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)

Bienvenidos a Miami

  

Top: Anthropologie city cousin
Shorts: Loft metallic zebra jacquard
Sandals: Mossimo by Target wedges (worn here before - similar here or here)
Necklace: Overstock overlay camelia flower (worn here before - similar here)

I'm back, ladies! I don't know how you gals deal with blog absences, but as slammed as I was this past week and barely had the time to even go online at all, I couldn't help but feel twinges of blog break guilt over leaving you gals - no blogging and no blog reading makes Lisa something something ... I'll be catching up with all your blogs over the next few days!

I spent this past week in the sunny seashores of Miami Beach - and boy, is the locale awesome. I wish I could've spent more time enjoying myself but I had about two hours of combined free time this whole week and this lady is so not beachwear ready anyways. I did manage some sun-time though, except I didn't get any tanner and only managed to double the number of freckles on my face (is that just considered concentrated tanning?).

Above is a "recap" of one of my outfits during some downtime, and below are some random pics from the week:

Respect the Outfits (Anthro-esque)

Not a lot of Lisa mumbo jumbo this time because we all already know - loads of big puffy hearts for the Anthropologie, but they go hand-in-hand with credit card rashes and a dwindling bank account. But good thing that your fellow bloggers and Anthro fans are so fashionably resourceful, because they've been able to pull together some stellar "betcha can't believe it's NOT from Anthro" looks for a lot less!

So here's this week's Respect the Outfits reader feature: Anthro-esque ( and if you want to check out the last Anthro-esque reader post, click HERE):

♠  Dea from the dea diaries:

Outfit: Forever 21

♠  overcaffeinated (see overcaffeinated rock her look here):

ruffle top - Old Navy / cardigan - J.Crew / skirt - Forever 21 / shoes - Connie / necklaces - Avon and H&M

♠  Jen from vintageglammz (see Jen rock her look here):

Dress: Tokito Horse Print Waterfall Dress @ Myer Australia / Jacket: Museum Clothing Sydney / Tights: Paddy's Markets Sydney /

Shoes: Kmart Australia / Belt: Dotti Australia

♠  Josie from Jo Jo Phine (see Josie rock her look here):

Dress and Shoes: Macy's / Top: Urban Outfitters / Jewlery: gifts

♠  Cee from to brighten my day (see Cee rock her look here):

Plastic Island dress / American Eagle shirt / J.Crew necklace / Mossimo flats

♠  Peggy from She Hath Done What She Could (see Peggy rock her look here):

Shirt: Old Navy $5 / Cardi: NY&Co. $9 / Skirt: Ross $10 / Shoes: Target Dolce Vita $7

♠  Jenn from Complex Cardigans (see Jenn rock her look here):

Target Cardigan / Old Navy Dress / Urban Outfitters Belt / Forever21 Necklace / Target Boots

♠  Danielle from mrschong (see Danielle rock her look here):

Jacket - Old Navy / Dress - Dynamite / Shoes - A&N / Purse - Vintage

♠  Thirteen Pounds (see Thirteen rock her look here):

jacket- Gap / blouse- Banana Republic / herringbone pants- Gap / necklace- Forever21

♠   ♠   ♠   ♠

And here's my Anthro-inspired attire - I know I've worn this skirt with something navy to death already (here, here, here) and this cardi just a few days ago (here), but can I help it if an outfit puts itself together?

 

Skirt: Zara elastic-waist (similar here or here or not, but I wants! here)
Top: Loft beaded blouse (worn here before - similar-ish here or in white here)
Sweater: J. Crew cotton (similar jacket here or oversized here)
Bracelet: Forever 21 faceted cube spiral (worn here before)
Shoes: Nine West temani wedges (worn here before - similar here or peep-toe here)

Slightly on Target

I'm so glad to be home! Going to FL isn't far, but it seems so much longer when you have a BF and pup at home that you're missing! Especially since all the time in FL was spent rolling out at the crack of the dawn and finishing long after dark - I had zero problem sleeping like a rock in the hotel.

A little "surprise" that I enjoy receiving after a long week away is a little pile of fresh packages (OK, one package, but still, it's nice). I received my Target GO International dresses and wanted to share my thoughts on them (though I'll keep it short since I know reviews have already made their rounds in the blogosphere).

