Maybe I Need More Of These In My Closet-The Maxi Dress

While I truly admire the glamor and ease of a maxi dress on everyone else, I admit that due to my stature, this is the one and only maxi dress I own...actually, the one and only maxi anything I own! But the length of this one was perfect when I pulled it off the rack...

It falls just above my shoe (a flat sandal) which is exactly where I like it...I hate the idea of a dirty hem! (It's a dress, not a broom!) I purchased it off an end of summer sale rack about 5 years ago, before they became really popular. It was the print that attracted me to it, sort of like art deco feathers...

The black, white, red and tan palate just happens to be a favorite color combo of mine and goes with so many things I already own. So far this spring I've layered blouses over it, making it look more like a skirt, and layered the dress over tees, which is perfect in overly air conditioned situations. But this time I tried a tissue thin cardi with a belt...

and I must admit, this maybe my favorite look so far. It dresses it up quite nicely. Adding the skinny belt was sort of an experiment that worked out to my advantage. The dress itself has more of an empire waistline that I wouldn't normally cinch in, but with the cardi, it felt like it just needed something.

Anyway, who knew a maxi dress could be so versatile? If I get to take a vacation this summer, I know exactly which piece of clothing will be the first in the suitcase!
J.

Stored In My Closet Until Next Winter-Plaid Cape

OH YES! I LOVE A GREAT SALE!
I found this cape thingy in my size for $9.95!!!!

Spring in Texas is the best time to find great winter coats at crazy prices. (That's also when I found my $300 Michael Kors trench coat for $79.95.) The down side is that it's already 90+ degrees here and I won't get to wear it until November! But I figure even if I only wear it 4 times next winter, that comes to less than $2.50 (pre tax) per wear...so worth the storage space it will take up in my closet! (That is valuable real estate after all.) And I know I'll wear it far more often than that.

What's the best off season purchase you've made?
J.

Art Fund Raiser For KIPP School

Last night I went to a fund raiser at La Pena Gallery for the kindergarten art program at my nephew's school...

Basically, the student's art could be purchased for either $5 or $10, (depending on whether or not it was framed.)
It was so fun! Everyone was all dressed up and each student was so excited to find their work framed and displayed!


It may not be a Picasso or a Renoir, but in a special way each one was priceless!

Other than my nephew's (of course!) this one may have been my favorite!

The artist contemplates his work.
I actually purchased J's art for my sister as a belated Mother's Day gift.

Though I believe the fund raiser was for the kindergarten classes specifically, there was also art from some of the older children.

This one was called "The Big Wedding." I love the bright colors!

I remember loving art class as a kid and can't imagine it not having been a part of my school life! I hope they made enough to keep it going for at least another year!

J.

Closet Surprise-Plaid Western Shirt With Formal Skirt...I Didn't Think It Would Work

I admit it.
Sometimes I hang out in my closet and try on combinations of clothing that I would never normally wear, (usually before bed when I'm trying to get an idea for what to wear to work the next day.) And when I see other bloggers who are daring enough to pull off seemingly crazy pairings, I wonder to myself, could I do something like that? Usually the answer is no. But today...
Ok, this one is brave for me.
With all the different pieces I'm wearing, I feel like technically this outfit shouldn't work...

Yet, oddly enough, I like how it looks. The mixing of the plaid western shirt and metallic tweed skirt are an unlikely coupling but the smaller print of the top works well with the texture on the bottom...

You can't tell from this photo, but there's a thick silver metallic thread that runs through it and it's a little on the stiff side, which actually makes the skirt a tad more "cocktail hour" than day wear, (but I wanted to wear it to work.)
And I'm not sure if you can see it in this picture...

but the pleats are perfect for tucking a button (or in this case snap) down shirt. (I love a good pencil skirt but it you're all lumpy from a tuck in, forget it! It just ruins the whole look!)

Anyway I could have gone the simple route and worn a black top of some kind (you know I have tons!) but the thrifted/gifted shirt- a vintage Rustler by Wrangler- keeps the look from feeling less uptight, maybe even a little playful.

What surprises have come out of your closet?
J.

This Romper Was Waiting For The Right Shoes

I got this great jumper last November at a clothing swap and it's been hanging in my closet ever since...
However, now that the weather has warmed up quite a bit, I have a feeling I'll be reaching for it fairly often. It's shorter than I normally like to wear, but it's really just to fun to resist!

Perhaps I haven't worn it because I just didn't have the right shoes until now...

I had been hunting for pair of black and white oxfords and found these at target.com for $14.99. Bargain! (I don't do very well with the clothes but I have done well with shoes.) They didn't have my size but the reviews said they run small and they do. They are a little wide at the heel but that can be dealt with easily enough. But overall, they're comfortable. And they make the outfit...

J.

I Wore Shorts Because It's Monday

Mondays are one of those days that I wear jeans...it's because it's Monday, it's easy, (you know what I mean,) however, sometimes the mood for something different is just too hard to resist.

Yesterday I made a late night run to Barnes and Noble for a quick tea and magazine before bed and while flipping through the various magazines I passed by something featuring shorts and flowy shirts. At 8 am I woke up with the plan of pulling on jeans (my usual,) but the urge to sport some shorts was undeniable! So today I gave in to my whims and wore them...

Normally I would consider shorts inappropriate work attire, but the preppy tweed print, longer length and the fact that they're made of wool made them less casual. They also happen to be unlined, very hot and very itchy if I sat for any length of time in them. But I like them anyway.

This vintage blouse really isn't anything at all like I saw in the magazine, but the longer sleeves do help the shorts pass as job appropriate.
I've been wearing this necklace all weekend, it's been one of those easy pieces that works with everything. The clutch is Loeffler Randall for Target that I got at a clothing swap. You can't tell in the picture but the necklace and purse are both sort of coppery brown and sparkly. And the boots are just comfortable. You know, for Monday.

How did you style your Monday?
J.

Color Dare-Bright Pink

I've been wanting to try colorful bright lipsticks for some time now but have been a little scared. Will they read too young? Is it just too crazy? Well, today I'm taking the trend for a test drive.
I purchased Rose Hip from a drugstore line called Milani. (I figured if I didn't like it, at least I wasn't paying to much for it...) Here's how it looks on me...

BRIGHT!
But that's the whole point, right? (I didn't want to do to much more than a simple grey eyeshadow with it because truly, this is enough for day.) It's actually a really fun shade, and I can see it being a great pop of color for that LBD or just a great punch for that simple jean and tee outfit.

Actually, pink and grey ended up being the color scheme for my day...

I'm curious to see what kind of reaction the lips get! If all goes well, it maybe the basis of my summer makeup. (I normally focus on my eyes.) Who knows, maybe I'll be brave enough to try a color from the coral/tangerine family.
J.