Ladylike CosmoPrep

My saving grace this first week back to work was sitting down the week before and planning outfits for the following two weeks. This has its pros and cons.

Pro - I don't have to think about what to wear in the mornings or the night before. Even if I do not wear the outfit exactly as planned, I don't have to start from scratch if one of the pieces is off proportionally.

Con- by not trying these outfits on before I decide to wear them, the proportions may be off. It is true that recycle old outfits based on my posts and tweak them here and there if needed. However, I changed one element of my Wednesday outfit and it threw everything off. I'd gotten my new favorite shirt in the mail and being on Team Wear I wanted to wear the shirt immediately. I figured I could work it in to my blue on blue trouser jacket combination. It didn't work at all. I spent 20 minutes trying to figure out what to wear instead since the top I'd originally planned was not warm enough for the frigid temperatures that day. Picture #3 is the result.

I regret that I could not capture all of the outfits I wore this week. When I finally figured out how to wear my new shirt (Thursday and not picutured) it was such an active LONG day that I never got the chance to snap a photo. I am still playing around with location and angles too in my new place so these pics are not the best -- so I apologize.

I noticed a theme when I looked at my outfits this week, hence the title of this post. It was cold, but I felt warm, crisp, and confident. Also in #1 I took that picture at the end of the day (I don't usually like that because everything is all creased by then). Those trousers are a lovely winter-weight wool in a rich black color. I got them from Talbot's, but I am upset because the picture makes them appear as if they're too short since I am leaning forward ever so slightly. Oh well!
Pic #1 Monday
Pic #2 Tuesday
Pic#3 Wednesday

This is what I wore to a celebratory brunch with DH and DD. We were celebrating my first attorney position (Yay!) I have been MIA this week because I have been finalizing daycare for DD (I start tomorrow!) and preparing to spend a lot less time at home so I have not had time to post this week. I love the fact that this position will fit into my life rather than me having to fit my life into it. Also my daycare is 3 parking lots over from my office (how convenient is that???) So DD and I will be going off to work together. Also, because I will be working full time my outfits posts will be regular from here on out.

Today's outfit is almost all from Old Navy. The boots are Rockport. I fell in love with this high-waist pencil skirt last fall admittedly because it's blue and green (a favorite color combo). I paired it with an indigo turtleneck rather than navy one because I felt that a more vibrant shade of blue would bring out the green in the skirt and contrast nicely with the boots. I'm also wearing a statement necklace but it's obscured a bit by the camera angle. I thought the denim jacket was a nice touch because the organic texture would contrast nicely with the graphic print in the skirt and complement the boots. I wanted to up the casual factor of this skirt but still keep it polished. Have I succeeded?

Additional styling suggestions are appreciated.

I wanted something at-home glam if such a thing exists. I made a tasty cod soup and entertained DD during the process.

I have had all of these pieces for a while. I have never worn them together and I am pleased with the clean lines and pop of this outfit. I of course had to do my hair and makeup for the occasion ;-)

I found this dress while shopping on Sunday. I picked up some fabulous pieces that I will be featuring in the weeks to come. I liked this dress on sight. I loved this dress once I tried it on. (Who doesn't love a dress that immediately makes you look 10 lbs slimmer?). I usually have issues with not enough room on top and too loose on the bottom. Which is why I usually avoid dresses. This time I won -- perfect fit (top & bottom) with great styling. This dress is from the Talbot's outlet (petites) and is a ponte knit.

I got the idea for this outfit as I was drifting off to sleep. I love dark red, burgundy and berry tones. I thought this skirt and jacket combo would work well together. The jacket is my lady like version of edge in faux leather and the skirt is a faux wrap tweed. This is the first time I've worn this combination though I've had these pieces for a while. Are the proportions OK?

I have a short waist so I am always a little self-conscious when I actually show the line of demarcation between my top and a bottom that lands at my natural waist.

This was my Sunday brunch outfit. I think it's a nice play on classics. This sweater fits more snugly that it used to so I thought it would look best under a jacket and paired with some wide-legged bottoms. The proportions work out better for my body type. I have not worn this pair of khakis in quite some time but because they are shorter (meaning regular length) than most of my other khakis as a result they work better with flats. I also loved how the over-sized navy and cream houndstooth print played with black and tan. I think it's a pretty nifty outfit for Sunday brunch.

I'm wearing:
Tan Talbot's flannel blazer
Navy and cream GAP sweater
Black BR khakis
Silver Vera Wang python print ballet flats
new favorite "pearl" earrings from Target

Happy Monday!

I have not posted in a good long while because of a few things. I need a new camera, my current one does not work as well as it should. I'm trying to figure out my new body, conduct a job search, and adapt to my new role as Mommy (Whew! I'm tired!)

Today in celebration of acquiring new bras I thought I'd drag out my clothes to see what fits and what will need to go. I had not planned on wearing brown but I was so enamored with this skirt I just could not resist. It might be a little over the top for some, but considering I am truly dressing for pure enjoyment I thought why not mix a boldly printed full skirt with ruffles and add a statement necklace to boot?

Stylistically I can't tell you where I am. I can definitely tell you that I am in transition. I still love structure, I love ladylike details, and color for sure. My style goal is met daily if I get dressed :-) . DD doesn't care what I wear so long as she has a peek-a-boo partner-- it's hard to maintain a rotation of outfits when getting dressed on a daily basis is optional.

Honestly I haven't prioritized getting dressed because I know there are somethings that aren't going to fit. I also know that I'm going to have to learn new proportions and techniques to dress my body. I am not quite ready to admit that some of the changes to my body are permanent and as a result some things are not going to fit in the same way they did before. As a result those things will have to be purged from my closet (I'm sad about that). How is it that we get so attached to outfit combinations or pieces in our closets? Do any of you get a little sentimental when it's time to purge your closet?

Anyway all of these pieces are at least 3 years old. The only thing new here are the accessories and my slightly different hairdo.

I've taken my tunic and skinnies formula and applied it to these 2 old pieces. I think I've had them both for nearly 2 yrs never put them together until now. Of course both pieces now have new life. I also love these colors together.

Happy Thursday!

Today was much warmer than I anticipated so I was a bit overdressed to run errands. I ditched the jacket. I am wearing a new statement necklace I picked up earlier this week. I love the deep jewel tones. I also realized I love the contrast between the clean lines of the menswear-style shirt and the ornate  statement necklace. 

I'm wearing:

• Old Navy denim Jacket 
• Sonoma straight leg jeans in deep red
• Land's End no-iron shirt 
• 9 West calf hair wedges 
• Statement necklace - Target  

Thanks for looking and Happy Thursday! 

I saw the color of this tunic dress first. It is a beautiful shade of sunset orange. This is a twin to the black and white tunic I wore earlier this week. 

Originally I was thinking I would pair this dress with turquoise accessories as well but I did not think that was elegant enough for a wedding so I went with pearls which are also high contrast color with the orange. I finished off the look with silver metallic heels and bracelets. What color(s) would you pair with this shade of orange?