This outfit was for a workday with a dinner out tacked on at the end. Actually, there was also a visit to TJMaxx I snuck in between the two. (I found an awesome Calvin Klein boyfriend blazer but that’s another post.) This outfit was comfortable enough for the whole day.
Francesco Biasia bag ($60), Liz Clairborne heels ($20), Cos jeans ($7), Tahari tank ($10, TJM clearance), Target jacket ($12) & ring ($7), Gap belt
I bought this Catherine Malandrino sweater on clearance at TJMaxx a while back. It was $20 – originally much more expensive. The tag said dry clean only. Truthfully, if I have to dry clean a sweater it’s just not worth owning. C’mon, even cashmere is hand washable. So, I threw it in the gently cycle & dried it flat. Weeeelllllll, this happened to the bottom band:
So, I veeerrrryyyy carefully removed the band with a seam ripper.
This is what it looked like with the band – very egg-shaped. Not flattering at all:
Now it looks like this:
Skechers sneakers ($20), Target leggings ($7), Catherine Malandrino sweater ($20, TJMaxx clearance)
It’s a bit more forgiving. It could even be belted now. I guess I’ll try to wear it as many times as I can before washing again & I will definitely be hand washing next time. In a way, I like how it will eventually degrade & evolve into something else on its own. I don’t mind inconsistencies in clothing – I was around for the grunge era after all. I actually like imperfections. They make clothing (and us) unique.
I picked up this dress during my last splurge at Target. (Remember? When I bought an entire wardrobe off the clearance rack?) I am so in love with the crazy bright print. It’s such a favorite I’ve worn it twice already! This time to the grocery store & then later at my Fashion Swap Party. That time I wore it with my black lace bra showing – risque!
Birkenstock sandals ($40, QVC outlet), Target dress ($13, clearance), Target tank ($3, thrifted)
I wore this to a Toga Party themed wedding shower recently. I wasn’t going to go crazy & spend money on a costume, also I don’t own white sheets. So I shopped for a Grecian-like dress. This is what I came up with. $17.99 at Ross - can’t beat that!
Enzo Angiolini sandals, dress from Ross ($17.99), Target cardigan – pinned up to show more waist ($12), Walmart necklace ($5)
I might actually end up taking this one on the cruise for the formal dinner. It just seems easier than the Tahari I had lined up.
I found this cute tee on the clearance rack at TJMaxx when I was on my “perfect t-shirt for the cruise” hunt. It’s definitely not perfect for much: it’s unflatteringly wide, an awkward length that hits just above my belly pooch and when I dropped some water on it – it stained! It’s Creative Collective & is labeled “Dry Clean Only” so I should have thought a third time before I purchased (even on clearance). After I dropped water on it (first wearing!) and it stained I figured that I BETTER be able to wash it myself somehow. I put it in the gentle wash & laid flat to dry. It worked & the water stain is gone.
Here’s the reason I HAD to have it: It’s comfortingly soft, has a wide neck that slips off the shoulder & makes me feel like I have Jennifer Beals’ Flashdance body. It doesn’t make me look like it however. It actually exponentially increases my size. Not kidding. Notice the photo is from the side. Yeah, it makes me look like a mack truck. Still, not getting rid of it.
I wore the DIY bracelet from yesterday with this outfit:
Coach sandals ($40, TJM clearance), Jones New York jeans (swap), Lane Bryant sweater (gifted), Adrienne Vittadini scarf (? clearance), DIY bracelet
I adore this scarf by Adrienne Vittadini but have a hard time wearing it since I’m much more into cool & bright colors rather than autumnal tones.
I went a little nuts shopping for tops for the cruise. I pretty much have all my other clothes picked – I just need a couple really easy but cute t-shirts. Almost everything I own requires some sort of layering because it’s burnout or see-through or has a weird neckline. I just want to make dressing easy on the cruise so I can just grab that one layer to top off my cargo pants or shorts. So, the latest: I hit TJMaxx for tees on clearance. I nabbed this one, a Fenn Wright Manson for $12 and then a Creative Concepts studded top for $15.
Nine West wedges ($15, Marshalls), Target jeans ($4, thrifted), Fenn Robin Mason top ($12, TJMaxx), Gap jacket (The Gap)
Unfortunately, neither one will work for the cruise. The neckline on this one is really weirdly droopy even though you can’t tell in the photo and the other one is dry clean only. Now, normally this does not present a problem as I will just hand wash & hope it doesn’t fall apart. But, I wore the top this past Friday & spilled water on it. It resulted in an annoying stain! Water! So, I’m going to try hand washing it, hoping it cleans it out.
Also, immediately after seeing this photo I ordered four new bras. It’s amazing how bad clothing can look without the right foundation garments!
I tried out a new photo backdrop. Only used it once – it’s just too shadowy in my bedroom. Unlike my office though it is uncluttered & I love the contrast of the patterned curtain & the yellow chair. Might have to try it again with more light or something.
I wore the bright ombre Adrienne Vittadini top again. It’s just too cute not to pull it out once in a while.
Me Too flats, ? grey jeans, Kenneth Cole tank, (outlet) Adrienne Vittadini top (thrifted)
Here’s an outfit I put together to showcase the black sequin vest from Lane Bryant. I’ve been waffling on if I should keep it since almost everything I try it with it looks waiter-y. I did really like this combo so it survives another round in my closet.
Aerosoles kitten heels, ? black pants, Lane Bryant top & vest, Anna Sheffield for Target locket, Kohl’s black beaded necklace
Unfortunately, when I was in my car I leaned over & managed to catch the black bead necklace on the parking brake & all the beads went flying. They’re everywhere & there’s no way I”m going to find them & re-string it. R.I.P. black beaded necklace.
The morning of the 4th I was up early to walk a 5k. My friend Jo volunteered to walk/run with me the whole way & was very gracious about how slow I moved. She did encourage me to run a bit & it helped me run more than I would have on my own. We still managed to magically skip a lap though because of bad signage so we beat a lot of the runners. This is the second time I’ve done that & it’s a little dispiriting. But anyway, at least I got up, I got some exercise & got to spend some time with friends. Next one I will be signing up for is in September so I have a good couple months to train. Yay!
Anyway, we went home to relax & then reconvened for some 4th of July fun! We ate out at IHOP – which is just such a decadenet treat! Then on to Venetian Village to mosy about & play photo shoot.
Steve Madden flipflops, Old Navy cargos ($4, thrifted), ? tank (TJMaxx), Calvin Klein tee ($3.5o, thrifted), Adidas backpack
Then we scored some Ben & Jerry’s to take to the beach with us, got a great parking spot & watched the fireworks. Then went to her place & watched You, Me & Dupree – neither one of us had seen it in a while & it was really cute. Love that Owen Wilson! Good times.
Us in our adorable red, white & blue leis. Aren’t we cute?
