Friday Chic: Brunch

I rarely go out to the most beloved of all meals (at least here in Richmond): brunch. So I am really not ever sure what to wear. Is it a dressed up event? Do I wear jeans and a hoodie like I just rolled out of bed? What’s in between? Heels, no heels? See what I mean: it’s a convoluted dressing situation. To add to this: I was brunching with the ladies of Baggio, a pretty fashionable group (Chanel and Hermes bags galore). This is what I came up with: wide-legged pajama-like pants, cozy t-shirt, ankle boots, and glam jewelry. I think this covers all possible brunch attire situations.

Have you cracked the code on brunch dressing?

Outfit details:

t-shirt – Greta Pollman via Etsy / pants – thrifted / ankle boots – Vince Camuto / jacket – H&M / scarf – thrifted / necklace – from my grandmother / ring – the Nest / earrings – Clothes Mentor Short Pump / bag – Dooney and Bourke, thrifted

Monday Chic: Navy

I like outfits that have a certain amount of flair coupled with a good dose of basic. I’m finding more and more that is where my own personal style lays, despite my sometimes changing style. I asked a question a few days ago to see if anyone else had a personal style that seemed to change often and my blogger and nonprofit friend Lindsay noted that her style changes often because she has so many of her old items still in her closet. Finally – a reason why my own style can be so up and down. I am slowly working on getting rid of old pieces and only buying things that fit my asthetic, but it’s a process. Till then, I’ll just focus on these Jimmy Choos. Because really. They are amazing.

Anyone else have any style revelations this week?

Outfit deatils:

top – Greta Pollman via Etsy / belt – J. Crew / trousers – Banana Republic / earrings – thrifted (btw, they are clip-ons and HURT my ears, beware thrifted earrings!) / pumps – Jimmy Choo via Baggio Consignment

Midweek Chic: Foreign Details

It has been a busy past few weeks! I finally wrapped up all of the side projects I assigned myself (RVA Fashion Week Blog Posts here and here), a local store review + giveaway, an article for an online publication, a blog swap with my amazing food friend Liz (my recipe on her blog here and her post on thrifted fashion here) and keeping up with the release of images for the shoot I styled with photographer Jai Mayhew. Oh, and did I mention my full time job + husband + part time job?? These are the types of weeks that flat boots and oversized sweaters are made for. Made all the better when the details come from Italy in a See by Chloe sweater and my grandmother’s vintage necklace. I’m not quite sure the origins of this, but I know it’s from overseas as she and my grandfather were world wide travelers (Spain, Mexico, Holland, Israel, China, Panama, Rome, and the list goes on!).

What is your go-to outfit for busy days/weeks?

Outfit details:

t-shirt – Greta Pollman via Etsy / sweater – See by Chloe via Clementine / jeans – Banana Republic / boots – Atrex / scarf – NYC street cart / necklace – vintage from my grandmother / earrings – Stella and Dot

Monday Chic: Classics with Basics

Here we are again, Monday.  I am not sure I’ve had quite as a relaxing weekend as I had this past one in a long time.  Besides closing on our new home on Friday, we slept in, read a few books, watched movies and took naps.  I also did some fashion research which necessitated the purchase of these Salvatore Ferragamo’s.  One of the things I love most about weekends is getting to put together a casual outfit that still has touches of something classic.  When I spotted these shoes at 70% off (already heavily discounted to begin with) at Baggio, a designer consignment store here in Richmond, I knew that I could afford to shell out the $45 needed to make these classic black pumps mines.  While I am not a total kitten heel lover, these beauties, and the fact that it made weekend walking so much easier, may just convince me.

How was your weekend?  Finish (or start) any good books?  Find any great thrifted bargains?  Another reason this past weekend was a winner was that it required very little effort on my part to do my hair.  I am long overdue for a hair cut and have thus been finding various ways to wear it up.  Since weekends don’t call for as polished a look, I tried a side braid/bun combo I made up.  Use these tips to try it yourself!

1. Put a deep part in your hair and sweep the hair to one side.

2. Tilt head to one side, gather all the hair on that side and braid a tight side braid.

3. Secure with hair tie.

4. Holding the end of the braid, bring it back across the back of your neck to your opposite ear.

5. Secure with bobby pin, hair clip, etc.  Tuck any stray pieces with bobby pins.

6. Voila!  A classic side hair style with a little bit of sass.  With a lot more hair spray and pins this would be a great wedding hair style.  Tweet/email/post pics and let me know if you try it!

Pssst. Click here for another super easy way to style hair for day + night.

Outfit details:

top – custom from Greta Pollman via Etsy / jeans – GAP / heels – Salvatore Ferragamo via Baggio’s / pearl earrings – Claire’s (from LONG ago!) 

Midweek Chic: Golden Blues

While we’ve been fortunate to have experienced some incredibly nice cool weather the past few days, Richmond summer is about to hit us hard – 90 degree hot and humid hard.  For the days when I have to leave the house for work (I usually work from home) and just can’t bear the thought of pants, I turn to quick and easy skirts that can be paired with everything from dressed down t-shirts and sandals for casual work to silk tops and heels for a meeting.

My golden rule for any outfit is to throw in one vintage or thrifted piece.  This helps me keep my outfit original and less looking like a business clone.  Can you guess my thrifted item in this outfit?  10 points for those thinking, “Necklace!”  What is your go-to item to make an outfit memorable?

Outfit details:

t-shirt – custom design by Greta Pollman / skirt – Banana Republic / sandals – Zara / necklace – thrifted 

Girl’s Day Out

I’m getting ready to head out to spend the day with my best friend of 13 (going on 14!) years.  She recently moved across the country and is back in town for business (photo shoots, tough life right?).

Here’s a preview of the outfit I put together for a day of lunch, wine, shopping, and girl talk.  Full outfit pics later!

Purse, Need Supply Co.; Top, Custom Greta Pollman; Jeans, Gap; Necklace, thrifted; Watch, Timex with Blush J.Crew band; Shoes, Aldo

I think this outfit fits the criteria for a girl’s day out: casual, yet not too young looking, polished adult pieces (heels, watch, biiiig necklace), youthful with the light wash bell bottom jeans.  It took me about 10 changes to finally get all the pieces right though, a typical day in the life of me getting dressed.

What about you?  Any go to outfits for certain events?  How many tries does it take you to get the perfect look for the day?

ps. sorry for the blurry pics, I contribute them to my overuse of my iphone. a good camera is next up on our investment shopping list! (along with new computer, laptop, car, and apartment hmmmm).