End of Challenge?

2/28/13

I'm kind of sad that this interesting challenge is technically ending today. Especially since my previous two ensembles are not what I would consider to be fashionable. I'm posting my work outfit from yesterday- it's slightly different from the previous day's health fair outfit, but it still has the same vibe. Yesterday's event was in a gym so I went a little more sporty and less "camp counselor". Today's outfit was tough bc I realized I couldn't really repeat any of the clothes that I wore yesterday since I've got a lecture today. I was even looking at my capris thinking "can I wear these with boots?!" Uh...no! Sporty to professional...oops! So,I kinda feel like a cop out but technically I'm not. I re-wore my earrings from yesterday today. That is my ending repeat....womp womp. Not exciting, but oh well. Thus is life, right? Sometimes you have to just finish and be ok with not coming in first. Though I enjoyed this challenge immensely, I'm kinda going out on a fizzle. Oh well...I'll have to jazz up my ensembles coming up since I don't have another challenge on the horizon. Also, I'm not sure about you guys, and if you've been following me for any time you'll notice this from my end of summer posts, but I get really bored with the current season's clothing as it is about to change. Now that I am REALLY ready for spring and so many of the fashion bloggers I follow live in one season states (CA, FL, AZ, etc!) AND the Feb/March fashion mags are all previewing spring fashion, all I'm seeing are the fun spring looks everywhere. ARGH!! So my new "challenge" will be to really try to have some fun with my winter clothes as the last few cold weeks pass me by. Instead of getting mad that it's cold and I want my toes out, I will try to wear outfits, layers, and shoes that I've passed over or haven't paired this season. Here goes...come on spring!!

Oh- one note on my ensemble today...The colors look off in the pic, but I swear they "go". :-) My boots are kind of grey-taupe and really pick up the grey in my skirt that you can't see. Also, my blazer is one that I forgot I had! Oops... it was at my mom's house. I love the small, blue pinstripes- that you also can't see, but also match some blue in my skirt. I'm really in desperate need of a new camera- any ideas fellow bloggers?! Sorry for the quality of the pic below- taken with my iphone last night. :-( Oy!

2/27/13

Ensemble breakdowns...
Wed 2/27/13 (bottom pic)
Capris- Old Navy (love their line of compression workout tights!)
Tee- work issued
Shoes- Asics, bought at Kohl's
Bangle- Bauble Bar- repeated item
Earrings- Kohl's

Thurs 2/28/13 end of challenge!(top pic)
Skirt- TJ Maxx brand- frenchi)
Tights- Kohl's
Boots- Old Navy
Tee- Old Navy
Blazer- H &M
Bangles- Pick Your Plum
Necklace- Daisy Fuentes for Kohl's
Earrings- Kohl's-repeated item


 I'm heading to the big apple tomorrow for a concert at MSG! Can't wait!!!!! I'll post my ensemble on Saturday...stay tuned.

Until tomorrow lovlies...
J

Grumble Grumble Grumble...

Anyone who knows me at all knows what this blue "uniform" means (I have a health fair at work today) and how much I hate wearing it. If you are just starting to follow me, then please know...I HATE wearing my blue. Well, let me qualify that. I don't hate it totally- it could be a worse color, fit, style, etc. Sometimes it's nice to not have to pick an outfit early in the am. However, I do hate wearing it as much as I do certain times of the year (fall and spring when I wear it MOST days) as well as in the middle of a fashion challenge. A baby blue polo does not scream "CHALLENGE" to me. Well, it does...but not in the intended way. It is a CHALLENGE to style this ensemble so that I look like anything but a summer camp counselor. Blech!!! Hate it! Wearing it again tomorrow too! :-( Anyway, here I am in my health fair uniform. I have creative freedom in my shoes & jewelry so I try to make them kinda sassy, but there just ain't no makin' this whole look sassy!  Ok, moving on...I'm over it...not really...ok, I am ...not.








Khakis- Old Navy
Polo- work issued :-(
Shoes- Kohl's
Bangle- Bauble bar ( I had on some more skinny gold ones too but they were annoying as I did my cholesterol screenings this morning. They kept on jangling- somehow seemed unprofessional!)
Belt- Kohl's (repeat item)
Earrings- Kohl's

Tomorrow will be another blue shirt outfit so hang in there. I will wear something different...maybe black pants...different shoes...a cardi- ohh la la! Normal clothes to follow!
Until tomorrow lovlies!

Jess

Shout Out to My Sis!

