The first of many

I'm back on the dating scene, so that means lots of first, second, and third date outfits. For some reason I tend not to wear heels early on in the meet & greet process. Perhaps it's because I'm tall as it is, and I don't like to tower over people on dates (call me old fashioned). Beyond that I don't listen much to what people and books say about dating and fashion. My loctician says you should always wear a skirt or dress to show off your legs. My friend says you should never wear a turtle neck or crew neck. My neighbor says your makeup should be simple and neutral. While I'm sure there's great rational behind these pieces of advice (or not) I've always believed that it's really not that complicated. If you're comfortable and confident in your outfit of the night, then you're putting your best and truest self out into the world.

I inherited this clutch when my grandmother passed away. On both sides of the family, my grandmothers loved to shop and they really had some unique pieces. I was blessed to get some of them; they really hold a lot of sentimental value. I used the bag and shoes (Me Too) to pop my otherwise neutral outfit.

OOTD - Easy Weekend

At the end of the week I usually like to do one of two things - hang in with a movie or go out to a low key bar with friends. This week it was the latter. I usually don't get too dressed up because honestly after a long work week I just don't want to put that much effort into it and it was pouring. Usually rain (or any type of weather that's not warm and dry) would deter me from going out. However I've decided to try something new. I'm kind of like Jim Carry in Yes Man. If you haven't seen that movie it's about a guy who begins to say yes to everything asked of him. Want to go bungee jumping? Yes. Can I borrow your car? Yes. Do you have $1 million to loan me? Why, yes! I'm not going that far, but I am consciously saying yes to every opportunity to go out and meet new people or hang with friends. I'm excited about the possibilities and opportunities this be outlook could present to me. Have any of you tried anything like this? What are your thoughts? Would you do it again?

 

Outfit details:

Pants - Joes Jeans (from Marshalls)

Long Sleeve Tee - Gap

Sweater - J. Crew

Boots - Sam Edleman

 

 

 

OOTD: I like my clothes how I like my wine...

...light and bright. This past weekend I went to a winery west of Boston with some girlfriends. I love checking out different vineyards/wineries in the area. Especially since it'll be a while before I make it to Napa Valley :o( The winery was a blast. Surprisingly I didn't come home with any wine (crazy I know). After tasting 10 different wines there just wasn't anything I absolutely loved. Never the less it was still great seeing my friends, plus we went to Max Brenner (diet? what diet?) for dinner and dessert after. Yum yum YUM!

I wanted something light and fun for my adventure with the fermented grape. These are the same jeans and tee worn in the 'OOTD - Bright Night' post. While I am questioning the blue pants I am in love with the lilac. The screen really doesn't show the true color; they are oh so lovely. The tee underneath (another Gap find) is actually brighter than it photographs, more like a neon yellow as opposed to the soft yellow that's pictured.

Outfit Details:
Jeans - Gap (as seen on OOTD - Bright Night)
Tee - Gap (as seen on OOTD - Bright Night)
Sweater - J.Crew Factory Store
Boots - Cole Haan (as seen on OOTD - Bright Night)
Bracelets - Lucky Jeans

OOTD - Bright Night

Trivia time! I've just discovered my love for trivia. My neighbors and I have formed a team (we're still working on a team name) and we've been hitting different bars on different nights to find our favorite place. Luckily we live in a part of Boston where trivia is obsessive popular so we can try different places on different nights. Granted we've never won, but it's a lot of fun, and I feel like the years I spent watching The Discovery Channel and episodes of Jeopardy can finally pay off!

On this night I wore my first pair of colored denim since I outgrew my green jeans in the sixth grade. They are Gap's skimmer jean. I bought them in this color and lilac (that post will come later). I love the fit - tight without being constricting. Side note - If you're interested in purchasing I would say they are TTS. If you are in between a size though I would err on the side of smaller. They will stretch with wear. The only thing I am personally questioning is the color. It is really really really bright. I thought it was closer to a turquoise (which is what the website depicts), but it's actually a pool blue.  Almost too bright for my liking. I'm still debating whether or not I want to keep this color - what do you guys think?

Outfit Details:

Pants - Gap "1969 lightweight always skinny skimmer jeans" (here)

Tee - Gap "Luxe long-sleeve T" (here)

Sweater - old super clearance find from Banana Republic

Boots - Cole Haan "Air Leora" Mid Calf Leather Boot (on sale here)

Belt - Gap (similar here)

OOTD - Pretty in Pink

Hi ladies and gents. Welcome back to the work week. This is just a quick OOTD inspired by Curvy Girl Chic (check out her blog here). I loved that she was wearing a pink skirt in the dead of winter. Granted she does live in a warmer climate (California I think) but I tried to modify it to fit the weather we've been having here in Boston. Plus when I found the skirt at The Gap (apparently I've been on a Gap kick as of late) on final clearance for $11.00 I knew the fashion gods were telling me to go ahead and recreate the look.

Outfit Details;
Skirt, Sweater, and Belt - Gap

Old Man Winter vs. Fab Heels

I live in New England - Boston to be exact and I love everything about this region. We have all four seasons, which allows me the greatest breadth of fashion from rompers and sandals to jeans and Sorels. But (isn't there always a but) there is only so much winter a girl can take before she craves the warm weather again! Since Old Man Winter and I aren't exactly the best of friends I jetted off to Ft Lauderdale last weekend to see some friends! A little sun, a little beach, and a whole lotta fun - score one for Fab Heels.


