The Secret Place - 20 of 30

Outfit Details:

Top: NY&CO

Skirt: H&M

Tights: Marshalls

Mary Jane's: Aerosoles

Belt: F21

Each year, my family gets a real tree. We had a period of darkness during the '90's where we succumbed to the prefabricated, manipulated fake tree. I'm glad those days are behind us.

There's been this silly little tradition since real trees have been reinstated to our family: The kids don't know where my mom and dad get the tree. It always took them 2 hours to get it and we started dreaming up places in our head. They started calling it "The Secret Place."

We were in awe the first year because they brought home an 8 foot tree! We have cathedral ceilings in our home and it was majestic & stately. We were in such delight & interest - but they wouldn't tell us where they got this tall tree.

Another year passed - and the trees seemed to get a little smaller and smaller each year. They would just say, "The Secret Place didn't have any tall trees. I guess it's a short year."

Until this year.

Since I live in Chicago and wouldn't be back until too close to Christmas, we broke the tradition and went with my parents to The Secret Place during my Thanksgiving Break. My sister and I were so hyped up to finally see this place! I imagined it was in Pennsylvania somewhere...we'd be cutting down our own tree... 

Boy, was I wrong. Turns out The Secret Place was HOME DEPOT!

I asked my parents why it took them so long to get the tree and come home and they admitted that it was because they would wander around the store for awhile and drive home very, very slowly.

I was shocked. 

Shocked.

Yes, yes, I would compare it to finding out about Santa Claus. That much of a blow.

This year, we got a 9 foot tree and it is beautiful. I am longing to be back home. So soon.

My roommate and I followed suit and got our lovely tree from Home Depot, too. Turns out they do have a pretty great selection... :)

Fashionably Yours,

Come Fly With Me - Airport Attire

Photo Credits: Danny Virasawmi

Outfit Details:

Boyfriend Blazer: Old Navy

Dress: Some department store

Boots: Wanted

Belt: ShopRouche

Scarf: The Limited

Who ever said that airport attire had to be your high school gym shoes, Baby Phat velour sweat pants, and your home team sweatshirt? Give me a break.

You never know who you are going to run into at the airport or be predetermined to sit next to on the plane. Especially if you are single. You'll need all the help you can get. Be sure to make the best impression of yourself wherever you go.

For me, this dress is so comfy & versatile. Maybe for you a dark wash jean, cardigan, & cute flat will do the trick. 

I'm always cold & this drapey scarf and boyfriend blazer are just what I needed to keep me warm. 

My flat boots supply me with style and comfortablity. Comfortability? Is that a word? No? Well, I just made it up and I think you know exactly what it means.

Don't look like a bum at the airport and force me to take a fashion offender photo of you and feature you here. 

Here's how this dress has been worn in this 30 for 30 challenge before.

Fashionably Yours,

Showers of Blessings

Outfit Details:

Cardigan: H&M

Skirt: H&M

Tights: Cynthia Rowley

Belt: F21

Mary Jane's: Aerosoles

Umbrella: Courtesy of my Aunt RoseAnn

A Happy Thanksgiving to all!

I hope everyone had their fill of blessings today. Even with the rain out here in the east, it didn't seem to dampen our spirits.

I'm thankful for more things than words could express or that a blog post could hold. Just being home - just being with my family - just being with those who have loved you for all that you are no matter what.

It's as simple as that.

We had quite a fantastic feast. We had an assortment of gluten free, dairy free, sugar free & vegan delights. A lot of the guests today have some severe food allergies (myself included) - but everyone would argue that this was one of the most delicious Thanksgivings that they have had!

Our guests were quite fashionable as well. I was quite impressed.

 The inspiration for it all - my Grandma, Aggie. She hasn't changed a bit :)

What are you thankful for?

Fashionably Yours,

I Promise They're Purple

So, my stockings are purple - even though they don't look like it in the first photo. They are one color variation of 3 pairs that I own in the hue. This season, I am very much into patterned and colored tights. 

Who says you can't wear color in the Fall months? I say be bold! My pastel blue sweater works as a Fall  garment because it is paired with deeper jewel tones. My skirt is a dark denim blend that can obviously be dressed up and appropriate for work.

I was nervous about pairing a black belt, black Mary Jane's, and a black tank top with this tone of blue denim, but I was inspired by Kendi Everyday's post about "breaking the rules" and pairing together two things that one might not. Black and blue seemingly do go together - I was just apprehensive about this tone of blue - but I took a risk and it worked!

What risks are you taking this Fall season?

Outfit Details:

Sweater: H&M

Purple Collared: NY&CO

Skirt: Target

Tights: Marshalls

Mary Jane's: Aerosoles

Belt: F21

Fashionably Yours,

What I Really Look Like at the End of the Day...

Sooooooo...what happens when 1) You buy a $500.00 camera and don't know how to use it...2) Don't have a boyfriend or husband for a permanent photographer...and 3) Get home from work at 7 pm after working for 12 hours?

THIS.

and this

aaanndd this

Yes, that's right - my stockings are peeking out of the top of my skirt. Oh, and this

Bunched up stockings around the ankle...

and the inevitably desperate self-portrait on a timer in bad lighting

Yeah, so what happens is reality. Blurry, badly lit photos taken either by myself or after bothering my poor roommate - and wrinkled, crinkled clothes, bunched up stockings, and well - you saw for yourself!

As fashion bloggers, we go out of our way to make sure every shirt is pressed, each hair in place, and the lighting is just so. Then we take 100 photos and scrutinize every one before it goes up into cyber space. Well, sometimes we're tired and can't wait to get into our PJ's.

But, I totally love my new purple tights. Don't you?

Fashionably Yours,