This Vogue Bikini Looks Familiar

Lara Stone wearing a Jo De Mer bandeau bikini, June Vogue

me wearing a Coolwear top, July 2008

I have a subscription to US Vogue, and the June issue arrived a couple of days ago. As I was poring over it, the Show Some Skin feature caught my eye. The bikini pictured above looked really, really familiar. I tore out the page, went up to my closet, and found an old top I have, in exactly the same print! This scan is a little small and dark, but it's the same print, down to the small circular sequins. Here I am wearing it on my honeymoon.

Since someone gave me the top years ago as a hand-me-down, I can't help but wonder which print came first, if one is a knock-off of the other, or if it's simply a case of two different manufacturers purchasing the same fabric for different purposes. What do you think, my friends?

Enough With the Stripes Already!

Okay, I get it. Stripes are so in right now. I have purchased a striped top and a striped wrap cardigan within the past two years. I also have a new dress with a striped bodice. And I love them. But now all I see are stripes, stripes, stripes.

For example, a search for “stripes” on Shopbop yields 457 items right now, spanning tops, bathing suits, dresses, and shorts. The same search on Nordstroms is 601 items. Asos? 650. There are 21 striped sweaters at J. Crew alone. Heavens to murgatroyd. It’s getting a little crazy.

In my dream world, I would like to see a wider selection of patterns, like low-contrast small prints, watercolor effects, or even digital pixels. I also can’t get enough colorblocking.

So my friends, I hope the stripeyness of fashion calms down soon. If not, when I continue to wear my striped dress over the years, it will be “so 2011.”

Uncasual Friday

coral blouse from Forever 21, linen jacket by Sigrid Olsen, skirt from Ann Taylor, shoes by Charles David

The newest item I'm wearing are the shoes, and I got them two years ago. Well, if you don't count the nail polish! And yes, my friends, that is basil growing at my feet. My husband is quite a gardener, and I asked him to grow it so I could make pesto this summer, something I only recently discovered, and it is so delicious!

P.S. In response to a question at the blog Stand in the Sun... the one most important thing to me about my home is that I don't get too attached to it. Any physical home we have is temporary, and I could lose it in a single day. I love my home, it is a clean, peaceful, and hospitable gift (and it's in the city--bonus!), but I don't want to get too comfortable. We are called to an unpredictable life, and the material things really don't matter that much.

eBay Guilt

taupe shirtdress by Calvin Klein, earrings from Anthropologie, sandals by Eric Michael

I was seduced by the dark side of eBay this morning. Behold, Joe's Jeans The Pant, a grey cargo pant, new with tags, purchased at Saks. Cost: $12.99 with free shipping. How can I resist you, grey relaxed cargo pants? I don't even think you're in style any more, and I don't think I can wear you to work. What am I doing? I have a problem: if it's a fave designer (I have about 6 pairs of Joe's Jeans already) and it's like 90% off, I can't turn the other cheek. When they arrive, I'll be sure to post them and get your opinion if it was a waste of $13 or a total score!

I'm Not Really A Flight Attendant

blue sweater by Calvin Klein, denim-navy pencil skirt by Calvin Klein, scarf by Liz Claiborne, Circa Joan and David heels

Pencil skirt + scarf = flight attendant! At least in my mind. My outfit was inspired by a new Zoya polish I got, Harley. It's a silvery grey that has a bit of lavender in it too. I like the color but I'm not sure how it looks with my skin tone. The sweater is the closest item I have to it, and it makes me feel better.

The Same but Different

long crochet sweater from The Limited, yellow t-shirt from Nordstroms, pants from LOFT, necklace from Anthropologie, Ray-Ban aviator sunglasses, Matisse woven oxfords

Here is another outfit featuring a long, open-weave sweater (see the first here). But it's a really really old sweater, I got it over 11 years ago, but rarely wear it. It is feeling a little Handmaiden-Padme-The-Phantom-Menace-Tatooine/Michael-Kors-Summer-2011 to me. I made it work-appropriate by adding a jacket. And Oliver the stray joined me on the porch this morning. Doesn't he look handsome in his blue collar?

