goldenpig

I posted some argyle looks here including a burgundy La Ligne sweater which seemed to be the favorite, along with the casual sweater: https://youlookfab.com/welookf.....l-polished

But I was on the fence about the last look. It didn't feel quite as "me" as the other two. I think I figured out why--the grey La Ligne Hamish cardigan and trouser combination is more masculine looking and my style is more ladylike. I mean, I didn't really even own any trousers, just jeans and skirts! I just bought a couple pairs of trousers in black (14-15) and oxblood (16-17), but it's not like I'm planning outfits around black trousers, so do I need trousers? It feels like something I maybe "should have" for work though...even though I just wore jeans to work today!

Angie suggested I try some other pairings. These aren't fully styled but I'm just experimenting. I realized I definitely like it better open, like a patterned jacket, than buttoned up as a sweater. Also if I put a better color for me next to my face like mustard or burgundy, I think it looks better. And I think the casual jeans and dress combos look fresher and less stuffy to me. Some of these are a bit maximal (even for me!) with all the pattern mixing. The mustard and teal colors go with all my new La Ligne stuff. I don't mind having multiples of a pattern, but it has to work with at least a couple outfits to earn its place in my (admittedly maximal) wardrobe. Anyways, what do you think? Buttoned or unbuttoned? Is it worth keeping?

La Ligne Hamish cardigan
1. With AllSaints oxblood trousers
2-3. With La Ligne mustard stripe tee and Rag and Bone burgundy stripe jeans
4. With La Ligne striped tee and floral palazzo pants (too much?)
5. Cardigan over dress--maybe my favorite combo
6. With La Ligne blue striped tee and Next striped/two tone barrel jeans (I found this for $34 today when I went to go return stuff to Nordstrom!)
7. With La Ligne navy and tan striped tee and J crew toffee wide leg jeans
8-9. Over column of burgundy (Favorite daughter burgundy turtleneck and Levi burgundy flare corduroys
10-11. With a striped Favorite daughter turtleneck and corduroy flares (maybe too much?) Really leaning into the 70's colors with avocado green, harvest gold, mustard yellow, burnt orange and burgundy.
12-13. With yellow pencil skirt I rescued off the store/donate pile and and white J Crew shirt I just found when I was cleaning out the closet.
Trousers
14-15. Nordstrom black trousers (sorry it's so hard to see!)
16-17. Allsaints oxblood trousers (both of these would have to be hemmed, but I don't know what length to hem it to, for flats or my Doc Martens? I don't really wear heels.
WIW
18. WIW 2/2 to work. Can't believe I got away with wearing pajama jeans to work today! I used the top from this Allsaints dress which I originally bought at Nordstrom, but found cheaper on Amazon. Everything I buy I keep checking and if I find it cheaper I price match it at Nordstrom, or rebuy if it's a different retailer. I've saved hundreds this way! I returned and rebought a sweater at Nordstrom today and the SA had the tip of putting everything you buy on your wishlist, that way if the price drops you automatically get an email and you can ask for a price match. Genius!
Barrel Jeans
19-24. And while I was there returning stuff, I tried on a few more pairs of barrel jeans. I realized that only ankle length works for me, because I'm 5'4" and it turns into a regular length on me. Otherwise if the inseam is more than 28 or 30 inches, it's too long. And I don't really want the hassle of hemming jeans. I'll spare you the Mother jeans that made me look like I have a butt in front as well as the back because the waist was the right size, but it was too tight underneath (ugh!). But this pair was loose enough (I sized up), and I found it on the sale rack and it was $34! Sold! (I'm still keeping the $65 Daze ones too and will compare those to the other ones I ordered, but you can't beat that price for trendy jeans!). Other pair here: https://youlookfab.com/welookf.....-barrel-le

I wore my new burgundy scarf sweater (fun that it comes with a built in scarf!), cherry Docs, and Burberry trench, and my old leather skirt and Burberry tote to work (1-2). Literally every single person at work made a comment about how I looked nice and was wearing real clothes instead of scrubs. I think it's been so long since I dressed up at the office that they were all in shock!

I wanted to get some additional striped tops/sweaters like my favorite La Ligne navy/white striped tee (3) and I have a 10% off coupon for my first order. I went to try stuff on at the La Ligne store and I remembered why I hate shopping for clothes, because I'm so apple-y things don't look like they do on the website models. Also it makes the sizing really inconsistent. Some of the tighter fitting shirts I needed to size up to large, but on the baggy sweaters, I had to size down to small because the medium and large were too voluminous and made me look even huger. Anyways sorry for all the pics, but I am considering the following tops (4) and was wondering what you think about how they look on me and sizing? 

