Fashion Fuel

Lessons Learned: Informed Shopping

2012-01-27T18:29:00.001-05:00

As a blogger, I'm always thinking about my blog: ways to improve it, ideas for new posts, and my overall reasons and goals for blogging. I also like to reflect on some of the lessons I've learned since starting my blog. I could easily do a week's worth of posts on "lessons learned," but today I thought I'd focus on one.

Blogging has taught me how to be a much more savvy and informed shopper.

I've never been a big impulse shopper, but now more than ever, I take my time deciding what I will or won't buy. When I see something I like, I take care to do my research before making a purchase. With all the great blogs, forums, and other internet resources, it's fairly easy to find product reviews, compare prices, and look for coupons or promo codes. Occasionally I've missed out on an item because I took too long to "pull the trigger" so to speak, but when that happens, I know that it just wasn't meant to be.

I'm also much more tuned in to store policies and procedures. Thanks to the J.Crew and Anthro blogging communities, I know when to expect sales at my favorite stores, I know how to search for elusive items, and I'm well versed about store returns/exchanges and price adjustment policies. I now know how to seek out these policies at other retailers as well, not just at Anthro or J.Crew. Three years ago I had never asked for a price adjustment in my life. Now I don't hesitate to contact customer service if I notice something I just bought has since gone on sale!

BB Dakota Cape | Banana Republic Jeans | Boden Boots
Free People Top | Anthro Earrings

You may wonder what all my rambling has to do with the outfit above. It turns out, the cape I'm wearing is a result of lots of internet sleuthing and savvy shopping! I first saw it before the holidays at Modcloth. After browsing online, I realized the same cape was carried by multiple retailers at various price points. Next thing I knew, the holidays were over and the cape was on sale. I ended up buying it from the retailer with the lowest price, who was also offering an extra 25% off sale. A week later, the cape hit final sale at the same retailer. I promptly called customer service, got a price adjustment, and was even happier about my purchase! They are since sold out, but you can still find the cape on sale here at Dillard's.

What are some of the lessons you've learned from blogging???

Scenes from a Snowy Day

2012-01-21T13:13:00.000-05:00

Finally, we got some snow! I couldn't wait to get outside this morning and take some pictures of snowy New York. I trekked over to Central Park with camera in tow, only to discover the batteries in my camera were dead as a door nail. Luckily, I had my cell phone as backup.

Central Park, NYC

Keeping my feet dry and toasty in a pair of Hunter boots!

Have a great weekend!
For all my readers in the Northeast, enjoy the snow!!!

Sweatshirt or Blazer?

2012-01-17T20:43:00.001-05:00

At this time of the year, I can't help but gravitate to clothing that is comfortable and warm. If it was possible to go into hibernation for two months, you better believe I'd be deep in the cave, sleeping away the next few weeks. Alas, hibernation is not an option, so I'm keeping my sanity by wearing nightgowns disguised as dresses and sweatshirts camouflaged as blazers.

When I saw this blazer at Zara, I about jumped for joy. The Zara website calls it the Velour Blazer, although I always think of velour as a velvet-like material. There's nothing velvet-like about this jacket. It's straight-up sweatshirt if you ask me (50% cotton/50% poly, with a fleecy, cotton lining).

The pinstripe cuffs are my favorite detail about the blazer. This outfit was from the weekend, but I've also worn the ~~blazer~~ sweatshirt to work as well. If only I could wear it every day!

Zara Velour Blazer | Express Jeans | Necklace (gifted)
Express Tank (super-duper old) | BCBG Flats

HANAair Professional Hair Dryer {Review}

2012-01-17T19:26:00.000-05:00

A couple weeks ago I was contacted by Misikko about doing a review for the HANAair Professional Hair Dryer. It just so happened that my old hair dryer of 3+ years had recently conked out and I was using a drugstore replacement. Talk about impeccable timing!!!

Other than seeing a few product reviews around the blogosphere, I was unfamiliar with Misikko's website. Turns out they carry all kinds of professional hair styling tools and products, including hair straighteners, curling irons, and T3 hair dryers. They sent me one of their top-selling HANA hair dryers to review.

I was pleasantly surprised when my hair dryer arrived in a HUGE box. I thought for certain they had sent me the wrong product because the box seemed too big and heavy to be a hair dryer. It was like Christmas all over again when I opened the box to find all kinds of hair and beauty goodies!

I've only just begun to use the extra goodies they sent, but I've been using the hair dryer for about three weeks now. One of the things I noticed right away is how quick the dryer works. When I use it on full power/high heat, it cuts a couple minutes off of my usual drying time. Those extra couple of minutes are certainly appreciated on mornings when I'm running late! I also like the fact that the cold shot button on the dryer only needs to be pressed once and continues to blow cool air until you press it again. Every other dryer I've used requires you to keep your finger on the cold shot button in order for the cold air to come out. Other positives about the dryer are a longer than usual power cord, and overall sleek construction and design.

I haven't noticed much of a difference in the way my hair looks after using this dryer vs. any other dryer, but then again, I'm not super-fussy about my hair to begin with. Overall, I'm happy with the HANAair dryer and would recommend it for anyone looking to buy a higher-end professional hair dryer.

Have you used any HANA hair appliances or other products carried by Misikko? What are your thoughts? Please share in the comments below!!

Disclaimer: I received this hair dryer courtesy of Misikko for review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Same Outfit, Different Day

2012-01-11T20:58:00.001-05:00

I've gotten into a bad habit of photographing my daily outfits days after wearing them. Somehow the excitement of a putting together a good outfit just isn't the same when you're re-creating it days later. Like this outfit, I enjoyed wearing earlier in the week, but I'm feeling rather 'blah' about it now. My winter pale skin and the crummy washed-out lighting in my apartment doesn't really help either!

J.Crew Crochet Lace-Front Tee | Express Pants
Madden Girl Flats | J.Crew Factory Necklace

I do like this shirt though, so let's focus on that, shall we?

This was one of my last purchases in 2011 while J.Crew was having all of their sales and free shipping promos. It's a great transitional piece that can be worn dressed up or casual. I expect you'll see a lot more of this top throughout the winter and into the spring!

and the winner is...

2012-01-11T06:02:00.002-05:00

Congratulations to Wendy, the winner of the MyMemories digital scrapbook software giveaway! Check your email Wendy. I'll send you details on how to claim your prize!!!

Making a House a Home

2012-01-04T20:28:00.000-05:00

I'm not big on new year's resolutions. This year instead of setting goals or resolutions that will most certainly be broken, I decided I'd rather focus on goals/projects I've already started, and try to do them better or more often.

One project I always aspire to do more of is home decorating. I can spend hours devouring design magazines and blogs, but when it comes to the decor in my own apartment, it's severely lacking. I blame it on being an apartment dweller for the past 11 years. I've learned that every time you start to feel "settled" in an apartment is about the same time the rent skyrockets or a noisy, annoying neighbor moves in upstairs.

This year I want to focus on making small changes around the apartment that will really make my house (aka apartment) feel like a home. Once my Christmas decorations come down (which you can see are still up in full force!) I plan to add a few extra touches around the apartment to make my space feel more comfortable and inviting.

Do you have any resolutions, goals, or projects for the new year?

Anthro Gemini Cardigan | Zara Top (actually a dress, worn here)
Anthro Looping Lanes Belt | Anthro Diamante Skirt | Boden Boots
Kenneth Jay Lane Pepper Pendant

Don't forget to enter my giveaway for MyMemories scrapbook software! Even if you're not really into the scrapbook thing, the software is also good for making collages, calendars, and much more!!!

Happy New Year!

2012-01-02T17:50:00.000-05:00

Wishing you all a happy and healthy 2012!!!

I have some big news I've been dying to share with all of you. Over Christmas my boyfriend and I got engaged! We're super excited, but don't yet have a date or location set for the big day. We're going to enjoy being engaged for a little bit before stressing out over all the planning. In the meantime, I plan to soak up all the inspiration I can in hopes of making the planning process a little easier when the time comes. The photo above is just a peek at what I've been doing the last few days...

Reading wedding websites, blogs, and magazines like Martha Stewart Weddings.
Can't stop admiring my ring! I just so happened to pickup this Tree Ring Holder from CB2 a couple weeks prior to getting engaged. I planned on using it to hold some of my costume jewelry. Little did I know it would soon be holding THE ring.
Giving myself at-home manicures. I've always been self-conscious about my hands, so I rarely wear bright or flashy nail polish. I found the perfect shade called Crushed Ice by Nailtini. It's a subtle frosty silver shimmer. I got my bottle at Duane Reade, but you can also find the Nailtini brand of polishes online here.

Since I know some of you will ask, here's a close-up of my sparkly new friend. The ~~boyfriend~~ fiance did a great job picking a ring...I couldn't have picked a better one myself!

Cheers to a wonderful New Year!

How have you spent the first few days of 2012?

My Memories {a giveaway!}

2011-12-30T22:06:00.005-05:00

With only a couple days left in 2011, it's the perfect time to reflect on the past year and begin making memories for the new year. As I was thinking about my own great moments from 2011, it just so happened I was contacted by MyMemories.com to do a review and giveaway for digital scrapbooking software. Although I'm more of a scissors and glue type of scrap-booker, I figured I'd give the digital version a try.

The software is simple to download and overall very user-friendly. I did experience a glitch during the installation process, but I closed out the program and restarted the installation without any problems the second time around.

There are countless templates you can use to create your scrapbook, or you can build your own pages from scratch. I've only just begun to explore the possibilities, but there are lots of great embellishments to add to your pages, including the addition of music or your own recorded audio files. Your finished project can be shared digitally, printed out, or you can extract individual pages as image files.

This is a page from an album I'm working on, highlighting four of my favorite clothing items from 2011. I think you'll recognize these outfits as some of my most worn items in 2011!

Now for the fun part, MyMemories.com is graciously offering one of my readers a copy of the My Memories Suite digital scrapbooking software. The giveaway will run from now until ~~Sunday, January 8~~ {extended to January 10!}, at which time I'll chose one winner at random. Here's how to enter:

Visit mymemories.com and check out the great scrapbooking products available. Leave me a comment about which product(s) are your favorite.
For a second entry, be a follower of Fashion Fuel and share one of your favorite memories from 2011 in the comments below.
For a third entry, tweet about this giveaway and be sure to include @fashionfueldc in your tweet and come back here to leave a comment letting me know you tweeted about the giveaway.

My Memories is also offering all of you a $10 discount off the purchase of the My Memories Suite Scrapbook software AND a $10 coupon for the MyMemories.com store - a $20 value! Just use code STMMMS57144 to receive your discount.

Good luck, and thanks for reading!!!

*Disclaimer: I received a copy of My Memories Digital Scrapbooking software for review. All opinions expressed here are my own.

Comfort to the Max

2011-12-28T17:50:00.000-05:00

There's something about Christmas and the days that follow that scream "comfort" to me. I'm fortunate to have this week off, which means I've been spending my days cleaning, organizing, and just relaxing. I also spent a couple of days traveling to and from my parents house in Virginia, so I was all about being comfortable for my travels.

My mom laughed when I wore this dress two days in a row over Christmas. I picked it up during Anthro's 50% off sale promo for the whopping price of $19.97. It's a departure from my normal casual attire, but it's so comfortable, it's like wearing a night gown all day long!

Anthropologie Art of Parties Maxi Dress
Anthro Enchanting Eyes Belt | BCBG Flats

I hope all of you had a wonderful holiday!!!

Merry Christmas to All

2011-12-24T22:40:00.000-05:00

Source: weheartit.com via Kelly on Pinterest

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you and your families!
Have a wonderful holiday and thanks for reading!!!

