Buckwheat and Red

Only slightly more colorful on Tuesday, still feeling less like putting myself "out there", so I donned a couple of reassuring favorites. This red Talbot's skirt has been with me through divorce, a move, a job change, plus the gain and loss of 20 pounds. THAT'S a reliable piece of clothing. And that, frankly, is how I feel about the store.

The cotton sweater is also Talbot's. It's never been the most flattering thing I own, but I love the feel and cut so much that I give it points for sincerity if not for toadyism. Most of my clothes are total suckups, but this sweater has a bit of spine.

I'm also happy to show off the necklace and other bits. I've been wanting a leather necklace that wasn't too 70s (no peace signs, please) and had a nice soft cord. I figured I'd find one at the Bucktown Arts Fest this past weekend, but instead it called my name at Lord and Taylor! It's Lucky Brand and has a wee charm on the end of the cord. Also visible are older L & T earrings and a Lia Sophia ring (via eBay).

I had a charmed visit to Lord and Taylor last Friday. I went to Northbrook Court, where I haven't been in at least two years. It is so lovely and peaceful there, especially on a Friday afternoon. I found a pair of leopard print haircalf smoking slippers, the above necklace, a purple stone bracelet (I have almost no purple jewelry) and Jockey underwear ALL ON SALE. The necklace was fifteen bucks.

Aerosoles Betunia

The karmic balance for all of this retail joy was finding the next morning that I had left the parking lights on overnight and my battery was completely dead - leading to this:

Thank you, Tyler for being so polite and helpful. I'm so glad I bought the shoes BEFORE this happened.

Navy as a Neutral

I've been very colorful lately, and woke up with a bit of anhedonia, so I chose practically a black and white palette. Did you know that Woody Allen wanted to call Annie Hall "Anne Hedonia"? Probably just his little joke.

I'm wearing a black lace shell from Kohl's (closeup below), melange linen pants from Boden, and a navy cotton moto jacket from J. Jill. I put my purse on to convince you it was actually a color photo.

New pearly earrings from Ann Taylor!

Chocolate, Pink Frosting

I'm referring to the combination of pink and brown, which always makes me think of a chocolate cupcake with pink buttercream frosting.

Kohl's dress with beaded neckline, cotton sweater from Target, Ralph Lauren double leather belt. Last time I wore it in almost exactly the same way, but with a brown cardigan.

Built in jewelry!

I am defiantly wearing my Kenneth Cole boots in the face of 80 degree weather. It is 65 degrees in the morning when I leave the house! I'm hoping to get a cashmere version of this pink sweater for winter wear from Garnet Hill, if my so-called budget allows and the right size is still available. 

 I would have bought it in this Nile blue color were it available. So pretty!

Back in Black!

Another meeting tonight, and a visitation for a coworker's parent. I wear black very seldom these days, and as a result I feel very formal in it, as if I were presenting the Pulitzer Prize.

Talbot's jersey top, White House Black Market skirt via eBay, Talbot's shoes and my lovely pearls from Nerissa. Look at those pale legs! And that folks, is as tan as I get.
 

Broken Glass

I have referred to this dress before as my stained glass dress. It seemed twice as appropriate this morning when, in hurrying out of the kitchen after taking my picture, I knocked a wine glass off the counter where it shattered into many tiny pieces.

I was a little chilly at work with no sleeves. Good think I have my alpaca wrap for these occasions!

I went to the farmer's market on Sunday, and had the following lunch the same day:

Remains of the Day

 

Purple and Peach

Three and a half hour Finance Committee Meeting. Everyone else wore black and white. Hmmm.

Ann Taylor skirt, Talbot's tee, gorgeous scarf, gift from Beloved Leader.

Skirts and Such

When I was in sixth grade (1972), our dress code changed, and we were suddenly allowed to wear pants to school. My friend Lydia remembers this vividly also, and suggests it was not only because people were starting to clamor for the change, but because skirts were getting so short that the administration thought pants would be a relief. I remember many Ohio winters, waiting for the school bus wearing snow pants, or later, leg warmers, that I had to peel off and stuff in my locker when I arrived. I also still remember the dreamy outfit I wore on the first day of seventh grade: burgundy moleskin flares and a burgundy and gold paisley poet top with a leather lace-up neckline (both from Paul Harris, if that rings a bell). We spent hours picking out that first day of school outfit.

I had several babydoll dresses.

After that pivotal year I didn't wear a skirt or dress again for literally decades, unless someone forced me - weddings, maybe - and then it was complete torture because I had no idea how to pick out a dress and make it look decent on me. And how I HATED pantyhose. In the late 80s I had a job that required a skirt (this seems medieval now), and I bought ONE navy skirt and wore it every day. It was a uniform. Every other moment, I wore pants.

So it is with some surprise that I realize how much I like skirts and dresses now. I think they're more flattering to my figure. Pants hide my best bits, calves and ankles, but of course I didn't think those were my best bits in 1988. Anyway, let's see some skirts, shall we?

I have loved this Boden skirt for years, and of course was thrilled to wear my Born boots again, but the rest . . . eh.

Another Best Beloved skirt, the Michael Kors linen, and a Talbot's emerald green cardigan. I have half a dozen ivory tops, but I always end up wearing the Kohl's tank that my sister-in-law gave me, as it is opaque and slinky. 

I have new-to-me shoes on; Miz Mooz flats via eBay. They're very simple, with a super cute big button over the toes. They were a bit tight in the same area, but a little shoe stretching spray fixed that problem.

Fifteen bucks!