5-8 is the Lean Lines sweater in L in the white and black stripes I'm considering, it's very soft and I like how it is a bit looser on the sides than the M (9-11), but the arms are very long on the large compared to the medium--which size should I go with--I'm torn between L and M? (They only have M online but I can go back to the store to see if they still have the L).

They also have a cream and navy striped Marin sweater which is very similar looking but a bit thicker (12-13), it's very baggy and I had to size down to a S. But I was most interested in the navy and white Marin sweater which they didn't have in the store but I could order online, that's like the sweater version of my favorite tee (unfortunately they don't sell that tee anymore or I would buy a spare!). They did have a burgundy and rust Marin sweater that I also really like (15-19) and I may get that as a fall/winter sweater whereas the navy and white could be more of a spring/summer (we get fog so summers are still cool!), I like both colors, what do you think? 

I'm also looking at the Breton striped tee in short sleeve in navy/tan (20-21) and long sleeved maybe in white and grey striped (22), both in small. I would love a white and grey striped shirt to wear under some of my other sweaters/jackets. I would mostly wear these with jeans which would be able to rein in the belly better.

I'll include the outtakes so you can see why I find it hard to shop! I was getting a bit demoralized! They had stuff I was hoping would work, like a floral palazzo pants and bias cut silk skirt (I had both of those in the 90's and wanted to get a replacement), but they looked horrible with my apple shape. 23 was a cute dress, I love plaid and the ruching and fit and flare, but they only had a 6 which was too tight and I'm not sure brown is my color. 24-26 I tried to create an outfit and I loved the idea of the colors and pattern mixing, but the execution was all wrong on me, the mini Marin cropped sweater hits right across the widest part of my belly, and the unstructured pants let everything all hang out. Molly tee (26) I had to size up to a L, I liked the colors but it's too expensive for what looks like a Gap shirt and I like the blue and white tee I already have better. 27-30 is the same Breton short sleeve tee above, but with the silk skirt and stretchy pants, uggh. And 31-34 is the Marin sweater in XS (I just wanted to make sure I was getting the right size), I'm even cradling my food baby to show how pregnant I look! Haha!

Thanks for your advice, these are kind of expensive but I think fairly classic pieces that I could wear for a long time. I just want to see whether you think they look good on me or not! Feel free to tell me if I'm way off base!

Does this count as an essential? ;)
At least you don't have to worry about wet knees if you have to garden in the rain.
Maybe I should try something like this for the boys' pants. They all have holes in the knees, maybe I should patch them with Ziploc bags!

http://www.someecards.com/life.....m-topshop/

I got these both 40% off at Banana Republic. What do you think? Are either of these keepers, or do I have sale goggles on? I am showing both open and zipped, although I almost never wear my jackets zipped up. ETA--not really styled how I would wear them, just thrown over my other outfits.
White braided leather jacket--size S
Tweed moto--size 6

ETA: Tweed moto has been returned. Added some more styled pics with the white leather moto. The only one i like is with the olive tee. I think this is a return too, right? It doesn't seem to be playing well in my closet.

Ok which silver sandal do you think I should keep? Have bought both but I think I can only justify keeping one. I already have the Munro Abby in black and bronze (14) and they are super comfy sandals. Trying to decide between a third Abby pair in silver, or the Paul Green metallic Cayanne sandals that Angie posted about. When I tried them both on at the store, people were commenting how great the Cayannes looked on me and that they looked more special than the Abbys. The Cayannes are surprisingly relatively comfy for 3 inch heels. But the Abby are only 2.5 inch and even more comfy. The Abbys are all day on call at the hospital (lots and lots of walking) heels whereas the Cayannes might be more of an all day at the office/doing procedures (lots of standing and short distance walking) pair. Pro for the Cayanne is that it has a zipper whereas the Abby has a Velcro closure (which may eventually wear out). And I think it looks a little edgier. But the negative is that my ankles are so skinny that there is a bit of a gap/flowerpot effect. Pic 12 was with my usual size 7.5 which was too big around my ankles, so I sized down to a 7 (funnily though I had to size up 1/2 size to an 8 in the Abbys). Even with the smaller size Cayannes there's a bit of a gap, more so on the right (see 11). And it's more expensive than the Abby, although I used a Nordstrom note to bring the price down. Oh and I tried the Cayannes with a bronze/gold toned outfit and it didn't seem to work as well as the bronze Abbys, so it really is more of a silver toned sandal. Which one do you think looks better on me? Thanks for your help!

