Carnival Colors

I can't even remember the last time I was at a carnival or circus, but for some reason this skirt makes me think of a circus tent...but in a good way of course! As far as my tulle skirts go, this is one of the more subtle ones {well, in terms of poufiness and tulle, not the colors obviously!} Really, Asos can do no wrong...

Top: J. Crew // Skirt: Asos {old, but try this or this}

Necklace: Gift {some store in San Fran...}

Nail Polish: Essie 'Lollipop //  Bracelets: Vintage

Jacket: Theory // Bag: J. Crew // Ballet Flats: FS/NY

Drop it Like its Hot

I was going to title this 'Desk to Drinks' but where is the fun in that? Yes, I am going from work straight to an industry cocktail event, but why pass up an homage to Snoop Dogg? Exactly. I go through phases where I ether love or hate drop waist dresses, and lately I'm all about them. Especially with the warmer temperatures I'm loving the way they still have a little shape, but don't restrict. Plus, I can kind of do a shimmy since there are pleats {obviously not at work!}

Dress: Asos {try this or this} // Jacket: French Connection {similar here and here}

Nail Polish: Essie 'Lollipop' {my go to red} // Necklace: J. Crew {try this or this}
// Bracelets: J. Crew, vintage // Rings: Vintage, no label

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Bring on the Brights

Sweater: J. Crew // Skirt: Asos {similar here and here} // Jacket: Zara

Necklace: J. Crew {try this} // Bracelet: Baublebar

{This necklace surprisingly goes with quite a lot, well at least I think it does!}

Bag: J. Crew // Shoes: Pour La Victoire

If You Wear it, Spring will Come

...and by spring, I don't mean the 'official' start of spring, I mean spring TEMPERATURES. You hear that Mother Nature? Its time to make room for my sundresses and sandals, not coats and sweaters. Oh, and surprise surprise, I knotted a button down yet again. So that's twice in the workweek alone, which means I guess I can rationalize buying more, yes?

{Ok, so I SHOULD be spring cleaning (always painful), but this post on The Not Vanilla was really helpful for me-- check it out.}

Blouse: Cacharel {try this, this or this} // Skirt: Asos

Necklaces: CC Skye {old but try this Baublebar one} // ??? {from Loehmann's back in the day}

{details}

Bag: J. Crew // Jacket: Theory // Shoes: Zara

{no idea why I love this accidental 'action shot' but I do}

Clean and Simple

I woke up this morning and decided that whatever I wore, I wanted to belt it. Well actually, I woke up, wished I had 2 more hours to sleep and someone who would bring me coffee in bed...but after that I had belts on the brain.
I'm not sure if this was meant to be a lady cummerbund or an homage to the obi but it always makes me feel a tad fancier whenever I wear it-- and we all know feeling fancy is one of my favorite things! However, some days even I don't feel like going completely over the top, so I call this my version of 'minimalst(ish).

Sweater: Isli {similar} // Dress: Ecoskin // Belt: Vintage {try this or this}

Jacket: J. Crew // Faux Fur Collar: Asos

Earrings: J. Crew {sold out but try these} Ring: Consignment // Bracelet: Banana Republic

Nail Polish: Essie 'Lollipop'

{guess who finally got a haircut?!}

{so obsessed with these earrings...}

Boots: BCBG

A Skirt of a Different Color

You know when you find something you love, and you wish you had it in every color {but sadly wait too long and are stuck with only one}? Well, that's this Asos skirt for me. I started with the pink then the blue, and of course once it came in black I just had to get it right. I've learned from past mistakes that if I am lusting after something, chances are quite a few other girls are too, so I pounced on this one. Unlike before, they learned how popular it was and I don't think its sold out again since, but I still am happy I didn't wait. Still two colors left I don't have though... :)

I could go on about the twirling, the scuba material, the pockets, but I've already done that in over half my posts. So instead, lets talk about this top. I got it from Zara on mega clearance, and it was advertised as a striped crop top. Now, while I may order crop tops, I don't really wear them outside my apartment, however with a high waisted skirt (and ok, a camisole...this IS a work day after all) I was out the door!

