Road Trip Red-dy

I am traveling to see my brother and then my family today.  I needed something that was comfortable to drive in for long periods of time, but didn't single me out as a broke (and tired) college student during my trip.

I am Wearing:

Camisole: Nordstrom Rack

Sweater: Gap

Jeans: Vince

Shoes: Giuseppe Zanotti

Earrings: Macy’s (gift from cousin)

Wallet: Proenza Schouler

I used to love these Vince jeans.  When I purchased them, they were the best skinny jeans I'd ever purchased.  I think they've since stretched out because although they are now super comfortable, they are nowhere near the great skinnies that they used to be.  If the leg wasn't tapered, they'd be the perfect boyfriend jeans.  I don't know if I should get them tailored or let them go.

The earrings are very old.  A cousin of mine bought me this pair  of sterling silver and czs maybe 5 or 6 years ago. I wore them all the time until I tragically lost one of them about a year and a half later.  I didn't want to admit that I'd lost one, but I was desperate to replace them because I loved the lever back and the dangling cz.  I liked that they weren't trying to pass for the real deal as most cz studs try to do.  When I couldn't find them, I finally called her and asked her where she bought them so that I could replace them.  She just laughed and directed me to Macy's and since it was the holiday season, I was able to find a replacement pair right away.  Wouldn't you know that I lost one about six months ago? I remembered that I never got rid of the original, so now I have a set comprised of one that was gifted and one that was replaced.  I've had a real version of these (with real diamonds) on my wishlist for years, but I will apparently have to save up and get them myself if I ever want to actually own them! These will have to do for now.

I've worn these Giuseppe Zanotti flats before, but I think they are great for driving and walking and sitting and...I think they are great for everything!  I originally bought them because of the big croc buckle, but I've kept them for so long because they are so comfortable!  It doesn't hurt that the color is so versatile in my closet as black and red dominate a great deal of it.


Happy Wednesday!

Office Filing

This is my "I already know that I will be spending my day archiving" outfit.  Completely comfortable, but looks professional from a safe distance.

I am Wearing:

Tunic: H&M

Sweater: Gap

Pants: Trina Turk

Boots: MIA

Coat: Vintage US Navy

Earrings: Macy’s

Tote: Kate Spade & Maira Kalman

This coat is a fantastic flea market find by my mom.  The tags say that it is an official US Navy issue coat, and I've had it for at least 5 years.  She bought it for $8 and gave it to me.  I ripped it in half about 3 years ago and had to get it repaired, that cost me $15.  This is my most used coat and it cost less than $25.  I don't count the yearly dry cleaning fee because I clean all my coats at least once a year.  No one can beat the deals my mom finds when she's not even looking!

Yes, the boots...again.  I really was going to put them away and then changed my mind.  Now they sit by my bed and call out to me every single morning.  I barely contained myself yesterday, but couldn't resist today.  Dress code says no sneakers, but these boots are just as comfortable as sneakers.  So here they are again.  I pulled out my Kate Spade tote to give me a hint of girl in the shades of black and grey today.

Happy Tuesday!

November Colors

These are the last few days of November and I realized that I very rarely wear November colors (orange and brown with touches of gold) so today I took the opportunity to do so.

I am Wearing:

Sweater: Christian Berg

Skirt:  Bobeau

Earrings:  Old

Shoes:  Gucci

Necklace:  Thrifted

Bracelet: Monet

Purse:  Tory Burch

I don't know if I love this outfit, but I certainly love the color combination.  I especially liked all the gold touches.  A few years ago, I went through a sterling/platinum phase and it seemed like I wanted all white metal all the time.  I was pleasantly surprised to discover that I've slowly allowed gold to seep back in.  I love how it gives everything a warm contrast.  This necklace came from a thrift store months ago and I was happy to reach for it today.

