sweater: F21 ($) ~ shirt: Gap ($30) ~ pants: DKNY via Filene's Basement ($24) ~ shoes: Target ($20) ~ bracelets: gift & DIY

Date: May 23, 2011
Ensemble message: Just another manic Monday!  More rain to start off my week, which for me meant wearing pants.  I truly hope this is the last of the yellow-ish, blurry, icky indoor pics for a long, long time.  But back to my outfit... I am so happy that I bought this sweater from Forever 21 as it's proved to be very versatile!  It layers well and is a great neutral on its own.  And given the up and down weather this past month, this sweater has really come in handy.

So who's ready for the holiday weekend?!  I am, obviously, since I'm posting early!  It's the first Friday of summer hours at the Day Job, which means if I work at least 45 extra minutes Monday through Thursday, I can take a half day on Friday.  As long as deadlines, workload, etc. allow for it, you can expect me to start every weekend early this summer :)  What are you doing this weekend??

shirt: Gap (gift) ~ skirt: Zara ($35) ~ jacket: Marshall's ($24) ~ belt: H&M ($10ish? old) ~ shoes: DSW ($30)

Date: May 19, 2011
Ensemble message: I wore this outfit last week when it was still cool and rainy in the northeast.  I felt like the dark purple and denim was too dark of a combo, so I broke it up with this silvery grey jacket and white belt.  I didn't want to dress as dismal as the weather was!  I also let my hair air dry since it was so humid (hence the frizzy mess)... I did put some product in but was not impressed with how my hair turned out that day.  Anyone out there who can recommend a product for semi-wavy hair that defines waves and has staying power?!?!  Help!!!

blazer: Marshall's ($24) ~ tank & belt: Target ($8 & $14) ~ skirt: H&M (ancient, $???) ~ shoes: Aerosoles ($35) ~ necklace: I forget-also old ~ bracelet: thrifted from Beacon's Closet ($8)

Date: May 25, 2011
Ensemble message:  I wore this outfit just because.  Because I love this new striped blazer, and was psyched to see how well it pairs with this ancient skirt.  Because the sun is finally out here in NJ.  Because I knew I had a boat-load of work waiting for me at the Day Job and I wanted to feel good while chained to my desk.

This blazer is quickly becoming my new favorite article of clothing... the material is almost sweatshirt-like, so it's comfy and could work with a casual outfit.  But the crisp black and white stripes and structured fit makes it perfect for work as well.  Have you bought anything recently that you keep wearing over and over?

striped shirt: DKNY via Filene's Basement ($12) ~ chambray shirt & vest: Old Navy ($24 & $14) ~  leggings & belt: Target ($20 & $15) ~ shoes: BCBG (gift) ~ bracelets: DIY & from a pack from Charlotte Russe

Date: May 18, 2011
Ensemble message: I wore this outfit during the week-long span of cool temperatures and tons of rain.  I had virtually no meetings at work and then a concert in NYC that night, so I went the comfy route and wore leggings.  I honestly can't remember the last time I wore leggings to work, which is funny because during Winter 2010, that's pretty much all I wore (good thing I wasn't blogging then, haha!)  But then I saw this post by Elaine of Clothed Much and remembered that leggings can be sleek and stylish.  Next time I'll go for all out copy-cat with a blazer, but I loved the more casual take with multiple layers.

Have you re-discovered any clothing items lately??

dress: Katerina c/o Carissa Rose ~ shoes: Marc Fischer via Macy's ($36) ~ necklace: Free People (gift) ~ bracelet: NY&Co ($10ish)

Date: May 17, 2011
Ensemble message: As you know (because I've whined about it enough here), my work-life balance as of late has been, well, unbalanced.  Some days are ok, and even if I don't get to blog, I finish off enough on my never ending to do list to feel accomplished.  But some days or weeks are much worse... and last week was one of those.  However, my day was instantaneously brightened on Tuesday when I got home and found a package from Carissa Rose on my doorstep!  In it was a tunic (saved for another post) and this dress.  Despite the much cooler temperatures and the need for tights, I was so happy with this dress!

The material, collar, and cuffs remind me of a typical shirt dress, but this dress is so much better.  Instead of buttons, the eye-hook closures on the bust lay flat no matter how much moving around you do throughout the day.  The length is just right so sitting, standing, or anything in between, you know you're staying modest ;)  But I think the very best part is the double-wrap built-in belt that nips you in at the most flattering part of your waist!  I can most certainly see myself wearing this dress not only on a typical work day, but to an interview, big presentation, work dinner, bridal/baby shower, fancy brunch, or nice dinner out.  In fact, I have a charity dinner to attend in early June right after work - and you can bet that this is what I'll be wearing :)

cami & jacket: Marshall's ($14 & $24) ~ pants: Daffy's ($30) ~ shoes: Target ($20) ~ watch ($20) ~ bracelet: DIY

Date: May 4, 2011
Ensemble message:  It's official... I'm obsessed.  I love my silk pants so much, both pairs!  They feel like pj's but are cool enough in heat and humidity (well, at least while the warmth lasted here in NJ).  I actually bought this pair last year after throwing any logic out the window, and until now, only wore them on the weekend.  After these pants survived a night out in Mexico back in February (dinner, drinks, dancing, the whole shebang), I decided that they were tough enough to wear on more casual work days.  Now if only they can survive the days that I eat salad with oil and vinegar dressing....!!

By the way, my bracelet is a DIY that I whipped up in one night while forcing myself to have some relaxation time.  I really love the results and wear this bracelet pretty frequently!  It was pretty easy to make - then again, I made lanyards with the plastic string all the time as a kid.  If you're interested, use Love Maegan's instructions... the only difference is that I added a Buddha charm :)

sweater: Forever21 ($24) ~ skirt & shoes: Target ($12 & $20) ~ belt: Urban Outfitters ($14) ~ bangle, necklace, earrings: all gifts

Date: May 11, 2011
Ensemble message: Oh how thankful I am that Frances of Mad Dress Game styled me up so pretty today!  It's been a rough couple weeks with no sign of letting up, and if I wasn't told what to wear, who knows how I would have looked when I got to the office this morning.  But Frances did a phenomenal job and managed to make me look professional while also tossing in some bright orange.  This outfit will definitely get repeated :)

If you're curious about the other paper dolls, check out the full list here.  Thanks again to Suze, Erin, and Liz for coming up with and continuing this fun collaboration!!!

cardi: Calvin Klein (gift) ~ camisole: Marshall's ($16) ~ pants & belt: Anthropologie ($20 & gift) ~ shoes: Target ($20) ~ earrings & bracelet: gift

Date: May 10, 2011
Ensemble message: Nothing like an Everybody, Everywear day to get me back to posting!  All I've been wanting to wear lately are pants... how odd is that?!  I wore skirts and dresses all winter, and now that the weather is warming, I turn to pants.  Maybe it's because I've acquired a couple pairs of silk trousers on the cheap, including these chocolate brown ones from Anthropologie.  Add a delicate camisole and either a cardi or jacket... and you have what I think will be my summer uniform.  At least, I say that until the temps hit 85+ degrees ;)

Oh, and how great is this outfit to go from office to out?  Just lose the cardi!