I Think It Is The Early Sunset...

I honestly do not know what it is but it seems like the days are flying by even faster than normal of late.

Does anyone else feel like that?

Needless to say, I am exhausted.  Tonight's post will be brief.

I think it is the change from Daylight Savings Time?  I seem to recall from school that it was Benjamin Franklin that first proposed the concept of Daylight Savings Time?  Whoever is responsible... I do not like the idea very much.

If you ask me, Arizona has it figured out.  they do not change their time.  

I do not care if we are "Springing Forward" or "Falling Back"... I am always discombobulated for weeks after the change is made.  My system is just to easily confused.

Anyway... Houndstooth... I just felt like Houndstooth today.

My beloved houndstooth skirt from Harold's.  A simple white oxford and these fabulous new high heels from Kohl's.  

Simple... I like simple.  Simple is not so bad.

Black & white ensembles are easy for sure.  Nonetheless, they are always one of my favorites.  I like wearing black and white together.  

I always like seeing different B&W ensembles on other blogs.  

My closet is filled with black and white pieces.  

You could say I am a bit obsessed.

Sooo... what do you think?

Before I go... I just have to recommend beautiful Amy from Leopard & Lillies to you.  She looks far cuter in her houndstooth than do I.  Drop in, take a look for yourself.

HAVE A GREAT DAY!

-- The Leather Skirt -- 

I Truly LOVE These Boots...

FALL HAS ARRIVED!!!

FALL HAS ARRIVED!!!

How long will it stay?

Anyone's guess but it is here today!

The weatherman promises that the cooler temps will hang around for at least a few more days.  I am holding him to it!

I truly LOVE dressing in the Fall.

I think it is because I am almost as big of a fan of great sweaters and wonderful tall boots as I am of leather skirts?

Now that is saying something!

Hee Hee

I arrived home last night and went thru my normal routine, including preparing my ensemble for the next day.

Yes, I still pick out my clothes the night before.  No, I am not in 3rd grade anymore... but sometimes I do act like it.  Hee Hee

Hey, who said preparation was a bad thing anyway?

Well, after a few different ideas I decided that earth tones, houndstooth and tall boots seemed to be appropriate.

So... How did I do?

A simple beige sweater but it is one of my favorites.

Just another of my Harold's acquisitions from years gone by.

Harold's... ahh... Harold's...

Some say that beige and white, even black are "boring"... "dated"... I prefer "classic," "functional" and "timeless."

Perhaps that is just me?

What do you think?

Either way, this sweater is soft beyond words and features in many of my ensembles during these cooler months.  Expect to see it again.  Hee Hee

As you can see, this skirt has a subtle houndstooth pattern.  I am SO loving houndstooth at the moment.

In case you missed my new houndstooth high heels, have a look at this post from earlier in the month.

Proof enough of my infatuation?

Anyway... this lovely was purchased at Harold's many years ago.

Say it with me, "Ahhh... Harold's.."

Hee Hee

These are the best boots... in every sense of the word.

They found their way to my blog last February, when I suggested a couple of other wonderful bloggers and again last December, when I debuted my beloved caramel leather skirt that Mom gave me for Christmas.

Hmmm...

These are just another pair from my collection of Born boots.

Amazingly comfortable. Stylish.  Wonderful.

I am telling you ladies, go to Zappos or Shoes.com or Shoeline.com or any number of other places and try a pair.  You will not be disappointed.

Running a little behind this morning.  Still sitting here at the house.  Eak!

Oh well, what do you do?

Anyway... no stories to entertain you with... or bore you with... whichever is the case.

Cannot tell you about anything that has not had an opportunity to happen.

Oh well, what do you do?

So that's that... hope you like my outfit?

I am thinking that my "Saturday Uniform" will get to see the streets tomorrow... hmmm...

As I have said many times, your kind words are incredibly heart warming.  I always look forward to reading your comments and I thank you in advance for taking the time to leave one.

I always do my best to return in kind.

Have A Great Weekend!

-- The Leather Skirt --

The Hounds REALLY Have It...

I truly LOVE the houndstooth pattern.  I have for as long as I can remember.

Maybe it is a 101 Dalmatians thing?  I know that is not exactly the same thing, but hey, that Cruella DeVille sure knew how to do a black and white pattern, huh?

A classic black and white ensemble.

What do you think?

If you have followed my blog for some time now, you have seen this fabulous skirt before.  I last showed it on the blog here.

This is one of my many items from Harold's. It really is an incredible skirt.

Amazing quality.

