OOTD: the warm before the cold.

Here in Dallas, weather is... strange. Come October, a chill begins to set in, crispness fills the air. But then, some sort of warm front inevitably comes in... and out, and in and out. Until around January, when the air is just cold, cold, cold. Most people don't think Dallas can get cold. But let me tell you-- it can. Trust me. It's funny to hear the northerners who move here for school or work and tell me, "I had no idea it could get this cold!" Yep. It does.

Anyway, right now is one of those warms before the cold. Before I must wear tights (to my chagrin). So I'm takin' advantage, people! It's skirt-sans-tight time!

Sweater/blazer: Bloomingdale's Aqua cashmere sweater (also very similar here)

Top: Anthro (Corey Lynn Calter) Snowscape tank, last winter 

Skirt: F21 bubble hem skirt (similar here)

Shoes: Steve Madden Tristano

Earrings: Francesca's Boutique

WWJW: Back to (almost) normal!

Thank God that was the quickest cold known to man... I think because I really laid low yesterday, I feel a ton better today. Still, you know that "I'm better but I'm still kinda icky" feeling? You can't pinpoint it, but there's something that's still off the day you start feeling better? Well, that's how I was today. I feel a ton better, but instantly grabbed a button-up and boyfriend jeans this morning when I went in my closet because it was easy. After looking at myself all day in the mirror, I kept thinking, blah blah boring. So naturally, I decided to play a little dress up this afternoon after work. Perfect time for a WWJW post, eh? :)

:::WHAT I ACTUALLY WORE:::

 Shirt: Express ombre button up (knock off of those James Perse ones from last year, remember?)

Jeans: Rich and Skinny boyfriend jeans

Sandals: Nine West gold sandals

:::WHAT I WANTED TO WEAR:::

(if I weren't gross and phlegmy. TMI?)

Shirt: Urban Outfitters Shoulder Detail top

Necklace: Anthropologie Ranuncula Necklace

Skirt: Banana Republic, aeons ago

Shoes: Linea Paolo reptile slingbacks

Belt (first pic): Steve Madden (via Nordstrom)

Apologies for the gazillion photos of the dream outfit, but I was super excited about it because this skirt has been sitting in my closet for 1000 years, totally unworn. The tags were removed, suggesting I had in fact worn it at least once, but honestly I can't remember when that would have been. Here was the problem: see how high it sits and how long it is? Stupid me thought it was supposed to sit on the low waist and I was baffled by its ill fit and long hemline. Now, I know this had to have been purchased a long time ago, because I've had the high-waisted skirt figured out now for some time. Musta been back when that really wasn't in style (was that even ever? who knows. I've not always been style savvy, lovies). Also, how I could have ever worn that thing on my low waist is a mystery. Aaaanyway, point is this is a fantastic spring skirt and I'm already envisioning a ton of ways to wear it. It's a fun change of pace from my uber-short skirts and dresses. Plus, (bonus), it's work-appropriate! Yippee Hooray! 

Oh and that shirt? So glad I bought it in the blue after loving it in the pink. I think it goes with everything I own, not even kidding. I heart it. And the material, and the simplicity, and the color, and the everything. It has FF seal-of-approval all over it. Go buy it, now. :)

One last thing: look ma, I'm a blonde again! You can still sorta kinda see the underneath-roots because I waited too long to get it re-done, but it's a hell of a lot better. And the girl I had at the Aveda Institute was fabulous-- I scheduled an early-summer appointment with her so the root issue wouldn't be a problem again. Done and done.

I just had to!

First off, sorry for the lack of OOTD's lately. I know a lot of you really like seeing those, and I love doing them, but I haven't found time lately. However, I promise they will be back in full force soon! So don't fret, my OOTD-loving bloggies.

On another note, I caved today and purchased this splurge of a skirt. I had to. It was calling my name. Thanks a lot, Shopbop, for again sucking me in to your guiles. Eeeep!

Rebecca Taylor burnout leopard ruched skirt

I love the runway styling-- the polka dots, silk lounge jacket and blue theme is beautiful. But I had to try my hand at my own stylings, and I came up with about a million different things. I can't wait to have this in my little hands and try these out in person! Which do you like best, hmmm?

Items in this set:
Gio-Goi TEXT Jackets Gio-Goi Clothing, T Shirts, Jeans & Jackets |..., 60 GBP
Forever21.com - Tops - Casual - 2070967167, $20
Forever21.com - Tops - Casual - 2072428866, $18
Steven by Steve Madden Grinnd Boots | nitrolicious.com
Badgley Mischka Platinum Haworth Platform Pump, $120

Items in this set:
Forever21.com - Tops - Dressy - 2072799999, $18
Forever21.com - Tops - Casual - 2073905658, $16
Pelle Moda Women's Shantel Platform Sandal - Free Overnight Shipping &..., $215
Liliana Bardor pumps, $23
Forever21.com - Gift Ideas for Her - 2071801152, $5.80

Most of the items above are easy to recreate, and I used mostly F21 tops to complete the outfits. I just hope Ms. Rebecca Taylor doesn't barf when she realizes her $200 skirt is being paired with $20 tops. Oy.

My fave? The denim jacket/skirt idea. Not a denim jacket girl, but I'm LOVING the idea of a pretty skirt with ruffles paired with a sturdy denim. Oh la la, spring must get here ASAP.

OOTD: what's black and white and spotted all over?

