It’s  been another beautiful day in the River Bend except for the large ink truck parked outside the building that’s made an annoying noise all day. I’ve now got a massive headache because of it.

Although I may not be feeling my best at the moment I feel like I still look it.  I did get dressed before having to listen to that jackhammer sound all day.

I purchased this dress last fall on clearance at Fashion Bug.  I paired it once again with my hot pink jacket (Cato) and Dana Buchman boots (Kohl’s). I accessorized with some pink jewelry too.

Since purchasing this dress last year I can tell it doesn’t fit the same anymore.  It’s  a little baggier than it was before. I’m happy because even though I’m only on day seven of walking, in combination with changing my eating habits, I can tell I’m losing inches.

Let’s just say I don’t know how much I’ve lost. I probably won’t either, that is unless I find out from the doctor because I don’t own a scale. I don’t want to own one either. I think checking out the what number you weigh can hurt the process. I know I’m losing weight only because I’m shrinking in my clothes. Plus, I just feel much better

What I have learned during past several years since I began  blogging is that style isn’t about the “scale.” You can be a size 2 or 22 and still look great. It’s all about knowing how to put a look together that fits your body type. Women come in all shapes and sizes and rather than be constantly worried about how much a supermodel looks or weighs they should just learn to be happy with themselves. I think when we are we it shows.

What do you think? Does a scale determine the style you wear?

I love it when the weather is like this.  In three weeks it will officially be spring.  I don’t want to jinx anything, but this winter has been wonderful. What’s great is that the warmer temperatures and my mood have prompted me to get out there and move.

For the past six days I’ve walked between 3 and 7 miles per day. I feel great too. I’m excited about going out each and every day. I know once it starts to warm up, rather than walk after work I will be hitting the trail in the mornings. I feel invigorated.

With that new found energy comes a new attitude and the past couple of days my looks  are  of outfits that I believe have a little.

No. 1 – INC International Concepts peasant top (Macy’s, clearance), black skinny pant (Torrid, Feb. 2012), Etienne Aigner riding boots (Macy’s, clearance, Feb.  2012), silver & nickel jewelry
No. 2 – top and skinny jeans (Fashion Bug) black ballet flats (thrifted, NWT), silver jewelry
No. 3 – Black skinny pant (Torrid), T-shirt (thrifted, NWT),  black blazer (thrifted), flats (Payless), yellow belt (thrifted, $1) & silver jewelry.

I feel that each one of these outfits contains a little rock-n-roll vibe. I love the black skinny pants. Actually I love all the skinny stuff.  I like how I look in them and how they make me feel – skinny, well skinnier.

One of my newly thrifted purchased is the yellow belt. I like the canary hue and I’m excited about wearing it with other looks this spring. I think  it looks good with the black pant and T-shirt that has a hint of yellow. As you all know I’m not really a girl who wears a lot of tees, but this one works.  What do you think?

Do my looks have some attitude or do they fall flat? Which one do you like best?

The past several days when I’ve reached into the closet to find something to wear I’ve picked something blue.  I don’t know if it’s my subconscious telling me that it fits my mood, regardless I thought I would share my looks.

No. 1 – Top, INC International Concepts (Macy’s, clearance $10, Feb. 2012), pants (Cato, ??),  black ballet flats (thrifted NWT, Jan. 2012) and silver jewelry
No. 2  - Paisley skirt (Target, ??), white top (Cato, 2010), vest (JCPenney’s, 2010), Etienne Aigner riding boots (Macy’s, clearance $45, Feb. 2012) and faux pearl jewelry and floral pins.

I’ve said before there are times when I wear things that fit my mood. I guess this week I’ve done the same and not really thought about it until I starting putting this blog together. My mood has been a little blue. I will not go into all the details, why bore you. Let’s just say that I’ve also had a change in attitude.

Rather than be sad. I’m angry. I will no longer allow someone to”rent free space in my head without paying a fee.” That’s right! Why should I? Last night I was frustrated so I took a walk.  It was  a 7-mile stretch from my place to the Melvin Price Locks and Dam. Guess what? I’m ready to go again today.

