Pants!!! I love them!

Someone commented that I should return these pants and I thought about it, but I'm soooooo glad I didn't! I love these. Not my best photo, but the pants are great. They are loose and well made and the taper at the end is perfect. I feel very chic in them.

The fact that i even bought them was pretty out of character. I pulled them off the rack at the last minute and figured I try them on at home. Normally I wouldn't even look at pants like these for fear they'd make my butt look too big. But they don't, so I'm chalking this experience up to Risk = Reward.

Since they are a new shape for me, I'm looking forward to creating different looks for them. Yay!

Blouse: Banana Republic, $60 a few years ago.
Trousers: Talla by Habitual, $198
Shoes: Sally Wedges by Tory Burch, $268

What do you think of the pants? Any Suggestions on how to style them?

Monday - Black and Brown?

I've never really been 100% sure these two go together. I mean black and kakhi, sure...but black and dark brown? This morning I thought I'd experiment and give it a shot. Plus I wanted to wear my new black pants! Upon seeing this photo I have a couple of misgivings.

1) I wish I had worn different heels. I have a pair of brown and cream zebra striped Kate Spade shoes that would have been awesome.
2) I wish the detail on my belt buckle was gold tone instead of nickel.

Other than that I'm good with this outfit. Maybe it's a little boring, but it certainly makes me look skinny.

Gap True Straight pants, $50
Limited Cami, $25
Banana Republic Cardigan,$158
Banana Republic Equestrian belt, $40 on sale
Frye Kitten heels, $168
Michaek Kors Oversized watch (a gift)

What do you think - is it chic? Or a snooze fest?

A note on the watch - I felt like it was too big but when I took it to the MK store to exchange it. Ezekiel (the sales guy) convinced me that the Oversized watch was the one to go with. He pointed out that the model in their fall catalog is wearing it in every shot and she's (his words here) a skinny bitch! Ergo, if it's not too big on her, it won't be too big on me. Sold!

August Purchases - Part Deux

These purchases all felt necessary. I was sure I needed black wedges, but I haven't worn them yet. Partly because of the ankle. (Boo to my lack of coordination.) The sandals were to replace two well worn pairs and have gotten a lot of use. And the black pants I did need - haven't found a pair I've liked in years and I have these on today. They'll be a nice alternative to jeans.

Black AK Anne Klein wedges, $60 (on sale)
Steve Madden Gladiators Brown, $60 (on sale)
Steve Madden Gladiators Black, $50
Gap True Straight Black Pants, $50

So, this is all well and good, but it brings my monthly total to (GULP) $1260. That's $510 over budget. Granted I only spent $35 in July, so I'm still okay over all, but I really can't afford to run around shopping like this.

By the way. I'm already AT budget for September. So no more shopping for me until October!

August Purchases - WAY Over Budget.

I actually have to put my purchases for last month into two posts since there are too many photos to support in one post. Eek! Maybe it's because I've been frugal for a month or so, or maybe it was the new fall fashion hitting the shelves, but I went a little nuts. the items in this post are from one trip to Anthropologie that totaled $1040!!!I love everyhting I bought though, except not 100% sure on the green dress yet.

Black Serpintina dress, $278
Hidden Valley Top, $58
Mullany Dress, $258
Habitual Talla Trousers, $198
Twinkle Twinkle Dress, $168

So far I've worn everything except the black cocktail dress (need a special occasion) and the pants (need to be able to wear heels again).

And this is only part of what I purchased. Oh the Shame!!!

LOVING this tweed twist.

Definitely going on the wish list for October shopping.
$425 at Tory Burch.

A Girl Can Dream...

$1350 at Louis Vuitton.

New Dress

Today's outfit is one of my Anthropologie splurges. I really love green and I thought this dress would look great in the winter with boots and a chunky cardigan (big for fall), or with tights, shoes and a turtleneck in a variety of fall shades. Maybe with my new green shoes too?

Dress: Anthropologie, $168
Shoes: Steve Madden, $60

When I take my photo at home with a tripod the angle is not as flattering as I might like it to be. I'll have to work on that.

August Donations

Ok - here's what I gave up in August. White dress from Banana Republict that I thought was cute but made me look matronly in photos.

Black pants from Banana Republic in a SIZE FOUR that I have never fit into and never worn - purchased under the "I'm going to lose 5 pounds" delusion.

Green tank from the Gap what was just super unflattering to my arms, my stomach, my everything.

Black Banana Republic Dress that was too tight to wear to work and too conservative to wear out.

Three pairs of flops - the blue ones from Earth shoes are downright ugly, and the two pairs from Banana Republic have just seen better days and are not so in style any more.

August lesson: Stop shopping at Banana Republic. The stuff does not stand the test of time!!!

Romper + bad backdrop = eh

Squeezing out the last days of summer and wore my DKNY romper ($295) again today. This time paired it with black gladiators ($40 on sale) and my always-in-fashion LV bag. Still, this shot is crappy. I hope I look better in person!

Shoes!!!!

From Kate Spade. $408 after tax (ouch!) but I haven't bought nice shoes in a while. Will totally wear these a lot - they will look fab with jeans because of the colors.