Thanks!

     How often do you say thank you? I try to say it after every time someone does something for me. The truth is that, sometimes that just doesn't cover it. And while I sometimes wonder what I would say if I were recognized in front of my peers á la the Oscars, that's just not going to happen.  Sadly there are no awards shows for lawyers or daughters or sisters or wives.  So instead, tonight, I give you my Oscar speech, because I have quite a bit to be thankful for.

     
     I have big news for you, I just found out Monday evening that I passed the bar.  I am so excited about this accomplishment, it’s hard to describe.  But in reality, I'm not the only that should take credit for it.  Yes, I studied for the exam and took it, but for the support of the people that matter the most in my life, I would not be here.  So for that, thank you.  From the bottom of my heart, I thank you.
     First, my parents: thank you for teaching me to persevere.  For supporting me in whatever manner you could after I found out I failed and for teaching me to keep trying until I passed.  Thank you for believing in me, for praying for me, for telling me you love me.  Thank you for being great examples of leadership and wisdom.  
     To my teachers and professors: thank you for offering your support, even after I had left the halls in which you teach.  Thank you for taking the time to care, sending me an email and congratulating me on Facebook in adorably dorky ways.  Thank you for sharing with me your passion for the law and learning, even if it wasn't strictly in the syllabus.  
    Thank you to the Firm.  Without your support and understanding that I needed to take 2 months off to study, I may not have been able to pass.  Thank you for being flexible and not judging me as a failure back in August.  
     To my friends, thank you for being supportive as well.  It made me feel better to think that you all were astonished at my failing and that you fully expected me to pass this second time around.  Thanks for the cards, the pep talks and the reality checks.   
     To my sister, there is more to you and I than just sisters. 
We are friends, and for that friendship I am thankful.  For your help with X-mas gifts to giving me a place to stay while I took the exam, thank you.
     Thank you to my Fiancé.  Thank you for holding my hand, for telling me it would all be ok when I needed it, and for kicking my butt in to gear when I needed that instead.  Thank you for understanding when I needed to chill in the bathtub for a while or that walking Bella wasn't just for her benefit.  Thank you for the discovery that Sam Adams Cherry Beer + chocolate chip cookies is just what I need sometimes.  Thank you for being my biggest fan.

Less than 10

     Soooo, what do you do when you look pregnant in pictures but you're not?  That's the impression that I'm getting from this outfit.  It could be that when I put the suit jacket on in a hurry to take these pictures before the sun set,  I put it on weird, but I don't know.  The bad thing is that now I'm self-conscious about the fit.  I'm hoping that when I wear it again I'll be able to figure out if I *really* do look like I'm growing a bump or if it was a freak occurence or what.  I'm also really hoping that when I wear the jacket with the matching skirt it will look normal.  I need some feedback guys, do I look pregnant or is it just my imagination?

Pattern!

     On another note, this jacket is from a skirt suit that I bought just before going back to work 2 weeks ago.  I had to get the skirt hemmed, but I am in LOVE with the suit (except for the aforementioned baby bump issues).  I know that in the far away pictures it reads gray, but up close its a really cool black on gray stripey pattern deal.  The skirt has a really sweet ruffle that's just the right amount of feminine and cute without distracting from the formality of a suit.  Be on the lookout for this suit on the blog as I'm wearing it today and will hopefully post it later this week.

    Speaking of the blog, The Fiance made a comment to me on Friday that it had been a while since I posted.  Now, I know that he checks in on the blog every now and again, but I had no idea he kept track of how often I posted or even the length of my posts.  He did not appreciate that last Monday's post was the last time I posted nor that it was a short post.  So that made me wonder, what do you guys think about my posting schedule?  I try to keep posting regularly on Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 7 am eastern time.  Last week posting didn't happen on that schedule as I didn't get home in time any day to take pictures in day light.  Sadly, several of last week's pictures were really cute.  I guess I'll just have to repeat them.  

     Considering that I don't always have a chance to check in with my Reader every day, how often do you check out blogs?  Is there a number of times a week that there is too much posting? too little?

The Details:

Suit: Rafaella (via Belk) Fitted Blazer

T-Shirt: Ann Taylor (gift)

Pants: Gap Similar in Navy

Heels: Nine West

Lavender Pearls: by me Similar

I'm back!

