On the Hunt for Walking Sandals

Why can't comfort and style go hand in hand? I see it advertised everywhere, but I'm not a believer. I'm looking for a flat sandal that I can walk in for 8 hours when I go to vacation in Europe this year.

My criteria is no thong. Stylish. Slimming. Can be worn with shorts or dresses. Brown. Genuine leather. And under $50. Preferrably under $30. The first three are my favorites, but they are over my budget, and don't look like they would be very comfortable.

I have this last pair ordered and on their way. They are Patagonia's, which are known for their comfort and durability. My only concern is that there is no ankle strap. Will that flapping on the back get to me after hours of walking?

The Oscars!

Here were my top favorites of the night...

 Penelope Cruz, so Grace Kelly - love the classic romance of her look.

 Octavia's dress was so flattering - every woman needs a dress like this!

 Gwyneth's dress was so dramatic and modern.

Stacie's dress reminds me of what the Baroness wore at the ball in Sound of Music. I've always loved that dress, which is probably why I like this one.

 Emma's dress was pretty and I loved the color.

 This is how to wear black velvet.

 Very prim and fashion forward dress that was so perfect for Michelle's petite figure.

My absolute favorite - Jessica Chastain. She looked like a queen in McQueen! The strawberry blonde hair picking up the copper and gold tones in the dress against the black backdrop...stunning!

Outfit Post: Black Plaid

Jacket - Express - $9

Jeans - J.Brand - gifted

Hat - Banana Republic - $6

Leather boots - Jessica Simpson - gifted

Black shell top - Ann Taylor - gifted

Earrings - gifted

Necklace - Target - gifted

Re-Fashioning

Found this vintage dress at Goodwill the other day, and immediately saw its potential. Take the sleeves and collar off, shorten the hem, and take out the heightened waist seam so it falls back down to the princess waist, and voila! You have a great, fashion forward dress!

 I still need to shorten the dress more, iron it, and roll the edges of the armholes...and possibly choose a different belt and shoes...but this gives you an idea of where I'm going with it.

What do you think?

Outfit Post: My Floppy Hat

Dress - Elle - thrifted for $5

Belt - Banana Republic - $3

Jacket - Hydraulic - gifted

Tights - Kohl's - $1

Leather pumps - Dillard's (Gianni Bini) - $27

Earrings - gifted

Coat - Anne Klein - $23

Hat - Francesca's - $5

Shades - Wal-Mart - $7

Outfit Post: What I Really Wore Today

Yes, I started off my day goofing off with my boy, my hair pulled back, and flats on. But stepped it up for an evening out by adding the boots, taking my hair down, and wearing the cap.

 Notice my shirt wadded up in the back? It's not supposed to look like that, just in case anyone thought otherwise. ;-)

Shirt - thrifted - $3

Jeans - Pepe London - $3

Boots - Jessica Simpson - gifted

Necklaces - gifted

Hat - Banana Republic - $6

Taking Pictures With My Boy

My son and I took turns taking each other's pictures today. Isn't he handsome? 

Pink Leather

I know. I belt EVERYTHING. But for hourglass shapes like me, everything just looks better belted!

 However, I did try to be a little different. I ended up adding more color to my pink jacket - pink, orange, and yellow. Now if only I had some like colored daisies...

Sneak Peek For Spring

I went thrift shopping today and found this outfit that I'll probably wear this spring: an amazing leather pink jacket in just my size for only $3! The white t-shirt hangs just right, and it was only $3...and these orange Pepe London jeans for only $3!

Outfit Post: Belt Obsession

Shirt - Ann Taylor - $9

Corduroy blazer - H&M - $20

Earrings - gifted

Hat - gifted

Jeans - 7ForAllMankind - gifted

Belt - NY&CO - $2.99

Clogs (hidden under jeans) - Kohl's - $11

Outfit Post: Hot Pink Pants

Found a pair of hot pink jeans at Goodwill yesterday - I love them! I've spent the entire winter in blue jeans, and it feels great to finally switch it up.

 And I also finally found a chambray shirt at Goodwill yesterday. I've been hoping to find one, and yesterday was my lucky day! This one is especially great because I can wear it as a tunic and belt it. I love wearing long shirts over leggings or skinny jeans. Not to mention this will be a great maternity shirt for when the time comes (no, I'm not pregnant!).

