A Little Old Lady

This was a test drive. Disregard the Liberty print shirt and cambridge cable crewneck and Bellamy booties. The things I wanted to try out were the jacket and skirt.

The lovely DaniBP talked of a Chanel-type suiting in this post. Much discussion followed on whether the jacket and skirt would be worn together (to look like the title of this post) and practical or if the outfit only belonged in wardrobe daydreams.

I didn't dream of a Chanel suit. However, in my mostly business casual world, there are business dress occasions where a matching skirt and jacket would be appropriate or I'd feel like I've worn denim to the symphony.

These pieces were purchased separately. The jacket was justified because first of all, you can describe it as purple tweed. Husby's favorite color and my second favorite. In addition, it's not a heavier wool tweed like most of my Chanel-type jackets. And it's tweed! So perfect for travel because it won't crease easily. Though the jacket is called Rialta, the skirt is the Bellflower. I had to have the skirt too because it's purple and besides, it could be worn with the jacket for a formal business event in the spring or even summer when wool would be too heavy. That's what I told myself when these things went to season close-out pricing last year.

That business dress occasion was two weeks ago and I was ready with my purple tweed suit. But before then, I wore them together just to be sure (and that trial run is pictured). That is so unlike me because I'm typically trusting things will work out as imagined in my mind. Sometimes they do. But it's not a pretty picture when they don't, especially when you are thousands of miles away from your closet.

For the real thing, I ditched the shirt and crewneck for a soft cashmere cowlneck in lavender.

Lavender ... isn't that a favorite of you know who?

Shocking Pink on a Grey Day

It hailed multiple times over the weekend. Hailed. And not just a quick sprinkle. In SoCal in late March. Can you believe it?

Now we're not talking about golf ball size hail but it was pretty darned wet and cold. And still cold today.

So why am I not taking the opportunity to wear one of my beloved coats?

It's because I was so proud of myself for coming up with this pairing: the tweed and khaki motorcycle jacket with the glow-in-the-dark, in-your-face neon azalea bright pink double-serge wool pencil skirt.

Though I knew the extra thick gauge cambridge turtleneck sweater wouldn't tuck smoothly under, I did one of those "I don't care, I'm gonna wear it anyway" things in my head.

All day long, I'd shock myself everytime I caught my reflection in the many panes of glass around the office. Wow, it's bright.

Things like this become a brain game for me to solve. I'll likely wear the skirt again soon to come up with a different solution.

Do you have this skirt and have you figured out how to wear it?

A Little Behind

Not only is our time zone in California behind most of the country, it seems our seasons (if you can call them seasons) in SoCal are late.

Our summers start in August. And I often feel silly for wanting to wear cozy sweaters with a snowflake motif during the Christmas holiday season when the temps call for a tee and a light cardi. So now you may better understand why just as most of you are making sprightly sets for spring on Polyvore, I'm still stuck on heavier woolen things.

You JC veterans will recognize the dream Houndstooth button-bow cardi and I have a trusty tissue turtleneck under it (with my thin wool thermal top, a winter staple, under that!). The skirt is the now-classic double-serge wool pencil skirt.

a better view of the heels

And think I'm behind again but I've finally discovered booties this season. Love, love, love them for style, comfort and warmth. These are the Bellamy leather ankle boots. Just as I'm surprised at how comfortable the Clifton booties have been with their 3.5" heels, these feel the same with the same heel height and they too are lined in leather (so important for shoes to properly break in). I love the clean, sleek shape and the neutral, slightly warm grey color. Come to think of it, these might be the only shoes I have in grey.

Sheesh ... I know I've been looking for grey for years!

MIW: Inspired by Looks We Love

So cute! But! I don't have the coat and I don't wear minis ...

Over the weekend, I figured how a few things from my closet can come together for a resemblance. And since it was projected to dip below 60°F for our daily high and since I'm a big wimp when it comes to cold temps, today was the day for this look.

It was a little drizzly and not the best day for a white skirt but I was determined to wear it. Because it's not everyday I'm prepared with all the pieces for an outfit. Especially a skirt outfit. Especially on a Monday.


The little bit of spitting from the sky did no damage to the sturdy double-serge wool. If I had black boots of similar proportions, I'd have worn them. But maybe this makes things more interesting. At least that's what I told myself.

All I know is I loved how warm and cozy I was all day.

And isn't husby getting a lot better at being my blog photographer?!