christmas dressing, etc.

tee: target | skirt: mashalls | boots: target | key: tiffany

we need a little christmas

dress: eliza j | heels: christian louboutin

My work's client appreciation party is the event that takes years off of my life as I spend the three months prior obsessing about name tag fonts, flowers, and wondering if people really like prosciutto enough to eat it off a skewer. Thankfully, as far as dressing, my best friend came to the rescue and loaned me this too-perfect-for-words sweater dress. My hair covered the best feature on the dress, the bow, but these things do happen. Also, shout out to the floral bathroom in the Amway for having the best damn mirrors. 

lately

I am totally bugging out about how quickly Christmas is approaching. My grandmother passed away on Thanksgiving when I was a teenager, so I tend to always skip right over that holiday. I've been listening to Christmas tunes, and I'm putting up decorations this weekend.

With the time change it's dark when I leave for work and even darker when I return, so I'm opting to share a few quick snaps of outfits from last week. I promise to supply a worthy post soon! 

I wore the cutest Lacoste dress known to man last week Monday. Although I'm hyped for winter, I'm still desperately holding onto summer and really did look like an idiot headed for the tennis court. Still, navy? stripes? I'm into it no matter the season. 

I hope you'll appreciate this cubicle selfie. I wore this knowing I'd be going from work to dinner for my best friend's birthday. This wrap skirt was a TJ's score and is incredibly cozy. 

Here's Friday night and what my famed dressing room usually looks like. In my defense, my house is under construction at the moment, so I have a lot of things from the living room here. Anyway, I tried desperately to not look like a soccer mom, and I'm wearing that sweater from a few posts ago, Hudson jeans, and really slutty boots. I was also so excited that my grandmother's wedding band finally fits my hand; I'm never taking it off. 

where do you summer?

cape: costco | leggings: anthropologie | shoes: sofft

I'm sorry, you can't tell me you don't appreciate a good cape. You instantly look chic while strutting around in a blanket. This cape from Costco (!)  was 15 dollars, and could totally pass for Burberry. It's fleece, reversible, and so cozy I almost fell asleep at my desk several times throughout the day. 

Speaking of work, my co-worker and I have a standing joke anytime either of us dresses like an asshole. We ask in our best, high-brow voice, "Where do you summmmaa?" It's also worth mentioning that we should be both be locked up; we are out of our damn minds. 

Thank you to my best friend, Meredith, for taking this photos and eating lunch with me today. You are everything. 

one skirt, three ways | the finale

turtleneck: j.crew (similar) | skirt: target | heels: christian louboutin | necklace: dear prudence

This is the last you'll see of this skirt for a while, parting is such sweet sorrow, amiright? Also, don't roll your eyes at a good turtleneck. This is soft enough to be very cozy, yet thin enough to tuck comfortably in this skirt without too many lumps and bumps. The rope necklace was one of my favorite purchases from summer, and I think it helps to modernize this look.

on target designer collaborations

Do you remember where you were on September 13, 2011? I remember it vividly.

In the early morning hours, one of my best friends was sitting in a Target parking lot , while I was sat at my kitchen table, constantly refreshing my Macbook, iPad, and iPhone while my cat, who vowed to stay up with me, passed out on my lap. Why would any sane person do this? Three words: Missoni for Target. I was like a rabid dog the second the collection was available online, buying shoes, dresses, cardigans, umbrellas, shower curtains, and handbags in a frenzy. My friend hit two or three Targets that day, buying the coveted blankets, listing them on eBay, and making insane profits. She's clearly more savvy than I, no, I just needed all of these things. In the weeks that followed, I scoured Targets looking for more items I didn't have yet, feeling so fucking fashionable as I waltzed up to checkout with my goods. I did this exact same thing each designer collaboration, staying up all night for the online launch, driving myself insane if I didn't get that one item I had my eye on. Don't even get me started on Neiman Marcus for Target, Jason Wu, Phillip Lim, Peter Pilotto. "I can order it from Net-a-Porter, ohmigawwwwwdddd, give me all the thingz." I'm telling you, I should be locked up.

After all that, you know where my coveted Missoni blanket is? In the basement. My cat sleeps on it. It is caked with cat hair. Fucking disgusting. Maybe it's maturity finally occurring in my mid-20s or perhaps I'm less insecure, but I didn't stay up all night for Altuzarra for Target. Yes, I browsed the lookbook the second it was released, but I didn't even rush to Target the morning of the launch. I totally forgot about it. And you what? I scored the mask from one of the PJ sets on eBay for five dollars. Last night, I bought the most on-trend peasant top from the collection on clearance for 12 dollars. Maybe I am growing up after all?

one skirt, three ways | episode two

When I was in elementary school, my mother was absolutely off her rocker and obsessed with my hairstyle and clothing choices. She'll brag to me about this to this day, it's unsettling. Anyway, one day she let me pick my own clothing out. Naturally, I opted for black leggings, Ked's, and a thick, wool blend Beauty and the Beast cardigan with gold buttons. She approved and sent me on my way. Of course, me being the little asshole I was (still am) I walked off the school bus at the end of the day with that chunky cardi tucked into my leggings. She almost fainted, and her hands still sweat when she tells the story.

