OOTD: "The Wannabe Professional" look

Outfit of the Day:

Tweed blazer, some boutique in SoHo, NYC, circa 2005

Silk blouse, DVF, thrifted

Denim trousers, Anthropologie

I was having trouble coming up with an appropriate title for this OOTD blog post. And since I'm feeling kinda silly this week from all the holiday spirit, I went with "The Wannabe Professional" title because I got all dressed up in cute denim trousers, a silk blouse, and a black and white tweed blouser, knowing quite well that we would probably be closing up the office early today (or so I desperately hoped, anyway). This outfit makes me feel like a newsworthy journalist or a writer. That's probably because I once worked with a copywriter at my first job who used to wear really awesome wide-leg trousers to work, which I always envied but never thought my short little self could pull off without hemming*. I think I just need some black-rimmed eyeglasses. I call myself a wannabe professional because a real professional wouldn't have scooted on out of the office at 11 am on the eve of the eve, not returning until after the new year!

*I'm still too short to pull off trousers, and still too lazy to bring things in to a tailor, hence why the bottom pant legs aren't shown here. If I ever get them hemmed to a decent length, I will post pix because – I promise – these are really cute! 

OOTD: Yankee Doodle went to town...

Outfit of the Day:

Dress, Modcloth.com

Top, Charlotte Russe, circa 2000

Moto jeans, Anthropologie

Belt, H&M

Heels, Style & Co. via Burdine's, circa 2005

All week long I was singing Yankee Doodle to Baby J. One of her favorite toys plays this song, and it would be an understatement to say that she is obsessed. She's really good at bouncing to the tune and swinging her legs around like a cute, little yankee baby. (I don't really know what a yankee baby looks like, but just go with it, mkaythx!) It's kinda stuck in my head. I literally woke up humming it. Did I do a good job putting together a Revolutionary War-inspired outfit this morning? 

I don't know what possessed me to wear a shirtdress (worn here like a normal person) as a trench coat, but that's what I did. The shirtdress slash coat is a checkered navy with accents of red along the trim and buttons, even though you can't really see due to the poor camera phone quality. Just trust me, it's patriotic. Oh, and the full skirt makes for great twirling. I know because that's what I was just doing as I rocked out to K$sha's Take if Off music video, blaring from my computer speakers, because no other foo is in the office today to stop me.

All I need now is a feather and a hat. And a pony. Oh yes, definitely could use a pony.

Top 10, south florida xmas getaway

Here is a photo diary of the top 10 scenes from the holiday vacation back home. (Besides the ones already posted here, here, here, and here. Obvs.) Not surprisingly, the majority of my favorite moments included a cute, happy baby.

{ #10. Love the irony of The Fella's tee shirt }

{ #9. Meeting baby J for the first time, she was so shy! }

{ #8. Baby J, not so shy anymore }

{ #7. Grove Isle, Miami }

{ #6. Making the drive out of Miami while listening to Y-100 radio station + reliving college days,
the views of Miami Beach never cease to stun me }

{ #5. Memory lane, sifting through old belongings and dance costumes at my childhood home }

{ #4. Baby J's first hibachi experience }

{ #3. Daddy + Baby, peacefully asleep }

{ #2. Driving through manicured gated communities of South Florida, palm trees and all }

{ #1. Hanging with old friends }

Okay, who am I kidding? Here's a bonus, of course I just can't keep this down to only 10!

{ Flirty baby }

OOTD: Feeling the winter blues

Outfit of the Day:

Cardigan, Cyrus via Filene's Basement, circa 2009

Blouse, I.N.C. International Concepts, circa 2009

Leggings, Modcloth.com

Scarf, gifted

Brooch, Etsy

Feather Belt, Zara Spain

What's this? An Outfit of the Day post, on the actual day I wore it? Yep, I'm finally caught up from the holiday week, where blogging was sporadic, hence the doubling up of OOTD posts over the last couple days. It's back to the bitter cold and crappy camera phone pix taken by me, of me, at the office. No more beautiful, natural lighting, out and about in sunny South Florida, or a photographer slash baby sis to patiently take my pictures. I didn't think the cold could get me so easily, but it did. Do you hear me, weather gods?? A little help easing back into 15 degree weather would be appreciated, thankyouverymuch. I'm also secretly jealous that Northeasteners are grounded from air travel because of the blizzard. (Um, hello, how much would I have loved being stranded in Florida for a couple extra days??)

