As part of my attempt to update my closet so that it reflects my current life and the person I am now instead the person I was four+ years ago, I’m wearing certain pieces one last time to determine if they have a place in my new lifestyle. This navy and white polka dot skirt is one of those pieces that I liked but I wasn’t wearing; it hung in my closet for several years, every day getting passed over. So, it’s on the chopping block; I’m wearing it today to decide whether I keep it or donate it, and I decided to recreate/update an outfit I’ve worn before with this skirt.

Guess who’s working again? This girl! I mentioned in my last post that my friend helped me get a part-time job as the office manager of a women’s rights organization, which means I’m back in my pencil skirts. I’m not going to lie, it feels awesome to be back at work and to be all productive. I also felt really pretty leaving the house even though it was all gray and rainy, but Nick said I looked great and he was right.

The best thing is the organization understands that I’m still looking for something more permanent and full-time in my field (public health) so I plan to keep searching and interviewing for my dream job. But, in the meantime, I get to wear my pretty clothes and do awesome work with some really cool women!

This is the fun one, and my favorite one:

Blouse: Lush via Nordstrom Rack | Blazer: Banana Republic | Skirt: Loft Outlet | Shoes & Bracelets: Old Navy | Necklace: via Stitch Fix

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If you follow us on Instagram, you’ve probably already seen a little peek of this outfit. It seems a little silly to wear sweaters in the summer, but the office where I work as a graduate research assistant loves to keep the temperature approximately arctic so sweaters are necessary. I won’t lie, I kind of like it. The only downside is you have to walk outside in the heat to get inside to the chill, but those few minutes are worth it.

I had trouble deciding if I wanted to wear the belt or not. Ultimately, I went with it but I started out without it. You can see in the photos below that it’s missing. What do you think, belt or no belt?

Here’s the fun one: This was just a test picture so I could get the lightening right (or, at least, as close as possible) and just as the camera snapped, my neighbor jogged by and made me laugh. It’s a cute photo so you get to enjoy it, too.

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Sweater: J. Crews (thrifted)
Skirt: Target
Shoes & Belt: Banana Republic
Cami & Necklace: Target
Earrings: gift
Handbag: Franco Sarto via Ross

When I first saw this shirt, I thought it would be a great casual piece  I could wear with jeans and sandals and couldn’t wait for Spring/warmer weather to wear it that way. Then I started putting looks together and realized it would make a good dressy piece, as well. I don’t normally do the half tuck because I’ve realized it doesn’t work very well with my body shape – my short torso looks even shorter with a half tuck – but with the drape of the fabric, it works here. I find myself loving this shirt more and more each time I wear it. Thanks, Stitch Fix!

Isn’t the detailing on this shirt just amazing?

 I’ve already said you can’t go wrong with neutrals, so of course I did it again. But this time, I took it a step further and added a pop of color with this fabric flower clip/hair elastic and my yellow clutch. I bought the flower to wear in my hair for a wedding but it works with everything. I put it in my hair, pin it to my shirts and blazers, and I’ve even pinned it to my handbags.

The button-front top has gray stripes, to give it a little more interest.  I wore this outfit to class and was a total cutie the whole time.

And here’s the fun one:

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