30 x 30 Day 25 & 26: Business Separates

When I was debating whether or not to do a 30 x 30, I decided the only way I could actually participate fully was if I included enough matching suit sets to wear to court on days that I just had to wear a suit. Although matching suit sets might seem an obvious and boring pairing, they are nevertheless a necessary part of my work. With my 30 x 30 coming to a close, I thought I'd share a suit and a remix with some suit separates in a combined post. By the way, this first outfit below is the suit I kept in my car throughout the month to make sure if I had to go to court I could change clothes without a problem. (Read about why I now keep a suit in my car here).

Blazer 1: Ann Taylor (similar)

Blazer 2: Forever 21 (similar)

Blouse: Old Navy

Skirt: Ann Taylor (similar)

Shoes: Corso Como (similar)

Belt: Ann Taylor

Necklace: Barneys (1, 2, 3)

Bag: Longchamp

30 x 30 Day 24: Shades of Green & Brown

I've had the hardest time coming up with outfits to go with this green shirt. On it's own, it's fine. It's a pretty blouse and a pretty color. However, I definitely learned that I don't have much use for this blouse in my wardrobe after spending 24 days with a limited closet. Even with a limited closet I still didn't reach for this blouse as often as all my others. Despite me not reaching for this blouse, I do like the end result of this particular outfit. The greens and browns compliment each other, and I like the textures my necklace and blazer adds to the outfit. 

Blazer: J. Crew

Blouse: Old Navy

Pants: Banana Republic

Shoes: Corso Como (similar)

Necklace: Francesca's Collection

Belt: Forever 21 (similar)

Bag: B. Makowsky

Also linking up with Transatlantic Blonde!

30 x 30 Day 22 & 23: Leather, White, Purple & a Miss

I'm writing this a little tired from last night's festivities (just spelled festivities wrong 3 times) - My BF had a goodbye dinner with a bunch of people and his parents and I didn't get home until around 2 AM or so. I like the first outfit because once again my edgy leather jacket meets polished everywhere else. I could also have easily interchanged the jacket for my black blazer and it would be work appropriate. 

Jacket: ASOS

Blouse: Old Navy

Pants: Ann Taylor (similar)

Shoes: Ann Taylor

Necklace: Banana Republic (matching bracelet)

Bag: Longchamp

The 2nd outfit is the "miss" from last week. I guess I don't like it because the 2 purples don't match exactly so it makes the pants look more pink, and the cobalt combined with purple and pink was just too much. Oh well, live and learn!

Blazer: J. Crew

Blouse: Old Navy

Pants: Ann Taylor (similar)

Shoes: Miss Me

Necklace: Banana Republic (matching bracelet)

Bag: B. Makowsky

30 x 30 Day 21: White party

I'm ready for P. Diddy's annual white party in this outfit. Except, if you ever watched MTV in the 90's-2000's, you know I wouldn't get entry. P. Diddy has some serious rules. He only allows true bright white into his party, and that includes shoes and accessories. So I guess I'm just a poser. I'd be stuck out in the driveway in the Hamptons trying to get into a rapper's party with no hope because of some snake print shoes, a blue necklace, and a brown bag. LAME. But the good thing is I live in Miami and, while most would reserve this for a "white party", for me, this outfit is totally acceptable pretty much anywhere :)

Blazer: Zara (almost exact at F21)

Blouse: Old Navy

Pants: Forever 21 (similar)

Shoes: Corso Como (similar)

Necklace: Francesca's Collection

Bag: B. Makowsky

January 2012 Budget Recap

I'm linking up with Franish for Budgeting Bloggers!
If I thought December was bad, there was no way I could prepare for the damage that was done in January.

Almost all my budgets got blown for various reasons. With clothing, I splurged on a winter coat because I will need one when I go visit my BF in Chicago. Other than the coat, I would have stayed on budget. I purchased 2 J. Crew shirts for myself (gingham and black watch plaid) and I bought my BF a plaid shirt. 

