A week in pictures

Trying out something new here. I take a lot of phone pictures, but don't often tweet/share them. These pictures reflect what's been going on in my world, and I'm experimenting with sharing them almost photo diary style.

Things are going to get sparkley!

A nice delivery!

Coming soon to my shop!

Magnetic nail polish (please disregard my awful cuticles, it's dry here!)

Honeycrisp apple season!

Close call. (My husband would not approve!)

Today's outfit. I'm in love with these shoes!

 Happy Friday, everyone!!

Shoe Imposter: Miu Miu Glitter Bootie

One of the big pairs of shoes making its rounds are the Miu Miu glitter bootie. Lets take a peek.

Miu Miu $890

While these shoes won't work with my wardrobe, I have to say, there's something sexy about the curve of the heel. We also all know how much I love all things sparkle. These shoes are kitschy and scream high fashion and have the price to go with it. If Sex and the City were still on the air, I'd imagine Carrie Bradshaw would rock the hell out of these shoes. And really, if anything, this shoe is awesome shoe porn.

I then came across these on Endless. (Which I then found on sale on the Steve Madden website...ladies let this be a lesson, always shop around on the interwebs!)

Steve Madden Hastt $100

These...well, they're still not working in my wardrobe, and scream a bit Gaga meets Elvis meets Go-go dancer, are close to the Miu Miu's. They are T-strap, not cross strap, beige not a pinky coral shade, and have a major platform. Far less sexy, and not at all what I'd consider shoe porn but if you were drooling for the Miu Miu's on a smaller budget, these bad daddies are for you.

Lets close out on one last look at those Miu Miu's, shall we?

Fake it, Make it: Kate Middleton Burberry Trench

On March 8th, the classic little trench became even more of an icon. Prince William and Kate Middleton made a trip to Ireland, and Burberry sold out of it's ruffled trench coat immediately. It goes without saying there's a lot of rubber-necking happening with this royal couple and their engagement, and Kate is becoming an icon for her classic style, I can see why.

I for one, would be hard pressed to find this coat, let alone be able to guiltlessly foot the (approximately) $995 bill for it, but I saw it and fell in love. I was a girl on a mission to find a decent replica. (And, it just so happens, that a trench is on my list of jackets to replace in my closet!)

So here's the royal couple out and about in Ireland:

(source)

Here's how I'm faking it:



Modcloth ($89.99)
No ruffle, but cute skirt and has the dark accents



Banana Republic ($198)
A bit short, only in green, but has a ruffle

Victoria's Secret ($79)
Lacks structure, not a fan of the hood, but cute

Steve Madden ($79.99)
Only in green, but has a belt and tiers

Ultimately, there is no absolute replica with this, and I do appreciate that I just wish there was something a bit closer to it. I prefer the Modcloth one for it's ultra feminine skirting, but I also do like the Victoria's Secret one too. We'll have to see what happens!

Days 25-28. Almost done!

Alright, lets just get straight to it, shall we? I've got a tree to decorate and soup in the crock pot!

Day 25: Gap cardigan, Gap skinny jeans, Mod Cloth scarf, Naughty Monkey Detective boots.

Where: Work.

Day 26: Express lace trim cami, J.Crew Jackie Cardigan, Gap skinny jeans, Steve Madden flats, petal & pink necklace (coming in January to my shop!)

Where: Work.

Day 27: Gap black tee, Gap Skinny jeans (have I mentioned I live in these and own multiple pairs? Can't say enough great things about them!), Naughty Monkey Detective boots (also love love love these), petal & pink necklace and earrings.

Where: Christmas tree shopping, Shopping for holiday decor, dinner out with husband. Overall a nice Saturday!

Day 28: Express lace trim cami, Gap Cardigan, J.Crew Vintage Matchstick Cords, Nine West flats

Where: Laundry and grocery shopping. (I won't lie, I needed to do laundry so I can wear my skinny jeans again.)

