Berry and Blue

Finally getting to posting a few outfits from last week. This was a fun little combo I put together with a few pieces Mom got me for Christmas, as well as the berry skirt (would you call it berry?) I got from my local NY&Co outlet while Christmas shopping. I like the pairing of the pink with the navy sweater and printed top - especially how the the skirt makes the cream in the top look almost pale pink, even though it's not at all. Looking at this now, I wish I had worn a skinny belt over the sweater, but oh well. We live and learn right?

Top, cardigan: TJMaxx
Skirt: NY&Co
Tights: Hue
Heels: Bandolino
Bracelets: Greece, Ebay, Brooklyn Flea

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

The need for tweed

Lately, I've felt the need for tweed. It started with a tweed-loving boyfriend and a fabulous thrifted blazer. Then, this amazing skirt I spotted on eloquii. That gem is a bit too pricey for my wallet at the moment, so imagine my excitement when I saw this mossy beauty on the rack at my local Syms for a mere $34.99! And in my size! It was fate, I'm sure of it. Green's my color after all, and the pretty gold flecks (which are hard to see here) pair so perfectly with a gold belt and accessories :)

Cardigan, skirt & watch: Syms
Top & belt: Old Navy
Tights: Misc.
Wedges: Bandolino
Necklaces: Vintage
Bracelets: Brooklyn Flea

Black and Red

Sweater: gifted. Skirt: Forever21+. Tights: We Love Colors. Boots: Evans. Belt: Misc. Bracelet: Francesca's Collections. Necklace: Macy's. Ring: New York & Company. Sunnies: Cole Haan via Syms.

Back to my default pairing of this red Forever21+ skirt: black! I love the drapey silhouette the sleeves of this top creates with the fitted skirt, and how a thin black belt cinched it so perfectly around my waist. I really can never get enough of black, white silver and red together; it's just so crisp and chic!

In other news: It's looking like these boots, my most favorite pair from Evans circa 2009, are about ready for retirement. Let's be real, they were ready for retirement LAST season, but I just couldn't bear to part with them - they're so comfortable and fit my wide calves perfectly!

But I've got my eye on another pair from Evans to replace my dearly departed friends...

Utility blues

Top: NY&Co Outlet (here on the regular site). Skirt: NY&Co, thrifted. Tights: c/o We Love Colors. Booties: ASOS. Jacket: Macy's. Necklace: gifted. Bangles: Syms. Ring: NY&Co. Polish: Orly Galaxy Girl.

I have this problem. It starts with an innocent, selfless shopping trip to pick up a birthday gift for my sister at the local outlets, and it ends with me in a dressing room in a frenzy, trying on about 20 pieces while my sister's pile sadly stays at about two. But at a New York & Company outlet store where everything is on additional sale, how can you help but try on half the place?! This blue utility shirt is one of the pieces I picked up that day, it came out to about $14 if I'm not mistaken.This one's a hit for me not only because of the modest V-neck, waist-cinching tie belt and fantastic color (thanks, BF, for steering me away from the gray), but because the XL buttons over the girls with nary a gape! Unheard of!

Don't worry, I did manage to purchase bunch of awesome pieces for my little sister as well - between the NY&Co, Banana Republic, and J. Crew outlets and H&M, I got her a few flowy chiffon tops, a red bodycon skirt, as well as a few choice pieces of jewelry :) I love shopping for other people almost as much as I love shopping for myself!

Skirt remixed:

A new species discovered...Arianis Bloggeristrus

The nonstop rain we've been having here in NJ has turned my backyard into a veritable jungle. Standing there in my bit of leopard print, I have to say, I felt right at home!

My red skirt from F21+ continues to be one of the best $7 purchases I've made all year, and I was happy to step away from my usual red/black/white combo by pairing it with this shimmy bronze tank and a touch of sheer leopard. I've had this button down from Old Navy for ages but always have trouble styling it. I know, I know - leopard, sheer; what's the problem? Well I figured it out, for today at least, by simply rolling the sleeves and twisting the front into a knot for a high-waisted look.

Are you surprised to see my nude Bandolino's make yet another appearance on the blog? They've been my footwear of choice for the past three OOTDs and many unblogged outfits in between. I just can't contain myself!

Button down: Old Navy
Tank: Lane Bryant
Skirt: Forever21+
Pumps: Bandolino via Lord & Taylor
Ring: Vintage via La Casita
Necklace: Gifted
Bracelets: Syms, Brooklyn Flea, F21

Thanks to the BF for being my photographer for these photos, even though he insisted on cutting off my feet in half of them ;) Gotta keep training him I guess! 

Oh, and don't miss my LucieLu Giveaway!

Yucky.

First and foremost, let me apologize for the quality of these photos! I forgot just how frustrating indoor pics can be! I suppose I'll need to get used to it with winter and bad weather looming...

But back to the clothes, hmm? I picked up this red pencil skirt at the same time I ordered my polka dot dress - it was another steal for only $10 from Forever21. Yesterday was rainy (hence the indoor pics) and only in the 60's, so out came my very favorite black puff-sleeved blazer - You've seen it before here. Now, one of my very favorite color combos is red, black, and white, so I sifted through my numerous black and white print tops until I came across this sailboat tee, another F21 gem that I usually wear loose.

I went on a shoe rampage last week, guys. I was trying to find the perfect shoe to go with my dress for last weekend's wedding - never before have I been so challenged by a pair of shoes! I had a vision of some sort of metallic pump, one with a sort of purple sheen to it, not too silver. I went to about 6 different places before I gave up that dream and settled on the nude pumps I ended up wearing. But I spotted this pair of low heeled, almond-toed KensieGirl nude pumps for a steal along the way and couldnt say no. Not to them, nor to the black suede wedges I encountered...

Blazer: Macy's
Top: Forever21+
Belt: Off some dress or other
Skirt: Forever21+
Pumps: Kensie Girl
Bracelet: Thrifted
Necklace: H&M
Ring: Nordstrom Rack

A perfect pair

I have to say, this is probably one of my favorite outfits I've ever posted on the blog. And it's funny, because this is not the type of ensemble I really wear on the regular nor one I would think I'd fall in love with. Maybe it's the colors (I do have a thing for blue), or the fact that the flowers on the top match so perfectly to the print on the skirt (how did I never see it before?), or how the pattern repeats again on the necklace. Whatever it is, this one's a winner for me.

The last time I wore this skirt, it was in a completely different way. Which do you like better?

In other news, I've had this belt for probably 3 years, and this is the first time I'm wearing it. Touche.

Top: Syms
Skirt: Thrifted, NY&Co
Pumps: Nordstrom Rack
Belt: Old Navy
Necklace: Gift from BFF
Watch: Syms
Ring: NY&Co
Polish: Gift from Case