Tuesday's Dress - Stay or Go?

This dress came super close to going in the "toss" pile. It's cute, but somehow it feels too much? Like a goth swiss miss, or a maid in cancun? I never quite know if the pattern is too overwhelming. Well, I gave it one last shot and got lots of compliments - from "cute dress" to "you look skinny." So, maybe it is a keeper? What do you guys think?

The shoes were a last resort - at this point I still have not found black wedges to wear to work and I REALLY did not like wearing flats with this. I WILL find wedges this week. It's getting ridiculous.

Dress, $250 by BCBG
Sandals, $80 by Banana Republic.

Monday the 16th - horrible pic!

In an effort to be more consistent with my postings, I'm trying to take my Pictures in the morning with a tripod instead of relying on someone to be available when I get to work. Unfortunately - the lighting was sooo bad. I tried to brighten it in iPhoto, but I'm not a professional, so bear with me.

Anyhoooooo....I put this combo together and ended up feeling pretty comfortable in it. It was cute and easy and didn't feel sloppy for a last minute outfit. I think I'll be wearing this again.

Mossimo Tunic, $30 at Target
Black stretch Tank, $20 at the Limited
Black Capris, $90 at Banana Republic
Bacara Flats, $138 at Cole Haan

July Donations

I have to be straight with you people. this is getting really hard! I only bought one item in July and dumping FIVE was difficult. Part of it is that I STILL haven't lost those 5-10 pounds, so I'm hoping to get back in to a lot of my unwearable stuff. The other part of it is that I feel like I've eliminated a lot, but haven't found great replacements. I've been out of shopping mode but fall styles are here so I'm going ot get back on it and get some nice pieces. Here are the rejects:

Floral strapless dress from the Limited - never worn and have another just like it in a better pattern.
White silk blouse with black applique from Urban Outfitters - I like this top but in every photo I've taken of it it is UNflattering.
Purple Banana Republic dress - hard to see here but just feels so not special.
Black Banana Republic Tank - gives my stomach rolls. No Gracias!
Cute striped Tee from Fred Segal - I love this shirt but it is waaaaay too tight and makes me look rolly. Of course the label says One size fits all because I got it in LA where everyone weighs 90 lbs.

Next month - which is almost here - will be painful. But I'll still do it!

Thursday August 12th - Amazing Accessory

Today I decided to pull out my same old BCBG art print dress and since I've worn it sooo many times I felt I needed a new accessory. So, here's Paddy, my 8 month old toy poodle. Pickles, my 6 year old Corgi is in the background, but she is far too big to be held.

Felt boring in the dress but then got 5 compliments on it which reminded me that just because I wear it a lot, that doesn't mean people know it.

BCBG dress:$178
Tory Burch wedges: $288
Toy Poodle: $250 in adoption fees from Animal Haven.

Banana Tuesday

I had no idea until I got to work and started editing the photo that I was wearing head to to Banana Republic on Tuesday. LOL - there really is TOO much of it in my closet.

I liked this though - thought it was cute. Not sure if it's fashionable though. Maybe just OK.

Silk Top, $58
White Linen Skirt, $35 on sale
Gold Sandals, $79

ALL Banana Republic

Any opinions on the shirt? I feel like I'm liking this one again!

Monday's Summer Dress

I slept in an extra 45 minutes this morning so I new it would be a summer dress day. Doesn't require too much though and is comfy and cute. Plus that extra 45 minutes was sooooo worth it.

Today I'm wearing a dress I picked up last summer at Urban Outfitters for $90. It's still cute and graphic, but I think that color block is on it's way out. This may be my last summer in this dress. Simple gladiators (Enzo Angiolini, $69) complete the outfit and I grabbed my black cardigan from The Limited ($50) for a cover up in my freezing office. Hope it doesn't look too frumpy like last time.

What do you think...should I retire the color block?

Wednesday: This was almost a donate!

I'm so glad I pulled this dress out of the closet today. The last time I considered wearing this was to a Fourth of July party but I put it on and felt frumpy. Today I promised to try something new so I put it on and was determined to let my readers decide.

Well, I got my first compliment within 5 minutes of walking out the door from a chic woman walking her dog on the street. Followed by several compliments from folks at work. I guess it doesn't look frumpy after all. This will definitely stay in my closet and out of the Goodwill pile. The best part of all - I got it at Target! Gotta love that place!

Converse for Target dip dye dress, $30
Blue Leather Wedges: Tory Burch, $288 - They are $265 now

What do you think? Is this a keeper?

Tuesday: Sticking with what works.

This has not been a week of grand experimentation in my outfits, so maybe I need to push myself next week. On the other hand, I'm practicing being kinder to myself so I'm not going to beat myself up over it - tomorrow's a new day!

Still - I always think this one's cute! It's very "me".

Banana Republic skirt ($60)
Kate Spade blouse ($128 on sale)
Cole Haan Bacara Flats ($138)

Tomorrow I will try something new!

Monday: August Begins!

I swear this dress is one of my best purchases this year. You can throw it on in 2 seconds and look polished and cute, but it's as comfortable as Pajamas. After my trip to Austin this last weekend, I was not up for a big creative closet moment Monday morning so I just pulled this out. Got a few compliments to boot. I am going to invest in a few more of these just to preserve morning peace of mind.

Cherry Jersey Dress: Tory Burch $395 - It's on sale now for $197 if you want to scoop one up!
Blue Leather Wedges: Also Tory Burch, $288 - Oddly they are $265 now, but not on sale.

Thanks Tory!

July Purchases

Yep - you are looking at the right picture. I only bought ONE THING in July. A striped t-shirt for $35 at French Connection.

I was pretty shocked myself, and was wondering how I went from an average of $1000+ last year to $35 this year. I think part of it is the weight gain (who wants to shop when nothing fits?); part of it was the weather (who wants to shop when it's so hot outside that wearing clothes feels like some bizarre form of torture?); but I also think part of it was the fact that I've learned not to shop just for the sake of shopping.

Nothing really caught my eye in July. It's sort of mid season before the fall clothes come out and I don't need any more summer clothes so I just didn't even find myself looking. I'm really happy about this turn of events, and I'm not rolling over the extra $715 of my budget to August - just putting it into savings.

Castoffs will go up tomorrow - it's getting harder!!