“The sky had darkened to deepest purple”

When eShakti offered to let me try out one of their dresses, I was more than happy to oblige.  There’s many things about this online retailer that I love: they have beautiful styles in a wide range of colors and sizes (0-26W).  They tell you right away what the fabric content of every item is, which is very important to me.  But what I love best of all is the fact that they will customize sizes and change certain elements of items such as the hem and sleeve length for an additional fee.  So many times I will see an item that I love on a website, but I won’t like the cap sleeves, or there won’t be enough room in the hips.  eShakti eliminates that problem by changing it for you.

This dress was customized from the original with a shorter hem and 3/4 sleeves.  The color and fabric are fantastic, and the craftsmanship is very good.  It’s such a beautiful dress, and I love the ruffle detail at the neckline.

Unfortunately, I don’t think it was the right choice for my body type, because it doesn’t flatter my hips.  I had to wear another dress underneath to remain decent, because whenever the wind blew, it would fly open.  However, this has everything to do with the wrap styling of the dress, which was the one I chose.  I still consider it to be a quality product, and I will definitely buy from eShakti again.  I’ll likely get this red dress soon in a knee length, since I need more solid colored dresses.

I’m so happy that I was able to wear this outside without a sweater or jacket.   It’s finally starting to feel like spring again. I’m feeling so ready to shed some layers and enjoy the warmth that Florida is well known for.

What signs of  Spring’s arrival have you been noticing?

Wrap dress: Courtesy of eShakti
Polka dot dress (underneath): Express
Blue Cami (underneath): Old Navy
Tights: Hue
Boots: Dansko Risa (via Ebay)
Bangles: Jill Popowich
Pearls: Coryell Design
Purse: Morelle Charlotte

Quote:  Anatole over Paris, by Eve Titus

(Disclaimer:  I received this dress for free from eShakti, but I was not compensated in any way for this post.  This is my honest, unbiased opinion.)

“Taking a walk through the woods”

Like many people, I find Mondays difficult.  My sleep rhythm is usually out of whack from the weekend, leaving me tired, groggy, and not in the mood to stare at my closet for about 20 minutes trying to decide what to wear.  But that is often the case, making me late for work, stressed out, and in need of more coffee.  But now I’ve realized that, since my workplace basically has no dress code, and everyone is very casual, it is totally acceptable to wear an easy, fall-back outfit on Mondays.  This is often a jersey dress and a cardigan.   Last Monday (yes I’m a week behind on outfits)  I decided to dress up jeans and a tee.

And I loved it.  I felt like this outfit was casual and comfortable, yet also stylish and smart.  Having that cashmere cardigan and pink pearls took what would normally be a weekend outfit and made it a little more dressy.  I added my hand-knit, hand-spun scarf for a little extra warmth and coziness, and it was perfect.

I’d like to pretend that I’m walking through a beautiful forest in these pictures, but as I’ve mentioned before, this is actually just a field near my place of work.  I can see two major roads from where I’m standing.  I used to love to go hiking when I was a teenager, but it’s been years since I took an afternoon to walk through one of the larger nature parks in my area.  I should try to do it again while the weather is not miserably hot, like it will be in a few months.

What do you do about Monday outfits?  Do you plan ahead?  Do you wear one of your go-to outfits?

Tee: Style & Co (via clothing swap)
Cardigan: DKNY (via Revolve)
Jeans: Express Stella
Boots: Dansko Nena (via Ebay)
Scarf: Spun and knit by me
Purse: Morelle Charlotte
Pearls: garage sale

Quote: The Three Silly Billies, by Margie Palatini

“If you want to have fun without worry”

For several weeks, I thought I had lost this cardigan.  I searched all over the house, checked the lost and found box at work, but I couldn’t seem to find it anywhere.  Then one day, I remembered that I had recently moved my handknits to a different drawer while reorganizing my studio.  What a relief!  Nothing feels much worse than thinking you lost a cardigan that took you a few months to knit.

Finding my cardigan gave me the perfect excuse to wear my new belt that I got at Anthropologie last weekend.  I think I’m one of those types who likes to wear new things right away.  I’m really, really happy with this belt.  It filled a definite gap in my wardrobe, and I can tell it’s going to get plenty of use.

I’m really beginning to love wearing scarves tied up like this.  They keep my neck nice and cozy, and they still allow me to add an additional pop of color with a long necklace.  In this outfit, I echoed the color of the necklace by wearing a turquoise bracelet.  I really love mixing yellow and pale blue/turquoise.

Do you like to wear new things right away? Or do you prefer to save new items for a special occasion?

