I Want My Gold Star Now, Please...

Today will make three days in row with a new post.  Yea!  

I was challenged by Thu over on her blog to get a post up again today.  She promised me a "gold star" if I did, hence the name of today's post.  Thu, I'll be waiting.

BTW... check out her blog, she has great style!

With that said, I am not sure when I will get another one up but hopefully soon.

You see, I just found out that our client presentation from back just before Thanksgiving was accepted in full... Yes!  We (read me) will be quite busy the next few weeks as we pull all of the details together.  I don't mind busy, especially given the state of things for so many people.  Enough... onto today's attire...

I had so much fun yesterday twirling around in my tulip skirt that I decided to go decidedly "girlie" again today.  My frilly blue sheer blouse would be just the right place to start.  Don't worry, there is a camisol so I didn't reveal too much at the office.  Hee Hee

The blouse...

Isn't it just so "girlie"?  I love the frilly neck line and the sheer material.  I don't actually feel like twirling while wearing this blouse but there is a bit of a bounce in my step.  A little extra sway... step aside boys... there is a girl in the hallway.  Hee Hee

Do you have anything in your closet that makes you feel that way?

I decided to pair the blouse with a simple khaki skirt as I just didn't want there to be any added distractions.  I wanted to the blouse to be able to speak for itself.  You know what I mean?

Notice... I am not tucked in.  You will not see this often.  What can I say, I like "clean lines" so I actually feel a little sloppy, somewhat "unfinished" when my tops are not tucked.  I know, I am a little weird.  This is one of my few blouses that really doesn't lend itself to being tucked but I like it too much not to wear it anyway.    

How about you?  Do you prefer to wear a blouse tucked or not?  Does it even matter?

To finish off today's ensemble I opted for the coolest shoes in my closet.  Okay, so I say that about lots of my shoes but I guess that's good, huh?  A girl has got to be happy with her collection of shoes, right?  Anyway...

What do you think?  Aren't they just the sharpest blue heels you have ever seen?

I just LOVE them but they rarely see the light of day because they are blue.  I have a "thing" for "matchy - matchy" so if I am not wearing something like this blouse they will most likely get passed over for something else.  Hey, I am who I am.  Hee Hee

So the final ensemble came together like this...

So what do you think?  Does it say, "I am all girl but I am also a serious business woman?"

Hope You Have A Great Day

- The Leather Skirt -

Start With The Shoes...

This is two days in a row that I have gotten a post up!  I actually considered naming this post just that.  

Hee Hee 

Do I get some kind of an award?  A "smiley face" on my paper?  A gold star?  Anything?  

Hee Hee

Anyway, when I work on my outfit for the next day (Yes, I actually plan the night before most of the time), I rarely start with the shoes.  My shoe of choice always ends up being the last thing I consider.  Today's outfit could not have come together any differently.  Today I "found" these babies in my closet and simply could not help myself.  I have not worn them in so long. 

I think the color is so perfect.  How could I not build today's outfit around these lovelies?

Believe it or not, as much as I love the entire purple "family", I really don't have that much in my closet.  Perhaps that will be my post-Christmas shopping plan?  Given my limited options I decided on a bit of a pin-striped theme.  Both pieces are from Harold's again today.  Sensing a theme?

Here you go...

I think it's a cute little blouse.  Maybe a little too casual?  What do you think?  I like it so I suppose that is what matters.  Here is the whole look together...

I feel like such a girl when I wear this skirt.  The tulip shape just makes me want to twirl.  I don't usually twirl but I want to someday.  Hee Hee

I wish that I would have taken closeup shots of this skirt.  It really is quite darling.  The shape alone is very feminine in my estimation but there is also a wonderful lace hem at the bottom for that added little touch.

Do you have a particular piece that you generally "build" your outfit around?

Have A Wonderful Day

- The Leather Skirt -

Back To The Grind...

Thanksgiving Weekend is over and my trip was wonderful.  Even the flying part was tollarable.  The weekend was busy and my my flight was later getting back in than originally planned but I am so glad that I went.