     Hi Everyone!  I'm back from the hell that is bar study and bar exam taking.  To tell you the truth, I have really missed blogging.  Its going to take me a really long time to catch up on reading blogs as there are currently 400+ unread items.  I'm guessing "mark all as read" will be making itself known in a day or so.  Anyway, I feel really good about the bar and hopefully in a month I'll be planning out my swearing in.  Thanks for all of your support too--you guys are the best!
   Not only is today my return to blogging, its also my first day back from work.  I took all of 2 days off and I'm back to the grind.  I wish I could take more time off, but such is life.  Part of me is excited to get back to the grind and immerse myself in work, part of me is not so thrilled.  I want to take a few more days to sleep in, watch tv all day, and hang out with Bella.  I'll be taking full advantage of my weekends though.  
    One super exciting thing I'm looking forward to is revamping my home office.  Right now I have a beautiful desk The Fiance gave me a few years ago for my birthday.  I absolutely love it.  My office chair and bookcases, on the other hand SUCK.  I'm looking forward to replacing several pieces of my office furniture.  For example, I want a new office chair, a desk lamp and some bookcases.  I'm thinking some artwork would be good too.  What, for you, is a must have in your office or working space? 

*This is a CSN sponsored post*

Friend Friday: Blogger Mechanics

Since I recently wrote a post on this subject, I figured I would join in the Friend Friday post by ModlyChic. 

1. What technology do you use in blogging?

I use my camera,a Canon PowerShot SX-20IS Digital Camera.  Its considered somewhere between an SLR and a point and shoot digital camera.  I got it because of the flip out screen that makes taking self-portraits significantly easier.  I also have a full sized tripod.

2. What computer and online technology do you use?

I use my Dell computer to write all of my posts.   My blog is hosted by Blogger and I use Picasa and Google Photos for my photos.  To edit my photos I normally just use Picasa, but every once in a while I'll use Photoshop Elements that came with my computer.

3. What is your process for taking pictures?

I set up my camera on the tripod and take a few test pictures to make sure that I've got all the settings right.  Then I set the timer, flip out the screen, and run in front of  the camera.  I take a few pictures then check to see how they've been turning out.  I then take more pictures until I'm happy with at least 3 or 4 of them and head back inside. 

4. When it comes to backdrops for your photos what do you consider? Do you scout locations or shoot the same spot daily?  

It depends.  For the past few months I've been taking pictures at night on my front porch.  Since I got tired of doing that, I've tried to take pictures outside around the house during daylight.  I do, almost always, take pictures outside, though.  My house doesn't have the best lighting and there isn't a corner with enough light that is also neat in the house for me to take pictures inside.  

5. If you could splurge and get one new piece of equipment what would you be buying?

I'm about 100% sure that my camera doesn't support a remote, but if it did, I would want one.  Barring that, then maybe a course on how to use photoshop elements.   

Envy

     I've been kind of jealous of bloggers that are able to take such very pretty pictures for their blogs.  Since my pictures are taken by me + a tripod, they don't always turn out that pretty.  In fact, watching me take pictures is pretty funny, so I imagine.  This is my process: I set up my camera on the tripod, set up the camera settings, take a quickie shot to make sure that everything is right.  Then I set the timer and run up in front of the camera, pose and the picture is taken.  Repeat 6-10 times.  After I take a few pictures, I check the ones I've taken to make sure they're ok.  If they are I take a couple more if its not too cold.  If they're crap, well I have to take a few more and hope that I won't freeze to death.  With my ridiculous little routine and that as of late all my pictures have been taken at night on my porch, well my pictures aren't great.  Now while my porch is very nice, the lighting and background just isn't that pretty.  So I end up with kind of meh pictures.  

     Rather than continuing to be jealous, which is a waste of time and energy anyway, I decided to do something about my pictures.  I thought for a while on what makes others' pictures so pretty and interesting and on what I could do to change up mine.  I figured out that its a combination of lighting, background and placement.  I'm still doing the tripod routine, so I can't change the placement of photographs.  But instead of taking pictures at night, I plan on taking them when there's still light out.  
     These, for example, I took just as the sun was setting.  And most importantly, I took them out in the field next to my house.  The combination of the beautiful light and the pastoral setting made a difference.  I realized that what I really need to do to keep my pictures pretty is to plan them out better rather than just run outside real quick and take a few pictures then run right back inside.  I know that it'll be easier while I'm at home studying.  I'm not sure how it'll work when I'm back at work.  But I'm sure I'll figure it out.  