Left: J. Crew Double Cloth Funnel Coat

Right: J. Crew Black-Watch Plaid Perfect Shirt, J. Crew Neon Gingham Boy Shirt, J. Crew Men's shirt

My entertainment budget was completely blown because skiing is effing expensive. My food budget was blown because I had many reasons to eat well - New Years, BF's new job, the Tahoe trip, etc. Excuses, excuses, I know. Hopefully next month will be better. With BF leaving town, I'll probably be able to save considerably in the food category. But, when BF leaves town, I entertain myself with shopping. Next month I'll have to practice looking but not purchasing.

I was also finally able to pick up the Red Carpet Manicure set with an Ulta gift card that my BF gave me for my birthday. 

I received the RCM kit in the mail on Friday night and I applied it Saturday night. The application process was straightforward, but since I'm not used to applying nail polish my hands shook a bit and the overall look came out a bit messy on the edges. I hope I'll improve over time. Reviews online say people have the hardest time applying very thin coats of the polish, but I didn't have a problem with this, possibly because I've had Shellac done on my nails so many times I've watched the nail technicians how you get a thin coat and was able to replicate that. Hopefully I will continue taking care of my nails and I'll attain my New Years resolution of growing out my nails :) 

30 x 30 Day 20: Purple, White, Olive

I went to Ikea yesterday to help BF and his mom pick out furniture for his new apartment. I generally love going to Ikea but on this particular trip it really hit home for me that Ikea isn't as great as I previously thought. We spent about an hour of our 3-hour trip just trying to pick a sofa, but they really didn't have that many choices. The ones we all liked the best were like $800-900 bucks, and frankly, if you are going to pay that kind of money for a couch, it better not be from Ikea, lol. The ones in the $500 range were pretty ugly, and the ones in the $300 range were sad as well. There was really nothing that stood out as affordable and chic. A quick google search listed many discount furniture stores in Chicago with better prices than Ikea... Why does Ikea have this stigma of being cheap and trendy when it's really not the cheapest around? Plus, you have to build your own furniture. I think I'm officially over  it! One week til BF moves...it hasn't quite hit me yet. Ask me again in a week though :(

Blazer: J. Crew

Blouse: Old Navy

Pants: Banana Republic

Shoes: Miss Me

Necklace: Banana Republic (matching bracelet)

Bag: Longchamp

30 x 30 Day 19: White, Plaid, Leather

I did my first round of 30 x 30 laundry today and guess what folks - this freakin' shirt shrunk! I even sized up when I bought it because the same thing happened to my last H&M plaid shirt (that my dog chewed holes in and ate half the buttons) but it seems sizing up really didn't make a difference. The good news is that my new J. Crew gingham shirt held up fantastically and didn't shrink at all. I guess paying a little more for quality really does make all the difference. More good news? I secretly own the J. Crew Black Watch Plaid shirt that every. Single. Blogger. Owns. So that shirt can replace this one if I start popping buttons off when I breathe due to the new super snug fit. For shame, H&M, FOR SHAME!

Jacket: ASOS

Shirt: H&M (similar)

Pants: Forever 21 (similar)

Shoes: Madden Girl (similar)

Necklace: Forever 21

Bracelets: Forever 21 (similar pyramid)

Bag: Longchamp

30 x 30 Day 18: Red, Tan, Tweed

My random comments today have absolutely nothing to do with my outfit. My boyfriend and I both love the v-neck t-shirts from Old Navy. They are super affordable, super soft, and come in a bunch of pretty colors (I care more about the pretty colors than he does). Every time I'm in Old Navy I try to pick him up a few shirts because he literally wears holes in them because he wears them every day. Tonight he walked in wearing this purple shirt I got him and I realized I have a women's version in almost the same color. Here is how the conversation went down: Me - "Oo I have a shirt in almost the same color. We should wear ours the same day sometime! We could be TWINSIES!" Him - "Uhh, oh God.." I wonder if any other couples have conversations like this, haha. If only I could be a fly on the wall...

