My Coat Fits

Dress: New York & Company; Blazer: Narciso Rodriguez for Kohl's;
Scarf, Sunglasses, and Boots: Target; Tights: Old Navy

Well, I think we can all agree that taking pictures in direct sunlight at 7:00 in the morning is not a good idea, at least not for me. Oh well, you win some, you lose some. The good news is, I fit into this coat again! I've had this super nice, warm, J.Crew coat for probably 6 or 7 years. It didn't fit for awhile after I had Bridget, and I almost got rid of it. Now I'm really glad I didn't! The lining on one of the sleeves it's ripped; but otherwise, I still love this coat.

Speaking of boots since it's Everybody, Everywear Boots today, these Target puppies are still going strong a couple years later. I believe they're still the most comfortable boots I own.

Ankle Socks and Mary Janes

Blouse: Fred Boutique; Skirt: NY&Co; Bracelet: Kohl's; Shoes: Famous Footwear

I liked the idea of this outfit. I was going for a teacher/student kind of look for Everybody, Everywear Back to School fashion. Something seems a bit off, though. Every time I see ankle socks on other people, I think it's really cute, but maybe it's not me. Or maybe I'll have to try it in a different context. The open back of this blouse is cute, though.

Bridget, on the other hand, pulls off the ankle sock look effortlessly.

Dress and T-shirt: H&M; Shoes: Kohl's

Unfortunately, after Bridget got sick in the car as I mentioned yesterday, we both had to change our clothes. Fortunately, I liked my second outfit of the day better, but that one will be in another post.

Lots of Outfit Changes

I have two monochromatic looks for today's Everybody, Everywear challenge, and here's why...

First, I tried on the white outfit for Inspiration Monday:

T-shirt: Express; Dress: bridesmaids dress; Shoes: swap

But I just wore this shirt last week, which was also my last outfit post. I washed it in between, but still. Also, this skirt - it's actually a bridesmaids dress I wore in '09, and I need to drop another 10 pounds before it fits comfortably. It zipped almost all the way, which was impressive, but I valued breathing too much to wear it while sitting at work all day.

So I attempted to stay monochromatic and changed into this:

Top: Luci Boutique; Pants: NY&Co; Shoes: Payless

The last time I wore this top, I was 6 months pregnant, so the bottom was a little stretched out, which is why I tucked it in. The pants are starting to get a bit baggy, too. Looks like it's almost time for me to go pants shopping again. Yay/boo.

Finally, I knew it would be too chilly in the office for a sleeveless top today, so I added a cardigan and called it a day. After changing pieces of my outfit half a dozen times, I got into work an hour later than usual. Whoops. Thank goodness for a somewhat flexible schedule. I don't know what I'd do without it.

And I just added this last one because I think my dog's expression is funny.

Inspiration Monday

Wrinkly Sailor

Source

Coco Chanel

These two images inspired my outfit for Everybody, Everywear nautical today.

Top: Old Navy; Pants: NY&Co; Shoes: Famous Footwear; Scarf: ?

Sorry about the wrinkles. I was lazy yesterday morning when I wore this. Not too lazy to put on makeup and do my hair, but just lazy enough not to want to clear off the ironing board and press these pants. Currently, a pile of clothes that need to go to the dry cleaner are situated on top of the ironing board.

Anyway.

I've posted that picture of Bridget before, but I wanted her to get in on the nautical fun too, and this little getup is already too small for her to wear again.

Holy Crap They Fit

Jeans: 7 for All Mankind via E-Collectique; Brewers Shirt: Kohl's

That was exactly what I said when I put these jeans on Friday morning. I bought these 7 for All Mankind jeans last summer from E-Collectique Runway Boutique for the sole reason that they were designer jeans for $40 even though they were way too tight in the waist.

Jeans: Costco; Plaid Shirt: William Rast for Target; Lace Top: NY&Co; Shoes: Kohl's

Later that summer, I also bought these pink jeans from Costco without trying them on. Never a good idea. They buttoned, but they were also way too tight and not comfortable at all. Well this weekend, I wore BOTH jeans COMFORTABLY with no muffin top. It was exciting!!

I wasn't sure about this pairing of lace over plaid, but after receiving thumbs up via Twitter from Pamela and Joanne, two very stylish ladies, I went for it. I just pretended I was a more disheveled-looking Blair, the layering pro. Also, the hair inspiration came from Kimberly. Enough name drops in one paragraph for ya?

I wore this Saturday to go shopping with a couple friends before we saw Titanic. I ended up buying a pair of aviator sunglasses, jelly sandals for Bridget, and this top from American Eagle, which I don't see on the website anymore.

Source: ae.com via Rebekah on Pinterest

I saw Jen wearing it and also pinned this picture for styling inspiration:

Source: lillyunique.tumblr.com via Rebekah on Pinterest

I felt soooo uncomfortable walking into American Eagle, though. Pretty sure all the employees were wondering why a (nearly) 30-year-old lady was shopping there and buying a cropped corset top in an XL. At least, that's what the young cashier girl looked like she was thinking. Judgers. I was pretty psyched to find it on the sale rack for $15, though, so it was worth it in the end, I s'pose.

