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)