The Challenge: Outfit #20

Only three more days to go of work, five more days till I can start shopping again (whoo hoo!), and I plan to do at least 10 more outfits in this challenge for a full 30 outfits.... but never fear, I plan to continue outfit posts, just not on a daily basis....maybe every other day.

Today's skirt was worn on one of my travel days that I didn't get to post last week (during the horrible snow storm and three hour cab ride home). I wore it with a fitted turtle neck sweater, so I decided to repeat it here with a different top. I have thrown in a couple different pictures for options of ways to wear pencil skirts with cardigans.

1. With an open cardigan with my skirt belted under the cardigan

Cardigan: White House Black Market (seen before with a white bow on it)

Top: Target Clearenece (score!)

Skirt: The Limited Holiday 10'

Boots: Loft

Tights: Nine West

Boot Socks: Loft (these are awesome! get them if they still have them for sale)

2. With a closed cardigan with the belt on top to define your waist

3. With a yorkie in cute matching coat and very jealous boxer.

This is my "if-I-was-in-a-clothing-store-ad-I'd-wear-this-look-with-a-sleeveless-top-even-thought-it's-10-degrees-outside-and-I-can't-leave-the-house-without-my-trusty-yorkie" look

The Challenge: Outfit #19

Happy Monday's Readers! It's been a great Monday. I have a new little nephew! Congrats to my Sister and Brother-in-Law!!
My Monday was pretty uneventful minus the big hole I ripped in my Express sheer ruffle shirt. Not really sure how it happened. Went to the bathroom, adjusted a ruffle under my cardigan, and the next thing I know, A HUGE HOLE! I am so over the lack of quality in clothes lately. I have literally found three things in my closet this week...all with holes and all have only been worn a handful of times. Some fixable...this sheer shirt, definitely not! Argh! So I dropped into Target to grab a plain black tank or tee and ended up with this really cheap cute ruffle tank (seen in pic). It only got a few hours of wear today, so I'm going to feature it again tomorrow with a skirt. I love good cheap deals!

Top: Target clearance rack
Cardigan: LOFT
Pants: Express Editor
Shoes: LOFT bow pumps

Okay, so I love these shoes...however, this is the second time I have attempted to wear them and I cannot keep them on my heels! This is the same problem I had with my Nine West heels. I tried putting a heel grip in them and that makes them feel too small/tight. Any suggestions on what to do?  I literally cannot walk in them. HELP!!

The Challenge: Outfit #18

It's really hard for me to remember what outfit I'm on now without looking at the previous post.

Okay, so I think Sunday's are fail days for me. Probably because they are lazy days, lounging on the couch, or hitting the grocery store...blah, blah, blah. Boring. I didn't like last Sunday's outfit and I really do not like today's. I've only worn this sweater a handful of times and I can just never really find anything I like to wear it with. It's not warm enough for just leggings, when it's warm enough for just leggings then it's too hot for the sweater, and it just looks so frumpy here with jeans....maybe I should have opted for dark skinnies. Oh well maybe next time.

Sweater: Express

T: Gap

Jeans: American Eagle Artist

Ballet Flats: Steve Madden

The Challenge: Outfit #17

Did you miss me? I missed you!

I am so sorry that I haven't posted a single outfit since Tuesday. I forgot to grab a camera to take on my trip and by the time I made it home on Thursday, I was so mentally exhausted from the weather/travel issues that I could not even bring myself to take a photo. Thirteen hours traveling does not look good on anyone. But don't worry, I'm back and ready to finish out this challenge and possibly extend the outfit of the day photos. This makes you happy doesn't it?!?

There is still snow on the ground here in good ol' Kentucky....and it's going to keep coming through the next week. Is anyone more ready for spring than me? I think not! This miserable weather has made not shopping a little easier since it's too cold to think about all the cute new spring items out (Thank you Mother Nature for thinking of how to make my challenge easier).

Today's outfit is a remix of some of the pieces I have already worn. I originally started with a different cardigan, but wasn't really feeling it...so I grabbed this cardi instead. We spent the afternoon roaming Louisville and just doing anything other than sitting in the house.

Sweater: The Limited Fall 10'

Jeans: Gap Jeggings Holiday 10'

Tank: Target Exhilaration and AE (yes I have two tanks layered)

Ballets: Ann Taylor Fall 09' but they currently have a similar pair in stores for $49.99!

