The 2/3 Rule

It's always good to get a formula for things. I recently discovered this formula for how long your skirts should be. I've always worn my skirts below the knee (probably mainly because I am short so that's where most off the rack skirts hit me). Now I've started wearing some just above the knee, and frankly, they look amazing on me.
So, I was excited to recently read this advice on matching shoes, tights, and skirts/dresses. As we are moving into tight weather, I am thinking this will come in handy.
The rule for tights is: 2/3. That means that your tights should either match your shoes or your skirt, and it means that it looks better if one of those items doesn't match. In the past, I've done a lot of monochromatic tights, shoes, and skirts, but I'm going to branch out from that and get a little more daring with shoes, I think. Anyway, here are some of my recent 2/3 sets. For these looks, I went with matching tights and shoes.
Shoes, Talbots; Tights, Hue (is there any other kind? my Hue tights wear like IRON!!!).

Sunday, October 28, 2012

I decided to wear the Talbots paisley shirt I picked up yesterday today. It has orange, green, red, burgundy, pink, brown--a whole rainbow of colors in it. It really looked good with this Halogen Seamed Pencil Skirt in Purple Nectar, which to me, looks a dead ringer for the oxblood color that is so popular right now--it's much more burgundy/wine colored than what I would call purple. I added this cute Talbots jacket for the walk over to church and ended up wearing it quite a bit, as it was rather cold in the chapel. This was a good look for me, I thought.
If you haunt the Nordstrom's site, you can get these skirts for about $26 -- I have three of them now. I can wear both the regular 6 and the 8 petite, but prefer the 8 petite as it looks less matronly.
Halogen Seamed Pencil Skirt in Purple Nectar, Nordstrom; Double Buckle Belt in Sand, Talbots; Jewelry, Talbots and Chicos; Imperial Paisley Shirt in Bright Emerald, Talbots; Hue Tights in Sand (one of my favorite tight purchases ever!!) Macy's; Hooded Waterproof Jacket in Khaki, Talbots.

Marathon Shopping/Returning

I had amassed a semi-large pile of returns, so I chose today to take them back. I have to go up to SLC to do it, as there is no Talbots or J. Crew or Coldwater Creek near me, and that way I don't have to go to the local Chicos, either. I did pick up some purchases while I was about, but overall I came out way ahead. The first thing I purchased was this pretty little bauble necklace from Francesca's. I stopped in there to pick up one last gift for my DD on her 20th birthday, which also happened to be today. I got her a very cute leopard scarf. It was BOGO on the jewelry, so I picked up this ring for $3. Total damage: $48.49

The next stop I made was Talbots, where I returned a lot of things and picked up some things, too. I am really loving both of these paisley button-up shirts.

I also picked up this floral button-up and these green pants. Total damage: $131.08, minus a return of around $400.00. (One of the items I returned was the blue jacket to the right. It was just so stiff that I didn't feel comfortable in it.)

On to J. Crew, where I returned the collection striped bateau sweater in caramel -- it made me look like a turtle, and it was too long -- and picked up this multicolor tweed pencil skirt and this liberty print perfect shirt in d'Anjo. Total damage -- these two items equaled the sweater plus I got eight dollars back, so, it was about $92. The skirt was 29.74 and the shirt (a splurge for me, but I loved the print) was 59.49 with the 30% off and my educator's discount.

My last stop of the day was at Target, where I returned quite a few things, picked up ice cream and candles for DD's birthday cake, and then picked up this Merona doubleweave skirt in bonjour brown (I would call it a light camel). This is the second one of these I've purchased. At $22, they are a pretty good deal for a lined skirt, and they are just the right length for me. I don't like very many of the things at Target, but every once in a while, I get lucky.

