Be-Jeweled

There is nothing new about jewel tones, they have been a consistent presence on the fashion scene since early 2000, and reemerge each season, whether on nails, around necks, or from head to toe via color-blocking. When its late January, there are no vacations, holidays, or parties on the horizon, and a Tuesday is enough of an occasion to don some dapper threads and revel in the depth and luxe of jewel tones (and animal print!)

photo credit profashionelle.com

photo credit gulfnews.com

Photo credit korenreyes.com

J.Crew blazer, Ann Taylor Pants, Banana silk tank (purchased on sale for $13!), NYC sidewalk vendor necklace (another thing I miss about living in NYC), J.Crew loafers, Michael Kors watch

Weekend Wear

Saturdays usually involve several kid-friendly activities, with an occasional few minutes of adult time sprinkled in (this particular day I was able to meet my friend Jane for a coffee!)

Boots: Coach (old)

Jeans: J.Crew toothpick

Vest: Loft

Sweater: Ann Taylor cashmere

Headband: J.Crew

Borrowing from the Boys

The only thing that can make a classic v-neck sweater in Italian merino better is when its J.Crew's boyfriend fit. Add a polka dot clutch (which I usually carry inside my larger work bag for impromptu lunches with nearby girlfriends) and boys-wear can go to work.

Sweater: J.Crew boyfriend in peacock

Pants: Loft Tuxedo Marisa cut

Shoes: Coach

Clutch: J.Crew (try it in cheetah)

Nails: Essie 'Mink Muffs'

Necklace: J.Crew 2009, similar here

Other Jewelry: Michael Kors, Cartier, David Yurman, Mark & Graham

It's OK Thursday

It's OK Thursday Link up

It's OK.....

To once again spend more money in a 15 minute trip to Target in the beauty section than on groceries for a given week

To save Weight Watchers points all day, skip lunch, and splurge on an 8oz glass of wine for dinner

To prefer A Real Housewives of Beverly Hills marathon on Bravo to the inauguration footage

That emails announcing 'free shipping' inevitably lure me to buy something ever single time

To love your job, but still count the minutes until 5:30, insisting the clock must have stopped at least once during the day

Shopping for Sport

I often think of Carrie from Sex and the City, explaining to her friends in an effort to win an argument against buying from one's computer Online, that shopping was her 'cardio'. Working in Office Space land creates a bit of a cultural abyss that, come Thursdays, I need some rescue from before I peril in a sea of suede jackets and bad shoes.

As if weekly trips to the mall aren't enough of a suburban cliche, I find myself walking briskly from J.Crew to Bloomingdale's in an effort to burn a few calories in the process. (I keep my heels on all day long mind you, there are no 'walking sneakers' stashed under my desk or in a closet behind the cleaning supplies- I have seen this done and have vowed that bent, bruised toes would be better). Add to the pace, pile on a few shopping bags, my already hefty work tote, and a full aerobic activity ensues. There are worse ways to spend one's lunch hour, no?

photo credit 123rf.com

Preppy in Plaid

After the holidays, many people will banish their plaids and velvets to the back of the closet, never to be seen again (until perhaps next December). But always a lover of all things printed, I cannot see a pair of plaid cafe capris spend the next 11 months on the hanger (never mind I caved and spent the full $148 on them at J.Crew). Today they get paired with stripes and cherry red cashmere, with zip-up ankle booties for a day at the office in the land of law.

Pants: J.Crew (sold out online, similar here)

Sweater: Ann Taylor (similar here)

Button down: J.Crew (old)

Booties: Ann Taylor (old)

Watch: Michael Kors

Bracletes: Cartier, Mark & Graham

Necklace: J.Crew 

Missed and Missing

This past weekend was my best friend's 30th birthday party in Boston, and though I had planned to go, preparing for my first real client presentation at work all week and missing any waking time with my now 20 month old son has gotten to be unbearable. So I missed the party, stayed home to revel in Tucker's floor play and scooting (as well as tantrums and fits) and polish the last few notes on what 2014 will mean for health care reform. My heart was heavy all weekend, but it would have ached more acutely while I text messaged my husband every moment I had been away checking in on what I was missing at home. Decisions that used to be clear and easy rarely are anymore, but you have to do the best you can each day.  And give others the slack you may yourself ask for as well if not now, one day down the road.

Jaded

Top: Madewell (also worn on NYE)

Blazer: Loft

Pants: J.Crew Cafe Capri in retro jade

Shoes: Stuart Weitzman

Necklace: Loft

As my good friend Christine always reminds me, 'business casual' in the law world trends toward black, gray, and when feeling very risky, a little bit of navy. So on this day, I was sure to have no clients meeting on deck, and only a lunch with a friend, and a few hundred pages of recently minted IRS regulations to make sense of.

City Scenes

Just another item on the long list of reasons I love my new job, is the fact that we have a New York City office that I can work from after client meetings (or a Proskauer CLE as in this particular day). While I do not miss the daily commute in, I do miss many of the city scenes.

