Dress Remix

Dress (Target); Heels (Jessica Simpson find at Marshalls); Necklace (H&M);
Earrings (Nordstrom)

I love how a few subtle changes can completely recreate a look. Like this dress...  For a more casual look I paired it with wedges and tights in this post from March last year, and then wore the dress as a shirt in this post last August.  Hair up, nude heels, and a statement necklace fancy up this T-shirt dress for a mid-week Sushi date.  Remixes don't have to be overly complicated... a few tweaks and you'll find you can quickly change up a piece to create a look for any occasion :)

Same... but Different

Dress (Banana Republic Outlet); Scarf (Calvin Klein find at Marshalls);
Shoes (Target); Earrings (Nordstrom)

I recently found this bright lime scarf at Marshalls and thought it was perfect for Spring/Summer... and I also thought it would be a great contrast to the color blue.  And then I got a serious case of deja vu.  I have a very similar scarf, and had created a very similar color combo (original post here).  One could argue that the scarves are a different color and pattern = but the truth is I basically just bought the same scarf.  But it's okay - it makes the 10 shades of the same lip gloss color I own seem a bit less crazy :) 

The Blues

Shirt (Marshalls); Pants (The Limited); Shoes (Nine West);
Sunglasses (Charming Charlie);
Belkis-Cruz Photography

Since I'm covered in blues... it got me thinking about the blues.  Typically every 45 days or so I need to have a good cry - which I swear is as powerful and necessary as any good cleanse. And even when I have nothing substantial to cry about and (yes, bad hair days and pimples are substantial) - it feels good to release the crap that builds up in everyday life and start fresh.  A good cry helps me to get rid of all the emotional toxins that build up from things like that A-hole driver going under the speed limit in the left lane, the fight I had with my stubborn mom (I may be equally as stubborn), the fact that my favorite lip gloss color has been discontinued, that I got so far behind in Grey's Anatomy I deleted them all from my DVR, and that I spilled all over one of my favorite dresses only to realize it's dry clean only (damn it!) - these are all things that make the agenda for my next big cry... what's on your agenda?

Neutral

Dress (AGB find at Marshalls); Necklace (Consignment Shop); Shoes (Tahari find
at Marshalls); Sunglasses (Charming Charlie); Earrings (Nordstrom)
Belkis-Cruz Photography

When I got this dress I was so excited to add a pair of fun colored heels or a bold neon statement necklace... but every time I've worn it I've paired it with other neutral colors and minimal jewelry   And it's okay.  Overthinking things always leads me down a path best left alone... and this simple dress with it's 20's inspired flair is also best left alone.  Speaking of the 20's - did anyone see The Great Gatsby this weekend? I hope the movie lived up to those amazing previews!

Ruffles & Pinstripes

Shirt & Skirt (The Limited); Shoes (Nine West); Watch (Michael Kors);
Sunglasses (Charming Charlie); Earrings (Nordstrom)
Belkis-Cruz Photography

Feminine ruffles and a structured pencil skirt are a perfect combo for an easy and appropriate look for the office.  And that that warmer weather has finally found its way to Minneapolis, Rex enjoyed a trip to the dog park this week... It was a highly anticipated 25 minutes of running around like an uncaged beast and marking his territory on literally every bush and tree in the park - the smile says it all :)

Primary

Dress & Shirt (Loft); Scarf (Jones New York find at Marshalls);
Shoes (Jessica Simpson find at Marshalls); Earrings (Nordstrom)
Belkis-Cruz Photography

There is something that feels very elementary with primary colors... like I should be carrying a box of crayolas and a juice box (PS how awesome would it be if I walked into my next meeting armed with both?).  This bold and colorful look seems appropriate for the day after Cinco de Mayo - hopefully the tequila haze has settled and you are ready for the week. My travel schedule for work has been insane lately and I'm extremely happy to be in town this entire week... it will be spent doing important things like laundry, grocery shopping and enjoying some long overdue happy hours ;)

