Ruffles, Pearls and so on

Thanks for all the cheesy gooey Mac & Cheese recommendations. Mr. P approved whole heartily and is going to get cracking.

I'm finally taking lunch and am so in need of a break. I have been reading awful ridiculous code language all morning. It's a long story and it's works so I don't want to get into it, but sufficed to say, my frustration level and temper are getting a little high. I was strong armed by the planning director to sit on this horrid committee which begins tonight. Hence why I'm reading this stuff. To further my woes I just ate rice cakes and a banana for lunch. Isn't that a depressing lunch? I think so.

However, before we all start pitying me too much there is a bright spot to my day. My outfit. I so wish I could show you all a picture of my gorgeous pink silk ruffled tank I am wearing. Sadly, I can not find a picture of it anywhere online. I got it on clearance at J. Crew, because really I only buy anything at J. Crew which is on a major clearance. It is brightening my day. I'm wearing it with slim black slacks, a long black shall cardigan, a long pearl necklace and pearl earrings. Working late at dreadful meetings is never quite as bad when you can wear pink, pearls, and ruffles all in the same day!

Fashion Staples

I love to shop. We all know this. But this year I am trying to be more purposeful about my shopping. In the past I would just follow sales and pick up pieces at random. I would get new clothes fairly frequently but I never had the staples. I had nothing to wear because although I’d bought a few shirts I still did not have a basic black tee, or the right skinny jeans, or a nice rain coat. You get the picture. This year I made a list of the classic and trendy pieces I’m in need of and bit by bit I have been focusing my shopping on those things. I have to say now that Ihave acquired some of these staples from my list getting dressed is getting easier everyday. So here are my fashion staples that I now can’t live without:

Over sized Sunglasses

Oh how I love my over sized sunglasses. My husband HATES them but that's besides the point. I got them at forever 21 and paid $3 for them. Yet they are wonderful. image found here

Trench coat

This is most recent purchase and I'm in love with it. I have been wanting a trench coat for years, actually since I was 14 years old and first saw this:

It is just so classic. I recently read somewhere that if you put on a classic trench coat and over sized sunglasses you instantly add glamour to whatever else you are wearing. I think I agree. images found here and here

Skinny Jeans


I have had skinny jeans since college but never the right skinny jeans. Finally with my Christmas money I splurged on lucky brand skinny jeans and I am so glad I did. I LOVE these jeans. Skinny jeans are the best cut for me because I am really short and they make my legs look instantly longer without the bother of heals. image found here

Colorful scarves



This summer while we were in San Fransisco my sister and I hit the jackpot on scarves. We found a whole in the wall closet in china town selling gorgeous pashmina scarves in many colors for $3 each. We both got many of them and now they are such a staple. Plain jeans and a tee boring, but with a bright scarf and big sunglasses it's an outfit! image found here

Lip gloss

I really like make up. Eye make up and lip gloss are my favorite. And since eye makeup can take some time and effort it's usually lip gloss that I grab at 7am when I have to run out for eggs. I have three favorite lip glosses right now. 1. Clinique long last glosswear in sunset, this is a more neutral shimmery color for everyday 2. Sonia Kashuk ultra sheer lip gloss in fairy, this is a great pale pink, really summery and light 3. L'Oreal paris clour riche lip gloss in soft wine, this has more color than the other two and is nice for going out if I dont' feel like red. image from clinique

Riding boots


I have blogged about my riding boots before and how much I love them. They are especially wonderful in our rainy wet climate. Perfect for rainy cold days when flats are no good but you don't want to wear converse. image from Ralph Lauren


Boyfriend Cardigan

This is another new purchase. It's really great with leggings and dresses up jeans and a tee on a Saturday afternoon. If I have to run errands early Saturday I throw on this with a scarf with my black lounge pants and I don't feel like I'm out in my PJ's. image from the Gap

Black Audrey Hepburn pants

This was my first fashion staple purchase, actually gift. My Mom got me these from the Gap way back in 2005. I don't know what I'm going to do when they wear out. I love these pants. They are great for when you don't want jeans but you also don't want heals and you really don't want a skirt. A predicament I seem to be in a lot.

So now I wan to know, what are your fashion staples?