I hope that you had a great holiday weekend as well?

Anyway, I had planned this huge post detailing what I had packed for my trip but, alas, the opportunity just didn't present itself.  Ugh!  Does anyone else ever have a post idea in their head that just never materializes?  Frustrating... at least for me. Given that it is Monday and the entire trip is over, I figured that it is best to just move on.  Oh well.

I don't really know why I titled this post that way, I truly love my job, perhaps a little too much.  Hee Hee

With that said, Monday is the start of a new work week and although I cannot say I actually look forward to it, I do not dread it at all.  Returning to work after a long weekend is especially fun for me.  It is good to see most everyone again, catch up on their lives, just re-engage.  But it is Monday AND it is quite chilly today... at least for this part of the country... so I went with a nice cozy sweater and some tall boots.  Yummy.

Here is what I am wearing today...

Both the sweater and the skirt are from Harold's but I don't know for sure if I bought them at the same time.  I have had them both for some time.  I have said it before but I REALLY miss Harold's.  Such classic stuff.

This sweater is SO SOFT and SO WARM.  I love to pair it with so many things in my closet at this time of the year.  You will definitely see it again.  Some say that whites and beige are boring tones, I say that they are versatile and classic.  

 LOVE this skirt.  I think it is so sharp.  What do you think?

Simple combination but I think these two pieces were born to go together.  Speaking of Born...

If you have read my blog for a little while you last saw these boots here.  Hint... you will probably see them again.  Hee Hee

These are one of my favorite pairs of boots.  This particular pair is by Born.  If you have never owned a pair of Born boots, get some.  Comfortable and sharp.  Killer combination.

I am not sure that it is possible to have too many good pairs of tall boots.  I wear them 8-9 months a year.  The summer months are just too hot but come that first little cool spell I will break them out regularly all the way through Memorial Day.  How much of the year do your taller boots get to see the street?

With that my lunch hour is rapidly drawing to a close.  Have a great day!

- The Leather Skirt -

I'm Leaving On A Jet Plane...

Tomorrow morning (early) I head back east for the Thanksgiving Holiday.  Family and old friends.  Always an occasion to love and embrace.  Work keeps me so busy that I do not get this chance often enough so when it comes I just relish in it!

Before I go on, I hope all of you have a MOST WONDERFUL THANKSGIVING!

Anyway, I am actually not much of a fan of the airplane in general.  They are loud and uncomfortable.  They can only be accessed through airports that are crowded and inconvenient.  During this, the busiest travel time of the year, it is only worse.  I know that some of you out there are reading this thinking that I am such a whiner... perhaps, but I am just speaking the truth... I don't like to fly... I don't like anything about it, which brings me to my outfit of choice for tomorrow's journey.

Many people opt for tennis shoes and jeans or even sweat pants for these types of journeys but you know that neither really fits with my personality.  I am going to always be "dressed" by many people's standard.

With that said, if I have to do something that I really don't want to do, I suspect that I should do it wearing something that I truly love to wear.  Hence...

 

Naturally, I broke out my leather skirt for the trip.

I paired it with an oxford style blouse in this soft pink to lighten the look a bit.

I am traveling to visit family after all.  Hee Hee.  Actually, I probably could have worn a suit and fit right in at home. I will get to that in a later post.

 I know that you have seen this skirt before in a previous post but I always like to include a closeup simply because the leather is so soft.  I wish that the picture could truly do this fact justice.

The blouse is simple and relaxed, a perfect compliment for a day of travel.

Don't you think the two flow well together?

Ordinarally I would immediately reach for my tall boots to pair with this outfit but I am planning something a little different.  We'll see if I change my mind come the morning?   I intend to wear these instead...

I have to have some kind of a heel.  That is a given.  But these babies give me the flexibility to slip them off now and again during the flight.  Yes, I said it, I like to let me toes breath just a little while traveling in such cramped quarters.  That's right, I'm the one.  Hee Hee.

It might be a little cool back home for these but I think as long as I don't get surprised by six inches of snow I will be okay.  Hope so?

