RIP = R.I.P.

This is a tribute to my Joe’s Jeans, the Rocker cut. The Joe’s had a full, long life of six years.

I remember the first time I tried these amazing jeans on. Sure, they were too long, but they could be hemmed. The Miles wash was a faded blue, the back pockets were perfect, the slight flare made my lower bod look, well, like a rock star’s. I fell in love, took these Joe’s home, and never regretted it.

The Joe’s were like a best friend to me. They could always be counted on to make me look good, especially from behind. The slightly stretchy denim allowed me to look my best, even if I gained a pound or two. They never became saggy, always keeping their shape. That’s probably what I’ll miss most about the Joe’s: the sense of confidence, the chic-ness that happens when you are secure in your jeans.

The Joe’s got along with everybody: t-shirts, blazers, sweaters, flats, and low boots. Their coloring was perfectly compatible with the rest of my wardrobe. I loved the Joe’s so much that I went on to bring home a few of their siblings, the Muse, the Provocateur, the Cigarette, and the Legging.

I had these Joe’s longer than I’ve known my husband, and before my sister’s first child was born. All the memories I have shared with him, out on the streets of downtown Chicago, will forever be cherished and remembered. Joe’s Rocker will live on in my heart.

And now, please, a moment of silence for the dearly departed.

The Husband Shirt

Dockers denim men's shirt, brown ruffle shirt, pants by BCBG, various pearl necklaces, brown boots by V Italia

Forget the boyfriend shirt, now presenting the husband shirt. My husband loves denim shirts. This Dockers one is his favorite, with a couple worn spots on the elbows and inner neck. He cannot wear it to work anymore, but it still hangs in his closet.

It’s pretty big on me, but I was able to pull it off with some fitted pants and layered pearls. Usually I’m a tailor-fit girl, but it was so nice going slouchy for a change!

I’m Just Not That Into…Trenchcoats

Ah, you trenchcoat. You are on all must-have clothing lists. A veritable classic closet staple, right up there with aviator sunglasses and little black dresses.

I know your kind. Double-breasted, flap-collared, wide-belted, buckle-sleeved, lightweight and knee-length coat of Burberry fame. You usually front in a cool beige color, a dead wanna-be-camel neutral that is so respectable, a person wants to invite you home over Thanksgiving to meet the parents. But I’m sorry to tell you: I’m just not that into you.

Here’s my trenchcoat hangup, in one word: detective. Perhaps I watched too many episodes of Inspector Gadget in my youth. I cannot look at anyone in a khaki trenchcoat and take them seriously. Oooh, there’s Emma Watson, pretending she’s an international spy who spends a lot of time in the rain! Where’s her fedora? Oh, she’s just leaving a hotel, you say? Mmokay.

Oh, my dear trenchy, it’s not you, it’s me. You’re not my style, so don’t take it personal, because leather motorcycle jackets and fur coats aren’t my style either.

So if you’re looking for me, I’ll be the blonde in the fitted wool coat or the sleek puffer jacket. Or maybe a peacoat. Maybe. It’s on all the must-have clothing lists too.

New Olive Boots! 100th Post!

orange sweater from LOFT, brown plaid skirt from LOFT, Rosegold booties from Shopbop, necklace from Express, Zoya Kalista nail polish, DKNY tights

Check out my new booties! What I love about them: mid heel, I can wear them with brown and olive green, and they are super comfortable. I try not to wear shoes two days in a row, I read somewhere that it's good to let leather and suede rest. So I've been wearing them every other day. They are perfect with jeans and skirts.

In other news, this is my 100th post! I have some humor coming up for the next few days, so please keep coming by. I love reading comments, my friends, so don't be shy!

P.S. Has anyone noticed that so many shoes and boots on the market today are made of suede? It's having a major moment right now. Be sure to use that suede protector spray, my friends, this material can be easily damaged!