Weekend Casual: Holiday Style

2011-12-19T19:37:00.000-05:00

Weekends around my house are usually very casual. Unless I'm meeting up with friends or have evening plans, you'll typically find me in jeans and a sweater. This past weekend I decided to be holiday casual in my green pants and sequin top. I felt very festive running around town finishing the last of my holiday errands. At long last I completed all my Christmas shopping, and even got most everything wrapped!

How about you? Have you finished all your holiday preparations, or will you be scrambling 'til the very end?

Express Sequin Sweatshirt | AG Stevie Ankle Pants (Anthro)
BCBG Flats (similar here)

And in case you had any doubt that I don't love the holidays, here's a peek at my outfit from today. You better believe I'll be rocking the red and green at every chance I get between now and Sunday!

Anthro Skirt | Boden Boots | Nordstrom Tights
Ruby the Cat (in her finest OOTD)

Thank You Sayaka

2011-12-19T17:54:00.000-05:00

The lovely Sayaka of Happily Ever Anthro recently awarded me the Liebster Blog Award. Thank you, Sayaka! If you haven't already visited Sayaka's blog, you should stop by and say hello!!

Liebster means "dearest" in German, and this award is given to bloggers with fewer than 200 followers. The stipulations of the award are as follows:

1. Thank the giver and link back to the blogger who gave it to you.
2. Reveal your 5 blogger picks and let them know by leaving a comment on their blog.
3. Copy and paste the award on your blog.
4. Hope that the people you have sent the award to will forward it to their favorite bloggers.

~ Without further ado, I pass along the Liebster Blog Award to a few of my favorites ~

Tripping the Light Fantastic

My Holiday Movie List

2011-12-15T21:56:00.000-05:00

A few of my holiday decorations and favorite Christmas movies

Each year at Christmas I have certain movies I have to watch before the holiday season is over. I usually spend the week of Christmas watching these movies, wrapping gifts, and addressing the last of my Christmas cards...

The Chronicles of Narnia: Although it's not a Christmas-themed movie, it always reminds me of the holidays. The snowy land of Narnia really makes me feel like I'm in a winter wonderland!
Love Actually: How can you not love this movie? As many times as I've watched it, I still get teary-eyed every time.
The Holiday: This is another tear-jerker for me. I guess you can say I'm a sucker for any romantic comedy, especially those that involve my favorite time of the year!
Elf: When I need to lighten things up a bit, I watch Elf. Will Ferrell in yellow tights? Yes, please!

I'm also big on watching the made for TV Christmas movies. The Hallmark Channel and ABC Family have been on permanent rotation in my house for the last few weeks. Not to mention, the holiday tunes cranking from my iPod. Maybe This Christmas and Wintersong rank up there as my favorite holiday albums.

Now that you know about my holiday favorites, I want to hear about yours!!! What are your favorite movies to watch this time of the year?

A Business Casual Christmas

2011-12-13T09:37:00.000-05:00

'Tis the season for celebration, which begs the eternal question: "What do I wear to my holiday party?" I always struggle with this question, especially when the holiday party is a work event. This year my workplace was the host of the party, which meant I was there to work rather than have fun. While party goers were dressed in their festive best, I was on my feet, running around all evening.

It pained me to wear pants to such an occasion, but I knew I had to be practical. I decided to go ~~boring~~ business casual, but wear a sparkly pair of shoes. I'd normally consider my Crushed Glitter Wedges from J.Crew to be a tad too summery for December, but my pants covered all but the fun, glittery part of the shoe!

The outfit turned out to be the perfect choice for the event. I was comfortable from the moment I arrived for setup, down to the final guest departing for the evening.

Banana Republic Sweater & Pants | Earrings via Etsy | J.Crew Crushed Glitter Wedges
Matt & Nat Clutch (via Rue La La)

What's your go-to outfit choice for work related holiday events????

I Spy Something Anthro

2011-12-10T21:32:00.000-05:00

There's a new Anthropologie coming to the Upper East Side in NYC, and it's only three blocks from my apartment. This spells TROUBLE with a capital T!!!

I've been watching for progress ever since Roxy confirmed this was the site for the new UES store. Of course, all of the construction has been taking place behind a plywood covered store front, so there hasn't been much to see. It wasn't until this signage appeared a week or so ago that I began to get excited. I can't wait for the opening in Spring 2012!

Dear Santa

2011-12-06T22:40:00.001-05:00

Shoes via Shabby Apple

Dear Santa,

I don't have much of a wish list this year, but I sure could use these shoes. Thanks!

xoxo,
Kelly

The Crazy Things They Do

2011-12-01T20:32:00.000-05:00

With the retail season in full swing, I'm always fascinated by the various sales and promotions that retailers offer at this time of the year. Since starting this blog and reading other fashion/shopping blogs and forums, I've gained a much better understanding of why retailers do the things they do, like free shipping offers w/minimums, etc. Despite my understanding (and sometimes frustration) with the various "games" our favorite retailers like to play, there are some things that I will NEVER understand.

Take for instance this sweater from Banana Republic.

I recently purchased this exact sweater in-store at Banana Republic. The full price for the sweater was $79.50, but I took advantage of a 30% off promotion they were running at the time. To be perfectly honest, I never would have bought this sweater at full price. It was the 30% off that made the price tag a little more palatable for my taste.

Well, imagine my surprise when I found the same exact sweater listed on Banana Republic's website at full retail price of $98. WHAT?!?! Same style number, same color, same everything, except for the price tag. Now, I can understand a slight price difference between online and brick & mortar, and I can understand why stores sometimes run a sale only online, or only in-store, but an almost $20 price difference in the original listed price of the exact same item just seems absurd. If anyone can explain this marketing phenomenon to me, then please explain!!

As proof I'm not total crazy-pants, I took a photo of the tag from the sweater I purchased. Although it looks darker in the photo, it really is true to the lighter gray color seen in the stock image above. Thankfully I was on the lesser end of the crazy price gouging, but if any of you happened to buy the same sweater online, hopefully you can get a price adjustment!

It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like...

2011-11-29T20:35:00.000-05:00

Christmas! In every NYC store window.

Take a look at Lord & Taylor...

and Bergdorf Goodman-Men's Store...

The city is coming alive with the holiday spirit, and I love every bit of it! I can't wait to visit some of the other department stores to view their window displays.

Turkey for Me. Turkey for You.

2011-11-23T22:56:00.001-05:00

Happy Thanksgiving to all my readers stateside. May your day be filled with lots of family, friends, and good food!

I'm visiting my parents for a few days, which means I have the opportunity to head outside for some OOTD photos. The only problem with taking outdoor photos is my lack of attention span. I'm like the dog in the Disney movie UP, calling SQUIRREL at every little movement that takes my attention away from the camera. The photo below is evidence of my squirrel moment. Either I was captivated by the falling leaves, or making sure the next-door neighbors weren't looking at the crazy girl taking photos of herself in the backyard :-)

H&M Dress | J.Crew Tights | Arden B Scarf
Boden Boots | J.Crew Bracelet | Chloe Sunglasses

A Cardigan Solves Everything

2011-11-19T10:52:00.000-05:00

On Friday I made the world's quickest trip to Anthro (at least by my standards!) My purpose was to pick-up a gift card for a friend, all the while trying to grab lunch and make it back to work in time for a meeting. Of course, the time crunch didn't stop me from making a quick pit-stop in the fitting room to try on a couple items.

The fitting room items were a no-go, but I did manage to take a couple snaps of my outfit for the day. You may remember this unknown Anthro shirt that I picked up at a consignment store over the summer. I've had a bear of a time trying to style it, mostly because it's a halter top, which limits where and when I can wear it. Now that it's cardigan weather again, my problem is solved! I'm thoroughly convinced a cardigan can solve everything. Well, maybe not everything, but at least anything fashion-related :)

Martin + Osa Cardi | Anthro Top (via Second Time Around)

Banana Republic Jeans | Boden Boots | Necklaces (gifted and Charlotte Russe)

Use It or Lose It: The Results

2011-11-15T21:49:00.000-05:00

As promised, here are the results of JG's Use It or Lose It Challenge. If you're wondering about the five items I put on the chopping block, read my original Use It or Lose It post here.

Zara Tweed | Forever 21 Polkas

The jackets probably don't look too familiar to you because I didn't wear either one during the challenge! The tweed Zara jacket has always been in questionable repair since I bought it in a bizarre eBay auction, so the result is LOSE IT.

Although I didn't wear the Forever 21 jacket during the challenge, I still like it and want to give it another chance. The result is KEEP IT.

Aldo Shoes

You may remember my story about the pink shoes. An ankle strap broke within the first 20 minutes of wearing them. Despite that little mishap, they are still wearable and I even wore them a second time over the course of the challenge. The result = KEEP. I've decided they make perfect "desk" shoes. The type of shoes you keep under your desk at work to slip on when you arrive, or just to have on-hand as a backup. Living in New York, I've learned the value of always having a backup pair of shoes. Believe it or not, I've had at numerous shoe mishaps that always seem to happen immediately before an important event or meeting!

BCBG Cardigan

Last but not least are the cardigans. While I didn't get any OOTD shots with the grey Abercrombie & Fitch sweater, I did wear it a couple of times during the month. It seems to make a better jacket than it does a cardigan, so I've moved it to my coat closet and decided to KEEP IT.

The cream BCBG cardi can be tricky to wear, but I tried it with a couple different options (seen here) and decided I'll definitely KEEP IT.

All in all I really enjoyed participating in the Use It or Lose It Challenge for the month of October. I could have 'challenged' myself a little harder by selecting a few more items for the chopping block, but you have to start somewhere, right?

Tardy for the Party

2011-11-12T13:20:00.001-05:00

Why, hello there! I've been a bit non-existent in the blogosphere lately, so I'm playing catch-up with comments and a few posts in the queue. I had every intention of participating in Everybody, Everywear's colored tights challenge this month, but here I am posting my outfit five days after the fact. Talk about being tardy for the party!

Zara Polka Dot Dress | Urban Outfitters Tights
Boden Boots | J.Crew Factory Necklace

I didn't love this outfit combo, but it was fun for a change. My mustard gold tights had been stashed away since last spring, so this was their first, and sadly last, appearance since then. They developed a major run and had to be retired at the end of the day :(

I hope everyone is having a good weekend, and stay tuned, because I still owe you a recap of October's Use It or Lose It challenge!

Would You Rather...Holiday Decor Edition

2011-11-05T15:27:00.000-04:00

Over the past week, store fronts across the city went straight from Halloween to Christmas. I love the holiday season, so I'm super-excited to see the changeover, but it got me thinking, does Thanksgiving get its due?

When it comes to seasonal decor, would you rather decorate for Thanksgiving first...

...or skip over the turkey in favor of tinsel?

I always decorate with a fall theme to take me through both Halloween and Thanksgiving, then switch to holiday decor during the weekend after Thanksgiving.

Photo 1: Martha Stewart via Pinterest

Photo 2: theinspiredroom via Pinterest

Career Confessions

2011-10-25T20:10:00.001-04:00

This outfit felt slightly more professional than my usual, so I thought it was a perfect time to talk career.

I've never been one to define myself by my career. I absolutely loathe the interview question, "Where do you see yourself in five years?" Sure, I have long-term goals, but they pertain more to my life as a whole, rather than my professional life alone.

J.Crew Factory Jackie Cardigan | INC International Concepts Top
Banana Republic Pants | Aldo Shoes (a Use It or Lose It item)

I have both a Bachelor's degree and Master's degree (in two completely different fields,) but I've always struggled to find my path in the working world. For the past four years I've been working in the non-profit sector, which I find to be a good fit for my personality and work-style. Of course, working in a non-profit, I have to be realistic and know that I'm never going to be bringing home the big bucks!