I love the look of a casual tee with something a bit more dressy. I usually wear something that fits this description on the weekend. I am not really one to experiment too much with work wear. However, something this morning told me to throw this together and I rather like it! Plus it gives a shout out to my AWESOME sister-in-law who lives in AZ and works at U of A! Got this tee on my AZ trip last week. I also have a penchant for college tees and hoodies. WHY?! NO idea! Did I go there?! No, but I've got the t-shirt! I love school and would constantly be pursuing some degree if my funds/time allowed it. There is just something exciting about being on campus or in a college bookstore with that thirst for knowledge. Ahhhhh...makes me wanna buy text books! Or just a cute tee! I've also added my weekend outfits to this post. I had some fun nighttime looks that I may post soon. These were my outfits that met parts of the challenge for my daytime chillin/errands.  Happy Monday all!!
 Today's ensemble:
Skirt- Old Navy
Tights-Kohl's
Boots- Issac Mizrahi for Target
Tee- U of A bookstore ;-)
Blazer- H & M
Belt- Kohl's
Necklace- An outdoor festival in Herndon, VA
Earrings- Kohl's
Bracelet- Forever 21-do-over piece!

Sunday, 2/24/13

Saturday, 2/23/13

 Sunday's ensemble:
Jeans- Citizen's of Humanity (re-do item!)
Tee- Old Navy
Shoes- Converse All Stars (bought at Journey's??)
Bracelet- Forever 21
Necklace- Kohl's
Earrings-Target

Saturday's ensemble:
Jeans- Citizen's of Humanity
Sweater- Old Navy (re-do!)
Jacket- Old Navy
Necklace- Jewelmint
Earrings-Kohl's
Shoes- Old Navy


Until tomorrow lovlies!!!
J

Casual Friday!

I feel like such a rebel today for wearing jeans to work. We don't technically have a "casual Friday" policy, but because we are a small and pretty casual office by nature, we sometimes sneak in jeans on a slow Friday. I wore a relatively fancy pair so I think I'm ok. Today I am re-wearing my FAB Stella & Dot earrings for the Take One, Pass it On challenge. It's a quick post since it's a busy Friday! Come on weekend!!!! Have a good one, all!

Today's ensemble:
Jeans- Paige
Top- Old Navy
Sweater- Old Navy
Earrings- Stella & Dot (repeat!)
Booties- BCBG
Watch- Timex Weekender


Until tomorrow...
J
 

Menswear?

What do you consider to be menswear? Anything that isn't girly and frilly that a man could feasibly get away with? A three piece suit? To me, menswear is less of that form fitting feminine look that I usually go for and a little more sporty and loose. I wasn't really thinking of menswear this morning, but when I put on these trousers (even that word evokes menswear to me), and a little less fitted sweater (although it has strands of sparkly thread throughout), I felt a little more relaxed and masculine than I might have in my usual winter work uniform of slacks and a fitted top/sweater combo. I'm pretty sure that nothing that I am wearing would ever be worn by most men, but it gives me a little bit of a different vibe. Fashion is all about perception. My husband's favorite fashion quote (that has given me much confidence in the face of an unsure choice about an outfit) is...it's not what you wear, but how you rock it! I LOVE that piece of fashion wisdom! Today and everyday, I'm going to work on "rockin'" my choices even if they aren't what I may have intended when I chose them! Rock it girls!!

Today's ensemble:
Trousers ;-): H & M
Sweater- LC by Lauren Conrad
Shoes- Boutique 9 (repeat)
Earrings- Stella & Dot




Until tomorrow lovlies...
J

Oopsie Daisy...

I missed posting two whole days of the Take One, Pass it On Challenge while in AZ! I think between the excitement of my trip and my awesome blog "plastic surgeon" (Chris at Hubby Jack's Blog Attack- check him out, he's FAB!) being hard at work, I totally spaced. I posted on FB, but not here. When I start adding to my pretty empty Instagram account it'll be a whole new world...oy! Anyway, here are my outfits from Sunday and Monday in sunny Phoenix. Oh and BTW- it SNOWED in Tucson yesterday (I was there Thurs- Sat visiting my sis-in-law). YIKES! I felt bad for all the unprepared Westerners, but was glad to be back on the cold (when it's supposed to be) east coast! ;-)
 Outfit from Sunday 2/17
Skinnies- Old Navy (where else? LOVE their Rockstar Skinny Jeans!)
Top and cardi- JC Penney
Necklace- Jewelmint (repeat)
Earrings- Kohl's
Bangles- Kohl's
Shoes-Old Navy

Outfit from Monday 2/18
Skinnines- Old Navy
Tee- Old Navy
Blazer- H & M
Necklace- Lia Sophia
Earrings- Kohl's
Bangles- Forever 21
Shoes- Old Navy (repeat!)





