Halloween Candy

Happy Halloween!

I went to the movies last night and saw An Education. I enjoyed the movie. I had intended to wear the same clothes I wore to work yesterday, but on the way home I soaked my arm by leaning against a leaky bus window. When I changed out of my wet clothes, I wanted to keep wearing the candy corn earrings and orange, so I went with my bright orange Reese's T-shirt. Candy tee and candy earrings!

Where:
movies to see An Education, drinks

What:
Reese's T-shirt: ordered online somewhere
Long-Sleeve T-shirt: Forever XXI (thrifted)
Scarf: handmade by my mother
Jeans: Delia*s
Candy Corn Earrings: mine from ages ago
Boots: Franco Sarto (thrifted)

Trick or Treat

An early Happy Halloween! I love holidays. When I was little, I used to do my nails and wear clothes for the colors of the holiday. I had lots of holiday jewelry: Christmas, Easter, Fourth of July, inter alia. I believe I may have continued with this tradition of enthusiastic and obvious holiday dressing until sometime in my early 20's.

Now, I don't quite go all out for holidays, but I still like to acknowledge them in my clothing. I love these candy corn earrings - and I don't actually like candy corn! I acquired this "trick or treat" T-shirt while shopping for a new long sleeve white T-shirt for winter layering. When I saw this cute Halloween tee, I thought it would nicely serve my purpose as a layering tee, plus I could wear it with the "trick or treat" showing for Halloween.

Where:
seminar on post-conviction relief, work

What:
Wool Blazer: vintage
Trick or Treat T-shirt: from Target
Scarf: came with a sweater years ago
Pants: Delia*s
Candy Corn Earrings: mine from ages ago
Boots: Franco Sarto (thrifted)

Apple Tart

My boyfriend loves to cook, and he's very good at it. He hasn't done a lot of baking, and that's something he's decided to fix in the last year or so. Lucky for me, I get to partake in his test batches of muffins, corn bread, pumpkin pies, peach cobbler, and most recently, an apple tart. Yummy!

Orange All Around

This is the exact same outfit I wore back in August, except today I added a scaft and switched the sandals for more seasonally appropriate shoes. Oh, and I have on a different pair of silver hoop earrings today (significant change, I know).

I tend to repeat outfits more when I'm going to court. I have several suits I like to wear, and particular blouses that look good with those suits and that look professional enough for court. I certainly don't get to be as creative with my in-court looks as I am with my out of court style.

Where:
Work

What:
Suit Jacket and Pants: H&M
Sheer Blouse: Worthington (thrifted)
Cami: Victoria's Secret
Scarf: came with a sweater I bought years ago
Hoop Earrings: vintage
Celtic Cross necklace: from St.-Martin-in-the-Fields in London
Boots: Franco Sarto (thrifted)

The fountain at the Daley Center has been orange for the last week or so. We in Chicago take out holidays very seriously. On St. Patrick's Day, the whole river is dyed green.

Corduroy and a Cameo

It was warm enough today that I took a shot at not wearing a coat, and commuted to work wearing just my jacket, like this:

I spent most of the day at work wearing the jacket open like this:

My office gets really hot in the morning, so I thought I might actually be able to take my jacket off for a bit, like this:

A close-up of the scarf and cameo brooch:

Where:
Work

What:
Corduroy Blazer: Body by Victoria for Victoria's Secret
Sheer Top: Wet Seal
Lavendar Cami (under sheer top): H&M
Pants: Gap
Shoes: Joan & David (thrifted, $2)
Scarf: vintage from my mother
Cameo: vintage from my mother
Navy Hoop Earrings: mine from forever ago

Saturday Evening Jazz

Saturday evening, I went to the Jazz Showcase. Great saxophone player. Younger than some of the musicians I've seen there before - as in, he was under 70! No, he was actually fairly young. And good.

I bought this vintage locket a few weeks ago to give to my grandmother as a Christmas present. A few days after I purchased it, the locket called out to me, "Wear me! Wear me!" I decided one wear wouldn't hurt, since it was already vintage and thus pre-worn anyway. Besides, how much better would the gift be for my grandmother when it was pre-worn by her granddaughter, then gifted to her? (Justification alert!!)

A few days after that, the locket called out again. I succumbed to its siren call. Then it called again. Finally, I had to face the fact that locket had become part of my regular jewelry rotation and would not be leaving in December. Sorry, Granny!!

I didn't actually take the jacket off all night, but this dress is so pretty and I have yet to wear it on it's own without tons of layering that I had to get a picture of it without the jacket. The dress was a Christmas gift from my boyfriend last year.

Where:
Jazz Showcase

What:
Dress: Kenneth Cole (gift)
Leather Blazer: vintage
Copper Leggings: H&M
Boots: Moda Italia (thrifted)
Locket: vintage, thrifted
Cuff: from Mo Jo Jewelry in Wicker Park
Earrings: ??

