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Ahoy, Mateys and Fair Wenches!  It be Talk Like a Pirate Day, me favorite day of the year.

I originally had on a completely different outfit, and then remembered what an auspicious day it was, and immediately changed (making me epic-ly late for work).

I feel very Emma Pillsbury, but know that I was going for piratical, not Glee.

I tell people that I have a lot of anchor things because my husband's in the Navy, but the real reason is because I love pirates.  I buy a ton of anchors because it's my way of being a subtle pirate every time I wear it.  Today, I went for the trifecta of awesome -- Anchor shirt, anchor skirt, ship's wheel necklace.  Oh, yeah.

V-Neck Sweater | LOFT (similar)

Anchor Secretary Collar Blouse | Forever 21 (similar polka dot secretary collar blouse in silk. expensive.)

High-Waisted Anchor Print Skirt | Brooks Brothers Factory (similar)

Bracelet | H&M

Ship's Wheel Necklace | J. Crew Factory

Striped Peep-Toe Pumps | Ann Taylor

Rainy Tuesdays

I can't believe it's only Tuesday.  Seriously.  It's also definitely fall in DC, and by that I mean it's raining.

 I went through a few different bottoms this morning before settling on navy slacks.  It was windy, so I'm really glad I did.  It wouldn't be good if I had a wardrobe malfunction.

I bought that necklace ages ago in a boutique in Athens, Georgia where I went to law school.  I balked at the price ($40, which was a lot for a necklace, particularly if you're a student), but I loved it.  I believe that was my first statement necklace.  An addiction was born!  Now, I'm seeing them all over the place.  I like to think that I was ahead of the trend.

The gold filigree cuff was my grandmother's.  I love all her jewelry, but this one is among my favorites.  I wear it a lot.  I wired a pair of her earrings and matching brooch to a bunch of hair pins and wore them for my wedding.  So many people asked where I got them, including my father.  When I told him that they were his mother's, he about started crying.  They really don't make vintage things like that anymore, do they?

Turquoise Cardigan | LOFT (similar)

Burnt Umber Silk Racerback Tank | Ann Taylor (similar)

Navy Canvas Pants | LOFT

Floraburst Necklace | Red Dress Boutique (same in pink; same in black and green.  Enter 3981516 at check out to get $10 off)

Filigree Cuff Bracelet | Vintage

Oxford Platform Pumps | Ann Taylor (similar; similar)

Wax Molds and Head Colds

I had a friend in from out of town this weekend, and we spent an awesome time at the wax museum.

Fridays are normally jeans day in my office, but I had to bring a potential new hire to lunch.  I wanted to be somewhere in between work and jeans, since I knew that she would be in a suit and my fellow interviewer would be in jeans (since he was a last minute substitution and wouldn't have time to go home and change).

Silk Blend Full Skirt | Lands End Canvas (similar)

Blue Striped Oxford Shirt | Lands End Canvas (similar)

Black Studded Belt | J. Crew

Bracelets | Thrifted

Flower Pin | LOFT

Perfect Platform Pumps | Ann Taylor (similar, similar)

For our jaunt around town, E and I obvi had to make an effort.  Sorry for the bizarre angle.  You've got to work with what you've got.

Me:

Orange Blazer | Francesca's Collection

White Tee | LOFT

Skinny Jeans | LOFT

Animal Print Flats | J. Crew Factory

Caramelo Necklace | Anthropologie

Sunglasses | H&M

E:

Lace Tee | J. Crew

Black Denim | Banana Republic

Necklace | Kate Spade

Leopard Flats | Banana Republic

Bracelet | Forever21

I have a bit of a head cold today (courtesy of Mr. Matched), so excuse the slightly loopy look I'm wearing today.  E and I went shopping, and I bought this linen rugby striped shirt that I'd been eyeing, and finally got in my size.  I also bought that cute bow necklace.

Bow Necklace | J. Crew (similar)

Teal Stripe Button Down | J. Crew Factory

Rugby Stripe Boatneck Linen Blend Tee | J. Crew (similar; same in other colors)

Pencil Skirt | J. Crew Factory

Peacock Teal Patent Ama Pumps | Talbots (similar)

Silk Wrapped Rhinestone Bracelet | J. Crew

J. Crew

I feel very J. Crew today. I feel like this is something that J. Crew would put together.

This cardigan is actually an icy pink.  I feel like it looks more tan in here.  The shirt is also much more white and less creamy.  I'm still working on lighting problems, so bear with me.  I've done some more layered necklaces here (which I love).  I love the "sweetness" of the pearls, particularly with this more edge striped top.  I bought this top at Forever21, and I am ridiculously surprised at the quality.  It's not see-through, the fabric is very thick and a nice weight, there's a hidden placket, and there's even pockets on the front.  In fact, there's an almost identical one (same fabric and everything) at the Limited right now for 2X as much.  I can't find the top online, but I bought it recently, so you may be able to find it.  