Long sleeve tee: Issac Mizrahi for Target
Cardigan: Minimalist, handknit by me
Jeans: Express
Boots: Dansko Nena (via Ebay)
Belt: Anthropologie
Necklace: Chocolate Cake Jewels
Scarf: Bought in Chinatown, NYC
Purse: Morelle Charlotte
Bracelet: ??, gift

Quote: Don’t Take Your Snake for a Stroll, by Karin Ireland

“Smile big and the world will smile right alongside you”

As you can probably tell, there’s been a whole lot going on with my blog lately, and it’s given me a lot of reasons to smile.  I made the shift over the weekend to using wordpress.org, and my blog is now hosted with Blue Host (which by the way, has an amazing support team, which kindly dealt with my frantic phone calls when I had a few hiccups in transferring the blog). Now I’m able to add a lot of useful features to my blog, as well as get into the HTML and CSS (which is exciting for me because I’m actually getting to use something I learned in school).

As you can see, I’ve changed up the look of the blog.  I’m going for a clean, simple aesthetic.  To keep the sidebar neat, my blogroll now has it’s own page.  If I missed your blog in the transition, please let me know and I will add it.  I’ve also added a Shop Local – Tampa page which features stores in Tampa that I like to shop at.  This list will continue to grow as I discover more local stores and interview them for the blog.  Pretty soon, I will also be accepting sponsors, so look for that announcement!

I’ve created an RSS feed for the blog through feedburner.  You can use this to read the blog through Google Reader and other similar services. You can still follow my blog with bloglovin, by clicking here or on the button in the side bar.  I’ve also added sidebar links to my Flickr, Twitter, Weardrobe, Chictopia, and Facebook page for the blog.

At the end of every post, you will see a few new features.  There is a green sideways v icon called Share This.  By clicking this icon, you can share a link to the post using a variety of services, including Twitter, Facebook, e-mail, Digg, etc.  There is also a new feature that shows three related posts (although they don’t always seem to be that similar, it can still be a fun way to browse old posts.)  Whenever you leave a comment on a post, a new feature called CommentLuv will link to your most recent blog post, if you have a blog.  All of these features will make the blog more functional, and easier to navigate for you.  Please let me know if you experience any problems with the new features, and I will work to fix them.

To talk briefly about this outfit, I continue to be amazed at how versatile both this cardigan and this dress are.  They’re pieces that I wear on a very regular basis, and every time there seems to be a new way to style them.   I’ve worn this dress at least three other ways this winter: once with my mustard cardigan and Dansko boots for a prairie feel, layered under a skirt and cardigan for extra warmth, and mixed with bright splashes of color for the weekend.  I’ve styled this cardigan as a bolero, and I’ve worn it open with skinny jeans and flats.  Since I have such a small closet, having items that can be worn in a number of ways is essential.

What are your favorite items in your wardrobe that you remix week after week?

Dress: Express
Cardigan: Fossil
Belt: from my mom
Leggings: Target
Boots: Dansko Nena (via Ebay)
Purse: Morelle Oyster
Short pearls: Coryell Design
Long Pearls: Garage sale
Ring: from my mom

Quote: Stand Tall, Molly Lou Melon, by Patty Lovell

“She was easy to spot around town”

Back to my favorite new photo place again!  I’m trying to get down here for photos at least once a week.  It’s such a beautiful place to take pictures, and I find being here so relaxing.  I had to be careful today though, because those heels are a bit narrow, for me at least, and I had to tread lightly so as not to fall into the spring.

This outfit was all about one of my favorite color combinations: black, white and grey with pops of red.  I haven’t worn these beautiful Born Biddy boots enough to do them justice, so I wanted to base an outfit around them.  I love how they look with the black and white of the dress and tights.  I added the slim grey hoodie to provide a little extra warmth, as well as to balance out the black and white so that it wasn’t too harsh.  I chose a red scarf and purse to keep with the color combination, and then kept the jewelry simple with a solitary pair of silver hoop earrings.

Wearing a hoodie with a dress might be a bit too casual for some workplaces, but most everyone at my job wears jeans and t-shirts to work everyday, so it’s not really a problem.  I  have been giving some consideration as to how my work style will change once I finally get a job in my chosen career as a children’s librarian.  It will probably be a little less casual and a little more conservative.  I’m hoping that I will be able to let my personality shine though, while still looking appropriate for the environment.

Do you find yourself having to sacrifice elements of your personal style at your workplace?  Or are you able to mesh your personal style with the dress code (written or unwritten) that is expected of you at work?

Dress: Express
Hoodie: Express (via Classy Consignments)
Tights: Hue
Boots: Born Biddy
Scarf: Kohls
Purse: Morelle Truffle
Belt: from my mom
Earrings: Garage sale

Quote: Sylvia Jean, Drama Queen, by Lisa Campbell Ernst

“Smart people are those who have asked lots of questions”

In my high school days, I was drawn to preppy styles.  I liked button-down shirts and polos, even though a majority of my wardrobe was jeans and t-shirts.  I’m not that into the prep-school look anymore, but on occasion, I like to take cues from it.  When I saw this lovely striped cashmere sweater on Ebay selling at a mere $20, I couldn’t resist.  I’ve already planned several outfits with it.  It’s delightfully soft and quite flattering.