Blonde Coat

Bill Blass coat, cashmere scarf, olive turtleneck by Vince, camel pants from LOFT, Rosegold suede booties, belt from Dillard's, ZOYA Kalista nail polish

I have had this coat and scarf for over five years, the pants for two years, and everything else is fairly new. This outfit was inspired by Chloe's recent camel-panted-and-turtlenecked runway! And I initally bought the coat because it matched my hair color. Do you ever do anything like that, my friends? Click for larger photos.

Dashes of Red

white shirt by Splendid, black blazer by Sandra Angelozzi, grey pants from LOFT, leopard print scarf from Express, Repetto red flats

On a whim, I added the red shoes, then the idea of my red belt followed! This is one of those days I utilize the power of accessories for good and not for evil.

Can I Wear These Shoes to Work?

button-up shirt by Calvin Klein, tweed plaid skirt from LOFT, black suede booties by Calvin Klein

Is this color camel or tan? Should I wear a belt with this? And above all, can I wear 3-inch suede booties with tights and a skirt to work? Sheesh. This is what I miss about having girl roommates. Well, off to work I went. But I’m wondering if I should repeat this in the future or solve it by just wearing pants.

eBay Score: Paul & Joe Skirt

cashmere sweater by Magaschoni, metallic pencil skirt by Paul & Joe, necklace from White House Black Market, silver cuff from Mexico, Circa Joan & David patent low heels, Botkier handbag

This interesting metallic silver-and-brown skirt is one of my new additions, and it showcases the power of eBay: it’s difficult to pass up a great deal on an item you weren’t even looking for. An innocent search for “pencil skirt” turned up this new-with-tags $29 free shipping score. So now I am trying to incorporate it into outfits, but it’s a little difficult. The skirt is mostly silvery, and the brown is on the purple side. I think I will try to pair it with cream and burgandy tops for the holidays!

OPI Kreme de la Kremlin

From a OPI's Russia winter collection a few years ago, this awesome, creamy rose neutral is flattering and lasted me a good five days before I had to remove it.

One, Two, Three, A Simple Dress for Me

shirtdress by Calvin Klein, brown boots by V Italia, bracelet by Sydney Evan

I love this taupe shirtdress. It's not quite brown, but I wear it with brown boots anyways. This is a very simple outfit, but you'll see me style this dress with other colors and accessories! Click for larger photos.

Being Content

For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.
But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 1 Timothy 6:7-8


I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty.
I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. Philippians 4:12


Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have,
because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”
Hebrews 13:5

I want a grey belt. I want a new pair of black pants. And a black puffer coat? Yep, it’s on the list. And the more I think about my list, the longer it gets…camel turtleneck, red silk blouse, and on and on… who said something about the more we have, the more we want?

So these scriptures on being content, no matter what our circumstances, bring me back to center. Being content is not a goal. It’s a way of life. It’s what we are as we work towards our life goals. It’s an appreciation for what we do have. If all I have is God, he is enough. He fills up my heart, where material possessions can continue to make holes.

My friends, do not be vexed as you window shop, look at the runways, or compare your wardrobe to others. Because being content is only a decision away, and it’s one we can make every day.

And Once In A While I Wear a Hat

grey sweater by Espirit, black corduroy skirt by XCVI, Rampage tall boots, Calvin Klein corduroy fedora

It felt like a hat outfit, so I added this rarely-worn outlet find. I love hats, but only have a couple, and rarely wear them. Do you wear hats, my friends?

To Work with Leopards and Camels

Leopard top by INC, white button-up shirt from Brooks Brothers, camel pants from LOFT, brown boots by V Italia

I love this top, that I got years ago from Macy's. I can wear it with burgandy, I can wear it with brown, I can wear it with camel. It's a leopard-and-floral print with lace and a shirred v-neck hem. Click for larger photos!

