Tag Archives: ann taylor

“Scuffed his boot in the leaves”

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The cold weather has officially hit Florida.  Temps have been in the 40s and 50s all week, so I’m back to my winter layering.  Thank goodness my Dansko Kylee boots arrived just in time.  Dansko was nice enough to send me a pair to try out (thanks Dansko!)  and I absolutely love them!  They are my new favorite boots ever.

Once it got cold this year, I realized that, while I adore my boot collection, none of them worked very well for eight hour days on my feet.  I needed a pair of flat boots that could provide all day comfort and style.  These boots are exactly what I was looking for.  They’re so insanely comfortable, that I don’t even feel like taking them off when I get home.  And they’re versatile – that knit top can be rolled down:

The chocolate suede with the side stitching detail fits in exactly with the kind of boho chic boots I’ve had in my mind for awhile now.  I’ve pretty much worn these every day since I got them.  If you like them, hop on over to Barking Dog Shoes, where she’s giving away a pair!

Yay for winter!

Dress: Ella Moss (via My Mosh Posh)
Cardigan: J Crew (via eBay)
Tights: Hue
Boots: Dansko Kylee (courtesy of Dansko)
Scarf: Ann Taylor
Purse: Morelle City Bag

Quote: Maggie Stiefvater (Shiver)

“Let’s go get me some glasses, a pocket protector, and some velcro shoes”

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I suppose there’s really nothing nerdy about this outfit, although I do consider myself a nerd.  The shoes aren’t velcro, but they are slip-on, and are pretty much the comfiest shoes I own.  So much so, that I’m currently stalking a brown leather pair and a blue nubuck pair on eBay.  You can never have too many comfy shoes, right?

I think this outfit really demonstrates the effect that yoga has had on my style.  Yoga has helped me to realize the importance of being comfortable – of being able to move and stretch in whatever I’m wearing.

My practice of yoga closely coincided with when I started working in the school system, so things that were just fine for a desk job (heels, stiff fabrics, etc) were uncomfortable or downright painful for eight hours mostly on my feet.  Even my comfiest heels can’t handle a regular school day.

So, I’ve embraced my love of comfort style/ effortless chic.  Fabrics that are soft, that allow movement, shoes that are flat and supportive (but not hideous).  Cozy scarves to counteract air-conditioning.  If I can’t stretch my back without ripping a seam or popping a button, I probably won’t wear it.

The other thing I love about this outfit is that it was so thrifty.  I bought the tee, tunic and earrings at garage sales for a few bucks a piece.  The shoes came from eBay.  The only “pricier” items are the scarf (Express), and the leggings (Target)  but even those didn’t cost too much.  I love being thrifty :)

Tee: Ann Taylor (garage sale)
Tunic: French Connection (garage sale)
Scarf: Express
Leggings: Target
Earrings: Garage sale
Cuff: consignment
Shoes: Keen Barcelona (eBay)

Quote: Smile, by Raina Telgemeier

Shopping Plan: Week 31

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*Week 31 of My Great Shopping Plan of 2010, where I attempt to stay on a budget and fill out my wardrobe*

I had $104 left in my August budget last week.  And this week began September’s budget, giving me another $125.  It’s weird how your budget builds up when have no money to spend.  As you can see from the image above, I went on a nice little thrifting spree this week, which cost me all of $25.

a.n.a. tunic
Design history tank
Old Navy Tank

Ann Taylor Tank
Ann Taylor LOFT button down

I’m really happy with these tops.  They’ll give me a lot of new things to wear for work and play.  But quite honestly, my favorite finds are the least glamourous – those two pairs of lounge pants.  Before this week, I only owned two pairs of yoga pants and three pairs of pajama pants.  While I like all of them, I was beginning to get sick of them, and craved more variety.  These two pairs that I thrifted fit fantastically, they’re 100% cotton, and they’re super soft (the green ones are organic cotton, which is doubly awesome).  I’ve been wearing them all weekend, except for when I went out in public, of course.

Watch – $12

I also somewhat impulsively bought this watch.  At an antique shop.  Which is weird, because the watch isn’t antique.  I’ve been wanting a watch to wear to work, because mine needs a new battery and needs to have the band shortened, and I’ve been too lazy (and broke) to get it done.  Not the best reason to buy a new watch, but whatever.  It’s good to have some variety.