Saturday, October 27, 2012

Why do I have two outfits up? Because I had to wear the left one for the primary program practice, but then changed into the right one for a marathon shopping and returning trip (minus the sandals). In the left one I am wearing a Chicos necklace that I recently shortened up quite a bit. I realized that I don't like really long necklaces that hang down past my bust, because, let's face it, I am a 34DDD, and that gives me a little shelf effect that, frankly, looks weird with longer necklaces. So . . . I've slowly been shortening up all of my longer necklaces. This is one where I loved the big polka dotted beads but never really wore it because I didn't like how long it was and the long plastic beads. Now it is practically perfect.
Left: Velvet Animal Pencil Skirt in Brown, Talbots; Cashmere Audrey Sweater in Red, Talbots; Jewelry, Chicos and Designed by Denee; Hue Tights in Brown, Macy's.
Right: Chevron Burnout Lanie II Top, Chicos; Alisha Skinny NYDJ Jeans in Red, Nordstroms.

Friday, October 26, 2012

Today was an all-eBay day. I purchased this green check houndstooth skirt for $16.27 shipped quite a while ago. At the time, I was wearing a size 10, so I thought this vintage 10 would fit. Well, I couldn't even begin to get this on. So . . . 2 sizes smaller and later, I tried it on and it now fits me. Ha! Anyway, it's 100% wool and a beautiful pattern, AND it's a full 25 inches long and well below the knee on me, so I'm glad longer pencils are in style right now.
I paired it with a lovely green polka dot Talbots cardigan that I recently bought for $26.99 shipped. That's more than I usually pay, but it was new with tags, a v-neck!, silk blend, 3/4 sleeved!, and pretty darn cute.
I topped it off with this blingy little Talbots necklace that I also picked up quite a while ago for $14.31 shipped. I've already got a lot of use out of it, and I love that the ribbon in the back makes it so versatile in length.
I got a lot of compliments on this look. I can see getting a lot of use out of this skirt this winter, as it is snuggly.
Houndstooth Wool Pencil Skirt in Green/Ivory, Talbots; Polka Dot Cardigan in Green and Ivory, Talbots; Ivory Tank, Chicos; Jewelry, Talbots; Hue Tights in Green.

Thursday, October 25, 2012

This was not the best day for me as far as hair goes. When I need a hair cut, my hair really lets me know. Anyway, Today I finally wore the Belle Flower skirt I picked up on eBay earlier this year. It looks like something from Anthropologie. I should have got one size smaller (I bought it before I finished losing all the weight), but it still looks okay. I bought the jacket on the right to go with it, but I have since realized that no matter how cute double breasted jackets look on those tall skinny models, they are never going to look good on me.
Anyway, for most of the day I went with the cashmere sweater only.
Cashmere Audrey Sweater in Burnt Orange, Talbots; Belle Flower Skirt, Talbots; Floral Stone Bib Necklace, Talbots; Earrings, Target; Grace Fit Double Breasted Faille Jacket in Creme Brulee, Talbots, Hue Ribbed Tights in Brown, Macy's.

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

It was cold enough today to make wearing pants seem like a good idea. I also had an early morning meeting, so I figured denim would make it easy to get through a long 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM day at school. I'm wearing the second of the three dotted blouses I purchased recently, and a corduroy jacket and colored denim. I love the way this Talbots necklace matched up with the polka dots on the blouse.
Corduroy Jacket in Raven, Talbots; Platinum Denim in Sand, Chicos; Lauren Conrad Polka-Dot Pleated Top in Everglade, Kohls; Jewelry, Talbots.

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Today will probably be the last day I go without tights, as it is supposed to snow tomorrow. Sigh... Anyway, I loved this outfit today -- a mix of autumn colors, brown and flame orange, with a dash of bright aqua to lighten it up.
This Talbots flannel skirt has the most adorable little flounce in the back that you unfortunately can't see in this picture.
Ruffle Back Flannel Pencil Skirt in Brown, Talbots; Floral Top, Talbots; Aqua Cardigan, Talbots; Belt, Talbots; Jewelry, Coldwater Creek; Sweater Pin, Chicos.
And I'm wearing the cute brown suede brand-new Talbots kitten heels above that I picked up on eBay for 9.99 shipped.

