:: a fashion blog by your average fashion fanatic ::

Another boring office day – I was going to be adventurous today and wear the outfit I have on with my gorgeous white Michael Kors pants, but decided against it due to the crazy rain situation this morning and also because it would have probably been to risque for work…

Alas, this is what I’m wearing:

• black tunic-length, short-sleeved collared wrap shirt with eyelet detail bordering the bottom and scalloped edging at v-neck (Banana – outlet – summer ’07)
• black cami (Banana)
• black dress pants (Nine West)
• new black woven leather platform pumps (Circa Joan and David – purchased on sale from Nordstrom online for $45!  Now only available at Zappos for way more $)

I’ve just got work today, then home to cook dinner for Arthur and I – Asian Night – YUM!  The ‘fit today is simple/boring, but it fits the bill for my activities (or lack thereof)

• white/navy striped 3/4 sleeved oxford w/ navy ribbon belt at waist (new, from TJ Maxx)
• tan dress pants (Target/Merona summer ’05)
• tan pumps (Nine West summer ’04)

…tame, but I have recieved a few compliments on it – my fellow bankers covet conservativism, which “boring” accomodates – oh well!

So, my skin is borderline oily and because of this, every makeup person whom I’ve asked for advice has tried to give me some kind of terrible mattifying power foundation. During my last MAC experience, I finally spoke up and specifically requested their makeup primer with silicone, followed by foundation applied with a damp sponge for light coverage, followed by a light dusting of mineral power (both also MAC). This combination has given me my desired level of day-long coverage, shine combatant, and also a healthy glow; HOWEVER – until this point, NOTHING has been able to do the same for my eyelids…after a day in the office, I inevitably end up with severe eyeshadow creasing…

I know that most girls LOVE Sephora, but I finally had a positivesales person experience just this past weekend. One of the lovelygirls hooked me up with Urban Decay’s Eyeshadow Primer Potion, and after three days of use, I am IN LOVE with it! It not only eliminates the creasing, but the shadow is brighter, and more of it lasts the entire day.

I’ve just applied for, and I’m pretty sure also got, a second job (to help with the wedding $ saving that I have been slacking with), waitressing at Applebee’s, so I’ll have to see how my “Potion” stands up to a day at my “real” work followed by a night also spent working…Updates to follow, I’m sure…!

Highs:

• June
  • late 30s, cute, mom-ish, recently lost 30 lbs!
  • black short-sleeved, v-neck tee; white on black polka dot, chiffony skirt with matching sash belt; black peep-toed pumps; simple black bead on silver chain necklace
  • hair less coiffed than usual – v. cute!
  • more form-fitting than usual; very flattering and hip
• Martha
  • early 50s, thin-ish, hip grandma
  • turquoise long-skirt suit in linen-ish/light fabric; white mandarin-collar knit top; beige kitten-heeled slingbacks
  • love the bright, solid-colored suit; it was impecably tailored as well as age, season, and occassion-appropriate!

Lows:

• Woman in her early 50s, average h/w
  • black bias-cut silk dress with tan dots; brown cardigan with border beading and center tie closure; gold hoop earrings; long silver necklace with geometric black beads
  • Why it doesn’t work: dress and cardigan don’t match – style or color-wise; necklace doesn’t match stylistically or go with other jewelry metal

Highs:

• Arthur!
  • 27, tall, beefy, and completely gorgeous (although I might be a bit biased)
  • Yesterday was my fiance’s first day at a new company. He’s the newest “Interactive Web Developer” at a very high profile PR/Advertising agency in downtown Milwaukee and is definitely up for dressing the part!
  • Brown herringbone pants (Banana); White oxford with brown diagonal stripes (Banana); Funky new dark brown Steve Madden loafers with distressed leather top panel

Lows:

• Woman in a black suit w/ above the knee skirt; undistinguishable green blouse; sheer black hose; black close-toed strappy wedges
  • Why it doesn’t work: suit looked to be poor quality; skirt was ill-fitting; shirt was blah; black hose too heavy for summer; shoes were just bad – and badly scuffed

So today, I’ve got regular work – nothing special, just a staff meeting this afternoon, and then after work, I’ve got an interview – at Applebee’s…yeah – Arthur has been doing than his share of wedding saving, even picking up extra freelance work, and I have NOT been keeping up my end, so Applebee’s it is – Wish me LUCK!

