Close Enough

The snowboots kind of ruin most of the could-be good looking stuff I wear lately, and I'm not totally sure I care. This was from a few weeks ago before my break, and we did have a meeting for which I changed into nice looking ankle boots, but, let's be really real. I spent the whole day in these bad boys. Best investment I made before I left the States. Thanks, LL Bean, for making a shortie pull on fuzzy lined boot perfect for both my daily commute and frigid office as well as pajama dog walks.

What about you all- any guilty pleasures you've been wearing lately and deciding it's "good enough" for winters that just never fricking end?

 

Navy, Mint, and White

Jeans: Gap...Tee: UO...Blazer: Gap...Scarf: Suzhou (Rob's little token from his interview trip)...Shoes: Nine West Outlet

Um, so blogging took a back seat. Sorry 'bout that.

Stuff I've been up to:
Post-gala wrap up. Always.
The Orange Show "Un-Concert." I still owe you guys a little bit about that.
Garage Sale with our neighbors two weekends ago. Got rid of a handful of small stuff. We'll plan on another one June 1. Hopefully we aren't without furniture for too long!
I also packed up my first 50-lb. duffel bag. We're gathering boxes to do a slow shipment later in the year with books and winter clothes. Three months to go and our house is already a wreck.
This past weekend was the annual composer weekend away. Mmmm, sunshine and beers.
Lots and lots and lots of friend time. We haven't gotten much of anything productive done most evenings.

P.S. I have no idea why I don't wear this navy blazer more. It's lightweight, has nice slim sleeves, and is the perfect cropped length. It's a no-brainer. I also purchased myself glasses after my first vision check in a few years and went for these totally rad green hipster frames. Geek chic with a little flair, no?

Happy Chatter

Pants: Gap Really Skinny...Sweater: F21...Blazer: Banana Republic...Scarf: Target...Shoes: Naturalizer...Bag: Longchamp knockoff

We had another neighbor night- games! I can't tell you how much I enjoy these nights of chattering and friendly competition. We all have a pretty similar sense of humor and enough absurd pop culture overlap that word games like Catch Phrase get especially funny. The 3 1/2 word clues that turn up an excitedly squealed right answer are always the best.

Well, it's going to be a late one and a long weekend- we're doing another mailing on Monday... and I can almost guarantee that we won't finalize the dumb letter until 2:45, which means that I won't get to not work this weekend since I'll be too busy checking my mail merge document and printing over 1100 letters. Ugh. Do something awesome on my behalf and fill me in, okay?

You guys are all awesome. Happy Friday!

Layered, but not Bundled

Pants: Gap Really Skinny...Blouse: thrifted...Blazer: Express c. 2002...Shoes: Naturalizer...Necklace: Target...Bag: Longchamp knockoff

Oh, hello, roots.

Woo! Another Link Up- Third Thursday Threads (BLAZERS!) over at Work Clothes, I Suppose. Such a great blog, I hope you link up and read through the archives, Bri Marie is a really lovely person!

While the pattern of this blouse thing is completely unique and pretty awesome, its airiness lends itself way more to summer dressing than winter. My solution? Wear a deep scoop neck long sleeved layer under the blouse and tuck it into my trousers (this layer is true for about 90% of my winter dressing, with blouses, sweaters, button-downs. I get cold easily). You'd never know I was toasty warm with a long sleeved layer here or here, but the right inner layer makes all the difference!

So, really, this is just an ode to t-shirts and a nicey-nice way to pry info out of you ladies in the snow- How do you stay warm enough in winter? I'm lookin' for more ideas.

Neutral Fail

Pants: Zara...Turtleneck: J Crew Outlet...Blazer: Gap...Jacket: BB Dakota via Piperlime...Shoes: BCBGeneration via Ross...Bag: Longchamp knockoff

I'm not really sold on this one, but, I wore it out of the house for a day, so it's on the blog. Accountability, transparency. Sometimes I wear turtlenecks that don't have enough contrast with the paired blazer. That's the way it goes down every once in a while. They can't all be winners.