Great fit.

Classic pattern.

What more could a girl want?

Harold's... say it with me... Ahh... Harold's.  I really do miss that store.  Of course, Ann Taylor LOFT has been easing my pain just a bit recently.  Hee Hee

Like the skirt?



The heels are brand new.

First time in the sun. 

As I mentioned in this post, they are from Kohl's.

At $28 I just HAD TO HAVE THEM.  At that price, how could I not at least TRY them?


Surely leaving them behind would be some kind of misstep?  You know, the kind of oversight that leads to unforeseen difficulties in your life as a way of making sure such a clear mistake never happens again.

Hee Hee

As you might recall, the reviews for these shoes on the Kohl's website were not stellar.

I am here to report... poppycock!  Fabulous shoes!

As you know, I am just now experimenting with higher heels and I wore them all day.

Confession... I had my "sensible heels" in my bag just in case but I never even thought about pulling them out... AND... I did some walking today.  Is there any better indicator of a great pair of heels?

As I mentioned, I now have the four pairs of high heels that I debuted on the blog here.  I have worn them all recently.  Man, I had no idea what I had been missing!  These shoes are such fun to wear!

I am easily distracted...

The blouse is actually "new" as well but only because I recently rediscovered it in the back of my closet.

Isn't that the best?

A long forgotten "love" reappears after many years.

If you ask me, it is better than buying something new.  Bite your tongue!  Hee Hee

The picture doesn't show it very well but this really is a very "girlie" blouse.  Feminine neckline, cute collar and big, "girlie" cuffs.  Super cute buttons on the cuffs, too!

You will see much more of this "new" blouse in the months to go... bet on it!

Besides, it makes such a lovely compliment to this skirt, too!

Don't you think they just "go" together?

Cute buttons on that skirt, too, huh?

I always like a little extra detail in a garment.




So here is how it all came together...

WARNING... I AM ABOUT TO RAMBLE...

By the way... I am sold... lock, stock and barrel.

I may have worn my last pair of "sensible heels."

Okay, that is a little extreme, I have too many shoes in my closet to consider getting rid of them all.

Besides, I absolutely LOVE wearing many of them.  Insert... the often worn Stuart Wietzman lovelies here. 

Hee Hee

The ironic thing, I have watched ladies walk by in high heels for years and always wondered how they did it.

I am a devoted wearer of heels, have been for so many years.

Rarely will you see me in any kind of flat, aside from my tennies.

In fact, I actually own very few.

I guess wearing a higher heel always seemed a bit intimidating.

Perhaps I was intrigued?  Perhaps not?  Intimidated... certainly.

But then I began following you fashionable ladies out there in the blogoshere.

Post after post featured high heels and platform shoes.  I began to truly appreciate how much a truly great pair of heels could add to an otherwise average ensemble.  There is just "something" about them.

Yes, they are a bit "sexy" but it is more than that.  Something less obvious.  Something that is harder to explain.  But there is undeniably "something" about a pair of shoes when the heel gets a bit taller.

Can you put it into words?

Regardless, I was certainly intrigued... yet still a bit intimidated.

Some confidence might have grown from some of what I read.

So many ladies really do wear these wonderful shoes all day.  Some may take their blog pictures and then change shoes but many do not.  As my obsession began to grow, I began to take notice of some of the ladies around me "in real life."  I often saw ladies in high heels during lunch.  Do they get to work, switch shoes and then switch again for lunch?  Hardly practical.  Perhaps they do wear them all day?

Do you wear your high heels all day?

Personally, I have enough to worry about without having to select two different pairs of shoes each day... and then figure out when I need to be wearing which pair.

Too much trouble.  I need shoes that "work", not just "look good."

Enter Dillard's a few weeks ago.  While shopping I discover my first pair of platform heels.  The were an absolute steel AND were "calling" to me from the rack.  They looked like SO MUCH FUN... how could I not at least try them on. If you read my blog, you know that I bought them.

They are fun to wear.  LOVE them.  They are far more comfortable than I would have ever dreamed.

My obsession grew.

Hee Hee

So here we are, now I own four pair of high heels and I am on the hunt for more.  I am addicted.

Do you prefer "high heels", "sensible heels" or flats?

So what is The Leather Skirt going to do?  Replace my entire collection of shoes?  Hardly.

What is more likely?  I have probably purchased my last pair of "sensible heels."  

The last couple of weeks I have not even noticed a pair of "cute shoes" unless they had a higher heel than I have historically worn.  I do not notice them when I am blogging.  I do not notice them when I am around town AND I certainly do not pay them any attention when I am shopping.