So I had $229 in my budget, and I spent $37, so now I have $192.  There will probably be more thrifting and consignment trips this week, and maybe I’ll actually look at my wardrobe gaps list for real.  There will also be *cough, cough* a new pair of used shoes to check out next week.  I’ll give you a hint: they start with “flue” and end with “vog” :)

“I’d like otters to be friendly”

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Ah, the perils of Florida summer dressing.  Outside, it is blisteringly hot and humid.  Inside, air conditioners are running at full capacity, making it freezing  As I’ve said before, with weather like this, layers are key.  I was attending some work trainings last week, and I had no idea how cold the building they were in might be, so I came prepared.  I had on a sleeveless blouse, and wore a cardigan and a light silk scarf for some extra warmth.  As it turned out, the A/C wasn’t working very well, so I ditched the layers inside.  But I’m telling you, if I hadn’t, the A/C probably would have been freezing.  I always prefer to be prepared for anything.

There’s nothing I love more than a soft, drapey outfit.  Lately, I’m finding myself more and more drawn to comfy, flowing outfits.  Maybe it’s just the vibe they give off, or maybe it’s because I’ve been practicing yoga more, and I’m really loving clothes that allow for a full range of motion.  Either way, I’m lovin’ this outfit.

Random note: Isn’t it awesome how my scarf and shoes match?  I was so excited when I realized this :)

Do you prefer drapey garments, and or structured styles more your thing?

Blouse: Anthropologie
Cardigan: Ann Taylor LOFT
Jeans: Express
Shoes: Keen Sienna Mary Janes (via eBay)
Scarf: Ann Taylor
Purse: Axcess by Liz Claiborne (thrifted)
Earrings: Wish by Felicity

Quote: Do Unto Otters: A Book About Manners, by Laurie Keller

Shopping Plan: Weeks 14 & 15

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*Weeks 14 & 15 of My Great Shopping Plan of 2010, where I attempt to stay on a budget and fill out my wardrobe*

After week 13, I had $142 left in my clothing budget for the month of May.  I took last week off from posting, so this week I’m catching up.  And oh, did I get some awesome goodies.

Like these:

Frye 8Rs: $75 on eBay
Silk/ Cashmere Scarf: Ann Taylor, $10 on sale

Did you see those prices correctly?  Oh yes you did!  I have been lusting after a pair of Frye 8Rs since I first blogged about them eleven months ago.  But that $188 pair I saw at Urban Outfitters was way out of my price range.  I started stalking them on eBay, but everytime they would come up in my size, they would get bid too high for me to afford them.  Thus I waited.  And watched.  And two weeks ago, these showed up in my in-box, Buy it Now for only $75.  Yes, they are very used and in need of a little shoe polish and will soon need attention from a cobbler.  But at this price point, I’m absolutely okay with this.  It will be awhile before it’s cold enough to wear them, but I’m still stoked.

That lovely rose scarf was a bit of an impulse buy, but when a super soft silk/cashmere scarf is only $10, I find it hard to resist.  Even though it’s spring/summer now, I can still wear it in my currently freezing workplace, or with a nice dress at night.

All from Triage

Ann Taylor Ruffle Tee: $15
Teal Tunic: Hilos, $13
Purple Cardigan: Anthropologie, $13
Shorts: J Crew, $7

During week 15, I decided to trek out to a South Tampa consignment store that I’ve been meaning to revisit for years, Triage.  I was not disappointed.  I got an awesome selection of good quality items at very low prices.  The J Crew shorts are a bit snug right now, but for $7, I felt that it was worth going for it.  I’ve been losing a little weight lately, so they will likely fit me before summer is out.

So, I spent a total of $133, leaving me with $9 for the rest of May.  But Anthropologie is having their twice-a-year really big sale this Tuesday.  So, um, I’m probably going to go over.  We’ll see how it goes.

