AdinaJ

25
Mar
2015

Spring Blush

LOFT eyelet lace top — Top, LOFT (swap); cardigan, J. Crew (via consignment); pants, American Eagle; shoes, J. Crew Factory

This was one of those unassuming outfits that turns out better than expected. I mean, I’m not breaking any style ground here (what’s new?) but this is cute and comfortable, and it just works. No over-thinking required. Also, how lovely is this LOFT top? I think it’s a subtle way to wear lace at the office (always a dicey proposition), so I’m looking forward to remixing it in some work outfits. The armholes do gape a little oddly, but it’s not noticeable at all under a topper – minor quibble. Thanks again, R., for the swap find!

Can we talk about the weather for a second? I know it’s a hella boring subject, but I need to take a moment and marvel at the fact that we have been (almost) snow-free for a few weeks now … in March! We have a spring this year, ladies and gentlemen. At least, I’m calling it spring, officially, before Mother Nature can change her mind. And I’m putting my boots away, to show her I mean it. Here’s hoping my bluff works. [Edited to add: LOL. Nope. We got snow on the first official day of spring.]

I’ve done this necklace layering thing before, but I figured you’d want to see it again. You’re welcome. I’ve also done the side ponytail before (a few times), and I guess you could say that I’m unrepentant about it; I don’t care if the consensus on these things is “yea” or “eww”, they’re helping me avoid “tiny insect head” syndrome when I pull my hair back, and if that involves looking like a middle-schooler, well, I ain’t above it. #adultingfail

24
Mar
2015

Hitting the Jackpot

categories: style

Pleione black & white zigzag top — Top, Pleione; pants, American Eagle; shoes, J. Crew Factory

Shopping can be such a crap shoot at times; you might buy something fully convinced that you’ll love it forever (or at least for a year or two), only to find it necessary to part ways much sooner for any number of more or less foreseeable reasons. Conversely, there are the things you never knew you couldn’t live without … until you get them. Such is the case with this Pleione top I picked up at Winners for next to nothing. I still have no idea why I was so drawn to it in the first place, but I do know that initial instinct was right on the money. This print – so simple, so (dare I say it) minimalist – goes with so many things in my closet, and the fabric and cut are wonderfully comfortable. Jackpot.

Whenever I wear this top, I’m inclined to keep the overall outfit pretty simple – and stick with a black & white palette, plus a single pop of colour. This time, though, I also added a ~~metric ton~~ a lot of accessories. You can only keep those magpie instincts in check for so long.

23
Mar
2015

This Skirt is Everything

categories: style

Zara box pleat skirt — Skirt, Zara; blouse, J. Crew (via consignment); necklace, J. Crew; shoes, Ivanka Trump

I mean, obviously, that is a slight exaggeration, but c’mon – how lovely is this skirt?

I used to be a die-hard pencil skirt fan, but after returning to work from my last mat leave that started to change. I think a big part of the reason is that, unless a pencil skirt fits perfectly, it can be such a fussy garment. My weight has fluctuated quite a bit in the last 6 months and, well, you can start to understand my frustration with the old standby silhouette. Enter this Zara number. I’ll be honest: I paid way too much money for it (full retail price!) … aaaand I have no regrets. It’s incredibly flattering, notwithstanding the high waist and the past-the-knee hemline. It has a lovely, almost bell-like shape, but without any extra pouf around the mid-section (on the contrary). It is, quite simply, a skirt I could wear every week. And I plan on doing just that.

I was a little concerned at first about how the skirt would work with blazers given its silhouette (high waist, midi length, full skirt), but I think I’ve hit on a good pairing. This J. Crew Factory tweed blazer nips in at the waist just enough to give the outfit some structure and help me avoid looking like I’m wearing a sack. Agreed? .

Author: AdinaJ