Monochrome

Dinner party tonight at my boyfriend's house. Friends in from out of town.


Where:
dinner party

What:
Cardigan Sweater: Old Navy (thrifted)
Twiggy T-Shirt: doe (thrifted)
Skirt: ?? (at least 10 years old)
Houndstooth Leggings: made by my grandmother
Peace Sign Earrings: World Market
Beads: Anne Klein
Legwarmers: ??
Boots: M.I.A.
Scarf: handmade by my mother

Thanks to my boyfriend for his assistance with photos tonight.

T-shirt and Suit

I've been a fan of a skirt suit with a t-shirt ever since I saw Lorelei sport the look in the first season of Gilmore Girls. I knew the look wouldn't fly at the firm where I was working at the time, but in the last year, I've worn this look a few times. It's definitely a combo I should wear more often.

Where:
work

What:
Jacket: Express
Skirt: Express
T-shirt: Express
Boots: Nine West
Peace Sign Earrings: World Market
Necklace: my grandmother's old house key on a chain, with a vintage brooch from my grandmother, and a hair bow of mine from the 1990's

Mixing Patterns

I mix patterns on a fairly regular basis, but almost exclusively subtle patterns, and usually one of the prints is a pin stripe. Today is no exception. Pinstriped grey trousers and a subtle black-white-grey-purple plaid jacket.

Where:
work, alumni luncheon, rehearsal

What:
Jacket: Express (ages ago)
Sweater: Body by Victoria for Victoria's Secret
Trousers: A. Byer
Boots: Nine West
Fork & Spoon Earrings: mine from the 1990's
Necklace: vintage from my grandmother

Sunday

My boyfriend's youngest sister was visiting from out of town this weekend. Sunday morning, she came over to my boyfriend's house with her father and a nephew, and we had homemade gorditas for breakfast. My boyfriend and I spent the rest of the day hanging out, reading and watching movies. I made dinner, which is unusual. It wasn't anything too difficult though. I heated stuffed gnocchi from Freddie's, and made an avocado and tomato salad to go with it.

Where:
hanging out at my boyfriend's house

What:
Grandpa Sweater: borrowed from my boyfriend
White Tank: Tommy Hilfiger
Grey Jeans: London Jeans
Necklace: vintage from my mother
Peace Sign Earrings: World Market

Saturday

My boyfriend and I went to Jan's Antiques in the West Loop Saturday afternoon. I've been there before and I think it's a pretty neat place. Given my boyfriend's interest in rescuing, refurbishing and repurposing old furniture, I figured he'd like Jan's Antiques, and I was right. I think this may have been the first time I've introduced him to something new in Chicago that he was completely unaware of prior to me telling him about it. He has lived in Chicago since he was 8, and he stayed here for college and grad school, whereas I just moved here 5 years ago. Usually, he's at least heard of whatever I take him to, even if he isn't super familiar with it.

Where:
shopping in the West Loop, Freddie's, dinner and a movie at my boyfriend's house

What:
Jacket: H&M
Sweater: H&M
Pants: Delia*s
Boots: Steve Madden (thrifted)
Peace Sign Earrings: World Market
Necklace: vintage from my mother
Faux Fur Coat: vintage (thrifted)
Gloves: gift from Sabrina
Hat: Filippo Catarzi (thrifted)

Black Silk

I'm looking forward to the weekend. This week has been a bit crazy schedule-wise. Lots of getting up earlier than normal and going to bed later.

Where:
work, theater, drinks

What:
Silk Blouse: Theory (thrifted)
Lace-Trimmed Camisole: Express
Pants: Express (ages ago)
Boots: Nine West
Earrings: ??
Cameo Necklace: (thrifted)
Bag: Liz Claiborne (thrifted)

Back to School

I've attended three seminars in the last two days. I'm beginning to feel a bit like a student again!

I've been trying to stretch and wear this skirt with colors other than black, red and white. Today's experiment is TURQUOISE! I'm very happy with the results. I paired this skirt with green in December.

Where:
work (including CLE seminars), drinks

What:
Sweater: (thrifted), (new!, as in, first time I've worn it)
White T-shirt: Target
Skirt: from a little wool shop in London
White Tights: Capezio, layered over off-white patterned tights of unknown origins
Peace Sign Earrings: World Market
Shoes: Newport News

Ash Wednesday Vintage

I purchased this dress from Christina of Second Skin a few months ago. I was waiting for the weather to get warm enough to wear it with just a belt and heels, because I didn't want to layer and bundle it all up, but I finally got tired of waiting. Here it is all layered.


Where:
work (including a CLE seminar), opening night of The Joffrey Ballet's Cinderella

What:
Dress: vintage from Christina (new!, as in, first time I've worn it)
Cardigan Sweater: Moda Int'l for Victoria's Secret (thrifted)
Brown Sweater Tights: Ellen Tracy
Belt: NY & Co. (new!, part of my post-Christmas sales shopping)
Peace Sign Earrings: World Market
Hair Bow: mine from the late 1980's or early 1990's
Boots: Steve Madden, (thrifted)

Mardi Gras

I love the fabric of this suit, the style of the jacket, and the slim leg and cuffs of the cropped pants. I'm growing less and less fond though of the shortening effect these pants have on me. I'm planning to wear them a few more times this winter, then in the spring, I'll convert them into knee-length shorts, keeping the cuff.