Skirt - Nordstrom
Sandals - Sam Edleman
Cardigan - Trouve (Nordstrom)
Bag - Kate Spade
Belt - Gap

I love this skirt - I bought it on super clearance at Nordstrom.com. It's a high-low pleated poly-woven that looks as good with heels as it does with flats. Plus the fact that it has a billion colors in it makes it so versatile with any solid colored top. This particular skirt is no longer for sale but Nordstrom and Anthropoligie have similar skirts for this spring.
I topped my statement skirt with a bright coral roll sleeve cardigan that I belted with an old favorite. Paired with sandals it was a great outfit for brunch on the beach. Now if I can only get this weather to move up the Atlantic seaboard a little quicker I would be a happy shopper. This being typed as I look outside to the first major snowfall all season. A girl can dream can't she.

Dressed!

I love dresses. Love. Love. Love. Love. LOVE! Dresses. They can say so many things - What's up flirty and fun! How do you do prim and proper. Nice to see you again structured and sophisticated. Straight up or with a twist, dresses can scream or whisper, they are whatever message you want to convey. And that (along with the fact that they are oh so comfortable) is why I love them so. I really rev up my dress consumption come spring and summer. For some reason I seem to switch to skirts in the winter, but that's for a future post. Lately it's been beyond cold (someone remind me why I chose to live in New England), wet and dreary, so to cheer me up I've been dress plotting - don't tell my wallet though. I have to ease her into the idea. Hmmm, what am I going to add to my collection in Spring 2011? There are really only two styles I want...

Flirty Throwback - there's nothing better than taking a trendy step back in the past. It brings back a sort of femininity that sometimes gets lost in the modern world.

 This dress has the skirt from the 50's and a top from the 90's. Love the combo!

Bebe 90910  Fit Flare Dress (featured in People Style Watch Feb 2011)



Who doesn't love the a modern crochet. Love the 70's feel.

Trina Turk Keyhole Dress

Sexy in Silk - silk is such a sensual fabric, paired with a relaxed styling it's a great daytime romantic look.

 I love the color, I love fit, and I love the silk.

Kenneth Cole Silk Tie Dress



 Striped Silk - two trends in one!

Banana Republic Striped Drop Waist Dress



 Sweet ruffles, Edgy zipper, romantic silk... what more could you ask for?

Gap Ruffle Zip Dress


Now all I need is some warmer weather...

Good as GONE!

I live in the wonderful city of Boston and I love it, however the historical aspects of the city don't always translate into practical modern living. Basically, there is a general lack of closet space in the whole city! It's truly an epidemic. My apartment has no coat closet, broom closet, or pantry - for a long time the only closets were in the bedrooms and those are very, very, very tiny. My landlord turned our back deck into an additional room and that is where all the "saved stuff" has been going over the past two years. Into the black hole go boxes and manuals from new gadgets and appliances, boxes that jewelry comes in (because you never know when they'll come in handy to wrap a present), random receipts and paper shopping bags, and clothes we all know will never be worn again. It all goes into the back room, never to be seen again. Well no more! I spent today cleaning out the back room and making two piles - goodwill & trash. It's amazing how much was back there, but it's such a good feeling to rid my home of baggage, literally! Tomorrow's project: load up the car for the trip to Goodwill and The Salvation Army.

Here's the outfit to clean house - comfortable, practical, but still stylish :o)

J. Crew Outlet 3/4 Hooded Fleece
Gap Plaid 1/4 button top
David Khan Jeans - Nordstrom

I look like I'm doing the Michael Jackson lean from Smooth Criminal, haha!

Red Hunter Boots

OOTD - Birthday Sparkle

So technically this is an Outfit of the Night (OOTN) since I wore this to a girlfriends' birthday dinner. I have been dying to wear this top that I picked up on final sale at J.Crew, and what better opportunity to introduce a little shine than at a birthday celebration? I know there are people that are not the biggest fan of FS, but honestly it doesn't really bother me that much. I have yet to be burned by a purchase that I've made. If I'm on the fence on an item (even just a little bit) then I pass until I can try it on at a B&M to make a final decision. Just my personal opinion.

J. Crew "Drapey Sequin Tee" in Shadow; Joe's "Cigarette Jean", Gap Ribbon Belt circa 2007

I bought this in a large, I probably should have found an extra large because it's not as drapey as I'd like. But seeing as I am in between sizes and I am in the process of dropping the holiday poundage I'm not that worried about it. In a few weeks the fit (which I think is tts) will be perfect.

Me Too - "Lisbon" Suede Platform Bootie

Let me tell you, these shoes are pretty darned comfortable. For the most part this brand is a little too bland for my tastes, but every once in a while something catches my eye. Easy to get on and off, heavily padded sole and a hidden platform make these a go to shoe for going out this winter.

I love playing with my hair - tonight's do was so easy. All I needed was a hairnet and one bobby pin. It consists of a bump in the front, with a small basket weave in the back and a low bun. I use the hairnet to give me a more concise and neat bun and use the bobby pin to tuck the bun up and under to give it a nice and full look. Through on my trusted MAC eyeshadow, liner, and mascara and I'm good to go!

Hope everyone has a great weekend! Stay stylish ;o). Ms. ShoeLover.