OOTD 9/25/12

OOTD 9/25/12 by alldressedupnoplace2go featuring chiffon tops

J Crew chiffon top
$63 - net-a-porter.com

J Crew knit top
jcrew.com

J.Crew j crew pants
jcrew.com

Cole haan shoes
zappos.com

OOTD Nov. 18th and some lame excuses

Hey everyone.  So sorry it's been over a week since I've posted.  ::hangs head in shame:: 

Here are my lame excuses, in prose-form:
I've discovered that winter darkness (It gets dark between 4:30 and 5:00 PM here now...ick) makes me extremely sleepy this year.  It may also be my ridiculous new work schedule - no plan period, cafeteria duty, three preps - or my ridiculous new workout schedule - pre-training for a half marathon (here we go again), daily yoga and strength training - or it just may be a combination of all three elements, but I find myself conking out before 9:00 every night.  This used to be my blogging time.  Looks like I'll have to find a way around it!

Anyhow, as promised, here's an OOTD from the middle of November:

Sweater: Trouve via Nordstrom, sz. sm.

Skirt: J.Crew No. 2 Pencil Skirt in double-serge wool in jazzy purple, sz. 4 (remixed here and here)

Tights: Merona, sz. sm/md

Shoes: Missoni for Target, sz. 7.5

Gold heart necklace: Vintage

Mixed metals necklace: A gift from my daddy :)

This skirt is possibly my best buy from J.Crew thus far.  I've already worn it three times this school year, and I have several more outfit ideas in mind.  It's thick, so I was able to tuck in my bulky sweater with no lines.

The shoes, on the other hand...ugh.  Not very comfortable.  But they complemented the sweater, so I pushed through for the sake of fashion :)

A Bauble and a Bow - OOTD: November 14th

This past weekend, I went shopping with my mom and my cousin, both of whom I look up to immensely.  We had a great time catching up, getting some Christmas shopping done, and looking for deals.  One of the deals that I found was a dress from Macy's.  It was originally $58, and I snagged it for $15.  Woohoo! 

I had reservations about the dress itself because the fit was just a bit odd, and I hated the belt that came with it.  However, once I got home, I replaced the belt with a vintage belt that's attached to a dress I have from the late '50s/early '60s, and I layered a shirt under it to smooth out the fit.  I added a long pendant necklace to draw the eye away from the weird shoulders of the dress and down to the fun belt, and I was good to go!

This is my pre-7:15 A.M. Monday smile.

Dress:  NY Collection, sz. small

Long-sleeved Shirt:  NY and Co., sz. small

Tights:  Merona for Target, sz. small/medium

Shoes:  Nine West Riane, sz. 7.5

Amethyst Necklace:  My grandmother's

Belt:  Vintage, late '50s or early '60s

A picture of the details:

Have you ever revamped something you bought on super-sale to make it work? 



OOTD and a Cold from the Cold

Hi, you guys!  I'm not feeling too well tonight, so this is going to be pretty short.  The weather is getting cooler, and I spent most of the evening Thursday at an outdoor concert in chilly, chilly temperatures.  Of course, I was underdressed as far as weather was concerned (more on that later this week), and ever since then, I've had a sore throat and the sniffles.  I know it's an old wives' tale, but I swear, every time I spend time outside in cold weather, I get a cold.  I will confess, though, that my cold didn't keep me from going to the Steelers game today (Go black and gold!), but I think that just wore me out even more.

Since this is primarily a fashion blog, here's an OOTD from this past Monday at school:

Cardigan: Express from several years ago

Tshirt: Loft

Skirt: J.Crew No. 2 double-serge wool pencil in jazzy purple

Belt: Merona for Target

Necklace: Vintage

Shoes: Cole Haan Nike Air Peep Toe Pumps

On Sept. 12th, I was one of the M.C.s for a September 11th assembly that our school held for our students.  I really didn't have to do or say much; the other teacher and I just explained the logistics of a semi-new anti-bullying program and then introduced a video on September 11th, but I still felt like I needed to look professional and put-together to be in front of our entire student body and staff.  Pencil skirts always make me feel professional and put-together, so I went with this one.  It was so comfortable; I can't wait to wear it again.

I do plan on getting this skirt hemmed at least 2 inches so that it hits just above my knees.  Thank you to all of you that suggested trying petite sizes.  I checked the J.Crew website, but this color was sold out in both petite and regular sizes awhile ago.  I'll definitely remember that for future J.Crew pencil skirt purchases, though!

I hope you all have a wonderful evening!  

J.Crew Review: No.2 Pencil Skirt in double-serge wool

Hi all!  Before I get to the review, I know I have quite a few blogger friends in the greater D.C. area, and I want you all to know that I'm thinking about you.  The fiance's sister lives and works in D.C., and she was evacuated from her building today after the earthquake and was pretty alarmed.  I hope you are all safe and free of any kind of damage. 

On to the review.

J.Crew's No. 2 pencil skirt in double-serge wool in jazzy purple

After being waitlisted, I finally received this beauty in the mail, and I couldn't be happier with it.  The jazzy purple color is sold out on the website, but lots of other yummy hues are still available.  I am considering buying this skirt in viridian green or vibrant flame once I'm off my fiance-mandated spending moratorium, only because the jazzy purple color is so gorgeous, so I imagine the other colors are as well. 

The skirt is a size 4, and it fits TTS.  It's a little big in my waist, but I always have put up with that problem in order to fit my hips.  The color is a slightly deeper purple than the stock photo.  I had pictured something a little closer to the bright dahlia color. 

The double-serge wool gives the skirt a beautiful, heavy texture and adds structure to keep everything in, so to speak. 

Don't mind the tag sticking out the back.  I didn't know it was sticking up, and the fiance declined to tell me about it.  Men and their lack of attention to detail.  ;)  Anyway, the only thing that I don't like about this skirt is the 23 1/2" length.  The only other pencil skirt I have from J.Crew (other than my new paisley skirt) is the Oak Tweed pencil skirt, and it's 21 1/2" inches long.  That length hit just above my knees and was perfect on my short little legs.  The extra two inches of fabric dwarfs my legs even further than they already appear.  This is extremely apparent from the picture of the back of the skirt.  I think I'll get the skirt hemmed before school starts next week.  Anyone else miss the 21 1/2" length that was around for about a season?

I've already tried this skirt on with my Cecilia cami, above, and with my tippi sweater in the bright dahlia color.  I love the monochromatic look with a slightly lighter color on top, sort of like in this Looks We Love look:

I really think this skirt is going to be extremely versatile, even in the purple color.  I can just picture wearing it throughout the year, almost as a neutral as long as I don't get too out of hand with the rest of the outfit. 

I hope you all have a wonderful evening!