 

     This outfit is a mix of new and old.  I've had this coat for a few years.  I got it for Christmas a few years ago from my parents.  When I got it I wasn't sure about the shape of the coat at first.  But eventually the color and toggles won me over, so I decided to keep it.  The mock turtleneck is also from my mom.  Remember when I said that my sister brought back a bunch of clothes from Puerto Rico?  This sweater is one of the items she got brought me.  Generally I'm not a fan of anything turtlneck-like, but this sweater is pretty ok for the most part as the neck has been stretched out enough for me.  One of the benefits of hand me downs. 

     The pants, on the other hand, are brand new.  I got them when I went to Old Navy last week.  Like a lot of people, when I get something new I just *have* to wear it right away.  There are a few things that I'll just let chill in my closet, like a vintage wine, waiting for the right moment to pull it out.  But for the most part, I believe clothing should be worn.  And if its new its just too hard to not wear it right away.   

 

When something is new to your closet, do you wear it right away or let it chill for a while?   

The Details:

Coat: Old Navy (gift from parents) Similar Coat with Wood Toggles and Similar Shape

Cargo pants: Old Navy    

Gold Turtle Neck: Josephine Chaus (from mom)  Perfect Replica In Cashmere

Boots: Target     

P.S. If you'd like to see another blogger's take on pics in a field, visit Katie of Interrobangs Annonymous.

Ethics of Blogging

    I follow lots of blogs and sometimes forget where an idea came from.   Lucky for me there's a search feature in Google Reader that generally gets me out of a conundrum and lets me give credit where credit is due.  Nonetheless, I found this post by Design*Sponge to be really useful.  Grace offers advice on how to deal with negative comments, giving credit for photographs and protecting your work. Here's just a small bit of her helpful advice:

Knowing your rights is a big part of dealing with this issue. Original content is copyrighted the moment you write it on your blog. You can go to the extra effort to work with a copyright lawyer and copyright your content on a yearly basis, but most people are fine with the copyright level that you get from writing something online with your name attached. Beyond that, you may want to be informed about where your content is being run online without your permission or without you knowing it.

Read more at Design*Sponge http://www.designspongeonline.com/2011/01/biz-ladies-online-ethics-etiquette-part-1.html#ixzz1C4uPI8LZ

I definitely recommend you click on over and read her post.   I'm definitely going to take advantage of some of her suggestions, like using Tynt.  Have you ever had an ethical problem while blogging?  Anyone stolen your content?  How have you dealt with it? 

New Sponsor!

I just wanted to let you all know that Law School Fashionista has a new sponsor: Misikko.com.
  
Also, if you would like to sponsor Law School Fashionista, email me!  Rates are reasonable and flexible. 

Review--L.L.Bean

    My parents gave me $100 to spend on their credit card for my Christmas present.  So I turned to online sales and decided I would try ordering from L.L. Bean.  I've never been interested in them before, but when I got my new ruffly blazer from Coldwater Creek, it came with an L.L.Bean catalog.  I really liked some of their sweaters, so when it came to spending Christmas money, I went to their website and found an amazing sale.  I ended up getting the Camden Wool Jacket in a navy herringbone pattern and two of the cotton/cashmere blend sweater vests in black and grey stripes as well as in marine green.  

Review: L.L.Bean by lawschoolfashionista featuring coats

Sweaters and Sweatshirts: Women's at L.L.Bean, $25
Sweaters and Sweatshirts: Women's at L.L.Bean, $20
Jackets and Coats: Women's at L.L.Bean, $50
Amazon.com: 4x6 / 4 x 6 Triple Picture Frame Gold Wood with Antique..., $7.69

      You guys, the Jacket's shipping box was amazing!  It came in a jacket all on its own with inserts to make sure that the jacket kept its shape.  I was WAY impressed.  You know what else impressed me?  L.L.Bean's customer service.  When I was figuring out sizing I did the online chat thing and the person on the other end was able to give me garment measurements so that I could figure out what size to buy.  It was incredibly helpful.
     Here's the thing, I ordered my stuff Jan 4 and lo and behold a couple of days later, all the items I ordered were further reduced.  At first I got mad.  I mean, really? Did they HAVE to reduce their prices so I felt robbed?  But then! I remembered their awesome customer service from when I was shopping.  So I went back on L.L.Bean's website and opened up the chat dialog and asked if I could get a price reduction on the further reduced prices.  And I got it!  I saved myself a total of $17 just from asking!  So the moral of the story is ask, because the worst thing that could happen is that they'll say no.  It really is a great motto for life too.  No one else is going to ask on your behalf.  People won't just give you things if they don't know that you need or want them.  The only way to make your needs or wants or expectations known is to tell or ask someone.  And you never know what you'll get unless you ask.  
     So. . . ask away!  Anything you've wanted to ask me but didn't have the chance to?  Here's your chance!  Ask away and I'll do my best to respond to questions in the comments below.     

