never been worn before: eyelet blouse.

 

 j crew eyelet blouse {thrifted}   ·   old navy blazer {thrifted}

old navy boyfriend khakis   ·   mossimo ona flats

for day two of my "never been worn before" theme week i'm featuring this j crew eyelet blouse that i thrifted at the goodwill in august of 2013 for $6.99.  "why on earth would someone have donated this?!" i asked myself as i adjusted my goodwill goggles and dropped it in my basket before another customer could fight me for it.  it wasn't until i got it home, washed it, and looked it over did i see the snag in the eyelet around the far left side of my torso (kind of in the middle of the close-up shot).  yeah, that's why it was donated.  into the mending box it went thinking i could do some sewing handiwork to reattach the torn part to the blouse.  well, 8 months flew by and i forgot about it until recently.  i decided that with a blazer layered over it, the tear is shielded and not noticeable.  i will probably still seek my mom's assistance to do some stitching repairs, but until then i'm trying not to hang my head too low in shame that so much time passed before i even tried to wear this blouse.  because isn't it just lovely?! 

get the look:  current factory blouse / similar blazer / exact pants / exact flats / similar necklace

july 8th {gleeful}

 

mossimo dress {thrifted target stock}   ·   old navy blazer {thrifted}

gleeful peacock necklaces {1 & 2}   ·    dexter kylie wedges

 

i picked up this dress a couple weeks ago at the goodwill - usually dresses from the mossimo and xhiliartaion brands are way too short for my comfort, but i gave this one a try and was pleasantly surprised that it comes to my knees!  i definitely couldn't leave it on the shelf after it met the length test!

 

these necklaces are from one of my favorite small businesses based out of tulsa, ok, gleeful peacock!  every time i am in tulsa i pick up a new piece of her jewelry at a local shop but i ordered these necklaces from her online shop last month where she has a much bigger selection.  her jewelry is so delicate & whimsy and adds a perfect complement to so many of my outfits - it's not that noticeable, but i wear one of her bracelets next to my watch everyday--see a close up below!  i was looking for some simple chain necklaces to wear when a statement necklace is just too much, and i love layering these two necklaces together.

 

 

thanks for visiting!

may 16th {what i wore}

merona tie front dress   ·   mossimo belt

mix no 6 otavia wedges

i was so unhappy with the outfit that i wore yesterday.  at the last minute before i left for work i thought of this dress, but by that time it would have been too much work to change completely without the assurance this outfit would work out--i wasn't sure if the colors in the wedges would "match" as well with the dress without pulling them both out and putting them next to each other.  turns out, the purple hues in the wedges is more of a true purple, not magenta like this dress.  the green in the shoes is more lime green, not mint green like my belt, but i still think that they blend well enough to "go."  i'm really so glad i purchased these wedges at DSW a couple months ago.  even though they were more expensive than shoes i typically buy, they're interesting and coordinate with so many different outfits.

thanks for visiting!

may 2nd {linen}

old navy linen blazer   ·   merona lace popover top

calvin klein skirt {thrifted}   ·   merona maye heels {thrifted target stock}

welcome to day four of the patone-inspired spring color challenge.  thank you all so much for participating with us so far this week, it has been so fun seeing my blog filled with such colorful thumbnails and i'm sure marissa agrees.  if you are just joining us, the link-up for emerald (monday) and african violet (tuesday) was right here at my blog.  marissa is hosting us the rest of the week!

i am so curious to see how people interpret the color linen for today.  is it tan?  blush?  since i couldn't quite figure that out, i went the literal route and wore this great linen blazer that i thrifted forever ago.  i really wear it year round, but i'm especially excited to pull it out this spring!  i paired it with this great lace blouse from target i also couldn't wait to wear and brought in a print with the shoes.

be sure to head over to the modern austen to add your linen look!

april 3rd {shabby}

old navy oxford   ·   shabby apple andes skirt {giveaway win}

old navy linen blazer {thrifted}   ·   merona mari heels

i've never owned anything from shabby apple before, so i was pretty excited to win a recent giveaway from apples & pencil skirts.  i picked up the andes skirt that i've been eying for a while and thought i would do a mini-review of it in case anyone else is interested in knowing more about shabby apple's skirts.  the skirt is high waisted and has a little extra length to it, but it would simple to raise the hemline.  the fabric is pretty thin and there is no lining, which was a little disappointing.  i'm not sure why such expensive skirts made out of what seems like inexpensive fabric aren't lined (like my eshakti dress).  regardless, i do still like the print and having another fun pencil skirt in my collection!  

what has your experience been with shabby apple?

march 20th {lacy}

xhilaration peter pan collar lace top   ·   merona doubleweave skirt

old navy linen blazer {thrifted}   ·   merona mariela heels {thrifted}

i've been hanging onto this cute lace top for a couple weeks now and today was the perfect day to stop neglecting it and wear it for marionberry's trend of the month challenge: lace!  i know i've basically hidden the entire blouse under the blazer and scarf, but it is a cute top despite being a little too short - it is a junior's brand, after all.  i imagine it will work okay for me though as i'll still be able to tuck it into skirts.  i've wanted to add a lace top to my wardrobe for a while and i think i will definitely get a lot of wear out of this one!  i think navy & magenta always look great together too, so this turned out to be one of my favorite recent outfits (except the snagged tights).  thanks for dropping by!

january 28th {gifts}

 merona tiered top {thrifted target stock}   ·  old navy blazer {thrifted}
old navy skirt & scarf   ·  mossimo kachiri boots   ·   forever 21 bracelet

i am convinced that...

