A Short Post - and Your Photo Bites

Top: Anthropologie Odille Bianka (on sale - worn here before, similar here or sleeveless here)

Short: F21 woven (worn here before, similar here)

Belt: J. Crew elastic blossoms (worn here before, similar here)

Tights: Anne Klein

Shoes: Vince Camuto Bronco (on sale - worn here before)

Necklace: horseshoe Natasha Grasso via Etsy / flower family gift

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For the next Respect the Outfits reader post, let's go back to the idea that started it all - your outtakes! Send me over your funny / awkward / ill-timed outfit photo outtakes so we can commiserate and share a few good laughs. See previous outtake posts here and here.

I'm far from coordinated and polished and usually end up with at least a dozen good outtakes during every outfit shoot - pup skirting across the shot or taking a nip at my skirt hem, me tripping myself up for no good reason, camera angle cutting my head off awkwardly, posing with my skirt tucked into my tights, BF cracking jokes from a distance and making me all pose-weird.

So please send yours in and let's share! You can send your pic(s) to respecttheshoes(at)live.com - include your outfit details and a link to your real outfit post if you like. Post will go up next Wednesday, February 23, so please send your pic in by Tuesday evening! Thanks much for your participation!

Flutter Away with Me

Sweater: J. Crew marled cardigan (worn here before - similar here or here)

Dress: H&M embroidered (worn here before - similar here or solid here)

Tights: Anne Klein

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

Boots: Vince Camuto Bronco (worn here before - exact here or here - on sale!)

Quick post today, ladies - here's an outfit I wore last week. I thought to include it because it fits in with the next Respect the Outfits feature (see below!)

Sorry I may be a bit MIA this week, because business has taken me away to the land of sandy plains and some pretty tall buildings - well just the land of the land of a certain tallest building in the world  ...

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It's time to announce the next Respect the Outfits reader feature! I have yet to meet a gal who doesn't love the fashionable duds from Anthropologie - and I have also yet to meet a gal who doesn't get wallet heartburn over some of the retailer's prices!

So this time (thank you, Callandra, for the great idea) for the next reader feature, send me your most Anthro-worthy outfits - without wearing any actual Anthro!

Shoot over a pic of your best Anthro-inspired outfit, plus your outfit details. If you want to incorporate some Anthro accessories, that's no problem, but please make sure your key outfit pieces are non-Anthro. If you had a previous outfit post that you think fits this criteria, go on and send it, and shoot me over the post URL too for some additional link love!

Post will go up on Tuesday, February 7, so please send me your pics before then - you can send them to respecttheshoes(at)live.com!

Cause I Am Barely Breathing

I guess it is the extreme time change in coming home again, but I'm having a hard time getting back to the groove of things this week. Between closing things out from last week's conference, a mondo expense report, millions of minutia items, laundry, and two more events coming up in the next few weeks, I feel sooooo swamped.

However, it is so nice to have my full closet back at my disposal and my snuggly own warm bed! And as much as I enjoy trying new things and eating Chinese food, there's no substitute for a down-home fried chicken or greasy thin-crust pizza craving. And my own BF to hug and laugh with (even though all he's interested in doing lately is conquering the new Call of Duty: Black Ops game - sigh, boys).

After you've been away from home for a bit, what do you most look forward to when coming back?

Top: Forever 21 H81 brushed plaid (worn here and here before)

Sweater: Ann Taylor marled wool shrug

Skirt: J. Crew wool bungalow (on sale at Factory store - or longer version online here)

Tights: Anne Klein

Shoes: Vince Camuto Bronco (worn here and here before)

Necklace: J. Crew crystal cylinder

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I do still plan to do another Respect the Outfits post this week though - for Friday. Since it was such a fun post seeing everyone's blog photo "bloopers," we're going back to Outtakes! So pretty please send me your best blog photo outtakes by late Thursday and I'll be putting up another post on Friday with you gals rockin' your finest gear and funniest pics.

Pics can be sent to: respecttheshoes (at) live.com.

Theresa's Wallpaper

When I was in elementary school, my family moved next door to a lovely older widow whose grown children lived scattered across the country. We all instantly meshed - my dad would help her around her house and us kids (i.e., me as my big sis was always conveniently absent) used to shovel her walk when it snowed. In return, she made us all sorts of treats and even sewed dresses for little ole 9 year-old Lisa. As a latchkey kid, she often invited me to her house after school and I would have tea with her in her living room - which to my little eyes was an ornate and grown-up fantasy land.

