Respect the Outfits: You Being You

Isn't it a great thing when we can put together an outfit that is stylish, chic and instantly puts us at ease? Something that not only looks good but conveys confidence at a glance? Welcome to this month's Respect the Outfits reader feature - all about YOU lovely ladies wearing what you love.

These are the outfits that these lovely fella readers have selected to represent who they are sartorially (right now at least) - because as you gals have already told me, it's our perogative to change our style!

Please read on and check out these beautiful ladies just being their chic, unique selves:

♥  Lauren from Small Talk, à la simple yet chic.

Anthro Apothecary skirt / Anthro Aviatrix Tee / Anthro cuff / Anthro Dearie Me wedges / Diana Warner earrings / Palabra Designs necklace

♥  Jessica from Monster Cakes: This picture perfectly captures me because I am a bit geek chic (hence The Great Gatsby shirt and glasses), but I'm also girly and not afraid to embrace both sides. Yey for nerds. : )

♥  Lisa from Sweet Laundry Loves, à la sophisticated and classy with a bit of a twist.

Striped Dress: Jacob / Tights: Hue / Shoes: Nine West / Bracelet: Ann Taylor / Sunglasses: Miu Miu

♥  Stephanie from Bar Chic: I think this is definitely me being me! I think of my style as being floaty and feminine, but also fairly relaxed, so I picked a girly dress and paired it with some casual flat sandals. I'm also being classically "me" here in the sense that the first thing I do when I put on a dress like this is give it a twirl!

Dress: Anthropologie Gull Wing Dress / Cardigan: Ann Taylor Loft / Necklace: Kate Spade Twirl Necklace /

Shoes: Seychelles Cream of the Crop Flats

♥  Gigi from Gigi's Gone Shopping, à la modern + classic w/bright pops or touches of sparkle.

Jacket: J Crew 2010 / Blouse: Anthro 2010 / Necklace: J Crew 2010 / Jeans: J Crew 2010 / Shoes: J Crew 2008

♥  EE from Eek!, à la polished but comfy.

top: Anthro / skirt: Old Navy / pumps: Jeffrey Campbell / sunnies: Dsquared / belt: Gap

♥  TG from La Petite Anthropologiest: This look is quintessentially because this whole look is repeated in my closet a lot. My look is always about SHAPE. Shapes are sensual. And I love to shape my body in bright colors and fitted clothes.The shoes with the buckle, the fitted pencil skirt soft white shirt: that's TG.

Top: Anthro Climbing Cowlneck / Earrings: Anthro / Skirt: Anthro san pedro skirt in / Belt: sash from the Anthro Tiny Windows Dress /

Necklace: Anthro / Shoes: GUESS

♥  modernmom from I Dream of Anthropologie: I LOVE pattern mixing, and wanted to copy the product image from the catalog for this skirt. It used a pink plaid top, but I am not a big fan of that much pink. I love taking a risk with fashion, and being just outside the norm.

Shirt: J Crew Perfect Plaid / Skirt: Anthropologie Penciled Abronia / Belt: DKNY / Thrifted Shoes: Guess, DSW /

Bracelet: Anthropologie Omnifarious / Earrings: Dillards pearl hoops

 ♥  Rachel from Promises Like Pie Crust:

Anthro Verdant Slip Dress / Club Monaco cardigan / Hilary Druxman necklace / Miss Sixty Tracy shoes

♥  Jamie from Thrifty Threads: One of the things that I love about personal style is that it can be multi-faceted without being contradictory. Many of the outfits that I post on my blog incorporate beaded cardigans, pencil skirts, bright colors, and plenty of florals. I almost sent one of those signature "Jamie" outfits, but decided to send you a very different outfit: one that is more city sleek than suburban sweet. And I felt just as much myself in this look as I do in my usual assortment of ruffles and lace! I think it's wonderful that personal style affords us the opportunity to explore different aspects of ourselves every day, without requiring that we compromise our identities or chose any one aspect of our personality over another.

J. Crew Wave Tank / LOFT blazer / Hudson Collin jeans / Franco Sarto wedges / Talbots belt / Banana Republic necklace / Kate Spade bag

♥  Tara from Mix and Match Fashion, à la colorful.
 

Blouse: LOFT / Cardigan: NY & Co / Skirt: J Crew / Shoes: Nine West

♥  Kelly from Fashion Fuel: I can't say I always adhere to one particular style, but I always feel my best when I'm wearing a skirt or dress. Plus, blue and green are two of my favorite colors, which makes this outfit one that truly defines me.
 