Something to do with my outfit: for someone who didn't own any red in her closet until recently, I'm really embracing it. I actually just bought a RED winter coat from J. Crew during the extra 30% off sale! I'm a bit upset that it was delivered the day that the extra 40% off sale started, however, my size was long gone at that point so I wouldn't have been able to get it anyway. I'm excited to show it on the blog soon (although I'm not sure when it will be cold enough...maybe when I go visit BF in Chicago).

Blazer: Ann Taylor (similar)

Blouse: Bebe

Skirt: Forever 21 (similar w/o bow)

Shoes: Corso Como (similar)

Bag: B. Makowsky

Necklace: Barneys (1, 2, 3)

Watch: Timex

Bracelet: Ann Taylor

30 x 30 Day 17: Gingham, Brown, & Lots of Purple

I had a really, really bad MISS when styling this purple jacket a few days ago - I'm debating whether to even post it as part of my 30 x 30 or to pretend it never happened. I put the purple blazer away for a few days hoping to let my mind rest, and the resting worked out because this outfit came to me while I was sleeping last night and I couldn't wait to wear it to work today. I'm really loving this new-ish necklace my friend gave me for my birthday. We were shopping together one day before Christmas and Banana Republic was having a 40% off everything sale. I expressed interest in the necklace and she grabbed it from me and bought it as a gift! What a nice friend, right? No close up pics of the necklace today but it has purple stones, so it goes great with all my new purple clothes :) What's your favorite thing you've bought/received recently? 

Blazer: J. Crew (extra 40% off and lots of sizes left!)

Shirt: J. Crew

Skirt: Loft (similar)

Shoes: Corso Como (similar)

Necklace: Banana Republic (matching bracelet)

Belt: Ann Taylor

Clutch: Cynthia Rowley (similar)
Linking up with Mix & Match Fashion for What I Wore to Work

30 x 30 Day 16: Blush, Olive, Brown

I started a spreadsheet a la Sam Ipsa Loquitur to help me come up with outfit ideas. I realized when I put this outfit on that I already blogged something very similar a few months ago - but you know what, it's my 30 x 30 and I'll do what I want! I liked this outfit months ago and I like it again today. The only difference is the style of shirt and some of the accessories but the basics are the same: brown blazer, blush shirt, olive pants. I could also see the shirt being interchangeable with some of the others I have in my 30 x 30 - I don't think this would look bad with a cobalt shirt, a white shirt, even gingham, plaid, or green. Hmm, maybe I have even more outfit ideas than I originally thought!

Blazer: Ann Taylor (similar)

Blouse: Ann Taylor (similar)

Pants: Banana Republic

Shoes: Corso Como (similar)

Bag: B. Makowsky

Necklaces: Unknown & Forever 21

Watch: Michael Kors

Belt: Forever 21 (similar)

30 x 30 Day 15: Burgundy, Red, Black

Indoor photos - a fashion blogger's worst enemy. Combine that with a dark dress, bag, and shoes, and you've got yourself one grainy mess after attempting to lighten the photos. Oh well, this is what I must deal with as I didn't get home until after dark today. Today I had the pleasure of appearing in court in front of one of my old law school professors. He proceeded to basically mock me in front of the entire court room, which was, thankfully, mostly empty. Two things: 1) I think there should be some sort of class for new lawyers that teaches you how to deal with EVERYTHING (and I mean every single thing) and 2) I think older lawyers and judges should really cut new lawyers some slack. Especially me. Cut me some slack! We all have to start at the beginning at some point, right?!

Blazer: Forever 21 (similar)

Shirt: Bebe

Dress: BCBG (similar)

Bag: Michael Kors

Shoes: Ann Taylor

Necklace: Forever 21 (similar)

Bracelet: Forever 21 (similar)

Watch: Michael Kors

30 x 30 Day 14: White/Stripes

Sorry for the lack of posting this weekend, but I was in Tahoe skiing (picture below)! Also, since I needed actual warm clothes to wear in Tahoe, I didn't bring clothes that were part of my 30 x 30, so I don't have any outfit pictures from the trip. I had never been skiing out west before and it was everything I imagined it would be. The funny part is that the native Californians who I was with said that this weekend was actually not that great for skiing, but, because all I've ever skied before is Vermont ice, I thought the skiing was amazing! Do any of you guys ski? Where do you like to go? 

