Stuff I Wore: I'm a Big Girl Now (OOTD 1.13.12)

Cords here; Similar lace tank here

Something amazing happened last night.  Get ready to be stunned.....I did my own taxes.  Yeah, I know, thrilling.  Well, I'm the kind of person that tends to spend the extra money to have others do things that annoy me (i.e. laundry).  But, I decided that the $160 I spend on my accountant could be better spent else where (i.e. Anthropologie).  After I was done yelling at Turbo Tax (why could it NOT understand that DI on my W-2 stood for DISABILITY INSURANCE?!?!), I had a pretty nice refund coming my way.  These are the things I get mad and excited about these days...tax returns.  It used to be boys and parties.  I'm old now.  And appropriately, these color of these cords is "Dusty Clay."  Thanks J. Crew, I'm just a piece of dusty clay excited about my tax refund and asking my cats why Turbo Tax is SO STUPID.  (Seriously though, I'm sorry I yelled at you Turbo Tax.  You are wonderful).
And another outfit photo...with more awkwardness.

Lovely Dresses, Lovely Deals

S over at The Delightful Find posted about the cute new dresses at Target, so I took a look.  There are some adorable dresses out right now, all for $35 or less.  AND there is a coupon on Target's website that'll give you 20% off a dress! 

Target Dresses January 2012 by veggielawyer

Stuff I Wore: Rain Rain Go Away (OOTD 1.12.12)

Similar wellies; similar shirt

I was forced to wear my leaky rain boots to work two weeks ago.  As long as I don't step in puddles that are too deep, they still keep my feet dry.  But, guess what?  Yep, I stepped in a nice deep puddle.  I've since thrown the leaky shoes out and found a new pink pair, which will be featured soon!

I swapped out the flowered wellies for some brown boots when I got to work.  Squishy flowered wellies are not exactly workplace attire.  Although I guess walking around barefoot for an hour while my socks dried out on the heater wasn't all that professional.  I bring the class to the office.

Stuff I Wore: Stroke of Genius (OOTD 1.11.12)

This outfit inspired me to try something.  I hadn't worn these shoes in awhile and I wondered why.  And after a day of wearing them, I realized why they were banished to the back of my closet...they are instruments of pain.  Because I do not want to inflict this kind of pain on any other human being, they went directly in the garbage.  I know it's a waste, but seriously, you would be better off walking around barefoot.

Cardigan; Similar Skirt; Similar Tank
Polyvore Set

And thus, I decided to start the Use it or Lose it Challenge.  The gist of it, is that you pick out some items from your closet that you haven't worn in awhile and you get 30 days to wear them or you get rid of them.  

I've picked my 10 items and will feature them here over the next month, and then update you on what I kept and what got a one way ticket to the consignment shop.

And yet another bird print in my collection.

These shoes bypassed the consignment shop and went right in the trash.
They're cute, but deadly.  Don't be fooled.

Stuff I Wore: Navigating Curves (OOTD 1.10.12)

Occasionally I have a 14 year old girl moment where I irrationally throw a fit about something.  "Occasionally" could mean several times a week right?  Lucky for the world, these moments pass very quickly and only happen behind closed doors.  However, now that The Scot has moved in, he is privy to these moments.  (and apparently now the internet is too). 

Skirt worn here, similar here; Similar Sweater; Shoes worn here and similar here. 

OOTD 1.10.12 by veggielawyer

And "occasionally" these fits are directed at The Scot.  So, when I put on this outfit, The Scot says, "You look very [pause] curvy."  My response, "You paused!  What does that mean?!"  His reply (and saving grace), "No I meant like Joan Holloway curvy."  I take that as a compliment, but for future reference, don't say anything besides, "You look great" to me before 7 am and when I'm going to be late for work.  Because I will over-analyze and throw a 15 minute fit.

Also, based upon Gaia's interest in my skirt, I assume its made of Snausage fibers.  Seriously, out of about 20 pictures, this is the one in which she was least present.

Shoesday: Nautical Heels

Ok, I know I post a lot about J. Crew shoes, but it's only because they are so awesome.  My newest shoe obsession is the Evie Striped Peep-Toe Pump.  Nautical inspired fashion is every where this year.  I'm not on board (haha see what I did there?) with anchor and rope details, but I'm all for navy and white stripes.

Since I refuse to pay $258 for shoes, I have to wait until they go on sale or find a cheaper option.  

