Closet Ultimatum #8 - Navy Top

Last weekend, John and I ventured to Des Moines, IA with his parents.  The guys went to the Nascar race, and the girls went to the outlet mall!  Everyone wins! 

The above photo was my attempt to merge a new skirt with a shirt from my Closet Ultimatum.  This top is great, except for the fact that the neck is a giant scoop and completely indecent from certain angles.  So, this shirt is going in the sell pile!

Here's what I actually wore to work:

Much better!   And can I just add that this skirt was $8.80!  I love finding good deals.  And I am that girl who will awkwardly tell people how much my clothing costs if they compliment me.  I try not to, but I just can't help it!  Please tell me I'm not the only one!  

Top #1: DKNY
Top#2: Mossimo/Target
Belt: Francesca's
Skirt: Bass
Shoes: Anne Klein

Smoke

At my office, the smokers hang out on the West side of the building.  This just happens to be right by the door I use.  It also happens to be right outside my office windows.  This arrangement can lead to some awkward moments.

Fluorescent lighting gives me a headache, so I rely on keeping my blinds open so the natural light can stream in.  The problem is that people stand right outside my window to smoke.  Depending on where the sun is, they might be able to see me, or they might just see their own reflection.  I either feel like a zoo animal, or I get to watch a random person using my window as a mirror.  Sometimes, I awkwardly close the blinds.

The other problem is when I arrive or leave and have to walk through the cloud of smoke.  I try to just hold my breath for a few seconds, and that usually works.  On the day I wore this outfit, I was coming back from lunch, and a lady was sitting right by the door smoking.   As I was walking by (holding my breath), she said "wow, those are really cute shoes!"  and then proceeded to ask me several questions about where I got them, and when it was, because maybe they would still have some...  I didn't want to be rude, so I just chatted with her for a few minutes and tried not to breath very much.  I'm sure I looked really cool. 

Tank: Gap
Skirt: George
Shoes: Old Navy

Story of a Girl

I heard "Absolutely (Story of a Girl)" on the radio the other day, and was like "yeah, this is my jam!" and remembered my angsty teenage years, when I thought this was pretty much my theme song.  Probably every other 15 year old girl thought the same thing.  (No?  I'm just a weirdo?)

I mean, how was this not about me?

• My hair never falls in quite the same way
• I never run out of things to say
• I "cried a river" pretty frequently - I'm an emotional girl!  It's gotten better, I promise.

Of course, I just ignored the lyrics that I didn't understand, or didn't apply to me (no holes in the soles of my shoes).  

Now that I'm older and wiser, I suspect songwriters just throw a bunch of quirky behavior into their lyrics, so every girl in the world will relate to the song.  I guess that's okay.  

Please tell me I'm not alone here - are there any songs you thought were about you?  Like every green-eyed girl in the world did with Coldplay's "Green Eyes"? 

Skirt and Cardigan: Gap
Tank Top: H&M
Shoes: BCBGeneration

Sha la la, sha la la lo li

I had to take a break from my challenge to rock my new shoes.  These were $13 at Marshall's in Des Moines and I just had to bring them home with me.  I mean, sometimes a lady just needs some ridiculous polka dot shoes. 

I made the mistake of wearing them on a day when I had to walk back and forth to the main building a few times, and the pleather straps kind of tore my feet up.  Nothing that can't be solved by some strategically placed toe band-aids!

After work, I went to a baby shower for a co-worker.  It was a baseball themed shower, and one of the games involved spinning around a bat, and then running to the other side of the room and putting a diaper on a Cabbage Patch Kid.  I took my shoes off for this game, for fear that I might break an ankle.  Baby showers are dangerous places.  

Dress: Ann Taylor
Belt: Limited
Shoes: Madden Girl

Closet Ultimatum #7 - Blue Top

This top is one of those that ends up in my ironing pile and then I never wear it.  I like it, I just hate ironing.

I think I should either get a maid to iron for me, or consign this shirt.  Which option is more financially responsible?

In other news, my hair looks kind of ombre in these pictures.  I dyed it a darker brown last week, and it looks like the ends really took the dye better than the middle.   Blogger also doesn't think "ombre" is a word.  What's up with that?  Also, whenever I talk about ombre, I think of being hungry in Spanish.  "Tengo hambre" anyone? 

Top: Loft
Skirt: Express
Belt: Old Navy
Shoes: Carlos Santana 

Closet Ultimatum #6 - Plum Sweater

This outfit, featuring Item #6 in the Closet Ultimatum Challenge, has been declared one of John's most favorite outfits.  With that in mind, I think I should keep the sweater!

I bought it at Gap Outlet in Tempe, AZ in February of 2011 when I was visiting a friend.  There's nothing really wrong with it, but it ended up in the back of my closet and I haven't worn it at all this summer, so I added it to the maybe pile.  I guess I should add it to the regular rotation!

You can't really tell from the pictures, but the top is really a dark purple shade.  For some reason, it looks brown in the photos.

I also need to watch some tutorials about putting hair in a bun.  Since my hair is basically velcro unto itself, I just tie it in a knot when I want a bun.  I need something a little more classy looking!  

Top and Skirt: Gap
Shoes: BCBGeneration
Pearls: gift from a friend (from China)

Trifecta Tuesday - White Belt

Last week, I started my new "Trifecta Tuesday" theme, and then I started my Closet Ultimatum Challenge the next day, so I am doing 2 posts today to get them both in!  I'm also going to piggy back on my outfit post from today, where I am wearing my white belt from Francesca's.  Belts are a great way to add interest to an outfit.  Here's 3 ways I have worn this one:

Dress and Cardigan

Belt a cardigan over a dress to cinch your waist and add break up the continuous color. 

Skinny jeans and blouse

With a blouse-y top and skinny jeans - again to define the waist and add some interest. 

Dress as a Skirt

And finally, one of my favorite new tricks!  Wear a dress as a skirt with one belt on the inside and one belt on the outside.

So there you go - white belt trifecta!