The Ann Taylor Polka Dot Jacquard Skirt...

Yes, it arrived yesterday.  Yes, I know that I just wore this blouse here a few days ago... but from the moment I saw this wonderful skirt, there was no other blouse in my closet that I wanted to pair it with.

I am so happy with the outcome. 

When I saw it, I did not hesitate.  I immediately jetted over to Ann Taylor Loft's Website and ordered my own.  LOVE IT!  When I saw the package in my mailbox last night I almost cried.  Kidding.

Seriously, I knew that it would get its debut today.  I simply could not wait to wear it.

It is only lunchtime and I have received numerous compliments.  Numerous.  One while waiting on DART this morning.  Two in the elevator coming up to the office.  Yet another from the shoeshine man down in the lobby.  Pause... breathe... Albert is one of my most valued fashion critics.  He has been "helping" me for years.  If Albert doesn't like something I wear, it is not likely to see the rotation again.  Hee Hee

Do any of you have a gentleman that you look to for advice/critics on your wardrobe?

Moving on...

Unfortunately, the pictures I took are less than ideal.  None of them really show the detailing in this lovely Jacquard Elongated Pencil Skirt from the Loft.  As of this post it was still available.

For this reason, I beg Lindsey's forgiveness for using this photo.  I hope that is okay?  Her pictures just do such a far better job of illustrating just how gorgeous this skirt truly is.  She has styled it pretty amazingly as well, huh?  If you have never read her blog (Saucy Glossie), you are missing out.  Impeccable style.

So on to my boring photos...

First, the skirt... It is the subtle polka dot detailing that makes it unique in my eyes.

Next, the blouse.  Again, that subtle polka dot pattern.  match made in heaven.

Well?

And together...

Throw in my lovely beige suede heels...

... and an ensemble has come together.

I am LOVING this outfit!  This combination is probably going to make regular appearances in the rotation.

Hee Hee

Is there anything in your closet that you find yourself wanting to wear all of the time?

Any combinations that just seem to keep calling to one another?

So now I am off to wonder the halls of our building in search of another compliment or two.  To obvious?

Hee Hee

Have A Wonderful Day!

-- The Leather Skirt --

Mint Green & A Movie...

If you read my blog at all, you certainly know that I absolutely LOVE black.  Who doesn't?  It is just so easy, so versatile.  It goes with almost anything.  Always looks sharp.  What's not to love?

Today is a radical departure for my blog... but not actually unusal for me at all.  I actually wear this skirt quite often, especially during the warmer months.

For some reason it just hasn't appeared on my blog before?

This lovely mint green skirt is from Talbots.  I have had it since college.  Seriously.  Have a pastel pink one as well.  Both are in regular rotation and have been for years.  Amazing how a quality garmet will hold up for years if it is cared for.  Do you have anything more than ten years old that you still wear regularly?

Everytime I pull it out, I smile just a little.  The little pleats on the back are just too cute.  Hee Hee

Today I chose a little more "statement"... yet subduded.  Is that possible?  I think so.

Anyway... what do you think of the blouse I paired with the skirt?

  

Well?

Add in a sweet pair of suede heels with a cute little bow and I feel like a little girl getting ready for church on Sunday morning.  I may have to skip home this afternoon?  Hee Hee

I showed you the heels back in December and mentioned how they made me feel "girlie" then, too.  Funny.

And it all comes together...

It is Friday.  I go out to Sis's place tonight after work for dinner and a movie with the kids.  My niece told me the movie's name but it didn't mean anything to me.  Hee Hee  Sis tells me to just smile.  She also tries to convince me that some of them are even good.  Hee Hee

No matter, I cherish these moments.  They are growing so fast... already.  I know that they have only been out here a few months but I swear that both of them have grown about six inches.

Well, gotta get out the door and off to work.  Need to leave on time tonight... don't want to be late for my dinner and movie date.

-- The Leather Skirt --

Please, No Heart Attacks...

Yes, here I am for a second day in a row.  Lesser things than the sudden appearance of a long forgotten blog two days in a row have been known to cause cardiac arrest. 

Paraphrasing the Viagra commercial...

"Contact your doctor to see if your heart is healthy enough to continue reading."

Assuming that everyone has managed to calm back down...

Yesterday I went a little "edgy" because, well, I love my leather skirts and because the weatherman said it would be decidedly hotter today. 

He is right.

The good news.  It is expected to be a bit cooler (Texas standards, okay?) tomorrow so who knows?  Also have a dear friend's 40th birthday bash Saturday night.  Almost certainly breaking out one of my lovelies for that!

So today... just to keep my neighbors & co-workers guessing... I went a little "lighter", both in color and in material.

I actually showed you this ensemble back in February but with some lovely tall boots that I adore.  Oops, I didn't realize that fact until I started look back through my blog for places that I have worn this marvelous blouse.  Oh well, who has a bottomless closet?

BTW... the blouse can be found here as well.

Since the boots are not really "August Appropriate" I am wearing some beautiful bronze heels today.

   

What do you think?

Just a little tighter shot.

Oldies but goodies.

A little feminine touch near the toes.

If you have been wondering where I have been... two things...

FIRST... thank you for caring enough to wonder 

AND

SECOND... thank you for dropping in again.  I will try so hard to be better.  I really do miss my blog... AND your blogs, too.

Things are improving both for my sister (and her kids) and for me.  I am spending more time back in "my world" and less in theirs.  I am always "there" whenever any of them need Aunt Jordan but we all need some space, too.