Ok, I think we're all caught up!
Until tomorrow lovlies...
J

Wait...I'm a Normal Person?!

I realized when planning today's outfit that I've worn this top twice in a row since it's my repeat (so that doesn't count), but also once last month. For some reason, I was conflicted when realizing this. Is it too soon to wear it again?! Upon contemplation, I realized that normal people who have a normal amount of clothing and not a closet bursting from the seams actually do this! They wear things more than once. Now, I don't literally wear things once, but I do usually wait an absurd amount of time before re-wearing something. And since I've got a plethora of clothing to choose from, it's not that hard. I am not proud of this...in fact, one of my fashion goals (with no set deadline) is to do this more. I know I have too much and I don't need it all. My goal is to downsize and really only wear what I LOVE and then get rid of stuff to make room for new treasures...which might mean repeating a top/pants/dress, etc in the same month! Gasp! I'm going for more of a quality over quantity thing here and it's long overdue. So while you all might not think "OMG she wore that top in January", I actually did and felt a bit like an ass. Here's to always working toward your goals and becoming a better person and fashionista. Cheers!






 
Yesterday's travel outfit (-->):
Jeans- Forever 21
Top- Old Navy
Blazer- H & M (repeated item)
Necklace- Chakras from Yogaville, VA
Earrings- Silpada
Boots-  Boutique 9 by Nine West

Today's ensemble (above):
Pants- Kohl's (Daisy Fuentes)
Top- Old Navy (repeat!)
Cardi- Target
Bracelet and earrings- Stella & Dot
Necklace- The Next Egg (boutique in Fairfax, VA)
Shoes- Boutique 9
Belt- Kohl's

Detail of today's FAB Stella & Dot bracelet!

Today's fun blue shoes! LOVE these and they MAY be repeated. ;-)

 Until tomorrow my lovlies!!!

J

Pics from the last two days!

No write up today! I'm on the move from Tucson to Phoenix! I'll update deets tomorrow from an actual computer. ;)
Friday 2/15
Jeans- Forever 21
Boots- Boutique 9 by Nine West (repeat item!)
Top- Brand ?? from TJ Maxx
Belt- Kohl's
Earrings- Kohl's
Necklace- Stella & Dot
Shades- Kohl's

Saturday 2/16

Skinnies- Old Navy

 Tee- Old Navy

Cardi- Old Navy

Belt- Kohl's (repeat item!)

Earrings- Kohl's

Bangles- Gift from a friend  

Shoes- Nine West 

Necklace- Jewel Mint

Until tomorrow...

J

Floor of the airport update...

So I've never posted from the Blogger app so if this is royally screwed up then sorry! I'm sitting at the airport ( on the floor since its near an outlet and my iPad needs juice before my flight out west) and figured I'd attempt an update. Here's my travel outfit with my cardi remix!

Jeans- Forever 21
Boots- Boutique 9 by Nine West
Top- Old Navy
Cardi- Nordies (repeat item!)
Belt-kohl's
Watch- times weekender
Earrings- Lia Sophia

Here goes!!
Until tomorrow...
J

Fashion MacGyver!

Don't we all have those days where we have to safety pin something?  Use Hollywood tape (or sometimes just tape tape) in some way to make an outfit look right? Heck, I've even used many of the items on my desk for a temporary outfit fix (stapler, scotch tape, paperclip, pencil eraser, etc). I bring up this topic bc no matter how prepared you are, how meticulously you take care of your clothes, you are BOUND to have a wardrobe malfunction sooner or later. Unless you are lucky enough to have designers create your clothes to custom fit you and you wear the items only once (don't I wish!), then maybe not you. Today is a day like that...though I made the conscious choice when I got ready this morning to wear an "improvised" piece. Can you tell what I'm talking about?! No wait, don't look for lumps and bumps- this could be dangerous! The only item I am wearing that isn't fully functioning is my right earring. I LOVE these hoops, but being that they are some metal not found in nature (i.e. super cheap and cheerful), the little latch/hook thingy quickly broke. Since I feel naked without earrings and don't keep a backup pair in my purse like smart women do,  I quickly (with the assistance of a friend and colleague) fashioned an earring back out of a pencil eraser (SO 90s!). This was the day that they broke...and that was a while ago. I planned to throw them away, but I couldn't do it. I love them and they really are different from my other silver hoops. So, I'm rockin' the eraser back! Who cares?! Can you tell?! What have you fashioned craftily to hold onto an item a little longer?!