Shopping at Express once the girls got there was a lot better. I didn't find anything except the sunglasses, but I had fun weighing in on their choices. And check this out, while I was sitting in the fitting room, I spotted this fellow in the checkout line. Look at those shoes! Pretty intense.

Titanic was good, of course. I'm kind of a scrooge when it comes to 3D these days, but I did appreciate the effects during the scene after the boat went down. It really felt like you were in the water with the people at times. I had tears streaming down my face the whole time the boat was sinking, so much so that my neck was wet by the time it was all said and done.

Walking along Lake Michigan

Henley and Jeans: Old Navy; Jacket: Target; Vest: Macy's; Shoes: TOMS; Hat: H&M

Sunday began hubs' birthday week. (Don't ask me who gets a whole week for birthdays. I guess he does!) His first request was to go for a walk along the lake. Since the weather was so perfect, he had no arguments from me. I was a little wary about walking along this path, though. The last time we did was the summer I was pregnant, and I came out of it with about 20 mosquito bites. It was miserable. This time was delightful.

Bridget walked most of the way herself, and when she got too tired, we drove to a park overlooking the lake to push her on the swing and help her go down the slide a few dozen times. Then, we grabbed Arby's and went back home for a lazy Sunday. Days like that make it hard to go to work the next day.

Don't forget to send in your submissions for wear*it Wednesday: trench coats tomorrow!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Blouse: Jason Wu for Target; Cardigan: Boston Store?; Skirt: NY&Co; Tights: ?; Shoes: CL by Laundry via swap

If I could, I would send you all one of these cupcakes I made today!

Don't forget to send in your pictures to mixedupbek@gmail.com for wear*it Wednesday: How to Wear Pink tomorrow! I'm hoping I won't have to re-use one of these pictures for the post. I'm on a mission to Gap tonight to see if they still have the pink knit blazer in my size. I have a coupon and birthday money burning a hole in my pocket...er, wallet.  Then it's back home for a hubby cooked meal and some wine!

Oh and one more reminder to enter the giveaway tonight to win some fashion art--an original matted pen and pastel drawing of a fashion workroom!  The winner and the next giveaway will be announced tomorrow.

Black and White with a Side of Puppy Butt

Lace Top and Dress: NY&Co; Belt: used to be a headband; Tights and Boots: Target

As you can see, my dog's fluffy bum made the blog again. Come to think of it, I should've kept her in the shot since she's black and white herself. And if I planned ahead, I could've dressed my daughter for the EBEW theme, too. But I didn't remember it was EBEW day until this morning.

Plan for the night: finish having dinner with Bridget and then play with her for awhile, put her to bed, then catch up on TV and work on an award season post for tomorrow. And maybe polish off that bottle of wine in the fridge.

Mother Daughter Sequins

On Me - Blouse: Target; Long Sleeved Shirt: Walmart; Sequin Scarf: ?; Vest: swapped; Cords: Gap; Shoes: Kohl's
On Bridget - Top: LLBean; Pants: Children's Place; Socks: gift; Sequin Headband: Walmart

I almost forgot about Everybody, Everywear Sequins + Sparkles today.  I already picked out what I was going to wear, so I added this sequined scarf/tie/sash thing for a faux tie blouse effect.  As for Bridget, since she was particularly clingy this morning, I put this cute sequin headband on her and let her get in on the EBEW fun.  Although as my neck is experiencing right now, sequins are pretty scratchy, so I didn't make Bridget wear this headband for more than a couple minutes.

The Awkwardness That Is This Skirt

Shirt: Boutique Larrieux; Tie: belt from another shirt; Skirt: Gap; Tights: We Love Colors; Shoes: Target

Awkward story time for you. This skirt that I wore today is a little loose, causing it to rotate as I walk. Normally, it wouldn't be noticeable, but I clipped my work badge to one of the side pockets this morning. It was rainy out today, so I was walking pretty fast from my car to work. When I got in and grasped for my work badge, I couldn't find it. The guy behind me was like, "It's on your uh..." and he pointed to my butt. I casually said, "Looks like it got turned around!" like this type of thing happens ever day and pulled my skirt back the right way. My only saving grace is that I have no idea who he was, and I work in a big office building and probably won't see that guy again today. Or even ever. Still to be safe, I put my badge around my neck for the rest of the day.

This shirt always confuses me, too. It came with a detachable ruffle that I thought was really cool at the time, but I never know how to style it. If any of you have suggestions, I'd be open to them!  Here's how I styled it the first time I wore it.

Too much going on there, but I justified it because I was interviewing a couple people for jobs that day, and I thought I'd see if I could throw them off with my crazy getup.  Or something.  I changed into skinny jeans after work that day, but I think that only made me look even more like George Washington.

Anyway, conveniently enough, the theme is Colored Tights for both Everybody, Everywear and Wear It Wednesday (which is hosted by Dresses for Dinner tomorrow), so I am linking up with both of them today.