Esprit Tunic (worn as shirt) / Anthropologie Skirt & Belt / American Eagle Necklace / Jessica Simpson Shoes

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And here iz me in a very Me look and Lauren's skirt twin - bright colors, requisite stripes and a statement-y necklace:

  

Top: J. Crew perfect boatneck (worn here before - similar here)
Skirt: Anthropologie Parameter apothecary (worn here before)
Necklace: Old Navy ethnic statement (now on sale - worn here before)

Shoes: Seychelles she's got the moves (worn here before)

What Say YOU

Thanks for all your feedback to my "what is Lisa style" post way back when. The awesome take-away I got from you all is to just like what I like and be who I be and not worry about looking or dressing a certain way. If I like it and if it goes, that should be all that matters.

So for reminding me to be happy with the way I am sartorially, let's point the ole virtual camera back at you lovelies!

For the next Respect the Outfits reader feature, let's celebrate YOU for exactly who YOU are. Send me an outfit pic with you rocking a look that is quintessentially you. Are you fun and flirty? Sweet and sassy? A floral rocker? Streamlined chic? Show us in an outfit that you think defines your personal style the best.

Please also provide the outfit deets and a link to your blog if you like. Send in your looks by June 14 - post will go up the next day! respecttheshoes(at)live.com.

And here's a previously unposted outfit of mine - me being very me:

And Pacey being very Pacey.

  

Top: J. Crew sequin boatneck (worn here before - factory version here, similar here)

Skirt: LE button-front chambray (worn here before - similar here)

Belt: J. Crew skinny (similar here)

Necklace: Old Navy ethnic statement (worn here before)

Shoes: Seychelles she's got the moves (worn here before)

Up in the Air

It's "there's no denying that summer has arrived" week in the SE as temps soar over the 90s Fahrenheit and are expected to stay there all week long. And as it is still technically May, this means that I have about 4-5 full months of back-sticking, shade-finding, mosquito-swatting, near hot-as-Hades weather to look forward to. Which means my hair is one low pressure dip away from a full-on asian fro, and that ain't gonna be pretty.

I've tried a ton of different "de-frizz" products, but so far a combo of Garnier Fructis Smoothing Cream mixed with Citre Shine Anti-Frizz Serum during my daily blowdry has kept my hair at bay without completely flattening it out, but I see the flyaways congregating, and they're starting to gain ground. Plus I feel like I'm lacking in that glossy shiny locks department - wasn't that supposed to be part of my "being an asian" package? So short of tying my hair in a big knot on the top of my head and leaving it alone until October or opting to buy hair spray by the case, how do you gals battle the summer time head frizz? Are there any specific products or "techniques" that work for you?

 

Top: LE Canvas gingham poplin (worn here before)
Skirt: Delicia eyelet via Alloy (worn here before - similar here, here)
Belt: Anthro city safari (worn here before - similar-ish here)
Bracelet: The PS Boutique via Etsy (worn here before - similar here)
Shoes: Seychelles ring in the new year (worn here before - similar-ish here, here)

Pop Ya Collar, Don't Let 'Em Sweat You

Report from the homefront: BF decided to not kennel the pup while he was away at work the other day because he didn't want her stuck in a little box for eight hours. And then completely ate his thoughts when he got home because our pup got up on the kitchen counters and BF's home office desk and apparently ate everything else.

Like a box of stale Krispy Kremes. And a box of baking soda - or rather, the box around the baking soda. A leather portfolio. A notebook, including the notes part. Pretty much all of BF's business cards. A plastic cup. An entire bottle of vitamins. The labels off of the BF's medications. Kitchen towels - apparently all of them. My suede Coach hobo, which was a gift from the BF.

It seems like Pacey may be living in the kennel full-time now.

This is me and we, over the weekend, pre-Coach:

 

Top: RL Polo skinny-fit (similar here in classic fit, longer placket here, here with a metallic pony)

Skirt: J. Crew dorrie (worn here before - sim here longer)

Shoes: Seychelles she's got the moves

Bracelets: Sweet Auburn Studio via Etsy (worn here before) / Old Navy enamel bangle (similar here)

Necklace: J. Crew pearl cluster (worn here before - similar ivory here, grey here)

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Special thanks go out to Inkmark from Objects of Desire and Little Miss Fancie Pants for the blog awards! You gals are too sweet - thanks again!

And if you haven't checked out their blogs yet, please do! They are two seriously busy do-it-all moms who can juggle work, kids and still look stylish in their J. Crew and Anthro gear!

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Lastly, if you haven't signed up for Ebates yet, now's the time to do it! I'm sure you've seen the Ebates logo a lot on fellow blogs - well, it's because we are all believers. Ebates is completely free to join, and gives you money back on purchases made online with your favorite retailers - I just got my first check in the mail!

Ebates is now offering a whopping 12% cash back for retailers like Endless, Banana Republic, Gap, Old Navy, Sephora, DSW, The Body Shop, etc. Sign up to join HERE.