She loved to collect things and do crafts, so her living room was a testiment to her skills - embroidered pillows, cushions and artwork; porcelain Hummel dolls merticulously placed in a trio of floor-to-ceiling cherry and glass display cases; hand-sewn dolls lined a bookcase; her tea set was painted Chinaware; there were tassels and gilding and richness everywhere.

Miss Theresa was a lovely, and much loved, neighbor for several years before she decided to move to be closer to her daughter a state away. We continued to stay in touch with her and even took a few family trips to visit her. We were never forgotten during the holidays and care packages came for several years. She passed peacefully in her sleep around Christmas-time when I was in college.

This pattern really isn't my typical style but I was instantly reminded of our afternoon teas and my neighbor's ornate living room, the richness of her life. This is what her walls looked like, if only in my childhood memories.

Dress: UO Ecote silky printed shirtdress

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

Tights: F21 (worn here and here before - similar online here and here)

Shoes: Vince Camuto Bronco (worn here before)

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Remember to send your outfits for tomorrow's Respect the Outfits post. This week, we're concentrating on your favorite outfits - what have you worn that has made your feel at your best? Whether it be a ballgown or a pair of cut-offs to go to the market, what have you rocked and loved? Shoot over your pic, along with your outfit credits and why you love your outfit (if you like) - send to respecttheshoes(at)live.com!

Hello Thursday

Short post: Another outfit from last week - I finally broke out my Hello Sunday blazer, and I definitely love it! How's this for a dressed up version of a sweatshirt and shorts?

Jacket: Anthropologie Cartonnier Hello Sunday (similar-ish online here)

Top: Anthropologie Velvet draped tee (no clue on name, few years old - similar online here)

Shorts: Forever 21 wool blend (worn here and here before - similar online here)

Tights: DKNY

Shoes: Vince Camuto Bronco booties (worn here before)

Necklace: Ann Taylor Loft mesh chain



And look - I've had a chance to see daylight in Orlando! And some Lego miscellany. Homeward bound in another few days, yay.

Booties for Perilla

Realization this weekend as the BF and I had started leaving our windows and back doors open some times to let in the cool morning or evening breezes - uh, mosquitoes aren't gone yet! So far we've killed four in the house over the weekend, and I'm convinced there are more. Ack - don't those things go south for the winter or something, like to Mexico?!

As for my outfit, I wore this last Friday. Not sure if this really works for fall or if the knit dress is too summer-y in color palette (and too contrast-y with the black?), but comfort-wise it felt fine for 80-degree temps in the SE, and I felt like I wearing jammies!

Dress: Anthropologie Little Yellow Button Perila (worn here before)
Tee: Old Navy
Tights: Anne Klein
Shoes: Vince Camuto Bronco booties (tried on here before)

(Blogging during a brief respite in FL - loving the weather, neck-deep in work!)

Dog Days

Dress: Anthropologie Maeve Slate Shifts (worn here and here before)
Sweater: J. Crew lightweight cardigan (worn here before)
Belt: Anthropologie City Safari (worn here, here and here before)
Shoes: Indigo by Clarks Edamame (worn here, here and here before)

Just like the rest of you gals, for the past few weeks I had been slowly compiling together my fall wishlist and going on the search for my coveted items. My list has been mercifully short, and two of the items that I thought would be great additions to my current wardrobe had been a pair of casual flat brown boots and black booties.

The brown boots had been difficult - after many weeks of searching and whining and then having purchased (and then returned) three different pairs of brown boots (why do things just look better when you're trying them on in-store?), I finally found my pair about two weeks ago. I haven't worn them yet - um, when is fall finally going to show itself in the SE? - but I am so excited about them. The shaft on these is kind of also too tall for a shortie like me, but the leather is so soft that it doesn't matter (bed stü Bullet).

As for my black booties, these were luckily almost a no brainer since I'm a big fan of Vince Camuto (and if you buy shoes direct from their site, shipping is free, there's no tax and they often have 20% off deals). These will sure-to-be another workhorse for fall (Vince Camuto Bronco) - now if the darn weather in the SE would just go ahead and get fall-like! What is up with these 90 degree+ days in late September?!