Cozy Babydoll

grey babydoll dress by To The Max, Far Away cardigan by Free People, black leggings by INC, Circa Joan & David black patent heels, onyx heart necklace by Tiffany & Co.

This was a very loose-fitting and comfortable outfit. The short babydoll dress needed some winter layering, and looked great with this burgandy cardi. I wore leggings underneath to make it work-appropriate, and 2-inch heels helped me pull it off.

Military Skirt, Revisited

orange jacket by Jones New York, green skirt from Anthropologie, brown ruffle shirt by INC, brown leather boots by V Italia

Another outfit that started with my green military skirt! One thing I love about fall colors, you can mix them any-which-way and they look good together. Click for larger photos.

Classic Black, White and Red

black cowlneck sweater from Ann Taylor, black and white tweed-look skirt from LOFT, red Repetto flats, Death Star Debris necklace, OPI You Don't Know Jacques nail polish

Simple fall outfit in black and white. I could have chosen a few different shoes or boots, but wanted to add a touch of color, so on went the red flats! Click for larger photos.

Military Jacket

denim military cropped jacket by BB Dakota, purple ruffle button-up from Nordstroms, grey pants from LOFT, Stuart Weitzman flannel grey flats

I've had this military jacket for a year now, and have always struggled about how to incorporate it into my work wardrobe. I wore it with a denim skirt last summer, which didn't look right, and it didn't look good paired with black pants or skirts either. Finally I went out and bought an inexpensive top to go under it. I think I'm happy with this combo, largely because I am wearing the shirt untucked. Have you ever had a new piece of clothing that was difficult to integrate with your other clothes, my friends? Click for larger photos!

Brown on Brown on Brown

brown v-neck sweater by Jones New York, camel striped button-up by Nine West, pants by BCBGMax Azria, Circa Joan & David patent brown heels, gold necklace by Elephant Heart

Brown on brown on brown, stripes on stripes on stripes. A touch of orange nail polish (OPI's Heeere's Jack! from their Halloween 2008 mini-set), and I'm on my way to work in true corporate style.

I’m Just Not That Into…Belts

Oh, belts. You’re such a fashion staple these days. Belts over cardigans, belts over coats, belts over blazers, belts over dresses, belts over long scarves over dresses. You even masquerade as a “ribbon” around the waists of today’s wedding and bridesmaid gowns.

Your impact on the silhouette of the modern woman is undeniable. And you come in so many forms: skinny, extra-wide, double-wrap and obi, just to be more approachable. But I’m sorry to tell you: I’m just not that into you.

I have absolutely no urge to belt my long cardigans. Sometimes when I’m getting dressed, I think to myself, “Hey, you should really put on a belt to draw attention to your waist and visually break up the length of your outfit. You know, that sweater could be mistaken for a nightgown if you don’t cinch it in with a 3-inch wide belt.” So I put one on. Is it supposed to sit higher than my pants, or lower, or at the same level? I walk around my room. The belt moves all over the place and ends up sagging down in the front and goes high in the back. I take it off.

I have about 10 belts. It’s almost impossible for me to wear them, except for on pants/skirt/jeans with belt loops. Without the loops, I am lost. Maybe my problem is that none of my belts are stretchy. Maybe a wide stretchy belt would stay put without loops...or maybe it will slide up as soon as I sit down. Hmm.

So I'm hoping that the belt craze will end soon, so that another 5th grader won't come up to me at church and tell me, "You know, you really need to wear a belt with that."

Taking Some Fashion Risks

Grey-green ruched corderoy blazer by XCVI, black ruched corderoy skirt by XCVI, turtleneck by Vince, Circa Joan & David riding boots

This outfit feels risky to me, a little out of my comfort level. It's risky to wear corderoy-on-corderoy, to wear less structured, pleaty clothing, to wear a long skirt that hits above my ankle, to wear two unrelated necklaces together, and to pair an olive green turtleneck with a greenish-grey and black ensemble. I think it almost works. Click for larger photos!