Thursday, March 31, 2011

Last of the Essential Earrings

The novelty earring
Most of my earrings fall in this category. Whether they were given to me by my Mom (frog and Winnie-the-Pooh earrings) or if I purchased them (ladybug and skull earrings) these are great for a summer day. Or an animal-rights rally.


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Those are my essential earrings. But I have room for more!

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Essential Earrings, Part 2

The diamond stud earring
Real or CZ, these are classics and can be worn with anything. Like Revlon Perplex nail polish.

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The dangly stone earring
These popular and inexpensive earrings can be worn for lots of different occasions, and the color is what’s important here. Match them to your outfit and draw attention to your face.


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The gold hoop earring
My preference is to wear a small hoop. Very corporate and very flexible.


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Tuesday, March 29, 2011

My Essential Earrings, Part 1

Lately I have been looking in my jewelry box and feeling like I don’t have many good earrings to wear. I am looking for brown earrings, and coral earrings, and dangly gold earrings, and I just don’t have any.

It gave me the idea to talk about this topic here, to identify my essential earrings, both those I already have, and those I want to get!


The stainless steel stud earring
I love wearing these when my hair is pulled back. They are big and professional-looking, and are some of my favorites!

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The pearl earring
Whether it’s a pearl stud or a dangly earring, pearls aren’t just for weddings! I love the look of a black or chocolate pearl too.

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Tune in tomorrow for more essential earrings!

Friday, March 25, 2011

Modesty Part 1

Therefore I want the men everywhere to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or disputing. I also want the women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, adorning themselves, not with elaborate hairstyles or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God.
1 Timothy 2:8-10


Now here’s a controversial topic: modesty! I never thought this was a big deal until I started reading modesty posts on other fashion blogs, and, let me tell you, it’s a hothouse of sensitivity. People really get up-in-arms over this simple topic. Why? Because there are people who do not want anyone to make a judgment on what they wear. Or what they eat. Or about their health. Or pretty much anything else.

So let me get this out of the way: I am not telling you what to wear. So, relax, chill, and let’s look at what the Bible says about modesty. Really, it can be refreshing. There are a couple of definitions of modesty, one is dressing with humility. The second is not dressing in a sexually alluring manner. Today’s post will be about the former, then in another post I will approach the latter.

Let’s start with the foremost, and really the only New Testament scripture that specifically mentions modesty in women, 1 Timothy 2:8-10, above. The context of it is propriety in worship, how to participate in church gathering in a respectful and orderly way. The summary lesson from this scripture is that instead of dressing in a flashy way, to draw attention to themselves, women should be more focused on how they can serve God with good deeds. It is a practice of humility rather than arrogance or pride. It is thinking of other people as more important than yourself.

I also understand from this scripture, and from other scriptures, to dress in a “decent” manner. I define “modestly” and “decency” to mean in a non-sexually alluring manner. But that is another post!

When I go to worship God at church, my attitude is to look and give my best for him. I do wear my best clothes, I take care to not be sloppy or casual. I think of the priests under the Law of Moses, who had to carefully prepare themselves inside and out, before approaching the Holy of Holies, where the ark of the covenant, and God’s presence, were. How I dress is more a reflection on who God is than a focus on who I am.

I am coming at this topic from my viewpoint of loving God and putting him first in my life. I do not expect others who do not wish to have a relationship with God to put these principles into practice, and I do not condemn them.


So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
1 Corinthians 10:31

Thursday, March 24, 2011

Not America's Next Top Model

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black blazer by Sandra Angelozzi, ruffle purple shirt from Nordstrom's, military skirt from Anthropologie, Circa Joan & David riding boots


UGH. If Tyra saw this, she would be so disappointed. There's no tension in the face, no movement in the body, and those knees? I'd be going straight home. Good thing I'm already home. I can just turn on the television and be awed by the real, hard-working models who have to pose with jaguar cubs, walk down runways on fire, and have to be judged by Andrew Leon Talley and Rachael Zoe. I salute all the models who make posing look easy. You go, girls!

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Borderline Short

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grey babydoll dress by To The Max, magenta scarf by Liz Claiborne, DKNY tights, Fitzwell patent and suede pumps

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This babydoll dress is short. To wear to work, I wish it was two inches longer. The tights save it, and I hope by wearing the magenta scarf, it takes attention away from the length. I almost wore flats. What do you think, my friends?

Monday, March 21, 2011

Spring Dilemma

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black cardigan from J. Crew, winter white pants by Kenneth Cole, patent black flats by Loeffler Randall, Essence What Do U Think? nail polish

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All my spring and summer clothes are locked up in trunks in the attic, and it's going to be close to 80 degrees today, but in the 50s later on in the week. It's a spring dilemma: trying to dress for the season without overheating! So I can't go wrong with black, white, and spring-orange nails.

Friday, March 18, 2011

Praying For Japan

Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.
1 John 3:18


Hello my friends, I am honoring today's Blogger Day of Silence in honor of Japan, her residents, and all those who are helping and praying. Please do what you can to help.

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Lime Green for St. Patrick's Day

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lime green vest from Jones New York, Inglot lime green nails, grey pants from LOFT, white burnout shirt from J. Crew, Stuart Weitzman grey embroidered flats

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I'm not Irish, but I'm in the spirit today! Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Welcoming Spring with Bright Colors

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tomato red button-up shirt from Timeless Authentic Garments (St. Louis), metallic brown skirt by Paul and Joe, belt by TreVero, Franco Sarto almond pumps


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After getting five inches of snow on Monday, today it will be 65 degrees and tomorrow will be 75 degrees. Back to shorter skirts and lightweight fabrics! I am also wearing neon lime green nail polish, but more on that tomorrow. Welcome sun!