 I changed my eating habits recently and believe it or not I’ve already dropped a dress size. I’m sure with my new walking routine that there will be other changes and I’m ready.

What’s great is that I’ve always been motivated by times in my life when I get angry. When someone has told me I couldn’t do something or would never be able to accomplish something I did it just to prove a point. The people who told me those things know who they are and why I never kept them in my life, however I thank them for motivating me to become a better person. I think this is going to be one of those times. I may have setbacks, but in the end I will grow from it.

Have you made any lifestyle changes that have made a difference in your life, especially when it comes to fashion?

I sometimes get so busy I don’t get to share my looks, however I always remember to take a picture.

Here are some of my looks for the last few days.

I wore “skinny” jeans for two days and dresses for two.

No. 1 – Black skinny jeans (Torrid, new), Etienne Aigner riding boots (Macy’s, clearance $45, originally, $159), Talbots knit tank (thrifted) and faux pearls.

No. 2 – Skinny jeans (Fashion Bug), cowboy boots (Cato) and top I’ve owned for I can’t remember how long.

No. 3 – Apt. 9 dress (Kohls, clearance, 2010), American Eagle suede boots, brown tights and wood jewelry.

No. 4 – Apt. 9 dress (Kohls, clearance, 2011) , Eitenne Aigner boots and Chaps jewelry (Kohls, clearance)

As you will notice that two days I went curly and two days straight.

I’m a girl who likes to be versatile and well as you can see I certainly did that this past week, especially when I’m on the go.

What look do you like?

It’s been an roller coaster this past week. So many ups and downs. The weather, work and well everything else.

I’m not a girl who enjoys Valentine’s Day, however this year I spent it in the operating room watching a kidney transplant. The story in itself is remarkable. A man donated his kidney to his wife’s best friend.  I wrote a two-piece series on it and I think this is one of those stories that has forever changed my life.  (Here is the first and the second).

I didn’t realize that when I went to the hospital that I would be wearing scrubs due to the fact I would actually get to see the operations. I wore a wrap dress that I recently purchased NWT for $7. I paired it with a vintage black slip underneath I got for $2, black tights and my black Coach wedges I thrifted last year. I accessorized with a heart necklace.

 I love a good wrap dress, especially since this one is made from knit jersey. One of my favorite designers  that makes a wrap dress is Diane von Furstenberg (even though I don’t have one by her). She really made the piece iconic .

Anyway in order to see the transplant procedure I was required to wear scrubs. I at least capture my “head shot.”

I don’t look too bad. Although it’s not a profession I would pick. But for those who do there really is not though in what they wear.

I wore a uniform and although I enjoyed the time I did I don’t ever want to put one on again. Not only did I have to wear the uniform, but I was required to wear my hair up all the time when I was in it. It’s probably why today I’m so versatile with the way I wear it now. I wear it straight, curly, up and down.

Lately I’ve been wearing it straight so much but today I wore it curly for once.

The outfit is simple – capri pants (Cato,) Dana Buchman top and boots ( Kohl’s,) and pewter jewelry.

As you can see I wore my hair curly today. For some reason I just wanted a different look.  I think that’s why I enjoy having a job that I can wear my own clothes and don’t have to adhere to one style.  Although I admire those who wear a uniform, it’s not for me. Those who put one on do some of the most dangerous jobs – law enforcment, firefighters, military personnel and medical profession.

After watching the two surgical teams at Barnes Jewish Hospital. I have a whole new admiration for what is done in an operating room. Not that I didn’t appreciate doctors and nurses before, but watching them in that environment was remarkable. It’s puts a who new spin on surgical style.

When I left the house this morning the weather was yet to be determined. The forecast called for snow, however  we got nowhere near what was predicted. Due to that fact I decided to wear pants today.

I picked a pair of off-white trousers I purchased several years ago. I paired them with a newly thrifted top ($3) and black boots and black belt.

There has long been a saying of “no white after Labor Day.” Well I’ve never really been a rules girl and let’s face it the rule has been broken by too many fashionistas for me to really give a damn. I mean Coco Chanel made white a year round staple. We’ve got the right to wear white it we want to.

The one thing I know about wearing white after the end of summer holiday is that when you do there are some general guidelines. Stay away from lightweight fabrics and avoid wearing the same color from head-to-toe.