Monday, October 22, 2012

 

After seeing this inspiration photo to the left, I am trying this look to the right. My hair looks a little scary here because it is still wet. This was a winning look for me -- I really liked the booties with it.
So today when I got to school, one of my male students said, "Ms. Tyler, I thought about you all weekend."
Okay, creepy. What he meant is that he was supposed to go to the Air Supply concert in Wendover, but when he got there, they wouldn't let him in with his parents because he is not 21. So he was thinking I just should have gone (when I heard where he was going, I had told him I was jealous). Ha. Students say the darnedest things.
Ponte Knit Jacket in Black, Chicos; Halogen Skirt in Cobalt, Nordstroms; Striped Tee, Talbots; Flower, Chicos; Belt, Chicos.

Sunday, October 21, 2012

So, I wore this outfit today with the daisy necklace and earrings. I love this skirt!!!
Button-Up in Orangeade, Talbots; Painterly Floral Skirt, Talbots; Belt and Shoes, Talbots; Jewelry, Talbots.

Friday, October 19, 2012

Today I thought I would wear my Missoni for Target cardigan and the scarf that matches it. And hot pink pants. Hey, it's Friday, and I needed to wake up.
Missoni for Target Zig-Zag Cardigan, Travelers Tank, Coldwater Creek; Not Your Daughter's Alisha Skinny Denim Jeans in Fuchsia, Nordstroms; Missoni for Target Scarf.

Thursday, October 18, 2012

Today was parent teacher conference. Usually I wear a suit, but I decided to wear a button-down with a skirt and stick with a soothing blue color. The daisy necklace livened up this whole outfit.
Parent teacher conferences were...long. We met for four hours, and I think I might have visited with one parent in the last hour. Yawn. I was so tired afterwards that I went to bed at around 8:30 PM. Of course this led to waking up around 2 AM, but I still feel pretty good this morning.
Summer Floral Skirt in Corsica Blue, Talbots; Button-Up Wrinkle Free Shirt in Royal Blue, Chicos; Patent Belt in Navy, Talbots; Daisy Jewelry, Talbots;

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Today I wore this Talbots cardigan and silk tank with Chicos colored jeans. In all honesty, after wearing extremely bright colors for quite a while, I found this outfit pretty drab. I wore a necklace that I haven't worn in quite a while. This used to get a lot of love (and wear) but I hadn't pulled it out in a long time.
Platinum Denim in Brown Wash, Chicos; Beaded Silk Cardigan, Talbots; Silk Petal Tanks in Light Gray, Talbots; Jewelry, Coldwater Creek.

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

One of my favorite fashion bloggers, J's Everyday Fashion, recently featured this Kohls' shirt in one of her posts. I love polka dots, so I looked at it and ended up buying all three colorways--I couldn't resist because it was so cheap--just $13. I'm wearing it today with the Halogen Ponte Seamed Skirt I got from Nordstrom for $25 and the baby cable sweater I got from Talbots for $18. So--overall a bargain kind of day.
You know you have a winning outfit when you get a compliment on it everywhere you go--even the bagger at the grocery store liked it.
Baby Cable Cardigan in Paris Pink, Talbots; Lauren Conrad Polka-Dot Pleated Top in Plum Velvet, Kohls; Halogen Seamed Pencil Skirt in Purple Rosea, Nordstroms, Patent Belt in Fuchsia, Talbots; Jewelry, Talbots.

Monday, October 15, 2012

So, a while back I posted that I had scored another daisy lace skirt from eBay. I got an incredible deal on it, but it was two sizes too big. Luckily, I knew from my last daisy alteration that altering it to fit me would be a piece of cake, and it was. Here it is with a silk top and jacket.
I really like this new Coldwater Creek necklace I got recently for free. Every year they send me a $25.00 gift card on my birthday, and every year I manage to spend it and not one dime more. This year I got two striped tees and this necklace.
Daisy Lace Skirt in Peach Madeleine, Talbots; Secret Silk Tank in Daiquiri,  Chicos; Grace Fit Gold Button Jacket in Natural, Talbots; Jewelry, Talbots and Coldwater Creek; Belt, Talbots.