Downtown

Blouse & Pants (Limited); Heels (Naturalizer); Sunglasses (Charming Charlie);
Belkis-Cruz Photography

The undergrad marketing class I teach on Saturday is located in downtown Minneapolis - which is pretty much the only time I'm in the the city.  While I'm a suburban girl at heart, I do love seeing the morning sun highlight skyscrapers as I drive in... and now that we are getting over the 7 month winter we just had - there is an energy unique to downtown that is inspiring and exciting.  And this look captures that energy perfectly :)

Office T-Shirt

Tshirt (Old Navy); Blazer (KISS/NY); Skirt (NY&Co); Necklace (Consignment Shop)
Shoes (Ellen Tracy find at Marshalls ); Watch (Michael Kors)
Belkis-Cruz Photography

I love how you can pair anything with a blazer and it automatically transforms into work appropriate. Things typically reserved for the weekend (a strapless dress, tank top, and T-shirt) can easily be worn to the office with the addition of a blazer and pencil skirt.  And the best part is, all I have to do when I get home from work is put on my sweatpants and I'm ready for weeknight couch and DVR time :)

My Little Toto

Dress (Taylor find at Marshalls); Shirt (Old Navy); Tights (Target);
Boots (Guess find at Marshalls)

Rex is certainly not as tough as he thinks he is... and certainly not as tough as Toto.  Given my country girl meets Dorothy look, I thought some of Toto's courage would transfer to Rex (he did help Dorothy beat the wicked witch after all).  Poor Rex can't even face a bridge...  the entire time we were on it, he hunkered down and tried to slither as far away as possible.  So after a few pictures, we called it quits... and Rex will never be the same (yes, I plan on paying for therapy).

And I'd be remiss if I didn't acknowledge Boston... yet amidst prayers and sadness, it's impossible to make sense of something so senseless. I hope that the good of humanity will rise above the evil of Monday, and that the stories of heroes outnumber the images of tragedy.

Pants Power

Shirt, Necklace & Pants (Limited); Shoes (Naturalizer Outlet);
Sunglasses (Charming Charlie); Watch (Michael Kors)
Belkis-Cruz Photography

I don't know why it's taken me so long to break out of the monotony of black trousers.  When I got my first office job out of college my outfits were predictable: black dress pants and a top.  And on days I'm late or don't have the energy to think (this happens frequently) - I still revert back to that easy formula.  It wasn't until a few years ago that I finally bought a pair of dress pants that weren't black... and it was a game changer.  There is power in colors - and while this still would have worked with black pants, it's a much more fun look with blue :)

Comfortable

Dress (Kohls); Sweater (Banana Republic Outlet); Tights (Target); Shoes (Naturalizer);
Necklace (Consignment Shop); Sunglasses (Charming Charlie)
Nicole Lai Photography

I love a good pencil skirt or fun belt to cinch in a dress... but sometimes I just want to be comfortable.  I removed the belt that came with this dress and to add definition I added this cropped sweater. All day long it felt like I was walking around in my pajamas - and it was awesome.  In other news, apparently Rex is getting too comfortable... got word from the vet the other day that he is about a pound overweight (which is significant when you are all of 8 pounds total.  So it's a strict regime of exercise and diet for this pooch (I hope Rex's grandparents are reading this... that means no people food!).  Given his sad eyes in this picture, I think someone is sensitive about his weight ;)

Sock Hop

Sweater (French Connection find at Marshalls); Skirt (gifted by eShakti); Tights (Target);
Shoes (Nine West);Earrings (Limited); Bracelet (Windsor)
Dave Haas Photography

If I were going to a Sock Hop - this is what I'd wear.  And the fact that this skirt has never been to such a dance is a sad one.  Instead it goes to work with me - which isn't quite as fun since this is a skirt that demands to be twirled (which I may or may not do in the office bathroom when no one else is in there).  And yes that white stuff  is a form of precipitation that should not occur in "Spring" - so we'll just pretend it's not there...