The majority of the time I'm happy with my job, but sometimes I get frustrated, thinking I'd have more opportunity for career advancement if I was working in corporate America. I hear about so-and-so friend/relative/acquaintance, fresh out of college, making a ridiculous salary with the job title to match. Those are the days I have to remind myself it's not a comparison game and that everyone has to find the job that's the right fit for them. Not to mention, to be thankful to have a job when so many are still unemployed in this economy.

But enough about me...I want to hear about your professional life. Are you happy where you are, or do you find yourself wanting more out of your job/career????

The Green Goblin

2011-10-22T15:16:00.001-04:00

I'll admit I was a little skeptical about the colored denim trend, but as soon as I tried on these AG Stevie Ankle pants at Anthro, it was love! I'm still coming up with different ways to wear them, but my first OOTD with the pants included this cream cardigan, which is one of my Use It or Lose It items. Note that I'm also wearing my pink for the BBCA challenge too!

BCBG Cardigan | J.Crew Lace-Over Tank | Club Monaco Belt
AG Stevie Ankle Pants | Naughty Monkey Flats

In order to determine whether or not the sweater was a keeper, I tried it with a couple other options. I haven't worn either of these outfits outside the house, but it was enough to convince me to keep the cardigan around for a little while longer.

Anthro Sailing Stripes Blouse | Seychelles Shoes

J.Crew Tissue Garland Tank

Image via Wikipedia

Oh wait! That's not me. Just throwing this one in to see if you're still reading :)

Greeting Cards and Pretty Paper Dresses

2011-10-18T19:51:00.000-04:00

These paper dresses were on display a couple weeks ago at the Papyrus stationery store in Grand Central Station. You may remember I posted about similar paper dresses back in March. Not only do I think these dresses are unique pieces of artwork, but I also have a slight obsession with greeting cards.

Just like I still prefer to wear a wrist watch, I also enjoy sending greeting cards. My only problem with greeting cards is that I typically find Hallmark/grocery store/drug store greeting cards to be too sappy, too generic, or both. No, I don't always want to send my mom a pastel pink Mother's Day card with flowers on the cover, and no, I don't want to give my co-worker a Birthday card that says, "Happy Birthday to the sweetest, most wonderful, most magnificent, most spectacular person in the whole wide world!"

When I was younger I used to create my own greeting cards for my family and friends. I pretended to have my own trademark and everything. Every card I made was marked with "Kelly House Press," written below a sketch of my parents house.

These days I usually end up at Papyrus for my greeting cards. I find their cards align with my design aesthetic and express my sentiments without being too mushy or sappy. If I didn't think greeting cards were a dying art form, I'd seriously consider re-establishing my "Kelly House Press" creations, and starting my own business. I might rethink my trademark name though :)

So tell me, do you still send/give greeting cards????

From the Archives

2011-10-13T19:54:00.001-04:00

These photos were taken in mid-September, but I realized I never posted them to the blog. When I came across the photos last night, I decided this outfit would work for the BBCA challenge because of the pink flowers on my top. So guess what? I wore a modified version of the outfit today, swapping out my sandals for tights and boots instead.

H&M Dress (worn as shirt) | Boden Skirt | Nine West Sandals

And in other news, if you've visited my blog since last night, you may have noticed something looks different. In a happy accident, I managed to turn my blog template to pink! It's a little more "bubblegum" than my normal taste, but I've decided to leave it pink for the remainder of October to honor Breast Cancer Awareness month.

2 Challenges and 10 Questions

2011-10-10T11:18:00.000-04:00

Loft Stripe Tee | Express Jeans | Aldo Shoes

This outfit meets the criteria for both of the challenges I'm participating in this month. The shoes are one of my Use It or Lose It items, and since they are pink, they also qualify for Mel's BBCA challenge. Two in one, if you will!

Part of the Use It or Lose It Challenge is deciding whether or not you'll keep an item once you've worn it in the challenge. I was so excited to wear these shoes because they'd been sitting unworn in my closet for over a year. Well, about twenty minutes after leaving the house in this outfit, the ankle strap on my left shoe broke. The shoes are still wearable without the ankle straps, but MUCH harder to keep on your feet. I'm still undecided if I'll hang on to these shoes, or if they'll go by way of the Goodwill bag. Stay tuned, I'll let you know!

Now on to ten questions...
Jenni of Found in My Closet tagged me the other day with a Q & A, so here goes:

1. Favorite color?
Green! Some of you may have already guessed that :)

2. Favorite animal?
Cats, especially my cat, Ruby. Giraffes are pretty cool too, but until I can bring one in as a house pet, cats will remain my favorite animal.

3. Favorite number?
27. The day of my birth and the number I use for everything (sports jerseys in high school, lottery numbers, etc.) I haven't won the lottery yet though, so I guess it's not a lucky number.

4. Favorite alcoholic/non-alcoholic drink?
Non-Alcoholic = Unsweet Iced Tea.
Alcoholic = Sangria.

5. Facebook or Twitter?
Facebook is still my favorite. I have a Twitter account, but I find it very fickle. For example, one day I stepped in wet concrete and tweeted about it...next thing I know I was being followed by a concrete manufacturer...weird?!?!

6. Your Passions?
Other than the obvious loves of fashion and shopping, I'm also passionate about reading, running, and traveling.

7. Your Wish list for this month?
I could go on for days about my current wish list, but see below for some of my top picks.

Earth & Gold Heels | Goban Pencil Skirt | Hunter Wellies | Fossil Bag

8. Favorite pattern?
Polka dots are on the top of my list for clothing, but when it comes to decorating, the classical greek key pattern is one of my favorites.

9. Favorite day of the week?
I like Friday for the excitement of the upcoming weekend, but Saturday is nice because I get to sleep-in. Sleeping should be on my list of passions in question #6, because it's one of my favorite things to do!

10. Favorite flowers?
Anything tropical, like orchids or plumeria!

Pink. Without a Doubt

2011-10-05T20:17:00.001-04:00

As soon as the BBCA was announced, I knew without a doubt I'd be wearing this dress for the challenge. Sure enough, Monday morning rolled around and I threw on this dress and headed out the door. It was nice to put so little thought into getting ready on a Monday morning! If only every day could be this easy...

Of course, the weather has finally cooled down quite a bit, so I got to break out the jacket and scarf for the first time in months.

Tucker for Target Dress | Zara Jacket | Gap Scarf
Martin + Osa Belt | Boden Great Leather Boots | Hue Boot Socks

Do you plan your outfits in advance, or do you throw an outfit together in the morning as you're getting ready? I usually scramble for outfits in the morning, but days like these remind me how nice it is to do some pre-planning!

Use It or Lose It

2011-10-03T19:37:00.000-04:00

Here we are in the first week of October, which means it's time to get JG's Use It or Lose It challenge underway! Cardigans, jackets, and shoes are all fair game for this round of the challenge. I've selected a little of each:

~ SHOES ~

These were an obvious choice since I'm also participating in the Blogging for Breast Cancer Awearness challenge hosted by A Working Mom's Closet. I've had these Aldo pumps for over a year, but I've never worn them outside of the house. Since I'll be wearing lots of pink this month for the BBCA challenge, I hope to finally put these pumps to good use!

~ JACKETS ~

I picked two jackets for the challenge. The beige tweed jacket on the left is from Zara and came into my possession as the result of an eBay auction gone wrong. The black polka dot jacket is from Forever 21. Although I really like it, I just don't reach for it that often. I last wore it on the blog back in July 2010.

~ CARDIGANS ~

Last but not least, are two cardigans that tend to hide out in the back of my closet. The grey one is from Abercrombie & Fitch and I've had it since college. Sometimes I think I hold on to clothes because of the memories associated with them, which is certainly the case with this cardi. If it doesn't get some use during the challenge, then it's finally time to say sayonara! The cream cardi is a BCBG sweater I picked up at a consignment store. It's thick and wooly like a winter sweater, but because of the short sleeves, it can be tricky to wear. The last time I wore it was last year during the BBCA challenge, so I'm thinking I'll be able to work it in again this year.

A Little Bit of This, A Little Bit of That

2011-09-27T21:05:00.001-04:00

I'm still in semi-hibernation around the blogosphere, but rest assured I've been thinking about all of you and I've even been doing a few bloggy things in my spare time. Visit Anthro Closet Chaos to see how I spent this past Sunday, which began with a shopping day organized by Roxy of Effortless Anthropologie. Hello to Roxy, Laura, Usha, and all the lovely ladies at Sunday's EA Shopping Day. Roxy will be posting photos from the event soon! After shopping and lunch at Alice's Tea Cup, Laura and I met up with Jamie of Thrifty Threads and Stephanie of Bar Chic for an afternoon at the American Museum of Natural History. It was such a fun day and I had a blast spending time with all my fellow Anthro-loving friends!

Now that October is almost here, I plan to put my blogging-butt in high gear by participating in not one, but TWO blogger challenges.

Once again I will be participating in A Working Mom's Closet Blogging for Breast Cancer Awearness (BBCA) challenge. Click here to view all of my BBCA outfits from last year.

In addition to the BBCA, I'll also be identifying (and hopefully wearing!) a few under utilized items in my closet for JG's Use It or Lose It challenge.

Stay tuned in the next couple days when I post the items I plan to use (or lose) for the challenge!!!

The Sound of Silence

2011-09-22T22:16:00.000-04:00

Pardon the silence over here lately. Between an insanely busy work schedule and the recent drama in the blogosphere, I just haven't felt much like blogging. I promise to be back soon, but in the meantime, I'll leave you with a list of some of my favorite things this fall:

An Anthro shopping excursion and fun day in the city with friends this weekend :)
Pumpkins. Especially the candy corn/mellowcreme kind!
Bath & Body Works 'Leaves' Candles. I finally caved and ordered a couple online, because all the nearby B&BW stores are currently closed for construction. What's up with that, B&BW???
New boots from Boden.
Thanksgiving. I know it's still some time away, but I'm already plotting my Thanksgiving weekend involving family, fun, and football!!

What are you looking forward to this fall???

Fashion Week Favorite: Candela

2011-09-12T19:44:00.002-04:00

Each year during Fashion Week I pour over the images from runway shows, getting a small glimpse into the styles and trends that will eventually make their way into stores for future seasons. While I appreciate the haute couture sent down the runways, I'm much more interested in the ready-to-wear pieces that I could see myself wearing (or wishing I could afford to wear) in my own wardrobe. This year's collection after my own heart is Candela. Don't you just LOVE, LOVE, LOVE these pieces from Candela's Spring 2012 line?!?!?

Images via Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week

My First Feeble Attempt at Fashion's Night Out

2011-09-08T21:51:00.000-04:00

Prior to moving to New York, I always dreamed about being in the city for FNO. Now that I'm here, I have to admit I had a rather poor showing of the evening. My only real intention was to visit the Missoni for Target pop-up shop. The shop opened to the public at 6 pm, so earlier in the day I passed by to scope out the scene. Believe it or not, there were already people lined up at lunchtime, waiting for the 6 pm opening. By the time I got out of work and headed over around 6:30, this is the sight that greeted me:

The line stretched out at least two solid city blocks, and probably longer, but I wasn't about to stick around to find the end. Sometimes I wonder why I moved to New York City because I can't stand crowds and I loathe waiting in lines?!? Needless to say, I abandoned the Missoni idea rather quickly.

From there I headed over to Zara because I've had my eye on this little polka-dot dress for a couple weeks now.

