simply vera by vera wang spring 2011 collection...

Living out here…it’s rather difficult to find designer duds…

so I adore designers that come to us!

I could easily go online
or make expensive designer purchases while traveling…

But…really…
what would be the point of that when a majority of my life
 entails a trip to the local market or working at the clinic? 

But…I do like to look fashionable…

without worrying so much about ruining a pricey designer item.

So…for all those fellow farming fashionistas…

I wanted to share a few of my favorite looks

from Vera Wang’s Spring 2011 Collection for Kohls!

The looks I’ve chosen include several of the same pieces…

making it easy to mix and match from head-to-toe…

creating a fabulous spring wardrobe!

Enjoy! I know I will!!

 

~All images are courtesy of Kohls.com~

I’m in the mood for miniskirt suits too…

How psyched was I…

 when I came across an article in Lucky Magazine’s January issue...

 on the return of the miniskirt suits!!

This suit is practically vintage... as I’ve had it for close to 15 years?!

When it passed its style-prime…I couldn’t bear to let it go!

And even though it’s from Maurices…

I considered it an investment piece based on my income at the time.

I ran to the upstairs closet…

where all the “I know it will come back in someday” pieces call home…
(I may be on Hoarders some day?!)
I found it still in like-new condition after all these years!!

I may change out the buttons though.

I thought I’d update it with the textured tights, socks, and boots…

new to this trend…hope I did it ok…go easy on me?! ;-)

This necklace (purchase here) was a birthday present
 from my husband last year…

a heart engraved with a photo of my beloved Binx & Bianca.

I attached it to a sterling silver toggle-chain

as inspired by Tiffany & Co.

Speaking of my beloved…Bianca couldn’t pass a photo-op!

Once the snow subsides…I plan to brighten the suit up with a

crisp white blouse, silver-stud belt, and booties!

I do feel Lucky!!

Miniskirt Suit…Maurices (vintage-esque)

Turtleneck…Kohls

Tights…Simply Vera (Kohls)

Socks…Forever 21

Boots…Curations (HSN)

Coat...Apt.9 (Kohls)

Crossbody bag…Jessica Simpson

Jewelry…Express earrings, Mia Pata Designs necklace,

Kohls ring, NY&Co watch, self-designed ACHS bracelet,

Tiffany&Co bridal set

 

dark and stormy...

Dark and stormy...
just isn't describing the weather!?

My husband decided I needed to get out and see a movie…

maybe cheer me up a bit.

I was definitely in a dark mood

and it reflected in my choice of outfit for the evening...
dark clothes...black accessories...
I usually prefer to add bling and sparkle to such dark pieces.

 I guess this could’ve been a bit of a strong, sexy look…

which is why I hesitated on keeping the sweater after I purchased it…
I'm not strong nor sexy?!

But it felt soft, comfy, and somber that night...
I hope to incorporate it into my wardrobe in a lighter, softer way though?!
Thoughts? Suggestions? (the black ribbon belt is attached)

We saw “The Tourist” and my disposition improved…

it was Johnny and Angelina!?!

Side note:
These were taken a week or so ago...hence the lack of snow?!

Coat…vintage

Sweater…Maurices

Turtleneck…Kohls

Leggings…Kohls

Boots…Kohls

Clutch…Jessica Simpson

Jewelry…Express necklace..

earrings ??..Kohls ring

a short heat wave...??

For some reason…

I was in the mood for shorts…It was only 25 degrees?!

But…this is Ohio…

we find any increase in temperature

a reason to throw on shorts…

going from 15 to 25 degrees is an increase, right?!

Plus…once I have an outfit idea in my head…

It’s rather difficult to change my mind.

I can argue endlessly with…myself…

And I usually never win?!

 Side note:
Doubled up on the tights...a dark brown pair under a chevron pattern...
 (sorry you can't really see the pattern)

Coat…Kohls

Sweater…Charlotte Russe

T-shirt…The Limited

Shorts…Charlotte Russe
Tights...Kohls & TJMaxx

Boots…Wet Seal

Clutch…Gretta (QVC)

Jewelry…Kohls earrings & bracelets..

Style & Co watch..Premier ring

girls day out...

It’s been difficult to get good blog photos…
(not that this is all that blog-worthy)

but I’ve been in my pjs…so this is a step up...

stuck at home with intermittent internet access…

 due to the snowy weather.

Spending all this time trapped in the house with the pooches…

I realized Bianca was in dire need of some pampering.

Well…what I consider pampering…she deems as absolute torture.

(And...no...I didn't color my hair to match theirs...

but it wouldn't surprise anyone who knows me if I did!?)

So I dressed us in girly & festive sparkles…

difficult to discern in these photos...there are silver sparkles

 in my sweater and hat and her Chanel-inspired jacket.

And we spent the afternoon at the "salon"…

(ok…it was her daddy’s vet clinic)

for an afternoon of hair and nails...hers, not mine...
not that he hasn't painted my nails occasionally!?
Yep...I put it out there!!

We left Binx at home...
but I didn't want him to feel left out…

So, I donned him in his finest faux-Burberry…

And I like to believe he is

wishing everyone a Merry Christmas!!

