New Shoes

I have been looking everywhere for flat, dressy sandals. Heels are cute and all, but sometimes my feet just need a break. I finally found these very low wedge sandals on sale at Belk. T-strap sandals have always been a favorite of mine and these patent leather beauties make any dress instantly classy. Here is an outfit I wore for church this weekend. I played my violin so there was a lot of running on and off stage and I'm happy to report I didn't have to think about my feet.

 

Blazer & Top: Can't remember (Gift from Mom), Skirt: Calvin Klein (Gift from friend), Shoes: Belk

The cat seems to recognize and approve of this skirt. :-) (Second picture is from a year ago.)

OBX

I HATE the fact that I haven't had time to blog lately. Okay...since April. That is what the last semester of grad school does to a person. I'm not sure how many of you actually read this blog but be assured I will be posting VERY regularly as soon as my thesis is turned in. The good news is I passed my final oral exam and am now truly in the final stretch of this incredible journey. A journey I have been blessed to experience but one that I'm ready to be over!

Two weeks ago I went to the Outer Banks with my family for the first time. It was lovely. Here are some beach-friendly outfits. Very simple and classic. I'm looking forward to posting some fancier summer outfits soon. Target, Ross, and Marshalls have been good to me this summer!

 

I wore this during our day in the van headed to the beach. I wanted to experiment with pairing a graphic t-shirt with my new Ann Taylor cardigan I found on sale.

T-Shirt: Target (From a friend). Cardigan: Ann Taylor, Belt: Thrift Store (50 cents!), Capris: Can't remember. Sandals: Teva.

This is on the porch of our friends' beach house. I am very in to the Nautical theme this summer. Notice the anchor head wrap and sand dollar pendant. :-)

Head Scarf: Target (Dollar bin!), T-Shirt: Target, Cardigan: Ann Taylor, Shorts: Old Navy (from a friend).

 

Wore this for a quick trip to some local souvenir shops. 

Shirt & Bracelets: Forever 21, Shorts: Old Navy (from a friend), Shoes: TOMS, Purse: Thrift Shop (50 cents!), Watch: Timex (Target)

 

Winter/Spring/Whatever

It has been challenging to dress for this crazy winter/spring/whatever weather. Here are some attempts. One of my best friends, Jordan, visited me several weekends ago and we unintentionally sort-of matched for church. Loving our cool colors in chevron and stripes. It's a nice mix of classic and trendy. And...these dresses work great for both cool and weather. And....my dress was $17 at Ross. WIN!

Here's several other dressy outfits I've come up with lately. This one was for my brother's orchestra concert. I finally found a sweater dress that was long enough and doesn't look like an ill-fitting potato sack. Note the SNOW outside. I enjoyed the snowstorm but am sure ready for spring.

Dress: Dress Barn, Boots: Macy's, Shrug: Ross, Scarf, Target

Next was a work outfit. I wanted a funky look that was still work-appropriate. The skirt is actually a dress. The fun necklace is actually a watch. Couldn't resist the owl. 

Blazer: From my mom, Sweater: Plato's Closet, Dress: Target, Boots: Bjorn, Necklace: Street Festival in MD

This final outfit was for work. The belt from the 1960s. It belonged to my grandmother. :-)

Shirt: From a friend, Pants: JC Penney, Shoes: Old Navy, Belt: Vintage

One Word: BOOTS

It appears I made it through my year of no-new-clothes! This accomplishment calls for an official celebratory post and that is definitely in the near future, but I wanted to go ahead and show what my reward splurge was: brown leather boots. Those that know me well know I've had this on my wish list for about three years. Thanks to end-of-winter sales at L.L. Bean, that is one more thing crossed off the list.  I love the color and especially the adjustable calf option. My calves are so skinny and it has been torture looking for boots of this style that fit me. Here are other outfits featuring the boots. (And because if I don't post them now I probably never will!) Above Outfit. Jacket: Nordstram Rack, Sweater: From a friend, Pants: Ann Taylor

Jacket: Kenneth Cole, Shirt: Kohls, Belt: My mom's, Pants: Ann Taylor, Scarf: No idea, Leg Warmers: TJ Maxx

Turtleneck: Kohls, Scarf: Ross, Belt: Thrifted, Jeans: Hollister (Thrifted), Skirt: JC Penney

Wore this to my brother's high school baseball game and my students approved. :-)
Jacket: JC Penney, Sweatshirt: Kettering College, Scarf: Plato's Closet, Jeans: Ross, Leg Warmers: TJ Maxx

Kelly Green

First, apologies for not posting for almost two months. I am in my final semester of grad school and am ferociously writing my thesis and studying for the oral exit exam. I have no life. None. I can't wait to graduate and regularly post again. I miss it!

In spite of the hectic schedule, my family and I managed to take a road trip and visit my brother in college. The trip took place on my birthday and it was a blast. My family does road trips well and this was no exception. Eight hours in the car took us to Chattanooga where we picked up my brother and went out for my favorite dessert: key lime pie.

I chose this outfit based on the color: Kelly Green. I recently purchased this sweater from Old Navy and LOVE it. I chose the black stretchy pants since we were going to be in the car all day but then go out for dinner. And I wear this March necklace every year on my birthday.

Scarf: Plato's Closet, Sweater & Shirt: Old Navy, Belt: Thrift Shop, Pants: Ann Taylor, Boots: LL Bean

Casual Sunday

One week ago, the high school orchestra I direct had a Sunday rehearsal. I wanted to capture 3 looks: professional, casual, & MUSIC NERD!  This is what I came up with.

Blazer: H&M ($5 at Plato's Closet), Pin: Vintage, Shirt: American Eagle, Pants: Ann Taylor, Socks: My mom's, Boots: Macy's.

Work Week

Here are last week's work outfits.  It was a weird week weather-wise. That's why one day my ankles are exposed and next thing you know I've got snow boots back on. Typical east coast these days!

Dress: Lands End, Sweater: Old Navy, Scarf: Thrifted, Tights: Target, Boots: Bjorndal (Rack Room Shoes), Key Pin: Michael's Craft Store, Watch: Timex (Target)

Tuesday: Cardigan: Old Navy, Shirt: Kohl's, Belt: Thrifted, Pants: Can't remember, Shoes: TJ Maxx
Wednesday: Cardigan: Ross, Camisole: Old Navy, Necklace: Rugged Warehouse, Pants: New York & Co. (From a friend), Shoes: Aerosoles (From a friend), Watch: Timex (Target)
Thursday: Sweater: B.Moss, Belt: Gap, Pants: Belk, Shoes: Ross

The picture below goes with Thursday's outfit. I wanted to show the polished coordination of maroon/burgundy because this outfit is one of my go-tos when I have "nothing to wear."

Sweater: Tommy Hilfiger (Thrifted for $10!), Skirt: Ann Taylor (Thrifted for $2!!), Tights: Can't remember, Pants: Ann Taylor, Socks: My mom's, Leather Boots: Macy's, Snow Boots: Kohls, Scarf: Vintage-My mom's from the 70s. 

You'll notice lots of bargains and thrift store finds in this week's line-up. My favorite piece is this vintage scarf.  I love bringing the colorful 70s into my winter wardrobe.  Moral of the story: Winter does not have to be depressing. Scarves and tights and boots, oh my!