Even though there were more long lines for the fitting room and checkout counter, there were also gorgeous models circulating the store, a live DJ spinning, and free champagne for shoppers. Sure I could have stayed home and done my shopping from the computer now that Zara is online, but overall I'm glad I ventured out for Fashion's Night Out. There was so much energy throughout the city and everyone was looking exceptionally stylish. Not to mention, I heard more Lady Gaga, Pitbull, and Sean Kingston playing from the stores on Fifth Avenue than I've heard in on the radio in over a month!

Most Worn: Reader's Edition {August}

2011-09-06T21:22:00.000-04:00

It's that time again for another installment of Most Worn: Reader's Edition. Let's see what you lovely ladies were wearing the most for the month of August, shall we?

JG of the blog Stuff Jewish Girls Like was off traveling the world this August. She packed her Lining-the-Field Scoopneck for both her European vacation and a trip to LA. In the photo below, she's also wearing her Pirouette Flats, which got a crazy amount of usage while walking around Europe.

Jenn of Complex Cardigans wore her Lucky Brand flats the most in August. The neutral color makes them the perfect choice whenever she's deciding on what shoes to wear with an outfit.

While most of us are saying goodbye to the summer season, Jen of vintageglammz is welcoming it in the land down under. For those transitional days, she's been wearing her Saba trench coat.

And last but not least is me in my Loft Stripe Tee. I've been wearing this top every which way to Sunday, with no plans to stop wearing it any time soon!

Thanks to everyone for participating, and Happy September!!!

Summer Fading Fast

2011-09-02T09:21:00.000-04:00

Happy Labor Day weekend to all my US and Canadian readers!! I can't believe it's September already, and summer will soon be gone. Just a reminder to send me your August Most Worn outfit photos by September 4 if you want to participate in my Most Worn: Reader's Edition. It can be a single item or an entire outfit you wore the most for the month of August. Email your photo and outfit details to fashionfueldc(at)gmail(dot)com.

The other day I scurried home from work to take my OOTD's. I was quickly reminded that summer was fading fast, as my natural lighting diminished with each photo I took. Not to mention, I wore my cardigan the entire day without even breaking a sweat! I'm definitely not ready for fall just yet, but c'est la vie!

J.Crew Factory Jackie Cardi | Express Tank | Anthro Openwork Vines Skirt
Giordano Watch | Heels from Off Broadway | Necklaces (Macy's and Gifted)

Would You Rather...Glitter Edition

2011-08-28T20:43:00.002-04:00

To all my East Coast readers, I hope you survived the crazy ride of a weekend we just had. I spent the better part of my weekend lounging in yoga pants and a t-shirt, staying out of the wrath that was hurricane Irene. The good news is, I'm safe and sound, as is all my family who lives in Virginia and North Carolina. The bad news is, yoga pants and t-shirts don't exactly make for good blog photos! Instead, I devised another round of Would You Rather...? (Click here if you missed my last round) This time the two options are a little more over-the-top. I know many of you may be inclined to say "neither" to these two options, but keeping with the spirit of the game, you must chose one over the other, and can't say "both" or "neither."

So I ask you, would you rather wear...

J.Crew Darby Glitter Loafers

~ or ~

Sequin Uggs?

P.S. - I'll be running my Most Worn: Reader's Edition again for the month of August. If you want to participate, send me your outfit photo by Sunday night, September 4 to fashionfueldc(at)gmail(dot)com. You can see July's Most Worn: Reader's Edition here.

Touch of Grey

2011-08-23T19:04:00.002-04:00

Sometimes I think it would be fun to use song lyrics to title all my blog posts. While I can't sing worth a darn, I do love music. I grew up listening to many different kinds of music, and I'd just as soon turn on my iPod as I would turn on the television. Song lyrics will randomly pop into my head at any given moment, oftentimes when I'm picking out an outfit for the day.

On this given day, I found myself singing Grateful Dead's "Touch of Grey" as soon as I put on this outfit. I couldn't get the song out of my head for the rest of the day...

J.Crew Jardin Skirt | J.Crew Factory Tank | Target Flip Flops
Anthro Enchanting Eyes Belt | Gifted Bracelets

What song title or lyrics would describe your outfit today???

Hakuna Matata

2011-08-21T14:35:00.001-04:00

One of my favorite movies growing up was Disney's The Lion King. I owned the movie on VHS and apparently watched it more than I realized, because when I recently went to see The Lion King on Broadway, I practically knew the lines to the show verbatim.

Fast forward to a few weeks later when I was wearing this outfit. I looked down at my zebra-esque skirt and suddenly started singing Hakuna Matata. Now if only I could carry a tune, I just might be ready for my Broadway debut!!!

Anthro Lundin Links Sweater | Club Monaco Skirt
Giordano Watch | Nine West Sandals

Would You Rather...?

2011-08-16T19:22:00.001-04:00

How many of you have played the game Would You Rather...? The game gives you a choice between two ridiculous scenarios and you must choose which you'd rather do. Well, I decided to play my own little version of Would You Rather here on Fashion Fuel. My options aren't all that outlandish, but they are keeping within my favorite themes of fashion and home decor. So I ask you, would you rather...

Wear butterflies on your dress...

~ or ~

Hang butterflies from your shower?

I know which one I'd choose, but which would you choose???

Photo 1: Anthropologie Lepidoptera Dress
Photo 2: West Elm Butterfly Shower Curtain

Dress as Shirt

2011-08-13T14:09:00.001-04:00

H&M Dress (worn as shirt) | J.Crew Skirt | Anthropologie Belt | Seychelles Shoes

Have you ever bought an item of clothing knowing that you'll never wear it as it was intended to be worn? That's exactly what I did with this shirt. In fact, it's not a shirt at all, but a dress instead. I loved the floral pattern of the dress but it was waaay too short for my liking. I deliberated for quite some time, trying to decide if I'd get enough use out of it as a blouse to justify the purchase. In the end, I decided it's much more versatile as a top and I can't wait to come up with styling options for this ~~dress~~ shirt.

Name That Shirt

2011-08-09T19:06:00.000-04:00

Ok all my Anthro-loving readers, I have a challenge for you. Do any of you know the name of the shirt I'm wearing? It's by Tabitha and I picked it up at a local consignment shop. I was hoping to Google it and come up with some styling ideas, but without knowing a style name or number, I could only find this one image from the July 13, 2008 issue of the New York Post:

Image via New York Post

The article describes the shirt as 'Tabitha Halter Top, Anthropologie,' but doesn't give the name of the top. If anyone knows the name or has any styling suggestions, I'd love to hear it!!!

Most Worn: Reader's Edition {July}

2011-08-03T17:38:00.004-04:00

If you've been following my blog since the beginning of this year, then you've probably seen my monthly Most Worn feature where I highlight the item(s) in my wardrobe that I've worn the most in a given month. Well for the month of July I thought it would be fun to see what all of you have been wearing the most in this hot summer heat.

First up is Randi from Not Just Mom. Randi wore this top and skirt together and separately more times than anything else in the heat of July. Be sure to visit her blog to see all the great summer ensembles she styled with these two pieces!

Next is Stephanie of Bar Chic. Stephanie has these J.Crew shorts in three colors (white, purple, and mint), and has been wearing them all summer long. She's even taking two pairs with her for a two-week trip to Greece. Have fun on your trip, Stephanie!!!

Stephanie's Outfit Details:
Jacket: Anthropologie Boucle de Souffle
Shorts: J Crew 3" Chinos
Belt: J Crew Skinny Patent Belt
Shirt: Ann Taylor Loft
Watch: Seiko
Necklace & Ring: Kenneth Cole
Shoes: ModCloth Sweet and Tart Wedge

Jen of Vintageglammz wore her Chie Mahara shoes the most this July, and I can certainly see why!!!

Dress: Anthropologie Mompos dress
Lace top: Target Australia
Shoes: Chie Mahara
Necklace: Forever 21
Tights: Forever New Australia

Dee of A (European) Anthrogirl wore her Around the Maypole Dress a lot in July. Here she has it paired with her New Look belt, H&M cardigan and pearls, and Seychelles shoes.

And here I am, trying to convince my cat she needs to get in on my Most Worn feature. After all, her little coat gets 365 days of wear each year! As for me, my most worn item for July was my Anthropologie Diamante Skirt. I've worn this skirt just about every week since I purchased it back in June with my Anthro birthday discount.

J.Crew Scallop Lace Shell | Anthropologie Belt | Anthropologie Diamante Skirt

Kork-Ease Ava Sandals

Thanks to Randi, Stephanie, Jen, and Dee for participating, and thanks to everyone for reading!!!

The Long and Short of It

2011-08-01T14:06:00.001-04:00

Last week I bought a new striped shirt and suddenly it has been getting all the love in my wardrobe. I've already managed to wear it for both work and weekend. The funny thing is, I've paired it with pants and with shorts, both of which are typically the least reached for items in my closet.

P.S. - There's still time to send in an outfit photo for my Most Worn: Reader's Edition! I'll be compiling the post for Wednesday, so you can email me any time before then if you want to participate. Read all the details here.

Most Worn: May/June

2011-07-25T19:47:00.018-04:00

At the beginning of the year I started my monthly Most Worn feature. Well, somewhere around April I fell off the bandwagon and got behind on my Most Worn posts. In an effort to catch up, I'm combining May/June into one post, then opening up my July Most Worn post for a special Reader's Edition (read to the bottom for details)!

It wasn't until mid-May when the weather started to warm up here in New York. I was more than ready to shed the tights and boots, which means the dresses in my wardrobe came out in full force! Since that first taste of warm weather, the dress has been my most worn item for May, June, and probably July, too. I haven't favored any one particular dress, but instead I've been wearing every dress I own...old favorites, and new frocks alike. Here are just a few of my faves from the months of May and June:

Now for the part you've been waiting for...I thought it would be fun to see what items in your closet got the most attention for the month of July. If you want to participate in this special Most Worn: Reader's Edition send me one outfit photo of your "most worn" for July. It can be a photo with one individual item or outfit you just couldn't get enough of, or it can be a look/style/trend you kept gravitating to this month (Ex: maxi dresses, shorts, floral prints, etc.) Email your photo to fashionfueldc(at)gmail(dot)com by Monday, August 1. Be sure to include outfit details, a link to your blog (if you have one), and let me know which item in the photo is your most worn. The post will run during the first week of August, either Tuesday or Wednesday. Can't wait to see everyone's most worn styles for July!!!

What's In Your {Makeup} Bag?

2011-07-23T20:19:00.000-04:00

Last month I did a post about the contents of my beach bag. This month I thought it would be fun to tackle the contents of my makeup bag. I've never been one to wear a ton of makeup, but I always feel better with a little foundation and lip gloss on my face. I'm also a bit of a product junkie, so I frequently browse Sephora or the drugstore so see what new goodies I can find!

The larger green bag is my everyday makeup bag where I store all my cosmetics. It's from Victoria's Secret and was originally part of a perfume gift set. The smaller pouch is my travel bag, and it's the perfect size to throw in my purse or carry-on luggage. It was a gift from my mom, but the brand is called Isabella's Journey. Here's a similar cosmetics bag I found on Amazon.

My makeup bag tends to be a mish-mash of all kinds of assorted products, but these are the ones I use on a daily basis.

Moisturizer
I ALWAYS wear moisturizer, even on the days I don't wear any other makeup. Lately I've been in a struggle to find the perfect facial moisturizer. Currently I'm using Bare Minerals, and while it works okay, it has a slightly odd smell. When this bottle is finished, I'll probably move on to another brand. If you have any recommendations, I'd love to hear them!

