Loop Looks

Cardigan – The Limited (similar) | Tank – The Limited (similar) |Pants – The Limited (similar) | Necklace – JF&A Show (similar) | Shoes – 6pm.com (similar)

This week is Bike to Work Week in Chicago and since I only live 1.5 miles from my office I do occasionally bike there. The most difficult part for me, though, is figuring out what to wear while on my bike. Do I wear my regular work clothes? Do I wear workout clothes and change once I get to work? I’ve done it both ways and it really depends on the weather.

For example, today was supposed to be cool in the morning. So I decided to wear running tights, a t-shirt and a jacket (and bike shoes, of course) on my bike and change into my work clothes when I got to work. Except it was actually quite warm on my bike! Which means even though I overdressed, I’m glad I didn’t wear my office outfit because I sweated in my Chicago Marathon shirt instead of my polka dot cardigan.

Riding my bike to work can be quite a challenge and requires a bit of planning the night before. Deciding what to wear, what to pack, and making sure I don’t forget anything. Still, it’s a nice way to start my morning and Bike to Work Week always reminds me to get out on my bike more often.

Do you bike? How do you get to work?

Also linking up with Mix & Match Fashion and Vodka Infused Lemonade

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Blazer – J. Crew (same) (similar) | Shirt – Gap (similar) | Skirt – New York & Co (similar) |  Shoes – Bandolino (similar)

Approximately a gazillion years ago (okay, it was actually 9 months) I pinned an outfit featuring a navy blazer, a polka dot blouse, and a pink skirt. At the time I had a pink skirt and a polka dot top. That was it. Then I when I finally got my navy blazer for my birthday in January it was too cold to wear the pink skirt. But not today! No, today I finally put the three of them together and I feel pretty awesome.

It’s like, I’m wearing a suit but it’s so much more fun. I’m all preppy up top but having a party on the bottom. I think this is what I love about bright skirts. They add life to an outfit that might otherwise be super traditional. I mean, there’s nothing wrong with traditional but every so often I look in the mirror and want something a little different.

Which is why I bought a pink pencil skirt. And it’s why I think everyone should have at least one bright skirt in their closet. For those days when you just want to wearing something fun but you still have to look professional. A structured bright skirt totally fits the bill.

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Blazer – Forever 21 (similar) | Shirt – The Limited (similar) | Pants – Ann Taylor (similar) | Shoes – Bandolino (similar)

Total outfit cost = $130

After a weekend of go-go-go that caused me to pass out in bed on Sunday afternoon for an epic nap I decided to take Monday off from the blog. I was already off work so there was no real reason to get dressed up. Planting flowers on our balcony and doing ALL THE LAUNDRY didn’t really warrant the adorable red, white and blue Memorial Day outfit that Two Birds chose for Inspiration Monday.

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However, this outfit was so adorable that I didn’t want to pass up a chance to use it as an inspiration. Hence, today’s belated red, white, and blue ensemble!

Yes, my pants are navy blue. We’re still working on figuring out how to get that to show up consistently. Any suggestions?

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Blouse – Gap (similar) | Skirt – NY & Co (similar) | Shoes – Sole Society (similar) | Belt – Target | Necklace – J. Crew via Poshmark (similar)

After last week being so dreary, I decided I wanted to wear something fun and bright today. Bright pink, polka dots, and a touch of leopard? Sounds good to me!

Although, admittedly, I haven’t worn this skirt since November and I seem to remember it fitting better then. Does anyone else get a little apprehensive about putting on a piece of clothing you haven’t worn in a while?

Also, you may notice this week that I’m wearing flats instead of heels. That’s because at the end of this week I’ll be running the Illinois Marathon and I’m trying to save my feet, knees, and legs for the 26.2 miles I’ll be running on Saturday!

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As I mentioned on Friday, I’m in Phoenix this week for a conference for work. I’m both attending and presenting at the conference and let’s just say I’m mostly excited to go somewhere WARM and SUNNY! Chicago weather is really getting me down. It snowed on Saturday, people. Snowed. Anyway, Phoenix’s 80 degree weather will be a treat but packing for it was a bit challenging.

Sunday

For my travel day I decided on a striped tank top under a sheer white three-quarter length sleeve top with jeans, my black blazer, and my leopard flats. I plan to wear the blazer throughout the week and this way it doesn’t get all wrinkled in my suitcase. Plus, you should really wear your bulkiest item when traveling and in this case that’s my blazer. When I get to Phoenix I can ditch the blazer and the sheer top if necessary and revel in the fact that it’s warm enough to wear a tank top!

Monday

For Tuesday I’m busting out my green cropped pants, a simple striped t-shirt, the black blazer again, and the leopard flats. This is my day to attend conference sessions and the dress code at this conference ranges from jeans to suits so I figured I could get away with some fun colors and pattern mixing.  The blazer is because I’m sure the conference rooms will be freezing but the short sleeves are for outside.

Tuesday

Tuesday we give our presentation so I dressed it up with my black and white polka dot sheath dress and my black blazer and open-toed black patent heels. And some jewelry, of course.

