OOTD - If all your friends jumped off a bridge

Or in this case, bought the Peppered and Striped Skirt....

In the eleventh hour, I decided I had to see for myself what all the hype was about this skirt. I still wouldn't say it's a piece that makes me want to squeal and turn a cartwheel, but it is cute. And polka dotted. And surprisingly warm. It stays!

Anthropologie Peppered and Striped Skirt
Loft Blouse
Lands End Canvas Heritage Cardigan
Target Merona Marylynn Suede Mary Jane Pumps

Today we are heading to Sawyer's first tennis lesson and then to a birthday party for his best preschool buddy. After spending much of the week in jeans, I decided a skirt was in order to kick off the weekend - Happy Friday!

Worn in January

Just a quick catch up on some recent OOTD...starting with what I wore today. I've noticed a few adorable bloggers breaking out their Ice-Capped Blouses, and it reminded me that I hadn't worn mine in forever. And I've never worn it casually, so I was thrilled to copy Lisa and pair it with some jeans.

OOTD 1-13-11 by JanRussell featuring ballet flats shoes

Next is an outfit with one of my new J. Crew Cardi's - who could resist their awesome additional 30% off sale promos plus free shipping. Prices have never been so good!

I originally bought this cardigan in the gold color, but loved it so much I grabbed the pink as well. No regrets.

January OOTD by JanRussell featuring a crocheted cardigan

Finally, here is an outfit I've worn numerous times because it is just so easy to throw on. From the looks of this picture, I should have thrown on some lip gloss too...but overlook the exhaustion on my face ;) This is another J. Crew item that I had to go back for seconds on - I also bought this tee in white.

Comfy Cozy by JanRussell featuring knitted vests

For tomorrow, I'm busting out a skirt! See you then!

Stylin'

When my friend Tifani emailed me this morning asking for suggestions on how to style the Painted Morning Skirt (she has an almost identical version from Forever 21!) I was totally excited to play around on Polyvore and see what I could come up with. I seriously have so much fun on that site, and if you ever want me to do the same for you, just shoot me an email and I'll squeal at the chance :)

For this first outfit I picked a blouse that I know Tifani already owns. She lives in a warm weather state, so hopefully, it's not too long until she can try pairing these pieces.

I was just about to search around for a polka dot top to try some subtle pattern mixing, when Jenni posted her adorable outfit of the day featuring this top. She saved me a bunch of time having to hunt one down. I really love navy and yellow together and I would totally wear this outfit in a heartbeat.

Next it was onto "uniform" dressing as I call it. But really, you can't go wrong with the basics. And I think any fun shoe would add interest to the outfit and keep it from being too ordinary. For a more casual look you could swap out the ruffled blouse wih a cotton tank or cami.

For the final look, I took a chance. I haven't seen this skirt, or the F21 version in real life, so I'm not entirely sure about the texture and weight and how it would translate across the seasons. But in the event that it is appropriate for Fall, here's an option on how to wear it ;)

So there you go, Tif! I hope this helps. Coming up with these cute outfits certainly helped me unwind from a long (thought the day would never end) snow day with my kids.

OOTD - Frill after Frill

My outfit for church this morning is one frill after another. I love all the ruffle details going on.

I was disappointed when I called Customer Service after the Slinking Frills Pumps went on sale only to be told they had sold out in my size in stores as well as online. I actually persisted in calling again the following Monday to see if the computers reflected any updates and was told the same sad news...no shoes anywhere in my size. I decided I wasn't going to believe it until I called some stores myself - and what do you know? The third store I called had my shoes, and it happened to be a store in NYC so I still received an additional 25% off the sale price. Consider me giddy. After all of that, I had to wear the shoes the first opportunity I had.

J. Crew Traversa Cardi

Old Navy Blouse

Anthropologie Tria Sweater Skirt

Kohls Simply Vera Opaque Tights

Anthropologie Slinking Frills Pumps

OOTD - Refined Cord

The snow is still falling here in PA, but much to my 8 year olds disappointment school was not cancelled or delayed. If the roads were in decent condition I was going to attempt a trip to Anthro with my mom, but we both quickly wimped out of those plans this morning. Now it's unlikely that I'll leave the house at all today, but I think I'll stay in my pretty dress anyway ;)

My husband wanted to know if my shoes were new - but I've had them almost a year. His comment reminds me that I need to show my shoes more love. I would have preferred to wear this dress with boots, but it's a touch too long and the boots and hem were practically meeting and making me look too stumpy. At least with the Bouquet of Roses heels you can see all the detail on the tights!

Anthropologie Refined Cord Shirtdress (size 0 - this was tight to button up, but doesn't feel tight once it's on if that makes sense. I had tried a red size 2 in the store, and don't notice much difference between the two. Maybe the red ran smaller?)
Gap tee (it's pale pink, even though it looks more white in these pictures)
Anthropologie Flower Chain Tights
Anthropologie Triple Buckle Belt
Anthropologie Bouquet of Roses Heels

OOTD - Such a Mom

I've spent the days after Christmas in my jeans and cardigans uniform - so you aren't missing much in the way of outfits. We are in the process of finishing our basement, so my house has been filled with contractors - one by one the plumber, the electrician, the drywaller have all come up to use my bathroom. No problem. Except, as a mom to boys I've turned into the "wash your hands!" police and let me just tell you - none of these grown men wash their hands. It's flush, door open. Followed by me waiting approximately 20 seconds before pulling out a Clorox wipe and heading for the door knob. I have become such a mom.

After seeing this cute button up on Lisa and Spiffy, I finally caved and ordered one. It's the perfect alternative to J.Crew's overpriced versions. And I'm madly in love with my Sepia Saddlebag - it's the perfect size and color. It's sold out online, but I grabbed it on a pop-back when Anthro was offering 25% off accessories and I'm sure there are still some floating around in-store too.

Forever 21 Plaid Button Up

J. Crew Infinity Cardigan

Target Mossimo Jeggings
Anthropologie Sepia Saddlebag

Anthropologie Winding Ruffle Boots

No Resolutions, Just an OOTD

Happy New Year! I'm not exactly sure how I made it through most of 2010 without a pair of burgundy tights...I can't seem to stop wearing them since buying my first pair in December. I wore this simple dress from Banana Republic to church this morning - but Graham fell asleep on the way, and I ended up staying in the car with him the entire service. Poor little guy was exhausted, and I promise we didn't let him stay up until midnight ;)

Frances Plaid Cowlneck Dress
Kohls Simply Vera Tights
Target Kady Boots