Back in a couple of days with a short review of what I wore during the holiday break.

- The Leather Skirt -

The Hounds Have It...

As I mentioned in my previous post, it has been an incredibly busy week at the office.  But alas, our client presentation was delivered today and the initial feedback has been good.  We'll see what their final decisions are soon, probably after the upcoming holiday.  Wish me luck... it's a HUGE deal!

By the way, my decision to delve into the world of the blogosphere has broadened my perspective on fashion somewhat.  First I became an avid reader of your various fashion blogs, then I would occasionally leave a comment and then finally I decided to author a blog myself.  Prior to doing so, I would NEVER had considered entering a resale shop and I almost certainly would not have purchased clothing on EBay.  I thank several of you for altering my thinking just a little.

Anyway, last Saturday I managed to sneak away from work long enough to do something that I had only done once before... visit a resale shop.  I am quite fond of buying things new, especially if I will be wearing them so the mere though of a resale shop never really entered my mind.  Additionally, there is the "problem" of the "hunt" in such establishments.  My limited experiences with businesses such as TJ Max give me the same sort of feeling.  I don't deny the values available but I have previously struggled to justify the investment in time and effort.  Believe it or not, I really am not much of a shopper.

You may recall from this post that I recently purchased a pair of leather jeans from EBay.  This is true but the seller said they had not been worn AND I didn't have to look through multiple racks to find them.  EBay is almost a miracle (word is used VERY lightly) as things sometimes literally "fall" into your lap.  This was one such time.

With all of that said, I want to show off what I was so lucky as to find at this little resale shop... the cutest Houndstooth skirt I could ever have wished for and only $7.00!  You may recall from this post that I was considering purchasing one from Talbot's for $108.00 just a little over a week ago.  No need to do that now... BONUS!  You may also remember from this post that I was a HUGE fan of Harold's until it went out of business.  Well, this skirt is from a Harold's collection AND new with tags when I bought it.  DOUBLE BONUS!!

 

So what do you think?  I think I am going to get loads of wear out of it!  I am truly excited!  LOVE!

I was so excited with my new prize that I just had to give it a spin on Sunday.  Off to church, a few quick errands, my weekly Sunday stroll (yes, I actually do a Sunday stroll... Hee  Hee) and then out to dinner.  She worked masterfully for all occasions!

I chose to pair the new skirt with this lovely white blouse that I have had for years.  It is simply a white blouse (which makes it so reliable & endlessly functional) but the over sized buttons give it a little "story" that makes it just a little unique.  I am a fan.  Can you tell?

As you can clearly see, this blouse is one of my many Talbot's items. 

 

I think they compliment each other very well.  The white tones down the Houndstooth and the skirt offers the simple blouse some character.

To complete the look I opted for a pair of my tall black boots by Born.  If you have never worn a pair you owe it to yourself.  Classy.  Chic.  Eminently walkable.  

I selected these as i didn't want anything taking away from new skirt.

Here is how it all came together.

 On Monday i went with something different but I didn't get it photographed.  Sorry.

But... on Tuesday I had to break the new skirt back out again for work.  This time I paired it with one of my favorite suits.  It is simply black but the collar offers a little more interest than the normal expectation.  I wish the picture would have made that more apparent.

 

 In keeping with the whole "corporate executive" thing that I had going on this particular day I went with some simple black heels.  I am never without a pair of heels.  In fact, other than a handful of sandals and my workout shoes I don't believe I even own a pair of flats?

 

I really would loved to have worn my new prize again this past week but I have to keep reminding myself that a little goes a long way.  Besides, next week I am back east for Thanksgiving so I believe it will get a spin there next.  Hee Hee.

So, as the post has been entitled, "The Hounds Have It!" 

Lastly, I want to give well deserved credit to a couple of blogs that I read regularly that have inspired me to "dip my toes" into the resale water.  I am not likely to ever be as patient nor as talented as these ladies when it comes to these sorts of things but I suspect I will venture out to see what I can find again.  

