With a bow on top.

• Top: Maurices
• Cardigan: Torrid
• Skirt: Maurices
• Shoes: Payless
• Bag: Maurices

This outfit was another attempt at a more professional look. I think I succeeded. I also think this definitely looks better with the cardigan, but I really liked the sleeves on this top (its one piece with the vest part of it too) so I wanted to show what they looked like too. When I bought this top, I discovered how much I love interesting bow ties like this. I have no idea what the proper name for those are (the collar of the top has long strips of fabric on each side), but I enjoy them and need more. Okay, I don't need more clothes, but hypothetically speaking, if a half dozen more tops in this vein in interesting styles and colors showed up, I would find a place in my closet for them. I would also remind my wife that she doubted me when I bought this top, and how cute it actually turned out. I might get in trouble for posting that.

Anyway, back to the (not) shopping. One of my goals I've figured out for this blog is to try and go through everything in my closet and either try and wear it for an outfit post or decide it doesn't fit or doesn't look that great and put it in a thrift pile, and at least shop less. I won't promise no repeats, or remixes (In fact, I hope to do some), but I will try to go through everything I have. And actually doing this blog has helped me want to shop less (We will not discuss the new shoes I'm expecting in the mail today, or why I needed new shoes, at least until I get to post an outfit with them). I don't exactly wear my clothes outside that much, and this has given me an opportunity to talk about fashion with people who love it as much or more than I do. Oh yeah, I'm also open to attempting to answer questions on the blog, if anyone wants to ask them, I know I've answered some in comments, but I'll be more organized about it and have longer posts, also, I guess I'm getting more comfortable talking writing here. :) I realize this post is a little more talkative than usual, I hope that's okay. Thanks for listening! And of course, my excellent wife took the pictures! :)

Just peachy.

• Top: Maurices
• Cardigan: Old Navy
• Denim Pencil Skirt: Z. Cavaricci from Maurices
• Shoes: Lela Rose for Payless
• Bag: Target

Way too often I put together an outfit by starting with the shoes, and this outfit had to go through several revisions because the shoes were all wrong. At first I had a cami underneath the cardigan, but it was too dark and showed through, and the shoes(which were a nude color...) just looked weird. I grabbed this top, and tried mixing similar shades of the same color like I've seen other bloggers wear. And I just had to give up on the shoes, but this is another pair that I don't wear that often(I should, they're great, but they just never seem quite right when I reach for a pair of shoes...). And of course my amazing wife took the pictures.