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

Judging by all the compliments I got (at work and on Insta) on this dress, I think we can say that it was a good buy for $36. And a good way to start a new week, and a new month. Onwards and upwards (and drama free)!

Let’s take a moment to run down the positives of this dress. The colours are palette-approved. The silhouette is flattering and pretty classic, but with a wee twist. Let me just add that the slit is for effect only, and there is no chance in hell that I could accidentally flash the managing partner. (The black underskirt thingie is sewn to the rest of the dress.) I briefly pondered if the dress might be a bit too edgy when I tried it on with black tights – and realized that it looked like the slit was going half way up my thigh. So, scratch that remixing idea.

Back to the dress. The only thing I’m still a little iffy on is the fabric. It’s not very … breathable. On the plus side, this dress should survive the Apocalypse, no problem; it seems pretty indestructible. Right now, with our temperatures still hovering firmly near the “arctic” end of the spectrum, the material does not seem to be too much of a problem, even under a blazer. In the summer, it could be another story. We shall see.

Want to hear a funny story? This was the day that I decided I just couldn’t stand my bangs for one moment longer, and took matters into my own hands – with a pair of office scissors in the bathroom at work. OK, maybe this is not so much a funny story as a cautionary one. Don’t do this at home, friends, because you too might accidentally almost cut off a finger in the process. (I’m not kidding. I wish I was.) Still, the end result did not look too terrible … and I got to feel like a true MacGyver for the day. (The real MacGyver is, like, “bitch, take a seat.” Whatever, guy. When was the last time you cut your own bangs with dull scissors in shitty lighting? Huh?)

OK, let me start by stating the obvious (?): there is nothing horribly wrong with this outfit. Nevertheless, I didn’t really enjoy wearing it, and the culprit was the shirt. It’s fine; nothing horribly wrong with it either. But to borrow a phrase from Marie Kondo, it doesn’t spark joy for me. So I’m letting it go.

Getting rid of clothes has often been a fraught process for me in the past, but I’ve been increasingly feeling the need to let go of “dead weight” in my life – both in my physical environment and in the emotional realm. I was grappling with just this issue when I came across a couple of posts from Gretchen and Adrien on Marie Kondo and The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, and they resonated like crazy. So, going forward, if I ever end up with an outfit that feels “meh”, I’m going to figure out the reason, and let go of whatever element is not working for me anymore. Hopefully, that process will help me work through lot of the guilt I associate with “wasted” clothes. If simplifying your life (or your closet) is one of your goals for 2015, I encourage you to check out Gretchen’s and Adrien’s posts (linked above), and consider how you might apply the same or similar principles to help you figure out what sparks joy in your heart.

One thing that definitely sparks joy in mine? This cotton candy pink wool coat.