Primer
I stumbled on this primer by coincidence. It was the middle of the winter and I was in Sephora killing time on my lunch break. I saw this luminizing primer and thought it might be worth a try to give my dull winter skin a little glow. I tried it and I love it! It gives your skin the perfect glow without being too shiny or shimmery. It's kind of pricey, but you only need a little dab each day, so the bottle lasts quite a while. Overall, I'm a big fan of Smashbox products, as I also use their mascara and eyeshadow.

Foundation
I'm on my third bottle of this Revlon PhotoReady foundation. I've used a couple other brands in-between, but I find myself coming back to Revlon each time. In my opinion, it works much better than some of the similar but more expensive brands I've tried. My only complaint is that the bottle is made of glass. My first bottle met its fate on the tiles of the bathroom floor. I can tell you now, that was not a fun mess to clean!

Lipgloss
Lip gloss is another one of my everyday essentials. I always have two or three colors floating around my makeup bag and/or purse. While I have a million different brands of lip gloss, M.A.C. Cosmetics is my current favorite. I'm at the end of a special 'To The Beach' edition they put out last summer, but I'll definitely be on the lookout for something similar once this tube is done.

Makeup Wedges
Last but not least in my makeup bag are cosmetic wedges. Sometimes I run out of these, or forget to pack them when I travel, and I'm always reminded that applying makeup by hand is just not the same as using these wedges! I get a much more even application without all the mess on my hands.

So tell me readers, what everyday essentials are in your makeup bag???

Two Wrongs Make a Right

2011-07-20T20:26:00.002-04:00

Do you have any items in your closet that just don't work in your wardrobe? You probably thought they were the best thing ever when you bought them, but somehow the items didn't integrate into your wardrobe the way you thought they would. They just feel 'wrong' or 'off' whenever you try to mix them into an outfit. I have several such items, and I'm always trying to come up with new or different ways to wear them.

This purple shirt from H&M is one example. While I really like the shirt, it has always been a one-trick pony. I usually throw it on with jeans for a simple, weekend outfit. Because the shirt has always seemed so casual to me, it never occurred to me to try and dress it up a bit.

Then there's this skirt from Zara. I purchased it on super-sale back in January when there were piles of snow everywhere. I knew the skirt was better suited for spring/summer weather, yet I still tried to integrate it into my winter wardrobe (see my lousy attempt at winterizing it here). I got discouraged at the prospects of remixing this skirt and almost gave it away. All along, I should have waited for the warm weather I knew this skirt was meant for.

The other day I was scrounging for outfit ideas when I threw together what I thought was a too casual shirt with a good-for-nothing skirt. I added a few accessories and was pleasantly surprised with the end result. I guess two wrongs sometimes do make a right!

H&M Top | Zara Skirt | Anthro Belt | DSW Shoes | Baublebar Bracelet

Leifsdottir PSA

2011-07-16T17:48:00.000-04:00

Just popping in for a quick PSA. I stopped by my local TJ Maxx this afternoon and it was a goldmine of Leifsdottir clothing! I suspect many department stores have unloaded their stock of Leifsdottir now that the brand is exclusive to Anthropologie. I'd definitely suggest checking out your local TJ Maxx, just in case they received some of the same stock. Have a great weekend!!!

Parading Hues

2011-07-12T19:47:00.003-04:00

Continuing with the theme of keeping my outfits simple for the summer, I wore this dress on Saturday afternoon. I ended up throwing on a necklace before heading out the door, but I kind of regretted it later. Maybe I'm strange, but sometimes jewelry makes me sweat. Certain necklaces, bracelets, and even belts make me all sweaty on those super-hot summer days. Does anyone else ever have this problem, or am I alone in my woes?

Anthro Parading Hues Dress | Rainbow Flip flops

I purchased this dress during EA's shopping day back in April, but I've only had the chance to wear it within the last few weeks. After seeing these photos, I realize it could use a good ironing before I wear it again!

Simply Summer

2011-07-09T16:36:00.001-04:00

One thing I love about summer style is the simplicity. On these hot summer days, it seems less is often more. When I get dressed, I tend to let summery colors and patterns speak for themselves instead of piling on a ton of layers, jewelry, or accessories. Here are two recent OOTD's where I went with the less is more approach, and kept my outfits simple and easy!

J.Crew at-the-beach Bag

2011-07-06T20:08:00.002-04:00

Hello, hello there! I'm not sure I've ever mentioned this, but I have a fascination with shopping bags. I tend to ~~hoard~~ save every shopping bag I receive. I reuse and/or repurpose them whenever I can, but I'm sure I have way more than I'll ever be able to use. Out of the selection of bags I've collected, I just may have found my favorite of the bunch:

Over the 4th of July weekend I took a mini-vacation to the beach, which also happened to be near a J.Crew Factory store. The store was running all kinds of 40% and 50% off promotions, so of course I couldn't walk away empty handed. I almost squealed in delight when the cashier handed me my purchases in this little brown-paper parcel. I've never noticed much variation among J.Crew shopping bags other than the holiday/winter bags they put out around Christmastime, but I absolutely love this one! And in case you're wondering what was inside the bag, I picked up the factory Jackie Cardigan in black, and yellow grosgrain-ish skinny belt. I'm sure you'll be seeing both of these new purchases on the blog very soon!!

What's In Your {Beach} Bag?

2011-06-28T19:25:00.001-04:00

With the 4th of July right around the corner, it's time to think beach. I'll be beach bound for a couple of days and couldn't be more excited to leave the urban jungle in favor of the sun and sand! I frequently see the "What's in Your Bag?" posts, where bloggers reveal the contents of their purses. Instead of exploring the wasteland that is my purse, I thought it would be fun to share with you the contents of my beach bag.

Starting with the bag itself, I'll be carrying my trusty L.L. Bean Boat and Tote (circa 2003). I have a straw beach tote that I prefer, but somehow I misplaced it when I moved last fall. I suspect it's in a box I sent to "storage" at my parents house.

Inside my bag, I have all the trusty beach essentials, including sunscreen (Australian Gold is my favorite brand), a beach towel, and my iPod. I'll also have plenty of reading material, because there's nothing I enjoy more than reading a good book or magazine on the beach. My current reading list includes Homer's Odyssey, Off Season, and current/past issues of Elle, House Beautiful, and Architectural Digest.

Do you have any beach trips planned this summer? And if so, what's in your beach bag????

Peachy Pepper Pendant

2011-06-23T22:26:00.000-04:00

It has been a long and exhausting week, so I'm ecstatic to finally see the weekend in sight! Does anybody have fun weekend plans? I'm laying low and planning to get some cleaning and organizing done around my apartment. Sounds exciting, doesn't it???

This was my outfit from Monday. I picked up the Lundin Links sweater during my Anthro shopping trip on Sunday, and couldn't even wait 24 hours before wearing it! I have a feeling it will get a lot of wear because it's a good, work-appropriate piece that will work with a variety of different outfits.

Anthro Lundin Links Sweater | Anthro Diamante Skirt | Madewell Espadrilles
Kenneth Jay Lane Necklace (via Rue La La)

I threw on my new favorite pepper pendant to go along with this outfit. In my apartment it looked like it matched perfectly with my coral/peachy top, but once I was out in daylight, I realized it was more orange and kind of clashed with my sweater. Oooops!!

Have a great weekend!!!

Weekend's Over

2011-06-21T08:17:00.002-04:00

The weekend is long over, but I'm going to re-live it for a few more minutes to share a OOTD and a few fun details from my Saturday and Sunday.

On Saturday some friends arrived in town to celebrate a bachelorette party. During the afternoon we explored the city, then headed to a dinner/drag show for the evening. As much as I'd love to share a few photos from the drag show shenanigans, the bride-to-be would probably prefer that I not :) Instead, you get my very safe, and blog appropriate Saturday casual outfit.

On Sunday I had the pleasure of spending the afternoon with Jamie of Thrifty Threads, Jen of Vintageglammz, and Stephanie of Bar Chic to do some shopping at Anthropologie. Pop over to Stephanie's blog to see some photos from our afternoon. We had a wonderful time shopping at Anthro and even stopped by La Maison du Chocolat for some macarons...yum!!!

Anthro Blooming Lattice Cardigan | Lulu's Dress | Rainbow Flip flops
Dress also worn here and here

It's a Wrap

2011-06-17T19:23:00.000-04:00

Wrap dresses make me nervous. They always seem to fly up at the most inopportune moment and they're just tricky to deal with at times. I've known this for quite some time, yet somehow this didn't stop me from wearing my wrap dress ~~today~~ yesterday.

I always think, "Today is going to be different...today is less windy...today I'll be more sedentary..." But guess what? Today was just like every other day I've worn this dress. I found myself holding down the front of the skirt and readjusting my dress at every opportunity. My only reassurance came while standing at a crosswalk, when I looked over to see a woman holding down the front of her wrap dress, too. Oh the things we do for fashion!

Banana Republic Dress | Arden B Necklace | Leifsdottir Shoes

P.S. - This dress is supposed to have that "wrinkled" look. Oh, and the pile of clothes and dirty socks invading my photo are courtesy of the boyfriend :) I see a little housecleaning in my future this weekend. Happy Friday!!!

Watch or No Watch?

2011-06-14T21:52:00.000-04:00

Orient Watch won from Jenny's giveaway on Not Just a Pretty Face
Thanks, Jenny!

The other day my co-workers and I got into a discussion about who still wears watches. Most of my colleagues use a cell phone as their preferred time piece. Call me old fashioned, but I still prefer a watch! I don't wear one every day, but I always feel much more organized on the days that I do. If I don't wear a watch, I end up spending a good 60-90 seconds digging for my cell phone at the bottom of the black hole called my purse. As a result, I end up feeling mega-frazzled and unorganized!

So tell me, are you a watch person? Or do you think watches are going by way of the dinosaur, in favor of iPhones and iPods instead???

A Diamante in the Rough

2011-06-10T19:07:00.003-04:00

My Anthropologie birthday discount damage has been done! I was a responsible shopper and limited myself to only two items, although I could have easily brought home four or five new things. I was so excited about my new purchases that I wore them both the very next day.

I was rather convinced I'd be bringing home the Bosky Lace Skirt, but after trying it on, the fit was just a bit off on me. I still love it, because after all, it's green and lace, but I'm going to try and hold out for sale. Instead, I found a diamond in the rough when I came across the Diamante Skirt. The fabric of the skirt is a gorgeous diamond eyelet pattern, it's very well made, and the fit is perfect. Not to mention, it has pockets, too!!!

While I didn't specifically buy the After Plaited Tank to wear with the Diamante Skirt, I decided they would go together nicely. My favorite thing about this top is that it's all business in the front, but party in the back with the fun plaited detailing. I know I'll be reaching for this top quite a bit over the summer!

Anthro Top, Skirt, and Belt | NY & Co. Necklace | Matisse Wedges

Snaps Around the City

2011-06-06T22:21:00.000-04:00

Things have been quiet here on the Fashion Fuel home front. With the nice weather that has FINALLY arrived in the city, I've been spending more time outside exploring some of the fun and free things that NYC has to offer. Since I was an Art History major in college, I always find myself gravitating to the amazing public art installations scattered around the city streets.

These huge flower sculptures along Park Avenue caught my eye from the moment they were "planted" back in January. They spent the majority of the winter covered in snow, which I thought was rather ironic. I planned on taking a few snow-covered flower pictures, but I just couldn't bring myself to trudge through the snow to snap the photos. It wasn't until Memorial Day weekend when I finally convinced the bf to go with me to take a few pics with the flowers. He has absolutely no patience for pictures or cameras, so I was lucky to have him take these 2 photos, but I couldn't convince him to get on the other side of the camera!

