Sparkles

Outfit Breakdown:

Sweater: Katsumi via London Boutique

Dress: James Perse via South Moon Under, old

Tights: Gap Link!

 Booties: Target, last year

I was in London in September for my girlfriends wedding, it was a beautiful time of year to be there and I loved every minute.  I went with two of my other friends and of course we factored in a couple days of shopping :)  I love sparkles and this sweater spoke to me!  I justified the purchase because it seemed perfect for the holiday season.  I was going to save it for Christmas but it's too pretty to only wear only once so I wore it to work yesterday.  I also love the high-low hemline, I hate when shirts or sweaters are too short, especially in the back, so this solves that problem.  What are you all planning to wear for the holidays?

xoxo
Joanna

Trends

Outfit Breakdown:
Shirt: Loft (last year) similar
Vest:  Jolt via Marshall's (recent)
Pants: Gap Similar
Shoes: Xhilaration,Target (very old)
Jacket: Gap via Ebay similar (fake leather)
Snood: Gap Link!

I would say I mostly buy classic pieces, but it's always nice to participate in a few trends that you think would work well with your style.  However, I try never to spend a ton of money on these pieces, who knows how long they will be around!  I would rather invest my money in classic pieces I know I will have forever.
Take for instance this fur vest, they have been popular for a couple seasons now but who knows about next year.  I like the look and wanted to try it but I was finding that a lot of the fur vests were pricey!  I found this vest recently (and by recently I mean two days ago) at Marshall's and scooped it up for $25.00!  Now I won't feel so bad if next winter I don't like it.

xoxo
Joanna

Boots

Outfit Breakdown
Dress:  French Connection (last year)
Boots: Nine West Outlet (similar)
Tights: Hue via Marshalls Link!

I've always had a really hard time finding boots that fit, I have pretty muscular calves and I find most boots are made for skinny legged people.  In the past I mostly had to wear "slouchy" boots or Uggs (gasp!).  It was my mission over the past two years to try and find black and brown boots that I could wear to work and with skinny jeans.  Last year I found the boots I'm wearing above at Nine West Outlet.  The have a leather front but a stretchy back.  They are super comfortable and easy to slide on, and since they have a leather front I still feel that they look dressy. 
This year I began the search for the elusive brown boot and I ended up with two pairs I like (yay!).  First I found a pair at Banana, I read the reviews online that said they were really loose so I ordered them online on a whim and they fit.  I had also really been wanting to invest in a pair of Frye boots.  I found some this year they were making in extended calf versions.  I ordered online and again, success! 
Moral of the story:  if you have trouble with boots try a stretchy back, reading reviews online or search for boots that come in extended calf sizes.  Also, don't get discouraged.  I have tried on MANY boots to find the perfect ones!

xoxo
Joanna

Pippa

Blazer: Gap Link!

Blouse: Talbots (old)

Pants: Gap Link!

Shoes: Tory Burch (gift) Link!

Bag: Modalu Pippa Bag Link!

This is what I wore to work today.  This is a pretty normal outfit I will wear: skinny pants, flats and a blazer! 

A note on the purse... I have a slight obsession with Pippa Middleton (Kate too, but her clothes have become Duchess status so I can't afford them).  I always keep a look out for pictures of her and if the clothes are affordable I scout them out!  This purse is by Modalu and they actually re-named it the Pippa bag since she wears it so often.  I got it last year in this color and the grey (shark).  It's a great size bag for work, plus it has many compartments. 

Short story about the royal wedding:  I got up at like 5am with my mom to watch it, my dad had gotten us scones from Panara Bread and we made tea.  I wore a tiara (I'm not joking).  It was so fun and it was magical to see Kate in her dress!  Then I had to go to work, I kept the tiara on (still not joking).  I got some funny looks, but most of my women patients were like, "Royal Wedding?" and I was like, "Totes". 
Did anyone else get up at the crack of dawn to watch it live?

xoxo
Joanna