Strappy wooden platforms Banana Republic
I got these a couple of years ago and have just about worn them to death. They pretty much go with everything, from jeans to dress pants to t-shirt dresses to pencil skirts to frilly little frocks. The footbed is wonderfully cushioned and the heel is just chunky enough to be comfortable.

Also pictured:
Banana Republic denim trousers
Alex and Ani expandable bangles
Asos stretch bracelet
Gorjana necklace
Odille ruffle-front blouse

And one more picture, just for kicks.

Labels: basics

Pencil skirt Proenza Schouler for Target GO International
My best GO International purchase ever! I've worn this skirt to death. It fits like a glove, has the right amount of stretch, and it's fully lined. Of course, the lining has an annoying tendency to poke out every now and then, but such is life. I realize the skirt is completely wrinkled but keep in mind this was at the end of the workday.

Ivory cardigan Brass Plum Nordstrom
I have a few other cardigans from Nordstrom's junior line, but none of them gets nearly as much wear as this one does. Ivory is just ridiculously versatile. This is my go-to for office-ifying any non-work-appropriate tops and dresses...like this bustier. Or this red backless dress I have that I love but almost never get to wear so I wore it to work. Heh.

Overcoat American Rag from Macys
I'm always amazed when I find outerwear that fits so I snatched this one up the instant I tried it on. So worth it. It's gotten a jillion wears since I bought it in...late 2006? It's great default outerwear since it's black, long-ish, and just roomy enough to fit over blazers and sweaters.

Also pictured:
Ted Baker bustier
Gorjana gold necklace
Nine West pointed slingbacks

Aren't the bags under my eyes something else? I was so tempted to photoshop them out but...I didn't. Obviously.

On an unrelated note, I was browsing through my archives circa 2001-2002 (first year of college) and I had written something about being warned up to 70% by some of my dormmates. I totally forgot about AIM warning and how we used it to amuse ourselves back in college. There are a lot of things that I'm forgetting about HS and college which makes me sad because I'm sure that means I'm getting old.

Labels: basics

I kind of like the formatting that I used in this image...may use it again if I can't think of something better. As usual, click to enlarge!

Black Wrap Dress Guess?
This dress was an awesome deal. I think it was like $20 or something. It's easy to wear, fairly flattering, and hits right above the knee which is generally where I like my work dresses to hit. Plus, it's ridiculously comfortable. The only thing that bugged me about this dress were the flutter sleeves, but that was easily remedied by stitching the corners together to make little keyhole things on my shoulders. Took maybe five minutes tops.

Expandable Bangles Alex & Ani via Ravinstyle.com and Hautelook.com
I have trouble finding bracelets that won't fall off of my wrists. Bracelets that stretch and bracelets with closures are usually okay, but I was dying to find some bangles. Enter the Alex & Ani expandable bracelets. I bought a set of gold colored ones on Ravinstyle as soon as I discovered that they existed. A huge set of them showed up in a sample sale online shortly afterward (much to my dismay, seeing that I had just paid regular price for my first set) so I bought a large set of gold and silver bangles. I do not regret either purchase because I wear these suckers to death. They stay on my wrists like magic. I'm thinking of buying more...!

Pointed Slingbacks Nine West
Got these for $50 at a Nine West outlet store (I think they were buy one get one 1/2 off) on a whim since they fit and they were comfortable enough. I guess I felt like my feet could use a break from my super high heels seeing that these were less than 3.5". Little did I know they'd become a staple in my work wardrobe. They're great with trousers and my favorite pencil skirt :)

Also worn (but not visible in photo)
DL by Dirty Librarian Chains multichain necklace
NY&Co tank

Labels: basics

Felt sort of at a loss when it came to trying to collage photos in an aesthetically pleasing way. Then again I was full of wine...again. Oh well. Made this image bigger than the last one (click it to see it at its full size)

Single-button blazer Armani Exchange
I got this blazer a couple years ago maybe and have been wearing it to death ever since. It's nicely structured, has stretch, has a snap closure (I like snaps) and it fits like a dream. Totally worth the money I spent getting a good tailor to take up the sleeves. The cost of the blazer plus tailoring probably put this thing at around $150, but I've worn it about a billion times so $150/a billion = less than 1 cent per wear, which is awesome!

Mini-Doctor Bag Malababa via shopbop.com
Very basic, very soft, and the only label on this sucker is on the inside, which I love. It's roomy enough to fit the stuff I need (phone, wallet, keys, point and shoot, dslr, at least 2 extra lenses (yes I need those), random junk) but small enough not to make me look silly. I've used this bag consistently since I bought it and if I only take one purse when I'm traveling, this is usually it.

Also pictured:
Forever21 dress/tunic
Merona (?) tights
Brass Plum Nordstrom pendant necklace
Urban Outfitters hinge bracelet
Oh Deer! "Audrey" peep-toe pumps

Labels: basics

Now this is the project I was thinking of doing, although I must say that it didn't come out as cool as I had envisioned it. Maybe because I was full of wine. Yeah, that's it.

I intend for this to be a series of photos/collages that document things in my closet that I can't seem to live without for some reason or another. There is no real greater purpose other than to give myself some sort of goal when taking photos. That is all.

Now, to continue on.

Denim trousers Banana Republic
I totally remember when I bought these. I'd stayed home from work because I'd gotten a really nasty fever after getting my tetanus shot but was feeling better later in the evening so I went to the mall to kill some time and left with these. I wear them all the freaking time now. Best impulse purchase ever.

Slouchy bag H&M
This was part of a birthday gift from some friends that I received just last October. I'd normally say it's a bit soon to declare something a "basic" but it's gotten so much use since I got it that I think I can make an exception. It fits my DSLR and a decent selection of lenses pretty nicely (which was actually one of their goals when they picked it out for me haha) and it goes with just about everything. Thanks guys <3

Also pictured:
Lu Lu Lamé cropped sweater
Libertine for Target silk camisole
Brass Plum Nordstrom pendant necklace

edit: removed the image border because I think it looks better w/o it, but it's still clickable!

Labels: basics