Happy Halloween!

Rather than a costume, decided to just wear a festive fall colors ensemble.  But my doggie fully dressed up.

Quientessential

I have decided that cardigans are my preferred uniform of choice.  I wear then year round, as most places, including my office have the air conditioning way too high in summer.  In the business casual world, cardigans to a woman are like khaki pants to a man.....you can't go wrong with one.

This outfit was quickly thrown together so that I could take my doggie out for her morning walk and potty break.  (Although I threw on different shoes for the walk.)  It is pretty much a quintessential outfit for me....classic skirt, top, cardigan and heels.  It is not only the pieces combined but the brands and how I purchased them that makes it quintessentially me.  The skirt is Banana Republic purchased at Goodwill for $3.79.  The top is Ann Taylor purchased at Goodwill for $3.79.  The sweater is 100% cashmere from the Talbot's Outlet purchased with a birthday giftcard (Don't remember exact price but under $35).  The shoes were picked up on clearnace at a Famous Footwear in 2003 for $7.50.  So not only are these pieces from my favorite stores, but out of pocket this whole outfit cost me under $15!

old stand by

Some days I just want an easy peasey comfy dress with a cardigan on top.  I can never go wrong with this combo.  I picked up this dress at Target in 2010, and I LOVE it. 

See how I have worn this dress before: here, here, and here.  The cardigan is from a clothing swap.

the love of consignment

I not only love thrift stores but also consignment stores.  When I lived in Calgary I had one two blocks away from me that I visited regularly.  In Charlotte I haven't been making it to consignment stores very often, as they seem so expensive compared to Goodwill.  But I do enjoy the occasional consignment sales (empty stores will be turned into a consignment superstore for a weekend).  Usually the last day of those consignment sales are 50% off.  Picked up these shoes recently at one of those sales on the last day for $2.  Yup, $2....take that Goodwill.

I also love to visit thrift and consignment stores when in different cities.  I picked up this skirt at a consignment store over the summer when in Boulder, CO.  I don't remember what I paid for it.

Stepford wife....front and back

I don't know what it is this semester that keeps bringing out the Stepford wife in me.  Today it even included fake pearls.

I got this skirt at the Talbot's outlet this summer, but I needed some colder weather before I would be wearing this wool skirt.  The tights were a gift from one of my aunts.  I still lecture old school style and write on the chalkboard, so the students spend a lot of time seeing my backside.  Thus when buying clothes I spend a large amount of time asking "how does my backside look in this?".  I think this skirt does my back half justice.

I got several compliments on this shoes and tights combo today.

too short?

I convinced myself in the mirror that this dress wasn't too short to teach in.  However the pictures have me rethinking that assessment.  In fact, I can't promise I will wear this out the door to work.  I did however, wear this to the dentist this morning.

What do you think....too short for work?

conference wear

I am at a 3 day conference in California at Lake Arrowhead.  So here are my conference looks for the first 2 days.  This first one I traveled in, so pretty proud of traveling many hours in a pencil skirt and still managing to look put together after being up for 20+ hours.

My talk was today, at 8:40pm on day 2 of the conference.  This is a fairly casual conference, so I didn't feel the need for a suit.

casual friday with puppy

Sometimes, ok a lot of the time, I sneak my dog with me into work on Fridays.  She is the perfect accessory for a casual outfit.

yay Red!

 I am all about the red today.  It felt like the right fall feel.  The skirt is J Crew via Goodwill.  The t-shirt is Ann Taylor via Goodwill.  The cardigan is from the Talbots Outlet store.

not sure what season

I love fall!  But I hate these warm falls down here.  It will be in the 70s today which to me is still "warm weather" but it is October and the trees are starting to change, so I feel like I need a warm color pallet, which doesn't go with my warm weather clothing.  This was the best I could do.....it seems off season, but it is too warm to commit to any sweater other than a cardigan.