November Purchases

I spent a bit more than my goal of $100, but compared to last year ($505), I think I have made some improvement.

Thursday, November 28, 2013

Since chunky sweaters are all the rage, I went with this little chunky monkey over some very comfortable cords for my Thanksgiving outfit. This was super comfortable for both the feasting and the festivating afterwords -- we have a tradition of having a board and party game marathon after eating, and today was no exception. 

Boyfriend Cords in Dark Berry, Eddie Bauer; Cable Sweater in Oatmeal, Talbots; Scarf, Talbots.

If you scroll down, you'll see what I spent the morning doing instead of cooking. This is a big deal for me, as last year I was so grinchy, I didn't even put up a tree until the kids made me do it. I haven't completely gotten rid of the grinch, though, as I have boxed up and given away every decoration that didn't make it out this year. 

This year we decided to put up this tree -- the Snow Tree. It has snowmen, Santas, 
reindeer, penguins, two kinds of snowflake ornaments I crafted, two kinds of 
snowflake glass balls, a snowflake garland, and a handmade skirt.

It's a little hard to fit all the stockings on our mini-mantle, but I've managed to do it. 
Once again, these are handmade by me back in my craftier days. That was a lot of work!

I chose this nativity to display out of my collection. This is another handmade item.

This is the first year in quite a while that I've put this up, too. This is another handmade 
item -- our advent calendar. It will be much cuter as the tree fills up with the ornaments
from the pockets.

Wednesday, November 27, 2013

You know you're old when you meet your husband at the local Harmon's Market for a shopping date. I dressed up a little just for the BHW.
Modern Straight Leg Jeans in Rinse Wash, Loft; Animal Silk Sweater, Chicos; Faux Fur Collar; Belarus via Etsy; Jewelry, Coldwater Creek.

Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Today is my last day of teaching for the week, and I'll admit that I am so thankful. I do enjoy teaching, but it's a demanding lifestyle, and it's nice to get a break once in a while.
I am wearing a pencil skirt from Talbots, a polka dot popover from the J. Crew Factory, and an Eddie Bauer cardigan. I really like the blue with the yellow. This looked great but maybe wasn't the best choice to wear on a day when I'm doing physical therapy -- too many layers. Ah well.
Linen/Denim Blend Pencil Skirt, Talbots; Hue Ribbed Tights in Gray, Macy's; Polka Dot Popover in Naples Blue, J. Crew Factory; Ruffled Cable Cardigan in Heather Yellow, Eddie Bauer; Jewelry, J. Crew Factory.

Monday, November 25, 2013

Today I went with this Talbots animal skirt. I'm wearing thick ribbed tights, and between that and the velvet jacket to wear to and from work, this was a pretty cozy outfit. I'm only working two days this week!!!!
Velvet Leopard Skirt and Jackie Fit Velvet Leopard Jacket, Talbots; Fringed V-Neck Sweater in Brown, Coldwater Creek, Hue Ribbed Tights in Brown, Macy's; Jewelry, Coldwater Creek and Chicos.

Note: I was originally going to wear my J. Crew Jade Tippi, but it was such a pilly mess when I pulled it out that I couldn't wear it. J. Crew's knit goods have really been a disappointment for me.

Sunday, November 24, 2013

Today I am using the inspiration photo to the right. This is J from J's Everyday Fashion. I really like her blog; it is a treasure chest of outfit inspirations. One nice thing about it is that she uses photos as inspiration rather than running out and buying everything. I got the hothouse floral blouse for free with my rewards card, and I already had the skirt, so I was excited when she posted this outfit idea. I tried several statement necklaces before settling on the one I'm wearing, but next time I will try a different looking one -- this one is so vavoom that I think it fights with the blouse. Anyway, I liked how the outfit turned out, even with the hint of tummy showing in the picture.
Halogen Ponte Pencil Skift in Mustard, Nordstroms; Hothouse Floral Blouse, J. Crew Factory; Hue Tights in Natural, Macy's; Jewelry, Talbots.