·  a bright, printed scarf instantly adds punch & interest to any outfit

·  a 30 degree day in the middle of winter is the greatest gift a minnesotan can receive

·  a bathroom squeegee works amazingly well to remove 3" of snow from your car {trust me!}

·  this skirt is way too short.  note to self:  i need a plain brown pencil skirt!
·  tina will love her horseshoe bauble bar earrings {you won my giveaway!  check your email!}

monday {orange & tan}

 

merona ponte pocket dress {thrifted target stock}   ·   talbots blouse {thrifted}

old navy blazer {thrifted / here's one on ebay}   ·   merona mariela pumps {thrifted}

i love the way this outfit came together!  the orange dress was a $1.99 new target stock find from the goodwill yesterday; i hadn't been to the goodwill in forever and was glad to come away with a couple things i'm sure i won't be able to wait long to wear.  it was a fun shopping trip -- i even found some cheap zippers, but unfortunately i'm sure it will be a little longer before i fire up my sewing machine and actually construct something that would require a zipper.  i wanted the blue & white pinstripe blouse to peak out more from under the dress but the neckline isn't very scoopy.  i think it would have looked cute without the blazer though {check out that ebay link above if you're interested, i love this blazer and wear it a lot!}

my heart is so saddened when i think about what happened in connecticut on friday.  i read a breaking news story about what was happening on a coworker's phone as i was waiting for a delicious pizza to bake for my lunch on friday... how quickly my appetite soured.  like many other bloggers, i felt like this was too monumental of an event to dismiss and not acknowledge.  i specifically want to send love & strength today to so many blogger friends i've met who work in school settings.  i pray that you are able to continue to do the amazing work you are called to do with your students and maybe within this community we share we can find a way to push past the sadness together.

thursday 9/27

old navy oxford shirt {on sale!}   ·   old navy blazer {thrifted}

calvin klein skirt {thrifted}   ·   dexter kylie wedges {other colors}

 

this may look like an outfit i've worn recently (navy skirt + khaki blazer) but i just couldn't help myself, i love these two items paired together.  i did bring in some new pieces i haven't worn before (blouse + necklace) to help it feel a little fresher.  i think it works - i love the jade green blouse and khaki blazer together and a fun chunky beaded necklace.  this button-down is really lightweight and has that worn-in feeling but is still professional; i think it will be great in the spring/summer but for now as we're transitioning into fall it can still have a place this season paired with some darker neutrals that counteract the pastely spring vibe. 

 

speaking of springy, i was stopped this morning in the bathroom by an employee in the building where i work who said that i always wear the "cutest outfits" and that she really liked the bright orange and floral skirt that i recently wore.  my hands were lathered up in soap as i was turned awkwardly away from the sink to take in her compliment and was racking my brain trying to think of what bright colorful skirt i'd worn recently until--duh--she was talking about the springy talbots painterly skirt i wore last week!  i have really only said "hello" to this person in passing so the fact that she remembered something i wore last week and pointed it out to me in passing today was definitely a sweet surprise.  it's amazing how little it takes to brighten someone's day and make them feel good - i'm going to try to remember that through tomorrow and pay it forward.  have a great day!

let it be... friday!

 

porcini / if there were ever a day to wear a shirt with mushrooms on it... it should be on a friday!  am i right? have a great weekend!!

friday {still dressy}

still dressy / if there were ever a day to wear a great pink dress & the highest of high heels {especially after the week you've had}, it should be on a friday!  and yep, wearing the same blazer i wore yesterday... didn't make it into the office at all yesterday so no one is seeing me wear it two days in a row except you guys.  but you don't mind, right?  have a restful weekend - i aim to!

thursday {scootin'}

calvin klein skirt {thrifted}   ·   gap blouse {thrifted}

old navy blazer {thrifted}   ·   dexter kylie wedges

scootin' / just a quick little post from me as i scoot out the door this morning to meet with a client.  i wanted to appear a little more professional as another person involved in my client's care is also going to be at the meeting.  enter: pencil skirt and blazer.  i've definitely worn a combination of this outfit before {this blouse with a different navy skirt & different shoes}, but i liked how it came together this morning so i'm not questioning it and i'm sticking with it.  as i was trying to figure out what to wear this morning, i realized that there are a number of things i haven't worn in a while and i ought to take some time and put together some creative outfits.  i wonder if it's the way my closet is arranged that leads me to always reach for the same things...?  have a great day!

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!

tuesday.

old navy linen blazer {thrifted}   loft abstract floral skirt 

forever 21 belt   dexter kylie wedges

i definitely love the look i pulled together with this skirt much more than my last effort!  i found this great khaki 3/4 sleeved linen blazer at the goodwill on sunday and was so excited to wear it. it's a little different from the other neutral tan colored blazer i have and see this one being equally as versatile... that is, if i can keep it unwrinkled.  i think it's time i become an adult and take some clothing to the dry cleaners!  i also found another really great blazer that i am pretty excited to show you all, maybe tomorrow?  i spent a little more on them since they weren't the right colored tag that was on sale that day, but i'm beginning to allow myself to do that (not that i need that much encouragement!) for some great pieces to add to my closet.  it's amazing how a great little blazer really pulls together an outfit and i'm glad that i have a few options i can continue to wear through the spring & summer months.  thanks for visiting!