I am committed.  Or is that, I need to be "committed?"

Hee Hee

Either way, I am loving my new high heels and I am on the hunt for more!

Well, I have rambled on far too long.  It is time to wrap this up.

Have A Great Day!

-- The Leather Skirt --

My New Babies...

I am almost 5' 10".  Rather tall for a lady.

I like heels anyway.  Have for years.

In fact, I own almost exclusively heels.

Very few flats are even in my closet and they are almost never worn.

Truth... even with all of the walking that I do.

I feel prettier in heels.  Yes, perhaps a little sexier, too?

I just think women generally look better in a pair of heels... me included.

How about you?

With that said, I have always been very careful, even rather conservative with my choice of heel heights.  Part of it is probably my height, part of it is probably the fact that I will spend the day in them and I know it.

Same is true for the length of my skirts.  Have to be careful not to buy them too short.

Off the subject... let me re-focus... high heels...

Lately I have been drawn to higher heels.

It started with these beauties that I purchased off the Dillard's clearance rack.


I had never worn a pair of platform heels before, never mind actually owning any.  They "called to me" in the store.  They just looked like such fun.  I had to at least try them.  Didn't I?

Well... verdict... LOVE THEM!!!

Love wearing them.  Love actually building outfits around them just to have an excuse to wear them.  Love everything about them.

Confession...

Still getting used to walking on them so I am carrying along a backup pair when I do break them out.

So far, I have only changed them out twice.

Sooo... where does this lead me?

To my new babies..That's where...

What do you think?  

I couldn't help myself.  I am addicted.  In fact, I am seriously thinking of getting another pair or two this weekend.  I am committed... full speed ahead!

"Cheetah is the new black."  I read that somewhere?

Well, I am not sure about that but I do know that the trend is growing on me.  That is for sure.

Ann Taylor LOFT teases me with a daily e-mail.  Most of the time I am a good girl but when this e-mail arrived in my inbox I could not ignore it.

The beauties are available here if you like what you see.  The website says they are only available online.

I actually received these in the mail a couple of weeks ago but, alas, pneumonia short circuited their debut on the blog.

I plan to give them their test run next week.

Visions of outfits are spinning in my head.

Smiling now.

Hee Hee

These next two pair arrived just yesterday.

Does Sis know I have been doing some online shopping?  Hope not...

Hee Hee

Confession.  I am not a HUGE Kohl's fan but they are growing on me.  I have some things from there that I adore and the prices are hard to argue with.

So these are a couple of pairs from Kohl's.

You can find them here and here if you are interested.

The reviews are not stellar but for the price I thought I would give them a spin.

Besides, believe it or not, I have no red heels... at all.  I have a pair of red sandals but nothing appropriate for work.

Cute little bow up front, too.

For less than $30... how could I go wrong?






As much as I love the cheetah print heels... I actually LOVE these even more.

I am so enamored with the houndstooth print... have been for years.

I know, I know, I will get far more wear out of the cheetah print heels but you have to admit... these are cute!

I think we will give them a spin with my beloved houndstooth skirt that you have seen before in this post from November.

Have I really not worn that skirt in almost a year?  Surely that is not true?  I bet I just missed posting it?

Yes, that has to be it.

So what do you think?

Would that just be too much "matchy - matchy?"

So here we go... high heels and The Leather Skirt... adventure awaits!

-- The Leather Skirt --

More Polka Dots...

The blouse that I showed you all in my last post was such a HUGE success that it motivated me to go with some more polka dots today.  Actually, I received a number of compliments on it throughout the day as well.  It is a lovely blouse, prepare to see it again soon.  Hee Hee

Anyhoo... on to today's ensemble...

Once I had decided to go with this black & white skirt it got me to thinking what a smashing success the red/white/black combo had been here.  That post has been by far the most commented on since I started this blog last October.  Why not duplicate it?  The houndstooth skirt in that post was a thrift find, sadly this one was not.  This one came from my favorite store ever... Harold's.  Let's all say it together... "I miss that store."  

The skirts are far different materials and the patterns are not exactly the same but the impact is similar.  

What do you think of this skirt?

I chose a lighter weight sweater today because I knew that the rain would cause me to break out the long overcoat.  No pictures of the coat.  No one wants to see that.  Ugly.  Hey, it is warm and keeps the rain at bay so it remains in the arsenal just for days like today.

It is not all that cold but the rain and grey skies just makes it a craptastic day.  Thanks again Kassi.

