Outfit of the Day: Strange Memorials

 Had a very relaxing weekend (minus the work part of it), full of sunshine and fun things.

Check it out! That is Canada (White Rock, British Columbia to be exact) sitting out there across the water. Had an appointment near the border today.

 Green Herringbone Blazer - Robert Noble for JCrew 2005 (thrift)

Skirt - Anthropologie "Apothecary Skirt"

Boots - Hayden Harnett "Madeleine in Brandy"

Purse - Hayden Harnett "Barnard in Persian Rose"

 Two interesting plaques we saw wandering around Old Fairhaven in Bellingham. Poor Mathew.

And poor wagon?

Outfit of the Day: Doing the Black and Brown Thing

Hello bloggy world, trying to get back into my posting groove, fingers crossed! 

Here is today's outfit of the day.

 Striped Knit Blazer - Forever21

Trousers- Anthropolgie "Cartonnier" brand 

Shirt - Ann Taylor

Necklace - Gift from Rachael (this post is for you dear)

I wish I had a stock picture of these pants, but I couldn't find what they were called online. They have an awesome plaid lining and a thick cummerbund style waist, with 4 buttons/tabs on the front. Best part? Mint condition thrift find for $7.99. 

Dear local person who keeps donating things in my size and style, please keep doing so, I am rather enjoying the things you pass up.

Outfit of the Day: What a jean-ius idea.

In my head, that was a play-on-words with "genius". We were granted a jean friday today, so yay! Except my jeans were too long and I didn't remember to hem them. Which meant wearing heels all day. That part wasn't exactly genius to me, been a long time since I wore heels for 8 hours plus.

Jeans- Gap (gift from my friend Vivienne)

Shirt - Forever 21 (worn here)

Cardigan/Jacket: Anthropologie "Cascading Tulle"

Shoes: Anthropologie "Sweater-Cuffed Booties" by Schuler and Sons

From a previous outfit, but the same shoes.

Weekend time! Hurray! Anyone have any awesome plans?

Outfit of the Day: Early St. Patrick's Day Apparently.

A client asked me if I was dressed for St. Patrick's Day today. Yes, that was totally my plan and idea all along. You found me out.

 I am also having issues holding my phone straight and not having blurry photos.

Blazer: Anthropologie "Forested Blazer"

Skirt: Anthropologie "Aine Pencil Skirt"

Shirt: Mexx

Tights: Random

From yesterday, which was a much better photo taking session.

Blouse: Jacob

Pants: Anne Klein (Ross)

Sweater: Anthropologie "Wrapped in Ruffles Jacket"

Building a Work Wardrobe

So that time in my life is fast approaching. Going from a strict dress code to the relative freedom of business casual/business wear. That also means my wardrobe needed a slight boost in terms of work appropriate wear. Yes, I have lots of fun dresses and skirts, but to be honest, not quite in line with my new field of work. 

That is where my local thrift stores come in. Since money is a bit tight at the moment, I couldn't go out and buy a brand new wardrobe, as much fun as that would have been. So I spent the last month supplementing my old wardrobe into something new. Did you know that the Goodwill stores have days where certain color tags are $1.29? Crazy! I would say about 90% off what I picked up was new with tags, which is awesome.

Blazers & Jackets:

Old Navy/JCrew/Anthropologie/Esprit/H&M/BCBG

Skirts:

Anthropologie/Banana Republic/H&M/Anthropologie

Pants:

Left Side: Lauren by Ralph Lauren/Ann Taylor/Rachel Roy Signature

Right Side: Banana Republic/Ann Taylor/Random 

Dresses:

Shabby Apple (Won through Jess c/o Shabby Apple)/H&M (camera added a white dot)

Cardigans & Toppers:

Top Row: Anthropologie/Anthropologie/Gap/White House Black Market

Bottom Row: Jacob/Gap/JCrew/Ann Taylor Loft

Blouses & Shirts:

Top Row: Ann Taylor Loft/Ann Taylor/Banana Republic/Ann Taylor/Chaus

Middle Row: Jacob/Mexx/JCrew/Anthropologie

Bottom Row: Express/INC/Ann Taylor

I tried to stick to things that would mix and match well, hence the mostly black, purple, green, and blue shades. I was hoping to pick up a blue or green pencil skirt while searching but no luck yet. The JCrew double serge in Warm Jade would really float my boat. Oh and neck bow-tied blouses? Love them.

