She's a Lady

When I put this outfit on to go to work today, I thought I looked particularly grown up and ladylike, which is not always easy to do when you are 4'10" tall. I was dashing around my office, confidently giving glasses advice to people, totally feeling the part. Then, I called a patient over to my desk and the first thing he said was, "Are you in high school? You don't look any older than 15." Really!?!?

I just picked this blouse up at H&M for under $10. It fits my shoulders just right, which allows for the rest of it to be a little drapey without looking enormous. The fabric is a little bit sheer, so I wore a nude cami underneath.

I am really loving the half-tuck (or mullet-tuck as I have seen it called - haha). It helps keeps a fuller shirt from looking too poofy.

Though the wind was a little bit taken out of my sails today, I still think it I looked like a lady. It just goes to show that I shouldn't take fashion advice from random middle-aged men. 

Earrings: Vera Wang (via Kohl's)

Shirt: H&M (here)

Cami: H&M

Belt: Old - don't remember

Pants: Ann Taylor (similar)

Shoes: Franco Sarto (via Famous Footwear) (here)

Bag: Forever 21

Do people ever mistake you for a teenager?

Summer clothes transition to fall

Laura recently brought me a suitcase full of clothes to try out. The skirt and the jacket both belonged to her and I am trying to give them some new life. 

I love the color of this bold red skirt and I wanted to make it "work appropriate." I saw a mannequin in the Gap that styled a similar skirt with a blazer, scarf, and a white shirt. It is still too warm for a scarf, but I thought I would try it out. 

I like the concept of the outfit, but I think the jacket is just too big. It has cute feminine details in the pockets, but they are overlooked since the eye is drawn to the bunchy arms and the gappy waist. 

 Shirt: Polo

Skirt: Express (altered)

Jacket: Ann Taylor Factory

Necklace: Gift c/o Target

Bracelet: Gift

Again, notice the bunchy loose arms. I need to find a more fitted jacket. 

This is how I usually feel taking pictures in the morning. You can see on the clock in the kitchen it is only 7:22AM!

My mother in law recently bought me this necklace for my birthday and I've already warn it a few times. I don't own anything like it, and I love it. It's big, sparkly, and long, what's not to like?

How do you convert your summer skirts into work appropriate staples?

Classic

About a mile away from where I live, this beautiful park sits in the middle of a neighborhood. It was built in a neoclassical style, complete with Ionic columns. I always feel like I am in the Mediterranean somewhere when I take the time to walk there and sit for a while. 

This is definitely the first time I have layered a short sleeved cardigan over a long sleeved shirt. I think the sleeves of this shirt are a little too baggy since they are meant to be tab cuffed. Still, I like the concept.

I have been searching for a new pair of skinny jeans, and came across these eggplant colored corduroy ones at Gap. I think they will be my go-to pants this fall. 

 You may remember the hat from last week's post. I am definitely warming up to wearing it.

Hat: Nordstrom's

Earrings: Francesca's

Necklace: Forever 21
Sweater: LOFT (similar)

Shirt: Old Navy

Pants: Gap (buy)

Boots: TJ Maxx

My patient little assistant in his new clothes from his birthday...

Have you embraced colored pants this fall?

All Vests Are the Same...False

I am coming to appreciate the fit of clothing more and more. I thought that any outfit could be jazzed up by adding a vest. But I didn't notice until I looked at some pictures that the fit really does make a difference. 

Exhibit A: Poor fitting vest. 

First of all it is a size medium. Notice how long the straps are are on the front, they make the chest part look weird because it doesn't hit at the right place. The straps go down way farther than they should because this vest is designed for a much taller woman.  

Verdict: Get rid of it. 

Vest: Old Navy

Exhibit B: Slightly better fitting vest

This one doesn't fit very closely on the sides and it is a size XS. You can't tell very well here, but it has no shape defining power. I have it pulled as tight as it will go and it still doesn't fit snugly. 

Verdict: Get rid of it. 

Vest: Gift

Exhibit C: A well fitting vest :)

I just picked up this vest at a thrift store recently and it is a size 4 from Express. It fits close to the body, the chest is in the right place and it has a snakeskin texture. This will definitely bring variety to my wardrobe. 

Verdict: Keep and wear like crazy.

Vest:  Express

Butterfly on a Subway

A few weeks ago, Luke and I went out with my friend, Adair, so that she could show me the ropes of department store shopping at Nordstrom's. As we passed the kids section, I saw a giant jar of little dinosaur toys which seemed to be complementary, and thought Luke would love one. But just to make sure, I walked over to the register to ask, and as I passed a table full of hats, I realized an amazing thing: One-size-fits-all hats for girls are just about the right size for me! I ended up buying two: one for summer (on clearance), and one for fall, as you will see in the following pictures. And yes, Luke got his dinosaur, but sadly, he lost it before we left the store.


Here is what I came up with:

This straw hat is fabulous for the beach. While I was pregnant with Luke, I noticed that when my face got too much sun, blotches started to appear. I am not sure if that is the case now, but I would rather be safe than sorry on this one. 

Here are 2 things that I have learned about hats since starting to wear mine:

1. Wide brimmed hats catch the wind like sails - be ready at all times to snatch it out of the air as it flies off your head.

2. When holding a baby, his head will hit pretty much exactly where the brim is. He may or may not constantly try to grab it off your head.

P.S. In case you are wondering, the bathing suit is from Land's End from a few years back.

Here is hat #2:

A wool hat is a great way to spice up fall outfits. I have seen several other bloggers wearing them, particularly Lindsey Calla at Saucy Glossie. I am so excited to have found one that fits!
I hope I have the guts to wear this beauty all season. It is a lovely hat. 
More on Tuesday, when I post on the whole outfit.

Do you remember this line given by Meg Ryan in You've Got Mail? I couldn't stop thinking about it at Macy's.

"Once I read a story about a butterfly in the subway, and today, I saw one. It got on at 42nd, and off at 59th, where, I assume it was going to Bloomingdales to buy a hat that will turn out to be a mistake - as almost all hats are.”

I have to admit that I am a little afraid to wear my new hats in public. I have always wished that hats would become stylish again, and finally they are, yet for some reason, I feel kind of goofy wearing them, as though I am on my way to a costume party. Previously, I had hardly had the opportunity to wear one, since they always fit more like buckets and squashed my ears down, but now that I have found and purchased hats that fit, I am hesitant to actually put them on my head in public. I think the best way to embrace this new trend and my hat purchases is simply to force myself to wear them, and eventually, I will feel more at home in them...won't I?

Was Meg Ryan right? Is it usually a mistake to buy hats?

How do you wear them, if at all?