Wearing off-white is good. Also accessorize with dark colors, such as a leather or suede boot and that way people know you’re aware of the season.

Today I didn’t feel like be dragged down by wearing another pair of black pants with the snakeskin print top. I feel I pulled off the look by wearing something more bright and on a day like today (snow or no snow) it cheered me up.

What do you think? Do ever wear off white?

I’ve got a wish list of fashionable items I want. Here it is.

I love this dress. I want an orange dress for spring. I also want a new handbag, nude shoes, black round sunglasses and a black floppy hat.

This look reminds me of the Riviera. circa 1960s. I don’t know why, but after putting it all together it makes me want to take a vacation.

Do you have any style desire or a fashion wish list? Is there anything you’re wanting to add to your wardrobe this spring?

I’m usually not the kind of girl who buys things in multiple, however I recently did. I found two dresses on clearance that were the same style, but different pattern.

Anyway the style has a Bohemian look and for $7.48at Target I thought what the heck I could get two dresses for literally less than the price of one. Plus, I really haven’t done that in quite awhile.

The first outfit I paired purple tights , gold skinny belt, gold jewelry and yes, leopard flats. I believe you can mix prints so long as there is something the brings the colors together. Gold flakes in the flats pull the shoes in.

The second look includes black knee-high boots, a wide belt and black and silver accents.

What do you think? What pattern looks best?

Have you ever purchased something that was the same, yet in a different color or pattern? Would you?

It’s Monday and the start of a new week. Yeah!

I went to Target this weekend to check out the Jason Wu collection and guess what? The Alton store isn’t carrying it. Really? I’m so disappointed. I was wanting to check out the handbags, but wasn’t going to drive to St. Louis to do that. It looks like I won’t be getting one because I’ve got a busy week ahead. One of the sales clerks said they wouldn’t be getting any of it and said that with many of the designers they didn’t get items.  They had the Missoni line, so why not Jason Wu?

Anyway I enjoyed my weekend.  I had a great night on Friday at the Fox Theatre in St. Louis seeing Rock of Ages.   I attended the Riverbend Rotary trivia night Saturday night and yesterday I spent the day with neighbors watching the Super Bowl and chowing down of good food.

When you wake up to fog  it makes you wonder how the whole day is going to be.

Once again I wore my skinny jeans. I decided to pair then with a simple white tank, and silver/gray shrug sweater I recently thrifted for $3 and my Dana Buchman boots  (Kohls.)  I accessorized with metal accessories.

The second look is a black shirt dress I thrifted for $4.50.  I wore black tights, my new cowboy boots (Cato, $19) and Old Navy denim jacket (yard sale, $2.) I accessorized with a wood necklace and bracelet.

Both looks are more casual and I like  dressing that way from time to time. However, I need a night out on the town so I can get all dolled up. It’s been awhile and I’m wanting to wear something extra girly.

Maybe I should just plan a fun girls night and the requirement be cocktail attire required. I won’t feel overdressed that way. I need a night just to kick up my heels and feel pretty doing it. What do you think?

The newest designer collection will hit the racks this weekend at Target. Are you ready?

Jason Wu for Target debuts Sunday and it’s sure to be a hit for all you fashionistas who like  designer clothes for a fraction of the cost.

I’ve seen a few things on the Target Style Facebook page that I like. Mostly I cannot wait to check out the handbags. Since designers have been appearing at the Big Box store I’ve managed to purchase a few handbags. For some reason that’s what I’m drawn too. I have  two Gryson and a Mulberry.

I only hope that this collection doesn’t disappear as quickly as Missoni did last fall. Although I did get a pair of Missoni for Target pumps – actually I thrifted them NWT for a fraction of the cost, but they were out when I looked for them originally. I go for shoes too. Why? Handbags and shoes are the one thing that women don’t worry about size – well not in the conventional way.

You could wear a size 2 and still need a size 10 shoe. It’s not that same as a dress.

If you’re not familiar with the designer, just know he’s dressed the country’s First Lady many times and she’s always looked fabulous.

Do you plan to check out Jason Wu’s collection? I will!