ETA: added more pics of the Paul Green styled (18/19) and comparison of Paul Greens and Josef Siebels. Actually it's no comparison. The heel height is lower on the JS but is actually less padded/comfy feeling and the toe box is narrower. Also unlike the PG's, the strips on the JS are not attached to each other so they do this weird skin-revealing thing when I put them on. All I could think of was "mummy shoes". Worth a try, but back to Zappos they go!

So, I decided to keep the Cayannes. I love the style and they way they look. They're a lot more edgy than the Abbys. And compared to the Josef Seibels they are actually more comfy. In fact one of the other doctors in my practice has a pair of Cayannes too, I just found out. But I'm keeping the silver Abbys too, at least for now. If I don't reach for them in the next few months I'll return, but I'm pretty sure I can use them for days when I'm going to be doing a lot of walking either for work or MOTG. As for those who think three pairs of one shoe is too much, you would be appalled at my shoe closet. I have five pairs of Okalas, and routinely have two to three pairs of each shoe in different colors! When I find something that works I stick with it!

The Marimekko for Target collection just launched today:
http://www.target.com/c/marime.....1_4_3_2016|E1|T:Templ

Here's the look book:

http://www.racked.com/2016/3/2.....ok#6388517
https://corporate.target.com/a.....-look-book

Anyone else stocking up? Last time I tried these Target designer collections including Missoni and Jason Wu, a lot of stuff sold out immediately, so I'm ordering a bunch of different prints and sizes and will return whatever doesn't work out. I refuse to fight crowds in-store. I ordered some swimsuits and cover ups for me and DD, so maybe we can do a little matchy matchy at the pool this summer! And some tableware for home. I'm most interested to try those palazzo pants! Of course, this could all be a bust (I ordered stuff from the Altuzarra for Target and returned it all, it was really poor quality and fit), but I love Marimekko prints and I figure beachwear doesn't have to be the best quality.

Just for fun! What bags are you currently lusting over? Can be anything from recent/planned purchase to dream bags, practical to fantasy.

I have been wanting to get an oxblood colored bag. I have a red Fossil tote that is very old and beat up that I still use. I would love to replace it with this Burberry tote. Love that there is just a hint of the Burberry check peeking out from the sides. Love the mahogany color. It is quite expensive though and I'm not sure if it would be big enough to hold my laptop. There's another oxblood leather tote from a company called Dagne Dover that makes very stylish and functional totes with lots of organized compartments. The leather one is vertical and $495. There's a cheaper coated canvas horizontal tote for $255-$265 (13 vs. 15 inch), I like the bright blue color (they do also make an oxblood color). Undecided about which size or style would fit my needs, and not sure it's worth the price (love the leather version but $495 is still pretty expensive...). What do you think of these bags?

And then there's the Hermes Birkin and Kelly. I love the style and classic shape. Yes I know they're ULTRA expensive. They often get a negative reaction from people who think you're a celebrity copycat or gold digger. And they're impossible to get. A girl can dream...

What's on your wish list?

What do you think of these Diane von Furstenberg wrap dresses? I have a 20 year old Banana Republic wrap dress (9) and a Maggy London black and white faux wrap dress (7-8). I've been wanting for a long time to add a DVF wrap dress to my collection, but have had bad luck in the past with them not fitting right with my apple shape. I think the belt tends to cut right across my belly. Unfortunately I'm at my highest non-pregnant weight in a while--I am done nursing for the first time in almost 8 years, but because of that my weight has crept up about 10 lb and it seems to be all in my apple belly! I'm actually 1st trimester pregnant in 7-8, but I think my belly is even bigger now! Since I don't think it's going away anytime soon (I'm working on it, but it's slow going), I think I'm just going to have to live with it. These two DVF dresses, the blue leaf print in 1-3 and the chain print in 4-6, were on sale so I got a good price on them. What do you think of them? The black and white one is very similar to the Maggy London that I already have so I would only keep it if it's better than the one I have. I like the patterns, and the color of the blue dress. I don't love the side views, but I don't think I can do much better at this point given the realities of my post-three babies body. Which DVF dress do you like better, or should I give up on my dream of a classic DVF wrap and return both?
ETA: the chain print does come in a smaller print if you think the print is too large.

