holiday cheer.

banana republic factory dress & old navy blazer {both via thredup*}

jessica simpson oscar heels {via dsw}

since i didn't participate in the ugly christmas sweater contest at work last week, i decided i would at least try to dress the part for my department's holiday party.  the last time i wore this dress on my birthday i also paired it with this cropped brown blazer, so it felt a little unimaginative to do the same here, but, well, that's what happened.  i couldn't find a good cardigan that i felt would "go" with this shade of green, so i just stuck with what worked the first time around.  for a little holiday, festive fun i wore these great gold heels and gold jewelry.  now, this is my idea of holiday attire!

have you had any holiday office parties to attend?  are they anything like what you see in the movies?  none i've attended in real life are, but that doesn't mean that you can't dress the part. 

*join thredup through my referral link and we both get $10!  happy holidays to us!

get the look:  similar dress / similar blazer / similar heels

march 4th {neglected vera}

simply vera skirt {thrifted}   ·   merona tiered top

merona belt {thrifted target stock}   ·   inpink necklace

i am going to hit the ground running today as i join kate in finding items in my closet that have been neglected for far too long--something i haven't worn for a really long time or at all.  today's outfit features a mixture:

skirt:  thrifted in georgia last november (almost four months ago)
belt: thrifted a couple weeks ago (but not yet worn)
necklace: last worn seven months ago

yeah, i would say all of these items have definitely been neglected! honestly, i am not sure if i will keep the skirt around for very long as there doesn't seem to be a lot of options to wear with it aside from cream or gray, but we'll see.  thanks for visiting!

tuesday {fallback}

merona cardigan {thrifted target stock}   ·   banana republic slacks {thrifted}

lela rose for payless wells pumps   ·   inpink necklace

 

fallback / there are days when i fall asleep on the couch watching hallmark movies at 9pm and groggily drag myself to bed when the hefty weight of my cat atop my lap wakes me up and i can barely keep my eyes open long enough to look straight ahead into my open closet to figure out to wear the next day.  this may or may not have happened last night.  in these instances, i fall back on a solid colored bottom (pants or skirt) and a patterned blouse or cardigan.  the print on the cardigan does all the work for you to help you looking like you put some effort into your appearance when really you're still thinking about that crazy dream you had right before you woke up {it was crazy!}.  i think printed dresses are great for this as well but the temps in the mornings here have still been pretty cool; dare i say that within the next week or two i may be able to wear tights?!

 

my friend jess is letting me guest blog at her blog j's style today where i talk a little more about this and answer a few other questions she had for me about my personal style, sewing, and what item in my closet always helps me feel more professional.  i hope you'll check out the post here & thanks to anyone who may be visiting me from her blog!

tuesday {minty}

 

old navy blazer {thrifted}  ·  handmade (by me) skirt

lela rose for payless finsbury pumps   ·  target belt

i mentioned yesterday that i'm trying to watch my spending since i bought a new car recently.  with the apartment to myself this past weekend, i figured it would be the perfect time to fire up my sewing machine and make some skirts.  this is a cute little lisette print from joann's that i think makes the perfect spring/summer skirt.  originally, i wanted to wear it with a short sleeved brown blazer that i thrifted years ago (eek) and have never worn, but i liked the effect a little bit better with a lighter tone on top.  i'm still so happy with this neutral linen blazer and anticipate the cost per wear being next to nothing by the end of the season.  and even though these pictures were taken before 7am this morning, i promise that my eyes weren't really closed {or were they?!}  i also confess that i added a bracelet and a different brown belt before walking out the door... this one was kind of cutting off my circulation.  :)  thanks for dropping by!

wednesday.

merona artist cardigan   j crew frances blouse   mossimo slacks {thrifted}
banana republic tiona heels {thrifted}   inpink linked circles necklace

 

just a simple little outfit to get me through the day of sitting at my desk all day doing paperwork and charting... don't worry, i took a couple breaks away from my basement office to see what was happening in the world and to get some quality doses of vitamin d outside.  i'm glad i got everything done today that i wanted to so i can focus on other things tomorrow.  have a good one!

wednesday (refashioned)

xhilaration juniors dress (turned skirt by me) {thrifted target stock}
merona cardigan {thrifted target stock}  merona meaghan flats

does it count as a refashion if you just turn an inappropriate juniors dress into a cute skirt by chopping off the top and putting in a waistband?  this was my little project this weekend.  i immediately saw potential in the fabric of this dress and it was a pretty easy sewing job to take in the sides a bit and create an elastic waistband.  voila! a new skirt for $4.99.  i debated about it the entire hour i was at the goodwill on sunday, but i'm glad i ended up getting it as i really love the watercolor effect and the muted tones, and i think it turned into a pretty cute skirt.  here's the original dress: