Nearly New

Twice a year, one of the local hospitals hosts a Nearly New Sale to raise money for their departments. I went with a friend last night (it was half off day - holla!) and managed to get a fabulous butterscotch colored jacket and a black swishy skirt (much like the teal one I thrifted several months ago). The skirt is a tad tight, so I have to pull it up to my natural waist, but that's okay. It ends up being midi length when I wear it that way, and it's super cute. The jacket is definitely a throwback, has a strong menswear inspiration and fits like a dream. It hits right about at my hip bone, which I love! Such a great length.

I'm in the middle of packing for Mexico, so my closet (and my free time) is sort of out of control at the moment. I'll try to get a picture tonight and post it sometime soon.

I'm excited for our vacation! There's a hurricane expected to hit the resort area before we even get there which could delay our arrival, AND it's supposed to rain the whole time, but still. Vacation is vacation. I'll take what I can get :o)

The Hunt for Red October

Okay, not really. I did do some "hunting" in October, but nothing red came of it.

Remember a while back when I said I'm going to Mexico soon? Well, I still am. In 9 days, to be precise. And it was the opinion of O that I needed more "casual" tops.

Let me back up.

I'm not a "casual" dresser most of the time. I either get all schlumpy in my sweat pants when I know not a soul will see me, or I have heels on. I wear heels about 98% of the time I'm in real clothes (not schlumpy ones). So yeah, I'll throw on jeans but it's a rare rare day in my world that a t-shirt of any kind goes on with them. I wear tops - flowy, empire waist, strappy, printed ... the list goes on. But I'm not a jeans and tee kinda chick.

That being said, O thought I should have more "casual" tops for vacation. So we went shopping.

Let me back up again.

I'm pretty much planning to be in a bathing suit and cover-up MOST of my waking hours. So the reality is, a dress each night for dinner and something to wear ATVing, plus whatever I wear on the plane home, are all I really see me needing.

But whatever. The hubs thought I was crazy that there would be so little variety, especially of the "casual" kind (I tried to explain the wonders of a sundress, but he didn't get it).

I ended up at TJ Maxx. The goal was "tank-top style tops." I failed miserably. I did, technically, get one tank top. Technically. But it's long (covers the bum), has an asymetrical neckline and has the cutest ruffle running down the length of it on the front. It's purple. I agreed that I could wear it with my gray and purple plaid bermuda shorts on the day we take the ATV tour. Not as casual as O thought I should go, but a decent compromise.

Everything else I bought wasn't even close. I got a sweatshirt-style crop top to wear at the gym (it's got zebra's on it) and a gray t-shirt with a giant screenprinted butterfly on it (perfect with a mini skirt as a bathing suit cover up). Then I got three tops that are all the same, but slightly different. Slouchy, bat-winged, off the shoulder kind of stuff that is cute with dark wash or dressy shorts.

I did actually hit up Express the week before and got a strapless top that was on sale and I had been drooling over. Plus a very sparkly, silver sequined bandeau bra to go under a dress I'm taking with me. A complete necessity, obviously.

Anyway, I think I'm pretty set. I should have enough "casual" items to make O happy, and plenty of pieces that really speak to my style - which is becoming "grown up sexy elegance in comfortable fabrics that stretch and are forgiving." So me.

I'll put photos up after we get back.

PS. We'll be there for Halloween. I've got a DIY costume all lined up :o)

A Great Day for Wine

Here's a photo of me and my bestie in the Poconos! We went to a winery for a tasting and this is the gazebo on the property. Nothing special about my outfit, but it was cozy and felt like fall. My sweater dress is from WetSeal, the leggings are Forever 21, my boots are from Bakers (six years ago?) and the jacket is Target. I was warm and comfy all day and we had a blast buying wine and joining our boys for a brew tour.

Fabulous weekend :o)

Quick Post

I know it's been a few weeks since I posted last. It's been crazy at work, we're re-financing our home (which has been a headache), we were away last weekend and in three weeks we leave for Mexico ... so a lot is going on!

Anyway, I'll put pics up tonight (hopefully) of our weekend away. We went to the Poconos for a little down time with some friends and had a chance to really enjoy the mountains and foliage with decent weather. We visited a brewery and toured/sampled there and then went to this adorable winery and did a tasting there as well. Some eating, shopping, star-gazing ... it was a fabulous weekend.

So keep an eye out for that tonight. Hope everyone is enjoying their fall - the weather is still up and down here, but I've settled into a nice mix of layers to help combat the confusion :o)