I purchased a sewing maching a few months ago and haven't used it yet. I finally pulled it out this weekend and set it up. After I've re-worked a few older (and less well-loved) pieces for practice, I'll get to work on turning these fully-lined cuffed cropped pants into walking shorts. Wish me luck!


Where:
work (including court), rehearsal

What:
Suit Jacket and Cropped Pants: Express
Sweater: Moda Int'l for Victoria's Secret
Boots: Steve Madden, (thrifted)
Diamond Earrings: gift
Necklace: from Target

Valentine's Day

I took my boyfriend out to see Chicago Dance Crash's Duets for My Valentine on Saturday evening. A nice, low-key way to celebrate Valentine's Day and our second anniversary.

I love dance. I have subscriptions to several dance conpanies, and I often go to see other performances. My boyfriend is not quite as into dance as me, but he enjoys it, modern dance in particular. We often see Hubbard Street Dance together, and I'm looking forward to seeing the Joffrey's Cinderella, which opens this week.


Where:
Chicago Dance Crash's Duets for My Valentine

What:
Dress: Vintage from my mom
Long-Sleeved Thermal Tee: from Notre Dame Student Bar Association
Grey Cable Tights: from Marshall's
Boots: M.I.A.
Earrings: gift
Scarf: from Granny R.'s goody bag

Pure Romance

Today is my last work day before Valentine's Day. In Illinois, we celebrate Lincoln's Birthday separate from President's Day, so Friday we're off for Lincoln and Monday we're off for the rest of the Presidents.

My boyfriend and I will celebrate our second anniversary on Valentine's Day. We didn't plan to have a first date on Valentine's Day. We were friends who were meeting for a drink, and the other days of the week didn't work, so we said "How about Thursday?", not realizing till later that "Thursday" was February 14. By the end of "Thursday" evening, we had discovered our mutual wish to begin dating.

A lawyer-themed charm bracelet may not seem like the most appropriate choice for a Valentine's outfit, but I'm wearing it for a reason. It was a gift from my boyfriend on our first trip together. We spent a weekend in Galena, Illinois, at a cute little b&b just a month or two after we started dating. There was a lady in one of the shops who handcrafted charm bracelets in various colors and themes. My boyfriend and I are lawyers, so we were both drawn to the lawyer-themed charms.


Where:
work

What:
Velvet Jacket: Ann Taylor LOFT
Blouse with Tie: Lapis
Skirt: Express (ages and ages ago)
Black Cable Sweater Tights: from Marshall's
Boots: M.I.A.
Earrings: Macy's
Silver and Blue Bangle Bracelet: Wet Seal
Lawyer Charm Bracelet: gift from my boyfriend

Jeans and a Jacket

I'm glad I work somewhere that I can just throw on jeans when the weather is icky. Sitting at my desk, I look professional enough in this jacket, and walking around outside I get the benefit of practical pants.

Thanks to my boyfriend for his assistance with pictures today.

Where:
work

What:
Grey Jacket: Bebe
Black Ribbed Turtleneck: Moda Int'l for Victoria's Secret
Black camisole: Wet Seal
Skinny Jeans: Delia*s
Black Heels: Ann Taylor LOFT (thrifted)
Beads: Macy's
Yellow Dangly Earrings and Mini Black Hoop Earrings: mine from the 1990's
Brooch: vintage from my grandmother

Outerwear (pictured below):
Black Leather Coat: Wilson's Leather
Rain Boots: Chooka
Red Scarf: handmade by my grandmother
Red Gloves: gift from Sabrina
Hat: Filippo Catarzi (thrifted)

Winter Wonderland

I had a pretty outfit planned out for today with a skirt and real shoes, but I forgot to take into account the weather forecast. When I awoke this morning to a winter wonderland outside my window, I had to switch to a different outfit that would go better with my heavy boots with the sturdy tread to take me through all this snow to the many places I have to go.

The belt didn't last too long. Unless belts are sitting at my natural waist or threaded through belt loops, I can never get them to stay in place. I took the belt off within half an hour of getting dressed.

Where:
work, rehearsal

What:
Jacket: sewn by my mother
Blouse: Moda Int'l for Victoria's Secret
T-shirt: Wet Seal
Belt: ???
Black Skinnies: Delia*s
Grey Beads: Anne Klein
White Beads: Macy's
Silver Hoop Earrings: gift from my parents
Boots: M.I.A.

In the Library

This is the first time in a while that I've worn this suit as a suit. I've been wearing the jacket and skirt as separates.

The plain gold band on my left hand is my grandmother's wedding ring. She had this ring when she got married, and she had it re-sized a few times over the years. Eventually, my grandfather got her a new wedding ring which she still has. She gave the old one, the one that she no longer wore, to me.

Where:
work (including court)

What:
Suit: from a little shop in Northern Virginia in 1999
Blouse: Express
Brown Ribbed Sweater Tights: Ellen Tracy
Bracelet: from Granny R.'s goody bag
Assorted Gold Rings: gifts, and my grandmother's wedding ring
Gold Hoop Earrings: ??
Locket: vintage from my grandmother
Boots: Steve Madden (thrifted)