Going the distance

Blouse-Gap, Sweater-Limited, Skirt-I made, Belt-Target, Shoes-Seychelles, Necklaces-Emersonmade, Watch-Coach, Bracelets-gifts, earrings-F21

This skirt is going the distance in my closet and I love it. For a few dollars, I stitched this skirt up a few weeks ago and have now posted 4 different ways to wear it (see them here). I continue to find new things in my closet to pair it with. Remember my cost per wear justification for purchasing items (refresh your memory here)? The cost per wear on this skirt is going to be negative soon-does that mean I can buy something expensive that I've been coveting for a long time to make up for it? Ramesh or mom if you're reading this I'm just kidding (or am I?) Do you an item in your closet that goes the distance?

In Bloom

Sweater-Limited, Skirt-Anthropologie, Belt-Target, Shoes-BCBG, Necklaces-Limited and Macy's,
Watch-Coach, Bracelets-all from Maui

The weather has finally started to get nice here... about time, it's MID MAY! I dug this lovely skirt out of the archives of my closet and embraced the fine weather. Rooftop HH's and patio lunches have been part of my activities the last few days. I started my sewing project this past weekend. I've been inspired by Jessica of What I Wore. If you haven't checked out her blog, do so, it's fab. Her style is great and I love all the clothes she's been making lately. I haven't sewn since I was 10 and that was for my Barbies. So, I'm starting with something simple- a skirt. I've got the waistband and hem to do and then I'll debut it here on the blog, so stay tuned. 

Brain.Dead.

Blouse-Forever21, Sweater-Banana Republic,Jeans-Paige, Shoes-Seychelles,Necklaces-Forever21 and local, Watch-Coach, Bangles-Gift from sister in law, bracelet-local

It was a long, but exciting week last week. I moved to a new job and am in the middle of transitioning my old one to my old team. It's great to feel energized again and be learning something new. The downside was that by Friday I was a pile of mush. I forgot how much it takes out of you learning a new job. New people to meet, processes to learn, a team to hire, and strategy to create! Happy Hour? um yes please. So that's where I headed after my long week and let me tell you... that beer tasted damn good! 

La Traviata

Dress-Local store, Belt-Target, Tights-Spanx, Shoes-Steve Edelman, Earrings-For Love 21, Ring-Silpada, Necklaces (worn as bracelets around wrist)Tiffany&Co, Watch-Michele

The weekend was just what I needed after a long week that included travel for work. Friday we stayed in, made pizza and had a bottle of wine. It was the perfect end to the week. Saturday we went to the Opera. We met friends prior for dinner at Meritage in St Paul. If you haven't been, I highly recommend it. Their Classic Champagne Cocktail was lovely and dinner was delicious. Then, it was on to the opera, which I enjoyed. This was Ramesh's first time and he hasn't decided if he enjoyed it or not. He liked the music, but didn't particularly enjoy watching the show (or trying to read the subtitles for that matter). Interesting. I thought this would be his "thing". He enjoys the classics- poetry, orchestra music, history, drama... all the things you find in an opera. We'll have to try again before judgement is passed. How was your weekend? Do anything fun?

Fur-Vintage, Purse-Be&D

30 for 30 {Day 30 - Finale!}

Sweater and Cami-Limited, Kimono-Winter Kate, Jeans- Paige, Boots-Steve Madden- Cross necklace-Vintage, Necklace-Tiffany&Co, Earrings-Forever21, Watch-Michele, Ring-Silpada

Done. Finito. Finis. Boo ya! This is my last outfit in the 30 for 30 challenge. I can't tell you how happy I am to start wearing the rest of my clothes. They've missed me almost as much as I've missed them. For real. They have. They feel neglected. But fear not, I plan to give each and every item in my closet the attention they need. I've learned a ton through the course of this challenge and don't plan to go back to my bad habits. My local J.Crew salesperson emailed and snail mailed me a personal note saying she hadn't seen me in forever. She asked me to come in and check out all the new clothes that just arrived. I won't be tempted. I WILL NOT be woo'd by bright, colorful spring clothes. Well, maybe a bit. But, I'm sticking to a budget and only getting a few things that I "need". Right now I'm going to enjoy the weekend. We've got the Opera on tap for Saturday night and I've got to find something to wear. Yes... it will be from my closet. I don't think I can stomach saying "I've got nothing to wear" when I haven't used anything in my closet in the last 30 days. I'll be shopping in my closet tomorrow if you're looking for me. Have a super weekend!

