Ladylike CosmoPrep

So... I should really find something to clean or pack, but I'm one of those people who needs to do something creative daily to feel alive. DD doesn't like getting dressed, so fun-filled afternoons playing dressup with her will have to wait until she can fully appreciate what she's missing ;-).

The subject of this post -- my green jeans -- were not exactly what I expected. I ordered them online probably 2 years ago and thought they would be a paler hue of mint than they are. I also did not think I would be able to work with the white all over polka dot. Something in me responds to both the color and the polka dots on these jeans. Inspiration struck when I imagined them paired with a simple black top and statement accessories. I had a brief crush last year on green gold and black combinations. Once I got started, I came up with SEVERAL combinations for these jeans. I've limited myself to 3 combinations. I am in the process of moving after all and procrastination can only take up so much time ;-)

I am realizing my style is a base of modern classic with an added layer of retro. That is the only way I can explain the pieces I own, silhouettes I create, color combinations and accessories that excite me.

I felt most myself in #3 because the chambray tunic provides structure and the statement necklace provides drama and color.  Number 1 is a close second but I felt like this was a safe choice as if this were still me but more restrained (maybe because green is the only non-neutral). I feel like number 2 is definitely me but moving my personal style forward. It's a bold statement with color and accessories. The peplum hem on the top and fantastically long strand of pearls looped like a scarf are feminine with a capital F. I also like how the open front cardigan drapes around the hips as I could use a bit more volume in that area to balance out the top.

Which one would you choose for me and why?

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?

I was browsing in Target when I found this dress. I happened to try it on while wearing red skinny jeans and really liked the silhouette. I also happened to be wearing a tunic that day as well but not as long as this one. Needless to say this is my new favorite outfit formula.

Happy Thursday!

Bonus pic of DD who has been taking up a lot of my playing in the closet time. 

Today I volunteered with my local bar association completing basic estate planning documents for civil servants. I felt that smart casual was the perfect level of dress given that I was one of the professionals preparing documents today.
Slightly off topic I must say I am shocked at how popular burgundy is this year especially since I was in love with berry tones LAST fall. I'm just glad I have plenty of dark red in my wardrobe already. My new color combo crush is navy with lavender.
Back to today's outfit -- I am a little disappointed because the picture is slightly out of focus but I love the mix of colors patterns and textures in this outfit. I will be wearing this again.

I'm wearing:
Burgundy faux leather jacket
Old Navy long sleeved white tee
Apt. 9 cheetah scarf
BR flocked skinny jeans
Vera Wang silver python ballet flats.

This is what I wore today to run a few errands. My signature super long pants (trouser jeans in this case) are featured along with my trench jacket and watercolor tee. The colors are muted but there's enough high contrast in the tee for this combination to make me feel like my old self. I can't say this will be my go-to MOTG uniform just yet but this is pretty close.

I'm wearing:
Light olive trench jacket - BR
Watercolor tee - Simply Vera Wang
Trouser Jeans - Old Navy

Happy Monday -- thanks for looking. I think I need a nap now ;-).

I am finding that my favorite outfits (for casual wear) tend to have both blue and yellow in them. I am also counting variants of yellow and blue like mustard and teal. I figured it out when I pulled this outfit together for running errands the other day. It made me realize that when my clothing options became severely limited (third trimester) my favorite outfits more often than not included shades of blue and yellow.

I'm wearing:
Printed citron and white tunic - Old Navy
Wide leg jeans - Old Navy
White tank - Old navy
Pewter sandals - Target

Any one else have a favorite color combo? 

P.S.  - I had to laugh at myself about the sunglasses on my head. So happy was I to have a few minutes to start a post I completely forgot that my sunglasses were there.

This look was inspired by this pin. I think it's more than a little bit of a contradiction that I love nostalgic florals and full skirts but like them contrasted with clean lines and crisp tailoring. It's a little hard to pull off for me right now given my desperate need to shop for new underpinnings (bras, shapewear etc.) and my lack of will/energy to do it ;-). So my crisp isn't as crisp as I would like it to be but I still think there's enough of a contrast in this outfit.

Happy Thursday and thanks for looking.

Here's another one of my favorite dresses. It's the print that does it for me. I decided to pair it with these gladiator sandals because the strong lines seem to echo the linear design of the dress. Happy Labor Day Weekend!