In total, I think I spent under $100 for 19 new items. I know some people aren't keen on the idea of thrifting, but when things come with tags on them still, hard to pass up silk shirts and wool pants for under $5. I also think the mix of what I had before and what I added works well together.

Outfit of the Day: Tweedy Polka Dots

When JG wore this outfit awhile back, I kept the idea of pairing this skirt with a patterned shirt. I had been sticking to wearing a solid on top, so when I saw this blouse in my drawer, it clicked.

 Polka Dot Blouse - Tulle

Skirt - Anthropologie "Tomato Picking"

Belt - random mall store

Tights - Hue

Boots - Hayden Harnett "Madeleine"

This blazer is part of the suit I picked up at the thrift store a few weeks back.

Outfit of the Day: A Quick Nexus Pass!

Har har bad title pun. If you travel across the borders to either Mexico or Canada, you should get it.

I hope...

Quick little snap of an outfit, ran around the city today getting things in line, and spent some time down at Pike Place having chowder with a friend.

"Nexus" Top - Anthropologie (Deletta), Gap cardigan, Joe's Jeans, Hayden Harnett "Madeleine" boots.

They were filming something down at the restaurant we ended up, no clue what it was, but something about chowder. I had a type called the "Cascadia" with clams, mussels, salmon and scallops. So good.

Thrifting Finds: Hello Deletta shirt, would you come home with me?

I was out with a friend looking for suiting pieces for some upcoming interviews, and came across this lovely shirt.

Deletta "Nexus" Shirt in Rose

Pink, ruffles, rosettes? Check. 

In my size?  Check.

Mint condition? Check.

$4 price tag? Check.

I find that Deletta makes my favorite shirts at Anthropologie. Great girly details with soft and durable cotton.

Such as this warm weather (or layering) staple for me.
Deletta "Camelot" Tank

I don't normally find Anthropologie items at my local thrift store, so this was a pleasant surprise. Also picked up a brown tweed skirt suit for a very reasonable $20. No picture of that though.

What Jess Likes: "Window" Shopping

A little outfit I put together "window" shopping.

 Faye Printed Dress by Scrapbook - Ruche $92.99

Love the sheer top with the floral bralette underneath.

 

 Constructed Swing Jacket - Anthropologie $198

Orange circle lace? Hello Tuberose Lace skirt and Compeer dress, wonder why I like this coat...

Trim the Twee Boot - Modcloth $49.99

Always a sucker for wingtip designs on shoes.

Oh the joys of window shopping.

Outfit of the Day: Hats off to Winter

Do you match your outerwear to your underwear in the winter? Ok not your under underwear, but what you wear under your coat or jacket.

Red Buffalo Check Coat - Anthropologie "Birling Ruffle Coat" by Plenty! Tracy Reese, Black Ribbon Fedora - Gap, Boots - Hayden Harnett "Zelda Boots"

 Ok so not the best match underneath. The blue tights don't really go with the red and black outerwear, but no one is looking that closely anyways in person. On the blog I will say it is artistic license. Yes, that was my plan all along.

 Striped Sweater Dress - Esprit, Drape Cardigan - Forever21, Fish Necklace - Vintage

Are you one to match your outerwear to what you have on underneath?

Outfit of the Day: Snow Flowers

Well, it turns out the combination of a federal holiday and snow and ice on the roads means the city shuts down and Tim doesn't have to go into work today. Extra long weekend yes please! Though being stuck up a hill isn't too exciting.

Of course, getting dressed for a snow day in a floral skirt makes total sense. Can you can see the serious snow bunny side of me?

 Tim's snow baby.

 Coat - BB Dakota "Bostwick" Coat. Here on sale for $80 in 4 colors/patterns. The coat isn't lined, so it's not for very cold temperatures. But I wore it out to walk in the snow with a sweater underneath and I was plenty warm. 

