No outfit love today.

Okay, so I think my outfit today was, well, meh. It's the J. Crew pencil skirt in the warm jade color. I think it looked better in person than in the photo--the color of the skirt is really beautiful. But I think I look a bit under-accessorized. Lacy shirts like that are just hard to add to, imo. Maybe a brighter belt and shoes would've brought it up a notch?

Not much else to say tonight. 4th rainy day in a row...maybe that's it.
OOTD: J. Crew pencil skirt in warm jade, J. Crew lady-lace popover, J. Crew cream belt, Jeffrey Campbell shoes.

Thanks for reading!

A cheery Wednesday

So I did the big season exchange in my closets today. I have so many wonderful cold weather pieces! It's always sad to put them away for the year, despite my love of the warmer weather. Sadly, when I eyeballed the spread, I was not feeling any love. Skirts? Good. Shoes? good. Tops? Um... I have a TON of T-shirts, with and without graphics and detailing. I've got many long and 3/4 sleeve button downs that will work for a while. (We don't have air conditioning where I work.) And I've got many dresses that I'd classify appropriate for school only with a jacket or sweater, which I am also lacking in light weight, breathable fabrics. Sleeveless is not a great look on me from the back.

I'm sure that you ladies who work in air conditioned work places have many great options. No air leaves me with a challenging dilemma when putting outfits together. There really aren't many stylish tops that aren't Ts at J.Crew right now. I know many JCAs complain about the quality of their product, and when it comes to Ts, I have to agree. But for other items, I think they are still higher quality than their competitors.

I also enjoy the streamlined one store shopping experience. I don't want to have to search ga-zillions of stores and web sites for mix and match pieces. Somehow, JC pieces just work together. Putting another retailer's pieces with theirs seems, well, like cheating in a relationship. But I may have to be unfaithful and explore other options, I think.

There are the obvious options: Banana, Gap, Ann Taylor Loft. Rumor has it that quality and prints are improving. I have read many positive posts about Lands End Canvas, but the pieces I've bought from them don't seem to hold their shape as well, and seem to look (pardon me) cheaper than JC. And Talbots, although the quality seems comparable, just feels too old and stuffy. Not ready to go there just yet. J. Jill is too drab, and Coldwater Creek is too frumpy. Anthro is, in whole, just not my style. Their more trendy/artsy pieces are just too expensive. And H&M has cute options, but disposable quality.

What to do? I've got my eyes out for JC short sleeved blouses on eBay, but I don't find many in my size. Like I said in an earlier post, maybe some options are still on their way. Until then, I'll be the T-shirt queen, I guess. Any suggestions or leads would be appreciated.

OOTD: J.Crew: Linen schoolboy blazer, long sleeved navy boat neck T, Kauai Floral Penny Skirt, gold multi-chain necklace and woven-look bracelet. Shoes: Navy patent Steve Madden flats.

Thanks for reading!

Pet Peeves

Since I seem to be in a rather snarky place, I thought I'd publish a list of pet peeves, inspired by an event at school today. So let's start there, and I'll add as they come to mind:

Unjust praising to avoid "winners" and "losers". Our school has re-started a "Student of the Week" award. Before I proceed, please note the singular noun, 'student'. Published today: four students earning the award. Granted, I work in a high school and there was a student awarded in each grade, but what is the harm in recognizing one for truly exemplary and meritorious actions, and letting others aspire to achieve the same recognition. Rewarding four students somehow cheapened the integrity and value of the award, in my mind.

People who stop at the top or bottom of escalators. Really? How, in the middle of a mall, can people be totally oblivious to the other people around them? Step aside, people!

People who are unable to listen. We all know at least one. They have to have the last word, and are absolute masters at twisting any topic to be about themselves. The only sympathy they get from me is a general assumption that they are seriously lacking self esteem. Maybe I need to be a poorer listener. Or learn to hide better.

Sequels/Remixes. With very few exceptions, #2, 3, 4... are never as good as #1. Are there really no new ideas for movies, books, tv shows, songs, etc. out there? Or is the almighty dollar sign behind their creation? Exception: movie/book sagas when a whole story is divided into parts.

My husband's clutter. Enough said.

Bloggers who take crappy photos of their outfits. Wait, that would be me! Oops! : )

OOTD: Banana Republic denim skirt, J. Crew Impressionist Floral cami, J. Crew pink linen/cotton blend cardigan from summer '11, J. Crew gold belt, Ecco strappy wedge sandals.

Thanks for reading! (I'm not always so kvetchy.)

Another Monday bites the dust. Enough said.

OOTD: Almost all J. Crew: Watercolor Floral Schoolgirl skirt, Jackie Cardigan in ?laquer yellow? (summer '11), gray Bubble Necklace, Salina flats in buttercup, gray patent belt, Gap T-shirt. Inspiration: Apples & Pencil Skirts blog shown here.

It was a toss up between the yellow flats or a gray patent pair. I don't like being matchy-matchy with necklace/belt/shoes/purse. What do you think? Does the yellow work, or would a neutral gray or navy have worked better (Excuse my messy floor...)

There's a change in the weather a-brewin'! Looks like we might yet get a bit of what would be typical March weather here in MN. Spring Break is still two weeks out for me; it would be just my luck if we got a last winter blast on my week off.

Thanks for reading!