Purple and Red

The day after the board meeting is an opportunity to wear vibrant colors, tight pants, to fly a tiny little freak flag!

Beatle Boots!

Wow, that's just CRAZY!

Pink and Brown

One of my favorite color combinations. I wore my pearls, which usually elicits, "Ooh, pretty, are you going somewhere special?" "Yes, to the library!" 

I also wore the leather jacket I bought last year on eBay. I got it very cheaply because the ad said, "PLEASE NOTE, the sleeves have been shortened." As you can see, that means it is perfect for me!

I didn't wear this jacket much last year, because at the time I was carrying a yellow purse, and it it looked horrible against the cream leather. Now I'm carrying a red bag, which looks great.

Even though I feel guilty about the many pairs of boots that I own, I must admit it is fun picking out a pair every morning. Today I wore my brown Bussola ankle boots, which have lots of support and keep my feet and back happy at the end of the day. they're not a common brand. I found them at William's in Evanston, and you can find them online at Peltz Shoes, where everything is on sale. Funny name, great selection.

Red and Olive, Now with Extra Red!

This outfit actually began life with a blue skirt and an olive green top, modeled from a Sundance Catalog image. I wanted to wear my lace-up boots with a short skirt, before the snow flies and I can no longer deny winter. The blue skirt, seen here, was too long with the boots, so I reversed the colors and went with a green skirt and blue top (the denim jacket). I added the red tee to highlight the boot laces.

My glasses are on the bathroom counter.

I also tried on three pairs of socks before I was satisfied. I need the right pair of Smartwool socks for these boots. (This is one of those "I need" statements that may or may not be true.)

I liked this outfit well enough in the morning, but by the end of the day I was wondering if I looked like Clem Kaddidlehopper. I love the boots, want to wear them, and will keep trying them out in different ways.

The Long and the Short of It

My trousers are a bit high-waisted and long-legged, my sweater set is a bit abbreviated. The cardigan is fine, but I think it is time to retire that tank. The pants are lined, but the tweedy waistband is a little itchy - and a little snug this year. Not a very comfortable outfit despite looking nice. Never mind that it was also apparently photographed in a carnival fun house.

The earth is tilted on its axis!

When I left the house, I put on my brown denim jacket and my (hurriedly tied) skull scarf.

Remember when we were small and were given pictures of fall scenes and told to "find the Indians" hiding in the picture? It was the "Where's Waldo" of its day. Can you find both cats in the scene above?

The jacket sleeves are three quarter length, so I decorated my wrists:

In other news, I have met one of my wardrobe goals, yay! At Macy's, I found a Buffalo by David Bitton olive green, zip front, hooded (removable!) jacket. I wore it on a walk to the grocery store, the tags tucked up into my sleeve, and loved it.  Here it is without the faux fur trimmed hood. My hands slide sideways into the pockets and they are roomy enough for gloves. Its a keeper.

 
 
 

Equestrienne, Maybe?

This outfit evolved radically from a yellow pencil skirt (Halogen), the Sundance jacket, and my cognac boots. Cute, yes, but I didn't want to wear tights, so the skirt was out (too short). Then I tried yellow pants:

It's not as horrifying as I first thought when I saw it on the tiny screen, but still . . . no. I got out the long gray sweater I got specifically to wear with these cheerful pants:

Arrggh. Both pants and sweater get flung on the bed. Then I remembered my original idea was to wear a blue skirt with the jacket, and voila!

Pterodactyl arms. *sigh*

Whew, that is MUCH better. I also cuffed the jacket sleeves to show the rad teal lining. I think it needs something ivory at the throat - a scarf? A blouse with a tie? Something like this?

This outfit captures all my childhood pony dreams.

A faux Hermes scarf with horses and bits and things? I'll add that to my list of possible things that might work. Comments? Suggestions?

I've updated my list of wardrobe goals with #5, an ivory lace tee with a high neckline, so it can be seen under jackets like the Sundance one. That was how it was shown in the catalog. Again, it is the simplest things that are the hardest to find. 

Grey and Gold

This dress was on the chopping block last night. It has been hanging in my closet for six months and I've never worn it. I went on a small sweater dress binge this year and bought three very cheaply on Ebay with varying success. One served as a good tunic but developed a hole and was retired. The other two suffered from short sleeves. A short-sleeved sweater dress is a conundrum - too warm in the summer, too chilly in the fall - OR SO I THOUGHT.

I fiddled with shoes and jewelry, tried a few sweaters on (I'll spare you the dreadful outtakes) and arrived at this.

I am pushing Riley's dish out of frame with my toe.

It looked pretty good without the shawl too, but the color of the shawl is very close to all the gold necklaces I have on (three), and kept my arms cozy at work. I discovered it, still in its plastic wrap, at the bottom of a box of shawls under my bed. I went through a bit of a shawl phase and received several as gifts, all more or less in the same golden brown. After I saw a photo of myself looking full-on Grandma I stopped wearing them so often.

The dress is a bit of a closet orphan, as I could not come up with another way to wear it last night. I could try it with a long sleeved gray top under it, but I think the jewelry would be the same. It has a cowl neck, so jewelry choices are kind of limited. Pumps didn't look right, as the dress and the person in it are fairly voluminous, although tights might help with that, maybe dark green tights?  


It doesn't matter, because by the end of the day I was completely in love with this dress. So snuggly but not hot! The perfect length! Doesn't ride up! Matches the boots! And I do love gold with gray. I have no waist at all in this dress and somehow I don't care. Puzzling, but a good thing, since I put so much damn thought into it.


 

Goals Afterthought

I wouldn't buy these even if I had $400 for one pair of boots, because I find pull-on ankle boots difficult to, um, pull on. But . . . yowza.

Madewell Calfhair Chelsea Boots, $398