Fake Burberry

Scarf (Kohls); Coat (Calvin Klein via Macy's); Tights (Target);
Shoes (Nine West); Earrings (The Limited)

I am a huge fan of the classic Burberry print.  But since I refuse to spend $375 on a scarf, this means I will sadly never own a real Burberry one. I picked up this look alike at Kohls, and I love wearing the red, taupe, black, and cream print in all it's fake glory.  By the way - this is a great time to score amazing deals on winter coats (case in point, this fun Calvin Klein number!).

Farmer Fabulous

Shirt (Target); Skirt & Tights (The Limited); Necklace (H&M);
Sunglasses (JCPenney); Shoes (Naturalizer)

Flannel shirts remind me of two things: middle school and farmers...  And alliteration won out for this post title - which was the better option since in middle school I was borrowing my Dad's flannel shirts in the attempts to master the grunge look (RIP Kurt Cobain).  I figure the farmer flannel required some manual labor - walking Rex counts right? It was fun to mix the tougher shirt with the girly skirt... which means this outfit officially makes me a tough girl.  Don't believe me?  Have you seen my attack dog?

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 ;)

Friday Find

Cookie Butter (Trader Joe's)

If you have a Trader Joe's in the neighborhood and haven't tried their cookie butter, put it on your bucket list!  I was there for my monthly wine stock up, and it was featured as a bestseller of 2011... I had to try it!  It's basically peanut butter that tastes like gingerbread cookies (translation = amazing).  The label says you can spread it on pancakes, cookies, celery, toast, etc... but those that know me understand my kitchen is where I uncork wine and read mail.  I was literally eating it by the spoonful... and now I have one more thing to pick up on my wine runs :)

1, 2, 3!

Blazer (Kiss/NY); Tank (H&M); Jeggings (Nordstrom); Boots (Nine West); Sunglasses (JCPenney); Bangles (mix of The Limited & JCPenney); Watch (Fossil)

Sometimes a good weekend outfit is as easy as 1, 2, 3!  Step 1. Fun top (preferably with some sparkle). Step 2) Blazer. Step 3) Jeans.  I typically shy away from blazers because they give me flashbacks of bad job interviews... But I was drawn to the casual look of the rolled up and patterned cuffs.  And it's as simple as that!

Heavy Issues

Shirt, Necklace & Tights (The Limited); Skirt (Gap); Shoes (Kohls); Watch (Fossil )

This necklace literally weighs five pounds!  Not only is it heavy, but the stones clang against each other when I walk... which is basically the equivalent of me wearing a cow bell in the office.  This was especially unfortunate since someone put a bag of Hershey's Kisses at a table near my desk - so every one of the seven times I got up to grab one it was quite obvious.  Good thing the printer is also close by... After the third drive by, I took a few extra steps and grabbed a piece of blank paper to try and save face :)

Statement Coat

Coat (Rampage); Sweater (The Gap); Jeggings (Nordstrom); Shoes (Naturalizer); Sunglasses (Kohls); Gloves (Stolen from Mom)

Sometimes you need to make a statement....  And sometimes that statement needs a fun pattern and faux fur.  Having a bold statement coat is wonderful thing - it helps break up the monotony of the sea of black, white and gray winter coats.  Plus, anything with fur seems to lend itself to a little attitude... and a driver.  I feel like this coat should come with a driver... maybe someday :)

Working Pants

Pants, Belt, Sweater, and Cocktail Ring (The Limited); Cardigan (Target); Shoes (Naturalizer Outlet); Bracelet (Corset)

I'm so jealous of all the people who have off from work today! I am a firm believer in three day weekends...  Instead, I have to put on my working pants like a big girl.  I prefer dresses and heels to pants and flats, so this outfit really goes against my normal attire.  I think it's because in my first office job, I wore black pants and a sweater as if it were mandatory.   Only in the past five years have I realized that you don't have to leave your style personality at the door at work.  Unless you are the girl who shows up in a halter top and hot pants... I'm sure HR would have something to say about that :)

Friday Find

Duffy: Rockferry album cover (image from pop musicology)

