Need Help Cleaning Espadrilles!

lace top from LOFT, cream blazer from Guess, pencil skirt from Banana Republic, Eric Michael espadrilles, Pucci sunglasses, Anthropologie earrings

I love my newish espadrilles, but now the backs of them are all dirty. It may be from driving a stick-shift, they can get rubbed on the car floor. I'm afraid of cleaning the rope/straw surface. If you have any tips, my friends, please let me know in the comments!

Inspired by DKNY

blazer from New York & Co., blouse by Jones New York, Joe's Jeans The Pant skinny cargos, Franco Sarto Vicar platform heels, Nixon watch, Pucci sunglasses

When I say this outfit was inspired by the Spring 2011 DKNY runway outfit in the inset photo, what I mean is that it looks absolutely nothing like the DKNY outfit. The pants aren't the same, my blazer is cropped, I'm not wearing a necklace, my hands aren't in my pockets, etc. But I really liked the DKNY color combo, especially since I had a brightly colored blouse. And what a great work outfit!

I only got one shot before the camera ran out of battery life. I hope you like it, my friends! It shows off my new shoes pretty well!

Little Grey Day Dress

grey dress by To The Max, mesh shorts by So Low, orange Mona flats by Delman

I've had this babydoll dress for years. I love the pockets! Swingy and comfortable, and the too-short length is made work-appropriate with the shorts underneath. I'm going to a rehearsal dinner tonight, so I'll switch out the shoes to make it a little more evening.

And the Shopping Continues!

sweater by Jones New York, skirt from Ann Taylor, Circa Joan & David kitten heels

If it seems like I've got quite a few new additions to my wardrobe, then you've really been paying attention. (You're not a stalker, are you?) Well, I've been doing a lot of freelance work lately, and after tithing 10% of it, I have some extra spending money. And I always look for the sales! This is my new white skirt from Ann Taylor, purchased on sale. I love the texture of it!

Black and Cream with New Heels

blouse by Lela Rose, black bootleg pants by T Tahari, scarf from Express, Franco Sarto Vicar platform heels

For my birthday a few weeks ago, my husband got me an amazing shoe-themed gift bag. In it was the hardcover pop-up book titled Shoe Love, and a shoebox with a Nordstroms gift card inside...for shoes! I finally made it over to the store and chose these comfortable cage platforms. These are the shoes that Calvin Klein Parma never were. They are wonderful and I can't wait to show you more of them. The above is a sneak peek!

Feeling French

dress by Shabby Apple, Nixon watch, Pucci sunglasses, espadrilles by Eric Michael

Ooh la la! This is the Tour Eiffel dress I won from Shabby Apple a few months ago. It is very comfortable for a hot summer day. I think 90% of my dresses are day dresses.

A Caramel Cardigan

caramel cardigan from J. Crew, cropped pants from LOFT, Frye sandals, belt by Calvin Klein

Okay, I belted it. Just for this photo. I tried wearing it to work like this, but the belt kept sliding around, and it stayed in my car. (read more about my saga here.) And these Frye platforms are way more comfortable than when I first bought them last year!

Orange Nails are the Best!

(This post is scheduled to appear at 8:00 AM Friday.)

I have a weakness for orange nail polish in the summer. (And in the fall too, but it's a different tone of orange.) For this manicure, I painted two coats of Essence's What Do U Think, then topped it with Nars "Big O". Seche Vite is my topcoat of choice, and voila! Behold the beautiful, orangey, shimmery happiness above!

I'm Neutral

blazer by Sigrid Olsen, Joe's Jeans the Pant, shoes from the Walking Company, t-shirt from Banana Republic

Ugh. I am still frustrated with my hair, so you'll notice it's cropped out. Usually a couple of weeks after a haircut, it looks its best because it's had time to grow out a bit and I've learned to style it. Not the case here.

But onto better things...so my outfit is full of neutral tones, which works. I wish I had chosen a different belt, that is the only thing that doesn't work too well. Have a wonderful day, my friends!

Flyaway Tops

sleeveless blouse by Vivienne Vivienne Tam (via Ideeli), blazer from Ann Taylor, pants from LOFT, Enzo Angiolini heels, necklace by Elephant Heart jewelry

Check out my new top! It's one of those blouses with a flyaway or A-line cut, getting wider at the bottom. Not always flattering, but it looks modern. I have a Free People top that is cut the same way. I have a few new purchases lately, so be sure to come back and see what I got, my friends!

