keds. Bracelets: H&M.


Okay, confession time....the dresses below are from....THE DOLLAR STORE. I could not believe it. These dresses served me well this summer when I wanted to look nice but not too fancy. Everything else (shoes, belts, purse) were thrifted for under $2 each.


I wore this versatile black dress to a symphony concert this summer. It was at night and a bit chilly out so I opted for a scarf instead of a sweater.
Dress: LandsEnd. Scarf: Target. Pearls: Luray Caverns gift shop :-). Belt: Vintage (gift). Shoes: H&M



I have been looking for a green dress for quite some time-particularly since I like to be festive during St. Patrick's Day season. Love how breezy this dress is and how I can class it up with a blazer.
Dress: Ross. Blazer: Gift from Mom. Shoes: Prada (gift). Purse: Thrifted.



Last is this dress which I love for its combination of retro and modern style. I can use any color of belt and add a cardigan and tights when the weather turns cold.
Dress: JC Penney. Belt: Vintage (my grandmother's). Shoes: Dress Barn.