Unwrapped

Sweater & Tank (Limited); Leggings (Old Navy): Boots (Impo find at Marshalls)

Turkey hangover?  Check.  Case of the Mondays?  Triple Check.

The work day after a long  holiday weekend always requires extra motivation, effort, caffeine, and boots with the fur. So alright Monday let's do this... I typically wear this sweater as a wrap dress, so I was pleasantly surprised that it converts nicely to a cardigan when I unwrap and tie it.  Not to mention it's 24/7 Christmas music from here until the 25th - which makes this Monday a little better :)

Jeggings

Jacket (Kohls); Sweater (H&M); Scarf (Loft); Belt (Target);
Jeggings (Nordstrom Rack); Boots (Nine West)

Jeggings are somewhat confusing to me... Are they jeans that look like leggings, or leggings that look like jeans?  For something that falls somewhere between jeans and leggings, I guess they are the tofu of denim (or "facon" if you are a Modern Family watcher).  In any case, I am a fan of anything that naturally expands after a big meal... so whether you are having tofurkey or turkey for Thanksgiving - jeggings may just be the perfect pants for the meal :)

In Living Color

Dress (Banana Republic); Scarf (Cynthia Rae); Tights & Earrings (The Limited);
Socks (Kohls); Boots (Nine West); 

I felt the need to be colorful today - so I combined pretty much all of my bold colored pieces just for the fun of it.  Speaking of In Living Color - I remember watching this show when I was in middle school... and I still laugh thinking about Jamie Foxx as Wanda the Massage Therapist, Jim Carrey as Fire Marshall Bill, and Damon Wayans as Homey D. Clown.  Viewership disclaimer: keep in mind it was the early 90's :)

Rebel

Sweater (Loft); Skirt & Earrings (The Limited); Belt (Old Navy); Tights & Sunglasses (Target);
Shoes (Nine West); Jacket (Kohls)

Adding the motorcycle jacket to this skirt gave me enough edge to feel like a rebel (that and the candy cigarettes in my purse)... I've been looking for the perfect pleated skirt, and found this at The Limited for under $20, and managed to resist the urge to get one in every available color.  So if I'm going to be a rebel, I suppose I need a cause - how about doggy daycare at work?  Yes, that and guilt free ice cream that tastes that real ice cream... 

Red Means Go

Dress & Shirt (Loft); Sweater (Banana Republic Outlet); Tights (Kohls); Boots (Nine West); Sunglasses (Charming Charlie); Earrings & Bracelet (Gifts)


Wearing a bold color can be like a shot of caffeine - you move quicker, accomplish more, and are ready for anything...   In this case, red definitely means go!  Not to be confused with yellow -  which means stop, especially in Chicago. When the $200 ticket for "running a red light" came in the mail, I was outraged!  Clearly this was a mistake! Oh, but they included a link to the video of the crime in action...  And there I am, speeding up at a yellow light.  Oops.... I must have been wearing red ;)

Get Shorty

Sweater, Shirt & Tights (The Limited); Shorts (Gap); Boots (Nine West); Necklace (Cherie Consignment Boutique); Sunglasses (Charming Charlies); Earrings (Nordstrom)

Shorts with tights is such a fun way to winterize a summer staple. Plus, you can't help but feel a little rock and roll! Even if you aren't a fan of your legs, this style still works with the right tights and length of shorts. When my Dad and brother saw me in this outfit, I'm pretty sure they thought I was insane (I recall one of them saying, what are you wearing?), but most of the time guys just don't get it (fashion or otherwise)... It's a good thing I dress for myself and not for da boys :)

Cranberry & Cream

               

Sweater (Arden B); Shirt & Earrings (The Limited); Skirt (Gap); Tights (Target): Boots (Nine West): Sunglasses (JCPenney)

I love the combination of cranberry and cream. The contrast in light and dark is so pretty, and the colors remind me of the holidays - which I still can't believe were only two weeks ago! Doesn't it seem like Christmas was months ago? Not to mention cranberry and cream also makes me hungry... google those two words and you'll find more recipes for fabulous looking cheese tarts, pies, and cakes. Have I mentioned I'm not great in the kitchen? That means I will be enjoying my Cap'n Crunch cereal, since the Crunch Berries are the closest thing I'll get to cranberries.

