Sparkly Themed Bunco Party Outfit

Earlier this month I went to a Bunco party with a sparkly theme.  It was very cool to have another chance to wear holiday clothes post-holidays.  It was so much fun to see everyone wearing sparkles!

I have a great "success" story about the purchase of this sweater.  Unfortunately since my significant weight loss I can no longer wear my MICHAEL Michael Kors chevron striped sparkly tank, which would have been perfect to wear for this party.  (UGH- I was twenty-one lbs. heavier in that sparkly tank post.  The last photo is awful, most of my fat seems to go straight to my chin.)  I wasn't even planning on buying anything special for this party since I have a pair of big, sparkly, silver hoop earrings to go with my Charter Club cobalt blue v-neck sweater, and I was going to be fine with that.

I was at my local Nordstrom getting alterations on some jeans, and I couldn't help but notice the sparkly copper crewneck sweater on the mannequin in the Savvy department.  I kept looking and looking at it, walking away, and going back to it.  I was wondering why was this holiday-ish piece still on the mannequin?  It was January, shouldn't they be showcasing a navy and white tee for spring instead of a sparkly sweater?  Then I thought, hmmmm, maybe this is a new item and it is still okay to wear sparkles...

I checked the tag and learned that it's Marc by Marc Jacobs and was still at full price.  Ouch.... but I do have a Nordstrom gift card to use....   so I saw that the sweater on the mannequin was the only one I could see in the department and it was a size too big for me, so I asked the sales person to scan the tag and see if there was another one in my size somewhere at another Nordstrom.  None.  Zero left in Nordstrom stores.  Then she scanned it again to get the price, and.... wah lah... it has been marked down all the way to Nordstrom Rack price!

Since Nordstrom computers don't have access to Nordstrom Rack merchandise, you have to go through a process somewhat to find something specific at Nord Rack.  To find a specific item at Nordstrom Rack, start by getting the UPC number.  Just ask the sales person at the Nordstrom full line store to print you a Merch Search ticket for the item which will display the UPC number.  Then call Nordstrom Rack to tell them to find a specific item and you have the UPC.  They pull it up on their system, and they can tell you which specific Nordstrom Rack store has your item.  The hardest part is waiting on hold for what seems like forever while someone physically has to search the store for your item.  Sometimes I have been lucky, sometimes unlucky.  The computer says they might have '1', but that '1' may be lost, stolen, damaged, etc.

Anyway, so I asked the sales girl at the regular Nordstrom store for the merch search ticket and went home to call Nordstrom Rack to give them the UPC.  Only '1' in my size was listed in all Nordstrom Rack locations and it was in Houston.  I was not counting on them having it, as I said before when '1' is listed they hardly ever find it.  I was on hold, secretly crossing my fingers because I was SO in love with this sweater.  Amazingly, it only took her about two minutes to find it.  Just Amazing.  I was able to get it AND at the unexpected low Nordstrom Rack price.  My very first Marc by Marc Jacobs piece.  Woo hoo I couldn't be more excited about that!

EVALUATION
I'm going to begin an evaluation section for my posts from now on.  The point of this blog is for me to evaluate my wardrobe and try to learn from the photos.  I hope my evaluations will help me to dress in the most flattering way for my body type and age.  I hope my readers will chime in on my evaluations.

I'm looking at myself in these photos, and the sweater seems a bit large on me, but I didn't notice this in the mirror.  I guess since I'm wearing skinny jeans it sort of balances it out that the sweater is slightly big.  I still don't believe I'm the perfect candidate for skinny jeans since they look best on taller people, but I feel better about wearing them since my weight loss.

I also think this sweater would look better with black skinny jeans instead of blue denim.  The mannequin display had black skinny jeans with this sweater.  I did buy these same skinny jeans in black but they were getting altered and were not completed in time before this party.

Thanks RC for the photos!

