Loop Looks

Blazer – Express (similar) | Tank – Banana Republic Outlet (similar) | White shirt – The Limited (similar) | Skirt – The Limited (similar) | Shoes – Gabriella Rocha via 6pm.com (similar) | Necklace – JF&A Show (similar)

Did you know that my very first You Pick Wednesday post was helping Jen figure out fun ways to wear her striped blazer? She’s gone on to create some fun outfits with hers so I thought I would give a nod to history for today’s Mutually Inspired Series post and showcase a way that she created to wear her striped blazer.

I kept the same silhouette with the pencil skirt and blazer and also stuck to the same color palate with gray and magenta. At first I was struggling a bit to figure out how I was going to recreate this outfit because while I have similarly colored tops I didn’t know how to make any of them work. But then it struck me: wear a tank top over a collared shirt! So, that’s what I did.

Yes, this is a tank-top that has almost gone to the donation pile a few times.  In this case, though, I’m glad I held into it because it was fun to give it new life as a vest!  Sure, I could have worn the tank top by itself but I thought that layering it over the white shirt gave it more visual interest and dressed it up a bit more just like Jen did by adding that little bit of white to her original outfit.

What do you think? Would you ever turn a tank top into a vest?

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Cardigan – The Limited | Shirt – The Limited (similar) | Skirt – The Limited (similar)| Necklace – Overstock.com (similar) | Shoes – Gabriella Rocha via 6pm.com (similar)

So, today is Valentine’s Day.  Are you celebrating it in any way?  My big plan for the day is to go to work, come home, go to the gym, and then make Italian Wedding Soup for dinner.  However, on Friday evening my husband and I are going to a trapeze class!

As you can probably tell, we’re not big into a romantic, mushy Valentine’s Day display over here.  I still like to wear a little something to acknowledge the holiday, though.  Last year I wore pink.  This year I decided on red.  But by pairing it with navy and gray it keeps it from screaming “I’m dressed up for the holiday!”

This could be a very blah outfit.  Just a cardigan, a pencil skirt, and a blouse.  But the pattern on the blouse amps it up a little bit.  Keep that mind when you’re shopping or getting dressed.  A little bit of pattern can go a long way.

You know what else goes a long way?  Wind.  It was SO WINDY when I was taking these photos.  My husband caught my frustration with the wind on camera.

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Jacket – Express via MJRsales.com (similar)| Turtleneck – Old Navy (similar) | Skirt – The Limited (similar) | Boots – Cole Haan (similar) | Necklace – Gift

Tonight I’m planning on attending the House of Gemmes Holiday Soiree and wanted to wear something a little bit fun.  So I decided to make sequins office-appropriate!   Okay, maybe this wouldn’t fly in a more conservative office, but by pairing the sequined jacket with a simple turtleneck and a gray skirt it goes from night to day without looking too ridiculous.

Now, if I’ve paired this jacket with a black skirt and a more low-cut top then it would fall into the evening wear category.  But just by toning down what it’s paired with you can extend the items in your wardrobe and make them work for multiple occasions.

I chose to wear simple jewelry for the same reason.  Well, that and I received this necklace as a gift from my friend Kim on Tuesday night and haven’t wanted to take it off since.

P.S.  It was cold and windy in my photo studio today.

P.P.S. I’m being featured on Franish today in her “Behind the Blog” series where you can learn a bit more about why I started blogging and other behind-the-scenes stuff!

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Shirt – Banana Republic

Vest & Skirt – The Limited

Shoes – Gabriella Rocha via 6pm.com

Earrings – Holly Yashi

I originally had on a skinny belt with this outfit but at the last minute took it off.  I just felt more streamlined in the outfit sans belt.

Also, I can’t believe I’ve never worn this combination of sweater and skirt before.  I always wore this sweater and shirt with black pants.  But now I love it with the gray skirt!  Just goes to show you that breaking out of your clothing rut results in some awesome finds!

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Necklace, Blouse, Skirt & Belt – The Limited

Hose – Walgreens

Shoes – Tahari/TJ Maxx

It’s pretty obvious.

I might as well just admit it.

There’s not much gray area.

I like The Limited.

A huge portion of my wardrobe comes from there.  I’ve started branching out but many of my staples are Limited brand.  I mean, hey, when you find something that works for you why not stick with it?

But, if you want to see something that isn’t entirely made up of clothes from the same place, check out my Facebook page where I posted a bonus casual outfit!

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Cardigan, Camisole, Belt & Skirt – The Limited

Necklace – Jewelry trade show

Shoes – Gabriella Rocha/6pm.com

Another warm day, another skirt sans tights.  And another day where a good chunk of my outfit came from the same store.  The Limited just makes it so easy since so many of their pieces coordinate nicely!

Do you gravitate towards the same stores over and over again?   Where’s your favorite place to shop?

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Blouse – Express

Tank top & Skirt – The Limited

Tights – Walgreens

Shoes – Nine West/DSW

See that strip of sunlight on my file cabinet?  Leap Day has gifted downtown Chicago with sun!  In fact, it’s so nice here today that I was able to leave my winter coat at home and, instead, just throw on my blue blazer.

Blazer – Forever 21

The black and gray starred top is a little too blousy for my tastes but since I bought it on super clearance with a gift card I couldn’t pass it up.  I love stars!  Maybe I’ll take some of that money I saved and it get it tailored.

Finally, it’s probably warm enough outside to go bare-legged.  But, after months of it being too chilly to go out sans legwear it’s hard to get out of that habit!

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Scarf – Gift

Necklace, Belt & Skirt – The Limited

Sweater – Old Navy

Tights – Target

Boots – Ciao Bella/DSW

Needed something I could traipse around outside in while it’s raining or sleeting or whatever it’s doing.  Going apartment hunting this afternoon!

Also, would you believe my hair looked freaking adorable…until I left the house.  The combo of hat+wind+moisture took its toll within ten steps.  Oh well. 

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