Daily Style: Monday, 4/1

black/tan stripe jersey pencil skirt (Old Navy, $15)

print top (UK Style by French Connection @ Sears, $19)

black belt (a.n.a. @ JCP, $18)

tan booties (Arizona @ JCP, $45)

On Sunday, I had the pleasure of meeting Inez from Style Chic 360 and Liz from Illustrious Jewelry by Liz. I didn't bring my camera, but check out the Inez's post here and Liz's post here. Inez pretty much covered everything here, but I do want to mention that on this fateful Sunday, I discovered my new favorite dessert and that's chocolate cake with bacon on top. So many yums... if you're into that salty sweet thing, like I am.

We had a blast and will definitely be doing it again.

I would love to meet more bloggers, so if any of y'all are going to be in or around Chicago, hit me up and we can hang out!

Daily Style: Wednesday, 11/28

 plaid skirt (thrifted, $4)

 tiered striped top (Apostrophe @ Sears, $19)

black/white scarf (estate sale, $0.50)

black tights (American Apparel, $15)

black booties (Big Buddha "Donna" via Bakers)

This was inspired by this pin.

I've been a bit bummed lately, without any Televinspiration. This time of year sucks for TV. One show that I've gotten into recently, and has surprisingly given me some fashion inspiration, is Emily Owens, M.D. No, I haven't taken to wearing scrubs, it's what Emily Owens wears before and after work that give me inspiration. She's got this cool, casual, comfortable look. Perfect for this time of year when you just want to curl up in a big blanket & call it a sweater, and call that a "look". Unfortunately, it's been canceled. Man, I can't wait until after the new year, when all the shows start back up again.

Daily Style: Wednesday, 3/28

black pencil skirt (Banana Republic via Clothes Mentor, $15)  

print top (UK Style by French Connection @ Sears, $19)

gold booties (Seychelles via Amazon.com, $41)

gold filigree necklace (thrifted, $3)

This weather is sorta getting on my nerves.  (OK, more like really.)  One day it's cold (Monday), the next day it's warm (Tuesday), the next day they say it will be warm and then it turns out to be cold (Wednesday).  Tuesday night I walked my dog in a winter jacket.  Bad move, it felt like summer.  Wednesday I heard it would get up to 68° so I went sans tights.  Bad move, my legs were freezing on my walk home.  I don't mind if it's cold, but this bi-polar crap has got to stop!  It's incredibly difficult to plan your outfits when you have no idea if it will feel like summer or winter the next day.

Daily Style: Friday, 1/13

tiered striped top (Apostrophe @ Sears, $19)

jeggings (Gap Outlet, $40)

cropped denim jacket (Highway Jeans via PayHalf, $22)

black boots (Big Buddha "Casi", gift)

I made a delicious dinner last night.  Perhaps I will post the "recipe" on my other blog, Banoodles.  My whopping 2 followers might enjoy it.

Daily Style: Thursday, 12/29

"skinny" jeans (Levi's via JCP, $20) 

black top (UK Style by French Connection @ Sears, $9)

black faux leather/mesh jacket (Manifesto via PayHalf, $35)

black leather booties (Steve Madden via Filene's Basement, $45)

printed scarf (PayHalf, $11)

Yo, I got my camera today!  I had my co-worker (yes, the same one as before) take some pics of me in the alley next to our office.  I don't know how you all do it, with all those people looking on.  At least some of them have a sense of humor about it.  The security guy was giving me thumbs up to certain poses.  Thanks, guy!

Daily Style: Thursday, 12/22

skinnies (Gap Outlet, $40)
print top (UK Style by French Connection @ Sears, $19)
beige sweater (Banana Republic, thrifted, $5)
brown boots (Steve Madden via Amazon.com, $80)
gold ring (MNG by Mango @ JCP, $15), Love that Binds bracelet (JewelMint, $12 with coupon code)

SSC shared this site, Fashion Bloggers, Why!?, on Facebook.  ("Like" C&C on Facebook with this link!)  It's pretty darn funny, if you're into satire.  ↑ This girl is.  Although, I'm afraid to comment, for fear of ending up on the site.  I know exactly how the post would go.  "Why is she always looking down?"  "Why is she not smiling?"  "She looks sad."  "Why is she pigeon-toed?"  "Why are her pictures blurry?"

The last one is soon to be no more.  Yesterday I purchased a fancy-schmancy camera, so as soon as I 1) receive it, 2) learn how to use it, 3) get the proper accessories for it, 4) find a good place to shoot 5) figure out lighting... (let's be honest, it may be awhile), my pictures are gonna blow your freakin' mind!

Anyway, I do agree with "Nati Hell" on the rapist glasses (her words, not mine).  Being truly visually impaired, I never understood why anyone would ever want to wear glass when you don't have to.  Especially glasses that engulf your face.

Daily Style: Thursday, 10/27

tiered striped top (Apostrophe @ Sears, $19)

black/white skirt (H&M, $15 w/coupon)

black booties (Dollhouse, Clothes Mentor, $15) similar

black tights (American Apparel, $15), pearl necklace (G'Ma's), pearl & silver chain necklace (free w/shirt)

Check out my other blog, Banoodles, if you want to read the funny notes our dog walker writes and some other old rantings.

BTW, how gorgeous is this shoe?

I'm currently on a self-induced shopping ban, but this is tempting me!

Click me!

Daily Style: Saturday, 10/15

light-wash bootleg jeans (American Eagle via Ragstock, $11)

tiered striped top (Apostrophe @ Sears, $19)

camel sweater (Mossimo @ Target, $30)

brown booties (H&M, $40)

Love Your Body Day is coming up this week!  Go here for the details.