I think my outfit is a little unexpected, but I felt like I owned it today. I felt really confident.  I wore my seafoam pumps for another layer of the unexpected.  Do you ever an "edgy" outfit together, but it makes you feel confident and not out of place?

Cardigan | H&M (similar)

Striped Shirt | Forever 21 (similar, seriously. In stores, the fabric is almost identical)

Skirt | Ann Taylor Factory (similar)

Charm Necklace | LOFT (similar)

Long Pearl Necklace | LOFT Factory (similar)

Bracelets | Forever 21 (same; same; another cute option)

Mona Pumps | J. Crew in Light Peacock (similar; similar)

Inching Closer to Fall

The weather is beautiful in DC.  It's not humid, not too hot, not too cold, and not raining.  I hear that this string of perfect weather lasts 3 seconds before turning cold, so I'm trying to get my fill.

I feel like maybe I shouldn't quite give up on summer colors, but I really wanted to wear my new scarf.  Isn't it pretty?  I love the paisley in the fabulous colors.  I went through 5 outfits this morning (and subsequently went from "early" to "late."

Haven't worn my favorite shoes in awhile, but I thought this brown on black sweater warranted it.  Read about my shoe saga here.

 How is everyone out there transitioning to Fall?  Is it good, bad or ugly?

Boat-Neck Polka Dot Sweater | Old Navy (other colors here. Keep checking in, I've found they get restocked; somewhat similar)

Paisley Tassel-Edge Scarf | Old Navy (same)

Pencil Skirt | J. Crew Factory

Lacquered Link Bracelet | Forever 21 (same)

Patent Cap Toe Pump | Ivanka Trump Gurdia (similar; similar; navy cap toe; splurge)

Red, white, and blue

Today is September 11th, and I want to start off by acknowledging those who died in the attacks 11 years ago, their families and loved ones, and for all those who serve (military, police, firefighters, etc.) both at home and abroad, including my husband.  I snuck out of work for an hour today to watch the wreath laying ceremony at the Navy Memorial. It was a beautiful day and a beautiful ceremony, minus the 2 teenagers who decided to ride their skateboards through the middle of it, interrupting the keynote speaker.  It was one of the most rude and disrespectful things I have seen in a long time.  I (and everyone else) was incredulous.

A bit unplanned, but I wore red, white and blue today.

I know it looks black, but I promise its navy.  I don't ever wear black and red together (go Jackets!).  This is a relatively mundane outfit for me, but I suppose the ruffled and pleated color and the striped skirt isn't quite so "mundane" for everyone else.  This skirt has a really nice exposed back zipper and an inverted pleat.  I tried to get a picture of it, but it was a total fail.  I added a leopard print belt for a bit of pizazz (animal print and glitter are neutrals, in case you haven't heard).

Navy Cotton Short-Sleeved V-Neck Cardigan | LOFT (similar; crew neck version)

Ruffled and Pleated Sleeveless Blouse | Ann Taylor Factory (similar)

Crinkle Stripe Skirt | LOFT (it comes back once a year either in Fall or Pre-Spring, and usually has some type of blazer in the same fabric)

Mad Men for Banana Republic Izzy Pumps | Banana Republic (similar; really cute pointy toe version and I love Ivanka Trump shoes; similar with cute, but NSFW heel; )

Leopard Belt | Target (similar)

Strawberry Shortcake

This is another jacket I bought ages ago, anticipating a big girl job.  I often worry about cap sleeves like this because they make me look like a linebacker, but I loved the strawberry color, the subtle jacquard print, and the retro cut.

I think this is one of those jackets that could be matronly, but with kickin' accessories, can update it.  I chose to add some seafoam.  I don't think it's that unexpected, but it's enough to make it interesting.

  

Do you ever get sucked into buy something that you love even though the cut may not be great for you?  Or do you have more self control than I do?

Strawberry Jacquard Swing Jacket | LOFT (similar on sale; similar)

Strawberry Tank | LOFT

Waterfall Necklace | Francesca's Collection (similar to Anthropologie's Stormy Seas Necklace) (same in coral and green; similar)

Navy Curvy Slacks | Ann Taylor Factory

Mona Pumps | J. Crew in Light Peacock (similar; similar)

Classic Combo Redone

Pink and green is a pretty standard color combo (particularly of those of us who lived in the south for so long -- very southern and preppy).  To make it look less "sweet," I mixed up this hot pink with a more unexpected olive green.

