Outdoor Clam Bake OOTD 10/6/12

Outdoor Clam Bake OOTD 10/6/12 by alldressedupnoplace2go featuring pilcro

J Crew military shirt
jcrew.com

J Crew j crew sweater
jcrew.com

Pilcro
anthropologie.com

Steven by Steve Madden low wedge
endless.com

J Crew j crew
jcrew.com

OOTD: Vintage Oranges and Browns

Because yesterday was the first day of November, I decided to dress the part in shades of autumnal oranges and browns:

Cardigan:  Merona for Target, sz. small

Dress:  Vintage late '60s/early '70s era

Necklace:  Vintage '70s marble beads

Bracelet:  Wooden '70s beads, compliments of MamaAllDressedUp's high school years :)  

Shoes:  Cole Haan Nike Air Lyric Bronze heel, sz. 7.5

I found this dress last spring in a vintage store in Pittsburgh called Eons, and I get compliments on it every time I wear it.  It looks like it could have come off right off the rack of Anthropologie or Modcloth.  The dress is sleeveless and cotton, and it has a pretty, yet appropriate, V-shaped back.  The construction of the dress is timeless; it's one piece, with a top that blouses out over the pencil-like skirt.  It came with a sash that can be tied on the front, back, side, or anyone else you please. 

I know I sing the praises of vintage clothing quite often, but it's a song I don't get tired of singing.  If I had the resources (namely, vintage clothing stores that aren't 45+ minutes away), I would source an entire wardrobe from vintage clothing.  Clothes just aren't made as well today, and it seems like clothes in the 40s-70s were made to fit women with curves.  Sigh.  /endrant.  :)

Well, I'm off to read this year's Pennsylvania High School Mock Trial Case.   I help the fiance advise our high school's team, and this year, the case is about saving endangered bog turtles from a pharmaceutical company's plant.  I wish I were kidding.  I will leave you with a picture of my inspiration for the trial:

Source

Isn't he cute? 

Macy's Sip 'n Scan: OOTD

My fiance and I went to our first wedding registry event last week at what Macy's likes to call a "Sip 'n Scan."  Macy's brings in a local catering company, a DJ, a makeup artist, a cookware specialist, and anyone else they can dig up to represent the services needed at a wedding.  Not a bad idea, really.  We got to eat yummy food, sip some punch, listen to fun music, and play Charlie's Angels with the registry gun.

Initially, I was really excited, but when we had been pointing and shooting for about 25 minutes, I had a slight emotional breakdown.  The idea of asking people for anything always really bothers me.  Everyone in our lives is extremely kind, but it was still unnerving to register for a $399 KitchenAid Mixer and a $600 Dyson vacuum (both of which I fully plan on buying myself after the wedding using the post-wedding registry discount).  We registered for lots of much less expensive items, too, but I just felt really uneasy about it all.  It didn't help that we're registering for most of our bigger items through Macy's, and then using Crate and Barrel and Target for our smaller, less expensive items.  Perhaps we should have started there instead to avoid my mini-psychosis.

I eventually recovered, we registered for a few more items, and we headed home with food in our bellies and smiles on our faces.  Here's what I wore:

Blouse:  J.Crew Blythe blouse, size 2

Scarf:  Simply Vera by Vera Wang, a gift from my future mother-in-law

Jeans:  Joe's Jeans, Anthropologie, size 28

Bag:  Prada

Shoes:  Cole Haan Air Lyric heels, size 7.5

I have a feeling this is going to be one of my favorite outfits for the transition to fall (although the weather the past few days here in western PA have made it pretty clear that there is no longer a transition happening...fall, along with its cold temperatures, wind, and rain, has arrived.).  I love the look of a blouse tucked into flared jeans with a fun accessory and heels.  I've worn variations of this look several times over the past few weeks as the weather has become cooler, and it's just effortless and polished. 

Have a wonderful day, everyone!

OOTD: Monochromatic, not quite at its finest

This week is Spirit Week at my school, culminating with the homecoming football game and dance this weekend.  Each day during spirit week is themed; students (and some spirited teachers) dress to fit the theme.  Monday was Color Day, so I took the opportunity to wear my J.Crew Liquid Silk Skirt.

Sweater:  J.Crew Tippi in bright dahlia, size small

Skirt: J.Crew Liquid Silk Skirt in bright dahlia, size 2 (reviewed here)

Shoes:  Cole Haan Nike Air Peep Toe Pumps, size 7.5

-I'm going to try to be better about posting sizes when I post OOTDs.-

This is not one of my prouder outfit moments; I felt very sloppy.  I kept accessories to a minimum, because I didn't want to clutter up the simplicity of the look, but I still felt unkempt.  I tried tucking in the sweater, and that just looked lumpy, so I scratched that idea. 