Sarah at Coming Unstitched 

Kassi at The Closet Intervention

Indiana at Adored Austin

Jodi at Day 2 Day Wear

Jennifer at Belle de Couture

Jentine at My Edit

Ladies, thank you for your inspiration.  For those that I missed, I humbly apologize.

- The Leather Skirt -

The Liebster Blog Award...

Whew!  What a week it has already been!  Actually it started late last week when my team was handed a last minute suspense at work.  I ended up in the office much of the day on Saturday and have been working very hard each day since.  BTW... I work from home often on the weekend but I rarely actually have to go in to the office so this was something of great importance.  I thought about telling my boss that the suspense would have to wait as I had not gotten a new post up on my blog in several days but decided that she would not find that nearly as funny as I do.  Hee Hee

Anyway... upon getting back to my personal computer for more than what I like to call "my 15 minutes of sanity", I see that one of my new friends from the blogosphere (CK of CK Staying Warm) has graciously honored me with "The Liebster Blog Award".  CK, I am humbled beyond words.  THANK YOU.

“The Liebster Blog Award" is awarded by fellow bloggers and is given to up and coming blogs with fewer than 200 followers. Liebster is actually a German word meaning dear, sweet, kind, nice, good, beloved, lovely, kindly, pleasant, valued, cute, endearing, and welcome. Wow!  I thought English was a hard language to master.

To keep this award going, I am to pass the award along to 5 other new deserving bloggers who have less than 200 followers.

The rules for the Liebster Blog Award are simple:.. well, maybe not so simple...
1. Thank the giver and link back to the blogger who gave it to you.
2. Reveal your top 5 picks and let them know by leaving a comment on their blog.
3. Copy and paste the award on your blog.
4. Have faith that your followers will spread the love, too!”

Ok, #1 & #3 were easy.  Done, but I will do them again as it only seems right.  truly the least that I can do.

CK, I truly am amazed that you would think of my little blog.  Thank you SO MUCH.

Although you would struggle to find anyone that would say I am patient I think that I can handle # 4 easily.

Unfortunately, # 2 was not so easy.  I read (or at least breeze by) so many blogs everyday that it really was difficult to narrow it down to only five.  Fortunately, the requirement that the blog have fewer than 200 followers helped to narrow things down.  Also, I decided to limit my honorees to those blogs that I ALWAYS read and not just the ones that I sometimes breeze through.  With that said, my list, in no particular order:

Kassi at "The Closet Intervention"

Sarah at "Coming Unstitched"

Clochet at "Clochet.com"

Bessie at "Bravoe Runway"

Natasha at "Required To Be Inspired"

Honestly, it wasn't easy to narrow this list to just five but I think I did reasonably well.  Each of these talented and beautiful ladies inspires me in such different ways.

Kassi at "The Closet Intervention" is a master in the art of bargain hunting, specifically the unknown treasures available in the world of consignment shops and vintage stores.  She doesn't even know this yet but she actually inspired me to give a consignment store a try last Saturday.  Kassi, I will divulge my most prized discovery in the next post.

Sarah at "Coming Unstitched" is a woman after my own heart.  She works at home but doesn't let that discourage her from dressing with purpose each day.  Additionally, she so thoughtfully shares her talents for pulling together stylish ensembles with anyone that asks for her thoughts.  I can't imagine the hours she invests just to come up with posts like this one. A reader asked for some help with unique wardrobe needs and Sarah jumped right in.

Clochet at "Clochet.com" shares my love for a great leather skirt.  She pairs them with other classic pieces with such effortless style.  So ladylike.  You can see a couple of her recent inspirational posts here and here (this one is my favorite).  She is also one of the very first people to take the time to read my little blog and cannot thank her enough for that. 

Bessie at "Bravoe Runway" is the "diva" of the bunch.  I mean that in absolutely the BEST possible way.  Every outfit that she shows us on her blog takes my breath away.  It is not just the clothes, it is her confidence that translates so amazingly well through the pictures and words.  Bessie inspires me to dress a little better every single day.