Before and After: Ann Taylor Factory Dress

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Sometimes, items of clothing need complete make-overs to work.  Sometimes, they just need a few simple changes.  This dress was a case of the later.  Above is the before picture, when I first bought this dress.  It fit well overall and had a beautiful print.  But it was a touch too long, the straps were too thin to cover bra straps, and the sides were a bit too high, digging painfully into my underarm area.

Changes:  I hemmed about two inches from the bottom of the dress.  I then used this fabric to create new straps, removed the old ones and installed these.  I took off the bow detail, because it looked cheap and made layering cardigans a bit awkward.  I lowered the “armhole” just a bit so that it would fit more comfortably.  And voila!  It looks and feels much more beautiful.

Sometimes, a few simple changes are all you need.

“Dandelions are beautiful”

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There’s something about the beginning of spring that calls for beautiful, cotton dresses.  I figured Easter day was the perfect day to debut one of my newest ones.  When I first saw this dress on the rack at a local consignment store, I was immediately drawn to the pale yellow color, but I wasn’t sure if it would make me look washed out.  Once I tried it on, I realized that it was perfect.  The fit is very flattering.  The pattern is subtle and beautiful.  The only problem I had with this dress is the lack of waist expansion capability.  I ate a big dinner at my parent’s house, and that slim fitting waist was feeling a bit uncomfortable.  Still, it’s a lovely dress, and I know I’ll wear it a lot.


Since it was my first time wearing this dress, I decided to keep it simple and just add white sandals and simple silver accessories.  For work, I’ll probably add a cardigan or cropped blazer, with some closed-toe heels.

Do you use Easter as an excuse to wear something new?

Dress: Ann Taylor Factory Store (via Classy Consignment)
Sandals: Dansko Sela (via eBay)
Necklace: Kira Ferrer
Bangles: Jill Popowich Designs
Earrings: Sara Westermark

Nail Polish: Mint Candy Apple by Essie

Quote: Clementine, by Sara Pennypacker

Shopping Plan: Week 7

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*Week 7 of My Great Shopping Plan of 2010, where I attempt to stay on a budget and fill out my wardrobe*

I kind of strayed a bit from gap filling this week to make it the week of amazing deals on cardigans and dresses.  I bought three dresses and two cardigans without going over budget (counting birthday gift money).  None of these were explicitly on my gaps list, but they will all be really great for wearing to my new job, so I’m okay with that.

J. Crew Green Cotton Cropped Cardigan, $20 on eBay
Gap filled: Cropped cotton cardigan

New York & Co Baby Blue Cropped Cotton Cardigan,  $4.50 at Classy Consignment
Gap filled: Another cropped cotton cardigan

(Isn’t that second picture so cute?  I’m so happy with how it turned out)

I’ve decided that one can never have too many cardigans.  Since my closet space is so tight, I’ve actually re-arranged my dresser drawers so that there’s an additional section for cardigans.  I didn’t really have any truly cropped cardigans before, so I am pleased as punch with these.  I didn’t have any cardigans in these colors yet either, so all the more reason to get them.

L to R:
Boden $16 (via eBay)
Ann Taylor Factory Store $12 at Classy Consignment
John Martin Studio $12  at Classy Consignment

Gaps filled: 3/4 sleeve dress, summer sun dresses, work clothes

Like cardigans, I also feel that one can never have too many dresses.  All of these will work wonderfully at my new job, or on the weekend.  Classy Consignment is a great store that I used to frequent all the time, but now that I live on the other side of town, I don’t get out there very often.  There were having a sale on St. Patrick’s Day and I was in the area, so I happily stopped by and scored some great clothes.

I also bought a zebra print bangle for $1.50.  I didn’t get a picture of it, but I’ll definitely be working it into an outfit soon.

After last week I had $19 of budget money left, plus $90 of birthday money.  I spent $24.50 on cardigans, $40 on dresses and $1.50 on a bangle.  That leaves me with $43  of birthday money left.  Yay!

Shopping Plan: Week 6

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After last week, I had $68 left in my shopping budget for the month, plus $90 in unspent birthday money.  I got some awesome new things this week with it.

First off, two fabulous new things that didn’t cost me anything.

Yellow Jade necklace from Mei Mei’s Jewels
Gift from my boyfriend

Gap filled: Colorful necklaces

This beautiful yellow necklace was a birthday gift from my boyfriend.  I’ve really been lacking on bright and colorful necklaces, so this will help to fill that gap.