I've worn these Gucci pumps before and I liked the way the brown complimented the skirt. Even with the extra height, you can still tell that I stepped all over my skirt today.  I am definitely going to tailor this skirt.  Even for a maxi skirt, it is still way too long for me. I can't wait to see who will win between the office chair and this skirt, but my shoes aren't even competing.  They know that there isn't even any competition.  They win.

Have a great week! It's almost December!

Perfect Scents

Ever since I was very young, I've loved perfume.  I firmly believe all the studies that say that a particular scent can take you back to a special moment in time and let you relive the moment.  These are a few of my favorites to wear:

Everyday Clean: Sugar Lychee by Fresh

Everyday Sexy: Very Sexy by Victoria’s Secret

Special Occasion Strong: Black Orchid by Tom Ford

Special Occasion Flowery: Delices de Cartier

For a clean and fresh everyday scent, I love Sugar Lychee by Fresh.  It smells so clean and so yummy that I've sometimes sprayed it on a pillow or a scarf when I travel because it doesn't disturb my sleep, but it smells so good.  Sometimes you need that when you are surrounded by a lot of people.

Image by Victoria's Secret

For a stronger everyday perfume and one that Mr. Fantastic loves, I wear Very Sexy by Victoria's Secret.  Mr. Fantastic loves it because I used to wear it all the time when we started dating.  I think it reminds him of those times and he'll occasionally buy me a bottle when I've run out and haven't replaced it.  It used to come in this great bottle, but they now changed it to the boring one up top.  I secretly think that is why I no longer go out and buy it for myself.  I guess, I also have a thing for pretty bottles.

For longer wearing perfume, I fell in love with Tom Ford's Black Orchid.  I love the muskier and more grown up smell. I like that there is a floral base tone, but it isn't overpowering or too flowery.  I don't know if that makes sense, but recently, it's my new favorite.  I even wore it to work once last week.

For special occasions, Delices de Cartier is one of my very favorites.  This one smells completely fruity and girly, but I've never run into anyone else that wears it.  I love that when I wear it, Mr. Fantastic always pulls me in closer and tells me how great I smell.  Not to mention that this is so far my very favorite bottle.  I love it!


These are my staple scents.  Which ones do you wear?

Fall into Boots and Jeans

Leaves this color DO NOT happen in Texas.  We have two seasons: hot and kinda cool.  This year, we've had three: Spring, Summer and now FALL!

I am Wearing:

Top:  Michael Kors

Sweater: Gap

Jeans:  Express

Earrings:  Wet Seal

Boots:  MIA Roadster

Bracelets:  Marc Jacobs and DIY

Clutch:  Coach

This is an easy outfit to throw together for meeting family for lunch and going shopping after the Black Friday madness.  From the looks of it, most bloggers own boots, jeans and a sweater.  I am clearly not an exception.  The sweater is from Gap and was a gift from Mr. Fantastic earlier this year.

This Michael Kors top is from TJ Maxx.  I really like the ruching detail (disguises the overeating from Thanksgiving a bit) and the asymmetrical neckline adds a different touch to the outfit.  I was trying to stay away from black on black and the olive color breaks up the black of the outfit very well.

This is the only black purse I own.  I can't even call it a handbag because it is just really not big enough to be a handbag.  It's much closer to a clutch.  I purchased this bag back in 1999 and I can't say enough about buying quality leather regardless of purpose (purses, shoes, coats, etc.) because you will get what you pay for.  Sometimes, I think this bag looks a tad tired, but I can always spruce it up with a quick shine.

Once I pulled out these MIA boots for the game on Thursday, I figured I would wear them again before I had to put them back in the box.  Now that I think about it, I will be wearing these alot now that the weather is turning.  They're definitely not going back in their box.
**Update: Yesterday I mentioned that I bought my boots on sale from Ideeli.  These boots are on sale again TODAY! Go get them: Referral Link**

Thanksgiving at Cowboys Stadium

I hope everyone had a fantastic Thanksgiving! Mr. Fantastic surprised me with tickets to the Dallas Cowboys game against the Miami Dolphins.  Off we went.