I love getting packages in the mail, especially when I wasn't the one that ordered them. Yesterday, my sister's Christmas package came in the mail. I don't care that it was slightly late-- it makes for a nice post-Christmas surprise! I was super excited to find some of the Forever 21 goodies I wanted, including this awesome corset top from the Twist line (now unavailable online). Slightly kitschy, yes, but I am crazy-pumped about the fun, odd-ball styling options it gives me. I just had to try one out today...

Top: Forever 21 Twist Rosette Corset top (similar here!)
Skirt: Anthropologie's Declarative Skirt
Belt: random?
Sweater: NY & Co antique button Ruffle sweater
Shoes: BCBGirls red patent pumps (similar to these)
Necklaces: Simply Vera Vera Wang flower necklace
Random faux-pearl strand
Express baubles necklace

I plan to wear this with jeans, too... and a boyfriend blazer. I don't think this is the last time you'll be seeing this leeeeettle corset, no no no. Thanks, Bernadette! :-*

In other news, I'm going to try and go to the Aveda Institute to get my hair done. New budgets mean cutting corners... so we'll see how this goes. Honestly, I'm frightened as hell. Eeep!

Holiday OOTDs and my ACS scores!

Hi lovies! Hope you're all recovering from food/drinks/shopping. I know I still am. I thought I'd share my Christmas outfit, ACS shopping outfit and what I got today. I'm rather excited about my newest closet additions, and most of them were a departure from my initial shopping lookouts.

Here's what I wore on Christmas: the Texture Study dress (thanks, Husband!), a Limited cropped cardigan, Juicy Couture tights, Chinese Laundry shoes and a ModCloth necklace (another present from the hubs, picked it out all by himself. Good job.)--

Taken at MIL's house with the new tripod. I love that thing... going to make my life a whole lot easier.

So I was very pleased to see that most stores had decent sales going today. One of the best ones was Banana Republic's 50% off already reduced merch until noon. Thank God I went to bed early last night. I also took advantage of J. Crew's final sale (extra 30% whereas it's only 20% online) and Urban Outfitter's 50% off sale. LOFT and Ann Taylor were also doing sales, and I even saw my beloved chartreuse top and pendant necklace... but I refrained. Since they're new arrivals, I think I can get away with waiting. Here's what I wore on my mini-spree:

Top: BCBG blouse (similar here)
Jeans: AE super-skinnies (and on sale!)
Jacket: Juicy Couture capelet (OMG I actually found it!)
Shoes: Anthro's Reptilian Oxfords (by Sam Edelman)
Necklace: Free People statement necklace (EDIT: here it is on ModCloth in the pink color, love!)

And now for my scores... I'm pretty excited about all these, and using my new pretty tripod to take lots of pictures of them. :)

Clockwise: Urban Outfitter's Chiffon Wildflower Dress, J. Crew's Rose Corsage cardi, Banana Republic's Silk Rosette Dress, Anthropologie's From Monet skirt (ahhh yes I did), Urban Outfitter's velvet camisole (can't seem to find this anymore online), Forever 21's embellished tee (argh not online either).

There are still two things I plan on getting when my funds reload. We'll see how that goes. Did anyone else score big today?

Cyber Monday... part deux?

I thought about it long and hard. I said, "Justine? It's a holiday. Indulge."

OK so I didn't really indulge, but I did take advantage of 20% off at a certain unnamed website for a certain someone who may or may not read this blog... and the free shipping at Forever 21.

Listen. I've just about OD'ed on F21. I've spent way too much money there, and it's all because I've been more into quantity over quality lately. (though, see my recent post on how I've been generally impressed with their quality...) I think it's a mixture of a budget and a desire to remake my wardrobe a bit, but I have to quit. For a while, at least. I should be saving up my money for nicer, classic items that are luxe and indulgent. (devil's advocate says: But that's what birthdays and Christmas are for, right?) No no no! Seriously, I'm done. Now. After this order that just went through.

(Is it a little bad of me to be a label-whore? My designer pieces' closet space are getting overtaken by F21 and Charlotte Russe. Ugh.)

At any rate, here is what I couldn't resist. Really, can you blame me?!

Above: Skirt, Satin Zip Skirt, $17.80
Jacket, Sequin 3/4 Sleeve Blazer, $32.80

That jacket is perfect for the relatively low-key holiday events I'll attend this year, and the skirt? Well, 1. It looks good with the jacket, and 2. It's adorable. 'Nuff said.

This is my less idiotic purchase. One of those very practical and classic purchases. So now I can feel a little better. :)

Skirt problem: Solved!

I found a pseudo-solution to the F21 skirts/dresses problem. Get a larger size and wear them on your hips! Genious... (*flips hair*)

Skirt: F21 pink ruffles skirt (here)
Top: Limited black short sleeved turtleneck

Sweater: Juicy Couture ivory cardigan
Belt: Anthro's tea rose (here)

Necklace: strand of pearls from ?
Shoes: Steve Madden slouch boots

I didn't have time to take a full shot this morning, so it's hard to see the whole thing... but you're smart and you get the idea.



Another solution for skirts is always a slip or slip skirt underneath... I am a little sad that this one from Sock Dreams is so short, or else it would be mine in a splity.

How cute would that lace be sticking out from a simple A-line black skirt? Ohhhh love. Maybe a tailor could add length at the top... or maybe I'll just buy it to look at it. Sigh. :)