Safari Jacket with Red and Turquoise

I purchased this jacket online a few years ago as part of a jacket and skirt suit. Before the order was filled, the skirt was discontinued and no more were available in my size. I thought I had returned the jacket, but I found it in my closet several months later when I was moving. I had trouble figuring out how to wear it. I tried it a few times with brown pants, but it looked bland.

I asked my boyfriend for advice, and his suggestion was wear it with a brightly colored flared or circle skirt. Good advice, but I don't own any such skirt. Then I thrifted this skirt in August, and recently considered wearing it with pink or red tights. That's when it occurred to me to pair this jacket and skirt with bright tights and other accents. I had more red accessories (the belt and scarf in addition to the tights) and that's how I arrived at today's outfit.

Where:
work, the Joffrey Ballet's presentation of Othello

What:
Jacket: Body by Victoria for Victoria's Secret
Long-Sleeve T-shirt: Gap
Skirt: Carole Little (thrifted, ~$3)
Red Tights: ??
Boots: Nine West
Belt:??
Scarf: handmade by my grandmother
Opal Heart Studs and Small Gold Hoop Earrings: both pairs gifts from my parents

Fall Tweed

This skirt is part of a suit I got about 10 years ago to wear to my rehearsal dinner (I'm divorced now). I love the fabric and color.

The dinner was in late October at Green Gables, a lovely rustic restaurant in Pennsylvania with gorgeous views of woods and water. I wanted to hold my wedding there, but they didn't have any Saturday evenings open in October of 1999. I found a different venue for the wedding, and booked Green Gables for the rehearsal dinner.

Where:
work

What:
Button-down Shirt: Moda Int'l for Victoria's Secret
Vest: H&M
Skirt: ??
Purple Tights: ??
Boots: Predictions
Snake Earrings: from a little boutique in Lincoln Park

Green and Pink

Today's outfit was inspired by Sally from Already Pretty. She wore a pink sheath dress with green tights. I loved the combo and realized I had the pieces to do a similar outfit with the colors reversed.

The addition of the pin was inspired by my 70-something great-aunt, who was wearing an initial sweater this weekend. She is one of the most stylin' septuagenarians I've seen in real life. Metallic streaked scarf, leather jacket, cute shoes, nicely manicured nails and a preppy initialed sweater over a white button-down shirt.

Where:
work

What:
Dress: vintage
Purple Silk Blouse: H&M
Leggings: from Macy's
Boots: Moda Italia (thrifted)
Initial Pin: vintage
Necklace: vintage
Belt: vintage
Earrings: mine from the 1990's

Objects Found

I purchased today's necklace from Objects Found, a new Etsy store run by Clare from Between Laundry Days. I saw Clare wear this necklace before she opened her Etsy store, and I loved it. As soon as she opened her store, I visited the site, hoping that this necklace would be among the pieces for sale. I like the multiple chains. I love the bicycle. When you look at it close up, you can definitely tell that it's a bicycle, but from further back, the two wheels with spokes look like a neat geometric design.

Where:
work

What:
Sweater: Moda Int'l for Victoria's Secret
Blue T-shirt: Wet Seal
Scarf: gift from my parents
Skirt: thrifted
Boots: Predictions
Necklace: Objects Found
Tiny Gold Hoop Earrings: gift from my parents

The ever challenging spinning shot:

Weekend in Pennsylvania

Saturday:

I grew up next door to the cemetery pictured above. I could see the gravestones from my bedroom windows. The graves date back to the early 1900's and the older stones are mostly engraved in Polish.

Where:
hanging out at my relatives' houses, driving around, dinner, drinks

What:
T-shirt Text: Forget Regret or Life is Yours to Miss
Rent T-shirt: cafepress.com
Striped Long-Sleeve T-shirt: Gap
Jeans: London Jeans for Victoria's Secret
Shoes: Skechers
Scarf: Gap
Peace Sign Earrings: World Market

Sunday:

I had a great time visiting my family in Pennsylvania. On Sunday, my parents had dinner at their house, and all the relatives came over. I drove over the mountain with my dad in the morning to pick up my grandmother, and we saw snow at the top of the mountain! Fortunately, that was the only snow I saw the entire weekend.

Sunday evening, I went with my brother to watch his band practice. I stayed for Misguided Ambition's first set, tried Busch Light, and got to hear the new singer and lead guitarist.

Where:
hanging out at my relatives' houses, driving around, watching band rehearsal

What:
Frida Kahlo Ringer T-shirt: gift from my boyfriend
Sweater: American Eagle Outfitters
Pants: Delia*s
Shoes: Skechers
Peace Sign Earrings: World Market

Monday:

This morning, I had some time to visit with my family before heading back to the airport. Without planning it, on the flights out and back, I wore a graphic tee that had something to do with reading. Today's was this "reading is sexy" tee and on Friday, it was "Lire."

