Wearing Red with Green

olive green military jacket from Lulus.com, red ribbed turtleneck by Lauren Ralph Lauren, Joe's Jeans,  olive Rosegold suede booties

I hope you all had a Merry Christmas, my friends! Among many other items, I received this red turtleneck from my husband, and a bunch of Sephora OPI nail polishes, to be featured later on the blog.

I finally got an oversized military jacket, and it may be at the end of the trend, but I look forward to wearing it as a casual coat. All of my other coats are dressier.

Target x Neiman Marcus Proenza Schouler Sweatshirt

Target x Neiman Marcus collection: Proenza Schouler sweatshirt, skinny cargo pants by Blank Denim, Sam Edelman camo flats, Nixon watch, OPI Rudolph Red nail polish

Here's my review of the Target x Neiman Marcus collaboration which released Saturday! 

I had my eye on only a few pieces, all clothing of course! Overall I wish there was more clothing and shoes in this collection and not so many gifty-type items, like dog leashes and lunch boxes. 

First I tried on the Robert Rodriguez sleevless blouse. I loved it on the hanger, it was weighty, with lots of beautiful layers of fabric and ruffles. It was high quality for Target. But on me, it made me look huge and thick. So back to the rack it went.

Then the Lela Rose blouse. I almost bought it. You have to size up, though, there is no stretch to the fabric. It is very pretty and flattering. 

Finally I tried on this sweatshirt. I didn't like it on the hanger, but it is very cosy on. And let's face it, I don't have very many sweatshirts,  they are too casual for my style. But this was just interesting and arty enough for me! I sized up to Medium to get a looser fit. 

Did you get anything, my friends? Do tell!

Cashmere Poncho Monday

M.PATMOS Striped Poncho from Club Monaco, navy long-sleeve shirt from LOFT, Joe's Jeans, Franco Sarto wedge heels, Zoya Kalista nail polish

Ah, Pinterest has been good to me! I just won this asymmetrical cashmere poncho from a Pinterest contest, and I truly love it with all its camel-and-navy striped warmness. Club Monaco is a store I visited last weekend in downtown Chicago, and all their clothes are just my style: modern classic dressing with a touch of whimsy.

Sunshine Colorblock

colorblock sweater by Joie, Joe's Micro Flare Skinny jeans, Ray Ban Aviators, Via Spiga patent heels

It's hard to take a bad photo in this sunny oversized colorblock sweater! Perfect for a casual almost-winter day at home, this Joie sweater is long but lightweight, and I love wearing yellow. I am on a sweater-buying spree, I can't get enough of a big relaxed sweater. So stay tuned!

Oversized Sweater Weather

sweater by Vince, Josefina jeans by 7 for all Mankind, Stuart Weitzman flats, necklace from Tiffany & Co.

Cooler weather has set in, and all I want to wear are big cozy sweaters. I got this one from T.J. Maxx, and really love it, it is soft and not bulky. Pairing it with jeans and grey flannel flats just feels perfect on a day like today!

Floral Jeans and Camo

hoodie by DKNY Jeans, jeans by Free People, Sam Edelman camo flats

Here's a casual outfit! I never thought I liked the floral or printed denim trend until I saw these jeans. They are a perfect warm grey and cream combo, nothing garish, but subtle and neutral. I ordered two sizes up, since they are skinny jeans, so they are not skin tight. 

Enjoy your weekend, my friends! We are going on a haunted zombie paintball hayride tomorrow night! 

Red and Caramel

red silk blouse by Calvin Klein, burn-out t-shirt from J. Crew, paperbag pants from Madewell, Circa Joan & David patent heels, Nixon watch

This vibrant red button-up looks smashing next to the caramel pants and other browns. My friends, I am looking for a PONCHO this fall. One without fringe and that doesn't look like a blanket. Know of any good ones?