Take note of the ginormous bug crawling on the stem...it just might be my favorite part of the sculpture!

These Chinese zodiac heads by artist Ai Weiewi are another interesting art installation.

My Chinese zodiac sign is the Rooster, but the dog is pretty darn cute, too!

I hope your week is off to a good start! I hear there is a big sale brewing at Anthro tomorrow. Can't wait to see what the Anthro sale fairies have in store for us tomorrow morning!!!

Workin' for the Weekend

2011-06-01T19:55:00.002-04:00

I'm thanking my lucky stars this week is a short one. Two days at work has already seemed like an eternity. The heat and humidity has finally arrived here in New York, and I'm starting to get a sense of just how stifling a New York City summer can be (although I'm not complaining after the brutal winter we had)! I have a good fifteen minute walk to the nearest subway station, which means I'm usually a hot and humid mess by the time I arrive at work. Then there are evenings like tonight, where a death on a local subway line resulted in several station closures and caused my walk home to be even longer than usual. Accidents like these always leave me feeling heavyhearted and a bit unsettled.

These outfit photos are from last week, but they give you a good idea of what my hair starts to look like after a gross and humid commute! Consider yourself warned, because I'm sure there will be many more bad hair days where this one came from...

Calvin Klein Dress (via Ross) | Charlotte Russe Necklace | Matisse Wedges
Anthropologie Enchanting Eyes Belt

The Birthday List

2011-05-30T18:39:00.001-04:00

I almost forgot my birthday was coming up in June (June 27 to be exact), until I opened my mailbox the other day to find my Anthro birthday discount. I couldn't believe how quickly it arrived! Last year I remember sweating it out through the first few days of June, thinking I might not get a discount card at all!!

I'm counting down the minutes/seconds until the calendar rolls into June and I can cash in my discount. I've already surveyed my nearest Anthro store, and I've short listed a few items in the running for my birthday haul. I haven't tried on any of these items yet, so if you wonderful readers have thoughts or reviews for these items, please do share in the comments below!

Quechua Dress

Bosky Lace Skirt

Lengthening Rays Skirt

Skinny Sloop Belt

Last year my birthday wishlist was rather small, as well. Funny thing is, I only came home with the Circle The Globe skirt, which wasn't on my original list at all! I'll keep you posted and let you know what I end up with this year...

Traveling Light

2011-05-26T19:54:00.005-04:00

This afternoon my boss proclaimed today as the Christmas Eve of summer. As most of the city prepares to do their "summering" in places like the Hamptons, I'll be staying put in my lovely little apartment for the Memorial Day weekend. In fact, most of my recent travel has consisted of quick weekend trips here and there. No matter where I travel, one of my biggest concerns is what to pack and how to pack it.

For several years I've relied on my trusty Vera Bradley bags as my primary source of luggage. I love Vera bags for their practicality, but quite honestly, I think they can be kind of hideous. The busy patterns NEVER match with what I'm wearing, and I'm ready to upgrade to something a little less colorful and a little more sturdy. Anybody have any good luggage suggestions?

I know someone who is going to be disappointed when I do finally retire the Vera bags, though...

I do have to admit that Vera Bradley bags can hold a lot (cats included). I still try to pack light whenever possible, like this past weekend when I was visiting my parents. It should come as no surprise that one of the outfits I packed for the weekend included this dress that you've seen me wear about a million times now :) See here and here if you need further proof of how often I wear this dress.

Tucker for Target Dress | Anthro Looping Lanes Belt | Rainbow Flip Flops | Chloe Sunnies

P.S.-I'm still having trouble with my Blogger account and not being able to leave comments. It's driving me mad because I'm still reading all your wonderful blogs but can't say hello!

Just Call me Lacey

2011-05-23T20:03:00.002-04:00

I've never personally known anyone named Lacey. The name reminds me of Lacey Chabert of Party of Five fame. Remember her...I wonder what she's been up to lately??? While I don't know anyone with the name, I may as well call myself Lacey after wearing this outfit on Sunday. The lace skirt worn with the lace-topped tank made me feel so frilly, and lacy...go figure!

Ann Taylor Skirt | J.Crew Tank | Anthro Belt | Naturalizer Shoes | Chloe Sunnies

So...about the shoes. I can't believe these are by Naturalizer, as in the comfort brand! I was visiting my parents over the weekend and my mom and I went into Burlington Coat Factory. Not only was I shocked by finding such cute shoes, but I was shocked by Burlington. I haven't set foot in a Burlington store in 20-some years, but I remember it being mostly just coats. I guess times have changed because the store had lots of great stuff at very affordable prices. You should definitely check out Burlington if there's a store near you!

Crustaceans and Dinosaurs, Oh My!

2011-05-16T22:27:00.002-04:00

Hello, lovelies! Are you ready for an Anthro sale tomorrow? I shamefully pre-bought a couple items this weekend in the hopes they make it to sale and I can get a price adjustment. I keep telling myself I'll return them if they don't make sale, but we'll see if that actually happens!!!

In addition to some Anthro sale-sleuthing over the weekend, I had visitors in town who wanted to go to the American Museum of Natural History. At the museum I got to see Dinosaurs...

And Elephants...

And Crustaceans...

Oh My!

And now back to regularly scheduled programming, I'll leave you with my OOTD. Good luck to everyone scoping out the Anthropologie tag sale tomorrow!!!

Anthro Dress & Belt | NY &Co. Necklace | Seychelles Shoes

To One In Paradise

2011-05-10T18:50:00.001-04:00

For my senior yearbook, we had to choose a quote to go along with our senior portrait. While many of my classmates chose lyrics to popular songs at the time, or inside jokes, I quoted part of the Edgar Allan Poe poem, To One in Paradise. This was my quote:

A green isle in the sea, love,
A fountain and a shrine,
All wreathed with fairy fruits and flowers,
And all the flowers were mine.

Although I haven't thought about that quote in almost 12 years (Yikes! I can't believe it's been that long since I graduated high school!!), I was instantly reminded of the poem the second I put on this outfit. Something about the print of the flowers and the blue/green color scheme has me dreaming of a green isle in the sea.

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

Do You Want to Go to the Plage with Me

2011-05-07T17:50:00.000-04:00

Does anyone else have the song from the Calypso St. Barth Target commercial stuck in their head? I've been singing it all week, so I just had to look it up online. The title of the song is "Plage" by Crystal Fighters. I found the song on YouTube, so take a listen if you're not familiar with it.

Speaking of Calypso for Target, did anyone buy anything good from the collection? I don't get to Target that often anymore, so I haven't seen any of the Calypso line in person. I do really like this bracelet, but considering the web site says it's only available in-store, I'm not keeping my hopes up that I'll find it any time soon :(

I did, however, stumble on something very exciting last weekend. I went on a thrifting/consignment expedition, and found a store called Second Time Around. They are a chain of consignment stores (mostly in the Northeast), but their Upper East Side location is a goldmine! I came home with this Calypso dress (along with a couple other things)...

In doing a little research, it looks like this dress style was originally sold at Calypso in 2008/2009, but hey, it's new to me!

Calypso Dress | Banana Republic Necklace | Calvin Klein Shoes

Most Worn: April

2011-05-04T19:49:00.000-04:00

Well, hello there! I bet you think I fell off the face of the earth. We had our biggest fundraiser of the year this week at work, immediately followed by a board meeting the next day. Talk about stressful! I'm pretty much a walking zombie right now, so I thought it would be a good time to catch up with my monthly "Most Worn" feature. Because my posting was rather light over April, I worried I wouldn't have one standout, most worn item. I was wrong. Right away I noticed one type of accessory that got lots of love for the month of April--the belt! I think I exhausted my belt collection over the duration of the month. Perhaps it is time to start looking for a few new additions to the collection???

Outfit 1 | Outfit 2 | Outfit 3 | Outfit 4

Oh, I can't forget about this one either:

Outfit 5

Now I'm off to catch up on all of your wonderful blogs. I'm waaaay behind on my reading, but I promise to catch up with you soon!

OOTD 2011 v. 2010

2011-04-28T21:21:00.008-04:00

For all my fellow bloggers out there, do you ever look back to see what you were wearing on the same day a year ago? Occasionally I peek through my archives and I always enjoy reliving the old memories and outfits that I've worn over the past year. It's fun to see how the current OOTD compares to last year's OOTD.

Let's take a look at April 26, 2011 vs. April 26, 2010, shall we?

April 26, 2011

Gap Cardigan | INC Tank | Express Capri's | Leifsdottir Flats
Arden B Necklace | NY & Co. Bracelet

April 26, 2010

See the original post here

I still wear all of these items, although I haven't worn this particular combo since last year. I see an outfit re-creation coming up in the near future!!!

Wardrobe Rut

2011-04-25T20:05:00.003-04:00

Lately I feel like I've been in a style rut. Despite a closet full of great clothes, I keep reaching for the same things over.and over.and over again. Even the new arrivals in stores aren't really tempting me. I'm always frustrated when I'm so uninspired by my wardrobe--it puts me in quite a funk!

Take for instance, Sunday's OOTD. I like this dress and LOVE the fact it was warm enough to go without tights, but I've been wearing the heck out of this Tucker for Target frock. I keep switching it up with different belts, like this pink belt, my looping lanes belt, or my Martin + Osa belt (seen in the 2nd photo). I'm more than ready to get out of this wardrobe rut!!!

Tucker for Target Dress | Club Monaco Belt | Kork-Ease Wedges

Worn with Martin + Osa belt

Do you ever find yourself in a style rut? If so, how do you get yourself out of it?

In Your Easter Bonnet

2011-04-21T19:45:00.002-04:00

Zappos | Zara | Barney's | Nordstrom

I've never been big on wearing hats, but at Easter I love seeing all the fabulous head wear available in stores. I'd definitely consider wearing any one of these fun hats. They make me want to don a sundress and head out to hunt for Easter eggs!

I have some friends and family in town, so I'm signing off for a few days to enjoy the Easter weekend. Have a fabulous weekend and Happy Easter!!!

Black and White and Red All Over

2011-04-19T19:58:00.010-04:00

Hello, readers and happy Tuesday! I'm having some electrical issues in my apartment and one-by-one my hallway light bulbs are all burning out. As a result I've got some oddly colored outfit photos, but I wanted to share anyway. It amazes me how one less light bulb can make my face look an Avatar-shade of blue and my arms look like I've been baking in the sun for hours. At least the colors in my outfit stayed true to form!

Outfit Details:
Anthro Skirt and Top
Population Cardigan
Kohl's Tights
Madden Girl Flats
Macy's Necklace
South Moon Under Belt

Hello, Sunshine

2011-04-14T19:52:00.001-04:00

With a couple nice days this week, I suddenly didn't know what to wear. Did anyone else have that problem??? I wasn't quite ready to go outside with bare legs, but the thought of wearing tights made me cringe. As a result, I gravitated to pants this week more than I usually do. I always feel somewhat "blah" when I wear dress pants to work, but I didn't feel that way at all in this outfit. Of course, it probably helped that I was wearing one of my new Anthro purchases, the Emcee Tee. I feel like this top is one of those sleeper surprises. By that I mean it doesn't look like much on the hanger, but once you try it on, it's love! There's something so effortless and easy about this top that I just couldn't resist it. I can already see this being one of my go-to weekend pieces worn with a pair of jeans and sandals.