Tuesday Night

Tuesday night is the customer/attendee appreciation party which I’ve been told is a pretty crazy event. This year it’s at a Western-themed locale so I decided to bust out the gingham and pair it with white jeans and a white tank top. And nude heels because I don’t own cowboy boots.

Wednesday

On Wednesday we fly back to Chicago.  And since it will probably be in the 40s when we land, I’m adding a scarf to my black, white and leopard outfit.  Plus, this is classy enough for a casual conference attendee look if I choose to attend any last day sessions.

Other items I packed but didn’t photograph? A black cardigan, white shorts, a swimsuit and a swimsuit cover-up, one running outfit, running shoes, some other jewelry,  and, of course, pajamas and underwear. Basically, everything except the dress can be mixed and matched with the other items I brought, too, so if I need to make a quick switcheroo for any reason, it should be simple enough.

And if it wasn’t for that pesky liquids restriction I could have gotten away with just a carry-on! Sadly, I couldn’t find a hair mousse I liked that came in a FAA-approved size.

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Cardigan – Nordstrom Rack (similar) | Shirt – The Limited (similar) | Pants – Target (similar) | Shoes – Anne Klein | Scarf – H&M via Poshmark (similar)

When these pants debuted on my blog Jen told me she had actually bought the same pants!  After yesterday’s mind-meld of both wearing our striped blazers (totally not planned, I promise!) and the fact that we own the same pair of pants I feel we were destined to find one another in the blog world! And, of course, that meant I had to wear these pants at least once during our Mutually Inspired Series.

I took my cue from the comfy but fun pairing of patterns and textures that Jen put together and the fact that not only did I have the exact same pants, but I had a ridiculously similar striped long-sleeved shirt and, of course, a polka dotted scarf. Here’s Jen’s original outfit. Crazy that I basically had all the same pieces, right? I know this is more of a copycat than an inspiration, but I couldn’t not.

I think this is the perfect outfit for a slight casual outfit. The textures and patterns keep it from being boring and you could easily do this with just about any mixture of colors. Alternately, if you needed to be more dressed up, you could swap the cardigan for a blazer and the striped t-shirt for a blouse like this one. In fact, I just might do that in the near future!

Tomorrow is the last day of the Mutually Inspired Series! I’m sad to see it end. Especially because I had even more outfits of Jen’s that I wanted to recreate. And if you haven’t clicked over to see what outfits of mine have been inspiring Jen you need to do so right now!

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Blazer – Forever 21 (similar)| Sweater – Old Navy  (similar) | Jeans – Express via Poshmark | Scarf – Gift (similar) | Necklace – NY&Co (similar) | Shoes – Eric Michael (similar under $30)

So, there was a sort-of unintentional theme to my outfits this week.  Can you guess what it was?  Here’s a different picture of my outfit that might help.

Still stuck? What if I told you that this week’s Friday’s Fancies theme is…..

Polka dots!

Yes, I seriously wore something with polka dots four out of five days this week. How did that happen?  Well, I knew that Friday I wanted to wear polka dots. And Monday was my polka dot dress because it fit the Inspiration Monday outfit so well.  After that I thought, hey, why not wear something polka dotted every day this week (minus Wednesday when I had already sent in my contribution for Work Your Wardrobe). So, I did. Turns out that I went from hardly owning anything polka dotted to owning enough items that I could wear polka dots every day for a week. Seriously. This isn’t even everything I own! There’s still a shirt and a scarf and another dress that I didn’t wear. Crazy, huh?

Which was your favorite polka dot outfit this week? The dress? The blue suit? The pencil skirt? Or today’s casual Friday look?

And don’t forget, next week I’m pairing up with Jen from Librarian for Life & Style for our Mutually Inspired Series!  Be sure to follow both of us to see how two different woman inspire one another.  Jen’s also giving away a $25 Old Navy gift card so be sure to get entered before Monday.

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Sweater – Forever 21 (similar in more sizes) | Shirt – The Limited (similar) | Skirt – J. Crew Factory (similar under $25) | Shoes – Bandolino (similar) | Necklace – JF&A Show (similar)

First things first: the outfit.  Inspired by ShopGirl DC and worn on one of our first bare legs days this year (apologies for the starkness of my gams!) I am in love with this outfit. I love the pop of pink. I love that it consists of my favorite color of the moment (navy), and I love that it gives me a way to wear this shirt that I’d never thought of before.

You know what you love about it? You can recreate it with the pieces linked above for under $100.  Yes, I’m serious. And even though the Target website says that polka dot skirt isn’t sold in stores, I know I saw it at my local Target recently.  So there.

Anyway, Lauren over at Lauren Runs to Tri tagged me for one of those Liebster Awards where you list 11 random things about you and then answer 11 questions.  You all seemed to enjoy learning some random facts about me last week so why not have a few more?

11 Random Facts About Me

1. I was on the dance team as a senior in high school and also graduated with a perfect GPA. I was an odd mix of cheerleader, outcast, and nerd.

2. My undergraduate honors thesis was on the differences between male and female serial killers. Yep.

3. I’m married to the guy I started dating the summer before my senior year of high school. We had to date long-distance for four years while I was away at college but we made it! Our 10 year wedding anniversary is in May.