New Tall Boots and Clashing Blues

denim jacket by DKNY Jeans, shirtdress by Calvin Klein, boots by Enzo Angiolini, scarf unknown, Milani Chocolate Sprinkles nail polish

Fall is here, and my closet is full of brown clothing and shoes! Here are a couple of taupe items: a CK shirtdress, and my new tall boots (thanks Mom!). Even my nails are brown (though much darker), beautiful Chocolate Sprinkles with amazing glitter in them. I highly recommend you pick it up,  I am on Day 3 with minimal tip wear. 

OPI Danke-Shiny Red Perfection!

Behold, the newest polish in my arsenal: OPI Danke-Shiny Red! This is a perfect nail polish. It is opaque in ONE COAT. The finish GLOWS. The color is rich and metallic. It is flattering on my skin. A perfect Fall and Winter red. It stands alone, outshining the reddest Coca-Cola can and the most metallic Mini Cooper steering wheel.

I was hoping it was a dupe for OPI's Red-y To Strike! from Halloween 2008, but this is not as warm as that red, though it shares the same finish and opacity.

The Greatest Shoe Story Ever Told

t-shirt by Splendid, Current/Elliott boyfriend jeans, shoes by Loeffler Randall, Swatch watch, OPI Big Apple Red polish

Guys, guys, guys, you are not going to believe the shoe story I have for you today. Remember this post, where I hopelessly wished I could afford these Loeffler Randall sandals? I said they were worthy of saving up for, but I never did. And good thing: these amazing shoes, in my size, went up for flash sale at MyHabit.com the week before last. The price? Would you believe 90% off, or $35? No saving required. (and they shipped free too). A story with a happy ending.

Navy and Pink Combo with Kitten

t-shirt by Vince, jeans from ASOS, necklace from Etsy, Swatch watch, shoes from The Walking Company, Rimmel London Steel Grey nail polish

Anyone want a calico/tortie 5 month old kitten? This kitten "Sweetie" is one of my latest rescues.

Pink jeans I find difficult to build outfits around, but white works, or in this case, navy blue. I love Vince t-shirts, they are so soft and flattering! Have a wonderful weekend, my friends!

My Post-Labor Day Whites

top from Madewell, I.N.C. linen pants from Macy's, t-shirt by Splendid, Nixon watch

It's summer until the temperatures drop! Here are two new items in my wardrobe: a bright and cool linen top paired with linen pants. My husband got me the pants for our anniversary (four years is linen).

My Chambray Shirt

Soft-wash denim shirt from Banana Republic, crochet skirt from Wet Seal (old), Naturalizer sandals, Nixon watch

I have been looking for a chambray shirt for a while now. Of course, I have my husband's chambray, but I wanted something a little more fitted. After comparing shirts from Isabella Oliver, J. Crew, and Madewell, I went with this one from Banana Republic. I wanted the denim to be darker and bluer, not a faded wash, because it made the shirt dressier and work-appropriate.

Here I wore it to church with the crochet skirt and these great sandals.

Outfit Post and New Watch

sundrenched sweatshirt from J. Crew, shorts by Polo Ralph Lauren, oxfords by Coconuts, Nixon Vega watch in Tortise

Happy September! I told you I'd be back, and I have a lot to share, so please keep coming by! Up first, a late-summer outfit and my new tortiseshell Nixon Vega watch. At first, I thought this watch was too big for me, and a little obnoxious. But I like to push myself and try things out, and this watch is growing on me. It's my all-fall accessory, here on out. 

Matt Bernson Black Sandals

Matt Bernson Sandals, OPI On Collins Avenue nail polish

Even though this may seem like a shoes and nail polish blog lately, I assure you it isn't! By the Fall I will be ready to showcase more outfit posts and spiritual musings.

Here is my latest purchase, from MyHabit.com. Can I just praise MyHabit for a second? Every time I order from a flash sale site, I have to pay shipping AND wait like 10 days to get my order. Not MyHabit. I got these shoes 2 days after I ordered them, with FREE shipping. You really can't beat that. 

These strappy leather sandals with a slight wedge heel and tassels on the back are perfectly comfortable for summer work and play!

