Ladylike CosmoPrep

Today my only errands were visiting the post office and picking DH up from the airport. (He was visiting Seattle for a conference). I thought this outfit was simple and the jacket elevated the basic tank + short combo.  

 One of the major things I have learned(and continue to improve) from the forum is balancing volume. I was playing around in my closet yesterday and pulled out this jacket. It is pretty much a box which is why I've avoided wearing it, but I could not bring myself to give it up. A short sleeve linen blend jacket with shape is hard to find in a design that could go into the office. I also love
the linear design, on seam pockets, and slightly puffed sleeves. 

Today's look is Banana Republic and I am wearing my Franco Sarto cognac wedges. 

I cannot exactly call this a formula because I only have 2 dresses like the one I am wearing, but this dress plus a cardi or denim jacket has been a favorite since I picked up this dress 3 years ago at (say it with me!) Old Navy. The cardi is from the ON as well. I am also wearing red lace ballet flats.

I almost did not buy this dress and it's twin in black because they have spaghetti straps. There are plenty of admonitions out there warning busty women not to wear dresses with spaghetti straps -- but I ignored that when I saw how this dress fit. Why should I leave behind a perfectly pretty dress simply because of a thin strip of cloth that no one has to see?  I also love the drawstring which helps define a waist and the ruffles down the front. Sounds like a lot going on when you throw in the print, but it works.    

I usually wear this dress with a regular bra because strapless bras give me a strange profile and don't really lift and separate. So when I wear this dress with or without a topper I wear a bra with coordinating straps. I don't generally encourage women to wear a regular bra with spaghetti straps because I have seen it done badly so many times. How do you all feel about that?

I am pretty sure that before YLF I would never have put this outfit together. Nothing "matches".  All of the colors are complementary which is the basis of the harmony but these pieces were purchased separately. I fell in love with the neon yellow shorts when I saw them at J Crew. They are my perfect 5" length. My shoes are Puma ballet flats and the top and sweater is predictably enough from Old Navy. I guess the secret is out as far as where I get my basics.

I usually try to save the sparkle for evening unless it's jewelry but I think I broke that habit when I purchased this tee (BR) about 2 years ago. It's a lovely shade of smokey blue with sequin and bugle beads. I usually wear this with a black bottom and a black sweater (nice and boring for when you're working).

Today I decided that I could pair sparkle and print in the same outfit to meet a colleague for lunch. The skirt is a dream -- I picked it up from H&M about 7 years ago (has it really been that long????!) I love the graphic floral pattern, and the full swishy skirt. I thought it looked sweet yet modern paired with the black cardi and tee. I have pictures with and without the cardi -- but I wore it because it's about 70 degrees today and this looks so much more "finished"  to me with the black cardi.  

I love this shade of blue with black because the blue is so amorphous that it's difficult to tell what shade it truly is (gray or lavender would be valid choices) and the black on the other hand is so severe and definite that it creates a nice contrast. 

To recap I am wearing:

• black cardi -August Silk 
• Sequin smoke blue tee - Banana Republic 
• b/w skirt - H&M 
• Ballet flats - Vera Wang Lavender

Another 10 hours in the car for the reverse trip. It was worth it to meet DH's extended family. Such lovely people. So this is outfit I wore to drive and I had DH snap this photo after only 2 hours of driving
I wanted to wear something comfortable and attractive. I love this tunic (another ON purchase) the colors are black white yellow and citron. It's light as air has just enough shape and volume with nicely shaped shoulders. I have had the shorts for about 3 years or so I picked them up from Sears  and I am wearing bronze ballet flats - I prefer sandals in the summer but when you're driving any comfy shoe will do.

So today, I spent 10 hours in the car with DH on a drive to Kansas City for DH's family reunion. This is what I wore for the trip. I drove the first 5 hours and had DH snap these photos while at a rest stop in Iowa. (then we switched and he drove)

I am wearing:
green v-neck cardi - J Crew
black tank - Old Navy
Black and cream tribal print skirt - Old Navy
Trusty Franco Sarto wedges in cognac (which looks nude on me.)

I love the feminine shape the belt and the full skirt provide to balance out the top. The green is specifically to add a pop of color.  Happiness factor pretty high especially with the skirt.
 

Today was a day where I did not get to do everything I wanted to do, so I had to prioritize. After 2.5 months of looking like crap most of the time I figured if I was going to face the world today, I was going to do it on my terms ;-) 

This is one of my favorite summer dresses. It is a cotton flutter sleeve shirt dress by Old Navy that I picked up 3 years ago. I also got the sweater from old navy too. I added a few extra flower pins to make the flower detail pop a little more. I am wearing my comfy Franco Sarto wedges and a yellow skinny belt. I carried my yellow tote to complete this outfit and forgot to add a picture of it. BTW blue is my absolute favorite color so my happiness factor with this outfit was through the roof. 

I am going to squeeze in a run to before the sun completely sets. Thanks for looking.