Already thinking about tomorrow's ensemble and post... look out...

-- The Leather Skirt --

Valentine's Day... The Red Leather Skirt Edition...

I did it, I wore the red leather skirt today.

This skirt...

How beautiful is that color?

When I first saw it on EBay I almost did not buy it.  I mean, it is red for goodness sake!  Where in the world would I wear a red leather skirt?  Surely even I would not wear such a skirt to work... would I?  As much as I work it is hard to justify purchases that cannot spend at least some time at the office.

This beauty was made for Saks Fifth Avenue but I bet I bought it for far less than its original owner.  Are you ready for this?  $25.00!  Shipping and all!

I decided that for that price I would get it home and then decide if I actually had the courage to give it a spin.

What do you think?  Was it worth a role of the dice?

As for today, honestly, I was a bit aprehensive about wearing the skirt but I talked myself into it. 

But... I wanted to ensure that I had not stretched the limits of our rather conservative office dress code too far so I was VERY careful to pick complimentary pieces that I think helped to minimize the "extremeness" of a red leather skirt at the office.

What do you think?  Did I do well in my choices?

Pretty little "girly" blouse.  Feminine and professional.  Understated.

Naturally, I tucked the blouse in though.  You just cannot let a skirt like this not be on full display.  Hee Hee

Senseable collar.  Not too much showing... you know what I mean.

They work together rather well.  I may put these two together on their own one weekend soon?

Again, in keeping with my effort to make the whole ensemble as "professional" as possible... I went with a simple black blazer from one of my suits.  Tasteful.  Understated.

I thought briefly about my beloved tall black boots but decided at the last minute that these Stuart Wietzman shoes would be more "professional" and would help to play down the color of this skirt.

What do you think?  Would have you gone with the boots?

And the full ensemble...

Well, was I successful?  Did I pull off an acceptable office look while wearing my red leather skirt?

In the end, the experience could not have been any less eventful.  A couple of people at the office commented about how much they loved the color... that was it.

I think this baby will see the light of day again soon...

BTW... Valentine's was kinda lame for me.  How was yours?

I met an old college buddy for dinner.  We have done this every year when both he and I do not have a Valentine's Day date.  Sadly, there have been far too many Valentine's Day dinners between the two of us over the years.  Hee Hee

No frowny faces... it really is okay.

- The Leather Skirt -

Winter Has Returned...

Okay, so many of you are laughing at the mere thought of Winter in Dallas.  I know.  Don't laugh.  Cold is relative just as hot is relative.  Remember your laughter at me now when you are complaining about how hot it is where you live next August.

Now that we have cleared that up... it is rather cold today.  England cold, actually.  The temperature is not really all that low but it is damp, a little breezy... just uncomfortable.

How else should a stylish lady (I said to stop laughing!) deal with a chilly day?

Why leather, a great blazer and comfy boots, of course!

Today's attire...

As anyone that reads my blog (or I guess anyone who just read its name?) knows, I love my leather skirts.

I wear them to the office regulary but I think it is very important to take some of the "edge" off the skirt when I wear it to the office.  Considering this fact, the items that I pair with the skirt are critical in my opinion.

Although I do not always wear a blazer to work with my leather skirts I do think it is appropriate.  In my opinion, a good blazer provides a professional finish to virtually any ensemble. 

This particular blazer is just one of many items in my closet from Harold's.  All together now... "I miss that store."  I really do.  Talbots is a satisfactory replacement but it just isn't the same.  The world is a less happy place without Harold's in it.  Okay, perhaps that was a little melodramtic.  Hee Hee

So what do you think of my blazer?

I think this blouse is a perfect partner as well.  Subtle & classy.  I will even pair this blouse with a leather skirt without a blazer on a warmer day.  I hear you snickering about my thinking it is cold.  That isn't nice.

I think that the black tones in the blazer go well with the skirt.  What do you think?

My beloved tall black boots by Born...

And the finished look...

A quick story for today...

Do you remember my "office building friend" with the leather pants?  I first mentioned her in this post and then again here.  Believe it or not... we are twins today!  I have a full fledged convert.  I have to admit, I felt rather proud (not sure if that is appropriate?), maybe a little vindicated, when I saw her getting on the elevator ahead of me this morning.  She had a leather skirt on... kid you not!  I am sure it was her.  Unfortunately, I couldn't catch up to her so we didn't get to talk.  Hopefully I will see her when I return to the office in a few minutes.  We'll see?

WHOOPS!  Turns out the lady that I saw on my way in to the building yesterday was not my "friend" at all.  Not sure who she was but it wasn't the lady that I have encountered in the post mentioned above.  Ironically, as I raced back in from lunch (about 15 minutes after finishing the text above) I saw her out smoking in a completely different outfit.  Unless she did a quick change, I was mistaken about whom I saw earlier.

Oh well, it would have made a nice story, huh?

Obviously my friend has come around on the idea of a leather skirt at the office.  What are your thoughts on the matter?  Is it appropriate?

One last thing... on this post I answered a question regarding my least favorite trend.

Originally I said that my least favorite thing are baggy jeans.  I still don't like that but I want to ammend my answer today.  Is that okay?

Whether it is or not...

I actually dislike seeing women go out in their pajama bottoms.  Do they know that these are not actually pants?  Do they care?  I don't know but I am certain that it is unattractive.  Spend another couple of minutes and at slip on a pair of jeans.  Is that asking too much?

Now that I have probably offended a few... lunch is over... back to the grind...

Have a fantastic day!

- The Leather Skirt -