So far the contenders are: Guess's Nanci, but they are still $110 and I just don't love them as much.

And then there are Sam Edelman's Novato Striped Pumps.  I like these a bit better, but I fear they will be much too hard to walk in.   Any one else have some good recommendations for striped heels?

I picture myself on a boat in the Hamptons wearing a flowing yellow dress and straw hat with a big bow with  a whiskey sour or at a horse race in a coral sun dress with a flowered hat and a mojito.  (most of my clothing fantasies involve excuses to wear large hats and drink cocktails).  And since I'm not a character on "Revenge" or a member of any of the Desperate Housewives clans, I'll settle for prancing around my parents' backyard in some nautical heels.  Yeah, I don't even have my own backyard in which to prance.

Evie Striped Pumps Look #1 by veggielawyer

Evie Pumps Look #2 by veggielawyer

Don't forget to follow me via Bloglovin' or Google Reader if you aren't on Blogger.

Stuff I Wore: Sew Talented (OOTD 1.9.12)

Note: It looks like Google Friend Connect is going away in March for non-Blogger users.  So, make sure to follow me on Bloglovin or Google Reader.

Also, I've updated my "About Me" page, so you you want to know more about me, that's obviously the spot to go.

One of the benefits of shopping at nicer stores like J. Crew and Anthro is the service.  I had a particularly positive interaction with a J. Crew associate a few weeks ago.

I originally started the day off in these adorable Coach flats.  They're a few years old and I was perplexed as to why I hadn't worn them in awhile.  Around lunch time I figured out why; the top of the shoes dig painfully into my feet.  So, off to the consignment shop they went.

I had been eyeing this skirt for awhile at J. Crew.  So when it went on sale (plus an extra 30% off) I snatched it right up.  Unfortunately, I realized that the top button was hanging on by a thread.  I mentioned it to a store associate, but they didn't have any more in my size.  I figured, for the price, it was worth it to sew the button back on myself.  The store associate was nice enough to give me an additional 15% off on top of the already HUGE discount.  I think she gave me the student discount.  So, I got this skirt for $30 thanks to a sweet store associate.

Cardigan; Similar Skirt; Similar Camisole; Similar Earrings;

OOTD 1.9.12 by veggielawyer 

J Crew wool pleated skirt
£130 - net-a-porter.com

Tights
$50 - target.com

Lauren Conrad Floral Ruffle Camisole
$22 - kohls.com

Steve madden shoes
$40 - famousfootwear.com

J Crew Crystal Brulee Bracelet
$45 - jcrew.com

Lauren Conrad gold tone earrings
$8.40 - kohls.com

Let's Go Big Blue!!

Just a quick post before I run off to my friends' house for the Giants game. I hope you're all routing for the G-men today! This is what I wore to watch the game last week when the Giants overtook the Packers. There's a Giants shirt under there, but I worry about those NFL copyright rules. (or I just forgot to photograph the shirt underneath).  Today I will be donning my Eli Manning jersey.  (I got it super duper on sale when Eli was not doing so well earlier this season).

I don't even have time to edit this photo and put in the tag with the outfit details!!
Shirt // Forever 21; Boots // Steve Madden; Everything else // Target

Stuff I Wore: A Warm Winter's Day (OOTD 1.7.12)

As I look at the snow piling up outside my window, I yearn for the sunny 50 degree day 2 weeks ago.  ("Piling" might be an exaggeration.  We have about 2-3 inches on the ground now).

I wore my beloved Noon and Night Dress to the annual holiday party with my group of college friends.  Yes, we are still celebrating the holidays well into January.  We're all incredibly awesome and busy ladies, so life gets in the way of partying some times.  Our parties mostly consist of us eating and drinking too much. You should see the spread that we have at our parties.  It's pretty impressive.  In our group, some of us are good cooks and some of us are just good food shoppers.  I am the latter.

Dress: worn here; similar here; Similar Shirt; Similar Shoes; Similar Necklace (it's a bee instead of a giraffe) 

The Noon and Night Dress is definitely one of my favorite purchases.  And it seems to be a crowd pleaser as well.  When I was getting ready for the party, I texted my bestie Elena to ask her what I should wear.  her response?  Noon and Night!  At the party, my friend Tiff kept touching the skirt of the dress and saying, "it feels like a tapestry."  Yeah, that's a compliment.  We're weird like that.

