I promise that these photos will get better, but until I can get my tripod set up, this will have to do.

Cardigan: Banana Republic | Tee: Old Navy | Skirt: Banana Republic | Belt: Target | Shoes: Old Navy | Necklace: Claire’s

I really love this skirt because it’s super comfortable and can be dressed up or down. In the first photo, it’s a little more dressed up with a nice cardigan. I wore this to class so I slipped on some comfy flats that were more suitable for walking, but if I were wearing this to the office, I’d wear my red peep-toe pumps.

Jacket: Gap | Top: Old Navy | Scarf: Banana Republic | Skirt: Banana Republic | Shoes: Payless

In the second photo, I’ve paired the skirt with a fabulous denim jacket, scarf and flats. This a little more casual, and I probably would have worn it to class except that it’s still way too hot out for that jacket and scarf. Maybe in a few weeks!

I’m still having a little bit of trouble figuring out how else to style this skirt. That lone red stripe at the bottom throws me off a bit.

Which is your favorite look? Do you have any other suggestions for styling this skirt?

I’ve never considered myself a fashionista but I do like putting together and wearing cute outfits. I’ve received many compliments on my clothes lately so I’ve decided to start blogging about it. I may never be a fashion blogger per se, but if I can inspire folks to love getting dressed every day, then I’ll consider it a success. My photos aren’t the greatest at the moment, and I promise they’ll get better as I get my tripod set up but without further ado, here are a few outfits I’ve worn recently:

Cardigan: Ross | Top: Banana Republic | Jeans: Banana Republic | Belt and Shoes: Old Navy | Necklace: Hawthorne Collection online | Sunglasses: Target

Not surprisingly, everything in this outfit is from Old Navy | Necklace: Target

Dress: Ross | Sweater: Banana Republic | Shoes: Rocket Dog via Zappos | Belt: Target | Necklace: Hawthorne Collection online

This is a sweater over a dress. Pretty clever, huh?

What do you think about fashion? Do you like following fashion blogs/find them helpful?

Is sideswept one word or two? Either way, check out these bangs. The hairdresser left them on the longer side so I could swoop them just like this. Also, look at that red lipstick! I’m trying something new.

It’s Friday Tie Day again!

Here is Tie #2 that I’m wearing today:

blue!

Again, it’s Nick’s tie and he almost didn’t have one to match the shirt. He says he doesn’t wear a lot of pink so I guess it’s to be expected that he might not have anything to match a bright pink shirt. But I did find this one, which is navy blue with tiny lighter blue dots that you can kind of see in the picture. I’m wearing it with dark denim, my sparkly target flats, and an awesome navy blue BR blazer that makes me look and feel like I should be on a boat with all of it’s shiny gold buttons!

After having it on for only 5 minutes this morning I realized that wearing a tie without a vest is a different experience. It just seems to be hanging there and getting in the way when I bend down. I need a clip! Also, it’s a lot easier to see. The vest hid most of the tie the last time but now it’s all in-your-face, which isn’t bad but you definitely have to be comfortable with people saying, “Oh, you’re wearing a tie!” and then maybe raising an eyebrow. I still like wearing it, though.

I think I need to go tie shopping!

When I was in the seventh grade, I attended an awards ceremony at school. I can’t remember exactly why we were having the ceremony; it was probably one of those end-of-the-year things, but I do remeber watching an eighth-grade girl on the softball team walk up on stage to receive her award and she wearing a powder blue skirt suit*. Now, this was the first time I’d ever seen anyone around my age wearing anything that even remotely resembled a suit. Suits were what adults wore to work, right? And here was this girl, not much older than me, wearing a beauitful skirt and blazer, looking so professional and important. That was the moment I fell in love with suits and the whole professional look, even though I wouldn’t own my first one until I was about 23 and interviewing for my second grown-up job after college. I started my first [part-time] office job my junior year in college. It was a very small medical billing business that only consisted of 4 employees when I started: my boss and his father (who helped him start the business), a member of their church, and me, the only female. The men wore a suit and tie to work every day and I loved it. I didn’t wear suits at that time but I did start buying trousers and classic button-down shirts and I felt so professional! My roommate’s girlfriend even commented once as I was walking around the kitchen of our tiny apartment in these fabulous black, pointy heels before work one afternoon that I looked like I could be a powerful executive of some company. It was probably the most awesome compliment I’ve ever received!

Anyway, the whole point of that little back story is to show you that I finally tried something I’ve been wanting to do for a very long time: Break into the masculine fashion world and pay homage to the suit by wearing a tie. And not only that, but try to incorporate it permanently into my fashion choices. So here I am:

Tada! Me in a tie.

It’s Nick’s tie and he had to teach me how to tie it but doesn’t it look awesome? I’ve received a lot of compliments on it so I’m definitely planning to wear them more often. Maybe I’ll wear them enough to start an official Friday Tie Day series on the blog. What do you think?

*I just realized that this sentence makes me sound like maybe I didn’t care about academics and was only into fashion and the sort, and not that there’s anything wrong with caring about fashion, obviously ,but don’t be fooled. I was completely the opposite; I was a complete nerd with excellent grades and an appreciation for education all through school. Still am, actually. And I’m very proud of that.