You Should be Dancing, Yeah

Jen from vintageglammz had a hilarious post yesterday about figuring out when posing for an outfit shot, she has a handful of go-to poses she adopts and then copies over and over. That got me scrolling through some of my recent outfits and call me embarassed, I am apparently queen of the hand on hip semi-turned crossed leg pose. And I groan-worthily repeat that a lot.

So in an effort to break out of my pose rut, I'm temporarily trading in fashion blogger Lisa for my former model, goofy boogie Lisa. Goofy boogie Lisa likes to make faces at the camera and reenact scenes from Saturday Night Fever when the camera timer is going off. Goofy boogie Lisa thinks that there is no such thing as an outtake and yawns in the face of fashion blogger Lisa for her wannabe cloy over-the-shoulder poses, hands always on the hips.

 

Goofy boogie Lisa is only back for a limited time though, as she's difficult to control, shoulder dances at inappropriate times, has a terrible attitude and a habit of making a regular mini skirt look not-so-lady-like - but she may come back for a few guest appearances when she thinks fashion blogger Lisa is taking herself way too seriously and needs an outfit pose shakedown.

Mental note to file away? Loosen up, we don't need to take ourselves so seriously sometimes. Peace out!

 

Top: J. Crew gypsy rose (worn here before - similar here as tank, here as blouse)
Sweater: Loft pocket (similar here, here)
Skirt: J. Crew (worn here before - very sim here as a dress, similar-ish as maxi here)
Shoes: Seychelles sophia (worn here before - not sim but really cute here)
Bracelets: Sweet Auburn Studio via Etsy / Old Navy (similar here)

A Motivational Stripe

For you gals who have read my posts for a while now, you know that my diet is typically atrocious and my exercise routine perpetually stalled. Well I know this is still too soon to say, but using the "if I shout it from the Blogtops, then I need to live up to it" mentality, I am hoping my lackluster days are behind me now.

On the diet front, I've been keeping a food diary for about two weeks - though I haven't been keeping up. However, the process of writing it all down has helped me mentally think of what I'm consuming so I'm not just randomly grabbing whatever suits me and stuffing it into my mouth. That, and opting to chew gum when I am bored, plus having a bunch of healthier food options available, has definitely help to (mostly) curb the junk food munchies.

As for my non-fitness routine, I actually went to the gym two whole days in a row (seriously, big deal for me) and spent time on the treadmill - on Saturday I ran/walked almost two miles in twenty minutes, and yesterday I did over one mile on the treadmill before working some of the weight equipment and playing a few rounds of racquetball with the BF.

I'm taking small steps to get into a Healthier Lisa groove but it certainly isn't easy - I had fried chicken for dinner last night and I am struggling to get the excuses out of my head today so I can squeeze in another quick trip to the gym (I can't get myself motivated enough to do it first in the morning!) How do you gals keep yourselves exercising regularly?

 

Sweater: J. Crew sunshine peony (worn here before - similar here or more pink here)

Dress: Anthropologie Maeve slate stripes (worn here before - really similar, I want to buy it too here)

Belt: UO Deena & Ozzy stretch (worn here before - similar here)

Shoes: Seychelles sophia (similar here in navy)

And this is my one non-total slob outfit from this weekend, in my fave I-may-look-preggers-but-I-can-eat-what-I-want shirt:

 

Top: Anthropologie city cousin (worn here before)

Shorts: Old Navy (worn here before - similar here)

Shoes: Toms kenya stripe wedge (worn here before - I have a size 7.5 available on my blog sale here)

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Remember, there is still time to get me your fabulous pics for this week's Respect the Outfits reader post, featuring you and your pets! For more info, click here - or to see the last pets feature, click here. Send your stuff to me at respecttheshoes(at)live.com - thanks!

The Mad Plaidder

I would like to say that I am typically a pretty laid back person, at home as well as at work. Granted the people who have to work with me may have differing opinions, but I think with age, I think I've learned to stress less about things and just "expect" there will be change, grimace, then deal with it.

So I'd like to say that there are few people that I work with who rub me the wrong way. Actually until recently, none. So it was kind of surprise even to me when someone I have to work on a project with made me livid. And this may also be the first time I've ever even used "livid" to describe a personal emotion. But there it was, a sick to my stomach, heart palpitating, eye crossing, if-said-person-was-right-in-front-of-me-at-that-moment-I'd-pummel-them feeling.

Now I won't go into the gritty details, but I went from working with someone who was almost a second version of myself - in a good way - to another person who likes to move ahead with things without getting approvals on them (already reprimanded). Who likes to use ! ad-nauseum and J in e-mail communications with senior-level members (ignored with a grimace). Who is so darn perpetually cheery that she almost makes you feel like a grump for living - and who my boss passes off to me so he doesn't have to deal with her (sigh). Who works in an area where writing skills are a requirement but who does not seem to have any (completely redlined one of her docs).