Outfit Details:
Anthro Emcee Tee
Gap Pants
Seychelles Shoes
Macy's Necklace
Martin + Osa Belt

Anthro Shopping Day

2011-04-11T20:38:00.000-04:00

Saturday was a busy shopping day here in New York City. Roxy of Effortless Anthropologie and one of her readers, Liza, organized a shopping trip to everyone's favorite store, Anthropologie! A group of 12 or 13 of us met up at the Rockefeller Center Anthropologie store. We were greeted by a team of Anthro's personal shoppers and were given a brief tour of the home and fragrance sections of the store. We then did a round of introductions to get to know one another. I got to meet so many wonderful ladies, including fellow bloggers Roxy, Jewish Girl, Spiffy, and Thirteenlbs. (If I left anyone off the list, send me your blog link!) After introductions, we cut right to the chase and started shopping!

The fitting rooms were practically overflowing by the time everyone brought in various items and outfits to try on. The personal shoppers were on hand to help us with sizing and accessorizing, and were super-helpful when it came to styling recommendations. I ended up trying on a ton of items I never would have reached for normally, but for now, I'm keeping you in suspense as to what I ended up buying :) After about 2 and a half hours at the Rockefeller Center Anthro, we worked up an appetite and headed to lunch. The day turned out to be better than I could have ever imagined and it truly was a pleasure meeting everyone. I look forward to the next Anthro shopping excursion with this amazing group of ladies!!

Anthro Southward Stop Dress

NY & Co. Cardigan

Anthro Looping Lanes Belt

DSW Boots, Kooba Bag

I took Saturday's OOTD pictures later in the day, but can you believe I didn't take a single picture while shopping? And I call myself a blogger?!?! Stay tuned to Roxy's blog later in the week, as she'll be posting some photos from our shopping shenanigans!

Most Worn: March

2011-04-06T20:59:00.000-04:00

Outfit 1 | Outfit 2

I'm a little late in posting my Most Worn item for the month of March, but without a doubt, it was my Blooming Lattice cardigan from Anthropologie. My Blooming Lattice is definitely a work horse in my wardrobe, and probably one of my most worn items since I purchased it last summer. I could make a laundry list of reasons why I love this cardi, but the fact that it's green is reason #1. (For those of you don't know, green is my favorite color!!)

In case you need further proof that I love the color green, I'll leave you with my OOTD from Monday. I apologize for the quality of this photo, but this skirt is even greener than it looks in the picture. I bought it as a substitute for Anthro's Drawing Parallels Skirt. I was ready to jump on the green Drawing Parallels Skirt the day it came out, but it was an absolute fail when I tried it on. So...I ended up with this less exciting, but just as fabulously green skirt from Zara instead!

Outfit Details-
Gap Sweater
Zara Skirt
Anthropologie Belt
Urban Outfitters Tights

Lucky Leifsdottir

2011-04-05T08:37:00.001-04:00

Leifsdottir Lahja Flats

If you follow me on Twitter, then you may have seen I won a pair of Leifsdottir shoes!!! I was super-excited and utterly shocked when I got an email from Melissa Hawks of The Well Appointed House, letting me know I'd won her Leifsdottir shoe giveaway. Considering the only thing I've ever won before was a t-shirt from my local bowling alley in college, I was over-the-moon ecstatic at this news. I was even more excited when I was contacted by Leifsdottir, asking which styles I was interested in from their shoe collection. While I was tempted by the Ilona Heels, I ended up choosing the Lahja Flats. I don't wear heels all that often so I know I'll get much more use out of the flats. Now, if only this rain would go away...I could wear my new lovelies without ruining them in the wet weather!!! Thank you Melissa and thank you Leifsdottir for these great shoes!

In Like a Lion, Out Like a Lion

2011-03-31T21:58:00.001-04:00

Papyrus Invitation Dress - 42nd St., NYC

So much for March coming in like a lion and going out like a lamb! I've been hoping this forecast of snow is a sick April Fools joke, but I'm afraid it's not. Instead of posting one of the same old ootd's that I've been wearing for the last 5 months, I thought I'd share these amazing window displays from two different Papyrus stores in New York. Both dresses are made entirely out of cards. The dress in the top photo is made of invitations, and the dress in the bottom two photos is made of tiny rounds of card stock. All of the little rounds are different colors and designs. These dresses both remind me of Project Runway creations, and I'd wear either of them in a heartbeat!!!

Papyrus Card Stock Dress - Grand Central Station, NY

Follow the Yellow Brick Road

2011-03-29T20:03:00.001-04:00

Today's outfit feels very Dorothy of Oz meets Little Red Riding Hood. I'll blame it on the red shoes. While I don't love the overall look, I am trying to get the last bit of wear from some of my winter clothes (like this sweater). McManda recently wore her Breezy Polkas cardi for the same reason, so I know I'm in good company, trying to get the most wear out of my favorite clothes while I still can! What fall/winter items are you wearing now before you put them away for spring?

Outfit Details-
Anthropologie Breezy Polkas Cardi
Ann Taylor Top
Gap Skirt
? Tights
Shoes from DSW

Tired and Tuckered Out

2011-03-27T18:57:00.001-04:00

There couldn't be a more appropriate outfit to wear today than my new Tucker for Target dress. I've been battling a head cold the last few days and I'm slowly emerging from a Benadryl induced haze. In an effort to make myself feel a little better, I decided to dress up and run some errands. After grabbing lunch and making a quick trip to Best Buy, I'm completely exhausted and tuckered out. I'm looking forward to an early bedtime tonight, and you know what??? I'm totally going to wear this outfit again tomorrow...ssshhh, don't tell anyone!

How was your weekend? Did you do anything exciting???

Outfit Details-
Tucker for Target Dress
Anthropologie Looping Lanes Belt
Badgley Mischka Bag (gift from bf's parents)
Urban Outfitters Tights
Boots from DSW

Tardy Little Leprechaun

2011-03-22T19:53:00.005-04:00

I can't believe St. Patrick's Day has come and gone and I didn't even mention it here on the blog! St. Patty's is my favorite non-traditional holiday, and I love the color green, so it's rather irresponsible for me to ignore the holiday all together. Truth is I was dressed rather frump-tastic that day, so I didn't bother documenting it for the blog. As it turns out, I'm glad I dressed down, because my day involved climbing the fire escape at work to watch the NYC St. Patrick's Day parade along 5th Avenue. Our street is a staging area for the parade, so I snapped this photo right as the groups were marching to 5th Ave to kick off the festivities!

Since I was disappointed in my lack of Irish-ness for the big day, I decided today would be my St. Patty's Day do-over. What better way to celebrate than dressing up like a leprechaun?!?! Here's my attempt at looking all sneaky and leprechaun-like:

I don't think I'm too convincing as a leprechaun, so I'll leave you with a standard issue outfit photo instead. In the meantime, I'm off to go find me pot o' gold!

Outfit Details-
Anthro Blooming Lattice Cardigan
Ann Taylor Skirt (buy here)
Forever 21 Top
Urban Outfitters tights
Boots from DSW

Time for the Boots to Take a Vacation

2011-03-19T14:44:00.000-04:00

Yesterday was a glorious day. The weather was beautiful, work went by quickly, AND I wore my first pair of open-toed shoes for the season! I couldn't resist wearing my new Kork-Ease wedges to dinner last night. As much as I love my boots, I'm ready to be done with them for a few months. I wish I could say the boots are on vacation, but I have a feeling they'll make a few more appearances before the warm weather is here to stay.

In the meantime, I'm trying to break in my spring/summer shoes as much as possible. I'm still on the fence about my new wedges, but all the reviews I've read say they are super comfortable and easy to wear. Many of you already know about my bad habit of wearing flip flops, so I'm hoping these will be a good alternative!

For work I wore my flats and threw on a little jacket for the morning commute.

Outfit Details--
Anthropologie Bianka Blouse
J.Crew Factory Blazer (via eBay)
Banana Republic Necklace
Express Jeans
Kork-Ease Wedges

Naughty Monkey Flats

Weekend Warrior

2011-03-14T20:32:00.002-04:00

Here we are at Monday again. Is it just me, or are weekends getting shorter and shorter? At least our days are getting longer and longer! My weekend was quite a whirlwind of activity. I made a quick trip to Virginia to visit my parents and take care of some business, which included the sale of my car. I've had my car for almost 11 years, so it was a bittersweet moment to see it go. I've always been the sentimental type, so it was no surprise I got a little choked up as I said goodbye to my Honda Civic for one last time. I couldn't resist putting up a farewell photo to honor my little car. May the new owner have just as many great memories with it as I did.

Since this is a fashion/style blog, I assume you're not here to look at car photos, so here's my weekend OOTD instead.

Outfit Details:
Martin + Osa Cardigan
Anthropologie Top
Martin + Osa Belt
eShakti Necklace
Banana Republic Jeans
Seychelles Boots

Popping in to Say Hello

2011-03-09T19:44:00.000-05:00

Hello, readers! I've been rather m.i.a. around the blogosphere this past week. I'm trying to find a better work/life/blogging balance, but so far, I haven't come across the magic combination. Plus, my outfits have been a bit uninspired. I'm over these drab, winter clothes and it seems most of my tights have sprouted runs and holes. It's only so often I can get away with wearing my golden yellow tights! This ootd is from last week when the the weather was a tad warmer and I could wear flats without any tights or socks. In case you're wondering, this blouse is finely pin-striped, but it's just looking kind of dizzy in these photos with the stripes running together!

Outfit Details--
Anthropologie Blooming Lattice Cardi
Express Blouse
Express Pants
Club Monaco Belt
Giordano Watch
Arden B Necklace
Poetic License Flats

Colorful Little Number

2011-03-02T20:43:00.001-05:00

I'm waaay behind in posting, but this is an outfit I wore last week. As soon as I walked in the office, one of my male co-workers commented, "That's a colorful little number." It just so happened he was cleaning out the office fridge at the same time, so I'm not entirely sure if he was referring to my outfit or a colorful, moldy surprise in the refrigerator. I'll assume he was talking about my outfit :) It is a little more colorful than my usual, but I couldn't find the black cardigan I was planning to wear, so I opted for the yellow instead.

On my tippy toes to get a shot of my shoes!

Outfit Details-
New York & Co. Cardigan
Ann Taylor Shirt
Boden Skirt
Naughty Monkey Flats
? Tights
The Limited Belt

Most Worn: February

2011-03-01T19:46:00.001-05:00

Hello, March! I'm so glad you're here. Please bring lots of warm weather and sunny days, thanks!

Before I jump into the month of shamrocks and leprechauns (I do love St. Patty's Day!), I wanted to recap my most worn for the month of February. Last month, my most worn item was this cardigan, but for February my most worn wasn't so much one item as it was one reoccurring theme--polka dots.

I started out the month wearing my Breezy Polkas Cardigan (posted here)

Then decided to wear it again mid-month (posted here)

Along the way I picked up the Peppered and Striped Skirt on super-sale (posted here), and have since worn it not once, but twice. (Last worn here)

Tell me, what was your most worn item (or items) for the month of February? Although I didn't participate in Kendi's 30 x 30 challenge, I know many of you did. Did you find yourself gravitating to the same couple of pieces over and over again? Do share!!!

Details in the Fabric

2011-02-25T05:48:00.001-05:00

T.G.I.F.!!! Does anyone have exciting plans for the weekend? I don't have much planned, but I always look forward to sleeping in and relaxing for a couple days. Although this week was a short one, it was busy-busy-busy! I'll leave you with my OOTD from Thursday.

The details are my favorite thing about this skirt. Even though it's a bit of a challenge to style, I'm having fun trying!

