More Spring!

Bare legs to work for the second time!

I love the color combination  of this shirt, which I found at Benetton in spring 09 for $20, but it kinda makes me look pregnant (which I'm not). I do, however, have one heckuva stomach ache, perhaps from a moldy bagel from which I took two bites today.

neutrals

Skirt and Shirt

black tie

There is a tie on this sweater, and it's black. Black tie. I tie it into a bow. Bow tie. How poetic, no? (snark)

Yup. Monday.

Here's the shirt I referenced in this post. I have to say I am so glad I got this shirt for $30 because there is no way it's worth $98 (the original price). The fabric reminds me of the consistency and quality of little girls' dance costumes from the 1980s.

And that's fine, but not for nearly $100.

I'm wearing J. Crew's bistro pants here after their first machine wash. Even though the label says they're machine washable, let me tell you: They're not!

They shrunk upwards two inches and immeasurably in the thighs (I was almost hesitant to wear them to work, but figured they're dark pants and my thighs aren't curvy, so the clubbin' pants effect isn't happening here, phew).

Like I Mean Business

When I need to dress like a pro, this is my go-to jacket. Today I had an important work event, so I wore this silver satin J. Crew number that I've worn a few times now. Got it as a gift from the parents as a post-graduate-good-luck-on-job interviews thing. And it did provide good luck!

One last stab at black?

I figure today is the last day before summer that I will wear my favorite color comination ever: black and navy. Because this color combination might not look right in the summer, and it's going to BE SUMMER SOON.

Right, Chicago? Right? You're not going to give me any more reason to turn the heater on, are you, now?

Because one of my favorite Chicago events, Art Chicago, is coming in less than two weeks, and in my mind it marks the beginning of warm weather and sitting outside at restaurants. Glorious!

Magenta & stripes

Yeah... that's a short dress. There is no amount of cropping this photo that can make that not look like a short dress. It shrunk in the wash, so I think it is now officially retired from my work wardrobe. If any of you online shopping sleuths see a thrifty black sheath dress to wear under cardigans, please alert me!

Corwin Cardigan Champ

I really love to wear J. Crew's Corwin cardigan, which is just one of the latest of the retailer's many versions of a Long Mr. Rogers Sweater. It's light enough to feel like spring clothing but warm and stylish enough to be practical.

There's something about this color ("natural") that goes with everything light pink and light purple--which I love to wear! For example, this J. Crew tuxedo tissue t-shirt ($20).

And I'm looking forward to wearing it with the iris embroidery tank, which I just ordered for $30 (it was originally $98!).

Spring colors

Happy weekend!

linen jacket!

What a pair

...and by "What a pair," I am referring to me and The Cat. We're buds.

Oh, and the pants. They're quite a pair because they're dressy and gray and therefore go with everything.

It was risky, wearing a t-shirt to work, but I hoped the "shiz" on it (to borrow a term from Pudding and the Post Fab Princess), counteracted the casualness.

Also observe how white my feet are! So white they match my white shoes. I'm hoping to obtain a bit of cancer-free color this summer before our destination wedding in the ragingly sunny Virgin Islands.

Very Versatile

Here's my relatively new gray dress--Tahari by Arthur S. Levine. I got it from an online Macy's sale for $100. Gulp. That's right--onehunnydollas.

Which is a lot, and which might cause the astute reader to say, "But, StuffIWear, don't you call yourself penurious? What's so penurious about spending a whole Ben Franklin on a dress?"

To which I respond, "That is the problem with labeling one's self. One can come off as a hypocrite," and "It's so versatile! Swap out the belt, cardigan/jacket and tights, and the outfit possibilities are endless!"

And besides, the designer grew up in an Israeli orphanage, so he deserves the karma points in the form of my dollars, right?

(Dress worn previously in this post)

Annalise Shirt, Take Two

Remember in this post, when I talked about how I got a sweet ($30) deal on this pink blouse but wondered if it made me look like a clown? Or like I was wearing a lei?

Well, I think I improved on that look by wearing this v-neck sweater cardigan with it. Then, actually, you can't tell if the collar is some sort of funky necklace or part of the sweater or what. But it works!

In the meantime, My Man and I are off to New York to indulge in two of my favorite things: art museums and musical theater! He is such a good sport. He likes museums, too. And he wants to ride the Staten Island Ferry, so we'll do that as well.

In the meantime, have a good weekend, all.

old-timey foto

Not the best picture, I admit... but I was trying to adjust the balance on the image to once again demonstrate that my outfit is not all black. Hmmm... might have to start rousing My Man early in the morning again to take pictures with the camera so I can get a clear shot. I usually like to take a picture on the laptop as soon as I come home from work, and I'm usually home before he is.

On a totally random note, I was just cruising the Internet and realized that Sarah Michelle Gellar and Freddie Prinze Jr. are still married (since 2002). In Hollywood years, that's a LONG time! I thought of that because I think they'd play the movie version of My Man and me (or so I flatter myself into thinking, he he he).

Third time's a charm

If this outfit looks familiar, that's because it was first featured here and then re-purposed here.
I love wearing this outfit to work. The pencil skirt keeps it classy, the flowery blouse keeps the ensemble from looking bland, and the black-and-blue combination makes it safe without being too safe.

As a side note, I have had zero desire to purchase anything for several weeks now--this despite more than a couple J. Crew rollouts.

Not that I'm complaining about my lack of appetite--my bank account is smiling because of it. But there is nothing out there that would complete my closet. Judging by lookbooks of various mass retailers, I might be at this plateau for awhile (until we come into unexpected fortune and I can buy as many Pucci dresses as I want).

It's not just for Easter

Easter brings together two of my all-time favorite things: purple and chocolate!

Merry weekend!

Black & blue