I picked up P90X from a HS friend, so I plan to start that tomorrow. 90 days to being ripped! I honestly can't wait. I am extremely excited about starting this challenge. I truly feel better when I exercise and eat right. I'm still debating...do I post before pics now and then 30 day pics, or do them both in 30 days so there's something to compare them too...if not then it's just a half naked picture of my out of shape body...

See you tomorrow!

The Challenge: Outfit #16

I am a woman of few words today. The rain pretty much ruins my mood. Top that with no coke and remembering that I needed dog food...once I got home... Oh and did I mentioned I got rained on after I got my hair cut, dried, and flat ironed...I am woman of 50 umbrellas and not one was to be found in my car today when I actually needed it.

Go figure. Enough with the pity party and onto the outfit. I could not have picked a worse day to wear cream pants. Rain + cream= dirty.

Blouse: Target Xhilaration

Tank: The Limited Seamless Tank

Pants: The Limited Drew

Belt: The Limited

Shoes: Loft

I want to share with you what I have to endure every evening when I come home and just to try and attempt to take my OOTD (Outfit of the Day) picture. It takes  alot to convience her to quit rubbing and move so I can get photo.



Tomorrow and Thursday I am traveling. I'll try to get a photo of tomorrow's outfit for Thursday's post. Wish me safe travels and pray I don't get stuck in an airport because of snow.

The Challenge: Outfit #15

It's my first day of my "new healthy life" which means: NO COKE (a-cola that is)! (this is where I insert a super-duper-really sad-frowny-face). I traded my medium Chick-fila coke this am for a large unsweetened Tea. Do you even have a clue how hard this was for me? One Tea, One  Vitamin Water Zero, and One water later, I swear I have a lack-of-coke headache! Is there a drug for this type of withdrawal I am having?

Ugh!

I tried to google: "Why coke is bad for me" hoping it would help me not want to drink one...but it really didn't help. Now I just want one even more. I think this does some sort of reverse psychology on me. Most people were disgusted by the movie "Super Size Me" and vowed to never go to McDonalds ever again...Not me...I was there the next day getting a greasy hamburger and french fries. It was all I could think about and knew I would keep craving it until I got it. (disclaimer: please take into account that I do not go there multiple times a day, I do not order super sized anything, and it doesn't matter to me that chickens don't have "nuggets".)

Let's hope tomorrow will be better...doubtful since it's two for one margaritas at Hacienda and I will not be eating there or enjoying a two for one...hum wonder if Kevin Anderson from BSB will be there?

Onto my other withdrawal...shopping. I am finally wearing my Ann Taylor Loft Striped Tunic (not really sure why it's called tunic because it's not long...like a tunic should be) that I got over Christmas break pre-blog challenge. I got it too big originally and had to switch it for a smaller size...(thus getting sucked into the clearance black pumps, that I hope to wear this week on a work trip)...and now I am finally getting around to finding stuff to go with it. I must say, I absolutely love it! I was going to layer it with a white long sleeved t-shirt because I was inspired by a "looks to love" outfit (here), but I thought it looked too dressed down/sloppy for my tan wideleg trousers. I went with a dark tank instead and I am super happy with how it pulled together. I can't wait to wear this sweater this spring with white trousers. Did you forget, I love the "I'm on a Boat" kind of look...now if I can just find a boat to be on...with my new no coke, P90X body I'm going to have by this summer. Watch out six pack...here I come!!

I feel this is a little mens-wear inspired and hubs say's it's his favorite outfit yet! Figures...he does think Jennifer Connolly is hot with her manly features. Sorry Jen-Con....

Sweater: Ann Taylor LOFT $59.50 (here)

Tank: American Eagle

Pants: The Limited Cassidy Wide Legs

Shoes: Ann Taylor LOFT Sunni Mid Calf Boots

Here is a close up so you can see the details on this sweater.

Here's to making it through another day... Coca-cola Free!

The Challenge: Outfit #14

Dining Room is painted. Curtains are hung....and don't you know I realized they were on backwards after they were up. Golly jeepers!

Let me tell ya...taking pictures of yourself makes you realize a lot of things. One: I am not crazy about this sweater. Good thing I only paid $15 for it at Old Navy. I like it more in the fall without a shirt under it...but it's a little chilly for that now. Two: These jeans make my thighs look fat. Three: Everytime I try to curl my hair like this it ends up driving me crazy...don't know why I continue to bother. It looks way better straight. And Four: I can really tell that I have put on 10lbs over the past few years (guess it's not the jeans). Yes, I know most people think I'm skinny and I am for the most part, but I am not in shape. There is zero excuse for my laziness (my three month gym membership saw me for a month) and my bad food choices (hello fountain cokes and french fries). I'll be turning 30 (eek!) in a few months and the last thing I want is to continue the trend of putting on a few pounds every year, as it's going to be harder to get off the older I get.

