Its OK Thursday

Thursday Link-up

Its OK....


To resolve each week to give up wine on weeknights, and only last until Tuesday before caving and pouring a tall crisp glass of chardonnay

To kiss your toddler's chubby, silk smooth cheek every time hes within reach

To get immense pleasure from buying something (anything) new

That this month is the first month with health insurance in quite some time

To love watching 'Vanderpump Rules' alone in bed more than mutually agreeable programs with your husband

Pop of Pink and a Peplum

A pretty pink jacket makes spring feel more imminent. To tone down the sugar factor, pairing graphic black and white underneath, and slim, charcoal pants below helped with the balance. Though I always opt for a large, chunky cocktail ring even during the day, while wearing this particular ring my boss told me he couldn't focus on my argument for a private office because he was distracted by my 'dalmatian dog ring'.

Jacket: Loft  (similar here)

Blouse: Loft (try this)

Ring: Ann Taylor (sold out)

Necklace: Tiffany Key

Nails: Essie 'Dont Sweater it'

Earth Tones

Pushing the limits of business casual = jean cut cords on a weekday. But keeping the palette neutral helped make this office appropriate. And I love cords in the winter, whose days are numbered. Cold days mean smooth hair and preppy layers, whats not to love?

Blouse: Ann Taylor (fall 2012)

Pants: Loft (sold out)

Loafers: Coach Enrica Driver

Necklace: Banana (similar here)

Legally Speaking

Ah, copyright infringement. As prevalent today as bad manners on the subway, copycats are around every fashion corner trying to pounce on another's well-selling idea in the hope their insidious imitation will fool the less skeptical.

But amidst all the insufferable impostors are some legitimate users trying to apply a perfectly reasonable mark to their good. Case in point: the US Polo Association. In America, Ralph Lauren sportswear reigns supreme and sports sometimes take a back seat to fashion. In this case, the Polo Association was prevented from using the polo player logo on their new fragrance line by the 2nd Circuit because it was too similar to the iconic Ralph Lauren trademark. Though the USPA had been granted the right to use the logo on apparel in 1984, the USPA cannot use the same mark on frangrance (a different category of goods) becuase the images are too similar and likely to cause confusion (one of many tests used by courts when considering these cases). Too bad for the polo players, but score one for Ralph.

image is the trademarked logo owned by Polo Ralph Lauren Corporation

Mixing

Black and white never gets old, and an easy way to mix patterns is to stick with this traditional palette and pair different basic graphics (tiny dots and grid print here).

Blouse: Loft (on sale here)

Skirt: Loft

Shoes: Coach

Necklace: Francesca's

Classics

A crisp white button down is a must for any closet (I have far too many to admit to). On this day, the usual client meeting was followed by an afternoon in court for the New York Mock Trial Tournament which I misguidedly volunteered to coach without compensation. Judges are fickle, and surely wouldn't understand a pair of red pants.

Blouse: Ralph Lauren

Dress: Ann Taylor (originally $158, purchased on sale for $30!)

Necklace: Ann Taylor

Tights: Wolford

Shoes: Coach 

Glasses: Nicole Miller

Watch: Rolex

Bracelets: David Yurman link, Cartier love bangle, Mark & Graham bangle

Shift + Boucle

Ah, the ever present client lunch. On this blustery morning, heading north to even steeper mercury dips, layers were necessary.

Jacket: Loft (here)

Dress: Ann Taylor (spring 2011)

Necklace: Loft (on sale right now)

Shoes: Prada (old)

Bag: Prada (spring 2009)

Date Night

A rare night out calls for as many fun pieces that don't otherwise get to leave the closet as possible.

Faux-Fur Vest: Loft (sold out)

Clutch: Merona for Target (similar here)

Necklace: Loft (sold out)

Top: J.Crew (old)

Jeans: JBrand

Watch: Rolex (college graduation gift from my parents)

It's OK Thursday

It's OK Thursday Link-up

It's OK....

To leave a super bowl party before the game is actually over (once the eating is done I lose interest fast)

That walking to and from my car has counted as exercise this week (some weeks, life in the suburbs as a working mom to a very demanding toddler forces one to cut out many activities classified as 'me time' aka the gym)

To cancel lunch plans with a friend because you are dying to try a new Weight Watchers frozen meal you got from Fresh Direct, and want to save points for a second glass of wine after dinner

Impulse Buy

To some, an impulse buy may be a pack of gum or recent issue of People while waiting in line at the grocery store. For me, it can be anything from a fabulous pair of shoes, to a miraculous under-eye concealer the perfectly airbrushed looking Clinique saleswoman talked me into. This week, it was a neutral clutch that, while fairly impractical for my life as a working mother, is just amazingly cool.

 Merona clutch, $19.99 at Target 

Ann Taylor houndstooth cashmere and leather gloves (gifted)

J.Crew double-cloth Lady coat in cobalt

I desperately need a party, luncheon or date night to use this new neutral beauty. Any offers?

What's in the Bag?

I carry very little with me on a daily basis- this helps to prepare for days I leave house with toddler in tow. My essentials all fit neatly into my small Prada case (that I've had since college and love more than one should love an inanimate object).

Carmex hand lotion

Clinique Chubby Sticks in Caramel and Cherry

 Lipsticks (Clinique's nutshell, bamboo pink, pink goddess, adore u, and Trish McEvoy's barely innocent)

Aquaphor (for cuticles) and Kiehl's lip balm

Visine (8 hours of law each day makes for red eyes)

bobby pins

Clinique lip-smoothie in blackberry nirvana

Clinique lip liner in baby buff (I am old school and cannot skip the lip liner)

Tweed Two Ways

The sale shopping is still as addictive as it was right after Christmas, which has made my new year's resolution to shop less very difficult. This blazer was just $78 at J.Crew, originally $298! To help justify the purchase (after the fact) I worked it into two very different outfits.

Casual:

J.Crew tweed blazer (sold out, similar here and here)

JBrand jeans (old)

Enzo flats (old)

Gucci belt (purchased at the original Gucci store in Milan in 2005)

Rolex watch (college graduation gift from my parents)

David Yurman link bracelet

Loft gem bracelet (Christmas gift from Jackie!)




Client Meeting:

Banana Republic skirt (old)

J.Crew silk top (similar here)

Prada pumps

Louis Vuitton Never Full

David Yurman bracelets

Matchbook Magic

Always keeping me entertained while on the job (love G-chat), my friend Christine is also responsible for discovering the best online sources for style and shopping. I can't believe I didn't know this existed until recently, but Matchbook Magazine is basically a stroll through your favorite glossy without waiting for the postal service to make a delivery, and the added bonus of being able to buy what you see with a click of your finger.

photo credit: fashiongonerogue.com

Known to be obsessive, I cannot stop thinking about an olive green quilted coat I saw at J.Crew this past fall and waited to long to pursue. It is sadly sold out everywhere, and I have yet to find a suitable alternative. The appearance of this coach number on Matchbook is just salt in the wound, as its price (around $400) is not going to work for our one income household right now, especially for something I can't really wear to work. Sigh. But there are many treausres to