Out On A Weeknight Even Though I'm Tired

This house is one of my husband's remodel projects.  I wish we could live in it.  Monday night we met the clients at their house for appetizers, then we went out to dinner.  This was the first time I've seen this house.  I must say I'm very proud of my husband's work!  I wish I had photos to share of the kitchen and the rest of the house.

It was a lovely, lovely evening, but it has become very difficult to go out on weeknights.  It hurts to stay up late knowing I have to get the kids up early and off to school the next day.  It's even worse when I have fitness training on the next day after going out at night.  On the other hand, I do love getting dressed in a nice outfit and go out any chance I can get.  Otherwise I wouldn't get to wear my clothes very often.

This shirtdress is replacement for my old one since my weight loss.  It is the exact same dress but in a different color.  I really liked the gray one better, but I could not find the gray color again.  I found this blue one on overstock.com and the price was less than half of the price of my gray one.  Speaking of gray - boy, oh boy, is it time for some hair color!  These photos were taken last Monday, and I got a hair cut and color just yesterday (Saturday).  You'll see my new 'do in my next post.

Out On A Weeknight Even Though I'm Tired

Jessica Simpson Spread Collar Button Front Ruffled Belted Dress, Ink Blue - overstock.com
Halogen 3/4 sleeve cardigan, Cardinal Red - nordstrom.com
Cole Haan opaque tights, black - colehaan.com
Cole Haan 'Air Lyric' tall boot, black - nordstrom.com
Kendra Scott 'Python' chandelier earrings, black, gold & gray - Nordstrom 
Natasha Couture 'Barrie' Bangles, silver - Nordstrom
kate spade 'daisy hill - griffen' vertical tote, cream - nordstrom.com

Red Jeans & Crochet Button Back Sweater

I am absolutely in love with colored denim.  At first I was a bit shy with wearing so much color on my bottom half, my orange ones hung in my closet probably over a month before I was ready to wear them.  Now I have them in orange, red, and green.  I also have a pair of cropped trousers in aqua, but I haven't posted those yet.  Now I am totally comfortable wearing colorful pants. These are by KUT From the Kloth, and the fit is wonderful!

I really wish I'd stop posing with pigeon toes.  I have no idea I'm even doing that.  I wouldn't have included this first photo if I didn't like my facial expression so much.  Also, I didn't realize my cami was peaking out in the center below the bottom hem of my sweater.

I'm only wearing the denim jacket because I was cold - this jacket is too big now.  The fit is not that great anymore.  I am hoping Lauren Jeans Co. will reissue the Nolita super dark rinse again.  I bought mine two years ago, and because of my recent weight loss a size down would be better.  Recently I've seen the same jacket in red, orange, white, and a light denim wash, but no dark rinse.  I'm keeping my eye on Nordstrom, Macy's, and ralphlauren.com because they always have this jacket.  My favorite part about this outfit:  the buttons on the back of the sweater.  Oh wait, no, the red jeans.  Wait, no, I don't know! 

Nordstrom BP. has been coming out with classy pieces lately. 

A note about the Ivanka Trump flats:  The Most Comfortable Flats Ever.  I have them in pewter too.  I hope more come out in other prints and colors soon!  I've had a love affair with flats for years now.

Red Jeans Outfit

KUT from the Kloth 'Diana' Skinny Jeans, Red Pompeii - nordstrom.com
Rubbish® Sheer Crochet Button Back Sweater, Stone - Birch - nordstrom.com BP.
Lauren Jeans Co. Jacket, Tamara Classic Fit Denim Jacket, Nolita Wash - macys.com
Ivanka Trump 'Magnoli' Flat, Pony Leopard - nordstrom.com
Nadri 'Hammered Pavé' Circle Pendant Necklace, Rose Gold - nordstrom.com
Marjorie Baer gold & wood earrings - Nordstrom
B. Makowsky 'Ollie - Large' cross-body handbag, white - nordstrom.com

Great Find @Forever 21

I haven't worn this blush/light pink color in years.  I found this amazing roll-sleeve zip-up lightweight cardigan at Forever 21 while looking for something to go with this scarf.  You can't see the pretty gold zipper since my scarf is covering it up, but you can see it in stock photo link I provided in the outfit list below.  I was just walking by the store and I saw the blush color rounder.  I like how they organize their clothing racks by color.  Awesome.  The only one left in my size had a pretty noticeable stain, so I went home and ordered online.  I like this zip-up cardi so much I got another one in beige.