With that being said, I am buying my friends P90X this week and going to get my booty into shape over the next 90 days. Which should end right at the start of bikini season! I have tried P90X back over the summer and made it about three weeks in....then I got distracted with work and life and gave up. I had borrowed the set and had to give them back to their rightful owner. I am planning to post pictures up: before, at 30 days, 60 days, and 90 days. Maybe that will hold me accountable, if I know everyone's going to want to see if it really works. If Jenna and J-Si on Kidd Kraddick can do it, so can I! ps...I heart Kidd Kraddick in the morning If you don't listen, you should!

I also need to get my diet in order. I am the pickiest eater on the planet (no really, I am). The only veggies I like are: corn, sweet potatoes, onions, spinach lettuce, and carrots. I love carbs! Bread, chips, fries, crackers...the good thing is I can do without sweets. I'd much rather have a fountain coke than a candy bar. So I'm starting today! No more soda (I know, I've tried this before and failed miserably). I am down to one a day, so I'll start replacing that with unsweeteed Tea (I need some caffeine) and the rest of the day will be water. If anyone has suggestions on how to make myself like more veggies, please comment below!

Enough blabbing...onto the Outfit. I had a little help with my picture today. Someone insisted on being an attention hog...

Really? Do you have to sit right there, right now?

Look....Mommy is trying to take a picture of her outfit for today's post. If you could 

 move, that would be great!

Yes, those are the infamous Loft OTK Peter Boots. Still love them!!

Again, if you were a picky eater and found a way to make yourself like new, healthier foods(veggies mostly!) please message me below.  

The Challenge: Outfit #13

Holy Moly...I am almost half way through the challenge and still have tons of clothes left to go (shew! I was worried). Weekends are a lot more casual for me so I don't really feel that today's outfit is all that extraordinary, but I'm comfy so who cares. I dug my Gap Jeggings that I had on yesterday out of the laundry (is that gross...I usually wear my jeans more than once if they don't get too stretched out) because I really do love them.

Hubs and I did a little Bed-Bath-and-Beyonding today to finally pick up some curtains for the dining room now that we have started a painting process and actually have a color (Sherwin Williams-Harmony Tan...which is really a shade of tan and sage). I refused to buy curtains until we finally painted, so three years later, we have curtains.

Now to get them hung....after the dining room is finished being painted, which hubs is working on as we speak...this should be a fun Saturday ...NOT! Guess I shouldn't complain too much, he doesn't make me help.

And I need to figure out "the curtain rule," are we suppose to buy four panels, only two, or does it really matter...? They are for a double window in our dining room. I've heard four, two panels for each window- hubs is arguing that that would be ridiculous since the windows are practically one, no wall space between them...Someone who knows, please educate me. I only bought two for now since that's all the BB&B had on the shelf.

I may pull my hair out from this curtain stress!

See.

Cardigan: Ann Taylor LOFT

T-shirt: Target Mossimo

Jeans: Gap Jeggings

Boots: Ann Taylor LOFT

Necklace: Lia Sophia

Bracelet: The Limited

I really wanted to wear my Steve Madden nude ballet flats but I thought  it was suppose to snow again today (suns beaming right now) so I went with the OTK boots. Don't get my wrong, I love my OTKB, but I am so ready for flip flops, ballet flats, sandals, dresses, a spray tan, summer bronzer, painted toe nails (ewe gross. My poor toe nails are so bare right now and I refuse to paint toes that no ones gonna see, that and I mess them up everytime I paint them because I end up putting on shoes.)

I wanted to make sure you could see the cute ruffle detailing down the placket of this sweater. I love this cardi so much I have it in two colors!  It's from LOFT and I opt'd for this maroon color when the pale pink (original color I wanted) was sold out. Wouldn't you know it...the pink came back in stock a few weeks later so now I have the both!

Here's a little something extra to make you smile.

Crazy Nugget!

My pound puppy. Aka: wrinkly butt, stinky butt (Shar-pei's have a weird odor), and fat boy.

The trouble maker. Can you guess where her ball is? I'll give you a hint...not where she can reach it.

Claws ottoman.

Hope your weekend is fabulous and more fun than mine thus far!

The Challenge: Outfit #12

TGIF! For real!

