counting down

BeBop chambray dress, Ross

Cable and Gauge cardigan, from Mom

leggings, Macys

necklace, Haitian Beads

belt, Old Navy

        I've been reveling in the cooler weather and happily wearing all of the things in my closet that can't be worn to work most of the year! This dress is shorter than I prefer for work, but with leggings layered underneath it was work-appropriate as well as cozy. I initially had on my gray knit blazer and a scarf, but something looked wrong - so I swapped the scarf for a colorful necklace and the blazer for a cardigan.

    
     School ends on Friday, so we're entering the jam-packed homestretch. The kids' minds are already on break - at Morning Meeting, the sharing often involves discussion of setting up Christmas trees and anticipating spending time with family. I'll admit that that my mind is on break, too - I'm excited about having time to read, rest, craft and sew, and spend time with family.

impractical

Tommy Hilfiger dress, Ross

red suede belt, Old Navy

Amrita Singh earrings, HauteLook

        My dress is covered in little fall leaves!
        This dress was definitely an impractical, indulgent purchase ... long sleeves + seasonal leaf print = dress that has a limited amount of wears per year. Let's not even get into how silly it is to own a dress printed with fall leaves when you live in a place where just about everything is green year-round, and there are really only two seasons, wet and dry ...
      Still, all the little details of this dress make me happy, from the shirttail hem to the pockets to the cheerful print.

Try-it-out Tuesday: layering with a dress

dress, Gap

buttondown, from Mom

Cutie bracelet, won in giveaway

Amrita Singh earrings, HauteLook

suede belt, Old Navy

     I decided to kick off last week's four-day work week and my triumphant, healthy return to work with a little pattern mixing. This buttondown was in my donations pile for a bit, mostly because it is short, boxy, and the buttons start so low down that I need to wear a camisole. All of which are non-problems when using it as a layering piece! At first I wasn't sure about layering with a boatneck dress but after looking at the pictures it doesn't bother me so much. My climate means the opportunities for layering are limited, so I'm pleased that I found a new way to wear this knit dress.

       The belt was a fortuitous, $5.99 find at Old Navy when I popped in to make a return over the weekend. It was an impulse purchase, I admit, but I do like that it is a nice deep red as well as genuine suede. I also picked up this dress for a very reasonable $12.94. I took home both the cream and navy, but am planning to only keep one. The cream one is particularly nice because it is fully lined (with cotton!) and I think that makes it a great value. I also don't own any light-colored dresses, so it would really add some versatility to my wardrobe.

   My one gripe with most women's buttondowns: this shirt fits me overall, but the sleeves are so fitted that it is a tight squeeze to roll them up. I don't think that my arms are disproportionate to my size, but I'm tired of feeling like the Hulk when I just want to breezily cuff my sleeves!