Anyhoo, for this rather uninspired First Day Back Into The Office occasion after a week-long holiday vaca, I went with standard attire: a cardi over a blouse, black leggings, and a scarf turned cowl. Nothing too spectacular. There was noone around to see it anyway, since it seems I'm the only foo in the city who went back to work before the New Year. (Can you tell I'm bitter much?) Pretty much the only exciting thing about this outfit is that I rolled up the arms of the cardigan, showing a pop of the rich purple satin underneath. I am, however, excited that the vintage brooch I ordered from this Etsy shop finally arrived while I was out of office, which I immediately pinned on for instant flair.

OOTD: Peach + olive green, tie dye flashback

Baby J was getting baptized at church over the holiday weekend, and an occasion like this calls for a pastel-y palette, ruffles, and other "Sunday best". Okay, fine, I really have no idea what I'm talking about seeing as how I've only been to church service three times my whole life. You'll just have to trust me that I generally know how to dress for the occasion.

Ain't she a doll?

{ baby J, wondering why she's about to get dunked with water }

{ baby J, wondering why she just got dunked with water }

Sometimes when I'm bored I find myself imagining what animals and babies are thinking. Anyhoo, I was thrilled to wear my new dress, a Christmas gift from my Mom. We had gone shopping together at Macy's in Herald Square on our recent trip to the city, where I scored this romantic silk dress for a fraction of the designer price. I still can't believe my own luck. I heart the unexpected color combination, the fluttery ruffles down the neckline both in front and back, a loose blouse-y effect on top created by a gathered elastic waist, and layers of raw silk forming the skirt. A smart black blazer, with sleeves rolled up, made this a church-friendly outfit. (Although, of course, South Florida church attire is very loose – jeans and hooker boots and whatnot – as I observed from the Sunday mass crowd letting out prior to our baptism service.) Many thanks to my baby sis for so patiently taking shot after shot of my outfits this last week. My family must think I've turned into a crazy person since I moved away and started a blog! And, I must ask again, don't all outfit photos just look better in pretty South Florida?

Outfit of the Day (Church Baptism):
Blazer, Takari via Dillard's circa 2005
Dress, Maginn
Heels, BCBG, traded during a Shit Swap last year!
Necklace, borrowed from the sis
Clutch, Express*

*I found this at the dog park two weeks ago! The clutch was empty. I'm sorry that someone was most probably mugged. But, on the upside, I scored a brand new clutch. I've always wanted one! Also, it was sitting in the same exact place I found a new dog leash the week before. Do you think someone's dog was mugged, too?

OOTD: Gray, the new black

On Saturday I met up with my old high school bestie for Christmas Day lunch. By the way, do you know how hard it is to find an open restaurant on Christmas Day? I thought for sure it was going to be a piece of cake, considering how so much of my hometown is Jewish. You would think I'd have remembered the Hebes there celebrate Christmas, too. We ended up finding pretty much the one restaurant open, a Greek place called Mythos, where we each had a tasty Moussaka dining al fresco in gorgeous weather and chatting like no time had passed. 

For the laid-back afternoon, I decided it would be a fun challenge to try something outside of my little style box for a change. My aunt had just handed me down her skinny Bebe denim jeans. I was a little at a loss about what to wear them with, as they felt more downtown grunge than I usually do, being all uber-skinny, cropped, and faded gray, not to mention that I had brought a limited selection with me on vacation. I finally settled on an all-neutral color palette in gray and tan: simple gray Danskin tee, accessorized with a tan leather belt, tan strappy heels, and gold Aviators. Done. I think it worked out okay, don't you? (There are also Swarovski crystals bedazzling the butt pockets, not shown here for reasons of indecency given the extra skinny factor.) 

Probably should have rethunk the skinny jeans for another day when not indulging in moussaka and baskets of pita with hummus.

P.S. Excuse the extra white ankles, they don't see the light of day or sunshine much in these winter months in Chicago!

Outfit of the Day (Christmas Lunch):

Top, Danskin, gifted

Jeans, Bebe

Belt, H&M

Heels, Bandolino's, Macy's NYC

Sunglasses, Stanley's Hong Kong

OOTD: Black lace + layered necklaces for Christmas

We celebrated Christmas on Christmas Eve this year. It was so completely filled with love, laughter, and new beginnings with my parent's new home (only a mile away from my childhood home) and Baby J's first Christmas. The last time my entire family was together was for our wedding, over three and a half years ago, and it's been at least eight since we've celebrated Christmas all together. Having not been home for the last three Christmases, it sure feels good to be enveloped in high spirits by loving, wonderful people in the most familiar of surroundings. Even though I was forced to wear my sis's Florida State tees all week as I forgot to bring lounging shirts (she claims that's all she has, suuuure), my favorite holiday could not have been any more perfect. If there's one thing I was reminded of on this trip, it is that you can always go home.

