Dressed Down

[dress: Forever 21; sandals: DSW; necklace: Dress Barn; earrings: Ruche]

I had loftier ambitions for this outfit until I realized that I'd be wearing it on a super hot day in the middle of a hectic week of state standardized testing at work.  Dressier, colorful shoes and jewelry were quickly substituted by neutral accessories and flat sandals.  I don't let this dress flex its casual muscle often like I do maxi dresses.  This chiffon-esque material usually looks more formal in my mind, I guess.  Well, take that, fake-fancy fabric!  I will use alliteration and pair you with whatever accessories I want!

Pencil Sweats

 [top, cami, and skirt: Old Navy; heels: Target; necklace: New York & Co.; earrings: Forever 21]

Holy cow, you guys.  This skirt is super comfy.  They're like the sweat pants of pencil skirts.  Stacy and Clinton would gag at the elastic waistband, but I don't care, 'cause these look super sharp and, surprisingly enough, held their shape really well throughout the day despite being the same material as my snuggliest pajamas.  I'm one step closer to being able to flop on my bed and fall asleep immediately after coming home from work without needing to change my clothes!  Thanks, pencil sweats!

Today, I'm linked up with What I Wore Wednesday.  And once again, for your viewing pleasure, a puppy photobomb:

Thrown Together

[top: Forever 21; jeans: Old Navy: heels: Payless; necklace: Target]

I try to be really organized and put together.  My desk at work look like I have OCD with everything in its proper place, and I have the rest of the school year planned down to the minute.  My planned week's worth of outfits is the stuff of legend.  Not with this outfit.  This could not have been more haphazardly thrown together.  The only think I originally planned was this top with these heels.  The original pants were in the bottom of the laundry.  This top is WAY see-through so I had to get something to put on underneath it.  This isn't even an original necklace!  I saw it at Target, loved the color and size, but if had this wire frog/flower thing that I really didn't want, but I freaking loved that necklace.  Then it occurred to me where I was: Target.  A land of cheap jewelry.  I bought it, then twisted off the rings that fastened the frog/flower to the necklace, successfully detaching it.  Then I linked the necklace back up, and thus, this necklace was reborn.  I had never been so exhausted putting an outfit together in my life.

And to leave you with the cutest photobomb:

Peplum-ish

[top and necklace: Forever 21; jeans: Old Navy; wedges: DSW]

Between the two of us, I don't think the peplum trend is for me.  My hips are pretty voluminous as it is, and I was never a fan of the idea of adding more volume to that area.  This top is peplum-ish without being too exaggerated, but I'm not completely sure.  I really like the print, but the elastic waistband hits me at a funny spot that may create either a drop-waist effect or a blousy effect depending on which side of my love handles I pull it down to/it slides up to (yeah, this just got real).  Maybe the peplum just isn't right for my body right now.  Once I drop some weight, maybe I'll try again, but for now, I must pass...and hit the gym more often.

Give Brown a Chance

[dress: ModCloth; chambray shirt and belt: Old Navy; wedges: Amazon.com]

It's been a long time since I've used big, honkin' belts to define my waist, but I've seen this look float around the interwebs for a while and thought I'd give it a shot.  Aside from having to yank my shirt back down when I flail too much (my job sometimes involves flailing), I was pretty pleased with how it turned out!  I originally planned to use a black belt and heels, but I think the brown turned out much better than I expected it to.  For some reason, I don't usually gravitate to brown when I have to pick staple colors, and in this case, accessories.  I'm not really sure why brown has such a bad rap in my mind.  Am I the only one who thinks this?  That black is just a lot better than brown for clothing?  Well, the color brown, please accept my most humble apologies for passing on you so many times.  Here and now, I vow to make the effort to include my brown in my outfits.  I will give brown a chance!

Easy Enough

  

 

top: Old Navy; pants: The Limited; wedges: Urban Outfitters; necklace and earrings: Forever 21]

I hit the snooze button about five too many times this morning, which is a sign that I need an easy Monday.  This outfit's easy enough, and I put on the five-minute version of my normal makeup routine (God bless Carmindy from What Not to Wear).  The only heavy lifting I had to do was keeping these earrings from sagging below my shoulders.  They're a fun, flashy piece when I need one, but boy, do they stretch the earlobes.  Overall, the day went fine until one of my coworkers complimented my "high-heeled sneakers," and I almost died.  Do you remember high-heeled sneakers?  Ugh.

Ties and Wides

[top: The Limited; jeans: Old Navy; wedges: DSW; earrings: kluster via Etsy]

Not much leading into the weekend but bright tops, fun accessories, and loose denim.  May the weekend be everything you need it to be!