I think the two just go beautifully together.  How about you?

To finish the look I went with... drum role please... my tall black boots by Born.  I actually like the look of the boots with the buckle embellishment I have shown you before better but you simply cannot beat these for their walkability.  Yes, that is a word.  Look it up. 

Don't believe me? 

Webster's says:  Any shoe or boot that remains comfortable even after several hours of walking.

See!

Oh yea... the boots...

The entire ensemble came together like this...

What do you think?  I know, the red is a little bold but despite my tendency to migrate back to blacks, whites, greys, blues and various shades of brown I do like a little color.

BTW... because I always like to add a funny little story about my outfit if there is one to be told...

Earlier today we had a big conference call involving a number of members of our team and some clients from out of town.  Nothing unusual.  I was one of the last to arrive in the board room for the call.  Nothing unusual.  Hee Hee.  My boss was already on the phone with the client, going around the room introducing those that were already present when I walked in to here this...

My boss:  "... and John are already here."  "Jordan will be here... wait a minute... Mrs. Clause just arrived."

Now I don't think that was a reference to my wonderful giving nature so I am assuming it was due to the bright red sweater that I have chosen for today.

Please don't read anything into that.  I love my boss.  She is fantastic and we kid one another all the time about our daily outfits, our hair, whatever.  In fact, she is the person that first called me "The Leather Skirt".  She doesn't actually call me that anymore (not that I know anyway, Hee Hee) but occasionally I will here someone mention it as I walk by their office.

By the way, my boss always looks fantastic and will rock a leather skirt to the office on occasion, too.  She has three kids at home.  She has been married for almost 20 years.  She is amazing.

- The Leather Skirt -

Feeling Like A Girl Today....

It has been a LONG week.  What do you mean it is only Tuesday?  I am wearing down as the holidays approach.  Is it always this stressful?  Enough complaining.  Hee Hee  

This post will be a quick one... Onto today's ensemble...

I have shown you this skirt before here.  But that time I paired it more with a beige sweater.  This time I wanted a little more "feminine" look.  

Isn't this blouse simply gorgeous?  LOVE the sheer material (I have to be sure to wear something appropriate under it... the lone drawback) and the feint polka dot pattern. 

The collar is nothing special but for some reason it just speaks to me.  I really like how it feels to wear this blouse.  I am betting you will see it again.

If you ask me, the two are perfect compliments for one another.  What do you think?

 

To finish the "girly" nature of today's attire I went with some suede heels that I have been dying to show you.  They are a very light beige with the cutest little bow toes.

And now, all of it together...

 

I told you that today's post would be a quick one.  Sorry for such poor commentary the past few days.  I will try to do better later this week.  Promise.

- The Leather Skirt -

Blogging On My Lunch Break...

Today the weather in Dallas is awful.  Cold.  Windy.  Rainy.  Winter.  One of my favorite blogger buddies (Kassi from The Closet Intervention) used a new word in her post today.  The word - "Craptastic".  I looked it up, means - Crappy weather, fantastic day.  True.  Try Websters if you don't believe me.  Hee Hee

Anyway, it is the perfect word.  The weather really is crappy but I intend to have a fantastic day anyway.

Drop by and check Kassi's blog out if you don't already follow her.  She is great!

Moving on.... Does anyone else do their blogging on their lunch break?  Am I the only one?  Ordinarily I do not go home for lunch but today I decided I did not want to wait to get my outfit post up.  I am so thrilled with how this ensemble looks.  I just didn't want to wait until the end of the work day.  Hope you like it, too?

Well?

LOVE this hounstooth skirt.  You might remember from a previous post that I found this baby at a local resale shop for a mere $7.00!  What do you think of it?

I have already gotten my money's worth and since it has fast become one of my favorites, it will get many more spins to be sure .  Funny how our favorite wardrobe items change from time to time, huh?  

Another of my blogger buddies (Bessie from Bravoe Runway) just posted about how a recent acquisition has made its way to the top of her "favorites" as well.  Bessie puts the "S" in sophistication.  Drop by and check her blog out as well.

This is perhaps the softest sweater that I have ever felt.  As a result, I have it in at least three colors.  Hee Hee

Perfect for a craptastic day, huh?

Perfectly "walkable" and cute.  Hard to think of a better reason not to pull these babies out on a craptastic day!  How cool is that buckle?

Well, lunch is rapidly drawing to a close.  Gotta run.

Hope You Have A Fantastic Day!

- 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 -