Since there is so much color in this outfit up top, I normally would wear a neutral shoe.  I was thinking gold flats or my nude pumps.  But this time I wanted to go outside my comfort zone by pulling one of the colors from the scarf and wear that color at my feet.  I'm thinking this works, but I'm also hoping I don't look too Easter-ish with the pink and yellow together.  I swear I was wearing my gold/hematite cuff bracelet with this outfit, but I forgot to put it back on after doing the dishes.

I think my husband has figured out a good time frame and a good background for my blog photos.  7:00 pm, on our backyard deck. 

 What to do with my hands?!?!

Blush Cardi w/Floral Scarf Outfit

Forever 21 Zip-Up Slub Sweater Cardigan, pink - forever21.com
Hinge® Princess Seam Camisole, white - nordstrom.com
Lulu Floral Gauze Scarf, Beige Multi - nordstrom.com BP.
7 For All Mankind® mid-rise bootcut jeans, Rinse Wash - 7forallmankind.com
Cole Haan 'Air Olivia' Stud ballet flats, Golden Yellow Snake - ruelala.com
B. Makowsky 'Ollie - Large' cross-body handbag, white - nordstrom.com
kate spade 'Keswick Caning' lever-back earrings, white/gold - kate spade

Color, Pattern, Texture + Shine!

Clinton and Stacy of WNTW have always said you make an outfit interesting by having color, pattern, texture and shine.  My focus is to make every outfit interesting.  I chose two colors that are opposites on the color wheel:  yellow and purple.  My top is slightly sheer with a light, dotted pattern.  I must wear a cami underneath.  Some of the dots on the tote are raised and shiny which provide texture, pattern, and shine.  My necklace adds shine and texture which has the same colors as the tote.  Perhaps the necklace is matchy-matchy to the tote, but I don't care this time.  Another choice could have been a solid black handbag, but I think this outfit needed more pattern.  Another choice for handbag would be a solid or textured metallic gold, but the gold one I have is a tiny clutch.  I needed a larger tote for this day.

Speaking of What Not To Wear, it's been WAY too long since the last new episode aired.  I've read on Clinton Kelly's Twitter that new episodes will be coming on in May.  I cannot wait!

Color, Pattern, Texture + Shine Outfit

Bobeau Burnout Dot Tee, white - nordstrom.com
Hinge® Princess Seam Camisole, white - nordstrom.com
BP. Classic Crewneck Cardigan, berry - purple, nordstrom.com
7 For All Mankind mid-rise bootcut jeans, Rinse Wash - 7forallmankind.com
Cole Haan 'Air Olivia' Stud Ballet Flat, Golden Yellow Snake - ruelala.com
kate spade 'keswick caning' necklace, black, gold & cream - gift from kate spade
kate spade 'daisy hill - griffen' vertical tote, black/ cream - nordstrom.com

St. Patrick's Day - A Little Late

I adore St. Patrick's Day.  I love the sea of green clothing on everyone out in public.  I truly love that real Kelly Green.  That day here in SoCal it rained cats and dogs.  That night we saw a show at the Laguna Playhouse.  Here I am outside the building and in the lobby before the show.  The lighting was perfect here so my husband took a ton of great photos.  Next time I wear this kelly green tee remind me NOT to carry the teal handbag.  I was trying to go with that "different shade/same color palette" thing, and it just doesn't work here.  Kelly Green needs to be the focus.  A neutral bag will work better.  Also, the yellow rain jacket I think takes away from the kelly green, but my other coat in cream would have been too heavy.

These patent rain slip-ons are the best.  They are totally waterproof and really can be worn rain or shine.  When it's cold my usual flats expose too much of my feet and I get too cold.  I can wear socks with these and and my feet are nice and warm.  Here I'm wearing sweater tights since it was really cold that day.