  

Tracy Feith by Target hibiscus print dress: I think most of you gals know by now that the Tracy Feith dresses fit real small, so you've lucked out on this one, petite gals. I am typically a size 2/2P and got this in a 5 and it "just" fit. If you're on the busty side, you probably need to size up. The length is perfect on my short frame and it is fully lined in a bright orange with a layer of crinoline along the hem for added flounce. I really like this dress - except I kind of feel like I need to be on a Hawaiian vacation to wear it. I'm undecided about this one ... I may trade it in for the all-white version.

See Kathryn rock the dress.

  

Libertine by Target striped tunic: I'm not sure about this. It is short, so I'm going to need some leggings or other bottoms to wear this out in public in. And the puffed sleeves - I am kind of feeling football player-ish. I got this in a S for the additional length and I figured the 100% cotton material will probably shrink in the wash. I think I'm going to end up keeping this so I can wear it for super-cas at-home weekends since I'm automatically in love with something if it has stripes.

See Pamela, M and Carol rock the tunic.

And this is what I wore today - hello, beautiful spring - albeit cloudy - weather! I even broke out my very first Minkoff, which I love love love, but which I also carry around like a newborn baby! I'm not much of a handbag person - this ain't Respect the Purse -  and honestly I'm cheap can't you tell, hehe, so this is a big purse splurge for me. That I will coddle around like a purse baby. My sweet little studded purse baby.

  

Dress: AT Loft dotty blossoms (worn here before - similar here, here or luxe here)

Belt: cheapie gold woven (similar here)

Shoes: Artisan by Clarks herring bow flats (worn here before - similar here or here)

Bag: Rebecca Minkoff navajo studs clutch

The Short of It

I found out yesterday that my pup has mange. And I'm not sure if I look good in cropped pants. And I have doubts whether this outfit works together or is too hodge podge-y. So that's about it for my day - how are you all doing?

No worries about the Pacey, ladies, she's got the demodectic kind, which is very treatable especially because we caught it early before we had to permanently rename her Patches. Plus it's not contagious to humans or other dogs so Pacey doesn't need to be sent to survivor island. And she can't re-catch it, so there'll be no burning of the bed or the couch.

So what about these pants? Should short people just not wear crops? Is there no such thing as a work-friendly crop, regardless of how much that Ann Taylor lady tries to tell us otherwise?

Top: H&M tiered (worn here before - similar here or here)

Sweater: Xhiliration by Target lace (or similar high-end here)

Pants: Loft marisa city synthetic cropped (or similar here)

Shoes: Kenneth Cole Reaction swim n fool (worn here before - similar here or w/bow here)

Necklace: Anthropologie jahara (worn here before - similar here or here)

Furry Sparkles (and Other People's Giveaways)

This outfit was inspired by Carrie who rocked her striped shirt and pegged jeans with such Cali-for-ni-ay ease that I had to recreate it - with some weather-appropriate additions, of course.

Top: J. Crew striped sequin boatneck (factory here, similar here sans bling or here with)
Jeans: AT Loft modern bootcut (worn here before - similar here)
Coat: Forever 21 faux fur collar (worn here before - similar here or here)
Necklace: White Owl via Etsy (worn here before - similar sequined here)
Shoes: Nine West Temani patent wedges (worn here before - similar here)
Shoe Clips: Lilywinkel via Etsy

★   ★   ★   ★

You still have time to submit your outfit for the next Respect the Outfits reader feature! This time please shoot over a pic of your Anthropologie-inspired outfit - feature will go up on Tuesday! More info here - previously featured outfits from your blog are OK. Pics can be sent to respecttheshoes(at)live.com.

★   ★   ★   ★

My blog luck has runneth over recently and I had been lucky enough to win not one, but two fantastic giveaways hosted by BonBon Rose Girls and WildasaMink. If you haven't checked out their blogs yet, please do! They are different as night and day, but I love the BonBon Rose Girls for their preppy pretty chic and WildasaMink for her rocker-sweet sensibilities.

