Things I Want... and Might Need!

Fall is in full force and October is bringing a new slew of things my heart desires.  I am hoping to not do any spending this month, as I went a bit overboard in September and have a vacation coming up.

I completely swooned when I saw the Dulcie Dress online from Anthropologie.  I love it in both colors, but I think the neutral color will work the best for me.  I might have to cave and break my shopping ban if this dress comes to a store near me (and if it fits!).

Another dress I've had my eye on from Anthro is the Pendleton Down East Dress.  I know this dress has been getting some flack for its itch-factor, and I agree that it should be lined.  I still think it is super cute though.  The price point is insane, I may consider it at sale time.

I'm sure the Stilt-Striders Skirt will be too long for my short self, but I love these flamingos.  I think this skirt could easily be a year-round piece when paired with the right top.

I adore this Banana Republic skirt.  It is everywhere Banana right now- on their ads, on their main webpage, in the emails they send out- everywhere.  The odd thing is, you can't purchase this skirt.  I was hoping it came in petite.  When I checked out the petite page and it wasn't there, I went to the women's page to search for it- STILL no luck.  When I clicked on this image to "shop this look" everything comes up- the sweater, necklace, boots, you name it, but NOT the skirt.  Very frustrating. Hopefully it will surface in the next few days, possibly even by the time you are reading this!

This is a short list for now (that's probably a GOOD thing!) but I am sure it will grow as the month plugs along and more fall styles are revealed or reviewed.

What are you craving this month?

Crazy for Cozy Coats

We are finally moving out of our cold front and are beginning to experience more seasonal October temperatures.  (Yay, fall!!)  Before we left the chilly behind, though, I had to bust out the new Plenty Ruched Marigold Coat by Tracy Reese.  I was hoping to resist the urge to buy this beauty, but when I saw it in the store, I was melted butter.  I purchased it while Anthro is having their outerwear sale, and my cousin Emily persuaded me that I needed it (not that I took much convincing!)  This coat is sold out online and for good reason- it is beautiful, cozy, unique and a reasonable price point (with the 30% off sale).  Hopefully I will get a lot of wear out of it this year.

Dress: Anthropologie's Wightwick Manor Dress, Fall 2010
Belt: Anthropologie's Looping Lanes Belt, Fall 2010
Necklace: Anthropologie, Fall 2010
Boots: Nine West
Coat: Plenty Ruched Marigold Coat

What's a must-have coat you can't live without?

Just Like the Good Ol' Days

My dear friend and former college roommate, Raechel, came to visit last weekend since she was unable to attend my pirate-party weekend.  It's been awhile since she's been to visit so it was fun for me to show off my new house and catch up with her.

Friday night we stayed up late giggling and telling stories (like a 3rd grade slumber party) and then Saturday we headed to Eggspectations for a hearty breakfast before traveling into DC to visit the Newseum.  It was a  chilly, rainy day so an excellent one to spend inside a museum. 

In the evening, we went home to change and get ready before heading back out again for dinner and drinks... we also played a fun, impromptu round of rate-a-date. Sunday we woke up late and then went to breakfast and shopping before Raechel headed home. All in all, it was a great visit!

I rarely wear jeans, but heading out into the fall rain while posing as a tourist definitely called for denim. I wore Anthropologie's safekeeping capelet from 2010 with a cream top and jeans.  It was definitely a cozy outfit for the day!

Jeans: Banana Republic Outlet, 2010
Capelet: Anthropologie's Safekeeping Capelet, 2010
Top: Gap, circa 2008

16 Going On 17

As you are well aware, September is birthday month.  Not just mine, but 90% of the people on the planet (that is an actual fake statistic).  Last Thursday was my cousin Emily's birthday.  Nope, she's not 16 going on 17, but she looks like it so that is the title of my post, and she is a wee young one, so she can be trapped at 17 forever.

