Daily Style: Tuesday, 11/20

jersey pencil skirt (Old Navy, $20)

white tank (a.n.a. @ JCP, $8)

stripe sweater (Nicole by Nicole Miller @ JCP, $25)

black belt (MNG by Mango @ JCP, $15)  

ceramic watch (Fossil via TJ Maxx, $39)

black fishnets (Simply Vera by Vera Wang @ Kohl's)

zipper booties (Dollhouse via Marshalls, $25)

I want to rant discuss the (unspoken) rules of the CTA, because it's my blog, and I can.

- You should start moving towards the doors when the train is pulling into your stop, or when it is near your stop, NOT when the doors are open at the stop before yours. If you do this, everyone will assume the current stop is your stop, and act accordingly. Therefore, if I'm behind you, and this is MY stop, I will assume you are going to exit the doors, NOT stop moving right before the exit, impeding me from getting off on my stop. I will then panic because I don't want to miss my stop.

- If you are sitting on the inside and need to get out, and the person next to you is wearing headphones, and their eyes are closed, DO lightly tap them on the shoulder to get their attention and signal you need to get out. DO NOT repeat the same statement over and over, when it should be clear they can't hear you, as they're wearing GIGANTIC HEADPHONES. Also, DO NOT waive your hand frantically in front of their face. The previous was slightly stupid, this is just plain rude.

- When exiting the CTA station on the escalator, if space allows, STAND on the right, WALK on the  left.

- For Pete's sake, when you get in the train car, MOVE! There are, most-likely, several other bodies behind you. We all need to get in; move with a purpose. If you want to stand, that's fine, but I see 1 seat available, and you're making it very difficult for me to win it. I don't want to push, but I will, if it means I can land a seat, and nap on my way home.

 - As the conductor has stated, several times now, move to the middle of the car.

If there's any rules I missed, let me know in the comments. Happy transitting!

Daily Style: Friday, 7/13

printed pants (Express, thrifted, $3.50)

tank (Mossimo @ Target, $5)

ruffle sandals (Corso Como via Marshall's, $40)

necklace (LOFT, $gift)

The perfect outfit for heat, drama, and a 3.5 hour drive to Champaign, IL.

Don't get me started...

Daily Style: Thursday, 1/19

black/white striped origami pencil skirt (Worthington @ JCP, $7)

black poly blouse (thrifted, $4)

red wool blazer (Evan Picone, thrifted, $2)

zipper booties (Dollhouse via Marshalls, $25)

black hose (L'eggs via Walgreens, $5)

I this skirt.  I'm almost glad I gained some weight since I bought it and now it fits properly.  I said almost.

Have y'all seen Last Man Standing?  Tim Allen's character is similar to his Tim "The Tool Man" Taylor on Home Improvement minus the goofy/awkward/accidents... OK, they are similar in that he's a "man's man"... whatever that means.  The show is set up similarly too.  A mother & father & 3 kids - Home Improvement was 3 boys, Last Man Standing is 3 girls.  This show's "Jill" (wife) is played by Nancy Travis ('member her from So I Married an Axe Murderer?), who is much funnier (sorry Patricia Richardson).  Anyway, enough name dropping, the show is pretty darn funny.  So, you should check it out.  You can watch full episodes on ABC!  

(Bonus - Since there are 4 women in this show (wife + 3 daughters) there are opportunities to get some inspiration from their fashion.  And I do.)

Daily Style: Tuesday, 1/3

 

ruffle top (Kenar via Marshall's, $15)
green cardi (J. Crew via swap)
plaid wool skirt (Otterburn Tweed, thrifted, $2.50)
ankle boots (MIA via DSW, $60)
nude fishnets (Simply Vera by Vera Wang @ Kohl's)

This skirt was one of my best finds, to date.  I didn't fit that well over my leggings (standard thrifting outfit) but I'm glad I decided it was worth the $2.50 risk.

Don't forget to enter my DIY Giveaway!  There's still 5 days left to enter and 4 different ways to enter.

Daily Style: Wednesday, 11/16

 

gold pants (H&M, $15)

black origami blouse (Worthington @ JCP, $10)

teal velvet blazer (Bloomingdale's, thrifted, $5)

zipper booties (Dollhouse via Marshalls, $25)

ring (MNG by Mango @ JCP, $15), chainmaille earrings

Inspiration:

In case you can't read the tiny font, this J. Crew blazer is $250.  Yep.  For a blazer.  I paid $5 for mine and it has a very nice kick-pleat on the back.  If I wasn't going to work, I may have tried the hoodie deal underneath.  J. Crew has some cute shit, but their prices are outrageous.  You can find similar pieces, for much less, virtually anywhere, even (or especially?) the thrift store.

Daily Style: Thursday, 8/25

black slacks (Limited via Clothes Mentor, $10)
teal blouse (Merona via Clothes Mentor, $4)
black ruffle sandals (Corso Como via Marshall's, $40)
leopard belt (Merona @ Target, $17) similar 
wood collar necklace (a.n.a. @ JCP, $10 after coupons)

On my way back from picking up the lunch from hell (you don't want to know), I spotted this number in the window of Ann Taylor.

Kinda looks like what I'm wearing today, huh?  Here's the breakdown: 

pocket top ($78)
cropped pants ($98)
leopard belt ($44)... for a grand total of $220 which doesn't include shoes and jewelry.  Compare that to my total: $81 w/shoes & jewelry.