*This post was not asked for nor compensated for.  All opinions are my own.*

Smash!

     Ya know what one of my favorite parts of blogging has been?  Crashing through self-imposed boundaries.  This outfit, for example, crashes through SEVERAL.  Let's go down the list, shall we?
    1. Long Flowy top.  Normally I steer way the hell away from these types of tops.  I have big boobs and flowy tops just make me look big.  Because there's no defined waist, flowy tops just hang down from my largest part, the boobs and make it look like the rest of me is that big.  In reality, I have a much smaller waist.  I got this pink pin-tucked top when my sister returned from my parent's house with it over her Christmas break.  Mom didn't wear it ever so she asked if I wanted it.  I said sure not knowing how big the top would be.  I had no idea how to wear it until I asked Sally in the comments to this post. 
     2. Super skinny pants.  As mentioned above, I have big boobs.  Normally I prefer to balance them out with wider leg pants.  Skinny pants tend to make me look like I'm a big ball balanced on itty bitty toothpicks.  Not the cutest look overall.  But I got these pants anyway.  I've wanted pants that I could easily tuck into boots without squishing them up around my ankles.  When I went to Old Navy a couple of weekends ago I stumbled upon the sales rack and found that the super skinny cords were on sale for $8.79!  So of course I tried them on, figured out that they fit into my boots easily and got them.  The other advantage to these pants is that I didn't have any non-jean casual pants before I got them.  Besides, why not try out a trend for less than $10?  
    3. Denim jacket.  I've owned this jacket for years.  I may have worn it once before.  The reason is that I'm not a big fan of denim on denim.  A denim suit just doesn't do it for me.  And since I didn't own non-denim casual pants before these skinnies, there wasn't anything for me to wear my denim jacket with.  Until now that is. 
    When you add all these together you get the outfit to the right.  And let me tell you, I love it!  Part of it is the look and a whole other part is that I've crashed through some self-imposed boundaries all at the same time with some great results. 

The Details:

Denim Jacket: Old Navy Women's Denim Jacket

Blouse:Antilia Femme  Similar in Black or in Pink

Skinny Corduroy Pants: Old Navy

Boots: Candie's Similar Boots

Disclosure Statement

    I love blogging.  I really do.  I get to share my thoughts with you and get some great responses in return.  The thing is, blogging doesn't pay, normally.  Sure I could accept payments to review products, but that's not my style.  I prefer to give you my independent opinion, good, bad or in between, and not feel beholden to anyone in the process.  I have, in the past reviewed products that have been sent to me as gifts and given you my opinions on those.  In fact, I've reviewed things I've bought myself just to share my experiences with you.  And at the bottom of every such post I make sure to let you all know exactly what's going on.  This post is doing the same thing.
     I've decided to try to make a little bit of money off my blog.  In the next few days, for example, you'll see that I'll have a blog sponsor for the next 6 months.  In addition, I've created affiliate links with a few companies.  When I give you "The Details" in my outfit posts, I'll also be linking to similar or the same items that you can click through to and purchase.  If you chose to do so, I will get a small commission on these sales in return.  Linked items labeled as “similar” are as close as possible to what I’m actually wearing. If whatever I have on is still available for sale, I will always link directly to it, even if I can’t create an affiliate link that will earn me income.  I also have ads in the column to the right that will earn money for the blog with each impression or click through. 
     I hope that you know that I'm not selling out or trying to push purchases on you.  I'll still be the same chick figuring out how to get from law school to be a lawyer and sharing my journey with you.  If you have any questions, please feel free to ask by email or in the comments.  It is my goal to always be open with you.
<3, A-C 

My Closet

    "A place for everything and everything in its place"

      One of the best parts of our move in August is the master bedroom closet.  It is HUGE!  The Fiance and I divided it up more or less up the middle and we each have more space than we did in the old house combined.  For this I am *very* grateful.  Unfortunately, its allowed me to keep a lot of stuff that I need to go through and get rid of.  But that's not what this post is about.  This is about how I organize my closet.  I saw this post on Kendi Everyday and figured I would show you my closet too. 