Since it’s cool (again) today I’m wearing new Fall clothes (again)!

• Gray and black herringbone wrap dress (from Banana; as seen below, but in gray/black, not brown/black)
• Black peep-toed, platform slingbacks
• Gold double-chain watch

Today I had nothing special to do at work, so I was able to wear a more casual outfit.

• Navy pinstriped, cuffed, wide-legged pants (Fall ’07 Gap)

• White cami
• Teal scoop-necked sweater (Fall ’05 Gap) – my FAVORITE sweater
• Brown peep-toe, platform slingbacks
• Long, triple-chain, tri-color gold necklace with smoky topaz pendant

• Gold double-chain watch

Critique: Gap’s Line of Wide-Leg Pants

• LOVE them!
• Because my thighs and butt are my…most ample…body parts, they’re not really “wide-legged,” but they do fit extremely well in the waist (no bunching), butt, and legs.
• They look great with my platform shoes, and since the whole silhouette is bigger, actually need the chunky shoes to ground the outfit.
• I will DEFINITELY be going back for seconds…and thirds…(don’t tell Art!)
• Get them at Gap!

Yesterday we had a casual day at work – how fun to see everyone in their “everyday” clothes!  I personally had a more difficult time choosing an outfit than usual, as it was stressful to find something “casual,” but still professional and not too trendy.  There were a couple of pleasant surprises though! 

Highs

• “Jenny”
  • Mid-30’s, 5 months pregnant, super-cute girl-next door
  • Cute beige cropped pants; white eyelet empire-waisted top
• “Barb”
  • Early 50’s, thin
  • great skinny-ish jeans; animal-print, chiffony, kimono tunic; slim black flip flops
• “Mary”
  • Mid-Late 40’s, fit, above-average pretty
  • Pinkish-tan cropped pants; white peasanty (but not too much) top; pinkish-tan low-heeled slingbacks; too much jewelry
• Me (naturally!)
  • Cropped blue-gray pants (Old Navy); white layering tank (?); black, pouf and short-sleeved knit top with crochet detail at split-nick (Banana Outlet); blue Havaianas

Lows

• Young woman, early 20’s, tall, thin, v. pretty (GAG)
  • Bright yellow thin-knit tee; white cami underneath; tight black clubby flared pants; high black pointed-toe pumps; too much makeup
  • Why it doesn’t work: top and bottom halves weren’t cohesive; it was also kind of slutty
• All the ladies in bad capris; overly matchy-matchy outfits; way too many clunky slides

So after a (Wednesday) night out with the fam (my cousin’s 21^st birthday – and she was NOT waiting until the weekend to celebrate), a still-slightly-tipsy me woke up with an idea. In my ever-soothing bar-hag voice, I croaked, “ChicCritique.com,” to my bedmate and fiancé, Arthur. Even though it hit me like a ton of brinks (maybe that was the hangover though…?), it wasn’t as completely random as it seems…

On New Year’s Eve, Arthur and I, and some pr/marketing/advertising genius friends of his, decided that my road to career happiness would inevitably be paved with fashion, thereby discounting my long-time goal of being a teacher (the mere mention of which results in, “Have you SEEN what teachers wear?!” from Arthur). I’d been hemming and hawing about my current position as training coordinator for a financial holding company (i.e. I train tellers), and reliving my latest work humiliation, once again surrounding my “unprofessional” attire (more on this later), when Arthur revealed one of my most embarrassing habits:

I remember what I’ve worn for every big and also not so big moment in my life – every first day of school, every dance, and so on…

One of the marketing savants (who happens to moonlight as an advertising/design professor) took it on himself at this point to plot out a timeline for the development of a blog, podcast, and even the inevitable onslaught of advertisers who’d be banging down my door in no time.  My first assignment  was to name my blog, at which point the entire operation DIED.  No name – too many topic ideas – too high of expectations – and I was done…

UNTIL, the other night, that is…I spent my cousin’s party doing what I do – either talking smack about or giving props for everyone’s ensembles (which apparently becomes much more amusing after a couple of drinks)