Sweater: J. Crew (similar)

Shirt: Old Navy

Jeans: Forever 21 (similar)

Shoes: Miss Me

Necklace: Forever 21 (similar)

Bracelet: Forever 21 (similar)

Bag: B. Makowsky

My favorite part of the trip was being able to ski while looking at this amazing view. You can't get a view like that in Vermont, sorry I'm not sorry!

30 x 30 Day 13: White, Blush, Purple

This is my 2nd time wearing my purple/pink pants in my 30 x 30. I'm struggling to think of other ways to wear the pants so hopefully I can come up with at least one more way to wear them with the other items. I like this particular color combination because I let the pants speak for themselves while keeping everything else pretty neutral. How would you wear purple pants? Any suggestions?

Blazer: Zara (almost exact at F21)

Blouse: Ann Taylor (similar)

Pants: Ann Taylor (similar)

Shoes: Miss Me?

Necklace: Amrita Singh (similar color)

Bracelets: Michael Kors & unknown

Bag: TheIT

Sunglasses: Cotton On (similar)

Linking up with Work Clothes, I Suppose for Third Thursday Threads!

30 x 30 Day 12: Camel, Stripes, & Animal

Guess what? My BF is moving to Chicago February 1st! So crazy. He had been interviewing with this Chicago firm since like October and they kept calling him back and calling him back, they eventually flew him out to Chicago to meet in person, and next thing he knew he got the job! I'm excited for him but obviously not so excited for the cold Chicago weather for when I go to visit, haha. This outfit reminded me that in other parts of the country, people are still freezing while I'm sweating wearing layers of wool for the sake of fashion (and to keep warm in my office). When my BF and I were talking about his move today, the one positive thing I said: "I'm excited to get to wear my boots more often!" Anyone who knows anything about where to live in Chicago, suggestions for restaurants, etc, are very welcome!

Blazer: J. Crew (other colors)

Sweater: J. Crew (similar)

Skirt: Loft (similar)

Shoes: Corso Como (similar)

Necklace: Forever 21 (similar)

Bracelets (before they fell off): Etsy

Ring: Fake Arty via Ebay (real thing)

Scarf: Forever 21 (similar)

Sunglasses: Versace

30 x 30 Day 11: Burgundy, Peach, Leopard

"This is why we can't have nice things," said Marie Barone, of Everybody Loves Raymond. I don't know what it is about me and sunglasses, but we don't get along. Case in point: my aviators below are completely crooked on my face because I throw them in my purse without a case, sit on them, and drop them constantly. But, I know that I'm terrible with sunglasses, which is why I only buy myself $5 pairs. The "nice" pairs that I wear on the blog are all gifts because I could never bring myself to spend more than $5 until I learn not to lose them, sit on them, break them, etc. Don't make fun of me for my cheap, crooked glasses, mmk?? I'm just a sad fashion blogger who can't take care of nice things. 

Blazer: Forever 21 (similar)

Blouse: Ann Taylor (similar)

Pants: Banana Republic

Shoes: Wanted

Necklace: Unknown (similar)

Bracelet: Gift/random store in Union Station in DC (similar)

Watch: Michael Kors

Sunglasses: Cotton On (similar)

Bag: B. Makowsky

30 x 30 Day 10: White, Plaid, Tan

I have a serious obsession with plaid right now. I'll be honest and say that in my down time (i.e. when I'm not at work or going somewhere exciting) I throw on jeans and a shirt for quick errands despite jeans not being part of my 30 x 30 challenge. THIS is the shirt I always want to wear. I love that it can be worn casually with jeans, and it looks equally as good with suits. This shirt from H&M is a lightweight flannel so I don't feel ridiculous wearing it around in the Miami heat. A tiny rant: WHEN will H&M open up a US online store?!?! I had to get this shirt in CT over the holidays because there just aren't enough H&Ms near me in South Florida. Yes, they just opened up a H&M on South Beach and in Aventura mall, but neither of those is close to me, and the Aventura one doesn't seem to have all the "lines" that H&M carries. You'd think for a 2 story H&M they'd carry everything, but I didn't see the Logg line (the one that carries all the plaid shirts) on my most recent trip there. Disappointing. End rant. 