Cult Nails Scandalous Polish

Cult Nails Scandalous

After seeing this beautiful polish swatched on this post on Also Known As blog, I had to have it. However it looks different on me! I still love it. It is a jelly-ish, pale orange polish. This is 4 coats topped with Seche Vite. It actually reminds me of Chanel's Orange Fizz, or its dupe, Essence What Do U Think? I had the Essence polish (which is a tiny bottle!). It recently went bad on me, so I consider this its replacement. 

Wear on this polish is amazing. I am on day 3 and only have a bit of tip wear, even after a weekend of kitten rescue, cleaning, and cooking.

Do you know what polish didn't fare well? Butter London's Disco Biscuit. I was SO disappointed in this polish, I didn't even take photos for the blog. It's a beautiful jelly glitter color, but it was chipping within a day, even after the most careful manicure. Then because it chipped, I had to remove it, which was a huge pain and takes like 20 minutes of scrubbing to get it off. I just swapped it on Makeup Alley's site, I couldn't bear to look at it any more.


By the way, did you know throwing away nail polish in the trash is illegal? I am about to get rid of 10 dried-up polishes, but the chemicals in them make them a special disposal case. Each state/county has hazardous waste disposal drop-off sites, so do a search for one in your area. That is what I am doing!

Another eBay Score: Shoes!

Chloé Pumps

It's on eBay that I find things I didn't know I needed. Case in point: these bone-colored Chloé heels, from Spring/Summer 2007. They were practically new, but have the slightest wear, which brought them down to only $70. The heel height is perfect, and they are unusual enough to be stand out in a crowd.  Thanks eBay!

Nicole by OPI - Others Pale by Kim-Parison Polish

Nicole by OPI - Others Pale by Kim-parison swatch

I am on a jelly nail polish hunt. I am looking for amazing jelly polishes, I love their squishy textures. Over the weekend, I bought Butter London's Disco Biscuit, so the next post will be about that one.


This is a white jelly, but it took four coats, topped with Seche Vite, and still a bit streaky. It's not a pure white, there's a touch of pink in it. Still, I like it, very elegant on my short nails.


Do you have a favorite jelly polish (not Essie, not blue, green, or purple)? Please share in the comments!

Tangerine Nails and Tomato Pants

Butter London "Jaffa" nail polish, Nixon watch, necklace and white lucite bracelet from Etsy, striped cardigan by Ella Moss, navy slingback heels from Ann Taylor

I want to introduce everyone to my newest nail polish purchase, Butter London's Jaffa polish. Though it may look red in the photos, I assure you, it's very close to Pantone's 2012 color of the year, Tangerine Tango. Once I put it on, I built the rest of my outfit around it. 

Wearing a watch and one bracelet is as close to an "arm party" (copyrighted term by The Man Repeller) as I get! I am more of a minimalist. If you are looking for unique jewelry and accessories, my friends, may I suggest you take a look over at Etsy? You can find that perfectly-colored piece that may be missing from your jewelry box. And you can probably find it for really cheap. 

Red, white, and blue? I say, let's be patriotic all year 'round. Have a great day, my friends.

New Red Sandals

Via Spiga Horizon sandals

I wasn't really looking for red sandals, but stumbled across them on eBay. New, with box, Via Spiga sandals for $10 (+ $10 shipping)? Sold. I have red flats, but no heels, and these tomato-red sandals will go with so many of my pants and skirts. Happy Shoe Hunting, my friends! 

The Mouth of Modeling

I've come to an important conclusion: the main difference between a model and me, is that they can not smile in a photo and still be photogenic. It's something about the mouth: models can frown, pout, or just be expressionless, and it looks good. Like really good.

Me, on the other hand, if I'm not smiling, and sometimes even when I am, I can look disfigured, or at least depressed. So that's just an observation I wanted to share with the world. Kthxbai!

My New Shoes

haircalf giraffe-print heels by Via Spiga

Behold, some new shoes! These are the Mona2 style from Via Spiga. A perfect, comfortable work-height pump that I get compliments on all day long.