I am Wearing:

Top:  Cowboys Wear

Jeans:  Old Navy

Earrings:  Old

Boots:  MIA

Bracelets:  Marc Jacobs and DIY

Purse:  MAC by Rebecca Minkoff

It was my very first experience at the new Cowboys Stadium and I have to admit that I had a terrific time.  This year was hard for me as we usually spend this time with family and we've been through some rough times recently. I wanted to wear a cute outfit, but my desire to support the home team won out in the end.  In addition, I knew that I was going to overeat and none of you need to have a look at my muffin top. Ya know?

Some friends that we were going to tailgate with told Mr. Fantastic: "Make sure your wife wears tennis shoes." I just gave him a blank stare.  I honestly could never find my sneakers on short notice, so I didn't even try.  I think my husband was just happy that I had flat boots on.  I got these boots during a flash sale on Ideeli (referral link) a while back.  I think the shaft is perfect for my shorter legs and I like that they don't dig into the back of my knees as most knee high boots do.  They were perfect for all the walking we had to do!

Did I mention the Dallas Cowboys WON?!? 20 to 19 on a last second field goal to defeat the Dolphins.  What a perfect way to spend the holiday.  I hope each of you had a wonderful holiday as well and that you also have many blessings to be thankful for.

Holiday Cocktail Party

I love holiday parties.  It is one of my favorite things about this season because it gives me a reason to get dressed up and go out with Mr. Fantastic to see our friends.

Dress: Adrianna Papell

Earrings: Tasha via TJ Maxx

Ring: Old, cheap costume ring (still gives me hives)

Clutch: DIY via Honestly…WTF?

Shoes: Badgley Mischka Harlow (gift from Mr. Fantastic last summer)

Unfortunately for me, I gravitate without fail towards little black dresses.  I think I have at least 5 sitting in my closet right now and even when I think I am going to go with a different colored dress, I nearly always go right back to my little black dress.  It's just so easy to reach for and pair with a great pair of earrings and some nice party shoes!

This one is by Adrianna Papell and I purchased it almost two years ago to wear to a cousin's wedding.  It is still one of my most complimented dresses and I love that I bought it on sale for $35! Although, I usually don't tell anyone that.  I just smile and say "Thank you!" when someone tells me what a great dress it is.  I think that the chiffon long sleeves are one of the reasons that this dress is such a hit.  The long, sheer sleeves give the illusion of modesty and draw attention to the open neck area.

The shoes are by Badgley Mischka and I have to admit that I love, love, LOVE their party shoes.  If I didn't already have so many shoes and thought I could sneak a single pair past Mr. Fantastic, it would be a pair of royal purple Badgley Mischka pumps that I saw last week at endless.com.  These were a gift from him and I haven't been able to get him to buy me anymore recently.

This clutch, got a great deal of attention during this cocktail party as well.  Especially when I revealed that it was a DIY project that Mr. Fantastic and I worked on.  I initially got the idea from this tutorial by the ladies at Honestly...WTF? and then I looked around and realized that losing sunglasses is one of my many talents.  So I dug up all the discarded cases that my sunglasses had come in and went about turning them into minauderies.  I bought the drawer pulls online at a close out site and recruited Mr. Fantastic to drill the holes and cut the excess amount on the screws.  I loved the results!  I have one in silver and this black one is actually my sister's. I borrowed it without her permission for this cocktail party.  I love that it fits just the necessities and since we were already checked into the hotel, I only needed my phone, lipgloss, ID and keycard.  Perfect fit.

One of the highlights of my evening? Running into the always super stylish, Dan Pritchett, who is also the current president of The Fashionistas here in Dallas.  I get the fuzziest feeling when he gives my outfits his nod of approval.  He is definitely my go-to guy when I am looking for something new to push encourage Mr. Fantastic to try.  A few months back, Dan told me about fedoras and I am now determined to find one that fits around Mr. Fantastic's big head!  Stay tuned, I have a way of wearing him down!


I hope everyone is ready for the amazing Thanksgiving weekend ahead!