Today's ensemble:
Pants- Loft
Tee- H & M (redo item)
Cardi- Nordstrom (brand is Halogen)
Bangles- Forever 21
Earrings- Kohl's
Shoes- Macy's I think (Style & Co is the brand)
Belt-Kohl's
Necklace- Lia Sophia

Until tomorrow...
J

Packing Light-ish....

I must say, this challenge is a great one to have while taking a trip. I'll be leaving the cold temps of the East Coast for AZ on Thurs and I am having an interesting time packing with my Take One, Pass It On theme! But it's a good thing because I usually WAY over pack! Like I have enough to get lost in the woods for a month (or more) when I'm going on a weekend trip (I also have a month's worth of magazines in my carry on, but that's another issue for another day!). Yikes! I still think I have way more clothes than needed, but it is helping me pare down a bit to have to repeat an item each day. Baby steps, right?!

Here is today's look- re-wearing my fun bib necklace from H & M!

Cropped pants- Old Navy
Tee- H & M
Blazer- H & M
Shoes- Kohl's
Necklace- H & M (redo)
Bangles- gift from a friend's closet purge
Earrings- boutique in hair salon


Until tomorrow...
J

Week Two....and GO!!

Since yesterday was a super chill Sunday I was a little worried about re-wearing something in today's work outfit. However, as I lay in bed bargaining for time with my alarm clock, I dreamt up this kelly green/houndstooth combo! I was thinking skirts from the start since I'm kinda a skirt slacker during winter (though I do LOVE tights and boots, in the cold morning light-or lack thereof, I rarely go for this look). The top is a bit more casual than I usually go for with a skirt at work, but I kinda like it. I've seen other folks pair plain tees with dressier items and I love this look. So here goes with week two! Who's with me?! By the way, I am loving connecting with fashionistas from all around due to the lovely little fashion blogger community out there. I always get excited when I see a comment from someone who is not my mom or best friend! Thanks all for the support, inspiration and for welcoming me into this fun world!!

Today's ensemble:
Skirt- Elle for Kohl's
Tee- Old Navy
Tights- Kohl's
Boots- Issac Mizrahi for Target
Necklace- H & M
Earrings- Kohl's

Until tomorrow...
J

Black Skinnies Weekend!

Outfit 6 and 7 of the Take One, Pass it On challenge!! It's a quick, late post after a long, but fun weekend with the little momma! Here's to week two of the challenege!

Today, Sunday 2/10/13 (right)
Black skinnies- Old Navy (reworn item)
Tee- Old Navy
Necklace- Bauble Bar
Earrings- grandmother's
Shoes- Kenneth Cole



















Yesterday, 2/9/13
Black Skinnies- Old Navy
Chambray shirt- Old Navy
Necklace/earrings- Boutique in Vienna, VA attached  to my hair salon (ha ha- I'll shop anywhere!!)
Boots- Old Navy (reworn item!)

Until tomorrow...
J

 

Cozy Chic

Leggings make me feel cozy, even when worn with a work appropriate casual ensemble. Though we are not getting any snow here (thank goodness!) I was in the mood for a comfy-cozy feel today. I hope tall boots never go out, bc then I'll have to be a fashion "DON'T"! ;-) The reworn piece today is my necklace from Calamarie. I LOVE them and their eco-friendly/fair trade items from artisans in Columbia. SUCH gorgeous pieces! Check them out!

I put this dress/tunic on today with tights thinking that I could rock it as a dress. However...if I wanted to make it work appropriate, I had to go the legging route. It's a tad too short to go without "bottoms".  In the summer, on a weekend I think I'll try this with flats (my answer to short length dresses) and bare legs as it is super cute alone! This was a gift from the little momma during our impromptu trip to TJ MAXX last night. Ladies, be warned...they have GOOD stock right now! OMG it was all I could do to not just fill up a cart.  Maybe scoot on over this weekend for some retail therapy... ;-)

Today's ensemble:
Tunic- TJ MAXX- eight sixty
Leggings- Simply Vera by Vera Wang from Kohl's
Boots- Old Navy
Belt- Old navy
Necklace- Calamarie (reworn item)
Earrings- :-( Can't rem...
Bracelet- Jewelmint

Until tomorrow...
J

Black Crops and a White Tee!