Blazer: Zara (almost exact at F21)

Shirt: H&M (similar)

Skirt: Forever 21 (similar w/o bow)

Shoes: Corso Como (similar)

Bag: TheIT

Earrings: Forever 21 (similar for $2!)

Bracelets: Timex & Forever 21

30 x 30 Day 9: Edgy at Work

When I was choosing shoes for my 30 x 30 challenge, I figured I needed one pair of shoes that I could wear "out" on the weekends so I chose this pair of booties below. I didn't think I'd be able to wear them to work at all, but after paying much more attention to how people dress in court, I noticed women take the most sartorial risks with their shoes. I've seen booties, knee-high boots, platform heels, brightly colored heels, animal prints and more. So, I didn't feel too out of place when I wore this outfit. Plus, if I had to, I could remove the scarf and I'd look pretty darn normal. Do you wear "safe" shoes to work or do you take some risks?

Downside to this outfit - the lining in my skirt was peeking out like this all day! Maybe I shrunk the boucle part of the skirt in the dryer?

Blazer: Theory

Blouse: Old Navy

Skirt: Ann Taylor (similar)

Belt: Forever 21 (similar)

Scarf: Cynthia Rowley (similar)

Booties: Madden Girl (similar)

Sunglasses: Cotton On (similar)

30 x 30 Day 8: Black & White & Red All Over

I'm curious how other people go about choosing their outfits. For me, I usually think "I really want to wear THIS item today!!" and then find things that go with it. Today, it was this red blouse. I was able to get this blouse at Bebe (when I returned a blouse my mom bought me for my birthday that had sheer panels in places that showed your bra??? WTF Bebe!) for something like $20! I hadn't shopped at Bebe in years but they had a LOT of cute stuff on the sale rack with an extra 30 or 50% off. I like this outfit because it's got a simple color scheme that I could also easily translate for work by switching out the bottoms and shoes. I really don't own any red in my closet except this blouse and my new red dress pants (which the blog hasn't seen yet!). Aside from making me look even more pale than usual (but pale is the new tan, right? RIGHT?) I don't think I was giving red a fair chance. Maybe I'll have to get some more red items now. Do you have any colors that you just don't wear for some reason?

Jacket: Theory

Blouse: Bebe (extra 30% off online)

Jeans: Forever 21 (similar)

Booties: Madden Girl (similar)

Necklace: Forever 21 (similar)

Bracelet: Ann Taylor

Bag: Loeffler Randall (bag also now comes in a pretty mint and MINI size!)
Lips: Revlon Lip Butter in Candy Apple

30 x 30 Day 6 & 7: Gingham & Black

I mentioned that I had to wear a suit a few times this week, so I only took 1 picture and since its pretty boring I added it in with another outfit so as to not waste a post on boringness. I was really digging this first outfit last weekend when I wore it to a friend's birthday pregame. I liked this outfit because the pink gingham is super girly and a little bit country, while the black leather jacket is the complete opposite. Of course, it was about 85 degrees the night I wore this outfit so I ditched the jacket and left it in the car. In the 2nd outfit, I ended up posting a pic of my bag hanging like that specifically to show how HUGE IT IS. I carried all my files to court today plus all the normal things I carry in my purse (wallet, phone, gum, etc.) and there was so much more room. It's so practical I love it.

Jacket: ASOS

Shirt: J. Crew

Jeans: Forever 21 (similar)

Necklace: Forever 21 (similar)

Bracelet: Ann Taylor

Watch: Michael Kors

Bag: Longchamp

Heels: Corso Como

Lips: Revlon Lip Butter in Gumdrop

Jacket: Theory

Dress: BCBG (similar)

Shoes: Ann Taylor

Bag: Michael Kors

Necklace: Danielle Stevens (similar)