Hi! Wanted to get your opinion on a couple of red dresses. I'm looking for something to wear to upcoming holiday parties (DH and I usually have holiday parties at work). Do you like either of these dresses?

The first one is a Maggy London sheath. It's size 8 (the 6 is backordered). I don't think I'd want to go any tighter than this anyways though. The second is a Taylor fit and flare. I have size 6 and 8 here. The 6 is very fitted and a little snug around the waist. The 8 has more breathing room at the waist, but I worry that the bodice looks a little too loose and wrinkly. I think I prefer the print placement of the size 6.
1-3. Maggy London sheath, size 8.
4-6. Taylor fit and flare, size 6.
7-9. Taylor fit and flare, size 8.

DH strongly prefers the second one--he thinks the lace detail on the sheath is too frou-frou. DD likes the first one because of the lace. I think the fit and flare is more "me" (plus it has pockets!), but the sheath is maybe more grown-up looking. I just realized that the fit and flare just went on sale, so I can get a price adjustment. I could keep both if you really like both, but they are kind of similar looking so if you have a preference let me know. The theme of my work holiday party is "Winter Wonderland"--would either of these dresses work? Any ideas for toppers--maybe a black or a white faux fur shrug? And do you think I could wear either of these to work later? Thanks so much!

I was so excited to get the chance to meet Angie and over 30 other Fabbers at the Epic Seattle Shoptember Ingefest! I was only able to attend on Saturday from breakfast to lunch, but what an action-packed few hours it was! I brought the three kids with me by myself to Seattle (crazy, I know!), and they had fun meeting Angie and the other Fabbers for breakfast. (Thanks Ruth aka bj1111 for keeping DS1 and DS2 entertained and Deb for letting DD steal your croissant!) It was great finally meeting people in person, some who I immediately recognized from their WIW pics, and others from their usernames. Inge was kind enough to share delicious Belgian chocolates with all of us. Then my college roommate who lives near Seattle brought her family including 4 kids (!) and whisked my three kiddos away to the Aquarium so I could have some kid-free time to shop!

Greg took some group pictures and pics of us walking down the street. Then Anna took an intrepid group to a consignment store and her favorite designer stores, while I joined Angie's group and went to Nordstrom and All Saints. It was amazing to watch Angie in action. She managed to help all of us with suggestions and advice and yet kept us all moving and on time to meet for lunch. It was so fun to shop with a group of fashion savvy girlfriends and hear the chorus of "oohs" and "aahs" when someone tried on a winner, and also to get expert advice from the group when something seemed off. When I was having trouble finding tops to work with my apple shape, Aida wisely reminded me "it's not you, it's the clothes!" I must have paraded around in front of Angie and the others with 15 different pairs of boots and flats, but in the end with their help I got exactly what I needed--comfortable and fashionable black flats and black moto booties!

I also loved seeing other Fabbers try on items that were perfect for them. Like Kari's emerald green wrap blouse (the color is great for her hair and coloring), and the black snakeskin moto jacket. Watching Angie artfully arranging the cowls on the jacket while Kari was wearing it was like watching a master sushi chef in action--it looked so perfect when she was done! She's also very diplomatic in her assessments--she never makes you feel bad about your body, instead saying "I preferred the other jumper you tried earlier, it's less clingy" or "I think this other pair would work better with your slim ankles".

Angie also was great at making very specific recommendations for everyone. For example, Kathleen (aka K.period) asked "What one piece should I look for that I'm missing in my closet?" and without missing a beat Angie said "Ankle check pants--here's one to try on, and there's another one at Loft that might work if these don't." Then she handed me two asymmetric hem sweaters that she picked out for me "for the next leg of your style journey." And she added, "and they'll go perfectly with your black moto ponte pants." I think I only posted one WIW with those. How does she keep track of everyone's closet and style (and aspirational style) so well?! And of course she was right--they were perfect for my slightly edgier UWP MOTG persona. I bought the Vince Camuto sweater on the spot (so did Kathleen--looking forward to being sweater twins!). The other Eileen Fisher sweater poncho I tried was a petite and wasn't available in my regular size, so I ordered it to ship to my house. 