B.U.M. jacket, gift from To Much Information

Gap filled: Mid-weight structured jacket

Nurmiusr of To Much Information sent me this jacket that didn’t fit her, and I love it.  I own hardly any jackets, so this will be very useful on those days when I need a little extra warmth.

On Friday, I went shopping in Sarasota with Kate.  It was a lot of fun, and we both found some really great stuff.  I’ll go into more detail on Monday, but here I’d like to show off the awesome stuff I got.

We started off by going to SPARCC Treasure Chest.  This is a really great thrift/antique store with reasonable prices and a pretty broad selection.  The proceeds from sales all go to the Safe Place and Rape Crisis Center, which helps women who are victims of domestic violence of sexual assault.  I had my best finds of the day at this store.

Dress: Ann Taylor, $12
Brooch: $11
Grey belt: $4
Leopard Belt: $6

Gaps filled: Semi-formal dress; brooches, belts

I picked this dress off the rack, and almost immediately put it back.  It’s a size smaller than what I usually wear, so I assumed it wouldn’t fit.  I decided to try it on anyway, because it was so lovely.  It fit perfectly, and when I saw that it was only $12, I knew that I had to get it.  I don’t have many dresses for quasi-formal occasions, so this will fill that gap perfectly.  I’m thinking about dyeing it darker, making it a little more blue-purple.  Anyone have tips for dyeing silk?  Has anyone ever had a dry cleaner dye a dress before?

I also got those two belts and a brooch, because you can never have too many belts and brooches.

Purple Blouse: Target, $3
Teal Necklace: $6
Brown purse: Axcess by Liz Claiborne, $7

Gaps filled: 3/4 sleeve blouses, colorful necklaces, brown purse

Right next door to SPARCC was Mustard Seed Thrift shop.  This was totally the type of thrift store I picture in my mind when I think of thrift stores located in areas with lots of retirees.  There were equal amounts of crazy kitsch and super awesome stuff.  I found this lovely purple cotton/modal blouse.  Technically it’s a maternity blouse, but I’ve hemmed it and taken the sides in a bit since this picture, so you can’t really tell.  I am so in love with that teal necklace, and I think I’ll be wearing it a lot.  The brown purse fills the gap of a brown “leather” purse.  I’ve been looking for one for a long time.  I’m not ecstatic about the fact that this one isn’t real leather, but I love everything else about it: the shape, the pockets, the adorable polka dot lining.  Even though it’s not leather, I’ll be using this one for awhile.

So I spent a total of  $49, this week, leaving me with a total of $19 for the rest of the month, plus my birthday money.

(Note:  I just got a new job this week, and my original plan allowed me to increase the amount I’m allowed to spend per month to $200 once I got a full-time job.  I’m going to wait until next month to increase the amount, since I won’t get my first paycheck until then.  For now, I’m only raising it to $175, because this job only lasts until June.  That will still give me enough extra money to start adding to my professional wardrobe.)

“They stretched their wings”

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Drapey fabrics and windy days don’t really make the best combination.  But I still love how this outfit came together, despite it not being very functional in this weather.  I got this skirt months ago during my shopping ban, but somehow this is the first time I’ve worn it out.  I has such a sweet polka dot print, and despite how it may look in the photo, it has a very flattering a-line drape.

I actually started out this day with bare legs, but I brought a pair of tights to work in case I started to feel cold.  With a heavily air-conditioned office, I ended up needing them.  And I felt kind of awkward with bare legs.  After wearing tights for so long, it feels strange to have bare legs.  I’m thinking about getting a pair of nude micro-fishnets, like these from J Crew (which technically aren’t micro), to make the spring transition to bare legs a little smoother.

Blouse: Anthropologie
Cardigan: Ann Taylor LOFT
Skirt: Ann Taylor (thrifted)
Tights: Hue
Shoes: Dansko Sally
Purse: Morelle City Bag
Necklace: Express
Watch: Target
Earrings: Sara Westermark

Quote: The Littlest Owl, by Caroline Pitcher and Tina Macnaughton

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