I got this jacket ages ago from the LOFT.  It's one of my fave's.  It channel Chanel, don't you think?  I thought the very feminine pink tweed needed something very hard, so I paired it with my LOFT bracelet that I got for being one of LOFT's top spenders.

Pink Boucle Blazer | LOFT (similar)
Olive Perfect Tee | LOFT (similar color)
Marisa Structured Linen Trousers | LOFT (similar; similar)
Military Peep Toe Bootie | ELLE for Kohls (similar)
Bracelet | Courtesy of LOFT (similar)
Anna Sheffield for LOFT Breast Cancer Awareness Necklace  | LOFT (similar + 40% off at checkout)

Still working out the camera issues.  Yay!

Evening shots = not so good for photographs

Can I just say that after work, I look so haggard?  I look way better in the morning (even though I'm not a morning person).  Also, the light that hits my photoshoot wall is better in the AM.  I got a new camera and am still playing with the settings, so forgive the noise.  I forgot to change the ISO.

Polka Dot Shirt | Tinley Road (same; sign up for e-mails and get $10 off)

Green Sateen Skirt | J. Crew Factory (similar, similar)

Pumps | Stuart Weitzman Platswoon (same; similar with hidden platform.  I highly recommend Ivanka Trump shoes)

I bought this shirt as a look-a-like to J. Crew's silk polka dot Blythe blouse (that I couldn't afford, but is very nice).  There are plenty of differences (J. Crew's is silk, mine is polyester; J. Crew's has larger silver dots; Mine is much more pinky-cream, and mine is see-through), but I thought it gave me the same "feel."  I also had a gift card to PiperLime courtesy of GoChicorGoHome (Let me know if you need an invite).  With such a "memorable" shirt, I was loathe to spend that much money on the silk version, given I could only wear it so often and wasn't really a wardrobe stable.  With all the discounts, I think I paid $25ish.

 Necklace | Kate Spade Enchanted Garden (better picture of it -- the "white" stones are actually a beautiful opalescent color; similar with extra 40% off at checkout)

 Studded Belt | J. Crew

I thought I'd pull out this skirt.  I haven't worn it in (most likely) more than a year.  Last summer, I was studying for the bar, and I think I was in pajamas most days.  This also falls in the "memorable" category, so there's only so much wear that I can get out of it.  I have a "casual" way I want to wear it when the weather gets a tad cooler, so be on the look out for that number later.

Burnt Umber Zip Cardigan | J. Crew Factory (similar v-neck with pockets, similar; similar)

Floral Pencil Skirt | J. Crew Factory Watercolor Floral Pastiche Skirt a.k.a. Abstract Floral Print Pencil Skirt (kinda similar, kinda similar; kinda similar for $17!)

 Chiffon Bow Blouse | Old Navy (similar; similar in coral and turquoise; similar in black and mustard)

Like my sock bun?

Bear with me while I get used to my new camera!

For all you Starbucks Addicts

LivingSocial is having a deal -- $5 for a $10 gift card:
https://www.livingsocial.com/deals/448600?ref=conf-jp&rpi=78417206

Chevron and Peacock

Hope you had a wonderful long weekend, everyone!  I certainly did.  Mr. Matched and I took a trip to Baltimore for the Baltimore Grand Prix.  I've been to plenty of NASCAR races, but haven't been to an Indy Car race yet.  It was a lot of fun!

Love the enthusiasm -- with Post-It Notes :)

I was cheering for James Hinchcliffe, fellow Canadian, and all-around hottie:

Even my nails got into the action:

 Justin Bieber's One Time Lime :)

OK - Now for the real post.
I haven't worn this skirt yet this year, and I really wanted to. I just bought this faboosh chevron top, and thought the two together would be great (notwithstanding that I have a navy-white wide striped top already.  Hey, chevrons are totes different).

I love that the chevrons point up, drawing the eye towards my face.  Plus, the downward angle around my shoulders serves to make them look smaller.  I have really broad shoulders, and I like that this top minimizes them.

Chevron Top | Ann Taylor (same on sale!)

Teal Pencil Skirt | Ann Taylor (similar, similar)

Necklace | Kate Spade, gift from friend (similar, similar, similar)

I love the way teal looks with berry/fuchsia.  I originally had on a flower pin, but it was a lot going on, so I just put on these pumps:

Pumps | Ivanka Trump Amoro (almost identical, Amoro in other colors)

BTW, is anyone else having trouble transitioning to fall?  It's HOT, but I feel like I shouldn't be in neon anymore because it's September.  Plus, I have a closet full of clothes, but I don't feel like wearing any of it.

Oh, and for all you Starbucks lovas out there, LivingSocial is having a deal -- $5 for a $10 gift card:
https://www.livingsocial.com/deals/448600?ref=conf-jp&rpi=78417206