Start fresh

Get the look: Blazer (similar) and boots (similar): Nordstrom Rack. Jeggings: Old Navy. Top: Guinness Storehouse, Ireland. 

It's that time of year when everyone is looking for new beginnings. I've got some new beginnings of my own - a new semester of school, a new haircut, and of course tons of new clothes from over the holiday season. I'm the queen of buying for myself as much, if not more, than for other people while gift shopping. Who can blame me, everything is on sale during the holiday season! And the only thing that beats holiday sales? Post holiday sales :D I may as well have stolen these gorgeous suede Sofft boots from Nordstrom Rack last week - I got them on clearance for $40! Now that is what I call a bargain. If you're in the market for the latest womens designer clothes for a steal, check out Morgan Clare's giant blowout sale! Another great site to check out for ladies designer clothing is My-Wardrobe.com. They've got clothes, bags and accessories from every designer from Michael Kors, to Burberry, to Vivienne Westwood!

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All In Black

Get the look: Jacket and top: Express, leggings: Target, Boots, Joyce Leslie (similar)

A year ago, if you asked my to describe my style, I probably would have said feminine with a retro twist. I was big into fit and flair dresses with cute cardigans and tights. Lately though, I've been drawn to edgier looks, like this all black ensemble I wore out with some friends recently. This moto jacket from Express has been an almost everyday wear for me these last few weeks. It looks good over everything! A pair of leggings, a tunic, and boots, and that's been my general look lately. I got these boots from Joyce Leslie, they were inexpensive, but their quality reflects that. I've been browsing around Cataluna, they have a nice selection of wide calf boots, as well as tons of plus size clothing. I've never bought purchased from them, can anyone speak for the quality?

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Date Night Unblogged

Get the look: Sweater dress (similar, similar), tights, Boots (similar), Necklaces, Watch

Another unblogged outfit for you guys today! I wore this out to dinner for a date this past weekend. I was so excited when I found this sweater dress at Nordstrom Rack while Christmas shopping. I think it's so unique with the wrap ties, which can be tied in the front or back for different looks. I like tying it in the front to define my waist and add a little extra detail. I paired it with opaque tights and boots to dress it down a little - I'd probably do sheer black tights and black pumps to dress it up.

I was a little stumped for accessories - I'm a chunky necklace sort of girl but with the waist tie it felt a little bit much. I decided to stick to a trio of delicate gold necklaces by Rachel Roy, and my Michael Kors watch and a few bangles. A good watch is such a staple, I wear mine almost every day ever since receiving it for my birthday this past March. Hsamuel Watches has a large selection, and many of them are on sale if you're in the market!

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Spring has sprung.

The weather has been absolutely unreal the last week or so here in my corner of the east coast. 75 degrees in March?! Unheard of. This time last year we were hit by of month of storms and were blanketed under a few inches of snow. I'm just hoping mother nature has had her fill of chilly days for the season and is as wholeheartedly pro-spring as I am!

I love the beginning of spring, when it's warm enough to prance about without a jacket, but cool enough that a dress with tights and boots is still comfortable - I have a feeling you'll be seeing me in some similar get-ups to this one, at least while this gorgeous weather lasts.

In the mean time, there's a pile of laundry about the size of Mount Everest in my room that's waiting to be conquered. It might explain the "I have nothing to wear" feeling I've been getting while trying to clothe myself each morning. That, and the fact that a lot of my stuff is too big now. In that vein, keep an eye on the shop - I'll be adding a TON of items very soon!

Dress: ASOS Curve
Tights: We Love Colors
Boots: DUO
Scarf: Old Navy
Necklace: H&M
Bracelets (from left): Greece, Brooklyn Flea, Ebay
Rings: MARYJOHN

Bumble bee

Despite looking a bit like an angry stinging insect, I really have a thing for bright mustard paired with rich black. Case in point: this post from way back in 2010, and this instagram as well.

I decided to dress up this relatively feminine outfit with my knotted leather belt and rocker-ish boots to make it a little edgier. I like how it turned out!

Oh, and lookie lookie! I bought myself a new amber ring from Etsy to replace the stolen one (tear!), and also as a reward for losing 26lbs so far :D

Dress: H&M
Cardigan: Target
Teggings: Re/Dress
Boots: OneStopPlus
Belt: Forever21+
Necklace: Francesca's Collections
Rings: Amber ring, GoingBizerklee. hammered gold bands, MARYJOHN
Bracelets (from left): Greece, vintage via Brooklyn Flea, Ebay, flea market

Better late than never.

I've been trying to get this post up for a week, easy. This are gettin' crazy around these parts, what with my show opening in 8 days (ah!) and all. Lots of lines, songs, and dances to perfect!

In anycase, this outfit is comfortable and cute, perfect to go from work all day to rehearsal all night. In fact, I'm wearing it's black-dress-burgundy-tights-same-scarf cousin as we speak.