     This past weekend The Fiance suggested we organize the closet better.  For the most part it was fine, but he wanted to put some towels in the closet.  So we switched around his shoes and I put my belts on hooks behind the door.  This freed up space on the built in shelves in the closet.  I took advantage of the extra freed up space to fold some bulky sweaters that work best folded than hung up.  One of the shelves is mine to put my bras and other under things on.  I've found that bras last longer if I have a shelf to lay them on.  In this picture you'll also notice that I have a step ladder in my closet.  Its not because we couldn't figure out another place to store it.  Rather its because I'm short.  I can reach almost everything in the closet EXCEPT for the very top shelf where I've been storing my scarves.  Smart, right?  I'm looking for somewhere else or another way to store them, any ideas? 

     The other thing that I have plenty of is shoes.  I am lucky enough to have a shoe rack where all of my heels fit.  Believe it or not they're also organized in a specific way.  The top row is work heels, ie the ones I wear most often.  The second row is heels that I wear every once in a while and the bottom row is special occasion heels along with those that are currently not in season like my gold thong sandal heels.  Sadly, not all of my shoes fit in it.  I have a few pairs of boots that don't fit.  They're found laying on the floor under my pants, long skirts and suits.

    This last picture shows  another aspect of using all the available wall space to my advantage.  Like hanging my belts in the picture above, I've been hanging my pins and brooches.  I have been using the little doll face my aunt made and sent me for this use.  Its always fun to look in my closet and see that happy little face smiling back at me.  If you're interested in having a smiley face brooch holder of your very own, I'll be posting them and several other crafties on Etsy this weekend.  This wall is also where I've placed my laundry hamper.  In our old house there wasn't enough room in the closet to put both my and The Fiance's closet and stand in it at the same time, so I really appreciate being able to put EVERYTHING I need and want in our closet and still have room left over to actually get dressed in there.  
     Despite having all this room, there is a whole bunch of other clothes that I store in a chest of drawers in the bedroom.  Luckily for me my chest of drawers doubles as the stereo stand and The Fiance's chest of drawers doubles as the TV stand, so its not like they're in the way.  The clothes that gets stored in there is stuff like socks, undies, PJs and T-shirts.  Now that I've shown you how I organize my clothes and shoes, its your turn.  How do you organize your clothes?  How often do you revamp your organizational methods?  Found something that you just can't live without and are dying to share?

And by the way, see the little button to the right of this post?  I would *really* appreciate it if you nominated me for the About.com Reader's Choice Awards in the category of Favorite Fashion Blog 2010.

Year in Review

      2010 was a big year for me, I graduated from law school, took the bar, failed it, started my first legal job, moved and turned 26.   Here's a look at my favorite outfits of 2010.

January

 

February

 

March

April

May

June

August

September

October

November

December

Help for Claudia

     I was on Facebook Chat Saturday afternoon talking to my friend Claudia and she told me she would love my help in packing for an upcoming trip to Connecticut to visit her boyfriend's family.  She was particularly worried about her boyfriend's sisters. In her words:

His sisters are crazy fashionistas, only they are bitchy and condescending and very judgy.  So basically if I'm not tres chic, it's going to get ugly. 

My heart went out to her.  I know how it feels to feel judged and not feel cute enough, skinny enough, pretty enough or just plain not enough.  So with that in mind, I figured I could help her out by asking her a couple questions, putting together a polyvore and talking her through it.  

Claudia for Xmas by lawschoolfashionista featuring knee high leather boots

belted sateen shirtdress, $70
Jewelled Silk Beading Evening Shrug, $825
L'Agence Belted knitted wrap cardigan, $445
Edun Army tank with sequins, 290 GBP
Friend of Mine Black Silk Sonic Tank, 165 GBP
Black jersey shrug, 26 GBP
Let It Be Me Blazer, 140 AUD
Casey Brown Skinny Jegging, $127
Yakem cotton tights, $37
Tights for Every Occasion in Art Opening, $15
Amazon.com: Wine Red Seamless Short Sleeve Turtleneck Top Diamond..., $11
Sigerson Morrison Fully black leather riding boots, $795
Steve Madden Carlsen, $90
Milly Brooch, $150
Jessica Simpson - Holiday Flower Swag Necklace..., $55
Rhinestone and Faux Pearl Cluster Necklace, $18
New Tobia Scarf, $225
Halston Heritage Skinny Sash Belt, $84