Picked the hubs up from the airport and it is all out lounging laziness taking place at the crib. Today's outfit is a little inspiration by Olivia Palermo. I think I like her shorter shirt better, but I felt it was better to cover my tush for work in my new Gap Skinnies....don't judge me! I came across them and they were literally the only pair left in the store, hidden in a stack of another jeans. They were marked down to $37.99 and 40% off the sale price. I had to get them...right? I mean to let those get away after basically stalking them for a month would be a crime. So in total I've spent $50(ish) on the original $80 jeans and $98 ATL pumps.

So here is the Olivia inspiration photo:

And here is the actual worn-by-me photo:

I tried to give you an Olivia stance too....one leg in front of the other (google her, I swear it's true)....It's apparent I do not get my photo taken daily by paparazzi because I just look like I might fall over. I think next time I will wear a shorter shirt and dark tank underneath of it. Oh and my sunglasses. 

Happy Friday Evening!

What I Want

Like many of you, I find this time of year a really hard time of the year to shop. Unless I just find some ridiculous sale on that $100 sweater I wanted, then I am over winter clothes and ready for fresh spring looks. When there is still fresh snow on the ground it's hard to justify anything that isn't a parka! Brrrrr.

The key is to look for those pieces that are "wear now, wear later". So light tops can you layer nicely with a cardigan or jacket  (or even put a long sleeved t-shirt under it). Pants are pretty easy unless they are white lines or capri's (don't go there yet). The dark wide leg denim is going to be really popular this spring. Navy Trouser's (anything navy!) will be a good classic piece to add to your wardrobe... with the right cut it will look like a pair of denim trousers but with a more dressed up, big girl feel. Good thing I look good in navy (insert cheesy giant smiley grin here) it seems to be everywhere!

I just saw on E!  that blouses and trousers will be a big trend for spring. This classic looks is worth investing in as you can wear it for years to come. I love this look by Olivia Palmero. She always looks so classy (and she's a little sassy. Now she would be a great face for Ann Taylor for those of you keeping up with the Ann Taylor Katie Holmes drama).

Now that I have rambled on and on and on.... here are some pieces from my favorite stores:

LOFT

Nautical Stripe Tee $49.50 (buy it here)

Would look great tucked into a pair of dark wide leg jeans or navy trousers. Layer a blazer or cardigan over it for these chilly winter days.

Striped Boatneck Sweater $49.50

This screams "I'm on a boat!" and that's why I love it. Pair with Khaki's and a colored pump, wide leg navy pants a worn brown belt, linen pants this spring and navy shorts this summer.

Striped Boat Neck Tunic $59.50

This whole outfit is adorable (or so I think) I just need to get some chuck tailors to complete my look. I own this top. It may be outfit #12 or 13. It is nicely layered over a t-shirt like shown here or with a tank top this spring when warmer weather arrives.

Abstract Floral Print Pencil $69.50

 Wear it now with a maroon or navy long sleeved top and navy tights and then free your legs this spring.

The Limited

Front Yoke Blouse $49.50

 Another great blouse to wear with a pair of wide leg pants, tucked in and belted of course. Very lady like classic.

Lace and Stripe T $39.90

This is a great piece to do with a blazer, pretty much any color carigan and would look great over it! Then this would be cute with black capri's or black shorts this summer.

Striped Easy Cowl Sweater $49.90

I will own this! Would be great with a long sleeved black t under it for now. Pair will black trousers, black skinnies, dark jeans...it really is an easy, classy piece.

Striped 2 in 1 dress $79.90

This dress is in the window at The Limited and it is adorable! Paired with a black loose cardigan and a big belt (ooh like the flower one I got for NYE!) makes it wearable now.

Navy Tweed Contrast Skirt $59.90

Pair this with a navy blouse or sweater now and then a short sleeve t this spring. 

Express

Ruffled Front Belted Dress $69.60

Add some color to your blah days! Put on Pink Sweater and Purple tights and you'll be screaming spring! Or be a little more safe with a Purple cardi and navy tights. You probably have a spring dress like this at home that you can do the same thing with.

Striped Wide Waistband $69.90

These come in lengths and have that higher looking waist band for tucking in blouses.

Elite Stretch Folder Pleat Shirt $49.90

I really want this skirt! You could do so many things with it! Pair it with a blouse, cardigan, tights and pumps for now and with numerous tops this summer. Not available online...but hopefully Express will be carrying this in the spring.

What are some "wear now, wear later"  pieces you are adding to your wardrobe?