dress: Fossil (gift) ~ shirt & scarf: Target ($14 & old - $8ish) ~ tights: c/o We Love Colors ~ shoes: Mia via DSW ($60) ~ cuff: gift

Date: December 21, 2011
Ensemble message: Looking for something comfy for work, so I grabbed this Fossil dress that I got as a gift a couple years ago.  It's a grey sweatshirt material, so it's nice as is, but can be difficult to layer in cold weather.  This time I went for a simple striped shirt, and mixed things up with a printed scarf.  This is probably my favorite way of wearing this dress, and I would totally wear a similar ensemble on the weekends - but maybe with bolder colors and prints!

dress: Target ($28) ~ shirt: Old Navy ($24) ~ belt: Anthropologie (gift) ~ tights: c/o We Love Colors ~ shoes: Mia via DSW ($60) ~ necklace: Macy's ($11)

Date: November 28, 2011
Ensemble message: The message of this outfit is pretty simple... it was the Monday after Thanksgiving, I was still in a turkey coma, and I probably didn't know what was on my schedule for the day.  So I grabbed a few items I consider to be "ol' reliables" - olive dress, button down, a belt - threw them on, and hoped for the best.  In my humble opinion, this dress can do no wrong, so it probably wasn't a huge risk.  But that's what having a smart wardrobe is all about... you can grab a few items and have an ensemble without much thinking!

What are your "ol' reliables" ??

sweater: Target ($16ish) ~ shirt: Anthropologie (gift) ~ skirt: H&M ($???) ~ tights: c/o We Love Colors ~ boots: Chinese Laundry via Macy's ($65) ~ bracelet: actually a necklace from H&M (also ollldddd... $6??)

Date: April 19, 2011
Ensemble message: I've been putting my nose to the good ol' grindstone this week, so I've needed outfits to figure themselves out.  Over the weekend this grey top and my purple drapey sweater decided to be friends, and I figured why not utilize the layers on the coldest day of the week.  What do you wear when you don't have a lot of time to plan your outfits??
I have to say, the more I wear my We Love Colors tights, the happier I am with them!  Since northern NJ hasn't gotten it's big spring warm up yet, I'm wearing tights much longer into the season than I anticipated.  Good thing my We Love Colors tights can take a beating - commuting, running around the office, dog claws during happy evening greetings, weekend wear... I've worn them everywhere, especially these black tights, a staple in my wardrobe.  While you may not be looking for tights at this point of the year, lucky for all of us, We Love Colors doesn't just do tights.  They have a whole selection of socks and active wear - perfect for all your time outdoors this spring and summer!

dress: thrifted via Goodwill ($8) ~ cardi: Anthropologie (gift) ~ tights: c/o We Love Colors ~ boots: Chinese Laundry via Macy's ($65) ~ necklace: gift

Date: March 29, 2011
Ensemble message: This outfit was purposefully planned for yesterday because I went straight from work into New York City to see a band, Sallie Ford and the Sound Outside.  They were really, really great - such an awesome vintage sound, especially with Sallie's unique voice.  Go check them out - their first album is dropping on May 24th and they are taking their cd release parties back to the west coast (they're from Portland).  Sorry east coast and midwest readers... looks like we'll have to wait a bit until they make it back across the country!

So keeping with the retro vibe of the evening, I wore this dress that I just thrifted last weekend.  Based on last week's post on Sammy Davis Vintage, the "All That Jazz" label appears to be vintage.  I really love the collar... I wish I took a picture of the dress without the cardi because the cut reminds me of a waitress from a diner ;)  I actually made a killing in Goodwill... you'll definitely see more of my finds this week!

sweater: Husband's ~ t-shirt: Target ($8) ~ skirt: Gap Outlet ($19) ~ tights: c/o We Love Colors ~ shoes: Steve Madden via Famous Footwear ($14) ~ necklace & earrings: gifts

Date: March 23, 2011
Ensemble message: Well, it might officially be spring... yet it snowed in NJ today :(  It felt like the middle of January even though it's almost April.  Mother Nature, if you're listening, we're tired of this!  (This coming from a skier too.)  I started to get itchy for spring clothes about a month ago, so I was not happy with any of my cold weather clothes this morning.