{ cheers }

{ lobster, chinese style }

{ twinkling christmas tree }

{ unwrapping of presents }

{ our gifts to my mom + dad, hand carved wooden people from Christkindl Market }

Such a festive holiday practically begs for a lovely black lace dress (previously worn here). I've been wearing it ever since I bought it in November. It ended up becoming a holiday present from my aunt, as part of my impromptu "Dress Fund", the running joke all weekend because more than half of my immediate family contributed to my newly purchased dresses as my gifts. (This is the only way I can get my shopping purchases past The Fella! Pfffffffffff.)

Last time I kept the look simple with a delicate diamond and silver chain and sparkly heels. This time, I layered multiple necklaces in the same color tones, borrowed from my sis. That's one perk about going home and raiding your sister's closet! 

But the best accessory is a happy baby!

Outfit of the Day (Christmas Eve dinner):
Dress, H&M
Necklaces, borrowed from sis's closet
Black heels (not shown), BCBG
Baby, borrowed from other sis

OOTD: Ivory eyelet + navy

Pre-Christmas Eve Friday was spent lunching and relaxing in the "downtown" of my hometown city. I requested to eat at least once at Toojay's, an awesome gourmet deli. I always order the same thing when I visit, Stuffed Cabbage and Potato Latkes. Still delicious each time! We bounced my niece, Baby J, around in the brilliant sunshine, a picture against the perfect blue skies of a South Florida Christmas, also ambling down The Walk to the new Yogurtland, where Baby J had her first taste of yogurt. Needless to say, baby likes!  

{ happy baby }

{ baby's first yogurt }

The pre-Christmas Eve dinner outfit included a summery eyelet blouse from Anthropologie bought during the fall sale. I love how I can wear this year-round, even at Christmas, in Florida. A full navy skirt and my trusty, strappy tan heels added a Kate Middleton ladylike touch. And, might I ask, don't all Outfit Photos just look better in sunny Florida?  

Outfit of the Day (Christmas Eve lunch):

Blouse, Anthropologie

Skirt, Modcloth.com

Leather Purse, Granada, Spain

Heels, Bandolino's, Macy's NYC

Sunglasses, Stanley's Hong Kong

OOTD: Ballet pink + black, island chic

I've been slacking on the outfit posts this holiday week. It's been so busy and wonderful vacationing back home in South Florida this week that, not surprisingly, I've managed to take outfit photos but haven't gotten around to blogging them. So I will try to make it up over the next few days...

On Thursday, we spent the day at Grove Isle Resort with my family, leisure strolls around the private island and lunch at Gibraltar's, the former Baleen's. I couldn't believe that Baleen's no longer exists, apparently having closed sometime late summer! It was my absolute favorite restaurant in Miami, introduced first to it in 2000 when the family of my bestie from University of Miami visited for Parents' Weekend and invited me for Sunday brunch. Instant love. I feel like a little part of the old me is gone with Baleen's, just like that. Baleen's had a cool 1970s retro fantasy island vibe, paying homage to a far and away mythical island that is overrun by monkeys. Gone now are the hand-carved wooden monkeys, but it's still the same awesome space as ever, with wide-open, stunning ocean views, lush palm trees, and a secluded Old South Florida elegance.

Here is the outfit from a perfect Thursday in Grove Isle... loving this flowy ballet pink maxi dress with rosettes and a simple black ribbon tied into a bow around the waist. Paired with tan leather heels, it was perfect for a breezy day on an island!

Outfit of the Day (Thursday):
Dress, a boutique in Soho, NYC
Belt, black ribbon from a gift
Heels, Bandolinos, Macy's NYC
Sunglasses, Stanley's Hong Kong
Necklace, borrowed from the sis

A SoFla Xmas

Christmas, as seen "only in Florida"... have a merry one, wherever you are!

{ Florida home at Christmastime }

{ lawn ornaments + warm sunshine }

{ someone's new Christmas toy? }

{ palm tree car scent }

{ parrot hanging out at the local Starbucks }