Because I didn’t want this outfit to be an overload of blue, I added the goldenrod brooch and bracelet to break things up.  I definitely need to get a lot more brooches.

What styles were you drawn to in high school?  Do you still like them now?

Sweater: J Crew (Ebay)
Camisole: Gap
Skirt: Ann Taylor LOFT (Ebay)
Tights: Hue
Shoes: Dansko Sally
Purse: Morelle Charlotte
Brooch: via Revolve
Earrings: Modern Bird
Bangle: Vintage (via Sherry’s Yesterdaze)

Quote: The Rag Coat, by Lauren Mills

“Ready to kick up their heels”

I am continuing to adore this magenta cardigan I got for Christmas.  I’m discovering that drape cardigans are insanely versatile.  Last week, I wore it draped with a pair of skinny jeans and a blouse. For today’s outfit, I paired it with my little black dress and my goldenrod Malibrans.  Yellow and magenta was never a color combination I had given consideration before, but now I’m discovering just how great it is.

I love how the soft, light fabric of this cardigan ties up perfectly as a bolero.  I tried tying it back as a wrap sweater as well, but I didn’t like the effect, as it visually added bulk.  I love how tying it as a bolero adds a bit of waist cinching.

As you may know from previous posts, scoop neck of this dress is really low, and requires some layering underneath to be decent.  I originally tried a solid colored blouse for today’s look, but then I decided  that adding a bit of black and white pattern would complement the rest of the outfit best.

What color or pattern combination have you tried lately that surprised you?

Dress: American Rag Cie (via Revolve)
Blouse (under dress): Ann Taylor LOFT (thrifted)
Cardigan: Fossil
Tights: Target
Shoes: Fluevog Malibrans
Purse: Morelle Oyster
Pearls: Coryell Design

Quote: The Three Silly Billies, by Margie Palatini

“Lost… in the woods somewhere”

Don’t worry, I’m not actually lost in the woods.  Rather, this is a lovely field near my work that has somehow managed to escape development.  I’m still not sure how, because it seems that every bare piece of land in Tampa is quickly turned into the next suburban development or strip mall.  This type of background is what I think of when I think of how Florida really looks.  Everyone tends to focus on the beaches, but the majority of Florida looks a lot like this.  Oak trees, grassy fields, Spanish moss.  All this location needs is a few palmetto bushes, a little swamp, and a citrus grove and it would be perfectly quintessential Florida!

I grew up in a little town about ten minutes north of Tampa, and it used to be pretty rural.  There were lots of cow pastures and citrus groves, and I used to go exploring in the woods behind my house.  Those woods are still there, but a lot of the cow pastures and citrus groves have become subdivisions.  It’s kind of sad; everyone wants to move to rural areas to get away from the crowds, but they just end up destroying the very thing that they were seeking.

I felt like my outfit had a warm, prairie feel to it, so this background really suited my mood.  I wasn’t crazy at first about having so many warm tones with the boots and the cardigan together, so I added blue accessories in the belt, necklace and bracelet to cool things down a bit.

Dress: Express
Cami (under dress): Old Navy
Cardigan: J Crew (Ebay)
Leggings: Target
Boots: Dansko Nena (Ebay)
Belt: Vintage (via Sherry’s Yesterdaze)
Purse: Morelle City Bag
Necklace: Chocolate Cake Jewels
Bangle: Thrifted?
Earrings: Modern Bird

Quote: Where’s My Teddy? And Other Stories By Jez Alborough

“They stretched their wings”

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

“No one will see how clumsy I am”

Last weekend, I was fighting off the beginning of a cold.  I wanted to stay in pajamas all day, but the fridge was pretty bare, so I had to make myself presentable to head out to the grocery store.  I didn’t blow-dry my hair this day, so it was kind of doing whatever it felt like.  I tied it up in a scarf and threw together a comfy outfit that would still let me feel chic.

The most important aspect of this outfit for me is my newly cropped skinny jeans.  I altered these jeans awhile back into long skinnies, but I found that I was often cuffing them, and that the silhouette wasn’t very flattering uncuffed.  I also found myself being more and more drawn to cropped ankle skinny jeans and trousers.  I decided it made more sense to alter what I already had than to go out and buy something new, and now I love these jeans so much more.  Hemming those few inches has made them so much more flattering on me.  I’ll be wearing them a lot more often now.

I didn’t realize until later that this ended up being an all neutral ensemble.  This is pretty unusual for me, because I usually love to have lots of color in my outfits.  I wonder if it was some sort of reflection on how I wasn’t exactly feeling up to par this day?

Blouse: Style & Co (clothing swap)
Cardigan: Ann Taylor LOFT
Jeans: Express (re-conned)
Shoes: Dansko Sally
Purse: Morelle Oyster
Necklace: Garage sale
Scarf (worn as headband): ??

Quote: Stellaluna by Janell Cannon