Then the group headed over to All Saints and there were many lovely things there too. I tried on two draped black dresses. I got a lot of helpful advice on the fit and sizing from the peanut gallery (everyone was sitting on a bench and commenting on outfits as people emerged from the dressing rooms).  The first one was very pretty, but it had double thigh high slits. It felt a little too exposed and I kept trying to pull it down--it felt like I had somehow caught the front hem of the dress in my underwear after going to the bathroom. Not an appropriate look for either work or MOTG! The other one was less "indecent", but still felt edgy, and the draping worked with my apple belly, so I got that one. I think I can wear it for both work and for MOTG with leggings, especially with my black moto booties! 

Then I saw Ann (aka Dashielle) and Sveta trying on this gorgeous eggplant colored cocoon coat with darker contrast sleeves and I just had to try it on too. It was a very unusual looking coat and a new silhouette for me--I kept asking if it was too big, because it was so round in the middle, which as an apple is normally not an area I like to emphasize. I had bought a purple cape at NAS, but haven't worn it because I was concerned that the cape was too impractical to use when carrying purses, the kids, etc., so I was thinking of returning it. This All Saints one is much more expensive, but I also think it will be much more useful than the cape, because it has sleeves and is longer length to work with dresses. And it looks more avant garde/edgy, which is the style direction I'm inspired by right now. So with the encouragement of Angie and all the rest to push my style envelope, I went ahead and got it!!! It's a gorgeous plum which goes well with my deep autumn coloring. And the unusual shape and the contrast sleeves make it more interesting. Hope you all like it on me! (And I hope Dashielle or others end up getting it as well!). Anna said she liked the coat on me when I was modeling it at lunch, so it's great to know I have the "Anna seal of approval"!

I am so glad I had the chance to meet and talk with so many lovely people! Everyone acted like old friends even though many of us were meeting for the first time. And there were so many fun moments, like seeing unexpected twinnies like Aida and Sveta in their cream sweaters and matching plaid skinnies, or me and Suzanne (aka Ambergreen), who both did black and white matchy matchy--me with striped skirt and bag and her with houndstooth sweater and booties...so AWESOME!, or Jenava making a grand entrance at lunch with her beautiful baby bump and husband in tow, or meeting THE Inge of Ingefest, and Claire my fellow Arizonan (I grew up there), and too many others to list in entirety. I wish I could have stayed longer and participated in the dinner and cocktail party. But considering the damage done to my credit card in just a couple hours, it's probably good I didn't have more time to shop! ;) Anyways, I have a great new fall mini-capsule for my edgy side. I am totally hooked on YLF meetups now and can't wait to do it again! Thanks so much Angie for organizing this and for all your help...it was wonderful spending the day with you and all the other Ingefest Fabbers!

1-2. WIW. Target black zipper top, Vince Camuto striped tube skirt, Brahmin striped satchel, Kate Spade zigzag stripe bracelet, and Kate Spade trench (though it ended up being so warm I didn't need it!)
3-4. The kids all wanted to match each other and match me with the striped theme.
5-7. Angie and the kids at Urbane.
8. Thank goodness I had help from my tablemates Ruth and Deb at breakfast to keep the kids entertained!
9. Check pants twinnies Aida and Sveta.
10. Denise (cocolion), Sveta, Mary, me, Aida and Claire.
11. Shoe shot!
12. Anna and others walking down the street.
13. The master at work.
14. Taking Nordstrom by storm.
15. All Saints.
16. Claire tries on a moto jacket.
17. View of the market.
18. Angie and me.
19-23. Lunch bunch at Steelhead Diner.
24. Jenava's grand entrance.
25. Matchy matchy black and white pattern fraternal twins Suzanne (Ambergreen) and me--houndstooth and stripes.
26. The black and grey contingent--Ruth (bj1111), Suzanne, Kate (Rabbit) and me.

My loot!
27-28. Vince Camuto asymmetric hem grey pinstripe sweater
29. Vince Camuto Haila black snakeskin D'Orsay flats--to replace my pointy black flats which were getting very worn.
30. All Saints Leena black draped dress (can't link in the finds for some reason) http://www.us.allsaints.com/wo.....ena-dress/
31. Ugg Riley black moto bootie (comfy and fleece lined!)
32-36. All Saints Klein contrast eggplant cocoon coat
37. Eileen Fisher asymmetric hem ash/black poncho--ordered in my size