And no, she does not work for me, or even work in the same company as I do, so there's little ability to really sit down and talk things through. And yes, I know she means well and is a nice person. So at this point, I vascillate between grinning and bearing it until this project is finally through, telling myself that I I need to work on my tolerance levels, and being up on her stuff like a sprinkle on a cupcake.

How do you gals deal with difficult people at work (or in life)? And what kind of people do you consider to be "difficult?"

 

Dress: Lands' End Canvas pleated tartan (now on sale - more cas version here)

Belt: H&M double buckle (worn here before - similar here or here)

Bracelets: Old Navy enamel / J. Crew studded (similar here and here)

Shoes: Seychelles ring in the new year / Anthro raines (worn here before - similar here or here)

Frills Ahoy!

Thanks for your comments in my last post about my hair, which implies to me that I'm probably due for an actual new 'do, as I was so bored with my hair that morning that I decided to flip my part. I ended up with bouncy hair and bangs that didn't poke me in the eyes, but also ended up with all my hair in my face pretty much all day. So, you're stuck with my old hair and the same ole should-they-stay-or-go bangs for another day, haha.

This is my girly sailor outfit. I know, I am one stripe shy of swabbing the decks here, but I couldn't help myself. Springtime equals white and stripes to me. Now if the weather would actually start acting some kind of spring-like!

Sweater: Anthropologe Guinevere roaming frills (worn here before - similar style here / here, color here)

Top: H&M striped (similar here)

Skirt: Zara elastic-waist (worn here before - similar-ish here, not really but me likey here)

Tights: Anthropologie berry bush (worn here before - similar here)

Necklace: Anthropologie nueva granada (worn here before - similar-ish here or I wish here)

Shoes: Anthropologie raines / Seychelles ring in the new year (worn here before - similar here or ish here)

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So what has got you all shopping-hot and wishlist-bothered for spring? What are some pieces you've gotta have to complete your it's-getting-warmer wardrobe?

Like I need more of anything, but here's what's on my current spring list:

✓  Platform sandals (I wanted to save some money for the inevitable platform-related hospital visit, so I got the teannas from Target for a steal - yes, both colors)

☐  Maxi dress (this means you, hydrangea petals dress, so go on sale already!)

✓  Lighter crossbody bag (I splurged on my first Minkoff - and apparently I have a thing for navajo prints)

☐  Lace-hemmed slip or half-slip (I rue the day I missed out on you, fool-proof half-slip, but I've got my eye on your taller sister, the lace-edged slip)

☐  Almost anything yellow (I need more shades of yellow in my life - which is funny because that was a color I stayed away from for the longest time because I thought it looked unflattering on me - ah, growth)

☐  A zebra head (I just need it, seriously)

☐  Blinge-y cluster necklace (the mini turned out to be a "huge" disappointment - anyone know of a good sub for the original J. Crew supernova necklace?)

A Krispy Spring Skirt

When I went to Anthro last weekend, my eye was immediately drawn to this skirt's bright green color. I tried both an XS and S and though they both fit fine (stretch elastic waist), I ended up getting the larger size because the fit was less poufy (go figure). I can already foresee this skirt becoming a warmer weather workhorse! And of course if has pockets.

Top: Lands' End Canvas stretch poplin (worn here before - similar here or here)

Skirt: Anthropologie Odille drawing parallels (green not yet online, similar cas here or here)

Necklace: Anthro-faux-logie via Ebay (similar here)

Bracelet: J. Crew zebra enamel (similar-ish here or here)

Tights: F21 (similar here)

Shoes: Anthropologie raine / Seychelles ring in the new year (worn here before - similar-ish here or here) 

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I have a new love in life, and it is this milkshake. The BF and I first experience it last year at Flip Burger and instantly fell into lust. It was so good we feared trying to make it home lest we were disappointed, but found this simple recipe online and now are obsessed.

It is sooooo easy and you will get addicted!

Krispy Kreme milkshake

4 whole scoops of vanilla ice cream

1/4 cup milk

2 whole regular glazed Krispy Kreme donuts

Place your ice cream and milk in a blender and add in one to two donuts. Frappe the mixture until it is nice and creamy but with a few chunks left. (You could add the donuts after a few seconds of mixing so it will be chunkier if you like it.)

Lisa's notes: I mixed all my ingredients together at one time and it was great. I added a little bit more milk for a smoother consistency. This recipe is enough to make two small shakes.

Make sure you have additional donuts for garnish and dippers, 'cause you might as well go big or go home - ooh so sinfully delicious, you must try this!