But that's the point of a daily style-geared blog. Wearability. Real-girl. Lifestyle. I'm never going to be high fashion and I'm not going to not post something just because it's a semi-dud. Because even though my readership relatively small, you guys are active and I'm not going to bull-crap any of you into thinking I'm on the ball all the time. That's the point of this for me, to have a reason to get to know all of you. So, if I post a stinker, I post a stinker, and we can have a good chuckle about it.

Hahaha, hey, did you guys see that one post where Kate matched her turtleneck to her hair and her blazer to her roots?

Holiday Look Link Up

Skirt: Target...Turtleneck: J Crew Factory...Blazer: J Crew via Buffalo Exchange...Belt: Target...Shoes: Steve Madden...Bag: Longchamp knockoff

Festive, bright, but not blatant? Huzzah! This blazer may be more versatile than I was expecting it to be.

We had an awesome night with neighbors last evening! We were supposed to do a potluck outside in the courtyard, but the temps are dropping (overnight low of 33!! last night) and we didn't want to freeze our buns, so we aaaalmost cancelled. And that would have been a bummer, so 10 of us and 3 dogs packed into our place, gathered a bunch of tasty food, sipped wine, chatted, and enjoyed each others' company for the evening. What an awesome jumpstart on the holiday weekend! (P.S.- I'm glad the Mayans were wrong.)

So, what have you been wearing or plotting for Holiday Festive Wear? Link it up and meet some new friends! The link's going aaaaaall the way through next week- hook up your day of Christmas look, Saturday party looks, whatever you want.

Here's the rules for the Holiday Look Link Up:
Follow The Perpetual Student's Wife (via Google Friend Connect or BlogLovin')
Link the URL to a specific recent-ish post showing off your favorite holiday themed or holiday party look.
Link back to The Perpetual Student's Wife so your new friends can navigate easily.
Ummm.... that's it! Can't wait to see what you all are rockin' for Holiday Festivities.

Baking Skillz

Skirt: Target...Tee: Target...Blazer: J Crew via Buffalo Exchange...Shoes: Naturalizer...Belt: Target...Tights: Gap...Necklaces: thrifted...Bag: knockoff Longchamp

Day two, what I actually wore to the evening Young Professionals mixer last week. Festive, one of the only red articles of clothing I own, a slim olive weave running through the plaid... Meant for Christmas!  PS- do you notice the plaid lined up perfectly on the pocket? Mmm, I love details.

I baked Russian Tea Cakes/Snowballs/Sand Tarts last night. They turned out better than I thought they would, fortunately (the reason for baking at all is to send them to someone... They had to turn out okay). Here's the scoop: I am NOT a baker. I can cook, I can make up dinners from crap we have on hand, I can saute any number of things like a pro. But, I can't bake my way out of a brownie box. Two part problem: As a cook, I have leeway to play with proportion of veggie and quinoa to garlic. With baking, if I use my normal dash-of-baking-powder-in-my-palm measuring method, cookies fall flat. Shocker. I don't "do" recipes. Part two is that my oven is pretty much an easy bake oven. Tiny apartment sized ovens don't really heat things to a consistant temperature.

Is anyone else buying that blame game? Okay, okay, I suck at baking.

Can't wait to see what you all are planning for Friday's Holiday Look link up. Start plotting- I expect a sequin or two!

Humbug?

Pants: Gap Really Skinny...Sweater: J Crew Outlet...Blazer: Gap...Boots: thrifted...Bag: Longchamp knockoff...Earrings: Banana Republic

I know I've said it, but I'm just not a Holiday Season kind of gal. Thanksgiving came, I enjoyed it thoroughly, and then it went. And my home is still un-decorated, no tree, a minimum of holiday treat-eating, zero holiday treat baking. Anne has had some incredibly adorable holiday decor posts lately, it makes me feel a little bit guilty for being such a Scrooge. Go check her blog out, you'll be so glad you did (her Pin to Present posts are killer!) So, another neutral outfit for me today. And I think I'll force myself next week to post nothing but Kate-style Holiday Looks. Which probably means the holiday-ish aspect of the outfits will be subtle as crap, but at least I'll feel more festive.

(PS, how do you guys feel about the possibility of a Friday Holiday Look link up? I'll host if you're game!)

Happy Friday, you all! Eat something peperminty and send jingle bell vibes my way. I need to get in the spirit!