To celebrate her day, we went to Michel by Michel Richard.  Everything was delicious (especially the pineapple-flavored mojito and chocolate lava cake... YUM) and we had a lot of laughs to go along with our tasty meal.

Am I wearing feathers on my head?  Yes.

Is my hair still wet in these early morning photos?  Yes.

Am I standing like a flamingo for reasons I can't explain or understand?  Yes.

Shirt: Banana Republic, circa 2008
Skirt: Banana Republic Petite, Summer 2011
Boots: Nine West
Necklace: J. Crew, Spring 2009
Headband: Lou Lou Boutiques, Fall 2011

Ask me anything.  I am sure the answer will be yes.

Hooray for the month of October!  I have very few October birthdays on my radar.  Not that I don't love to celebrate, however, my wallet needs a break!

May the Odds Be Ever in Your Favor

Here's a not-so-secret-secret. Whenever I have my hair up in a ponytail (as I have for the past few blog posts) it means 1 of 2 things:
1. I overslept and had to go to work with my hair wet-in-a-ponytail-fresh-out-of-the-shower
2. I was too lazy to wash my hair and had to wear it up to keep it off my face

There, the secret's out.  Basically, expect to see my hair in a ponytail until March because it is SO hard for me to get out of bed when it is all dark and dreary outside.  I need the sunshine to wake me up in the morning!  I generally leave for work before the sun is fully up, so therein lies the problem.  Now you know why there is a daily ponytail all fall/winter as I dash out of the shower and into my car to head to work.

I bought this skirt in 2003 and the top in 2005. Definitely an old outfit.  Remember here when I wrote about recently purchasing too many tights? Yeah.  Since then, I bought 3 more pair, this being one of them (I needed sheer gray tights! Honestly!!).  This is IT!  Repeat after me: NO. MORE. TIGHTS. Whew.  Let's stick to it this time.

I'm not sure why I look mad in this picture.  Maybe because my hair is so frizzy?  Who knows.
Shirt: Banana Republic Petite
Skirt: Ann Taylor
Tights: Target, Fall 2011
Shoes: Banana Republic, Fall 2010

There's Nothing Platonic About It

The other day I crazy overslept (my alarm went off, I just slept through it!!) and had to rush to get ready for the day.  After work, I was heading to Nosh at Willow to meet my friend, Hyun June for drinks and dinner to celebrate her recent engagement, so I needed an outfit to last all day.

This is an interesting outfit combination. I've had the skirt for 5-6 years and honestly I JUST cut the tag off of it this morning. Why? I don't know. I remember for awhile I couldn't find a top to wear with it (this was before tucking shirts in was stylish) and then I just forgot about it for a few years.  I recently purchased the tan cardigan at Banana Republic and I LOVE it!  It is very soft, cozy, and warm.  The only downside is that it leaves fuzzies all over everything.  I think it is worth it, though, for the coziness factor.

Skirt: The Limited, Circa 2005
Shirt: Ann Taylor Loft Circa 2008
Cardigan: Banana Republic, fall 2011
Boots: Nine West circa 2009

Is It Me You're Looking For?

The other day I wore this outfit and someone said to me "Is today a special day at work?"  I looked at him quizzically and said, "No.  Why do you asked?"  He replied, "I am just wondering why you are dressed like a colonial person."

Sigh.

I bought this dress last spring and I've only worn it twice, this being the second time.  While I like it in theory, it is troublesome to wear. First of all, the top is sheer, requiring a cami underneath.  Secondly, the ruffles on the top can be overwhelming on a small frame like mine.

I love the bright yellow bird pattern, though, and I like that this dress is a bit different.  In retrospect, it probably wasn't a smart buy (I'm not sure how often I'll actually wear it) but I am hoping when paired with some fall-colored cardigans that I can still get some more wear out of it this year.  Time will tell.

Dress: Anthropologie Sunny Soiree Dress, Spring 2011
Cardigan: J. Crew Outlet, Fall 2011
Shoes: J. Crew spring 2010

What's an article of clothing you regret buying?