Natasha at "Required To Be Inspired" also inspires me to dress a little better each day although from a little different perspective.  Bessie lives in Chicago and I suspect is rarely the only woman on the street well tailored.  However, Natasha lives in a very small town and I suspect deals with odd looks and questionable stares frequently.  In no way does this fact deter her from going about her day dressed ever so well.  I am impressed beyond words.

I look forward to hearing what you think of these talented ladies' respective blogs.

Well, there they are.  For those that hear from me regularly, please do not be offended, there is simply only room for five.  I could have easily included at least ten more.  I hope that you know who you are?

- The Leather Skirt -

Fierce...

Just a couple of days ago a posted here on my blog, looking for some help deciding between two new suits that I had my eye on.  In case you were curious, the overwhelming sentiment seemed to lean away from the Houdstooth.

Anyway, the author (Kassi) of one of my very favorite blogs ("The Closet Intervention"), left a comment on the post that got me to thinking.  Her quote...

"...you could get the red blazer as well. A red blazer would look fierce with your leather pants and skirts. Just sayin."

Fierce.  I like that word.  I like the mere thought of looking "fierce."  What woman wouldn't?  Well, maybe there are woman that wouldn't want to invite any unwanted attention but if you have read my blog at all, you know that I am not one of them.  If you're reading my blog for the first time try reading this post or this one to better understand what I mean.  Anyway... as I was saying, I was intrigued with the suggestion.

At the moment I do not own a red blazer but I do have lots of red in my closet.  Not too much red, not sure that is possible, but enough to figure something out.  Fierce, still thinking... fierce.  What can pull this together in just the right way?  As I searched my closet I stumbled onto something that I haven't worn in forever... I used to LOVE it but somehow it had been forgotten.  How does that happen?  Here is what I discovered and how I pulled it all together for today's outfit.

I thought about wearing my tall boots, as I so often do this time of the year but decided if the goal truly was "fierce", my Stuart Wietzman pumps that have gotten precious little wear would be the best best.  Did I make the right call?

How cool is that shoe?  If you ask me, the picture doesn't really do their beauty justice.

I give Kassi all of the credit that she so richly deserves, the red combined with the leather skirt really is "fierce".  I am honestly not sure why I have not ever done that before?  I tend to lean towards more muted tones when looking for pairings for my leather skirt and leather pants.  As much as I do LOVE wearing them, I am also looking for ways to "tone them down" just a tad.  Red just seems so bold.  As happy as I am with this ensemble it is pretty likely that you will be seeing more of these sorts of pairings.

Perhaps I was concerned that such a bold color was a little too much?  Not sure if I felt like that in general or only because I intended to wear this outfit to work?  Maybe without the jacket the red sweater would be a little "over the top" for the office?  Speaking of the jacket...

Look at the stitching in this thing.  Look at the texture.  Say what you will, I truly LOVE it!  How did that EVER find it's way to back of my closet?  I already have multitudes of other ideas.  You may see this one again sometime soon as well.  Hee  Hee.

If nothing else has come of this blog, I really like the fact that it has me being more "creative" when I step into me closet now.

Just a few more hours at work today and then I think I will "hit the town!"  Okay, just a little exageration.  Needless to say, I think that I look "fierce" enough today that I at least am due dinner and a drink.  Gonna call the girls now... HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!

- The Leather Skirt -

Know Anyone Who Has Had Cancer...

Pretty serious question for a fashion blog, huh?  I suppose it is a pretty serious question no matter what?

Unfortunately, I have known a few people over the years that have dealt with this awful human scourge.  It is not fun for anyone, not the people who have the disease, not their loved ones, not their doctors & nurses, not anyone.

This blog is supposed to be fun so I am not here to write about the awful things surrounding this dreaded disease, but rather one of the true blessings that so often come from it.  Odd to even think, huh?

People pull together in time of disaster and war.  make no mistake, combating cancer is war.

Last night while watching the Country Music Association Awards Show... I know, I'll get to that in a moment... Martina McBride sang the most beautiful song, entitled "I'm Gonna Love You Through It".

You can find the video here already.  You have just got to LOVE YouTube.

What is so important here are the lyrics of the song.  Listen.  Soak them in.  Let them breathe.

