Feelin' Polished and Classy

Friday, November 09, 2012 | Posted by Ashleigh | Edit Post

I felt very polished and classy when I threw this together for work on Wednesday. I'd been planning to wear this 3/4 sleeve Ann Taylor LOFT sweater under the Tommy Hilfiger argyle cardi I thrifted BUT I don't have any pants I really liked with it. The 3/4 sleeve sweater is so thin-like a t-shirt, and great for layering when you don't know if it's going to be hot or cold! I tried it with this cashmere Apt. 9 cardigan and loved the combo of orange and leopard. I added some plain black flared slacks that I've had for years, black ballet flats a some awesome jewelry. Here's the look:

*Aren't my Momma's roses pretty? I can't believe they are still alive. It's gotten to freezing pretty much every night this week!

I love this outfit. I got loads of compliments on it at work from the guests. They all wanted to know why I was so "dressed up."
At my job, you pretty much can get away with anything. It's business casual, but interpreted as "Black slacks and a t-shirt with flats." Now, I was taught business casual means "Not suits." Meaning you can wear slacks or khakis, with a nice top, not a t-shirt!
I'm the only one who even bothers. The GM is not interested in fashion at all, though the other manager is always professional looking and fun, she does not accessorize. Why have a cute outfit if you aren't going to properly accessorize? I think she can't wear costume jewelry. If I couldn't wear costume jewelry, I'd die. (Figurtively) I loves baubles way too much to be able to afford everything I want in REAL meatal and stones! So, are you the "fashion freak" at your office?

Outfit Breakdown

 Cashmere Cardigan: Apt. 9 via Goodwill ($4.99)

Thin Orange Sweater: Ann Taylor Loft via STRUT consignment store

Slacks: George from Walmart (SUPER OLD)

Ballet Flats: Faded Glory from Walmart

Leather Satchel: Street Level via Piperlime

Earrings: Glitter

Necklace: Banana Republic via Gap Outlet

Bangle: Yardsale

Pin: Gift (bought at Walmart, it's the mockingjay from the Hunger Games)

Labels: business casual, cashmere, leopard, orange, Piperlime, Walmart | 8 comments

Leopard and Stripes and Way Too Warm!

Sunday, October 28, 2012 | Posted by Ashleigh | Edit Post

I woke up Tuesday  and headed to bloglovin' to find inspiration for getting dressed. I literally looked at the closet and though "I have NOTHING to wear." Came up on this lovely little number.

 Angela posted on her blog, Head to Toe Chic.So I thought to myself, I have leopard...pants... and... a striped...shirt. Surely this will work out! In the comments I told her I would post this whether it worked or not, because fashion is about taking a risk, after all! Here's the look:

I like this look. I don't LOVE it. Here's why: The stripes on my top are big and the leopard spots on my pants are small. They need to be the same size so it is more cohesive. I over accessorized as per usual and I wore a LOT of blush, but I liked that. I feel like my black boots and jacket helped tie it all together but then I stepped outside...and it was 80 degrees. The blazer had to go as soon as the pics were shot. And my striped top is a tank so I had to find another shirt because I had to work. The only other clothing item in my car was a ...leopard shirt! To work! Bam! In a Jersey Tuxedo! 

So, to surmise, I like it, I think I can rework it into something I love. And I matched my lips to my lovely bag again. Can't help it, it's such a pretty color.

Outfit Breakdown:

Blazer: Dots (brand and place I bought it)

Tank: Gap Body

Pants: Sizzle from Dots

Boots: Route 66 from Kmart

Bag: Banana Republic via Gap Outlet

Jewelry: Dainty gold and amethyst necklace was a gift, Mockingjay Pin is from Walmart, Chunky Chain is Express via Laura's Closet

Bangle is from Target like 3 years ago, Dangle earrings are from Kay jewelers, studs are from Target, Cocktail Ring is from Glitter.

*NO one mentioned my pattern mixing at ALL before I changed my top. My Mom thought I was nuts when she took the pictures, and the rest of the world rolled with it. I guess it wasn't as "out there" as I thought?

Labels: boots, headtotoechic, Hunger Games, leopard, stripes | 14 comments

From Weddings to Dress Codes

Friday, October 19, 2012 | Posted by Ashleigh | Edit Post

Today is Friday! Whew! I am so ready for the weekend. Alas, I work the entire weekend. My next day off is NEXT Friday. But then, I am off for FOUR DAYS! I can sense you asking why I am off four days in a row. Well, I shall tell you. I am getting married the 27th of October! I will be Mrs. McElfresh! After EIGHT. YEARS. OF. DATING. And FYI we've been engaged for FIVE of those years. This is a LONG time coming! R is my high school sweetheart. We met in our senior year when we were both aides. He played baseball and was short, stocky, and muscular. He wore his hair on the longer side with huge side burns, then he shaved his head and grew a goatee for our prom. IMHO He was definitely the most handsome guy in our school. I loved him then, but I love him more in better, greater ways now. Wanna see our prom picture? Here ya go:

 

So tiny! So stylin' lol. Those shoes had butterflies and shortly after my dog ate them :(. I still have that dress though. Any way, onto outfits!

How do you feel about animal prints? I love them. I will wear them in any form of clothing. Shirt, pants, dress, cardigan, whatever. Today's animal action was this leopard print cardi I got at DOTS. I wore it over a purple basic Tee with my boyfriend jeans and my black moto boots and some saucy red lipstick.

 

My full body shot and a close up when I was setting the self timer. The lipstick is actually an orange Wet N Wild lippy called persimmon with Baby Lips over it in the grape shade. Together, they made red. I like it.

Outfit breakdown:

Cardigan: Dots

T Shirt: Faded Glory from Walmart

Jeans: GAP 1969 Boyfriend jeans

Boots: Route 66 from Kmart

Necklace: Banana Republic

Earrings: Walmart

Rings: Various.

I was having a great hair day here! Little bit of body in that shiz. Did you notice the boots have star shaped studs on the heel? Also, I got in trouble for wearing these jeans to work. We can only wear jeans Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. I wore them Wednesday. Also, I'm behind a counter where no one could even see my jeans, and though I was wearing them I was still the most professionally dressed person at work. I hate dress codes! What do you dislike about your work dress code?

Labels: dress codes, high school, husbands, jeans, leopard, red lips, weddings | 2 comments