Tuesday, January 4, 2011

A Break from Casual Wear

No Repeats, Day 20
closet 015
Sunday marked the end of my 10 day vacation from work, which also means the end of back-to-back casual days.  I'm not thrilled to be back at work (it takes a few days to ease into it), but it was getting difficult to come up with different casual outfits day after day.

I picked up this sweater while out shopping with my cousin over the weekend.  She desperately needed clothes after being abroad for about a year and a half, so we went all over Lincoln Park on Friday.  I wasn't looking for anything for me since I have more than enough clothes, but this sweater was hard to pass up.  It was only $15 (originally $65) and I love the color.  It'll work with jeans or dressier work pants, so I think it was a decent deal.

Sweater: Banana Republic
Cami & Pants: New York & Company
Shoes: Converse
Necklace: Lois Hill (gift from Fella's parents)

No Repeats, Day 21
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And back to work.  I think the black, blue and gray coloring reflects my feelings toward getting back to work, and winter in general.  I spiced up my usual pants + cardigan combo by adding in a print underneath, but still, I wonder how I can make these types of looks a little more interesting.  More accessories perhaps?  More daring color mixing?

Sweater: The Limited
Tank, Pants and Necklace: New York & Company
Shoes: Tsubo

Day 22 is going to have to wait until tomorrow.  All of our weird weather happenings over the weekend (going from 30 to 60 and back to 20 over the course of 2 days) have left me feeling like crap today, so I doubt I'll be getting out of my pajamas.  Instead, I'll share some of the spring clothes I'm lusting after.  I know it's only January, but who else is ready for spring already?  These are from Target's new Retro Resort Collection, and I could definitely picture myself going sightseeing or sipping tropical cocktails in either of these outfits.


16 comments:

  1. Oh, that striped dress is adorable. Now I'M dreaming of spring!

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  2. Love that stripped dress. Good call on the sweater, it is a lovely colour. I like your back to work outfit! I love blues and greys. When in doubt, I always add a big bright scarf in a contrasting colour.

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  3. See if you can thrift up a couple of bigger graphic prints to try. I consider this one of the main benefits of being tall! If I see a dress with a pattern of chrysanthemums the size of pie plates (Boden...of course...still available and ON SALE for a mere $38, dammit I should never have looked) I know I can pull it off.

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  4. I haven't looked at that Target collection yet, but I really like the black top.

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  5. A way to cheer yourself out of the winter blahs, as you undoubtedly know, Anne, is not to wear gray, black, and slate blue. The colors look great on you, but they might not be doing much for your mood. Add a dash of paprika or cilantro and you'll be feeling better in no time.

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  6. I love the sweater. Love it. And while I am very glad not to be doing no repeats (as I am spending literally the entire month living out of a smallish suitcase), I am enjoying watching it very much!

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  7. I dig the blue sweater. In my book, that this is a bright color, and it looks lovely with your eyes (I can't really see your eyes that well, but I know what they look like, and your face looks brighter). I hope you're enjoying your pajamas. Don't let the winter get you down too much. What I like about this time of year is that the days get longer, and then one day, it's warm and it's light at 8 PM.
    And I can totally see those outfits for a beach/Navy Pier/baseball game day. Or to be worn during a fun visit to NYC. See? So much fun ahead of us.

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  8. C&B: Me too! Is it here yet?

    Allison: I'll try mixing some bright scarves into my usual cardigans, good suggestion!

    Cynthia: I think having battled my weight forever, I always stay away from bigger prints, but I suppose it's worth a shot. And thanks for the tip on that dress - I've been eying it for months now! Do you really think I could pull off pie-sized mums?

    Rebecca: I love the top paired with the bright orange skirt too - I never would've thought of it.

    Charlotte: I know bright colors are definitely better, so I'll try to mix some of those in. I love paprika and cilantro :)

    aftk: I'm glad you're enjoying the challenge! Living out of a suitcase sounds even more challenging!

    Rad: Oh no, I was actually feeling sick this morning, not bummed out-crappy. Sorry, should've clarified there. The weird temperature changes always make me feel like I have a cold. And the one dress is even called Brooklyn, so obviously it'd be perfect for visiting you!

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  9. I love the shade of blue of the sweater in your first outfit and those grey pants look fab on you! I agree with Charlotte that some pops of color might help elevate your mood. And maybe a vitamin D supplement....

    Feel better soon!

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  10. LHdM: Vitamin D helps with winter blahs? It's in the calcium supplement I started taking, so that should help!

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  11. Ohmigod! I want the red skirt outfit immediately. Clearly you have exquisite taste.

    Also, all items in that colour must be possibilities for you. And if they're $15 marked down from $65, I hearby declare it to be against the law for you to not buy them.

    Finally, winter sucketh. Especially February and March. But Rad's right: the days are getting longer now, so at least we have that to look forward to. In short and to sum up: hang on, woman!

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  12. Great sweater.
    I hear you on the winter blues (greys, charcoals, blacks, bleahs.) I've just realized that I've been wearing warm colors (red, burgundy) for a few days to combat this exact feeling. Maybe throw some of those pinky shades you love into the mix?

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  13. Great blog here! And yep, I can't wait for spring.

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  14. it's always hard getting back to work after a break!
    and i love that dress and skirt, i'd buy them in an instant!

    (and i hate word verification. just because this one is driving me mad right now)

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  15. LHdM: Vitamin D helps with winter blahs? It's in the calcium supplement I started taking, so that should help!

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  16. I love the shade of blue of the sweater in your first outfit and those grey pants look fab on you! I agree with Charlotte that some pops of color might help elevate your mood. And maybe a vitamin D supplement....

    Feel better soon!

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