30 for 30 {day 25-Cabin Fever}

Cami-Target, Sweater-Limited, Cardigan-JCrew, Jeans-JBrand, Boots-Aldo, Earrings-Forever21, Necklace-Limited

I just got back from spending the weekend at my girlfriend's cabin. It was a great weekend despite the weather-the high yesterday was -2! We had big plans to snowshoe on Saturday but, the weather was so cold we only made it out for a brisk walk. With all the food and drinks we consumed, it was necessary to do some form of physical activity. Don't you love a weekend where all you do is lounge around, read magazines, eat great food, play board games, watch movies and gab with your girls? It was good to get away.

 Isn't her cabin rustic and cozy?

 I did brave the cold to snap a few pictures outside...amazing how adjusted we are to this weather. It was -2 when I took these pictures.

 This is the snow drift that blocked the front door -which is behind that huge pile on the left of the picture. Needless to say, entered through the garage because we weren't going to attempt to dig our way through.

I'll be posting highlight photos of the weekend in a bit so check back for that shortly.

30 for 30 {Day 16-Dress for Success}

Shirt-Gap, Sweater-Limited, Skirt-JCrew, Tights-Spanx, Boots-Steve Madden, Watch-Michele,
Bracelet (wrapped necklace)-Local desinger, Necklaces-local designer, earrings-local designer

Today was a crazy day, I didn't even have time for lunch (and I hate it when that happens). It was back to back meetings all day. UGH. Now I've got to do some work at home tonight to catch up. After work, I had plans on the calendar to meet friends for happy hour and I wasn't going to miss that! Do you ever meet up with friends intending to only stay for a short while and next thing you know the night has past you by? I could have done that tonight. I was in the mood to just kick back and hang out. I didn't really want to leave. But here I am, at home, procrastinating on the blog when I should be doing work.

Speaking of work, over lunch today I gave my "Dress for Success" presentation to team outside my pyramid. It's something I like to do in my free time (my job has NOTHING to do with fashion or clothes). I've created a short presentation on personal brand and how the way you present yourself says a lot about you in the work place. I hope they liked it. It's the second time I've shared this with a new team. The 30 for 30 challenge came up when I was explaining how you can make a few items go a long way. I shared with them how it's reinforced in me that you don't need to have a closet packed full of clothes to have a lot to wear. You can/should invest in a few key pieces and then learn to remix them. I spent the majority of time talking about this today and sharing with them ways to rethink their wardrobes. I think how you dress says a lot about you and you better make sure you're saying what you want (whether you're out for CEO, being creative, enjoy vintage, follow the trends, you get my drift). Dress for how you want people to see you. Have fun with it!

30 for 30 {Day 9- Animal Instinct}

Blouse-Target, Sweater-Limited, Cami-Target, Trousers-Banana Republic, Boots-Aldo,
Necklace-Forlove21, Necklace-Limited, Earrings-Limited

I love me some animal print (in case you're living under a rock and didn't already figure that out!) On top of the shirt I have on today, I have an animal print faux fur vest, faux fur jacket, faux fur lined parka, velour hat... I think you see where I'm going with this. I can't get enough of the stuff. And I've been wearing it for years and years. It's become a neutral for me, and I find it really does go with everything and anything. Take the outfit I'm wearing today. The animal print blouse combined with the turquoise sweater put a bit of pop into an otherwise blah pair of grey striped trousers. And the cognac colored boots-genius. I love combining grey and cognac- it's a very rich looking combination.

30 for 30 {Day 6 - For Real}

Sweater-Target, Shirt-JCrew, Skirt-JCrew, Belt-JCrew, Tights-Spanx, Shoes-Gap, Bag- Marc by Marc Jacobs,
Earrings-local designer, Necklace- local designer, Longer Necklace-ForLove21

Day 6. Monday. It was a long day at work and then got my a#$ handed to me at the gym. I like a good, tough workout, so all's good. It was tougher getting ready this am. What I had planned to wear was too bold for work - picture the above outfit but with matching purple tights (the same color as my bag). I liked it, but when I took my first photos, I felt it was a bit too loud for the corporate world. Back to basic black I went. Maybe I'll break them out on the weekend. I'm trying to get bolder with my hosiery options, but they never seem to look quite right one me. When I see others with colored tights, they always look so cute. I don't know what it is, maybe it's just in my head and I need to just do it. We'll see if I can make it work during the 30 for 30.