Friday, November 22, 2013

Today being Friday and all, I wanted to go a little more casual in my dressing. I'm wearing a Missoni for Target Cardigan with a simple black tank and jeans. These tennis shoes from Inkkas have been a great purchase, as they are cute and very comfortable with my orthotic inserts in -- they don't have much arch support at all without them.
Signature Dark Rinse Bootcut Jeans, Talbots; Travelers Tank in Black, Coldwater Creek; Missoni for Target Chevron Cardigan, Target, Jewelry, Coldwater Creek.

Thursday, November 21, 2013

Although I look like I'm about to have my appendix taken out in this picture, this was actually a pretty good look for me. The picture turned out pretty dark, but I'm pairing a blackwatch plaid skirt with an emerald green sweater. Add navy tights and I'm good to go.
Black Watch Plaid Skirt, J. Crew Factory; Merino Jewel Button Sweater in Emerald, Talbots; Jewelry J. Crew Factory; Hue Tights in Navy, Macy's.

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Today I went with a really lovely silk shell with a cardigan and some simple brown pants. I'm also showing how I lay out my outfit the night before - including socks and bling - for quick dressing in the morning. I'm doing physical therapy now for my shoulder, so even an extra five minutes I can save in dressing makes a difference in how early I have to get up to get it all in.
Platinum Denim Jeans in Brown, Chicos; Cardigan in Jade; Talbots; Flower Silk Shell, Talbots, Jewelry, Chicos.

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Today I went with a fun blue and green combination. This seersucker stripe skirt kept things light, and the bright green sweater went well with the medallion scarf I picked up last year from Talbots.
Number 2 Skirt in Seersucker Blue, J. Crew; Hue Tights in Navy, Macy's; Charley Cotton Sweater in Emerald, J. Crew Factory; Medallion Scarf, Talbots; Bracelets, Banana Republic.

Monday, November 18, 2013

I've had this embellished sweater from Talbots for a long time. It's nothing special on it's own -- it really needs a pop of color. So -- I added a pumpkin tank underneath it and some orangy bling to pump it up a bit. (There really is orange and even rust in the pattern on the sweater -- it's just not showing up on the pictures.) I'm wearing my new leopard loafers -- they are very comfortable and allow me to wear my orthotic inserts. This made a good Monday outfit -- casual and comfortable to help me get back into the swing of things.
Cords in Vixen, Talbots; Beaded Cardigan, Talbots; Travelers Tank in Burnt Orange; Chicos; Jewelry, Chicos (2 necklaces).

Sunday, November 17, 2013

Today was stake conference, so I had a little more time to get ready. I spent most of that time reorganizing my jewelry collection and fixing a few pieces that needed it. So -- this was a rush job as usual.
Halogen Skirt in Turquoise; Nordstroms; Paisley Top, Coldwater Creek; Travelers Tank in Black, Coldwater Creek; V-Neck Cardigan in Black; Talbots; Jewelry, Gift from the DD; Hue Tights in Natural, Macy's.

Talbots Spring 2014 Lookbook

As fall turns to winter, a girl's heart turns naturally to spring. I stumbled on the Talbots 2014 Spring Lookbook this morning, and I was pleasantly surprised. I haven't been interested in anything at Talbots for some time, but there are some real head turners here. Some of my favorites:

Friday, November 15, 2013

One of my goals recently is to spend less and make better use of the things already in my closet. I've had all of these items for at least three or four years, but I hadn't tried them together until I found this inspiration photo on the left. It was pretty cold today, so this merino wool sweater jacket was really a perfect layer and looked very nice and toned down the yellow.
I don't know if I'll wear this to go see the live show of So You Think You Can Dance tonight (a birthday gift from the BHW), but it made a pretty awesome teaching outfit.
Triomphe Jacquard Plaid Pencil Skirt, Talbots; Tee in Sunflower Yellow, Christopher and Banks; Ruffled Merino Sweater Jacket in Gray; Talbots; Hue Tights in Natural, Macy's; Jewelry, Coldwater Creek and Kohls.