Finally, after homeroom, I had had it with the shapeless grape of an outfit, and I added a black belt around my waist.  That made me feel a bit better, but I still don't know that I'd ever wear these pieces together again for anything other than "Color Day."  However, if the colors weren't so bright (One of my girls told me she got a headache looking at me.  Thanks, child.), this outfit might just work.  I think the navy liquid silk skirt would look great with a navy or camel tippi.  It would probably even look great with the bold peri or bright dahlia colors.

I will say that the skirt felt amazing all day.  The fabric is so luxurious, flowy, and feminine.  I can't wait to wear it again with a normal outfit!

Anyone else give the monochromatic look a try lately?  How'd it work out for you?  If not, would you ever try it?  I'm not sure I'd be brave enough if it weren't for Color Day!

Fantasy football widow turned cupcake creator

It's that time of year again, everyone. The air is becoming crisp, the colors in store windows are growing deeper, and I'm beginning to forget what my fiance looks like. I kid, I kid. But tonight alone, my future hubby has not one, but TWO fantasy football drafts.

 

The fiance belongs to somewhere between seven and ten fantasy football leagues - I lose count after the first few leagues. Some of the drafts can be done in his "man cave" on the computer, but there are several that he attends in person. There's even one draft where everyone brings their laptops to someone's garage, and the guys sit around a giant table together with their eyes glued to the computer screen while they draft online. Male bonding at its finest, I suppose.

Yesterday morning as we were grocery shopping, the fiance mentioned that he needed to take some food to both of his drafts tonight. Jumping at the chance to perform my first wifely duty and simultaneously show off my culinary skills, I volunteered to make cupcakes. I love to bake and decorate cookies and cakes when I have the time, so I was excited to help. I googled "football cupcakes" and found this site with this picture, which I decided to use for inspiration:

Three hours later, I ended up with two dozen of these:

I'm pretty pleased with how these turned out, especially because it was my first attempt at making my own buttercream icing. For anyone who's interested, I used this insanely simple recipe.  It only has four ingredients!

I hope that those of you that had a long weekend enjoyed it, and I hope you all have a wonderful Tuesday!

Thank you, J.Crew (and some of my favorites)

I was pretty pumped when I opened my J.Crew email this morning and saw that they are now offering flat-rate shipping for $8.95 and free shipping for orders over $175.  I also couldn't wait to get home from working in my classroom (blech) to check out the new arrivals (yay!).  After the last roll-out, I had a feeling this update was going to have some great pieces in it. 

Before I get into my picks, the sweater from my B&M that I could not identify in this post is actually the Fisherman sweater from the new arrivals.  It's reviewed with pictures in the post mentioned above in the heather honey and deep plum colors.  I also (unbeknownst to me at the time) tried on and reviewed the origami mini in houndstooth in this post. 

Now, on to the items I'm lusting for after this rollout.

First, the Double-cloth townhouse trench:

The shape, buttons, and available colors make me want to order this rightthissecond.  The $350 price tag, though not unreasonable, is stopping me.  The fiance and I are putting ourselves on a spending moratorium to save up for a few wedding essentials, as well as a new bed, and spending $350 on a coat that isn't even a long trench just seems to be superfluous right now.  This will be going on my wishlist in the vibrant flame color, though.  It would be the perfect way to cheer up on a cold day. 

The Blythe shirtdress

This silk shirtdress seems to stay true to its moniker with a beautiful, feminine silhouette and texture.  This just looks so easy to wear, and it looks like it would make its possessor feel like an absolute lady when she dons this dress.  I'm having a hard time deciding whether I should put this dress or the Maisie dress in abstract floral on my wishlist.  What do you think?

The Two-tone circle skirt

This skirt reminds me of my grandma, but in a good, vintage fashion sort of way.  I love the caramel and grey colors together, and I love the length.  As a part of the collection, this skirt comes with a $250 price tag, so I will probably have to just stare at it lustily on my computer until a generous coupon code comes along.

The Merino pleated skirt

I have never worn a pleated skirt, and I can't imagine that it would look good on my curves, but I can't help but love looking at them anyway.  If this skirt came in colors other than black or "saddle" (pictured above), I might be more willing to give it a try.  Nonetheless, I imagine it would make an excellent staple for girls with less of a hind end than myself. :)

No new tops or pants really seemed to entice me, but looking through my favorites, I can see why.  I'm really loving feminine, vintage-looking skirts and dresses for the fall.  I've always loved a vintage silhouette, and I'm ecstatic that stores are beginning to carry pieces that lend themselves to that type of look.  I guess I have Mad Men to thank for that. 

Side-note: My double-serge no. 2 pencil skirt in jazzy purple should be arriving within the next day or two, so when it does, I'll make sure to take some pictures and post a review.

Have you checked out the new arrivals?  If so, which pieces are you coveting?