Thoughts: Okay, this challenge has been eye opening. Especially when it comes to my warm weather wardrobe, but I'll get into that on day 30. I can say that I am missing the rest of my clothes and getting really tired of these pieces. I also didn't account for the fact that while it was still 60 degrees when the challenge started, it is now only going to be in the 30's this week, and I don't have much that accounts for chilly temperatures.

Just 2 more days, I will make it!

Days 21-24. What I wore.

This isn't original, but this is clever. I wore TWO outfits yesterday! Which means I'm all caught up from my lazy pajama day after Thanksgiving! This is a big deal to me not because I want to shop (although, boy do I!) but because now my challenge will end on Tuesday, and I am free to wear whatever I want the day of my work Holiday party. Which just seems really refreshing.

How did I wear two outfits you may ask? Well, I went to work like I do most other days, and while at work, my husband emailed me asking me out on a date. A date?! Sure thing! Of course, going out in work clothes is not really my thing, so I came home and changed. I figured it was the perfect chance to put on a new outfit for the challenge and catch up. (I'm missing the rest of my closet at this moment, and this is a big deal to be one more outfit closer to reuniting with certain items). So now, I'm on track to finish on time. Huzzah!

So here are my outfits:

Day 21: Target dress and tights, Nordstrom scarf, Nine West flats

Where: Work.

Thoughts: I really wasn't feeling styling my hair that morning. Hence the poodle on my head.

Day 22a: J.Crew Jackie cardigan, Banana Flower embellished top, Express Editor pants, Target shoes, petal and pink necklace (an old favorite)

Where: Work again my friends. I walked to the PO and the shoes were comfy, they always impress me for Target shoes.

Thoughts: I need to cut back on soup at lunch, the sodium is making me puffy.

Day 22b: Same BR top, Gap Cardigan, Gap Skinnies, Naughty Monkey Detective boots, petal and pink necklace

Where: A super sexy date to Office Depot, Starbucks and Barnes and Noble. Starbucks and BN was supposed to be the date, but I was out of mailing envelopes and Office Depot is across the street.

Thoughts: I was so much more comfortable in this outfit than what I wore all day at work. I also drank my weight in water, so that may have helped.

Day 24: Anthro top, Grey Gap Modern Boot pants, Nine West pumps.

Where: work

Thoughts: Why yes, those are my Steve Madden flats in the picture. You see, while I still wear the "death shoes" I have taken to switching in and out of flats to get to/from my office. I left work and realized. Yup. Shoes are still at my desk. I got to my car and realized "ugh. I forgot the asparagus and buttermilk in the fridge, now I have to go back." (What doesn't everyone buy random groceries at lunch?) On the walk back to my office thought "Well, at least I can pick up my shoes..." and then drove home with my asparagus and buttermilk and cursed at my shoes...still sitting next to my desk. It was one of those days.

My other impressions? Well, I'm thinking now I should have gone by outfit numbers instead of calling them days...Also, at this point, I just want to be done. I feel like I have worn every single article of clothing this week alone, and even though I know it's not true, I just want something different. A plain sweater (it's getting cold!) or my pinstripe pants...just something not these clothes. Although, I do have some fun (to me) outfits planned for the next few days. Here's hoping they turn out!

Don't forget, just a little longer until my giveaway closes, don't forget to enter!

My boots. For less.

I've been meaning to share this. I was shopping at the mall with my mother not too long ago. (It was day 1 of the 30 for 30 challenge to be exact. I was worried about being strong and shopping and ruining it all on the first day. I was good, and didn't buy, but my wallet was really confused.)

Anyway, I was shopping and as I walked through the shoe section with my mom (the torture!) she pointed to a pair of boots and said "Aren't those your boots?"

Madden Girl Zoiiee boots ($63.96 at Zappos)

Wow. Kind of. Yeah. They're actually really close! Contrast zipper, buckles, ruching at the bend, very close indeed.

My boots (from DSW in Black here) are a more cognac shade, and have 2 buckles at the top, and are genuine leather, not a man made synthetic. However, comparing the two prices, the Madden Girl ones are less than half! If I had paid the full $150 for the ones from DSW (I paid $30), I would have been upset. I can't vouch for the comfort of the Madden Girl Zoiiee, but I absolutely love my SM ones, and the comfort is there in those. I wear them all day, and never have had any problems with them.



