Casual Spring Day at the Scholar Shop

The days I go to work as a volunteer at the Scholar Shop in Clayton, MO I need to wear flats, but I still like to look cute (of course). I've taken a page from my BFF Ruth, and turned to skinny jeans with a loafer and cute layers to accomplish all the above.

Today I've turned to my old faithful skinny jeans - from Old Navy a few years back. They've got a zipper at the back of the bottom hem and I like the dark rinse. I pulled on a white H&M long tank top; and layered a cashmere blue and cream sequined Rebecca Taylor sweater over it. On my feet - blue suede shoes, of course! These are loafer mules from Mephisto - one of the most comfortable brand of upscale walking shoes that I've found.

So, I think I've accomplished what I set out to do - comfortable and cute, and able to work hard at the Scholar Shop!





Details: Jeans - Old Navy
Tank: H&M
Sweater: Rebecca Taylor
Shoes: Mephisto

Stay tuned tommorrow (I think)! I've written my first guest post and if it's posted tomorrow I will set up a link. I've also got some new photos with my back to summer shorter hair cut, along with a few more outfits.

Next week is pretty busy, but I'm going to try to keep posting regularly. On Thursday, I will be visiting my favorite blogger (and beautiful daughter) of all time - Bright Side Dweller - in San Francisco. Hopefully, we'll be able to take some photos and post some side by side blog entries. She tells me she is joining the ladies at Academichic in their venture next week "Dress Your Best Week." I love that they've got us thinking of how to accentuate the positive (glass half full, anyone?) instead of hiding the negative. This should be a lot of fun! What parts would you accentuate to Dress Your Best?

Welcome Home, Miss Chanel

We have been having amazing spring weather, temps in the mid-70s to 80s, and lots of sunshine. I have said it before, but I am in much better spirits when the sun is shining!

I haven't bought a new camera yet, and the one I'm using is somewhat primitive, which discourages regular photo sessions. However, this week I made a decision to take the time and get some photos.

Rather than post them all in one big clump, I'll parcel them out a little more judiciously. That will give me the opportunity to chat more (and to quote "Young Doctors in Love" - "I just love fu*&ing chatting!").

The first outfit is my latest find from The Scholar Shop in Clayton, MO (St Louis). This absolutely breathtakingly beautiful suit is Chanel, from the 05C collection. The suit was at the shop for some time, as it was priced on the high side for our store. I looked at the suit a dozen times (we dubbed her "Miss Chanel" while she was waiting in the store for someone to take her home and love her). I tried the suit on, just so I could get it out of my mind in the event it didn't fit. Alas, it fit like a dream! Miss Chanel was stuck in my mind like a country music song, I couldn't stop thinking of her! Eventually, she went on sale and I decided to bring her home with me.

The suit is made from black tulle over black and white CC logo silk. The tulle is then woven with a warm white thread to form a black and white "tweed" pattern under which you can see the black and white logo silk. The jacket is trimmed in the famous Chanel couture Lesage trim and then fringed with hand tied bows all over. The jacket has a notched collar, two pockets with a CC plaque at the front and the weighted silver chain at the bottom hem. The sleeve cuffs are adorned with silver metal camellia CC buttons, magnificent!

Here is a closeup of the jacket:



This is how I wore it the first time - just this past weekend:



... and one more photo from the back:



Is it just me, or do you get the same zippy feeling when you're wearing something that makes you feel stunning? For me, when I put on a special outfit it really makes me feel good. I know it sounds shallow and maybe self-indulgent; but it puts an extra sparkle in my eye and a spring in my step (to use two cliches at a time, instead of just one). Now, if I were a gazillionaire and wore Chanel and all the other luxury labels all the time, maybe I wouldn't get that feeling, maybe it would become normal. Whatever - I do get a kick out of it now and - until I hit gazillionaire status I will appreciate it!

Mad Men(ish)

The silhouette of this suit immediately brought to mind the style of the TV show "Mad Men." (I don't actually watch the show; I tried watching the first season - and, although I enjoyed the style of the show, I found the subject matter a tad depressing.) Anywhoo (as my father-in-law would say), when I came across this suit at the fabulous Scholar Shop in St Louis, it caused my heart to beat faster. When I saw who made it AND that it was my size AND that it fit like a dream - well, THAT was a pretty good day!

