Thrift Horse

I re-discovered my love of thrifting yesterday.  So many good finds!  The Turk was pleased that I was wearing jeans instead of a skirt or dress today.

Top: thrifted
Cami: Nordstrom

Jeans: Gap

Blazer: New York & Co.

Belt: Old Navy

Necklace: thrifted

Shoes: xhilaration

I think that in total this outfit was less than $100.  I'm loving this white blazer, although the lab coat quality is not lost on me.  Once I stopped by to pick up some take-out with The Turk and the woman at the counter said "Just getting off of work, eh?"  Since I live close to a medical school, she assumed I was a doctor (that's not so bad I guess!).  Nothing a little roll of the sleeve doesn't fix.



Concrete Jungle Where Dreams Are Made Of

I'm a fan of  animal prints, but it can be a fine line between sophisticated and trashy.  When I wear prints, I usually pair them with something really basic so that the print stands out.  I love this top and have been playing with how to wear it, and I found a style I can wear to work.

 

Top: Merona

Skirt: Ann Taylor

Belt: Banana Republic

Shoes: Jessica Simpson

Bag: Turkish bazaar

I finally got a new camera, no more poor quality pictures!

Spring is in the (Autumn) Air

I have never really paid attention certain fashion rules.  No white after labor day? No pastels in fall?  It seems to me like if I have clothes in my closet, I should be able to wear them whenever I want, regardless of what the calendar says.  So I took a page from the current issue of People StyleWatch, and pulled out this floral dress.

Dress: Rebecca Taylor

Cardigan: Tahari for Nordstrom

Belt: Calvin Klein

Boots: Steve Madden

Necklace: Picked up at a festival in Indiana

After a bad date with the StairMaster and a weightlifting class last night, I decided to take a break from heels and wear my flat boots.

Wild and Out

Day 3 of the conference, and the dress is much more casual on the weekends.  Inspired by the urban eccentric vibe in Atlanta, I pulled out one of my favorite sweaters.  I like the length and the thin knit because it is easy to wear loose or tie up around your waist.  Traveling (or packing rather) is always difficult for me because I get to my destination and wish I would have packed an entirely different suitcase.  Going from a multiple closets filled with everything I love to a small suitcase of clothes I inevitably hate as soon as I land happens almost every time I travel.

Top: Charlotte Ruse

Sweater: I.N.C.

Skinny Jeans: Gap

Shoes: Mossimo

 

An interesting fact I learned while at my conference:  The degree to which a woman is conscious about her clothes and fashion predicts long-term marital satisfaction.  That means that the more you care about what you wear, the happier you may be in your relationship.  Now if anyone tells you that you care too much about clothes, just tell them you're working on your relationship!

ATL Day 2

There usually is no "official" dress code for conferences like the one I'm attending in Atlanta.  Some people are dressed khakis and polos, other in conservative dresses, and still some in jeans and a tee.  Since I'm usually one of the youngest people attending the conference, I tend to dress up a bit more just to be taken seriously.

 Top: Banana Republic

Cardigan: Ann Taylor

Skirt: Ann Taylor

Shoes: Mossimo

Traveling

Today, instead of going to work, I flew to Atlanta for a conference.  It is always difficult deciding what to wear when flying cross-country.  I flew from chilly, wet Seattle to hot and sunny Atlanta.  I needed to be comfortable, weather appropriate, and since I was going directly to the conference from the airport, business casual. 

Top: Charlotte Russe

Skirt: Gap

Shoes: Mossimo

Bag: Coach

I have to admit that I was running REALLY late for my plane (think running through the airport yelling for them to keep the gate open for me), so I slipped into flip flops in the airport.

This bag is perfect as a carry on.  I'm pretty sure it's supposed to be a diaper bag, but for childless me it works great to tote around my laptop and required plane reading.

Just had to post one with the awesome view from my hotel room.

Newly Minted

I've been loving my new Revlon nail color in Minted. It literally does not chip for days and days. This morning I decided I wanted to echo that with my choice of outfit.  I've had this dress for over three years, and have only worn it a handful of time. 

Dress: H&M

Blazer: H&M

Belt: I.N.C.

Shoes: Steve Madden

Bag: Coach



Revlon nail color in Minted, the inspiration for this outfit



If your office is anything like mine, it can be freezing.  Even if the weather is warm and sunny outside, it can feel like an igloo inside.  I always like to bring a jacket or cardigan to work so that I can put it on inisde and slip it off when I'm out to lunch or commuting home.  This blazer is one of my absolute favorites.

Feeling Romantic

Yesterday's ruffle top got me in the mood for more ruffles.  I bought this top at the height of Valentine's Day marketing, but it has been surprisingly wearable year-round.  I know that this is an outfit my mom would call too "matchy-matchy" like Nina Garcia from PR, but she hasn't been allowed to dress me since I was three.

Top: Charlotte Russe

Cardigan: Ann Taylor

Skirt: Merona

Shoes: Jessica Simpson

Bag: Picked up in a Turkish bazaar in Istanbul

You will quickly learn that I love/am-borderline-obsessed-with Jessica Simpson shoes.  They are comfortable, affordable, and I always get tons of compliments on them.  I have around 20 pairs of just JS alone, so I am doing my part to up her net-worth.

Case of the Mondays...

My outfits vary based on my mood.  Most of the time it is girly, trendy, but classic.  I love ruffles, so this outfit was a perfect way to start off the week.  

Ruffle Top: Banana Republic

Cami: Eddie Bauer

Skirt: Ann Taylor

Shoes: Mossimo

Bag: The Limited

I am in the process of buying a better camera to do my daily posts.  If anyone has a suggestion, comment below or email me at inkinseyscloset@gmail.com

The Interview

Depending on what type of place you interview, you will have to switch it up.  It is a good idea to always overdress and then take off a jacket if you feel uncomfortable.  This is an example of an affordable suit that will work well in most any interview.  This isn't what I wore to my interview, but I've worn it in the past for presentations.

Suit: The Limited

Silk Shell: spense

Shoes: Jessica Simpson

Bag: Coach

The accessories are my favorite part of this outfit, because the suit is so basic.  The pop of color is perfect, the nude pumps are a welcome alternate to boring black, and the bag is stylish and appropriate for any interview.