Lake Effect

Scarf (Macy's); Sweater (The Limited); Leggings (Victoria's Secret); Boots (Impo find at Marshalls)

This picture was taken by a lake near my hometown in Wisconsin.  I'm certainly feeling the holiday hangover!  I was lucky enough to spend a week at home with my family - it was nice to just relax  and be a kid again. There's something about being back home that makes me feel that way... not a care in the world, getting annoyed with my younger brother (love you Daniel!), and remembering how nice it was when we all lived under the same roof.  The week at home certainly flew by... and Rex is wondering where everyone went and why he's stuck with just me again ;)

Royalty

Sweater (The Limited); Leggings (Old Navy); Scarf (Francesca's); Boots (Impo find at Marshalls); Watch (Fossil); Earrings (Nordstrom)

Between the deep purple sweater, leopard scarf, and faux fur boots I feel like this look should come with royal subjects, a throne, and a crown (unfortunately it doesn't).  It's fun to let your personality or attitude on a given day be revealed through your clothes - rocker, elegant, laid back, cute, edgy... And today's outfit made me feel like royalty. I really should have been carrying Rex in a cute bag to finish off this look :)

Matrix Boots

Dress (Target); Socks (Kohls); Boots (Nine West); Sunglasses (JC Penney); Cocktail Ring (Banana Republic); Watch (Fossil); Zorbitz Karma Bracelet (LuckyVitamin.com); Pearls (JCPenney)

When I wore this outfit to work, one of my coworkers commented on my "matrix boots", and at first I just stared at him... and then I decided to embrace it!  1999 was a good year and The Matrix is a great movie - I'm honored to represent the futuristic fashion ;)  I got this shirt dress from Target and I wish I had it in every color... it's such an effortlessly pulled together look.  And the combo of my matrix boots and easy going shirt dress is fun and unexpected, yet tough.  Seriously, who's gonna mess with these boots?

Struttin Boots

Shirt (The Limited); Vest (Marshalls); Jeans (Express); Boots (Impo find at Marshalls); Sunglasses (JCPenney); Pendant (Vintage)

These boots certainly were made for struttin!  And not only because they were total steal at under $50 from Marshalls...  They also do the impossible of making my size 9 and a half clown feet look like a respectable size 7, and for that I cannot thank them enough :)  The faux fur is so fun and has an element of luxe that only a fur look at accomplish.  I'm not sure Rex likes them though - he is very confused by the furry things on my feet!

Weekend Favorite

Sweater (Loft); Layering T-Shirt (Old Navy); Leggings (Victoria's Secret); Socks (Kohls); Shoes (Macy's); Belt (Target); Sunglasses (Target)



A sweater over leggings with boots is a weekend favorite for me... it's simple, comfortable, and still looks pulled together. Pairing knee high socks with boots is a great way to stay warm, and it's an easy update to your boots without spending a lot of money.  Plus it works with leggings, skinny jeans, skirts, dresses, and tights.   Is it Friday yet???

Poncho Chic

Sweater (H&M); Layering T (Old Navy); Leggings (Victoria's Secret); Hat (Francesca's); Boots (Payless)

What's better than wearing a blanket all day? And when you add leggings, you really can't get much more comfortable!  And these gray boots from Payless are the perfect shopping boot. The importance of shopping in flats is something I realized the Black Friday I went shopping in Chicago in 4+ inch heeled boots...  By hour 5 I literally couldn't walk (oops!).  And the houndstooth fedora finishes off the black/white color contrast - plus it's just fun :)

Denim & Leather

Sweater (Marshalls); Vest (Macy's); Skirt (Stolen from my Mom); Tights (Kohls); Boots (Nine West find at Marshalls); Earrings (Kohls); Sunglasses (Kohls)

If I could wear this leather skirt every day I would... It's one of my favorite things - not only because it's utterly fabulous, but because my Mom used to rock it back it in the day.  Brown and black is such a great combo, and adding the blue in the vest and earrings brings in some nice color.  Not sure I'm biker rally ready, but I certainly feel tough in this denim and leather look :)