Do you love my new Steve Madden Graanie boots, a Christmas present from the boyfriend, as much as I do?! I've been wearing them with everything, from skirts and dresses to jeans and leggings. They're the best way to toughen up a feminine outfit in my opinion. And aren't they the most perfect footwear for one Ms. Penelope Pennywise?? Ah, the beauty of multitasking.

Dress: F21+
Cardi: Target
Leggings: Misc
Boots: Steve Madden
Belt: Misc
Necklaces: F21 and thrifted
Bracelet: Brooklyn Flea
Watch: Syms
Ring: Street fair in Virginia
Scarf: Old Navy

Oh, and that ring? The one I wear in almost every post? Lost. Caput. Gone forever :*(

Serpentine

I took these outfit pics over a span of about 10 minutes, and just look how much the light changed in that short span of time! I'm grateful for the beautiful sunshine we've had here for the last day or two, but man is it cold! I was hoping we'd keep a balmy 45 degrees around all winter, but no such luck.

This winter has been all about the sweaters for me. My mom gifted me some great stuff from TJ Maxx for Christmas, and though it didn't all fit, I'm not complaining because I picked up this awesome belted sweater with my store credit. I love the variation of the brown hues with the black, and also love how the solid black sleeves give it the look of a short sleeved sweater over a long sleeved shirt.

I was in the mood for some texture so instead of plain black leggings or jeans, I decided to pair the sweater with these flippin' awesome snake print leggings I picked up at Target a few weeks back. I love these so much! They're subtle enough that it just looks like a slight metallic sheen from far away, but up close you can really see the fantastic snake skin print.

Is there a staple you just can't stop wearing this winter? Boots? Hats?

Sweater: TJ Maxx
Top: H&M
Leggings: Target
Necklace: gifted
Bracelets, from left: bought in Greece, Brooklyn Flea
Boots: Evans

Long time coming

Wearing this skirt was a long time coming. I picked it up way back in April at the Fat Girl Flea Market. From what I can tell it's quality, made of a thick, almost suede-ish/velveteen sort of fabric (I'll have to check the tag), and really well constructed with finished seams and darting at the waist. It was originally almost ankle length, and a little roomy when I picked it up. -23lbs later, it's way too big and begging for a make over. Last week my most patient mother helped me hem it up and take it in at the seams (thanks, Mom!). Voila! A funky new skirt for work! But, I may have placed an order from Forever21 for snugger, shorter, jersey version for play :)

Top: Lane Bryant
Cardigan: ...no clue
Skirt: FGFM
Tights: We Love Colors
Boots: Evans
Watch, necklace, belt: Syms

Christmas came early

Christmas came early, or you'd think it did with all the new stuff I'm sporting! First and foremost, how do you like my new specs? I've been dying for a new pair of glasses for ages and I am absolutely head over heels in love with this pair of Ray-Bans I got from LensCrafters. Having glasses you want to wear makes all the difference (oh, and seeing better too, that's always good).

Another new addition is this cozy grey sweater I picked up at Syms - everything is on super sale there now since they're going out of business. If you have one by you I highly recommend you check it out! This sweater is a similar shape to this one, where the waterfall is short on top. To make it less bulky and define my shape, I took the top corners of the waterfall and pinned them behind my back, and topped it with an elastic belt to really get the job done. Layered over this knit dress and patterned tights, this outfit was warm and comfy as can be :)

Last, but most certainly not least, the new boots I've been waiting for from Evans! I am so in love with these boots - they're so versatile. They can be dressed down for an outfit like this one, or, as I wore them for this weekend out for dinner and drinks, with a bodycon skirt and a blazer. I know I'll find a million more ways to wear them soon enough. If you're interested, they're on sale at Evans! Seriously, if the price is right, I'm going to buy a back up pair!

Dress: Forever21+
Cardigan: Syms
Tights: Hue via Amazon
Boots: Evans
Belt: Handmade
Necklace and rings: Nordstrom Rack
Glasses: Ray-Ban

Losing light

Dress: ASOS Curve. Scarf: Uniqlo. Teggings: Re/Dress. Boots: OneStopPlus. Belt: Syms. Blazer: Gap. Ring: Street fair in Fairfax, VA.

We are losing afternoon light fast here on the east coast - daylight savings time is really going to screw me in the after-work photo department very soon. I'm still getting the last dregs of pretty golden light at this point and I'll be savoring it!

Every so often an item will come along that I fervently wish I had bought a back up of. This jersey dress from ASOS Curve is one of those items. I got it on super sale last fall, and have been wishing I bought a second ever since. It's held up really well so far, but I'm dreading the day I inevitably spill on it or rip it (knock on wood)! This piece has always been so easy to style up or down; two of my favorite outfits ever have it as a base.

Do you own and item that you wish you bought a back up of? Or something you have bought a backup of?