Sunday, October 14, 2012

Today I wore this favorite Talbots sweater and skirt. I made a few changes from this look--I added the lime green/blue necklace here on the left and went with different green shoes. The skirt also looks different because this is one of the ones I altered from a 10 to a 6.
I love this sweater, but I don't wear it all that often as it really doesn't go with much.
Blue Floral Sweater, Talbots; Green Tweed Skirt; Talbots; Jewelry, Coldwater Creek, University Mall, Talbots.

Friday, October 12, 2012

I haven't had school the last two days, so it has affected my wardrobe choices. I did go out to eat with the BHW and the kidlings on Friday night, so I wore this cashmere sweater from last year and this Chicos necklace to the right. It used to be a very long necklace, but the length wasn't good for me. I tried to sell it on eBay, but that didn't work, so I was contemplating buying some new ribbon crimps and making the clasp shorter. As I was determining where to put the crimps, I realized that I could just tie the ribbon in the back in a permanent knot and then slip it over my head when I want to wear it. I really like the new length, and, best of all, the fix was free and very quick, too.
Because it was a little brisk, I took the opportunity to wear my faux fur coat that I picked up at Chicos for $20 last year.
Platinum Denim Jeans in Light Wash, Chicos; Cashmere Audrey Sweater in Red, Talbots; Jewelry, Chicos.

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

When I originally bought this jacket, I wanted it to look like it does on the model. Even before I lost so much weight, it didn't exactly look like this on me -- it was way too big at the bottom. So, the other day I took my trusty old sewing machine and took out about two inches all around. I like it much better now. It still has the peplum look that is in right now, but it is pretty fitted on the top.
Triomphe Jacquard Plaid Skirt in Mustard, Talbots; Pleated Jacket in Lime, Talbots; Scarf, Christopher and Banks; Peridot Jewelry, Coldwater Creek and University Mall.

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

I went with this outfit today, except I wore my blue pumps rather than the sandals. The only sad thing is that I got gum on this sweater. (Don't ask how.) I'll have to search online for a way to get it out.
Amelie Floral Skirt in Blue, Talbots; Grey Embellished Tee; Talbots; Ruffled Cardigan/Jacket Talbots; Jewelry, Macy's.

Monday, October 8, 2012

Today seemed like a great day to pull out my new mustard skirt. I ended up getting the ponte Halogen one from Nordstroms after trying one from Banana Republic and Talbots. As a ponte skirt, it is comfortable and soft, the color is great, the length was perfect, and the price was pretty good, too.
It's a little scary to order a skirt that looks as short as it does on the model, but on me it's the perfect length. I'm wearing it today with my new Retro Jade Tippi from J Crew and a polka dot scarf. This was a fun, comfy look, especially with the turquoise flats.
The polka dot scarf came from Rite Aid. Yes, the pharmacy. I bought this one and a turquoise one before I went to England this summer for 99 cents each. They do tend to get pulls (made of a very loose knit), but I find that they are easy to pull back into shape. I love the shaggy, fringy look.
Halogen Ponte Pencil Skirt in Gold Shine, Nordstroms; Tippi Merino Sweater in Retro Jade, J Crew; Polka Dot Scarf in White and Yellow, Rite Aid; Jewelry, Chicos and Harry Mason from the BHW.

Friday, October 5, 2012

Today I went with my cobalt jeans and this new animal sweater from Chicos. I have a love/hate relationship with Chicos. About half of the time I love what I get from them, and the other half of the time, it looks like cheap junk. Their skirts are too long for me, and their dresses are too short. To complicate matters, I fear and loathe the local Chicos store just as much as Leslie Knope from Parks and Recreation fears and loathes the ladies down at the Public Library. So, I mainly order online -- I get free shipping -- and I end up driving 30 minutes away to return things.
Okay, rant over. Anyway, this Mindy animal sweater from Chicos is a rare win for me lately. With a cotton silk blend, it feels silky soft on, and I actually liked the fit. I added this elephant necklace that Megan and I made a few years ago.
Not Your Daughters Alisha Skinny Jeans in Cobalt Blue, Nordstroms; Mindy Animal Sweater, Chicos; Jewelry, Designed by Denee.