One-Dollar Wonders

I tell you what, it's been a busy month last month, and May shows no signs of slowing down. Here's a window into my life right now - may as well be a window into my brain. They say a cluttered desk denotes a cluttered mind, and we've gone way beyond that! lol We don't even have a move date yet, but I guess we are on Team Preparation. We are hoping that boxing things up little by little will pay off in the long run.

I first tried this outfit with a boxy silk top, but I wasn't in the mood for that much body surrender today. Changed into my trust Aiko tee, and I feel much better. 

#3 shows one of my prizes from when we visited my dad in Kansas City - if you are ever in the area, you must hunt down a Standard Style! They have a wonderful eye for style and aren't afraid to mix Helmut/Rag & Bone/Haute Hippie with fab low-end pieces on the same rack. My store does not support this type of merchandizing, but I love how it shows you exactly how to style a less expensive piece and retain the luxury-look factor. It also forces you to fondle all those expensive items while you look for a deal - great way to make sure you don't brush off an item because of the price tag.

Anyhow, I had already paid for another item (to be revealed soon) and noticed this necklace in the case as we turned to leave. The subtle, spine-like design won my heart immediately. I figured it must be out of my league since it was In The Case, but it was a nice steal! I had just been admiring Aida's white collar necklace, and this one practically dropped in my lap. :)

I wish they had an online store, so I could add a fab find - I am totally loving the new feature!

Still lurking and reading and lusting after all your outfits, even though I'm scarce on the forum. 

XOXO

Waiting to board our flight home! It was such a fabulous family weekend. We all got our hair touched up at our stepmom's super chic salon, DH caught a foul ball at the Royals game, and we got to hang out at our dad's new place with all their closest friends there to warm the house. Wish the visit lasted longer!

And look! Ended up with a blush pink souvenir tee shirt! I am excited to wear it with my red moto when we get home. Must also show you my finds from Standard Style - my sister and I say it's our favorite place to hit in Kansas City... :)

DH and DS(ister) have to put up with me blogging this travel outfit, because I am just so pleased with it. This new to me top is an instant favorite for its comfy material, flattering cut, and tummy forgiving built in poncho neckline. The jacket continues to be priceless for flattery, comfort, and security with zippered pockets and four way stretch. I am even pleased with these ankle socks, which I was surprised to see don't look half bad with booties. Perfect outfit to nap in and also hit the ground running.

Also pictured are my super lightweight suitcase, my handily compartmented satchel, and my sister's new tan leather travel bag - proud to have it in the bag shot!

See you in Missouri!

ETA: My sister's travel style! Including socially-responsible bracelets. Last pic is DH's contribution: his $1 bracelet from BsAs. :)

Quickly posting in the midst of getting ready for the weekend, but I really wanted to shout out to Aida on this one! She recently posted her Apple Equilateral outfit, and I was smitten with the color combination. Although this dress has been on the chopping block a few times as I flirt with darker, edgier combos, wearing it with a white, graphic blazer seemed perfect for an indoor day during a heat wave. 

Set off the grass print with this geode necklace I found at The Rack during a management learning day (yep, they got me shopping!) with the idea that I would use the nude-ish colors to help visually lower necklines. I am sure I will do plenty of that later, but I couldn't resist adding the earthy-luxe element. Mixing in a photo-on-photo pattern mix with the bag, because why not? 

Theory blazer - Off 5th
Tracy Reese for Anthro - Anthro (hey,2012's wild card!)
Anya Hindmarch bag - Ebay
Report booties - Amazon
Navigator sunnies - Nordies

I got so sick of looking for a classic black pump that I gave up and bought the fan favorite. The arch isn't high enough for it to be a complete 8-hour shoe for me, but these are really going to make a lot of outfits click, and they will be fine for normal days that don't require a lot of running - they are already better than my pointy Earthies pumps in that they don't cut into my heels and make me bleed!

Also, did I ever post a pic with this Theory blazer? If not, here it is in all its post-sunset glory. Worn to work, then to HOA interview. 

In other news, here is the Lulu Floral bomber jacket in a size up. I definitely like this size better than the 6. Do you think it's adding something my wardrobe needs? Should I be focusing on adding more dressy elements instead?