I realized later that I wore a version of this outfit previously here (boo!  I don't like repeating!).  I'm feeling very uninspired with having to wear flats everyday.  I really hate flats.  Also, I only have about 4 pairs.  The ruffle sandals I've been wearing practically every day, the painful crew seen here and here, and these old-ass things that make me feel like I'm wearing house -shoes (slippers) all day.  I literally "schlep" in these shoes.  Who wants to spend their day "schlepping"?  Schlepping isn't sexy.

Daily Style: Tuesday, 8/23

floral-print maxi dress (Bisou, Bisou @ JCP, $40 after coupons)
chambray shirt (Converse One Star @ Target, $12 on clearance) similar
black ruffle sandals (Corso Como via Marshall's, $40)
glass beaded necklace (Akira, $3 w/Groupon)

I injured my knee (I honestly don't know how) so I'm trying to wear flats for awhile.  (A week, at the very least.)  Have I ever told you how much I hate flats?  Well, I'm telling you now.  I almost prefer knee pain to flats.

Daily Style: Thursday, 8/18

black/beige printed pants (Express, thrifted, $3.50)
black tank (Mossimo Supply Co. @ Target, $8)
jacket, turned vest (Express via clothing swap $free)
black ruffle sandals (Corso Como via Marshall's, $40)

I'm trying these pants again.  I actually kind-of like them with flats, but I'm still open to critiques.  Have you ever paired your clothes based on some combination you saw in the clothes dryer?  That's how I came up with this vest with these pants.  It's was a complete accident that both items are Express.

Also, I had fun with Picnik again.  If you haven't tried it yet, go ahead!  It's free!

I'm sure everyone has heard about the A&F deal - they want to pay Mike Sorrentino (the "Situation" from MTV's Jersey Shore) to NOT wear their brand.  How ridiculous is this statement?  "We understand that the show is for entertainment purposes, but believe this association is contrary to the aspirational nature of our brand, and may be distressing to many of our fans."  Really?!  If you're "distressed" by someone wearing a brand you like, you have problems.  So silly...  (Although, I wish A&F would offer me a substantial amount of dough to not wear their brand, I'm already doing it!)

Daily Style: Monday, 8/1

floral-print maxi dress (Bisou, Bisou, JCP, $40 after coupons)
vest (PayHalf, old)
black ruffle sandals (Corso Como, Marshall's, $40) similar
turquoise necklace (Rossace (local accessory shop, $40 on sale) similar


Finally got around to seeing Black Swan yesterday.  The BF's review: "This movie is kinda stupid."  I agree.  I think we were expecting more, based on the hype.  I couldn't stand Natalie Portman's character, all the whimpering and crying... so annoying.

Daily Style: Tuesday, 7/19

denim pencil skirt (Bisou Bisou, JCP, $25 after coupons)
blue ruffle top (Kenar, Marshalls, $12)
blush sandals (Seychelles "Point of No Return", Akira, $72 on sale)

It's pretty hot out there today, but the rest of the week will be worse - they're issuing an excessive heat watch until Friday.  Don't be surprised if the next Daily Style post you see is a little indecent.  (Don't worry, I jest.  I wouldn't do that to you.)  

Seriously though, I don't know why I even bother putting on any makeup.  By the time I get to el, almost all of it has dripped off of my face.  Ahh, summer, thanks for making me appreciate winter.  Until it's winter, that is.  Then I'll for sure want you back.

One of my favorite songs for the summer.  What are some of your favorite summer songs/bands?

Daily Style: Saturday, 6/18

18. black/white floral tunic (Allen B., JCP, $30) similar
19. leggings w/zippers (a.n.a., JCP) similar
20. black ruffle sandals (Corso Como, Marshall's, $40) similar
floral infinity scarf (Torrid, $12) similar

Daily Style: Friday, 5/27

 

black/red houndstooth top (Worthington @ JCP) similar neck drape, no sleeve, different pattern, similar on Ebay, gorgeous houndstooth coat I found in my search (not cheap)

black  high-waisted flare pants (H&M, $35+$29 for alterations)

black studded belt (free w/shirt)

black/white stripe jacket (Allen B. @ JCP, $40, now $35)

zipper booties (Dollhouse via Marshalls, $25)

I Dollhouse shoes.  (I've probably mentioned that more than once.)  1st because they're surprisingly comfortable.  I don't mean that you slap on a pair of 5" heels and they feel like sneakers, but you won't need to take them off half-way through the night because you just can't stand the pain anymore.

Another reason is that they often "copy" couture brands, for instance...

Dollhouse "Thriller", $30 (Ebay, size 7.5), $36.99 (Ebay, sizes 8.5 & 6)

Alexander McQueen "Faithfull", $1,155 (Couture.Zappos.com)

OK, so there are slight differences - Dollhouse isn't real leather, has silver accents instead of gold, and doesn't have the skull zipper pull, but for a savings of over $1K (!)... um.... WHO CARES!

Daily Style: Thursday, 4/28

4 days of pants is about 2 days too many.

brown blazer (Worthington @ JCP, $12) similar
purple top (Kenar vai Marshalls, $11)
blue/black trousers (Gap Outlet, $?)
brown patent oxfords (Kenneth Cole Reaction via Shoes.com, $50) similar
brown patent belt (Worthington @ JCP, free w/skirt)