ClearlyFabulous

I wore this ensemble for the tree lighting ceremony in our town last month, but I just stumbled upon the pics.  I am SO into this jacket (that I bought on a recent trip to Goodwill with Amy) and I love the silhouette the jacket cuts:

Red embellished Cache blazer:  Goodwill – adore everything about it and got instant compliments at lunch

 Back v-neck favorite tee:  Gap Outlet – I always get a few of these whenever I hit the outlets.

Black Denim the Rock Star Leggings:  Old Navy – Yes, I own SEVERAL pairs of these.

Black leather Matisse motorcycle boots:  DSW – Yes, I also have THESE in brown too.  They are truly great leather and pretty comfortable.

Gold teardrop hoop earrings:  Forever 21 – I love these.  And also own multiples.  Obsess much lol?

I had so much fun with Jo’ie and Jamison hanging out in Savannah after Christmas.  Here is a great example of my “look” for the entire trip:

Black beanie:  Forever 21 – a score from last year

Leopard pashmina:  Chinatown – bought this in NYC back in 2007

Ray Ban Wayfarers:  Beyond the Rack – got this last Christmas

Black trench with white piping:  TJ Maxx – this was my last birthday present to myself last year

Black Denim the Rock Star Leggings:  Old Navy – these are from my last score in spring

Yellow wedge rain boots:  One of those Savannah boutiques – I got these back in 2007 on a work trip.  Boy are those white soles looked tired and BROWN!  It was supposed to rain all three days we were there but it was sunny and bright and pretty warm on most of the days.

Jamison and I headed to a local Greek spot for a dinner of gyro platters last Saturday.  Since there was a NICE chill in the air, I was DYING to wear my vintage leather trench that I scored in Pittsburgh.  It is in flawless condition and reminds me of one I tried (unsuccessfully) to steal from my dad for years:

Leather trench:  I got this for $32 at Avalon Exchange in Squirell Hill in Pittsburgh.

Skinny jeans:  Old Navy – I scored these for $10 with a great coupon in the spring, but they are a weird length.  (Tall but the regulars were too short.)

Silver sequin peep toe pumps:  Last Chance in Phoenix – I got these for like $8 and I finally wore them.  I stepped all in dog poo and had to clean them.  So gross and stinky.  Ick!

Accessories:  My Rebecca Minkoff Mini Mab purse and some awesome gold hoops that Amy scored for me in Harlem.

I became obsessed with cute blouses shortly before my trip to San Francisco.  This top immediately inspired me in the Napa Ann Taylor Outlet (so much so that I bought two other similar tops.)

Black, white and grey print top:  Ann Taylor Outlet – This was on clearance for something like $30, which for me is a lot for a top so you know I was digging it.  I like the look of the silk in a machine washable textile.

Black Adrienne Vittadini wrap skirt:  Marshall’s – I got this for $10 on clearance one Sunday morning around Christmas before heading to the gym.  Ironically, it’s the first time I’ve worn it since then.

Black, purple and grey suede platforms:  DSW – I got these last year when shopping for Amy’s birthday.  They are still among my fave shoes – tall, stylish and comfortable - especially for around $50.

I totally meant to wear a great necklace but totally forgot that step in the dressing process since I was hosting an early conference call…

I dreamed up this simple yet adorable ensemble on Sunday afternoon.  I envisioned wearing cuter shoes but since we had happy hour at Pappasito’s after work, I really wanted to be comfortable:

Lavender tissue tee:  Gap – I scored this at the Union Square Gap in San Francisco for an extra 40% off.  That means it was $5.99 after all discounts.

Black & white graphic Adrienne Vittadini pencil skirt:  Ross – I got this one Saturday afternoon in early April that I decided I needed a mini-shopping spree.  It was $22.99, but I need to spend a few bucks to have the slit pockets on the hip sewn shut.  Surely a (straight) man’s design error… 

Enzo Angiolini black croc printed slingback pumps:  ShoeWoo.com – I am so glad I picked these up during the site’s closing sale.  So comfy!!!  I also got the gold but am kind of wishing I’d bought two blacks and the pewter as well.  I think I paid something like $60 for two pairs with shipping!!!

I enjoyed the stuffed jalapenos and mini matador nachos along with an icy cold draft Shiner Bock.  I love going to Pappasito’s for happy hour (really anytime.)

You guys know I am obsessed with stripes and well, everything nautical:

Black Jones New York trenchcoat with white piping:  TJ Maxx – I got this for myself for my birthday for only $59.99

White and blue striped scoopneck tee:  Old Navy – I scored this during a $5 sale earlier this spring.

Navy Essentials by ABS sailor pants:  Ross – I scored these during my mini shopping spree in early April.

Gold Enzo Angiolini slingback kitten heel pumps:  Some shoe site that went out of business – But I do remember that they were like $35!  This is my first time wearing them, so I need to break them in.

Gold hoop earrings:  NY & Co. – From back before the store started to suck

Black quilted and studded Rebecca Minkoff Mab Mini:  Gilt Groupe – I am SO in love with this bag.  What a perfect size and shape.  I see more in my future.

This dress was an Easter dress possibility.  Instead, I wore it to work with a cute little shrunken blazer I got at Forever 21 a while back:

Green and pink tropical leaf printed dress:  Marshall’s – I got this for $19.99, and I am FULLY in love with the bright colors and fitted silhouette.

Black jersey shrunken blazer:  Forever21 – Not pictured. It has very good fit and comfy jersey stretch, and I adore the gold buttons.

Black patent peep toes:  DSW – I’ve had these forever (they were cheap) and decided to retire them after my feet started hurting in them last night.  There is no need to wear a “not so cute” shoe that is not even comfortable.  Boo!!!!!!  They are waiting in the donate pile as we speak.

Last night I met my high school friends Brian and Kendra for a little Cinco de Mayo fun.  After enjoying the vocals of Michael Magno (very Bruno Mars-esque) on the rooftop at Tin Lizzy’s in Grant Park until 8 PM, we headed over to Republic.  I had the mediocre pinot grigio and mac n cheese.  After my mediocre experience there last summer, I am not really sure if I ever need to go back.  But the courtyard and it’s “Neanderthal” tables along with the rooftop tells me I may just have to visit there again.

At trivia, I learned that Cinco de Mayo celebrates the Mexican victory over the French?  Did you know that?  WTF!  I felt so uneducated.

Yesterday I enjoyed a day filled with my favorite things:  lunch, shopping, cocktails, dinner and time with Jamison.  And I got to wear one of my (somewhat) new dresses:

Black and white polka dot sleeveless dress:  Marshalls – I got this for $29.99 at Marshalls almost a month ago and I finally wore it.  I love it!

White ostrich belt:  Goodwill – Yes this is my favorite belt and one of the few I can still fit after my weight loss.

Black and gold studded Rebecca Minkoff Mab Mini Bag:  Gilt Groupe - A birthday gift to myself.  I absolutely love it.  On sale for less than $270!

Betsey Johnson Eldoris green wedges:  DSW – Another gift I bought myself for my birthday.  They were on clearance 30% off and I had two coupons to save another $15.  I got these (retail around $180) and Zigi sandals (details to follow) for less than $120.

I had to get at least a little adorable to see our neighbor off to prom although Jamison felt it was more appropriate to look a little more ragamuffin than this:

Yes, I am finally wearing my electric blue Cynthia Rowley dress… kinda wishing I had gotten it in black too.  And yes, I am drinking wine at 4 PM.   And yes, standing next to a tiny 17-year-old in 4-inch heels makes me look fatter than I hoped to be after 40 pounds lost but I guess that is perfectly fine.