The point being, this sweater with this skirt reminded me of that story because it's a little big and quite heavy (and would be ridiculous tucked into leggings). However, I'm still into the half tuck with skirts, and I think the proportions work really well. I also adore the quilted satin finish on the front and the mesh cutouts on the sleeves. TJ Maxx came through for me again. To me, this is a really smart way to wear an oversized piece while still flattering your figure.

sweater: cotton innovation via tj maxx | skirt: target | shoes: cole haan ... worth mentioning these are still comfy at 5 p.m. | nails: sally hensen miracle gel

one skirt, three ways | episode one

As I begin to feel more comfy with my legs, I'm telling you, skirts are it. I bought this skirt earlier this year, and the elastic waist has been perfect as I continue to lose weight. I've learned that pants are the worst when you're losing because a pant can be perfect, but then you lose five pounds, the ass sags, etc. and you still can't fit into the next size down for another 20 pounds. I digress. So, this is the first look for this skirt. I'll be posting two other ways I wore it later this week. Pour one out for stripes, ok? They're my favorite.

t-shirt: old navy | skirt: target | shoes: nine west

she asked me how to spell orange

Let me preface this post with it turns out taking outfit photos after work requires a tinsy more effort than I had in me this week. My boyfriend took these photos Thursday, but I am just getting around to posting them today. I have a few other things I wore to work last week in the queue, too. So, what I'm saying is... stay tuned? 

It is definitely autumnal in Michigan this week. People here go on and on about how great fall is, when really it's like riding this really exciting roller coaster up to the top and landing in a shit storm full of ice and snow. The only thing great about Michigan winters is Christmastime. I live and die for Christmas, so I'm pretty sure I'd be happy even if I lived in California.

Dress: Target I scored this on lunch, of course, last week. 

Sweater: Anthropologie

Boots: Target Not a lunch find, surprise! However, I'm not sure how I lived without a moto boot in my life. Pair with leggings and you're done. They're also super cozy, and my boyfriend says I look like I could stomp on someone. I have to be honest, that's always the look I'm going for. 

Bracelets: Fitbit, Tiffany

Nails: The amazing Sally Hensen Miracle Gel which has replaced my shellac manicures.

navy/black/navy

This cold seriously won't quit, but my solution is to keep dressing cute and hope that works. Anyway, this might be a little out there and very fourth grade, but I can tell you I was so comfy at work today.

Dress: Target on clearance for like $12. Another lunch hour find, so satisfying.

Button Up: Target I mean, it's a clear Vineyard Vines knock off, but I'm not complaining.

Shoes: Tory Burch's Sally wedge is my favorite Tory shoe, like ever. I own in it a really embarrassing number of textures and colors, but the navy croc is by far my favorite.

Bracelet: Fitbit
Earrings: Tiffany

a few brews

I've had a wicked cold all week, but that must have been what I needed to start this blog today. That, and the push from one of my best friends (you know who you are!) spurred me to beg my very confused boyfriend to take pictures of me in our backyard. Have to start somewhere, right?

Anyway, today was a somewhat special day at work. A local brewery is expanding and my firm is designing the new building, something that will hopefully revitalize a part of the city that desperately needs it. The event was outside and my job was to network a little, but mostly live tweet as the mayor and other individuals spoke. It's super windy and generally autumnal today, so I'd like to show you my outerwear (what I ended up wearing to the event) and my office attire. Onto the photos and outfit deets!

First, the obvious selfie as I waited for my boyfriend. Hi!

What am I supposed to do with my arms? No, seriously, I turned around to ask as he took this photo.

Sweater: J.Crew

I scored this last Friday on lunch. It was on the sale rack, yes! and another 40% off, (in my best Nicki Minaj voice...) yaaaas!

Pants: Old Navy

I really abhor the quality and sizing consistency at ON, but these have served me pretty well as I continue to lose weight. Also, let me say these are pants, even though my muscular calves will have you believe they're leggings. 

Shoes: Softt

Do these things really look that ragged? Eeeks. They are a year old or so and were a Nordstrom Rack score. They are incredibly comfortable and a great fall staple because of the suede and patent wedge. Oh, also, give me a bow? I'm buying it.

Sunglasses: Prada

Bracelet: J.Crew

Bag: Louis Vuitton

Oh, and my jacket is Cole Haan -- a recent Costco find. My Burberry-like scarf is amazing and from Lord and Taylor.