OOTD 1.7.12 by veggielawyer

Noon and Night Dress
$158 - anthropologie.com

Dorothy Perkins blue shirt
£20 - dorothyperkins.com

Forever 21 ring
$2.66 - forever21.com

Steve Madden oxford pants
youlookfab.com

J Crew j crew jewelry
richgirlfashionnews.blogspot.com

Weekend Sale Roundup: January 20-22, 2012

Ann Taylor: 30% off your entire purchase (use code SPRING 30 at checkout)

Ann Taylor Loft: Extra 60% off all sale items (use code SHOPSALE at checkout)

Banana Republic: 30% off your entire order, online ONLY (use code BRUPDATE at checkout)

Bloomingdale's: 50-60% off coats and 30-50% off winter accessories

Express: Additional 40% of sale items.

Forever 21: Sale items are now up to 75% off

J. Crew: Extra 30% off all sale items (use code MUSTHAVE at checkout).  I think in stores it's now up to 40%.

Old Navy: 20% off your entire purchase, online ONLY (use code SURPRISE20 at checkout)

Pottery Barn: White Sale.  20% bedding and bath.

Sephora: Receive a free sampler of 14 face products with you shop online (use code TRY14 at checkout)

The Limited: Extra 40% off sale items

White House Black Market: $20 off your purchase of $80 or more

Vera Bradley: Spend $75 or more and get a free gift.  Choose from a tech case, planner or something called a ditty bag.

Stuff I Wore: The Outfit that Saved the World (OOTD 1.6.12)

**Please note that I am typing this post with sight in only one eye because I have a ZIT ON MY EYE LID!!  How does that happen?!  It is surprisingly painful and The Scot says the only way to get rid of it is to hold a warm wet washcloth over my eye several times a day.  So, yes, I am wearing a washcloth eye patch right now.  Sorry for any typing mistakes as I have no depth perception at the moment.

January 6, 2012 will forever be known as the day I accidentally dressed like a super hero.  Awhile ago I was inspired by Pinterest to try mustard tights with a navy dress.  I was waiting until I found a navy dress.  I finally found one a few weeks ago at Marshall's for only $10!

However, I was not as happy with the outfit as I had hoped.  I guess they all can't be winners!  I went out Friday night with a friend and replaced the yellow tights with black and added a brown belt.

Stuff I Wore: No such phrase as "too much" (OOTD 1.5.12)

This outfit really had everything.  Bird print, lace slip, AND bows?!?!  Too much?  Nah!  When I asked The  Scot whether this outfit had too much pink and purple, he answered, "No...because you're late for work."  So, I really don't know if it had too many berry colors or too many focal points.  I'm biased.  I love all of those things.  if only I could have added some rhinestones or sequins some where...

Similar Shirt
Skirt in Neon Azalea (mine is plum something or other)
I got this skirt for $42 recently when J. Crew was offering an extra 40% off sale items in store!  It's one size too big, but I just tucked my shirt into it and I might get it altered.

After photoshopping my outfit photo I discovered that this is the Avec Toi Slip by Qi.

I thought this bird print was pretty unique.  I found this shirt hiding on the sale rack at Marshall's.  However, I've now seen the print on Feathers and Freckles in a dress from Francesca's Collections.  This little print perplexes me.

I bought this necklace at a Banana Republic outlet years ago.  I've since had to have it fixed by a friend who makes jewelry for her Etsy shop.  I've never found a similar enough necklace to link to when I feature it in my OOTD's.  Anyone ever see any thing like this?

Crisis!

It's over which owl lamp I should buy, so I might be overreacting.  I really like owls, and I've decided that my love needs to move right into my lighting fixtures.  I saw the owl lamp on the left over at West Elm months ago and fell in love.  But, its expensive.  Is $99 too much to pay for a lamp?  And then I spied the owl lamp on the right on Target's website.

Owl Lamps by veggielawyer on polyvore.com

Fall Décor & Curated Collection | west elm
$99 - westelm.com

Owl Lamp : Target
$34 - target.com




I am so torn.  I like that West Elm's version is more realistic and vintage-y.  I'm not in love with the cartoonish-ness of Target's lamp, but it might go better with my not-so-vintage decor.  
For the record The Scot's pick is the Target lamp, for two reasons.  One, he's cheap.  Two, he claims that the West Elm owl looks like it's staring at him and judging him.
Any advice?  Please weigh in on which one you prefer!