                                 Sparkly Themed Bunco Party Outfit

Marc by Marc Jacobs 'Camino' metallic crewneck sweater, Copper - Nordstrom Rack 

Hinge® Princess Seam Camisole, black (needed since this sweater is slightly sheer) - nordstrom.com 

Blue Essence 'Eliot' Skinny Denim Jeans (Nordstrom Exclusive), Indigo Mood Wash (MID-rise and no bleaching/whiskering!) - nordstrom.com

Givenchy 'Salt' Glass Pearl Linear Earrings, Espresso Pearl/ Smoky Quartz - Nordstrom
Cole Haan 'Air Talia' Pump, black suede - zappos.com

Kenneth Cole NY 'High Polish' clutch, black patent - Nordstrom

Sexiest Top I Own

This month I've been fortunate in having many opportunities to dress up and go out to holiday parties and small gatherings.  I love the opportunities to wear nicer clothes any chance I can get, but last week I think we had three nights of going out.  It was a bit much and caused me to be extra tired, but it was all fun.  I'd do it all over again in a heartbeat.

I wore this outfit twice within the last couple of weeks.  I wore it once out on a double-date, and once to my son's playgroup's annual holiday moms' dinner.  That made sense, right?!?  This is my extra-special, very precious, oh-so-very-feminine and I'd say the sexiest top I own. I cannot begin to tell you how feminine I feel in this top.  It is my favorite piece right now, and I hope to get the chance to wear it again soon.

Unfortunately, the flash was a bit too bright here.  The top does have a nude color lining, but in person the top is darker.  The skirt and tights are darker black.  This photo makes them look gray.  I really should redo these photos.

 

This top has hidden button closures and little dainty satin tie ribbons.  It's kind of like a corset look. 

 With my trench.  

I usually don't wear so much black, but I asked for advice from my favorite salesperson at Nordstrom about what to wear with this top.  She said with all the lace and ribbon details, I need to let the top be the star of the outfit.  She suggested a black pencil skirt would look best.   She also suggested I wear earrings in a champagne color to compliment the nude lining, but I found these really nice coppery ones which I thought would work just as well as champagne.  Plus, I couldn't really find any champagne colored earrings at that given moment in which I needed them. 

Sexiest Top I Own

Nanette Lepore 'Rich Bouquet' lace top, black - shopbop.com

Nanette Lepore 'Annina' pencil skirt, black - ruelala.com

Kenneth Cole REACTION sateen trench, Cardinal Red - ebay.com

Givenchy 'Salt' Glass Pearl Linear earrings, Espresso Pearl/ Smoky Quartz - Nordstrom

Kenneth Cole NY 'High Polish' clutch, black patent - Nordstrom

Cole Haan opaque tights, black - colehaan.com

Cole Haan 'Air Talia' Pump, black suede - zappos.com

Couples' Night Out

Last night I wore this knit dress to my MOMS Club annual couples' night out.  I am so in love with this designer, Nanette Lepore.  I find her designs a bit fashion forward and girly, but not too over-the-top.  I scored big time with this dress at 70% off.  Not kidding.  70% off.  It took some work asking for price matching, but it was worth it.  I was practically hyperventilating when I realized I was getting 70% off on a beautiful Nanette Lepore piece.

I like how my red earring is showing up extra sparkly here.

MOMs Club Annual Couples' Night Outfit

Nanette Lepore 'Moonlit' knit dress, black/grey combo - bloomingdales.com
Cole Haan 'Air Talia' pump, black suede - zappos.com
Cole Haan opaque tights, black - colehaan.com
Kenneth Cole NY 'High Polish' clutch, black patent - Nordstrom

To keep warm while outside in our cold 36ºF night weather I wore my usual red trench, but I didn't want to take the time to get photographed with it on.  

Natasha Couture 'Barrie' Bangles, silver - Nordstrom Trend Accessories Dept.

Sorrelli 'Rare Jewels' black/red/hematite stones earrings - Nordstrom Rack

Here are the earrings close up.  It's not the best photo, but you get the idea of what they look like.  These were a Nordstrom Exclusive two years ago and were never on their website.

Instead of an LBD, I'll take a LND

This dress I recently wore to a friend's 40th birthday party.  I also wore this same dress in Chicago on one of our nights out without the kids, but I forgot to get photographed.  I can't find an LBD right now in my new size that I like, so I'm happy with my navy dress instead.  I think I like navy on me better than black anyway!

