Nothin' Too Fancy

Black and a pinch of color from Charming Charlie!

Keeping within the dress code at school, I bring you an outfit of entirely black.  I really shouldn't complain too much about this.  A few years back the school had a dress code of ALL WHITE.  You heard me correctly... white!  I'm in school with people interested in careers the beauty industry, not future health care professionals.  Thankfully there was a student rebellion a few years ago and now we have a wide horizon of white and black!

Tuesday through Thursday we have theory (class) in the morning and then we see clients in the afternoon. I tend to keep it pretty simple on those days.  I dress for comfort and warmth.  But on Friday and Saturday we see clients all day long.  I try to dress it up a little by adding a splash of color or print with accessories.  Colors and patterns are permitted as long as they are kept to accessories.

I thought the bright blue watch would be a great addition to this all black ensemble.  It was one of the items I recently picked up at Charming Charlie.  Training as an esthetician includes having my hands in cleanser, lotion, moisturizer, wax, and other cosmetics all day long.  I also have many timed treatments through out the day so it is more important that I regularly wear a watch.  When I saw this hinged watch in bright blue I knew it would be a great way to add a dash of color to my limited wardrobe. Not only is it cute and sparkly, but the hinge allows me to remove the watch with out getting product all over the band... score!

Here is a close-up of my make up for the day - mind you the photos were taken after a full day at school.

The other thing about a limited wardrobe is that it really pushes me to be more creative with my hair and makeup. It is a small way to feel a little different in a sea of black lab coats.

Would there be any interest in cosmetic reviews or tutorials in the future? I don't claim to be a pro (yet) but I'd love to share some of the not-so great products I'm running across as I get further in to my learning. Let me know what you think!

Outfit Details
Black Dress: Fashion Bug
Black Leggings: kikaPaprika
Black Belt with Snake Detail: NY&Co
Black Patent Flats: Nicole via Ross
Blue Hinged Watch: charming charlie

Slippery - Mimi, this one's for you!

Ready... Set... HOT!!! 

I know this is a blog about style but man, the weather seems to be my favorite topic lately.  I wonder if you all are starting to think of me as that boring date that has run out of topics and is now using the good ol' "Can you believe the weather?" line to pass a few more minutes until the end of the dinner. 

As it warms up swelters in the Sacramento valley, it is important to always have a layer with you, especially when you work in an Arctic freeze zone in your office.  I know I've mentioned this before but the front part of my office is typically 10 degrees (or more) cooler than the back half of the office.  As the back part of the office reaches the high 70's, my coworkers creep up to lower the thermostat causing me to sprout goose-bumps from head to toe!  I think the jacket went on and off no fewer than five times as I attempted to regulate my heat throughout the day.

My youngest sister went through this phase when she was about 3 or 4 years old where she wanted to wear a full slip with everything she owned - not just dresses.  She called them her slippery. She would come out of her room wearing a cute little sweat suit with the slip under the sweatshirt/over the sweat pants or jeans with a Minnie Mouse shirt with the slip under the shirt/over the jeans.  It was embarrassing for me because my mom frequently volunteered at my junior high and would bring my slippery-wearing sister with her.  My friends all thought it was funny and at the time I thought it was mortifying.  My lil sis just loved the feel of the slippery and wouldn't leave the house without wearing one.   This shirt makes me understand why she wanted to wear a slip daily...

Reasons why I love this top:

It has so many great colors - burnt orange, lavender, cream, beige, brown, black.

The lovely lace detail.

It is sooo silky soft!

The flowy cut.

Did I mention is goes with everything?

It feels like a socially acceptable way to wear a slippery in public!

I just feel great whenever I put on this top.  Not only is this top versatile, it is also one of the most comfortable pieces I own!  Mimi, this slippery top is for you!

Outfit Details

Beige Jacket - kikaPaprika

Patterned Top - Sunny Leigh Via Macy's

Brown Cropped Pants - Pantology via TJ Maxx

Brown Wedges - American Eagle via Payless (gift from super friend Trish)

Brown Elastic Belt - Target

Scattered Clouds, Scatter Brained

I've been scatter brained lately.  I've intended to document outfits over the past week but each day an obstacle pops up that I just can't overcome. 

One day I forgot my sd card when I knew I was going to be out late... no pictures.  Another day, unexpected plans popped up and I didn't get home until well after bed time... no pictures.  Dinner guests kept me from pictures and posting another night.  And now we are in the middle of spring break with two kids at home and I don't like having an audience for picture taking... hence the changes of location!  I actually like the warmth of the yellow walls and the tree in the lobby so this might become an new picture spot. 

Today was one of those days that I really enjoyed the drive home from work.  The light coming through the clouds had such an interesting effect on the landscape.  I decided to drive past this spot that overlooks the Sacramento valley and happened upon a great spot for photos.

When scattered clouds are resting on the bosoms of hills, it seems as if one might climb into the heavenly region, earth being so intermixed with sky, and gradually transformed into it. 

~Nathaniel Hawthorne

 

Outfit Details

Dress: Sunny Leigh via Macy's

Black Leggings: kikaPaprika

Black Boots: Aerosoles

Necklace: Cookie Lee

Case of the Cold Office

I've mentioned before that my new office has bipolar temperature issues so I have to be sure to grab a sweater or light jacket while getting ready in the morning.  I grabbed my hooded jacket because I thought the blue and the lime would play off of each other well.  

While I liked the way the colors worked with each other, I didn't like all of the volume at the bottom.  I think next time I will grab a shorter sweater or something a little more form fitting.  I feel like the jacket/pants combo made me look much larger than I would like. 

Outfit Details
Blue Hooded Jacket - kikaPaprika
Embellished Lime Tshirt - Old Navy
Black Cropped Pants - Larry Levine via Ross
Black Flats - Nicole via Ross

So Caught Up On You!

I got the biggest compliments ever today.  A coworker at the new job said "You are always so stylish at work. You kinda remind me of that girl, Carrie.  From that show in New York City. You're like our office Carrie!"  I said "Thank you, you don't realize how big a compliment that is!"  Then I went to the dentist office for my cleaning and my hygienist said "Where do you work where you get to dress so cute?"  I think I want to wear this outfit everyday!

Dessert First

One of the great things about being an adult is the option of eating your dessert first.  Tonight I met up with a bunch of my Cookie Lee girls for a night of dinner and shopping.  One of the girls mentioned that she loves to order dessert before dinner so guess what we did... we shared a dessert before dinner. And then we shared another one after dinner.  Take that mom! One of the gals there tonight was Mandy from The Bejeweled Babe. Swing by and say hi... she has a great sense of style and is a fabulous thrift shopper!  I'm serious, this girl has some serious thrift mojo.

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun

This is by far, one of the most comfortable outfits I own. And it has pockets.  And it has so many wonderful colors! 

#14 - Change?



Items 7, 10, 17, 30

#11 And The Weather Was Heaven!




Items 5, 17, 22, 27

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