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

My Pants Are Unphotogenic

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orange jacket and brown pants by Jones New York Signature, brown ruffle shirt by BCX, Calvin Klein belt, Inglot neon green nail polish

Even if it was sunny and warm out today, these corduroy pants would not show up well in the photo. Check out previous posts here and here. They are my black hole pants: they absorb light. Even though they are brown.

Monday, March 14, 2011

My Top 4 Workwear Brands

Hello my friends! I wanted to share with you my go-to brands for office life. These are what I always look for, the best quality I can afford. I wish I could say Theory, DVF, or Thomas Pink, but I simply don't have that kind of budget!

1. BCBGMaxAzria
You can always expect pieces that are office-appropriate while still feeling young and modern. On-trend colors, some girly details, in fabrics that are sturdy.

2. Calvin Klein
I'm not talking the Collection or anything! I'm talking the CK that you can get at Macy's and at outlets. I am a true minimalist, and their plain button-up shirts, straight-leg pants, flattering work dresses, and even their footwear appeals to the graphic designer in me.

3. Jones New York
This is my workwear secret: JNY sweaters, skirts, jackets, and pants. This stuff is inexpensive, often found on sale, and lasts forever. It goes with everything in my closet. The best quality for amazing prices!

4. Nine West
When I first moved to Chicago, I was awed by Nine West shoes. Many uncomfortable pairs later, I have given up on the brand for footwear. Sure, the shoes are trendy, but bloody feet are not. However, the clothing is an entirely different animal: comfortable, fashionable, and easy-to-wear fabrics. Love wearing Nine West to the office.

Really, quality is key with me. I want a few clothes that will last forever, not lots of clothes that last two years. This standard rules out cheap, shoddy brands like The Gap.

But share with me your go-to brands, I would love to hear them!

Friday, March 11, 2011

A Salmon Spring Coat

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This is my spring coat, which my husband calls my salmon-colored coat. I got it three years ago at Ann Taylor, and it is so cheery and flattering on. I love a good structured coat!

Thursday, March 10, 2011

The Sweater Set Slouchy Look

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purple Charter Club sweater set, paper bag pants by Madewell, Circa Joan & David brown patent pumps, necklace from White House Black Market

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(Usually tops get tucked into my paper bag pants because of their pleated waist.) Today I wanted to see what I could do with a run-of-the-mill sweater set, meaning, can it not look motherly? So I tried pairing it with a more trendy bottom half. You can be the judge, my friends!

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Ah, There You Are

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black blazer by Sandra Angelozzi, camel sweater from Banana Republic, skirt from Ann Taylor, Katie & Kelly leopard flats

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Wow, the sun was a surprise today! But I knew it was there all along. I have a client meeting today, so the blazer comes out, but the flats keep it from being too formal.

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Longing for Sun

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blue cashmere cardigan from J. Crew, camel striped button-up shirt by Nine West, camel pants from LOFT, Franco Sarto almond wedges, necklace by Elephant Heart


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It's pretty overcast today, so I was able to take some photos at the office, where the lighting is a little better. I miss the sun. But days like this make me more grateful when the sun is shining!

Monday, March 7, 2011

Tough and Pretty

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Burberry Brit quilted jacket, cable-knit sweater from Limited, pink button-up shirt by Express, skirt from LOFT, Via Spiga patent heels, Chanel Flamingo nail polish

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Black, white and pink? Pretty! Quilted motorcycle-style jacket? Tough! Happy Monday to you, my friends. Look for some blog design and content tweaks, I want to take it higher!

Friday, March 4, 2011

Scarved Like A Flight Attendant

pink cashmere sweater from J. Crew, vintage grey skirt, scarf from Express, Fitzwell shoes, Chanel Rouge Coco lipstick in Camilia

Whenever I put on a scarf while I am wearing a skirt, I feel like a flight attendant. It's not a bad thing, I just have this old-fashioned image in my head, and it associates neck-scarves with flight attendants. And Girl Scouts. Kinda like trenchcoats remind me of Inspector Gadget. I push past it though, and try to think of all the other women who don't look like flight attendants with their scarves on.

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Rhinestone Dragonfly

rhinestone dragonfly brooch by Monet, taupe shirtdress by Calvin Klein, black cardigan from J. Crew, Chococat watch from McDonalds, rhinestone earrings from Macy's, Circa Joan & David black patent low heels, Revlon Perplex nail polish, Chanel Rouge Coco lipstick in Cambon


Little rhinestone touches made my outfit today, on a whim! First the rhinestone earrings, then the rhinestone buttons on my cardigan, then the final touch was a dragonfly brooch I got for Christmas a couple of years ago. I felt like adding my Happy Meal prize to take my outfit deeper into quirkiness. Because, my friends, this is about as quirky as I dress. Click for larger photos!

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Denim Jacket

cropped military jacket by BB Dakota, ruffled brown blouse by BCX, brown pants by BCBGMaxAzria, Circa Joan & David brown patent pumps, Revlon Perplex nail polish


This is one jacket that stays in my closet year-round; I can wear it in all seasons. It's denim, has puffy short sleeves, and works well with brown as well as white (in the summer). Here I am, off to work! Click for closeups.