It's My 1 Year Blogiversary!

Yes, today is the day! Here's a 1-year recap:

- my most-commented outfit post was post was this one

- my most-commented humor post was Nordstrom Rack vs. TJ Maxx

- my personal favorite, and the reason I started this blog, was this spiritual post

- my most faithful commenters are Styrch, Cafe Fashionista, Couture Carrie, Angeline, and Jessie. Thanks girls, you really encourage and inspire me!

You know, some women celebrating their one year blogiversary have attracted hundreds of followers, have become really involved in the blogging community, and are very successful in my eyes. Though I have not accomplished these things, I still enjoy blogging and will continue. I love being a tiny part of the community, and over all, staying true to my God and myself. Thanks to everyone who has read it over the past year. My friends, I hope it has encouraged you and maybe even made you laugh.

White and Bright!

blouse from T.A.G. (St. Louis), Joe's Jeans Muse cut, sandals from The Walking Company

I love bright colors. I keep wanting to buy many bright-colored button-down blouses, even multiples in the same color. Watch out for the collar on this 70s shirt, it's pretty wide!

Grey and Bright

button-up shirt from Banana Republic, grey pants from New York & Co., white belt by Lauren Ralph Lauren, Kate Spade crossbody handbag, orange Delman flats

This has to be one of my favorite outfits so far this summer! It was totally unexpected for me to pair this shirt with these pants, which my friend recently gave me, because it is low-contrast. I punched it up with orange and tomato red, and I am off to work for a great day!

Sweater Tucked In

yellow sweater by Calvin Klein, skirt by BCBGMaxAzra, Preston & York belt, Stuart Weitzman heels, Deathstar Debris necklace by Deka Ray

It was hard to tuck this sweater in. I am a tucker, but usually not sweaters. In the end it prevented me from having a lumpy waist since the sweater is a little long. I like the touches of patent on my shoes and belt!

Daytime Dressing

dress by BCBGMaxAzria, shoes from The Walking Company, necklace from Etsy, Lia Sophia earrings

The most comfortable clothing for a sweltering hot (96 degree) day is a swingy dress. I wore it with a white cardigan in our air-conditioned office. I think it needs a belt.

eBay Guilt Followup

Joe's Jeans The Pant, t-shirt from Banana Republic, blazer from New York & Co., Eric Michael espadrilles, necklace from Tahiti

A couple of weeks ago I posted about these Joe’s Jeans cargo pants I bought, new with tags, on eBay for $12.99. I was feeling guilty because they seemed to have a out-of-style relaxed cut, seemed to be out-of-season because they are a knit pant, and seemed to be too casual to wear to work. This is all before they arrived in the mail.

Well I am happy to report that they are in fact a skinny cargo. Also, I have been wearing them to work even though the fabric dictates them to be an early Spring or Fall pant. When I wear them with a heel and a jacket or button-up shirt, they seem office appropriate. So, in general I am pretty happy with them, I had been looking for a grey pant for the summer. Of course, then my friend gave me a pair of lighter-grey summer pants, but that’s a topic for another outfit post!

Current/Elliott Steal!

Current/Elliott boyfriend jeans in New Worn Wash, navy t-shirt by Vince, Tory Burch sneakers, Nixon watch, OPI On Collins Ave. nail polish

Our camera is fixed and outfit posts are BACK! Thanks for your patience. Here's a cat photo.

I have wanted a pair of Current/Elliott boyfriend jeans since they came out a while ago, maybe two years? But they are waaaay out of my denim budget. However I went to TJ Maxx last weekend, and I've decided I love TJ Maxx. There was a pair of Current/Elliotts for $29. In my size. In addition, I found this super-soft and flattering Vince tee for $25, usually it costs $60. But don't bring that up to my husband. And I got a new haircut and I really don't want to talk about it.

This is Oliver the cat, who we are still trying to find a home for. If you live in St. Louis and would love a laid-back, low-maintence, friendly cat, let me know.

Birthday Wishes

My birthday is tomorrow! These are a few of the pretty things I go visit once in a while, and in my dreams they would be in my closet. I love neutrals, classics, and also bright colors! The shirt is from Calvin Klein, the pants are Current/Elliott, the tote is Halogen.