I swear too...I'll start wearing  color again...um...maybe...

Top: Zara {similar sweater version here} // Skirt: Asos

{was in a rush so only picture I snapped...yes its an awkward one but ah well}

Necklace: Baublebar

Nail Polish: Zoya 'Godiva' // Ring: H&M // Cuff: Forever21

Bag: J. Crew // Shoes: Zara // Leather Jacket: Guess 

Layers and Lace

I don't know if its the weather or its just easier, but I find myself wearing head to toe black even more than usual. Luckily, after 8 years wearing all black for bartending, my closet is brimming with black pieces. I love this Equipment blouse but its rather hard to wear on its own without being too scandalous {at least um...to work} so it was the perfect piece to layer under my swingy dress. Lately, I can't get enough drop waist dresses, probably because they make we want to twirl and shimmy...

Dress: Asos {similar here and here} // Lace top: Equipment {similar here and here} 

// Jacket: J. Crew {old but found some on ebay!}

Necklace: Vintage // Watch: Michael Kors 'Oversized Runway'

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Nail Polish: Zoya 'Godiva'

Bags: Forever21, J. Crew // Boots: Forever21

Rhapsody in Blue

No, I didn't decide to boycott outfit posts, nor have I fallen off the face of the earth. Mainly I will blame the frigid cold for robbing me of inspiration for outfits during the week...I mean how cute can you look when your breath freezes when you walk outside? Oh and that stupid broken toe? That didn't help.

STILL! No more excuses. Even though I am trying to be slightly better about shopping {well, for me} it doesn't mean there aren't plenty of new to me outfits just by shopping my closet. I've had both the sweater and skirt since last year but never wore them together. Since I've been into that whole monochromatic look lately, it was a natural combination.

So take that Mother Nature, I've had it with your iron grip on my wardrobe choices. No more!

Sweater: Asos {love this gold one} // Skirt: Forever21 {try this or this} // Fur Vest: LaRok {try this}

Bracelets: Oia Jules, J. Crew

Nail Polish: Zoya 'Giovanna'
{This was a little lighter than I expected but still love how mesmirizingly mirror-like it is}

Boots: Forever21 // Bag: J. Crew 'Tillary' tote // Puffer Coat: Michael Kors

Fashion Freedom

As much as I absolutely adore pretty much any and everything vintage, one of the few negatives from 'back in the day' were those pesky fashion rules. No open toes in winter! No white after labor day! And of course, NEVER pair navy with black. I'm not sure when exactly these rules went out the window, but no one bats an eye anymore these days if you break one of the 'cardinal' fashion sins of the past.

Do any of those rules still really exist? Maybe, don't wear white to a wedding, though I've seen that done and in rare cases encouraged. There are a lot more 'important' things to be thankful about living in present times --hello longer life expectancy...and technology of course-- but I still think our fashion freedom is something to be celebrated!

Sweater: 3.1 Phillip Lim {old but try this or this} // Skirt: Asos {similar here and here} // 

Jacket: H&M // Bag: 3.1 Phillip Lim

Necklace: Baublebar {similar} // Nail Polish: Essie 'Wicked'

Heels: Zara {sold out online in black, but gold version here}

I've been lusting over these heels for ages, and finally scored on Black Friday for almost HALF off!

Totally Tortoise

This is not even close to the most tortoise I could cram into one post to truly show my love (er, obsession???) of it, but I think you still get the idea. Its classy and sophisticated, but with a healthy dose of unique and retro. Plus, it goes with EVERYTHING, so how could I not love it?

The same love affair could be said of the wonderful sweater dress and the flat riding boot, but nobody likes a broken record. So-- they rock. Really, what more proof do you have then below? Anything that is both so comfortable and appropriate to leave the house in is incredible.

Dress: Gap {try this, also love this Tibi} // Long Sleeve Shirt: Isli // Jacket: Asos {almost identical}

Necklaces: J. Crew // iPhone Case: Casemate

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Watch: Michael Kors 'Oversized Runway' // Ring: Ambiance // Nail Polish: Essie 'Blanc'

Boots: J. Crew {similar though you can never go wrong with Frye!}