Back Again

Skirt: Target...Blouse: Target...Blazer: Express (old)...Tights: Gap...Belt: thrifted...Shoes: Naturalizer

This is from Monday, when I thought I was intended to sit in on a very big deal meeting to ask a potential big wig honoree to join our Benefit. Nope. It was 20 'til the meeting, I went to the director's office to ask about driving together or separate and she was nowhere to be found and responded to my text inquiry with a big fat "No, but wish us luck." Oh, well. At least we got the honoree's YES!

And my Guy is HOME! I picked him up late late late last night after he had a 5 hour layover in Chicago. During which he posted photos to Facebook of his trip. And my mom and I conference-called a viewing of them. He is not a photo-taker, but I'm so glad he remembered to keep the camera out and get some images of the place that maaaaybe could be our next home. I guess we'll know in early January!

Party Prep

Dress: Target...Cardigan: Target...Blazer: Gap...Belt: Gap...Shoes: BCBG via Ross...Bag: D&B via Buffalo Exchange...Necklace: Target

Woo, this morning got all shaken up! I stayed at work late to finish putting together packets for our first host committee meeting, which is today, for the 2013 Benefit Dinner in the spring. For which no When, Where, Theme, Honoree, etc. information has been decided. Good thing I'm well versed in cheerfully taking care of details last minute. Kidding, we'll get a lot of it figured out between today's meeting and a meeting with our potential honoree next week.

The good news is that we had meeting with two potential locations yesterday, so I received a delicious sampling of ceviche and "lobster bisque pops"- yeah, as in tasty lobster corn dogs. On a stick. Yum. I'm pretty sure that counts as a perk of the job!

Extended Celebrations

Skirt: Target...Tank: thrifted...Cardigan: Target...Blazer: Gap...Belt: Target...Shoes: Steve Madden via Ross...Bag: D&B via Buffalo Exchange...Earrings: Banana Republic...Necklace: Target

Oh, good gravy. These photos are a scaaaaary reminder to hit my gams with just a little self tanning foam. Days of bare legs and needing tights flip flop like crazy this time of year, perhaps I ought to remember that and prepare accordingly. Or not. And just skippidy-do out the door like my beached-whale skin-tone isn't even a little bit offensive. On a roll, Kate. On a roll.

We got to have a Mini Thanksgiving with friends last night... And boy-o-boy was it amazing! Regina The Talented prepared the whole meal, including mini birds... Quail! She even put adorably oversized paper covers over their little leggies, I nearly fell over laughing when she showed me the package over the weekend. I love when the Thanksgiving season lasts for just about as long as the Christmas season. It's my favorite!

Taupe, Tan and other neutrals

Jeans: Gap Always Skinny...Tee: Gap PureBody...Sweater: Banana Republic, thrifted...Blazer: Gap...Boots: thrifted...Bag: D&B via Buffalo Exchange...Shades: via TJ Maxx

There's something wonderful about grounding an airy, light palette look with warm cognac boots and a leopard print scarf. Yeah, the blazer gives it a little gravity, yeah, the jeans are a nice mid grey, but it's all pretty simple and basic with the grey bottoms and light grey loose sweater until you add a kick of warmth with the deep tan hue. Color theory, my friends. And balance. between an accent above and below the waist. The tan and taupe in that scarf work with everything, including my boots.

I've been pulling a lot of black lately for my new job, it's easy, ladylike and gives me a little credibility. This look was a nice break from the strict professionalism of pencil skirts and lends itself well to a day of hauling bookcases. Yup, that happened.

Have an amazing weekend, you all! Keep your eyes peeled for this easy peasy look on both Work Clothes, I Suppose Third Thursday: Knits and EB:EW Boots!

That Darn Cat

Pants: Gap Really Skinny...Tank: Target...Cardigan: Target...Blazer: Express (very old)....Shoes: Kenneth Cole Reaction...Necklace: Target...Shades: via TJ Maxx

I love houndstooth.  I would own a lot more of it, but you kind of notice when it gets worn, so perhaps a scarf, a cardigan and an 8' 0" sofa in my living room is plenty to satiate my need for houndstooth. Although that may not really be a great argument, since polka dots are pretty noticeable  too, and I have 5 pieces that I can remember off the top of my head.