This is a super transitional suit - great for fall and spring. The sleeve length lends itself to this time of year, the two piece structure works great for the season, and for cool mornings I throw on the chocolate brown leather trench I've had for years. AND you'll note that the nude patent leather Kate Spade pumps work like a dream with this outfit!

I had an event that called for a business suit, so this fit my needs perfectly.

Details:

Suit: Carolina Herrera - thrifted via The Scholar Shop, Clayon, MO
Shoes: Kate Spade - thrifted via The Scholar Shop, Clayon, MO
Coat: Via Spiga - had it for years, can't remember
Bag: Cole Haan - thrifted via The Scholar Shop, Clayon, MO

I know this photo doesn't show details of the suit, but it does show the bag, the shoes and the coat!


These photos are driving me crazy - I think it may be time for a new camera...

Sunshine, you are my Sunshine...

Oh how I love sunshine! We've had a few days of cold, drizzly, not-quite-springtime weather and finally - today - the sun came out. My mood improves immediately when the sun is shining. I was inspired to try taking a few photos outside - as spring arrives the garden will become a nicer backdrop.

Plans changed today and I have casual meetings, no work events, so I opted for jeans. I wanted to go back to the fun and thought provoking Inspiration Calendar to get some ideas for today's outfit. I've loosely interpreted the Tweed & Leather for today - with the tweed Moschino blazer and the leather No. 704b boots.

Details:
Blazer: Moschino via The Scholar Shop, St Louis, MO
Tank: H&M - St Louis Galleria
Jeans: James Jeans - Bella, Springfield, IL
Boots: No 704b - DSW, Houson, TX





Ok, maybe the sun was in my eyes in this one!


Here are a couple of pics from my St Patrick's Day outfit. I had a meeting, so I didn't want to go obnoxiously green this time. I opted for a blouse under a dress. I'm not sure that I loved the outfit, but it worked for the event. These Kate Spade pumps are my absolute favorites - they are a round toe, chunky high heel in a nude patent leather. Because the heel is so substantial I can wear them all day with no problem. The color is so neutral they go with everything - so you'll be seeing them again!

I did get my hair cut, and I'm loving the shorter look again. As the weather turns warm I'll probably keep going shorter!

A few more outfits I forgot to post

I guess I've fallen behind on my blogging...

Here are a couple of more outfits that I found on my camera.

Details:

Blazer: Michael Kors (LOVE it!) - The Scholar Shop
Dress: BCBG - Napa, CA Outlet Store
Boots: 9 West, remixed



Details:
Sweater: BCBG - The Scholar Shop (CUTE buttons)
Tank: H&M - St Louis Galleria
Jeans: James Jeans - Bella, Springfield, IL
Boots: Nicole Miller - DSW



Details:
Blazer: Marc Jacobs - The Scholar Shop
Tank: unknown
Jeans: Joe's Jeans Muse Wide-Leg - Bella, Springfield, IL
Shoes: Joie - Neiman Marcus Outlet - Ft Myers, Fl

Spring is on the way

We were driving around today running errands; and looking around the rainy, gray day - I began to see signs of spring. There is a green haze on the lawn at our house and the trees glow with new buds. I can almost believe that winter has finally ended.

The outfit (worn earlier this week) was inspired by the early signs of spring. The skirt and top are so soft and cozy; and the colors are harbingers of Easter eggs, don't you think? I love the way the belt picks up colors from the boots, the top and the skirt. Since I love the boots, I'm always looking for ways to wear them with different outfits.

This is the longest I've let my hair get in a while. The next pictures I post you will see my locks shorn for springtime!

Details: Work with Meetings

Top: Banana Republic via The Scholar Shop
Belt: The Scholar Shop
Skirt: Blue Suede Banana Republic - The Scholar Shop
Boots: Nine West - The Galleria, St Louis, MO

Last Vacation Post

I found one last photo from the vacation pics - I was wearing my glasses and didn't get a lot of great shots, but I wanted to post this one.

I love the colors in this DVF top - the bright green - white - dark blue/black print is classic DVF. Top: Diane von Furstenberg - Tank: H&M - Capri Pants: Isdi



I miss the beach! I loved walking on the beach every morning. When we got home it was cold and snowy, which makes me miss the beach even more. It has finally begun to warm up here, I am beginning to believe in spring.

But in the meantime, this is what I wore when we got home. I was really feeling the cold the first few days.

Details: Coat: Free People - Blazer: Lilly Pulitzer - Turtleneck: Michael Stars - Jeans: James Jeans - Boots: No 704b