St. Patrick's Day at the Laguna Playhouse

Anthropologie 'The Gathering Tank', Kelly Green - Anthropologie
Nanette Lepore 'Star Bright' jacket, grey - bloomingdales.com
Halogen® 'Modern Denim' Skirt, Dark Indigo - nordstrom.com
Land's End rain jacket, yellow - Sears (never saw official stock photo online but here it is on Ebay)
Nordstrom 'Love' Sweater Tights, Black - nordstrom.com
Perlina Snake Embossed Convertible Crossbody handbag, Emerald - Nordstrom
Cole Haan 'Air Tali' Rain Slip-on, black patent - colehaan.com
Liz Palacios 'Zodiac' pendant necklace, mint green & gold - Nordstrom
Totes Bubble Umbrella, Primary with Dots - macys.com

An Attempt At Mixing Prints

Over the weekend I saw my sister, and she was wearing mixed prints.  I've been wanting to try mixing prints, but I never seem to know how to do it.  Her outfit was really cute.  I wish I had a photo of her to share.  She wore an orange & fuchsia argyle cardigan with a pink cami that has small white polka-dots and lace trim.  Her outfit inspired me to take a look at my closet to see what prints I could try mixing.  Since I am stepping out of my comfort zone with mixing prints, I thought I'd start with simple navy & white.  I've had this skirt for a couple of years, and I've only worn a plain white scoop tee and brown wedge sandals with this prior to today.  I was actually comfortable with the mixed prints.  I'll need to look in my closet again and see what other prints I can mix. 

Psssst.  It was only 71ºF today and I actually wore a skirt without tights.  I was a little cold, but it wasn't too bad.  I just don't see how I could wear tights with this very spring-y skirt.

Out of frustration with the posing, I was asking my husband - what should I do with my hands?

An Attempt At Mixing Prints

Halogen® Twist Trim Tank, Twilight Blue Combo - nordstrom.com

Halogen® Crewneck Cardigan, Navy Peacoat - nordstrom.com

INC International Concepts Crinkle Embroidered skirt, navy & white - macys.com

Tory Burch 'Reva' flat, Sunset Orange - bloomingdales.com

Liz Palacios 'Zodiac' pendant necklace, mint green & gold - Nordstrom

Cara Accessories Cutout Hinged Cuff Bracelet, hematite & gold - Nordstrom

Nadri Small Pavé Ball Earrings, black diamond - nordstrom.com

It's Skirt Weather

I'd say this is my favorite and most feminine outfit I own right now.  I've been waiting for the weather to warm up a bit so I could wear this skirt without tights and boots.  Since I'm spoiled with the weather here in SoCal, it must be at least 77ºF for me to wear a skirt without tights.  I'm too cold otherwise!  I know you east coasters and mid-westerners are gagging right now.  I wore this to a lovely brunch yesterday.  I did the spinning around thing again for the camera.  I wouldn't say these photos turned out the best, I tend to throw my arms out like a ballerina.  And I wish my husband did not cut my feet off in the second photo.  Normally I wouldn't include a photo like with my feet cut off, but I like my expression.

I bought a few more camis in other colors to change up this outfit a bit.  I bought teal, navy, and ivory.  When I wear either the navy or ivory camis, I could wear my orange flats, yellow flats or red wedges, and/or play up the color in a handbag.  I am waiting to find the perfect bright red or dark denim jacket to wear with this skirt.

Brunch Outfit

Nanette Lepore 'Princess' cardigan, ivory - Nordstrom
Hinge jersey tank, red paprika (looks like a true orange to me) - Nordstrom
Nanette Lepore 'Most Kissable' pleated chiffon skirt, ink multi - nordstrom.com
Alexis Bittar 'Small Donut' lucite pendant necklace, gold - Nordstrom Rack
kate spade 'Keswick Caning' bracelet, navy & gold - Nordstrom
Cole Haan 'Air Carma OT' pump, Sandalwood  - zappos.com