 

Hat…Kohls
Coat…unsure

Sweater…thrift store

Thermal t-shirt…Kohls

Skinny jeans…NY&Co

Boots…Curations (HSN)

Jewelry…Kohls ring

Binx & Bianca’s jackets…special ordered
through a seamstress (I don't even have a tailor!?)

'tis the season...for animal-print...

Another occasion to get into the holiday spirit…

I was invited to attend a Christmas party by a

fabulous lady I met recently at the

Madigral Feaste (seen here).

It was a beautiful evening

 and I had the opportunity to meet some wonderful women.

And…nothing says Christmas like animal-print?!
(and apparently...big hair!?)

I love animals…both in life and print…

and purchased this skirt a few weeks ago…

hoping for the chance to wear it.
It's only one of many leopard/cheetah prints in my closet.

It worked out well…

The lady’s home was decorated not only for the holidays…

but splashes of animal-print throughout…

including some pieces she shared hanging in her closet!

Ahhh…a fellow cheetah-girl!!

I also love jewelry…

and used this as an opportunity to display some of my

recent jewelry creations. 

I hope everyone is getting into the holiday spirit…

either in festive red and green…

or your favorite "Christmas" prints!!

Coat…B.Moss

Sweater…JCPenney

Skirt…JCPenney

Belt…Ebay

Tights…Apt.9 (Kohls)

Boots…Apostrophe (Sears)

Bag…House of Dereon (TJMaxx)

Jewelry…self-designed bracelet & earrings,

 Target ring

green...is...good...

I’m definitely having a green moment…

always a lover of all shades of green…

but for some reason…army green is my current love.

I paired it along with my short, frilly skirt obsession…

And I was feeeelin’ fine…

For a night out…

with my husband’s parents??

Actually…

the only thing difficulty for me that night was the weather…

I would’ve preferred to be wearing my black booties with this outfit…

but the recent snowfall left very little footwear options.

As I look out the window…

it appears that you’ll be seeing me in boots for awhile…

oh…and I’m sure more army green!

Blazer…NY&CO

Cowlneck sweater…unsure

Belt…The Limited

Skirt…Charlotte Russe

Tights…Apt.9 (Kohls)

Boots…Curations (HSN)

Bag…Steve Madden

Jewelry…bracelet (gift from friend),

Modcloth earrings, Target ring

seasonably casual....

To help put me in the holiday spirit…

I accepted an invitation to attend

the Madigral Feaste at a local university

 with eleven fabulous ladies.

(It was dark & snowy...so we stayed indoors...
Bianca didn't miss the opportunity!)

It was a magnificent event filled with song, improv, and delicious food

 put on by the university’s theatre and music departments. 

Originally…I had planned a Jester-inspired dress…

as the evening was to be full of medieval-style entertainment...

then I re-read the invite shortly before leaving…

it read “seasonably casual”??

Knowing where I live and what that meant…

I thought “I don’t own a jingle bell sweater?!”

And was at an absolute loss of what

 “seasonably casual” would be in my closet??

Plus…I relish any opportunity I receive to put on a dress

 and feel all glamorous!?

I settled on this red and black plaid skirt…seasonably…check!

Added a denim jacket…casual...check! 

Christmas bulb-like necklace...totally seasonably...check!

Headed out the door…after kissing the “kids.”

Happy Holidays!!

Also...I was so happy I dug out the floral pins...they prompted a conversation

with a young lady that recently moved out here...she and her

sister enjoy designing stockings, pins, and hairbands.

I hope to feature their fabulous pieces on my blog!

Turtleneck sweater…Kohls

Denim jacket…Levis

Plaid skirt…small boutique in Florida(?)

Tights…Apt. 9 (Kohls)

Boots…Apostrophe (Sears)

Bag…vintage

Jewelry… Jus Jewelry necklace,

Target ring, NY&CO watch

currently obsessing over...short, frilly skirts

Inspired by a couple of my favorite bloggers…

my latest obsession has become

short, frilly skirts.

Formerly…I had a career in banking…

so I was accustomed to wearing skirts.

Typically…knee-length accompanied by a matching blazer.

 (Yawn…)

Don’t doubt that I tried to mix it up as often as possible

 with a brightly-colored cardigan and camisole…

much to my boss’ dismay.

Til now…I had not found a suitable, comfortable option

that would work within my new lifestyle…

until now!!

Along with the denim mini seen (here)…

My latest purchases have been short, frilly, floral skirts…

(even though it’s almost winter?!)

That I pair with layered tights (for extra warmth)…

wooly sweaters…comfy (snow-friendly) boots…

and I feel at ease…warm…yet chic!

Sweater vest…Forever 21

Turtleneck sweater…Kohls

Belt…The Limited

Skirt…Charlotte Russe

Tights…Apt.9 (Kohls)

Boots…Curations (HSN)

Bag…Kathy Van Zeeland

Jewelry…XOXO watch, Modcloth earrings,

Daisy Fuentes? (Kohls) bracelet, Target ring

(these earrings from Modcloth are an OCD moment as well)