To top off my fall shopping, I'd love to get a cozy wool jacket in a gorgeous jewel tone. J. Crew used to be the master of the colorful fall tweed but so far they aren't offering any this year (disappointing, JC!). But a recent perusal through Old Navy online recently did had me stumble upon this cousin to JC's previously highly sought-after Bella blazer (which also comes in petite and tall sizing ... tempting!):

Old Navy Ruffle-Collar jacket ($69.50)

What's been your favorite purchase of the fall so far? What are the next big items on your wish list?

The Antonym to Cognizant

So I've spent a good part of last night between True Blood, Gossip Girl and No Reservations trying to put together a blog post. I wasn't trying to be especially meaningful or witty - I was just trying to find one idea I could type together that would actually make some sense, but all I've got was a whole lot of nothing.

And I spent a better part of early this morning trying to put together that same post but I am at a throwing-my-hands-into-the-air-in-frustration-and-defeat phase. I know I shouldn't blog because I feel like I have to - and I don't feel like I have to, I really do want to - but all I've got at the moment is a bad case of blogger's block.

So as a cheap blog cop-out, I'm looking to you for help. Got any questions you would like for me to answer? Anything you would like to know about moi? What do you do when you're looking for blog inspiration?

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And in other "news," here are my OOTDs from the last few days:

Top: Target slub tee (similar here in white - Target sleepwear makes the best casual tees!)

Skirt: NY&Co. abstract print (worn here before - kind of similar online here)

Shoes: Vince Camuto (worn here, here and here before)

Belt: J. Crew skinny metallic

Necklace: Laila Rowe

Top: Anthropologie Iris & Navy Sweetheart sweatshirt (worn here before)

Shorts: Old Navy cotton pleated (worn here and here before)

Shoes: Mossimo by Target (worn here, here and here before - similar-ish online here)

Dress: J. Crew cotton (big sis hand-me-down which I think is a cast-off bridesmaid dress - do you think the color washes me out?)

Belt: Urban Outfitters Deena & Ozzy stretch (worn here and here before - similar online here)

Shoes: Kenneth Cole Reaction Pine-A-Colada (worn here, here and here before)

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FYI, I think Google proved my blog is cootie-free now - I no longer see "this site is potentially harmful" messages popping up. Yay for getting out of Google detention!

Jump Around

Topic-jumping, that is. When you can't put one complete thought together to help fill in a post, so you throw down all your half-(witted) thoughts? That's me today with my own version of blogging ADD:

"Party's here!" Please tell me I am not the only person super-excited about the new season of Jersey Shore premiering tonight. TONIGHT! I mean, I think I already get the gist of the entire season (GTL, copious amounts of fist pumping, cat fights, grenades in the pool, and I think Snooki and Vinny hook up - have I missed anything?) but I can't help but to want to watch every episode. If you're going to do trashy reality TV, why no go over-the-top and let it be fun and funny, eh?

...

Attention shopaholics: If any of you gals do as much unnecessary online window shopping as I do, here's a potentially timesaving new tool for you: Shop It To Me. I know they've already made their rounds in the blogosphere but I really think the site is kind of a cool concept. Shop It To Me lets you pick your clothing preferences and fave retailers, then sends you e-mails when stuff in your categories go on sale. So it does the sale searching for you - time saver YES and shopping enabler DEFINITELY. The e-mails are pretty extensive though, but they include pics, prices and links (plus it is free to sign up, and free is good).

...

Boden's fall collection is officially out. And from now until August 2nd, get 12% off new stuff and free shipping with code "G969." Loads of yummy knits and tweeds and warm autumn colors - now why don't they have petite sizing already?!

...

And miscellany aside, here's my OOTD:

Gotta have some silliness in your pics, right?

Top: Martin & Osa v-neck button cuff tee (worn here before)
Skirt: Anthropologie Edme & Esyllte Royal Poinciana (worn here and here and here before)
Belt: J. Crew metallic skinny
Necklace: Anthropologie Nueva Granada (worn here and here and here before)
Shoes: Vince Camuto (worn here and here before and ...)

