OOTD + the upcoming snow slam!

Hi readers!  Well, if you live in the midwest you obviously already know about the upcoming dreaded snowstorm.  Our news stations have been talking it up for the past few days.  Everyone seems to be in a state of panic.  Monday is our normal grocery shopping day and we like it because it's usually not very crowded.  However, when we got there yesterday it was jam packed!  Why do people freak out and feel the need to stock up on groceries because of a snow storm?!  Come on people, you may not be able to safely leave your house for 1, maybe 2 days...it's not THAT big of a deal.  I can understand running to the store for shovels, snow plows, salt, etc. but is it really necessary to buy up all the bread, milk, etc???  Like you're going to be stuck in your house for weeks and possibly starve to death??  Haha!
Anyway, everyone at school today was abuzz about the upcoming storm.  Teachers and school faculty get way more excited about an anticipated snow day than the students do!  The elementary teachers' ritual to try to ensure a snow day is to sleep with their pajamas inside out, put a white crayon in the freezer and flush 2 ice cubes down the toilet the night before..lol!  Any other teachers out there know about this superstitious tradition or did the teachers I work with just make it up?  By the sounds of it, we won't even need to do any of that...it appears that a snow day is definitely in the cards for tomorrow.

I almost left the house this morning in this outfit, but with a black belt and black flats.  At the last minute I thought "Are you crazy?  Is it really a smart idea to wear flats with tights in the snow today?"  So, I quickly decided to change into my boots and swaped the black belt for this cognac one.  I normally get scared of wearing brown with black/grey, but I threw those rules to the wind today in order to keep my legs comfy, warm, and dry.  And I think it ended up looking pretty nice.  :)

Cardigan: H&M (really old)

Blouse: Banana Republic Outlet (Fall 2010)

Skirt: Anthropologie Field Skirt 

Cami: The Limited Satin Trim Tank

Belt: LOFT (Summer 2010)

Tights: Anthropologie Dotty Clusters Tights

Boots: Steve Madden Intyce (here, here, or here)

To everyone affected by the blizzard of 2011 - be safe if you absolutely have to venture out in it!  Otherwise, enjoy your snow day!

Vintage Orange & Gold {OOTD}

Hi Readers!

Another busy week here.  Lots of things to catch up on at work and around the house.  Guess I shouldn't have been a lazy bum this past weekend :/  Oh well, catching up on my shows and catching up on Season Six of Grey's Anatomy on instant Netflix are also important things on the "to-do" list..haha!

On Sunday, my husband and I went to his grandpa's house for lunch.  He invited the whole family over so we could sort through grandma's jewelry.  Everyone got to chose what they wanted and the one thing that jumped out at me was this ring:

I love the vintage style and the beautiful coral-colored stone.  The setting is 14k gold, but we're not sure what the stone is.  My mother-in-law immediately said, "This one looks like you, Meghan."  I was wearing an orange cardigan with gold accessories that day and the ring matched perfectly, so it was meant to be and I gladly snatched it up.  It's nice to have a unique piece of jewelry that will remind me of grandma for many years to come.

Today I re-created my outfit from Sunday so I could show off my new ring at work:

Cardigan:  New York & Company
Blouse:  Macy's
Necklace:  J. Crew Outlet
Earrings:  Banana Republic Outlet
Skirt:  Anthropologie Field Skirt in gold
Belt:  Anthropologie Looping Lanes belt
Tights:  Simply Vera Ribbed Tights in brown (Kohl's)
Boots:  Steven by Steve Madden Intyce in cognac (here)
Ring:  via Grandma Del's treasure chest

Do any of you have any unique vintage pieces that belonged to a loved one?

Anthro Quickie Dressing Room Review 12/31

Hello everyone!  I know I said I'd post the rest of my reviews last night, but I had a terrible headache.  In fact, it ended up turning into an awful migraine and I stayed home from work today because I was so miserable.  My head was pounding, I felt nauseous, and had to keep the blinds shut all day as any light just makes my migraines worse.  Anyone who's ever had a migraine can relate, I'm sure.  It's the worst and I wouldn't wish this upon anyone!  Thank goodness I'm finally feeling better.

I mentioned in my New Year's Day post that I was able to sneak away from my hubby for a little bit to go to Anthropologie on New Year's Eve.  It was less than a mile down the road from the hotel we were staying in, so I couldn't resist.  They had a great sale selection as well as several new dresses in stock.  I only had a little bit of time before I had to get back and get ready for our evening out, so I just grabbed a few things that caught my eye and headed to the dressing room.

Pond Reflections Dress - $168

I accidentally grabbed a size 14 (shown in the 2nd picture).  It was very lose, so I asked the SA to get a 12 for me (1st picture).  The 12 fit fine, but was still a little bit lose.  If I had more time, I would have tried the 10 just for reference.  But, this dress is supposed to be flowy so I think it fits TTS.  I love the drawstring waist, very nice silky material, and gorgeous print!  The length hit me mid-knee (I'm 5'7").  The only thing I didn't care for was the spaghetti straps...I think they make me look too wide up top.  However, that's nothing that a cute cardi can't fix!  I put the yellow J. Crew cardi on that I wore that day and I think it looked great.  I must admit, I was very tempted to buy this dress that very day.  But, the price is a little steep for me and I wouldn't even wear this for several months, so I resisted.  Definitely wishlisted for sale!