The song is about a husband leading his wife through her fight to survive cancer but it could just as easily be about so many other aspects of our lives, not just cancer.  I can see a friend leading a person through a job loss, a mother helping a struggling student through a big exam, a young boy standing up to a school yard bully for his little brother... so many things.  The song is about healing and support... unyielding love.

My favorite verse...

- She said, "I don't think I can do this anymore." -

- He took her in his arms and said, "That's what my love is for." -

Beautiful.

Did you give it a listen?  What did you think?

Okay, now that all of the "heavy" is done, wasn't Martina simply ravishing?  She is, of course, gorgeous but I was especially taken by that white tuxedo jacket.  

Not a bad picture for a screen cap.

The jacket was so perfectly paired with the matching slacks and those killer heels.  

Unfortunately, this is the best shot I could come up with for the head-to-toe effect.  Watch the video, the quality is so much better.  See how I tricked you into watching the video if you haven't already?

When pulling a "look" together I guess it is helpful to have a virtually limitless wardrobe budget and access to a professional stylist, huh?  That wasn't meant bad at all... I am simply jealous.  Hee Hee.

I just LOVE Martina's style... all of it.

Lastly, I promised a note about why I was watching the CMA Awards to begin with.  I like country music, there I said it.  I never would have thought that would ever be the case and it has taken me a few years to admit it to myself but I do, I like country music.  That was liberating.  Hee  Hee.

I moved to Texas for college and stayed for a career.  Both have worked out well but in the meantime I have been "converted".  How can you not?  The music is all around you here AND it is good.  Martina McBride is one of the best singers I have EVER heard... regardless the genre.  If you haven't given country music a try I would encourage you to find your local radio station and leave it there for a day or two.  If you don't find yourself singing along then my apologies... but I bet you will... Hee Hee.

- The Leather Skirt -

Suits Up...

Ladies, so many of you inspire me beyond words.  Now I would like to ask you to inspire me a little with your words.  I am probably going to get a new suit and I want your opinion on these two.  These are both from Talbots.  LOVE Talbots.  My closet is simply littered with stuff from there that I have acquired over the years.  It lasts.  Great quality and timeless style.  The perfect combination.  Anyway...

Houndstooth, is it for every woman?  Perhaps but I have not exactly embraced it.  I am kinda the same way with the whole animal print thing that is so popular right now.

The jacket is $189.  The skirt is $109.  Although a sale is possible, it isn't likely anytime soon.  Christmas is just around the corner.  Hee Hee.  Does anyone else buy gifts for themselves?

I have ALWAYS loved the thought of a Houndstooth pattern but have never actually made the leap. This looks like something I could pair with a multitude of colors and textures to create new things to wear. 

Thoughts?

This jacket is $179.  The skirt is currently $99.  They are each available in white, red & black.  

I have so many black skirts that I would not do that but the red is interesting, even more so after seeing one of my favorite bloggers, The Closet Intervention, rocking a red skirt on this post yesterday.

 

Thoughts?

I know the jackets seem a little pricey but you ladies that wear suits and jackets with regularity know how valuable a great blazer can be.  For those that don't, it really is an investment piece.  I don't wear a blazer to work every day but I do quite often.

Perhaps the skirts are a little pricey as well but, if you read my blog at all, you know that I am the girl in the skirt and heels almost every day of the week.  

BTW... I am going to post a little about the origins of that little fact in a day or two.  You are on the edge of your seat, huh?  Patience.  I couldn't even type that without a snicker.  Hee Hee.

And... back to our regularly scheduled programming...

I love simple & versatile.  I also love just a little "surprise" now and then.  The shape and shoulders of this "military" jacket are a little different but will I still be wearing it a few years from now?  The Houndstooth pattern intrigues me but will I actually put it to work for me or will it just continue to tease me from afar? 

BTW... if you read this earlier post on my blog, I opted to wait on both skirts.  I am going to take the chance that I can pick them up after they are marked down.  We'll see?

I look forward to your thoughts.

- The Leather Skirt -