The cat's been a real jerk lately. Not really mean spirited intentionally, but exceedingly nosy, helping herself to whatever snack is on the side table, rifling through Target bags, chewing on my hair, starting out a playtime batting adorably at my hand under a blanket but diving violently into grabbing my arm/ biting the bejeezies out of my wrist and stab-kicking with her back claws. The spazzed out and overzealous playtime is actually okay, she's fast-approaching 10 years old, so seeing her wound up is a good thing. But, really? You needed to lick a hole into the center of my cheese slice while I was trying to get the dog to eat a pill? You needed to submerge your whole paw into my icewater after I saw you playing in the toilet? You needed to swipe that magnificently orange cheeto from my stash and claim it for yourself? Jerk.

But then she makes up for it by seeking me out at night, snuggling and doing adorable things like this:

Great News!

Pants: Gap Really Skinny....Sweater: Banana Republic Outlet...Blazer: Gap...Scarf: Target...Bag: D&B via Buffalo Exchange...Shoes: Naturalizer...Earrings: Banana Republic

Big, big day. New meetings, new people, transitions... I've been a holding out on you guys with a little bit of information.

I started, very very part-time, a new job. I'll go full time after the Gala (that Boss Lady helps run) on November 5. Grants management, special projects, in-a-little-over-my-head... But I'm so excited and am really thrilled for the new opportunity!

So, with that, two videos in celebration. Try not to giggle. I dare you.

Linking up, of course! Pleated Poppy's What I Wore Wednesday.

Film Buff

Skirt: Banana Republic, thrifted...Blouse: Target...Blazer: thrifted...Shoes: Naturalizer...Bag: D&B via Buffalo Exchange...Shades: via TJ Maxx...Earrings: Banana Republic...Necklace: Target

Mmmm, neutrals. I like 'em.

I'm just going to say this, risking shame and disgrace: I watched the Royal Tenenbaums last night. For the first time. And it really is as wonderfully stylized and strangely interesting as it's always been talked up to be. And, really, shame on me for only watching 20 minutes over and over and just now getting around to paying attention to the whole thing.

My Guy and I are biiig movie collectors- In college, we didn't have tv for a couple of years and have only had it during promotion periods since then. So, we started collecting movies and a select few favorite shows on DVD. It's a funny mix, but it got me to thinking- what are my top 10 watchable forever and ever movies?

In no particular order:
Toy Story 3
Fried GreenTomatoes
Back to the Future
That Thing You Do
Moulin Rouge
Toy Story
Princess Bride
Pete's Dragon
Up
Tommy Boy
...and honorable mention for Clue, High Fidelity, and Son In Law... Please tell me your taste in movies is just as abysmal! Strange, strange line up.

Lonely Weeknights

So, I'm pretty much alone this week- My Guy is wrapping up details and sitting in on rehearsals for his site-specific recital at the Orange Show in Houston this Friday. First, about the show: it's going to be a new piece written with a Music Box type of inspiration and electronic accompaniment, and two other pieces written in the last few years. High energy, funky, interesting, artistic. I know I have a bias here, but it's going to be a really fascinating show. On top of that, St. Arnolds Brewery is going to do a tasting, there will be a food truck and fantastic people watching. If you're near Houston and are free, hanging out and beer will be going on from 6-8 and the performance begins at 8:00. If you've never been to the Orange Show, it's a must- wonderfully funky and lively.

About my evenings... since he's gone until 11:00 most nights, I spend my time patting the dog on the head, half-heartedly wrapping up alterations or cleaning projects, shifting piles of papers or things needing to be put away from one tabletop to another and forgetting to eat. I really dislike eating alone, so I put off making a meal until 9:50 and then usually go for a strange snack of bare pasta and raw fruits and veggies. Puuuh-thetic.

I look forward to having my husband home regularly and having a reason to make for-real meals. Til then, I'll snack.

Dress: beijing seamstress...Blazer: Banana Republic, thrifted...Belt: thrifted...Shoes: Naturalizer...Necklace: Target...Pearls: Beijing

Linking up! The Pleated Poppy's What I Wore Wednesday!