Off-The-Beat Dress - $128

This is definitely not something I'd typically be drawn to at Anthro.  However, I was feeling a little uncertain about my NYE outfit, so I thought I'd try on this little black dress for the heck of it.  I grabbed my usual size 12, but it was pretty tight.  The fabric is a very stiff, canvas-like material.  Due to the material and the form-fitting nature of the dress, it definitely was not very comfortable.  This dress was also too short for my liking, hitting about 2 inches above my knee.  I did like the v-neck, wider straps, and the unique buttons down the side, but this dress just isn't my style.

First Whisperings Dress - On sale for $89.99?, but sold out online

I'd seen many other reviews on this dress, but was never really drawn to it because I didn't think it'd be very flattering.  However, when I saw this dress on the sale rack I was compelled to try it on.  I love the soft colors and lovely pattern.  I like how it has long sleeves and the length was perfect hitting right above the knee.  Without a belt, it looks like a sack.  So, I put on the LOFT belt I was wearing that day.  It's not a very good belt with this dress, but I just wanted to give myself a waistline!  I really liked this dress, but passed because I didn't see myself getting much wear out of it.  To this day, I still wonder if I made a mistake by leaving this one behind :(

Bianka Blouse - $68 and Field Skirt - $78

I've been wanting to try on the infamous Bianka Blouse for a long time!  You know I already own the gold Field Skirt...I just grabbed it to have something to try on with this blouse.  I grabbed the navy Bianka blouse in a size 10 and it fit very well.  This is a size smaller than I'd normally wear, so I say this blouse may run slightly large.  I could have sized up to the 12 if I wanted a more flowy fit.  I love the silky feel to the material, the ruffle sleeves, and the drawstring neckline.  Wishlisted for sale!

And, here's what I came in wearing that day!  Except, I'm trying on the In For a Frill Cardigan (on sale for $39.95) in this photo.  I actually came in wearing this outfit with the yellow J. Crew cardi (hanging in the background & worn with the Pond Reflections Dress review).  I've reviewed this cardi before here and I ended up buying this In For a Frill Cardigan when it got a second cut last week.  I love the vintage lace detailing and the extremely soft fabric!  The color will go with a lot.  It's sold out online, but you'd probably be able to find one in store still!

Dress: Calvin Klein denim smocked dress (Macy's)

Tights: Anthropologie Daisy Chain Tights in wine

Boots: Steven by Steve Madden Intyce in cognac

Belt: LOFT

Necklace: Anthropologie Saturation Point Necklace

Plaid with daisy chains or dotty clusters?!

Who would have thought that the most difficult decision I had to make today was chosing which pair of tights to wear with my outfit?!  They're my two favorite pair of tights so I guess I couldn't go wrong either way.  Which do you think look better with the plaid shirt, plaid flats, field skirt combo?

Plaid shirt: J. Crew Outlet

Skirt: Anthropologie Field Skirt (in dark grey)

Belt: Banana Republic Outlet

Shoes: Kohls

Tights #1: Anthropologie Daisy Chain (in wine)

Tights #2: Anthropologie Dotty Cluster

I bought the grey version of the Field Skirt long before I got the gold one.  The gold is way different and way better in my opinion.  It's a much thicker and more structured fabric than the grey which makes it hang better and poof less.  Oh well, I still do like the grey version...it goes with a lot and the lighter weight fabric will make it easier to wear in warmer weather.

Field Skirting around

Hello!  It's a blah Sunday for most people having to go back to work tomorrow after the holiday vacation.  But not me! (sorry to rub it in....)  I'm lucky enough that I only have to work 4 days per week for my job and I chose to have Mondays off.  It has made Sundays so much more enjoyable for me this year (I used to HATE them!).  Going to work on Tuesday is much easier after having had a 3 day weekend and knowing I only have a 4-day work week.  It's even more appreciated after a 1.5 week holiday break that I don't want to end!
Today we got together with my husband's side of the family for his aunt's birthday.  We had a nice relaxing afternoon eating some yummy soup and chili, playing cards (Pass the Ace is the family favorite), and having some laughs.  I decided to wear my gold Field Skirt because I'm obsessed with it!  After constantly admiring this skirt online for several weeks, I caved in and bought it with my birthday discount before free shipping ended.  I also bought the Daisy Chain tights in wine.  SO happy that I did because these two pieces have become my new wardrobe favs!  I've worn the skirt 3 times and the tights 5 times already since getting them only 2 weeks ago.
My camera batteries were dead so I couldn't get any shots of my entire outfit today, but I thought I'd share some shots I took when I first got the skirt in the mail.  My outfit today was exactly the same except I wore my new green Rippled Ridge Henley instead of the white tank.  Please excuse the horrible lighting and mirror shots....I was (and still am once I get new batteries) practicing my outfit photo skills.  I loved this skirt so much when I first tried it on that I didn't want to take it off!!!

Cardigan: Target

White cami: The Limited

Skirt: Anthropologie Field Skirt in gold

Belt: Anthropologie Looping Lanes belt (on sale, but sold out online)

Tights: Anthropologie Daisy Chain tights in wine (on sale, but sold out online)

Boots: Steven by Steve Madden - Intyce in cognac

Necklace: Anthropologie Crumpled Rainbow Necklace 

worn for today's OOTD (not pictured): Anthropologie Rippled Ridge Henley in green

For those who are back to work tomorrow - hang in there!  I have a lady doctor appointment to go to, so just because I don't have to work doesn't mean it's gonna be a fun-filled day tomorrow.  Maybe I'd rather be going to work......   :/