Friend's 40th Birthday Party Outfit- LND instead of LBD

Anrthropologie 'Whirligig' Dress, Navy - Anthropologie
Cole Haan opaque tights, black - colehaan.com
Cole Haan 'Markesa' boots, black - colehaan.com
Calvin Klein framed sequin clutch, coral - zappos.com 
Nordstrom 'Neo Geometric' Triple Drop Link Earrings, Shiny Rose Gold - nordstrom.com
Natasha Couture 'Barrie' Bangles, silver - Nordstrom Trend Accessories Dept.

"Blue Man Group" Outfit

The following outfit I wore to see the "Blue Man Group" with my family a few  weeks ago.

Blue Man Group Outfit

Nanette Lepore 'Shining' skirt, grey - bloomingdales.com
Halogen cardigan, Navy Peacoat- nordstrom.com
Hinge cami, black - nordstrom.com
DKNY opaque tights, black - nordstrom.com
Cole Haan 'Justine Air' boots, Woodbury - colehaan.com
Perlina croc handbag, teal - Nordstrom
Lauren Jeans Co. Jacket 'Tamara Classic Fit Denim' - Nolita Wash, macys.com
Lauren by Ralph Lauren woven leather belt, brown - Macy's
Nordstrom 'Neo Geometric' Triple Drop Link Earrings, Shiny Rose Gold - nordstrom.com


Notes on the above outfit:  I'm sad that this fabulously dark and classic denim jacket is too big on me.  I need one size down.  I can't seem to find it or anything like it.  I bought it two years ago, and all the denim jackets I'm seeing today have that awful bleached and torn look.  I'm also sad about the woven belt.  It's really too big for me now, and I don't think I'll wear it again.

Book Club November (I'm a tad behind)

I've had several outfits photographed just no time to post lately!  I've been playing 'family stylist' for my mom and sister the last few weeks for an upcoming family event in January.  It's been crazy busy with the shopping and returning.  One of the online orders was lost due to the fault of UPS delivering to the WRONG house, and it's been totally crazy dealing with this.  Luckily the package has been found.  THANKFULLY my sister's neighbor brought it to her two days after the scheduled delivery. 

This outfit I wore to Book Club for November, which sadly I did not even finish The Great Gatsby, but I don't like to miss Book Club.  I love the opportunity to get dressed for a party!  I'll need to finish that book eventually.  Big thanks to KM for using your iPhone to take this photo.

November Book Club Outfit

Caslon long-sleeve crewneck tee, Yellow Raisin - nordstrom.com
Nanette Lepore 'Shining' skirt, grey - bloomingdales.com (click link to see pretty pleating detail up close)
Nordstrom opaque tights, charcoal - nordstrom.com
Cole Haan 'Air Violet', Dark Grey - nordstrom.com
kate spade 'Keswick Caning' necklace - black, cream, gold - kate spade

My First Official 5K Race

Thanksgiving Day I ran my first official 5K race, the Turkey Trot in Dana Point.  I'm so excited I beat my goal time.  It was a gray, cloudy day, but thankfully it did not rain.  It was supposed to rain that day.  I've been training for this race since May when I began eating healthier.  (Thanks to Oprah & Bob Greene for the inspiration!)  The free training program I used is Couch to 5K, and it has changed my life.   

What makes this training program so doable for non-experienced runners is that it alternates walking and running for the first six weeks.  The first week you walk 90 seconds and alternate running for 60 seconds for 20 minutes with the first and last 5 minutes are walking.  This will ease you into running without feeling too exhausted.  The second week the running is increased by 30 seconds.  It is so doable.  I'm serious, anyone can do this.  I used to hate running, but now I love it and can't wait to do it.  There is even an iPhone app for C25K, which makes it even easier since the voice tells you when to walk and when to run.  It also lets you play music at the same time.  It is AWESOME!  Thanks Big Sis for telling me about C25K! 

Approaching the finish line.  I'm number 5911.

With my Turkey Trot medal. 

Turkey Trot 5K Race Outfit

Nike v-neck stretch tee, white - Big 5 Sporting Goods

Nike nylon capri, black - Big 5 Sporting Goods (capris look awful on me because I'm short, but I get too hot in long running pants.  Don't yell at me, Clinton!)

Nike 'Pegasus+ 28', Grey Anthracite/ Orange - Nordstrom (of course I have a POP of color when I run!  Clinton, are you proud of me?)

Zella 'Fitness' tab socks, white - nordstrom.com

sunhat, cream - Sheraton hotel gift shop Big Island, HI