Duffy’s 2008 Rockferry album is one of my favorites.  The soulful and bluesy style combined with her haunting voice makes every song worth listening to over and over.  If you have loved and lost, you can relate to how each song puts music to the emotional roller coaster of sorrow, pain, anger, and release…  If you have done any of the following, there is a song on this album for you:

- Taken someone back you shouldn't (Stepping Stone)

- Made the difficult choice to move on (Rockferry)

- Closed the door on a relationship (Warwick Avenue)

- Wanted to be closer to someone (Serious)

- Stayed with someone even though you know it's over (Hanging On Too Long)

- Realized you are better and stronger after moving on (Delayed Devotion)

The Aristocrats

Scarf (Gift - QVC); Sweater (Marshalls); Jeans (Express); Shoes (Franco Sarto find at Marshalls); Earrings & Cocktail Ring (The Limited): Bracelets (mix of JCPenney, Nordstrom, and stolen from Mom); Sunglasses (Charming Charlie)

This faux fur scarf is so warm, luxurious, and has a great vintage vibe.  Adding a fur scarf to anything instantly glams up an outfit (especially my boring sweater and jeans).  Fair warning that a fur scarf may lead to the following:  starting your sentences with the word “darling”,  a strong desire for tea and crustless sandwhiches, and the false  presumption you are an aristocrat.  Not to be confused with “the aristocrats” – a joke I have accepted I will never fully understand…

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.

Puffy Vest

        



Vest (Gap); Shirt (Gap); Dress (Chill/NY); Leggings (Old Navy): Boots (Nine West); Earrings (Nordstrom); Bracelet (Loft)

Typically I reserve my puffy vest for casual events like football games, grocery shopping, or walking Rex.  I rarely think to pair it will something worn on a day I shower and put makeup on - but it works!  Adding this vest to my dress/shirt combo pulls it all together and creates some edge to this outfit... not to mention the functionality of adding some warmth when you don't need or want to wear a coat.  Gotta love a piece that can make the transition from dog park to happy hour!

Friday Find

Scotch(R) Black Stiletto Tape Dispenser (Office Max)

Your workspace can now be as stylish as the rest you with the Scotch Black Stiletto Tape Dispenser.  Seriously how cute is this!?  I have tape buried in several drawers since I can never seem to remember which one it's been thrown in - but with this adorable heel dispenser I can proudly put my tape on display and liven up my desk...  Fashion forward tape?  Why not!!!  Thank you Kaye for this fabulous Friday Find!!!

Just Add Stripes

    

Sweater Dress & Belt (The Limited); Shirt (Loft); Belt (The Limited): Leggings (Kohls); Shoes (Naturlizer Outlet); Earrings (Nordstrom); Sunglasses (Target)



 I love a good sweater dress - especially one with long sleeves. However just wearing the gray dress on it's own felt a little blah...  So I added stripes! Stripes are one of the best and easiest ways to add pattern and interest to any outfit - be it under a blazer, with a vest, or layering under a sweater...  Stripes and scarves are a boring outfit's best friend - and if you can find a good striped scarf, well then you've really hit the jackpot :)

Winter Blues

            

Coat (Calvin Klein find at Marshalls); Hat (Kohls); Necklace (H&M); Gloves (Target); Tights (Kohls); Shoes (Nine West)

I think winter white is one of the most perfect colors - so chic, so versatile, and always in style. Yes I'm debuting my $5 Target gloves... and I love how they bring some personality to this look. With a basic pallet, it's easy to add a few colorful accessories to make an outfit more interesting. And even though it's a little matchy matchy, I like how the purse and hat compliment each other... And that's the best kind of winter blues :)

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 ;)

Welcome 2012!

I just love this quote from Oprah - and if we are lucky, we all get another day, week, and year to get it right.  I don't know about you, but I am glad to have 2011 behind me and ready to start a new chapter.  Here's to a fabulous new year, and the adventures, opportunities, and experiences it will bring.  And yes, Rex rang in the new year with a birthday hat... close enough :)