Another medley of fabulous ladies have some super-cool giveaways going on this week, so here's your opportunity to win:

★  Like mine! My giveaway for a lace necklace from tree & kimball and a $25 gift card to J. Crew or Anthropologie ends February 6!  ★

★  Jinah from bonjour it's jinah! is giving away a bunting necklace from Mary Rebecca. Contest ends February 6.

★  Diana from exPress-o is giving away an I Love You dish from Paloma's Nest. Contest ends February 6.

★  Sandy from Sandy a la Mode is giving away a ruffle necklace from Pretty Things by Meg. Contest ends February 8.

★  Kim from Anthroholic is giving away a butterfly necklace and blooming flower ring, both from Ruche. Contest ends February 10.

★  Fashionable Academics is giving away a $50 gift card to CSN Stores. Contest ends February 10.

★  Elaine from Clothed Much is giving away a pair of brown pheasant feather shoe clips from, well, Shoe Clips. Contest ends February 11.

★  Jovian from Plums and Pearls is giving away pieces from Modern Amusement's collection worth $200. Contest ends February 11.

★  Carrie from this free bird is giving away a peach jade bead bracelet from Brooklyn Thread. Contest ends February 11.

★  Lisa from Confessions of a Call Center Gal is giving away a $100 gift certificate to ShopBop. Contest ends February 12.

★  Maggie from Chasing Davies is giving away a $35 gift card to CSN Stores. Contest ends February 13.

★  Debby from Inspired Design is giving away a Danish Ebelskiver pan from CSN Stores. Contest ends February 14.

★  GalTime is giving away an Apple iPad. Contest ends February 14.

★  Kelly from The Fashion Worshiper is giving away a vintage YSL heart pin. Contest ends February 14.

★  Urban Sherp is giving away a $100 gift card to LL Bean. Contest ends February 15.

★  Alison from Being Alison is giving away a BruiseMD gift pack and $50 AmEx gift card. Contest ends February 15.

★  Jen from Haute Whimsy is giving away a to-be-customized necklace from Koco & Viking. Contest ends February 16.

★  T from A Taste of T is giving away two $100 gift certificates to APART Style. Contest ends February 18.

★  Marie from All Things Marie is giving away a $25 gift card to Apothica. Contest ends February 18.

★  Extra Petite is giving away a $100 cash prize from Ebates for her readers who sign up for the program through her. Contest ends February 28.

★  Callandra from Petite Early Morning Style is giving away a $40 gift card to CSN Stores. Contest ends March 11.

Check Out the Stripes

This is an outfit I wore last Friday for some casual end of the week fun. I took inspiration from Eleanor and Courtnee, two fantastically fashionable do-it-all women who are pros at strong style and rocking a peg leg boy jean.

One of the many reasons that I am so obsessed with clothes is how I love how choosing an outfit in the can help to define my mood for the day. Putting on a sparkly number will suddenly make even a dreary evening in seem like a special occasion. A strong-shoulder suit jacket and killer patent heels gives me the subconscious air of authority I need for vendor negotiations. A flippy skirt will have me dancing down the street.

What I love most is how putting together a great outfit or specific piece of clothing can give me a shot of stand-up-taller-shoulders-back-flip-of-the-hair-big-smile-on-my-face confidence. There's something about a blazer that makes me feel competent and put-together. I think it's the mix of the defined shoulders and the fit-and-flare of the waistline that makes me feel more woman-ly. 

What piece of clothing do you have that makes your feel like a strong and confident woman?

Jacket: Anthropologie Cartonnier Hello Sunday (worn here before - similar here)

Shirt: Lands' End Canvas gingham poplin (worn here before - similar here)

Jeans: AT Loft modern bootcut (similar here)

Belt: J. Crew embossed (worn here before - similar here)

Necklace: Anthropologie double torsade (worn here before - similar-ish here)

Shoes: Nine West Temani patent wedges (worn here before - similar ankle-strap here or color here)

♠   ♠   ♠   ♠

I'm behind on my blogger-ly duties, so if you haven't submitted an outfit pic yet for this week's Respect the Outfits reader post, there's still time!

This week, we're featuring items from your closet that haven't had enough love - send your outfit pic, plus details and a short descriptor on your particular piece(s) to respecttheshoes(at)live.com.

You now have until Tuesday at midnight - thanks so much! And for you gals who have already submitted pics, thanks for your patience!