4. I used to hate all pies made with fruit. Now I enjoy apple pie and some berry pies but blueberry, cherry or peach pie are still on the no list.

5. I will try most foods at least twice before I make a determination about whether or not I like them.

6. I have two tattoos.  The one on my foot that you’ve probably seen in outfit photos and one on my back above my left hip.

7. I would rather read a book than watch a movie.

8. I got my first email address in 1996. I had a dial-up modem and AOL.

9. There is a birthmark on my left leg in the shape of a paw print but it has significantly faded as I’ve gotten older.

10. I’m terrified of snakes.

11. I’ve never worked in retail.  Food service, yes, but never retail.

Lauren’s Questions

1.  What time did you go to bed last night?

11:30 PM. I usually try to be in bed by 11:00 but lately it’s been 11:30.

2. How do you feel about public speaking?

I don’t mind it at all.  I’m technically an introvert but one who loves public speaking. Seems contradictory, but it’s really not. I like being in control of when I talk and public speaking is one way to do that! Good thing I don’t mind it, too. Part of my job involves leading training courses for other staff members!

3. If you were invisible, where would you go?

Skinny dipping in an infinity pool overlooking some gorgeous view somewhere

4. What do you want to do for your next birthday?

My birthday is in January so I always have to think of indoor things to do. I had a really good time doing a wine and painting class for my birthday this year, though, so I’m actually thinking of making it an annual event!

5. Where would you like to live when you retire?

It would be great if I could have a place in Chicago and a place somewhere warmer.  Just so that when I get tired of cold I could escape for a week. Now that I live in an apartment building and don’t have to shovel, I don’t care about the snow but sometimes the cold and the gray just gets to me.

6. What’s your favorite strength move that is quick to do?

I hope straight-legged deadlifts count because those are my favorite.

7. What is your favorite pair of shoes?

Either my nude heels or my brown riding boots.

8. What type of art do you like best?

Not knowing enough about art to be able to describe it, I guess I’d have to say in terms of paintings or photography I like geometric designs, urban landscapes, and colors.

9. Sweet or salty?

Both?  Although I more often crave sweet than salty. And if I eat too much salt I DEFINITELY want something sweet afterward.

10. Who is the last person you talked with on the phone?

Um….does leaving a voicemail count? No? Then I guess it was Kim. On Sunday. No, wait, I made a hair appointment yesterday over the phone. Yes, seriously, I can go entire days without talking to someone on the phone even at work.

11. What is your mousepad like?

At work it’s a plain purple pad. At home it’s a random mouse pad I stole from my husband YEARS ago. It’s an underwater photo of a dolphin. Told you it was random.

I’m not going to tag anyone, but feel free to answer those questions above in the comments or on your own blog. Or just tell me something random about yourself!

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Blazer – Forever 21 (similar) | Pants – LOFT (similar) | Shirt – Gap (similar) | Necklace – NY&Co (similar) | Shoes – Eric Michael 

In the horrible lighting in my closet these two blue pieces looked similar enough to pass as a crazy colored suit.  In actual sunlight, though, they are just a bit off. I’m not entirely sure how I feel about that.  Maybe it’s cool because then it looks less like I put on a blue suit? Or maybe it’s cool because everything is in the same color family and it’s just a great monochromatic look. Yeah, I’m going with that one.

Also, it was FINALLY nice enough to go take pictures down by Lake Michigan. I’m lucky in that my office is less than half a mile from the lakefront so on nice days it’s lovely to go for a lunch time run along the water or just sit nearby. Sometimes you have friends who will join you.

Hello there, Goose Friend!

So, what do you think? Too much blue?  Not enough blue? I actually have another outfit in mind for these two blue pieces with a different top that I just got via Poshmark so hopefully we decided the blazer and pants look okay together.

Finally, can I ask you another favor? Can you go to the BlogTrends website and vote for me to be chosen as their featured blogger for next week? All you have to do is click “Like” on my entry, which is #32 in the list. Simple!

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Dress – Stitch Fix (similar)| Camisole – The Limited (similar) | Necklace – JF&A Show (similar) | Belt – The Limited (similar) Booties – Old Navy via Threadflip (similar)| Tights – Target (similar)

Welcome to another Monday morning! How was your weekend? Did you have Friday off or was it just like any other week? I ran 22 miles (yay marathon training), hung out with friends, and tried my hand at making a glass paperweight.

And now it’s Monday and back to work. I’m glad I have Two Birds and their Inspiration Monday series to help me pick out something to wear. I admit, when I first saw this photo I thought, “Yeah, right.”  Turns out, though, it was just the thing I needed to remind me to wear this dress.

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However, I still can’t love the look of booties with bare legs on myself. So I have to give you the photo of what I prefer.

Which look do you prefer?  Heels or booties?

Also, I want to give you a head’s up on a fun series I’ll be doing next week with Jen from Librarian for Life and Style.

We’re going to be sharing our own takes on outfits inspired by one another! This should be a great way to see how you too could use someone else’s style to remix your wardrobe!  Be sure to follow both of us so you can see all the outfits.

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