Senior Pictures

Dress & Shirt (Gap); Sweater (Limited); Shoes (Ellen Tracy find at Marshalls);
Watch (Fossil); Earrings (Nordstrom)
Bryan B Photography

While looking at these pictures I had major Deja Vu... I had seen them before.  The beige sweater... the pose with my hand to my face...  It was 1999, and my high school senior pictures.  Oh what I would tell that girl if I could go back in time. Definitely to study less and pretend to like keg beer during my college years, and to take myself less seriously, be patient, and enjoy the ride...  I really should start listening to myself ;)

Red Hat Society

Top (Metro City find at Marshalls); Skirt (Limited); Shoes (Jessica Simpson)
Bryan B Photography

There are certain color combinations that are like uniforms. Navy and white literally takes me back to my uniform days in middle school.. Red and khaki instantly makes me feel like a Target employee... And today's red and purple makes me feel like a member of the Red Hat Society.  Although if I was a member, I'd have to wear pink and lavender to the society's events until reaching my 50th birthday.  I've seen these groups out before and they always look like they are having the best time...  A society for women that celebrates sisterhood while wearing fabulous hats? Count me in :)

Outlet Success

Blouse (Limited): Skirt (Banana Republic Outlet); Shoes (BCBG find at TJMaxx);
Bryan B Photography

Going to the outlet mall can be a lot like a first date... it's exciting, you have all high expectations, and you don't want to waste your time.  And I've been burned in the past... I've walked into Gap outlet encouraged by a window display to find everything inside boring, and I wonder if the prices truly are better.  But I had a fabulous first date experience at the Banana Republic outlet store where I found this skirt. It's completely my type and came at a perfect price ($12).  And like successful first dates, this experience gave me hope for my future of outlet shopping.  And if you must know, the date did end with kiss :)

Multiple Personalities

Dress (Nine West find at Marshalls); Skirt (JCPenney); Shoes (Tahari find at Marshalls)
Necklace (Consignment Shop); Earrings (Nordstrom); Bryan B Photography

This dress has multiple personalities... it can channel a retro vibe (seen here), double as a skirt (seen here), or perfectly compliment a bright skirt (like today).  One piece can be transformed into a variety of different looks - which is just one example of why fashion is so much fun :) You know what else has multiple personalities?  My little Rexxy.  His personalities in order of preference are: sweet and tired cuddle bug; playful ball chaser; wild and crazy gremlin; whiny baby; sassy and insubordinate; and nonstop barker - and if you listen closely, you can probably hear him barking right now... 

Do It Anyway

Top (Loft); Dress (Ralph Lauren, Macys); Belt (H&M);
Shoes (Franco Sarto find at Marshalls); Bryan B Photography

My top has navy stripes, my dress is black, and my shoes and belt are brown.  I've heard you shouldn't combine blue and black.... I've read that brown and black look depressing together... and that pairing blue and brown only works if the blue is a lighter shade.  I've also heard that  shopping doesn't technically count as a cardio workout, and that goldfish crackers shouldn't be served as appetizers.  Well I don't believe any of it!  The next time someone tells you that you can't or shouldn't do something, do it anyway :)