Well that's what I wore to an informal vendor meeting this morning, anyways. For some reason I didn't feel completely comfy though, so I ended up spending the rest of the day like this:

Shorts: J. Crew Brigitte gingham poplin (now on sale - worn here and here before)

Shoes: Indigo by Clarks Finch (on super-sale - worn here and here and here before)

Green Chile Fronds

I "blame" Spiffy (from Where the Lights are Bright) for looking so darn great in her dress that I had to (virtually) run to Forever 21 to buy it immediately. So now I am the proud owner of this pretty (and cheap! but doesn't look it) dress - and I think I now also receive a year's subscription to Seventeen magazine, which should be a blazing finger in my face about Forever 21's target demographic and how I'm not it.

Dress: Forever 21 Frond Linen Blend (no longer online - check stores!)
Belt: Anthropologie City Safari (worn here and here before, and bunches before that)
Necklace: Anthropologie Nueva Granada (worn here and here before)
Shoes: Vince Camuto (worn here and here and here before)

On to more "my age" appropriate things. Yay for life's small victories - dinner last night turned out really well. I finally got a chance to make my creamy green chile chicken enchiladas and the BF loved them (which I am so glad, because I made enough for dinner for the rest of the week).

I don't have my original recipe for it, but it is very similar to this one - the main difference is that I rolled my filling into the tortillas instead of layering. And instead of cooking some chicken breast, I just bought a whole roasted chicken, removed the skin and shredded it - perfect amount for the recipe.

Food purists be warned though, this recipe is very Semi-Homemade Cooking with Sandra Lee-like in that it uses a bunch of convenience foods to make the sauce - but it is easy and soooo good and filling. And I added in some refried beans and made a cheater's version of Mexican rice for the sides. Carb heaven ...

Before ...

... and ooey-gooey goodness after.

And yummmmmm ...

Fade to carb-induced food coma.

Ignore nagging feeling that the Anthro Meeting Place tank that is finally shipping out to me

may not fit over my food baby.

Guilty Mini - Bad Hanami

As you know, I am a bit of a reality TV junkie. Specifically the Bravo shows (I don't think MTV counts anymore since The Hills is ending). So please don't tell me I was the only one who watched Bethenny finally get married last night.

She's always been my favorite Housewife and amidst all the over-the-top drama from all the Real Housewives shows, it was nice to tune into something more humorous, still kind of out there, but with a lot less yelling (OMG, New Jersey, can you tone it down a bit? And after the White House gatecrashing controversy, I'm not even going to touch the new DC show - makes me miss the calmer days of finger pointing and wig-pulling).

That said, what guilty pleasures to you fine ladies allow yourselves?

Thank goodness Anthro and J. Crew make such great clothes - because on hot days like this when

I can't think of putting an outfit together, their pieces just do it for me.

Though I probably could've used a belt ...

Top: Anthropologie Deletta Unveiled tank

Skirt: J. Crew paisley mini (worn here before)

Shoes: Vince Camuto wedges (worn here before - trying to break them in because I walk like a new-born baby giraffe in them)

BTW, if anyone was considering the Hanami cropped jacket from Anthro (now on sale) - please don't. I know not everyone will agree with me (and it actually got reviewed very favorably online), but I feel like someone cut the Charlotte Russe tag off and accidentally posted the jacket on the Anthro web site. If you do like the jacket though, and usually wear an XS, there's one for cheap right now on Ebay here.

My other recent sale purchase - the Nueva Granada necklace - thumbs up on that one. I really like the little quarter-sized medallions and the mixed metals chain. The only down-side (which I am hoping is temporary) is that it smells strongly metallic - though it could also just be because I am weird and notice those things.

Bon week-end! Stay cool!

Silver Bullet

I'm not going to complain about the heat because about 99% of you ladies already know the pain I'm feeling. Heck, two of my potted plants have already died (minimum 6+ hours of direct sunlight each day said the little instructions tab? Not so much ...).  So bear with me as I've made a vain attempt at looking remotely stylish (i.e., not melt on the sidewalk) today:

Must ... boogie on ... in spite of heat ... 

Top: Anthropologie Edme & Esyllte - Rose is a Rose (worn here and here before)
Shorts: Ann Taylor Loft (worn here before)
Belt: J. Crew metallic skinny
Shoes: Vince Camuto wedges (thank you, Ebay)
Bracelet: J. Crew crystal abacus