Buttons and Cameras

This outfit is pretty representative of what I've been wearing to work lately. With temperatures mostly below freezing I've been choosing warmth over style. 

I've really discovered the beauty of button down shirts this winter. In the past I've had trouble with fit on button downs. It's hard to find one that fits over my hips and boobs, but isn't too baggy in the shoulders or waist. Thankfully, I've  found two flannel shirts and this chambray shirt that fit pretty well, and I've been wearing them constantly.

Outfit:  Pants- Forever 21; Shirt- Old Navy similar at Macy's; Boots- Me too; Cardigan- Target  similar at Old Navy

I've about had it with my camera. I've been thinking about/ lusting after a DSLR. However, I really don't want to invest a ridiculous amount of money in a camera right now and I don't actually know very much about photography. I'm leaning towards skipping the DSLR for now and upgrading to a nicer point and shoot.

Before I make the purchase, I wanted to reach out to y'all for suggestions. What type of camera do you use? Any suggestions for a user friendly camera that takes beautiful pictures?

Calm Before the Storm

The nonprofit I work for told all nonessential employees to stay home until noon Tuesday,  so I am enjoying a lovely, lazy hurrication. As I sit in my apartment on Monday night listening to the winds of Sandy/ Frankenstorm howl outside, I can't help but feel thankful that I am warm, dry and still have power. I know many others on the eastern seaboard are not as lucky this evening. Stay safe y'all!

I keep thinking about how beautiful and calm the weather was on the days leading up to this storm. Saturday was absolutely gorgeous. I spent the day having some Halloween fun in Salem with my friend Kelly and two of her friends. Although the whole town is pretty cute, the Derby Wharf is my favorite part of Salem. I love this little walk on the waterfront.

Kelly and I took a ton of pictures by this cute little light house.

It was my third trip to Salem. I had a decent time people watching and walking around, but I learned that I enjoy the city better without the Halloween weekend crowds. I think if I decide to visit in the fall next year, I'll visit earlier in October.

Outfit: Shirt and Jeans- Old Navy; Cardigan- Target; Boots- Rampage via Marshalls; Bag- H&M

For this Marylander no trip to Salem is complete without a trip to the only Ritas in Massachusetts. 

Cozy Chic

I love leggings. However, I typically don't leave the house wearing them as anything other than hosiery. It is a rarity for me to find a tunic type garment that is actually long (and wide) enough to go over my hips and provide enough booty coverage for me to wear leggings as pants. So, when I found this flowy gray tunic on super clearance at H&M, I knew I had to have it. I also knew I would layer it under my over-sized, vintage grandma sweater. I love outfits that are as comfortable as pajamas, but still look put together.

I wore this outfit to get out of the house on Sunday while Mike watched foot ball. I ended up going a little crazy at H&M, but since my cold weather professional wardrobe is lacking, I feel I can adequately justify my purchases. 

Outfit: Cardigan- vintage/ thrifted; Leggings and flats- Target; Blouse and Belt- H&M; Jewelry- various 

Maybe I should think about investing in some thicker/ higher quality leggings, so that I can wear leggings as pants more often. 

How I Layer

Fall is the time for layers. While I wear cardigans year round, I also love layering sweaters, scarves, and jackets and you just can't do that during the summer. Monday was one of those days were I would have been happy to go to work in leggings or jeans and a sweatshirt, but sadly that just isn't an option. Next best thing? Stretchy black pants and a comfy shirt.

But it was chilly out Monday morning. I knew it would also be chilly in my office, so I added a red blazer...

... and a scarf

Outfit: Blouse- Old Navy; Pants- Torrid; Blazer- vintage, thrifted; Scarf- H&M; Flats- Marshall's

Yep. That'll do. 

What are your favorite layering pieces?

Come Sail Away

Coming into the fall and winter shopping season I decided to focus on two things- basics and interesting accessories. When I saw this scarf at Old Navy about two months ago I knew I had to have it. But since I never pay full price at Old Navy, I also knew I had to wait. Eventually I had some extra cash coupons and the scarf came home with me.

                             

I don't sail, and I get motion sickness on boats, but I love sailboats. I went to a top sailing school for undergrad and have lived in several places where sailing was one of the primary recreational activities. I've been planning a tattoo of a sailboat for years, but I keep chickening out because I pass out when I get shots or blood drawn. 

Outfit: pants- Target (old); shirt and cami- H&M; denim jacket- JCrew thrifted; flats- Target;  scarf: Old Navy

I am not loving these pants any more. I've had them for over a year, but they just don't fit that great and the fabric doesn't maintain it's shape very well. If I could just find some charcoal colored, straight legged slacks to replace them, I would gladly let them go. Any suggestions?

How to Teach an Old Dress New Tricks

I want to start by saying thank you to everyone who read, shared, commented on or tweeted about Friday's post. I debated for a while about whether or not I should post it and your support confirmed that I made the right decision.

I've been thinking alot lately about new ways to wear dresses. Vests? Scarves? Layering shirts over? Lots of ideas, but I just can't seem to break out of my cardigan+ necklace and maybe a belt rut. So here you have it. A dress with a necklace and a cardigan.

This dress is one of my favorites. I love the cobalt blue, it's a super soft, but still thick jersey fabric, it's stretchy and a-line so it always fits, and it's great for layering. (Also seen here and here). I can already tell I'm going to get a lot of mileage out of this printed cardigan. In fact, I've been eyeing some printed cardigans at Old Navy that will be great for fall, but I'm waiting for them to go on sale. 

Outfit:

Dress: old

Cardigan: Target

Necklace: thrifted (buffalo exchange)

Sandals: Payless. 