 Boots - Kelsi Dagger Mashita (also known as Anthropologie's Taiga Oxford Boots). See them on JG here.

Floral Skirt - H&M, Striped Knit Blazer and black over pink lack shirt - Forever21.

Outfit of the Day: 2 quick outfits

Long time, no blog! Been a mixture of things happening, nothing really exciting, just hasn't left me inspired to post anything recently.

Here are a couple of outfits from this week though, please forgive the bad photo quality, they were taken rather rushed and no time to set up the tripod outside.

 Sweater dress - JCrew, ribbed grey tights - Hue, cutout boot in grey - Matiko "Sudi".

Black knit pants - Joe's Jeans, green mary-janes - AE Payless, green Epilogue Tank - Anthropologie, taupe cocoon sweater - Ross

What Jess Likes: 2011 in Review Part 2

Now for the second half of the year.

June:

A new house in the Seattle area!

July:

Anthropologie Orchard Grove Pullover

August:

My wedding dress! BHLDN's Origami Pleated Dress in Ivory

September:

1970's Marimekko Framed Fabric for the bedroom

October:

Anthropologie's Beaded Foliage Shift from my mother-in-law

November:

Anthropologie's Forested Blazer, picked up on Black Friday for a song.

December:

Anthropologie's Tuberose Lace Skirt in orange. I missed out on the Horkelia Shift, but was thrilled to come across this.

In the later half of the year, my shopping was cut down significantly, but I am really thrilled with the results. Less things overall, but I know what I picked up I love, not just like.

Here's to 2012! I plan to use the same philosophy, shop less, only what I really love and fills a hole in my wardrobe. Do you have any New Year's goals related to your wardrobe?

What Jess Likes: 2011 in Review Part 1

Some of my favorite purchases from this year.

January:

 

Esprit Asymmetrical Blazer

March:

 BB Dakota Bostwick Coat

Joya & Vane Perfume Locket

April:

Mackage Evita Blazer in Cognac

May:

Forever21 Striped Knit Blazer

And one that didn't make it into any photos this year somehow?

Rebecca Minkoff Morning After Bag Mini in Brown Croc

Comes with a long strap as well. It is the perfect size for work, so I guess that's why no pictures, no one needed to see what I wore to work.

There were a few other things of course, but I can start to see how my own personal style was coming together at the start of this year. I was in the process of saving for moving and my wedding, so I was being a bit more selective then the previous years.

Outfit of the Day: Apothecary Skirt

This skirt from Anthropologie is one of my favorite items by the design group Parameter. They used to have an online shop along with Sine, but they closed it earlier this year. I was hoping to be able to order from them when I moved down here, since they didn't offer shipping to Canada, but oh well. I can still find their items at Anthropologie, as well as some of the department stores ( I don't recall which I saw them at? Maybe Macy's...).

Apothecary skirt - Anthropologie, short sleeved sweater - Nordstrom Rack, Wool drape cardigan - Gap, random tights, Suede Side-Ruched ankle boots - Locale (Canada).

Anyone have great plans for New Year's Eve? I imagine we are just going to chill at home and watch a movie, and I might make something fancy for dinner. Or maybe just beef noodle soup.

Outfit of the Day: Tuberose Lace Skirt

Happy Winter Time Celebrations everyone! I hope you are all having a great time with family, friends, or even just taking a break from work and school. Our Christmas this year was very quiet and small, just Tim and I, but it was nice. It was our first Christmas as a married couple, and I think we both just enjoyed the calmness. Maybe next year we will take a trip to visit some family during the holidays? I am hoping California (or Hawaii would be fun hint hint).

 Tuberose Lace skirt - Anthropologie (christmas present!), Gingham shirt + tights- Old Navy, mustard camisole - Forever21, Scattered Locket Necklace - JCrew

 The pattern of the lace is just so pretty. The skirt weighs quite a bit, but it hangs and swings wonderfully.

 Evita Leather Blazer - Mackage, Dwell Studio Scarf - Anthropologie

Woven Oxfords - Ecote by Urban Outfitters

Happy Tuesday!