My best solution was to shop from The Hubby's side of the closet.  If I was going to wear a sweater, at least it wasn't one that I've worn over and over again.  I was taking quite a risk though... see, this grandpa cardigan is Husband's first and most beloved thrift item.  He was oh so proud to find it on the racks, and gives me adorable evil eyes when I ask to wear it.  But, I was sure to take good care of it (so no worries honey ;)

cardi & belt: Target ($15 & $17) ~ t-shirt: Fossil ($20) ~ skirt: Ann Taylor Petites via Goodwill ($8) ~ tights: c/o We Love Colors ~ shoes: Marc Fischer via Macy's ($36) ~ necklace: gift

Date: March 22, 2010
Ensemble message:  Today, I did not dress myself.  Instead, I participated in the Paper Doll Project and let the lovely Kim from Fashion Momma dress me instead!  I asked Kim for help styling this thrifted skirt, last seen here.  I was stuck in a color AND styling rut with this one, but boy, did Kim come through!!  Not only did she choose my bright chartreuse cardi, but also recommended this graphic t-shirt... and said that I should wear it UNTUCKED!  I would never have picked this combo, but it totally works.  It's quirky yet office appropriate... so it's pretty much perfect :)

In return, I got to style up this whimsical dress for Kim!  Check out how I styled it over on her site.  I don't want to toot my own horn, but Momma's look pretty hot (toot toot ;)


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

green shirt: H&M ($15) ~ black shirt: Rena Rowan thrifted ($4) ~ skirt: Kensie via Macy's (free with gift card) ~ tights: c/o We Love Colors ~ shoes: Sam Edelman via Nordstrom Rack ($100) ~ bangles: NY&Co ($10) & wearyourmusic.org ($15 each)

Date: March 16, 2011
Ensemble message:  Today was pretty busy with a variety of meetings, including one where I facilitated a training.  There was no need to get super dressed up, but I still wanted to look pulled together.  I like the sheer layers as it feels a little less risqué in the office.

Spring is starting to make its way to Northern NJ... while it brought rain this morning, this afternoon was sunny and worthy of some outdoor running :)  While my wardrobe choices are trending towards lighter weight materials, at the same time I still want to wear comfy sweaters but in a weird rebellious way... like with skirts and no tights.  Weird, right?  I don't get it either but maybe I'll act on it one day ;)

shirt: Anthropologie ($42) ~ skirt: Gap Outlet ($19) ~ tights: c/o We Love Colors ~ shoes: Marc Fischer via Macy's ($36) ~ necklace: gift ~ bracelet: thrifted via Beacon's Closet ($8)

Date: March 2, 2011
Ensemble message: On Wednesday, I had a really important meeting that I wanted to look polished for but not overly corporate.  So, a pencil skirt, blousey top, and great heels were the perfect combo.  But enough about that... I took pictures outside!!!  The last time I attempted this, it. Was. FREEZING!  Not to say that the other day was balmy (the breeze had a bite to it), but it was almost 40 degrees.  Worth it for some sunny pics :)

In other cool news, it's Friday!  And I'm blogging from the road - hello technology!  The Hubby's Palm Pre can create it's own wireless hot spot.... perfect for road trips :)  Have an awesome weekend everyone!

t-shirt: souvenir ($20) ~ sweater: Babette Ballinger via Filene's Basement ($24) ~ skirt: Old Navy ($15) ~ tights: c/o We Love Colors ~ shoes: Pink via Daffy's ($26)

Date: February 14, 2011
Ensemble message: This morning, getting dressed was tricky... it's Monday, my first day back from vacation, and Valentine's Day.  Nothing about this sounds like the start to a great day.  Don't get me wrong, I don't really have anything against this holiday, it's just that I'm not really for it either.  I think it's a mix of the popularity aspect (from back in school) and grand expectations that usually fall short.  The Husband and I will probably have a typical night in... maybe with a glass of wine.  Anything more than that will be a pleasant surprise, haha!
So then why am I wear a shirt with hearts???  Because it's actually a souvenir t-shirt from my vacation and says "Powder Mountain" somewhere beneath my sweater ;)

Navy ~ Rust ~ Splash Metallic

Thank you everyone for entering!  I got such an overwhelming amount of positive responses - such an exciting week!!  So without further adieu, the winner of the We Love Colors tights giveaway is:
Congrats Danie of No Guilt Fashion!!!  I will e-mail you in a bit to get your details... and I hope to see a post with you wearing your winnings :)  Also, thanks to We Love Colors for sponsoring this giveaway!

This week really has been a lot of fun!  I was able to create 3 very different styles, all based on the tights I would be wearing that day.  Which is your favorite??