Sorry for missing yesterday's post. As you can tell from my very fashionable ensemble, I was at a health fair most of the day! Here is today's repeat of the white tee and yesterday's repeat of the black cropped pants! I must speak on the versatility of a white tee. I love how this challenge is forcing me to look at clothes with more than one purpose. I have a whole bunch of long and short sleeved white tees as they are one of my fav go to pieces of all time. However, I don't usually layer them under blazers like I did today. Yesterday it looked so sporty and today, the same top- more biz. Love it!  I'm having fun with this one all! Looking forward to really stretching my creativity!

On the left is today's ensemble and on the right is yesterday's. Here goes...

2/7/13
Pants- Kohl's
Tee- Old Navy (repeated item!)
Blazer- Kohl's
Necklace- Calamarie (Eco friendly jewelry from Columbia! LOVE)
Earrings- Kohl's
Shoes- Target

2/6/13
Cropped pants- Nordstrom (repeat item)
Tee- Old Navy
Polo- work issued
Earrings- Bauble Bar
Shoes- Kenneth Cole (black flats that you can't really see)

That's all folks...
Until tomorrow...
J

Yellow Cardi Redux

I did get a funny look from my boss this AM since I'm wearing the same cardigan today as yesterday! Maybe I should tell her about my challenge so that she doesn't think I've suddenly gotten REALLY lazy with the laundry! Anyway, I almost just rewore my earrings, not in a lazy way, but in a start small way. Instead I went for the gold (literally and figuratively) and restyled my cardigan. Not sure what I'll re-wear yet tomorrow. I'm kinda flying by the seat of my pants!! :-) Weeeeeee.......!!!!

Today's ensemble:
Skinnies- Nordstrom
Tank- Old Navy
Cardigan- Old Navy (Passed on item)
Belt- ???
Necklace- Pick Your Plum
Earrings- Kohl's
Watch- Timex Weekender
Shoes- Old Navy



Until tomorrow...
J

Take One, Pass it On Challenge!

A new challenge! I was planning to take a break as the scarf challenge really set boundaries that I wasn't loving by the end. However, while catching up on some of my fav blogs during last nights SuperBowl blackout, I found a new blog and NEW idea for a challenge. It's kind of the opposite of my past two challenges- instead of not wearing something twice, that is the whole goal! It's called a Take One, Pass it On challenge because you rewear something from the previous day's ensemble! We'll see how this goes as I am not planning ahead. I can rewear anything- shoes, earrings, an article of clothing, etc. Since my blog is continuous and in most cases you can see the previous day's post, I won't post each outfit and it's link, just the current day's outfit. I will, however, mention in my ensemble casting call which item is repeated (in case you read this before your morning Joe and can't tell!) Since I didn't realize this challenge until last night, I figured I'd link my outfit today with my outfit from Friday, the first day of Feb! Here goes...

Pants- Banana Republic
Top- Old Navy
Cardi- Old Navy
Belt- H & M
Earrings- Charming Charlie's
Necklace- The Nest Egg (boutique in Fairfax)
Shoes- Schutz from Intermix (Pass it on item!)

I would be remiss to not add in the two lovely fashionistas who inspired me today. First is the blog that I stumbled upon from another blog who gave me the idea: Sarah's Real Life. And the outfit inspiration was from one of my fav's J's Everyday Fashion. Thanks girls!!



Here is my LAST outfit of the scarf challenge from Saturday... SO thankful that one is over! ;-)

Until tomorrow...
J

Wear Red Day!

Since I work in the health field, I am happy to support the Wear Red day for women's heart health. Even if I didn't work in this field, I'd support it for myself and all the women I love!You may or may not know that Feb is Heart health month, but the first Friday of Feb is always Wear Red day! It used to be thought that heart disease was a men's disease, but now it affects just as many (if not more) women! We've got to step up (literally and figuratively) to keep our hearts STRONG and healthy so that we can live a fabulous long life! Throw on something red today if you can! Ok,stepping off of my soapbox now! ;-)

Here's today's red ensemble:
Pants- Daisy Fuentes for Kohl's
Top- Old Navy
Blazer- H & M
Scarf- Target (LOVE! I've been looking for an animal print scarf for a while now!)
Earrings- Simply Vera by Vera Wang for Kohl's
Bracelets- gift from Allie!
Watch- Timex Weekender
Shoes- Schutz from Intermix





Tomorrow is the LAST day of the scarf challenge! On to the next one!
Until tomorrow...
J


UPDATE: Oopsie daisy.... I DID in fact honor the scarf challenge yesterday, but I wasn't excited about it as I wore my health fair garb. Here is proof! :-)
 Pants- Old Navy Compression (love these!!!
T-shirt- work issued :-)
Scarf- Target
Shoes- Asics
Watch- Swatch
Earrings- Silpada