Thursday, November 14, 2013

Today is supposed to be our last unseasonably warm day. Today it is in the 60s, tomorrow will be the 40s. This comfortable mix was a good choice for this in-between day.
Boyfriend Cords in Dark Berry, Eddie Bauer; Polka Dot Aubrey Sweater in Navy, Talbots; Plaid Stripe Wool Scarf, Coldwater Creek.

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

Since I've started this new teaching job where I leave for work at around 7:20 AM everyday, I don't have as much time to pick out outfits. I've been really utilizing my valet rod in my closet. Over the weekend, while I have time, I pick out 5 different outfits to wear the next week. I hang them with all their accessories, etc. on the valet rod, and then in the morning it's just a quick toss on. Sometimes I give myself two different options, and then I decide that morning which one to wear. This was the case today. I had two choices to wear with this peach madeline daisy lace skirt. I went with the plaid jacket, but I'll have to keep the moss green sweater and scarf outfit idea around for later.
Daisy Lace Skirt in Peach Madeleine, Talbots; Hue Tights in Natural; Macy's; Leaf Embellished Tee in White, Talbots; Picnic Plaid Jacket; Talbots; Genuine Coral Jewelry, Talbots via eBay.

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

I really love this cashmere cardigan from Talbots. The colors remind me of a Monet painting -- so beautiful and serene. It was a great match with the mint colored ankle jeans.
Hazy Cashmere Cardigan, Talbots; Hazy Top (under cardigan), Talbots; Jewelry, Talbots and J. Crew Factory; Alisha Skinny Ankle Jeans in Mint Blue; Nordstroms.

Monday, November 11, 2013

Today I'm going with a houndstooth skirt and a cashmere audrey sweater. This sweater doesn't photograph well -- it's actually a deep, vibrant green color. The blingy little necklace was a last second pickup on eBay. I had around $6 in eBay bucks that were about to expire, so I found a piece of cheap costume jewelry from China that was about that much, including shipping, and bought it. It's not too bad in real life.
Vintage Houndstooth Skirt in Green, Talbots via eBay; Talbots Audrey Cashmere Sweater in Forest Green; Hue Tights in Dark Green, Macy's; Jewelry, eBay and The Imperial Tombs of China.

Sunday, November 10, 2013

I was really in a rush to get to church today. (Actually, when am I not in a rush?) This outfit went together quickly and kept me warm -- my two criteria for a good Sunday outfit. I added my trusty navy trench jacket for the walk over -- I've definitely got my money's worth out of that jacket after wearing it all over England and pretty much every other day in the Fall and Spring.
Once again I'm layering two J. Crew Factory Necklaces -- I really like how those two look together.
Eyelet Pencil Skirt in Emerald Green; Talbots; Whale Linen Tippi, J. Crew; Hue Tights in Navy, Macy's; Jewelry, J. Crew Factory and Banana Republic; Trench Jacket in Navy, Talbots.

Saturday, November 9, 2013

Saturday is all about being comfortable, right? I think so. My comfy outfit for the day consisted of a cashmere v-neck in navy, stretch jeans, and a soft wool scarf. The navy was a nod to the BYU football game that we watched at the BYU broadcasting center. There was a big crowd, and we got to be a part of the live studio audience. We even got free pizza and cookies. Everything about it was pretty cool except for the game itself. BYU got squashed by Wisconsin, 27 to 17.
Stretch Denim Jeans, Coldwater Creek; V-Neck Cashmere Sweater in Navy, Talbots; Plaid Stripe Wool Scarf, Coldwater Creek.

Friday, November 8, 2013

Today was the first day I wore jeans to school. I decided to go with the modern straight leg jeans I picked up on the cheap based on the recommendation of my shopping friend, Gigi. I wore them with a simple paisley wrap shirt from Talbots. This was a comfortable outfit for a very busy day.
The best part of the day was meeting and training my new class room aide. Yeah!!!
Modern Straight Leg Jeans in Rinse Wash, Loft; Paisley Wrap Tee; Talbots; Jewelry, Coldwater Creek.