Breaking the Rule with White Denim

Joe's Jeans in Muse cut, sweater by Pink Tartan, shoes by Spring Step

I have a personal no-jeans policy at work. Even on casual Fridays, I keep my denim at home. I am breaking the rule today with these amazing white jeans, since they look like white pants. There is good stretch to these jeans, which is great because I have put on a couple of pounds. I had to take off my watch, however, it leaves black marks on the jeans that fade but doesn't totally go away. Do you have a watch like that, my friends?

Red is My Color

red shirt from Express, black pants by Calvin Klein, red flats by Repetto, belt by Preston & York, onyx heart necklace from Tiffany & Co.

I love wearing red, though I don't have a lot of red summer clothes. When we went to Europe last fall, I made a point to go to a Repetto store in Paris and get these ballerina flats, the last red pair in the store, and they were in my size! A basic work outfit that works. And my Zoya Morgan polish is still going strong on the fifth day with a touch of tip wear but no chips...

My New Espadrilles

Nemo colorblock espadrilles by Eric Michael, tie-front blouse by Nine West, black pencil skirt from Banana Republic, OPI On Collins Ave. nail polish on toes

This was the year to get new black summer sandals. They had to be work-appropriate (no stilettos!), comfortable and about 3". These leather espadrilles were perfect, though they are a little too big. I love the warm grey, it makes them a little more versatile. They are high-quality and I'll be wearing them for summers to come!

Layering Textures

open-knit sweater from White House Black Market, crochet skirt from Wet Seal, t-shirt from Banana Republic, Death Star Debris necklace by Deka Ray, Enzo Angiolini heels, Zoya Morgan nail polish

A hot day, a cold air conditioned office. This tension requires some creative dressing. I love layering these lightweight knit textures, even though the sweater is waaaay too big. Everything I'm wearing I've had for years, except the nail polish. I just got it and love the bright pink!

Sassy Vintage

vintage red blouse from Timeless Authentic Garments (St. Louis), brown pants by BCBGMaxAzria, belt by Calvin Klein, Frye shoes

I don't have any vintage clothing, except for a couple of pieces, but I love, love this 70s polyester blouse with its almost-neon, saturated tomato red color. I think a lot of fashion is about color, at least that's how I think about outfits and fashion. What matches? What doesn't match but is in the same color range or tone? I admit it: I am a matchy-matchy girl. Have a great weekend, my friends!

Happy Cinco de Mayo!

dress (worn under sweater) from Arden B., coral sweater by Jones New York, linen jacket by Sigrid Olsen, necklace from Anthropologie, shoes from The Walking Company

Nothing but bright colors will do for this Mexican holiday! Since we have a Cinco de Mayo luncheon at work, and we are having a mini-party before our Bible discussion group at our house tonight, I needed an outfit that can handle both! The jacket gives me some formality-- and warmth-- at the office.

Embrace the Light

striped cardi by Ella Moss, pencil skirt by BCBGMaxAzria, Ray-Ban aviator sunglasses, necklace from Express

Whee, another sunny day in the city! Love wearing navy blue, this time a cardi with navy stripes paired with one of my navy pencil skirts. Sorry about that last shot, I only included it because my hair looks really good. Have a wonderful day, my friends!

Creams and Corals

coral jacket from New York & Co., cream blouse by Lela Rose, cream cropped pants from LOFT, Anthropologie earrings, Matisse oxford flats, Chanel Coco Rouge lipstick in Cambon

How do you take a photo when it's really sunny out? Try to stand at least partially in the shade! Here's my slouchy outfit for today, slouchy because I didn't tuck my shirt in, which I almost always do. I'm sure a long shirt under a cropped jacket is a fashion no-no, but it just felt right today.

True Colors Shining Through

salmon jacket from Ann Taylor, yellow sweater by Calvin Klein, scarf by Preston & York, brown cropped pants from LOFT, Charles David patent brown heels

Please excuse my sleepy Monday morning face! I am so happy May is here, and the more colorful I can dress, the happier I am! Are you dressing more brightly these days?