What are your tips for wearing dresses in new and inventive ways?

Put it on Repeat

I am an outfit repeater. Even more so, I am a dress repeater. When I find a dress I love, I want to wear it over and over again. With dresses, this presents a unique styling challenge- How do you take one piece and accessorize it such that it looks like a whole new outfit?

You may recognize this short sleeved sweater dress from here and here. Pairing it with a bright cardigan, capri-length leggings and some flat sandals makes a totally new look. I love these sandals. Last week we had a few days in the 70s, and I did not want to take these sandals off! I might have to go back to payless and buy them in another color.

Outfit:
Dress and belt: Forever 21+
Leggings: Target
Cardigan H&M Men's
Sandals: Payless
Necklace: gift

Tree Sex

Sorry for the low volume of posts this week, y'all! I have been struck with what I like to call "tree sex illness" aka hay-fever from the exorbitantly high pollen counts in Boston right now. Spring is beautiful, but every April I get sick as a dog. I usually edit my photos and write my blog posts in the evening, but this week I've done a lot of laying on the couch and going to bed at 10pm. I even skipped the Boston Blogger meet up!

I wore this outfit to work on Wednesday, and I had planned to wear it to the Boston Blogger meet up before the tree sex got me sick. At least I was comfortable while I taught CPR. I am loving these blue pants. I think they are going to get a lot of wear this spring/ summer.

Outfit:
Blouse: Old Navy
Cardigan: ?
Blue Pants: Target
Flats: Old Navy
Necklace: Street Vendor

Back to Layers

Monday it was really chilly and windy. After a week of warm, almost summer like weather, I was a little sad to have to put on tights again. But then again, it is March.

I refuse to let chilly weather get me down, so I decided this bright yellow cardigan was just the thing to brighten my spirits, and my outfit. 

Outfit:

Dress: Forever21+ last year

Cardigan: Old Navy 2 or 3 years ago

Tights: Target

Flats: Target

Bracelet: Claire's

A Little Flare and a Lot of Teeth

I love the movie Office Space. When I am picking out accessories for a work outfit I like to think of them as "pieces of flare". Accessories can add a lot f personality to an outfit and I'm really making an effort to utilize them more.

 I scored this necklace from Eloquii it was originally $37, on sale for $15. But, I had a 50% off promo code, so I got it for $7.50! (I also ordered an awesome teal green pencil skirt, but it is too big and has to be returned.)

Think I showed enough teeth in this picture? I usually take between 5 and 10 pictures each morning and then pick the one where the outfit looks the best and I don't look like a total zombie or weirdo. Today that means this picture with a giant grin.

Outfit:
Dress: H&M (also worn here)
Cardigan: Old Navy (also worn here)
Cami: H&M
Tights: ?
Boots: Coconuts via DSW
Necklace: Eloquii, link above.

Mustard and teal

I am developing an obsession with what I like to call "old-man cardigans" I was really excited to find this dark mustard colored number during my thrifting adventure last weekend. 

I'm starting to see mustard yellow as kind of a neutral color. It has become my go-to color for color mixing experiments. You may recognize this teal and black striped dress from my very first outfit post. It's amazing how different it looks by changing the cardigan and belt. 

Outfit:

Dress: Forever 21+

Cardigan: thrifted (men's vintage section at Garment District)

Boots: Madden Girl

Belt: Forever21

Earrings: Old, I think they were a gift?

Lady in Red

Red is not really my favorite color, but I just couldn't pass up this blazer. It's vintage- my guess is 80s, but thankfully it does not have shoulder pads. And it looked virtually brand new! I meant to take some pictures of the details on it. It has really great pleating at the pockets and in the back.

The weather in Boston has been fantastic this week, hence the bare ankles and cropped pants. Someone commented on a previous post that I have really skinny ankles. It's not something I've ever noticed or thought to emphasize before, but I'll take it!

Outfit:
Blazer: Vintage from the Garment District
Shirt: Old Navy
Pants: Target
Shoes: Crown Vintage via DSW clearance

Super

I'm not really into watching sporting events on TV. I do love the Olympics, and the World Cup, but football is the absolute worst. So boring and violent! Despite my lack of love for football, I love a good Superbowl party. The food, the commercials, Madonna, CeeLo in a giant sparkly preacher robe? Sounds like a party to me.

So apparently I labeled myself as a Giants fan by wearing this cobalt blue dress. I guess I picked the right shade of blue since they won? This dress is one of my favorites. It gets a lot of play in the summer, but usually hides out in the back of my closet when the cold sets in. Sunday I was missing my favorite dress, so I decided to try pairing it with some comfy layers. Mission accomplished. 

Outfit:

Dress: TJ Maxx a few years ago

Hoodie: Target

Camisole: H&M

Sweater tights: H&M

Boots: DSW

I should add that when I went outside this is what I looked like:

Scarf: Gifted

Coat: Filene's basement going out of business sale for $60!

Dive into Layers

Winter in Boston turns me into a layering addict.

My friend chose a dive bar with live music for her birthday venue. The event was on Sunday evening, one of the coldest days we've had so far this year. So, I knew layering up was necessary. I warmed up a short sleeve sweater dress by adding a wool blend cardigan and a cozy scarf. I also layered my leggings over tights and  added a pair of boot socks for added warmth. When I got toasty dancing I just took off my cardigan and scarf.

Outfit:

Dress/ belt: Forever 21+

Leggings: Target

Boots: DSW- Coconuts

Cardigan: Old Navy 

Scarf: Target

What are your favorite pieces to layer?