Vegas: After a Day of Shopping

Sometimes I'm not even sure why I bring clothes with me to Vegas. After my morning of shopping I acquired this top and skirt. All in a day's work.

I can't say no to a cute peplum top and for this price, who could? Also you may remember the print of this skirt from these posts (here and here). I saw it at the H&M in Caesars Palace for $10 so I had to get it!

Peplum top: Forever 21 (buy here for just 15.80!)

Skirt: H&M

Bag: Target

Sandals: Steve Madden

Watch: Charming Charlies

Vegas: Night Out

Yes, I was only in Las Vegas for three days. 

But Vegas comes with a three-outfit-per-day rule. Every day calls for one daytime outfit, one pool outfit and one going out/nighttime outfit. 

The good news is that most of those pieces are small and easy to pack. But the problem for me is always that I also want to bring about six pairs of shoes and that eats up a lot of luggage space. Then there is the looming problem of shopping too much while there, and running out of space in my luggage to bring it all back.

This is the awesome H&M in Caesar's Palace Forum shops. My husband swears they are pumping oxygen in there and it causes him to make bad decisions and buy tons of clothes outside of his comfort zone. I approve because he always winds up with some very stylish pieces.

With three outfits being worn each day, you can count on more outfit pics from Vegas this week, and if you want to see what this night out in Vegas had in store for us check out my Instagram! It was pretty sweet!

Dress: Forever 21(similar here, my exact dress is not yet on the website but was in the store for $15!)

Shoes: Forever 21 (so comfy and look way more expensive than F21)

Necklace: Charming Charlies (similar here, here, and here)

Toes: Mint Candy Apple from Essie

Wristlet: Similar

Theme: COLOR - Pink & Floral

You know what I'm getting really sick of? Wind! I know this is Chicago, the "windy city," but enough. I'm pretty tough when it comes to taking my coat off in the below-freezing temps, but the wind is super annoying. Blowing my hair, clothes and skirts all over the place making it near impossible to take outfit pictures outside. 

That is all on that rant.

Anyway, the highlight of wearing this outfit was when a student asked me if I was "wearing my pajamas!" Of course! Don't all people wear jewelry, wedges and a belt to sleep?! That was pretty darn funny coming from a 10-year-old.

This is my China knock-off of the J. Crew Archipelago necklace that I became obsessed with when I saw it on a episode of The Bachelor! See the real version here. ($165)

Necklace: eBay

Pink button-down: Ralph Lauren Outlet

Pants: H&M (recent)

Shoes: J. Crew Factory Sylvia Patent Wedges

Watch: La Mer

Army Jacket: Forever 21

Theme: Pattern Mixing Look Four

I was without a photographer for this day of the pattern-mixing challenge, so I decided to do some selfies in the mirror. I apologize in advance for the fingerprints on my mirror. Pretend they are a really cool bokeh effect from Picfx or something like that.

I hope that you all believe that this is still technically pattern mixing. After the first two days it became kind of hard, considering many of my patterned options were in the hamper. I still mixed the animal-print scarf with the abstract-patterned skirt and the metallic-knit sweater. What do you think? Does this still count?

On the plus side, you get a little peek into the bright yellow photo collage wall in my home! As I mentioned earlier this week, you can see my strategy for picking out patterned outfits: simply pulling out patterned pieces from my closet and tossing them into a pile to see what works. That pile has moved onto the bed as you can see. :)

Hat: J Crew Factory

Necklace: HRN original cuff

Sweater: H&M

Skirt: Forever 21

Leggings: Aritzia

Booties: ShoeMint: Francoise

Coat: Macys Nine West

Scarf: ??

And in case you want a little more pattern mixing, here is a shot from an outfit that didn't photograph very well! (probably because I was having a bad hair/face/skin/weather day.)

Polka-dot Chambray, Neon belt and geometric print skirt: J Crew Factory

Necklace and earrings: Forever 21

Peplum and Stripes/Exciting New Collaboration

I had pretty much been dying to wear this outfit for a few weeks now. I got the idea from seeing a picture of a pink peplum skirt with a pink and orange striped top (on Sole Society), but since I didn't have either of those I recreated it in blue and green tones.

On that note let me take a minute to talk about some exciting news from SoleSociety.com. Their site is probably one of my favorite and most frequently visited sources for outfit inspiration. I know they are are a shoe company, but I really like how they show you two models head-to-toe in two very different but highly recreateable stylish outfits. A lot of times I even notice they are wearing pieces I already own from J Crew, StyleMint or Nordstrom. I find myself frequently taking screen shots to remember the looks I want to try. 

And to my surprise, I received an email last week telling me that Sole Society shoes will now be available at Nordstrom! That's just about as exciting as a Target/designer collaboration. All shoes are under 100 bucks a pop, very well made and on trend! With Nordstrom's customer service and free shipping and Sole Society's trendy and affordable shoes, you just can't beat that!