Outfit Details--
Anthropologie Skirt
Isaac Mizrahi for Target Shirt
Population Cardigan
Gifted earrings
Seychelles Boots
Urban Outfitters Tights
Giordano Watch

Wednesday Wishlist

2011-02-23T20:21:00.000-05:00

A couple weeks ago I said I didn't have much of a wishlist. My, oh my, how that has changed! Here are just a few of the items I'm currently coveting:

Clockwise from Top Left:
Skirt | Bag | Skirt | Top

Sunny with a Chance of Snow

2011-02-21T14:03:00.001-05:00

Can I tell you how I have MAJOR spring fever? With a couple warm and sunny days last week, I was ready to play hookie from work and spend my days playing outside. The only thing that kept me from calling in sick was knowing I had today off for President's Day. Of course, the warm weather didn't stick around and NYC got snowed on last night...go figure!

I'm more than ready to put away the sweaters and boots to make room for warm weather apparel, like this blouse I grabbed at last week's Anthro sale. I first remember seeing it in December, but at that time I wasn't ready to embrace a bright yellow, silk top in my wardrobe.

Now, if I can just manage to stash away that pile of boots in the corner of my room, I'll be doing okay!

Outfit Details--
Anthropologie Sunny Safari Blouse
Express Pants
Naughty Monkey Flats
Necklace (gift from a friend)

Seeing Red

2011-02-16T20:52:00.000-05:00

I've been rocking the red in my outfits this week. Monday I was decked out for Valentine's Day, but today's red just happened to be the first thing I grabbed for in my closet.

Valentine's Day, a.k.a. Monday

Outfit Details
New York & Co. Cardigan
Free People Lace Shirt
Ruche Belt
Anthropologie Hop Skip Jump Skirt
Hue Tights
DSW Boots

Wednesday's OOTD

Outfit Details
The Limited Dress
Anthropologie Breezy Polkas Cardigan
Kohl's Tights
Seychelles Boots

Happy Valentine's Day

2011-02-14T18:49:00.000-05:00

Hello lovelies and Happy Valentine's Day! Normally I make a big to-do over Valentine's Day, but this year it just kind of snuck up on me. My boyfriend and I usually go out to a nice dinner, but this weekend he surprised me and took me to Anthropologie in search of a V-day gift. He sure knows the way to my. heart! Although there were quite a few things I wanted to try on, we were majorly time crunched. The bf ended up getting me a gift card so I could come back and try things on when I had more time. Depending on when/if there is a sale this week, I'm sure it will only be a couple days before I head back to the store to do some damage!!!

Now on to outfit details...I wore this ootd a couple days ago but thought it looks very Valentine's Day appropriate. I was inspired by Sara of You, Me & Anthropologie, who paired her Openwork Vines skirt with a pink top last week. Thanks for the inspiration, Sara!

Outfit Details--
Population Cardigan
J.Crew Tank (last worn here)
Anthropologie Openwork Vines Skirt (last worn here)
Nine West Shoes
Bauble Bar Bracelet

For All My D.C. Readers

2011-02-12T17:38:00.005-05:00

For all my readers in the D.C. area, here's an event you might be interested in attending:

You better believe I'd be there if I still lived in the area. Vineyard Vines colorful and preppy prints always have me ready for a warm beach getaway! Not to mention, I secretly want this Washington Redskins NFL Tote by Vineyard Vines. I'm not much of a sports fan, but this is subtle enough to show my team allegiance without going overboard in team colors and jerseys.

If any of you go to the grand opening, I'd love to hear all about it! And if Vineyard Vines isn't really your thing, there's always the Tysons Galleria Anthropologie to keep you occupied! The Tysons Anthro will always have a soft-spot in my heart since it's the store where I made my first-ever Anthro purchase!!!

Wallflower with a Surprise

2011-02-09T20:47:00.001-05:00

It wasn't until I downloaded today's pictures that I realized I totally blend in with the wall! Luckily, I wore my mustard yellow tights to add a little surprise to my otherwise conservative outfit. I got these tights a couple weeks ago from Urban Outfitters and I've been waiting for the perfect chance to wear them. Apparently I'm having a love affair with the color yellow, as evidenced by most worn item for the month of January.

Outfit Details--
Ann Taylor Sweater
Anthropologie Looping Lanes Belt
Ann Taylor Skirt (last worn here)
Urban Outfitters Tights
DSW Boots

Easy Like Sunday Morning

2011-02-07T19:47:00.000-05:00

I hope everyone had a good start to the week!! I guess my title is a bit misleading, as this is actually today's outfit. After staying up late to watch the Superbowl on Sunday night, I took the easy approach to dressing this morning. I'd be lying if I said the name of this dress (the Easy-as-Pie dress) didn't play a little bit of a role in my decision to wear it today. In fact, I didn't style it all that differently than last time I wore it. That's what I love the most about dresses--you can just throw them on and go.

Outfit Details--
Anthropologie Easy-as-Pie Dress
Hue Tights
NY & Co. Necklace
Aldo Shoes

Look What I Found...

2011-02-03T20:03:00.000-05:00

Yesterday during my lunch break I headed over to Anthropologie to check out the sale selection. For once in my life I don't have much of a wish list, so I wasn't looking for anything in particular. But lo and behold, it always seems I find the best stuff when I'm shopping without an agenda. There were a ton of second cut items casually dispersed among the newer sale items, just calling my name. I loaded up and headed to the dressing room to try my luck. What I ended up coming away with was a surprise, even to me!

Sitting all by herself was one lonely Peppered & Striped skirt. In my size. For $39.95!

I pretty much avoided this skirt all fall because I assumed the length would be odd on me. Time and time again I saw how great it looked on fellow bloggers, but I still wasn't interested. Finally, for $39.95 I decided to give it a try, and I'm so glad I did. I wasted no time and wore this little lovely today! I wasn't entirely happy with my styling for the day, so you only get a picture of the skirt. I guess that's what happens when you're an eager beaver and don't give yourself enough time to properly style an outfit!

Monday, Monday

2011-02-01T22:36:00.004-05:00

I'm a little late in posting, but this is my OOTD from Monday. This is my thought process that went into planning the outfit:

It's Monday morning. (Yuck).
I over-slept. (Oh well)!
It's freezing cold outside. (Blah).
More snow and ice is on the way. (NOOOOOO).
Should I wear sequins today? (Why, yes. Yes, I should)!

Outfit Details--
Cardigan: Anthropologie
Sequin Tank: J.Crew
Pants: The Limited
Shoes: Aldo

Most Worn: January

2011-01-30T16:21:00.001-05:00

Outfit 1 | Outfit 2 | Outfit 3

At the end of 2010 I planned on doing a "Most Worn" post, revisiting the items that I wore the most throughout the year. As I went through a year's worth of outfits on my blog, I realized I couldn't come up with a logical or cohesive way to show all my most worn items within one post. Too many items tied for first and second place, and no clear "winner" emerged. Thus, I decided a to institute a monthly Most Worn feature here on Fashion Fuel, beginning with the new year.

As the first full month of 2011 comes to a close (yipes!), one item was certainly on heavy rotation for January. My Chelsea Cardigan from New York & Co. made the most appearances (plus a couple weekend wearings that didn't get photographed for the blog). It really brought a pop of color to my otherwise neutral outfits this month.

Did you have a most worn item for the month of January? If so, please share in the comments below!!!

An eShakti Promo Code

2011-01-29T15:59:00.000-05:00

Remember this dress? I first wore it in early December when I did a review for eShakti. This time around, I took a cue from Ashley and paired it with a yellow cardigan. Thanks for the inspiration, Ashley!

Well, guess what, readers? eShakti is kindly offering all of you a 20% discount on purchases made between now and February 28, 2011. All you need to do is enter the promo code FASHIONFUEL2011 at checkout. Their prices are reasonable to begin with, and with the extra 20% off, you can't go wrong! Not to mention, all of their products can be custom sized and styled for the perfect fit.

There are a ton of styles on their site, plus many new spring arrivals. Here are some of my favorites:

Bird Motif Wood Block Print Cotton Dress

Herringbone Tweed Ruffled Jacket

Bow Tied Crepe Blouse

Do you have your eye on anything from eShakti? I'd love to hear if you end up purchasing anything!!!

Because Blogging Makes Me Happy

2011-01-25T20:32:00.001-05:00

Yesterday and today were absolutely the worst days I've had since starting my new job in November. I know bad days are inevitable, but these were the kind of days that blow your confidence and make you question if you're really cut out to do said job. Oddly enough, the one thing that kept me sane throughout the madness was the thought of blogging. I started reading blogs as soon as I got home yesterday, and within minutes, I'd completely forgotten about my bad day. All of your lovely outfits, combined with stories about your weekends and daily anecedotes instantly made my day better. Likewise, when I was about to break down in tears today, I kept telling myself, "I can't wait to go home and blog," and sure enough, I was able to keep the tears at bay. While I can't believe I just admitted that, and I generally try to keep things positive on my blog, some days a girl just needs to vent. If you're having "one of those days" too, feel free to vent away in the comments below!! It really does feel better to let it out!

But back on a positive note, my Boden purchase arrived this weekend and I couldn't wait to wear my new skirt! Please excuse the wrinkles across the front...they are just further evidence of my crappy day spent chained to my desk.

And look who decided to make a cameo appearance tonight? None other than my cat, Ruby. I tried endlessly to get a picture with her for Lisa's Respect the Outfits (Pet Edition) but she was being camera shy at the time.

Outfit Details--
Shirt: J.Crew
Skirt: Boden
Necklace: Charlotte Russe
Boots: Seychelles
Earrings: Gift

All Work No Play

2011-01-23T19:48:00.000-05:00

It seems that my recent OOTD posts have all been work outfits instead of weekend/casual outfits. I suppose that has to do with the ridiculously cold weather we've been experiencing in the Northeast. I've spent the last few weekends hibernating in thick pants and woolly sweaters, none of which deserve a blog post. Today I decided to break free from my outfit funk and wear something a little bit nicer than the hoodies and sneakers I've been sporting lately. Plus, I couldn't wait to wear my new Banana Republic jeggings. I got these on sale for $16...regularly priced at $89.50! They are showing up almost black in the photos, but they're really a dark wash denim. I suspect they will fade quite a bit after the first wash or two, but for $16 I couldn't resist!

Outfit Details:
Anthropologie Bianka Blouse
Victoria's Secret cami
Banana Republic jeggings (similar here)
Banana Republic necklace
DSW boots

Calling All Boden Fans

2011-01-19T20:38:00.001-05:00

I just placed my first order from Boden last week. I ordered this little number (in amethyst), and I'm anxiously awaiting it's arrival! Does anyone have experience ordering from Boden in the U.S.? My email confirmation says the shipment could take up to 3 weeks to arrive, but I can't find a way to track my order online. I don't know about you, but I tend to get a little OCD when it comes to checking the status of my orders online. I like knowing when my goodies are going to arrive!

Now that I'm Boden customer, I'm also on their email list. I just got this email about an upcoming clearance sale. If you're one of my East Coast (Mid-Atlantic/Northeast) readers, this might be worth a day trip!

Spottie Dottie

2011-01-18T19:30:00.001-05:00

I've been seeing polka dots all around the blogosphere lately, which reminded me I had this shirt sitting in the back of my closet. I bought it in 2006 and it quickly became one of my favorites. I ended up putting it on a hiatus because it was showing up in way too many of my Facebook photos. Somehow the hiatus turned into forgetting about the shirt all together! Now that it's back in rotation, I have a feeling you'll be seeing it quite a bit here on the blog.

I had planned to wear today's outfit with heels, like this:

Unfortunately, today's weather conditions required my shoe selection to be a little more sturdy, like this:

Outfit Details--
Shirt: INC International Concepts
Cardigan: NY and Co. (also worn here and here)
Necklace: J.Crew Factory
Skirt: Anthropologie (worn here, here, and here)
Tights: Target
Boots: Seychelles