Where:
hanging out at my relatives' houses, driving back to the airport, flying home

What:
Jacket: Express
Reading is Sexy T-shirt: buyolympia.com
Purple Ribbed Turtleneck: Moda Int'l for Victoria's Secret
Black Ribbed Tank: Victoria's Secret
Skinny Jeans: Delia*s
Boots: Nine West
Peace Sign Earrings: World Market

Fall Colors:

The leaves are changing in the Laurel Mountains, and I love the reds, oranges and yellows of the landscape. I took a lot of pictures around my parents' neighborhood. Here are a few!

Casual Friday

My office doesn't officially have casual Fridays since our dress code is pretty flexible. We just dress appropriately for the day's tasks, whether that's court or client appointments or sitting alone at a desk all day. This is more casual than I would usually wear to work, but I'm leaving early to go to the airport, so I went more casual.

I'll have some pictures from my weekend away when I get back.

Where:
work, airport

What:
Jacket: Express
Blue Long-Sleeve T-shirt: Forever XXI
Lire Graphic T-shirt: Forever XXI
Black Skinnies: Delia*s
Boots: Nine West
Peace Sign Earrings: World Market

Three Piece Suit

Last time I wore this suit, I didn't get a picture of the jacket so I made a point to do that today. I love the vest when worn open, but not as much when buttoned. The jacket is fine, but not great. I really don't like these pants.

In buying this suit, I made one of my most common shopping mistakes. When something is new and I really like it, I want to buy it immediately. At the very beginning of a trend, only a limited selection of items are offered in my price range. Like when skinny pants came in. Like when vests and 3-piece suits made a big comeback. As soon as I do find something I can afford, I tend to snap it up immediately. So quickly that I don't consider whether I really like the style or fit or color or anything else. I'm just so glad to have found what I've been coveting.

I love 3-piece suits, and was thrilled to find a green one and a grey one at H&M in the spring of 2008. I purchased both of them when 3-piece suits were still scarce at stores. I like the green one which I haven't yet worn altogether yet since starting this blog, though I've worn the jacket and pants together, and I wore the vest with a dress. This grey suit, I like a lot less, mainly because of the cut of the pants. I really need to discard the pants and just wear the jacket and vest as separates. But, I can't quite bring myself to do it. And, I keep wearing this suit. Why???

Where:
work

What:
Suit Jacket, Vest & Pants: H&M
Tie Blouse: Lapis
Silver Hoop Earrings: gift from my parents
Boots: Nine West

Green and Black

More court today. Or at least, an administrative adjudication this morning, and a seminar this afternoon.

I was a bit cold today, but I'm not ready to go into full winter-dressing mode yet. I know that once I switch to pants with layers underneath and boots with heavy socks, that will be my outfit for the rest of the winter. So I'm trying to wear skirts with only one layer of tights for as long as I can withstand the cold.

Where:
work

What:
Wool Jacket: Luca Luca (thrifted)
Skirt: Express
Long-Sleeve T-shirt: Gap
Patterned Tights: ??
Shoes: Ann Taylor LOFT (thrifted)
Silver Hoop Earrings: gift from my parents

Year Round Suit

In Court Version:


Out of Court Version:

This was one of my first ever suits, purchased while I was in law school. I wore it for moot court, trial ad and court appearances for clinical courses. It was my interview suit for a while as well.

This suit is about 8 years old, but it's held up well and I'm still happy with the style. The fabric is light enough for the summer. The color is dark enough for the winter, and the fit is just loose enough that it layers easily. Year round conservative suit. Yay!

I had court this morning. Two actually. After finishing up round one, I had to rush to a different court building for round two. Lots of sitting and waiting at both venues.

Where:
work

What:
Suit Jacket & Pants: Body by Victoria for Victoria's Secret
Blouse: Lapis
Sleeveless top worn as vest: from L.S. Ayers
Boots: Nine West
Copper Hoop Earrings and Bracelet: gift from my parents

Woken by the Chicago Marathon

The Chicago Marathon was this morning. I was woken by the cheers of the bystanders as the wheelchair athletes approached. They were followed by the elite runners, then there was a break before the bulk of marathoners came by. I've never been much of a runner myself, but I'm immensely fascinated by individuals who have the desire to run 26.2 miles in one morning.

This skirt has been in my closet since 2002. I discovered H&M while studying abroad in London, and this skirt was one of my first purchases there. I was very happy when H&M opened in Chicago a few years later.

Where:
friend's house for dinner

What:
Sweater: Gap
Skirt: H&M
Leggings: Newport News
Scarf: gift
Peace Sign Earrings: World Market
Bracelet: vintage
Socks: ??
Boots: Nine West
Cat: Drusilla