This is night two in a row of the hair coming out! I know I shouldn't keep talking about it but I'm just so amazed at how easy it is and how perfectly it matches!

 I found these clip-on earrings in the clearance section for $3 at Forever, now they look like Carrie's wedding Manolos!

Striped top: StyleMint (old)

Skirt: H&M circa 2009!

Necklace: Forever 21 (buy here!)

Shoes: Forever 21(similar here on Sole Society)

Clip on Earrings (worn on shoes): Forever 21 clearance

Layered Neutrals

There is something just so glamorous about silk pants. 

I don't wear them often, but on this particular day I thought they seemed a comfortable choice (since they have an elastic waistband) to go with this rather neutral mix.

I'm also really loving this infinity scarf! It may sound weird, but this one has a lot of spring to it, and it stays up tight close to my face which has been much appreciated with the below-freezing temperatures we have had in Chicago lately.

My seemingly endless search to find the perfect year-round nude almond-toe wedge has finally come to an end with this super-affordable pair from Express. I know, I'm shocked too!

 

Infinity Cowl: dkjones on Etsy
Black and white collared blouse: Forever 21
Sweater: J. Crew Factory Outlet
Silk pants: H&M
Wedges: Express
Earrings: Forever 21
Tech Gloves: Nordstrom
Bag: ASOS

NYE 2012

I had grand plans of wearing a great iridescent white peplum sequin dress for New Year's Eve. And then I realized how little that plan made sense... since I was going to be at a hole-in-the-wall bar with a bunch of dudes who would probably spill drinks on that pretty dress. So I switched to a safe-colored black dress. 

Then my next thought was there will be lots of outdoor walking because we will probably have a really hard time catching a cab because they're alway full on New Year's. So then I added the tights, walkable heels and a extra layer of warmth under the dress in the form of a snowcat button-down.

I refused to give up all the fun and sparkle so I tossed on this necklace and bracelet. Maybe one of these New Year's I'll get to wear a sequin dress instead of being so darn practical!

Dress: H&M

Snow Cat Button-Down: J Crew

Watch: Target

Necklace + Chain Bracelet +tights : Forever 21

Booties: ShoeMint Holly

Pink and Orange

By now I think all of my readers have noticed that the winter months and cold temps don't stop me from wearing my brightest of brights and even showing a little bare leg.

Hope this outfit brings a little brightness to your Monday!

Belt, Button Down & Skirt: J Crew Factory

Boots: Etienne Aigner Celtic

Necklace: Forever 21

Peplum Coat: H&M

Pear Earrings: Macy's

Tech Gloves: Target 

Double Duty: One Sweater, Two Ways

I think I'm no longer proudest of how an outfit turns out, but instead how long I can tolerate being outside without a coat to photograph it!

It was straight-up freezing this day and you can even see the frozen puddles behind me. Not to mention this sweater has a pretty open weave to let all that brisk Chicago wind right in! Yikes!

This sweater got a lot of use in the last week. First for another one of my husband's work parties, then for an "End of the World" party from last Friday.

Do you have any pieces that have been doing double duty this holiday season?

 Yes folks, those are some ice puddles... and I am standing here with my coat off! Smart, I know.

 Very old men's watch from Target. Vintage ID bracelet. Real goosebumps!

DIY mint rhinestone necklace from this post from a few months back.

Boots: Arlecia by Ivanka Trump

Green Sparkle Sweater: H&M

Jeans: Zara (on sale now)

Necklace: Forever 21

ID Bracelet: Vintage from the Randolph Street Market

Watch: Very old men's watch from Target

Blogger friend Amy and I dressed pretty much the same the last day of work!

LOOK 2: What I wore to another holiday work party

Heels: Zara (last seen here)

Faux-Leather Skirt: Forever 21 (last seen here)

Sparkle Collar Necklace: Charlotte Russe (last seen here)

Sweater: H&M

Overexposed

As I mentioned yesterday, the quest for a good place to take pictures is becoming harder and harder now that we lost our secret spot. Expect more indoor pictures from my scenic work hallway. Although it's not the best lighting, it gets the job done without risk of catching a major cold!

This super sunny shoot was at a Home Depot parking lot where we received a hearty amount of whistles from the day laborers waiting for work. We have GOT to find a new location... FAST!

Many of the children I teach seemed very concerned that I killed many snakes to make my leggings and wanted to touch them to make sure they were not "real." I really do love watching my students try to understand my fashion statements sometimes.

Bubble Necklace: J Crew

Chambray shirt: Target

ASOS Vila sweater

H&M leggings (old)

Vince Camuto Fivvy boots

Michael Kors Watch