Daily Style: Thursday, 10/13

skirt (east5th @ JCP, $15)

tiered striped top (Apostrophe @ Sears, $19)

camel sweater (Mossimo @ Target, $30)

brown booties (H&M, $40) 

mirror necklace ($bday gift) similar

fake armor ring (JCP, $5), large stone ring (John Clayborn via Shecky's, $45)

ring close-up

I had my picture taken by a co-worker.  My office contains boring backdrops and bad lighting* and asking a co-worker to take a picture of you is... awkward, to say the least.  So thanks, co-worker, for helping me out through all the awkwardness.  And sorry, readers, for having to look at this so-so picture.  I tried to hide it’s faults jazz it up with Picnik.

I really wanted to show off my newly purchased ring.  Last week I attended Shecky's Girls Night Out and John Clayborn was the gem of the show.  (No pun intended.)  His work is well, his work, for starters, and it is beautiful.  I love how organic the jewelry is, he lets the stone's beauty shine through and no two pieces are identical.  I don't know about you, but one-of-a-kind jewelry is my favorite kind of jewelry!  Most of his pieces are a little on the pricey side, but you can pick up a ring from his "Colors" collection for $20.

* To be fair, the boring backdrops and bad lighting are only on this particular floor while using a camera-phone.  The foyer of my building is GORGEOUS!

Daily Style: Saturday, 10/1

faux leather shorts (UK Style by French Connection @ Sears, $22)

sheer top (Charlotte Russe, $10) similar, similar

grey/silver blazer (H&M, $24)

black tights (American Apparel, $15)

black booties (Dollhouse via Clothes Mentor, $15) similar

white clutch (nicole by Nicole Miller @ JCP, $35)

necklace (F21, $4), ring (F21, $3), ring (mng by Mango @ JCP, $15)

Friday, the 30th, the day after I turned 30, I went shopping and stopped into kiddie stores, Charlotte Russe and Forever 21.  Throughout my time in each of these stores I wondered if I was too old to be there.  And in planning and putting on my faux leather short-shorts get-up, wondered if I was too old to be wearing short-shorts and sheer tops.  I don't want to get caught up in "should" statements, but what should a woman of 30 (or older) wear out?  Do you think we should get away from "should" statements all together, in regards to dressing, and just wear what we like and what gives us joy?  Wouldn't that negate the whole purpose and idea of fashion? 

On another note, I now have another reason not to shop at Forever 21 - their return policy.  I'm not sure what the time limit is, but they don't offer refunds, only store credit.  I'm not a fan of stores that hold your money hostage forever.

Daily Style: Thursday, 9/15

black cigarette pants (Gap Outlet, $30)
tiered striped top (Apostrophe @ Sears, $19) similar
cropped denim jacket (Highway Jeans via PayHalf, $22) similar
black pumps  (Simply Vera by Vera Wang @ Kohl's, $49)

I just heard about Nancy Upton's mockery of an American Apparel contest.  Read about it here.  Read about AA's response here.  So great!  This chick is the shit!

I went to my Target last night.  I walked around the entire store and only saw 1 Missoni item.  It was a little eerie, as if Missoni never happened.  It was all a dream.  There were just a few shreds of evidence left.

The last Missoni item remaining - a lone picture frame

The empty shoe display

I imagine this empty space is where the Missoni clothing was located, for an hour

The empty accessory display

I snapped the first picture when I arrived.  After a lap through the store, I went back to that location, and the frame was gone.  I'm not sure if someone bought it or it was put back with the home goods.

The whole Missoni Madness is funny to me.  I want to be surprised that people are acting like savage beasts for Target crap, but it's really not that shocking.  Disturbing?  Yes.  Definitely.

Daily Style: Wednesday, 8/31

camel pants (Worthington @ JCP, $11 after coupons)

print top (UK Style by French Connection @ Sears, $19)
shoes (Frye via Clothes Mentor, $25)

I told you the picture on Sears' website wasn't doing this print justice, was I right?  This top is probably one size too big, but it was the only shirt they had.  The print and the colors lured me in.  It's like tie-dye or watercolor, or both... I think what this needs is something like this to give it shape with pants.  (Remember these clips?  From the 90s?)  I don't want to have it taken in because I think it will look nice with a high-waisted skirt, as it is.

What say you, readers?  If I was to purchase one of these clips, should it be white or silver?  Or do you think I'm losing it, and this would just make things worse?  I would add a belt, but it's not working with the thickness of this shirt.

BTW, these shoes are one 1/2 size too SMALL.

I played musical chairs on the train today.  And lost.

(Please take my poll above - top right.) 

Fashion Find: UK Style by French Connection - Fall Collection

I stopped into Sears today for 2 reasons.  To look for earbuds (I didn't find any) and to check out the new Kardashian Kollection.  I wasn't impressed by the Kardashian line.  Most of the items are black and leopard print, and boy, are they expensive!
 

Originally $99!

The jewelry was the only thing I could see myself buying, as it was reasonably priced.

I want this bracelet, $16.80 on sale

Anyway, enough about the Kardashian's, let's talk about the fall collection by UK Style.  Here are a few pieces that caught my eye in the store.

$25.99 on sale

Faux leather shorts are so in for fall.  These have a side panel (cotton/poly blend) for more stretch (and comfort).

$25.99

$31.99

I know these pictures aren't doing these pieces justice, but they do look great together.  This skirt also comes in camel.  It's got the look of wool tweed, but it's lightweight.  (And, I don't know if you noticed, POCKETS!)

$18.99

I love the print on this top.  Again, the pictures aren't doing it justice.

$42.99

There are so many pieces I love in this collection, it's going to be hard to not go broke.  I'm seriously thinking about going back for the tweed-ish skirt and possibly one of the sheer tops.  If you're near a Sears, check this line out in person, the online pictures are not accurate and navigating Sears' website is a nightmare!