#1 is a cheapie silk top I found at TJ Maxx with my sister. I wasn't 100% sure, but she encouraged me to get it, and I like it a lot after its test drive. Slipped on scarf in #2 for to-and-from-the-car time since it was a bit breezy out. 

#3 is not my favorite outfit; I should have just worn my cropped sweater again, but I don't hate this. I wish the sweater would stay more closed over the bazooms, because I feel like it looks like they are bursting out and trying to get away. Maybe I'm just uncomfortable with bazooms. o_0

Anyway, it's been a stressful time... lots of things in limbo, which is the one thing that can make my teeth itch like no other. But I'm keeping the good thoughts and soldiering on! Trying not to forget or neglect my fashion BFFs. :)

... all your sweatpants are too upscale to lounge in!

Yeah, somehow I became that person. Came home dog tired, looking for something soft to cuddle up in, and did not even consider the sweats. Those are my business sweats, thankyouverymuch. 

Ladies, help me feel a little less ridiculous, will you? How would you finish the title sentence?

Wore these out to take the cat to the vet, and I was just so pleased to have three comfy pieces that worked together on the first try after my struggles earlier in the week. I wish this jacket had come in more colors; I'd be hunting them down like a rogue assassin with a personal vendetta. 

And for those of you who have these jeans: are you as addicted as I am? It's not just that they're stretchy... they are the perfect light weight for spring with enough fading to brighten my outfits a tick, and the elastic hems go so well with sandals and short booties. I choose them over my other BF jeans all the time these days.

Anyway, it's nothing especially new or trendy or different, but it feels flattering, adequately tomboyish, adequately edgy, and just spring-y enough. Good enough for getting an abscess drained!

Lululemon Urbanite blazer - Lulu
BR tank - Hand-me-down
Rag & Bone Pajama jeans - Intermix
Worishofer sandals - DNA
Kate Spade satchel - Ebay 

Man, I couldn't do anything right today! I'm almost embarrassed to show you these since I could not make myself happy, but as it turns out I really do have no shame... 

It took me well over an hour to limp through #2-4 before totally giving up and throwing on the dress and random cardi in #1 (which I still didn't love together). I started with #2, but once I saw the photo realized that I wasn't doing myself any favors adding multiple chest flaps to my bust while over my ideal weight. I should have either stayed with #3 or switched to black jeans instead of dress pants, but I couldn't get over feeling like the top half was discordantly casual compared to the bottom half. #4 I actually went to Trader Joe's in, but something still nagged at me as wrong. 

The day didn't get any better from there, and I just felt like I did a poor job the whole way through. It's such a weird and ugly feeling when you want to do your best but just can't perform!  

In other news, I wanted to let you know about my sad parting with the Gentle Souls platform Birk-esque sandals... after only 2-3 wears, the patent leather started peeling off at the back heel. The rubber tread does not extend completely to the edges of the sole, leaving maybe 1/4 cm of exposed patent on the business end of the shoe - never thought to look for that before, but it's a pretty decent sized design flaw. Thankfully, they were returned without issue. :(

Anyway... how about you guys? Do you ever have those days where you can't even get a FFBO right and nothing goes your way?? Please tell me I am not alone!

Felt the urge to wear white jeans today, so I tested out my recent idea that I like light outfits more when there is a dark element to one of the pieces. I felt comfortable in it, and DH said he liked it much better than my normal work outfits... (insert eye roll at DH's foot in mouth syndrome here). Overall, I wish the jeans did not have yellow stitching, but I would wear this again. :)

I will break out of my dark color rut yet!

Also, my white Theory suiting blazer arrived in two sizes... but it's going back in exchange for the linen version. The suiting version looks way more stiff, has no stretch so it's less comfy, and it does a very strange puckering thing at the shoulders. I'm kind of sad and impatient to wear the darned thing, but at least Nordies is still price matching another sale. 

Theyskens Theory top - Rack
True Religion Cameron jeans - Ebay
Kate Spade bag - Ebay
Mens belt - flea market
Crocs sandals - Crocs