$11 salad from Hale and Hearty

Nuts for Nuts! The almond + peanut mixed bag is the best (while studying for the bar exam, I got one bag daily for 6 weeks)

Beautiful, historic buildings

A quick stop in a new store to take advantage of 25% (Joe Fresh is a new favorite by the way!)

Client Combo

Still new to client meetings, and still a fierce objector to black suits, these occasions take a few more minutes of outfit planning to prepare for. A pencil skirt it always a safe choice, as is a classic white button down. Red pumps might be too much for some, but when tipped with camel and tasseled,  I could not bring myself to wear anything else on my feet this day.

Skirt: Ann Taylor (2011)

Blouse: Ralph Lauren Purple Label

Shoes: J.Crew Mona pumps

Necklace: J.Crew (Valentine's Day gift 2010)

Bracelets: Cartier and Mark & Graham 'Tucker' engraved bangle

A Day in the Life

Driving on the LIE to get to work is still an adjustment, and makes me long for the days I would sleep til 8 and then walk across town to my Ann Taylor Office in Times Square. Most days its fine, this particular day it took twice as long, made worse by the fact that my homemade coffee stained my leather gloves when I insisted on merging ahead of an 18 wheeler truck (whose driver was far too aggressive for someone performing this job).

Arriving at work late, sullied, and without my morning caffeine set the tone for the day. A lunch time walk through the mall lifted my spirits slightly, as did a Bloomingdale's frozen yogurt (which is the original 'plain' frozen yogurt before Pinkberry and all the impostors followed suit). But a stumble in my new Ann booties causing a scuff in the buttery smooth leather, and a bruise on my already sore knee sealed the fate for the day. I navigated many stroller moms and trophy wives in their oversized luxury SUVs as I fled the scene, desperate for the day to be over. Life in the suburbs can be treacherous.

Casual Cords

My first chance to wear the new J.Crew printed cords I had been lusting after since fall! (pics from this past weekend as this is clearly not a work look.) Despite my first impression, they are actually really easy to pair with tops. Not so much for work, but I can justify the purchase because of the steep discount!

J.Crew printed cords ($110 purchased for $27, sold out online and in stores now)

Gap denim shirt (similar here)

Oxblood Land's End loafers

leopard Loft belt

Weekend Wear

Brunch with college friends who were dedicated enough to trek to Long Island!

JCrew Toothpick jeans

Banana Republic sweater

JCrew Biennial bag

Louis Vuitton scarf tied on bag

Vince Camuto Signature loafers

Michael Kors watch

Bracelets: Cartier and Mark & Graham 'Tucker' engraved bangle

Essie 'Don't Sweater It' nail polish

(This was 2 weeks ago, before I went back to brunette and took down the Christmas decorations, much to the Hubby's dismay. I didn't get arounf to to posting this until now!)

Pencil it in

 

Lawyering in Leopard

J.Crew crepe colorblock sleeveless shell (similar here)

Ralph Lauren classic white button down

Target leopard pumps

Ann Taylor cherry red pants

Banana Republic gold necklace

J.Crew wild side wide bangle

A Few New

Thank you readers! Today is WWALD's 300th post (when I counted correctly)! How life has changed since my first post, over 4 years ago.

A Sunday that involves some time with baby, afternoon brunch + cocktails with college girlfriends, and a little discount shopping is what I call a Sunday Funday. I know the splendorous sales will come to an end eventually as all good things do, so until the red lines disappear and full price once again reigns supreme, I will indulge.

Mya loafer from Banana Republic (full price online but $99 + 40% off in stores)

Watch plaid blazer on sale at Gap, perfect with skinny jeans

Printed JCrew toothpick cords I had a love/hate relationship with, until I found them on sale in a size 26 for $30, and it became all love

Have you become so accustomed to deep discounts that it will be most difficult to buy spring clothes without the holiday price slashing?

Teal + Wine

Sweater, Scarf and Cords: Loft

Necklace: gift from the hubs (those are my son's initials)

Cocktail ring: Banana

Bronze Flats: Enzo 

Faux-Real Friday

Ann Taylor faux-fur vest (no longer available, alternative option here)

JCrew Cafe Capri wool pants (other colors on sale now)

Gap classic white button down

JCrew Toni loafers

Diamond horseshoe necklace (gift from my parents many years ago)

Lawyers can wear faux-fur to work too :)

Its OK Thursday Link Up

Thursday Link Up

Its OK.....

That I already broke 2 New Years resolutions, and its only January 3rd

To eat a piece of cake after you had a Slimfast for lunch

To be secretly happy when I learn other people hate my last boss just as much as I do

That I can't remember the last time I stayed up past 10:00 pm (yes, that includes NYE)

To buy so many new clothes (on sale) that I needed to then buy more hangers to accommodate them