If you're looking for a similar pair without the buckles, check out these ones by Mix No.6. I wasn't impressed with them in person, but they may work with your budget/style choice.



Days 6-13 of the challenge

Whew! It has been a week for me! I'm both sad and happy it is over. I've run the gamut of emotions, and I'm looking forward to some stability. Not to mention that Thanksgiving is coming up fast! I've got plenty to be thankful for, but I haven't quite caught the holiday cheer. Here's hoping this short week at work will help me along. And if not, I'll get the holiday "spirit" via Pumpkin Pie Martini's at my aunt's house. (if you know what I mean...and I think you do.)

Now, onto the outfits!

Day 6: Anthro blouse, Gap skinnies, Steve Madden boots.

Where: A baby shower. Like the hundredth it seems within the past few months. (or third whatevs). This was husband saying "Show me happy to go to a baby shower!" I think my sarcasm is obvious.

Day 7: Gap top, Gap skinnies, Nine West flats, Coach Tote, DKNY sunnies

Where: Road trip with the husband, errands.

Day 8: Anthro sweater, Express lace trim cami, Gap skinnies, Steve Madden Flats, petal & pink bracelet

Where: Work. We were moving files from one cabinet to another. I work in HR, there's a lot of files. We all dressed casual Monday for this.



Thoughts on these days: My hair looked way better in person on Day 6. Looking at it in the picture though, you'd never know! I also swear I washed the skinny jeans Sunday night (Day 7). I live in my skinny jeans, and I actually own 2 pairs of them. I considered just switching to the clean pair, but felt it might be cheating. lol. I love the sweater in Day 8. It's comfortable and the colors are fun. I don't know if it's the angle of the picture or not, but seeing it in a picture, I question the proportion of the print though. I guess we'll see what else happens during this challenge and that sweater.

Day 9: Anthro top, Gap Modern Boot pants in grey, Nine West pumps, petal & pink bracelet

Where: Work. It wasn't too much of an eventful day, honestly.

Day 10: J.Crew Jackie Cardigan, Express Editor pants, Target Mary Janes, DIY bracelet via Beadin' Path

Where: Work. Running a few errands after work.

Day 11: Gap sweater, Express lace trim cami, Ann Taylor Loft pencil skirt, Target Mary Janes

Where: Work, Training session, drinks with husband.



Thoughts: Day 9, I was inspired by another piece of jewelry I've made. I don't know why I never think of mixing jewel tones with my dark grey pants. It was a really warm day, and I enjoyed not having to wear a cardigan or jacket at work. Day 10, I really wanted to wear my coral toned layered bracelet, and love the combination with a silver-grey shade. Day 11, I'm not sure of the proportions of the outfit, but my calves look diesel! Thank-you, Body Pump!

Day 12: Gap Cardigan, Express lace trim cami, Gap Forever Straight jeans, Nine West pumps, petal & pink earrings

Where: Work. Casual Friday. Not feeling color. It happens

Day 13: J.Crew Jackie Cardigan, Express lace trim cami, Gap Forever Straight jeans, Nine West flats, T&Co bangle.

Where: Errands, errands, and a few more errands.

Thoughts: I purposely wanted to post these two pictures together. It's the same pair of jeans, but the hem is different lengths. I've found an amazing trick to hemming long jeans to make them flat-appropriate. You even get to still see the original hem on the jean so it looks really natural. I've also been slowly working on mixing prints. The leopard print with the print on the bangle were big for me. The bangles print is subtle, but the shape/design of the print actually compliment each other nicely.

Overall 30 for 30 thoughts: So far, so good. I really feel like I need to start kicking it into gear with the accessories. Scarves, belts, etc. I've got them all. I don't know why I'm so lazy with them lately. 

Coming up: I still need to do the DIY on the jewelry holder, and I want to also show you how I do the hem on my pants, so that will be coming up too. And I'm preeety sure that there's a giveaway this week since my twitter is at 1,000 followers!! I'm just waiting to maintain that number for a few days since twitter counts can vary often!