And this picture is just to show how well I match the bed behind me. That pillow is like a chambray material, and my jeans bring out the pink in my mauve pillows. :-)

Shirt - Goodwill - $3

Jeans - Goodwill - $3

Clogs - Kohl's - $12

Necklace - thrifted - $1

Necklace - Target - gifted

Outfit Post: Maxi Skirt

Skirt - Old Navy - Free with coupon, but it was for sale for $.97!

Sweater - J.Crew - thrifted for $3

Flats - Tahari via DSW - gifted

Tights - Kohl's - $1

Belt - Kohl's - gifted
Bracelet - F21 - gifted

Earrings - I forget where, but they came with a necklace and the set was on clearance for $2

Outfit Post: Pink Cashmere

Pink cashmere sweater - J.Crew - $4 (thrifted)

Corduroy blazer - H&M - $20

Belt - Gap - $24

Pale pink rose porcelain earrings - thrifted - $.25

Denim pencil skirt - Gap - $17

Leather boots - Jessica Simpson - gifted

Pink necklace - gifted (thank you Marissa!)

Second pink necklace - gifted

Happy Birthday TO ME!!!!

Yes, I'm sharing my Birthday party with the nation - everyone is throwing a party today. OK, maybe it's for the Super Bowl - but hey, at least parties are happening everywhere today on my special day! ha ha!

This is my sporty look for the Super Bowl party I'm going to tonight:

 New shoes from Target with my Birthday money - they were only $8!! Woohoo!

I have officially entered a new decade today. I'm 30. 

Outfit Post: DVF Shirt

Found this Diane von Furstenberg shirt thrifting a while back. I adore it! I haven't worn it yet, because it's just too breezy for our Northwest Ohio winters. But today I'm going clothes shopping for my birthday, and I like to wear only a thin layer underneath my overcoat so I don't get overheated while I shop.  

 My Birthday is tomorrow, but since tomorrow will be eaten up with Super Bowl party preparations, we're doing some celebrating today. Hoping I find some really good deals today because I have lots of Birthday money to spend! Woohoo!

Shirt - Diane von Furstenberg (thrifted) - $3

Jeans - J.Brand - gifted

Boots - Jessica Simpson - gifted

Bag - Coach - gifted

Earrings - gifted

Necklace - Macy's - $2

Bracelet - thrifted - $.75

Vintage Sequins

I bought this vintage designer jacket at a consignment store in Grand Rapids. I thought it would look great with a long white cowl neck tunic tee (like what I'm wearing but in cream or white), some skinny jeans and a huge platform shoe. What you see below is the closest I had to that. The cool thing is that when I tried on the jacket this time around, I noticed a tag inside the sleeve. I pulled out the tag and it was the original price tag for the jacket. The jacket is Oleg Cassini, which is cool in and of itself, but having the original tags is even cooler. The tag is so old it looks stained, but you can still read it and it lists the jacket for $728!!! Crazy, right?

As cool as this jacket is - I didn't think it looked right with the taupe top, and I thought it needed a bigger platform shoe to balance out the strong shoulder. Perhaps maybe my boots?

I ended up switching out my sequined jacket for a sequined top. Still plenty of sparkle for a night out on the town.

Equation for a Complete Outfit

I'm giving a short talk on how to accessorize on Monday to a group of ladies. In working out what I want to say, I've decided to focus on starting with a simple equation for an outfit, and then expounding upon that. The equation is: base outfit + extra layer + jewelry + statement accessory (scarf, hat, pin, etc.) + bag = complete outfit. Using that math, I've been checking myself before I walk out the door. What shape jacket or sweater do I need as an extra layer? What jewelry does this outfit need? Will a scarf or hat add the right touch? Today I've used a scarf as my statement accessory - and yes, my bag is not pictured, but I've already switched it out to the right one to go with what I'm wearing.

Could your outfit use a jacket or more jewelry? Will a scarf, hat, pin, or statement jewelry piece add the right pizzazz to make your look? And don't forget to switch out your bag for just the right one for your occasion. Good luck!