     She has a Christmas mass she has to go to that will be dressy as well as a semi-dressy open house the day after Christmas.  In addition, she's working on losing weight and hasn't had the best history with her boyfriend's sisters with respect to her weight.  She has a really cute black and white shirtdress and below knee length boots that she wanted to take with her.  I put my outfits together based around these pieces and that Claudia doesn't want to have to check a bag.  
    In order to conserve room I suggested she remix her dress by wearing it with a sweater or cardigan to make it look like a skirt + sweater combo once and then with just a necklace a second time.  In addition by switching out tights she'll still be warm and keep each look unique.  She is also planning on taking some skinny jeans that tuck in to her boots, so I put together the rest of the outfits around those jeans.  She can dress them up with a sparkly top and wrap, dress them down with a long flowy cardigan, or dress them conservatively with a turtleneck and blazer.  By adding in accessories in the form of belts, necklaces, brooches and scarves, she'll be conserving space in her luggage and have an arsenal to switch up her looks with that will keep her looking chic and put together.
    After giving her my advice and a closet shopping list of sorts, Claudia went on her way to gather the clothes, try them on and pack.  This is what she had to say:

I'm trying your outfit ideas and I am in love!!

So I think I have it all sorted out.  I feel much better!  You are spot on!

The blazer!  I can't believe I don't wear it every day!  

The coolest thing about this, aside from being able to help a friend, is that we were able to do it all via the internet and text messages.  I've never been inside Claudia's closet, but just from talking a bit and giving her some examples, she has been able to take my ideas, go through her own closet and implement them in ways that work for her.  AND she'll feel confident and put together when she goes and visits her boyfriend's family. All in all, it was a great way to spend my Saturday afternoon.
    Do you have any words of advice for Claudia?  Any great strategies or other ways to deal with less than pleasant relatives? 

And don't forget to enter my Giveaway with Misikko.com, only 3 days left! 

Wrapped in a Blanket

     Guys, so a few weeks ago eShakti.com approached me offering an item to review.  I've been drooling over their clothes since I first heard of them, so I said yes.  It took a while to figure out what I wanted. There are so many beautiful items to choose from that I had a really hard time to trying to decide.  I knew that whatever I got I wound want to wear to work, so it would have to be work appropriate and would need to work under a jacket.  Below are a few of my  favorite options.

Choices! by lawschoolfashionista featuring a shirt dress

Houndstooth print fleece knit dress - eShakti.com, $65
Surplice front knit shirtdress - eShakti.com, $50
Sash waist fleece knit dress - eShakti.com, $55
Belted cotton poplin dress - eShakti.com, $55
Cotton rosette trim dress - eShakti.com, $50
Surplice shirtdress - eShakti.com, $50

     

     I ended up choosing the Surplice Front Knit Shirtdress in Charcoal.  I wore it to work yesterday and from the very beginning I felt like I was wrapped in a blanket.  I was comfortable and warm all day long, it was great!  
     I knew from the second I chose this dress that I would want to pair it with burgundy tights.  So I chose to do that immediately.  Even though you can't tell the color, I promise those are burgundy tights.  To match the tights and incorporate the color elsewhere, I went with my burgundy/pink necklace as well.  To keep things from getting TOO matchy matchy, I went with a light blue tank.

     This tank is actually really important.  I am grateful that I had the foresight to wear a tank under this dress.  I didn't realize when I ordered it that there wouldn't be a snap or button closure where the tank is.  I'm going to have to add that myself.  So to keep from flashing anyone, I wore the tank under the dress and had the surplice front open a bit more so it looked purposeful.  In the future I hope that a snap will keep things under control so that I won't always have to wear a tank, but will keep the option of the tank still viable.  

     And to be honest, that is my only complaint with this dress.  I wish that it had a snap and pockets, but neither is necessary and I'm pretty sure I can add one if not both on my own.  The fit is a dream as I gave my measurements when ordering.  If you're hard to fit or simply want something tailor made to you, I definitely recommend giving your measurements when you order.  And for $7.50 (free the first time you do it!), it really is worth it.  My order shipped quickly and got to me a good 5 days before I expected it.  So yea, I recommend eShakti.com, and I promise its because I love this dress and the service and not just because I got a free dress out of it.

The Details:
Dress: courtesy of eShakti.com
Tank: Old Navy
Tights: Hanes Outlet
Heels: Bandolino
Necklace: Banana Republic Outlet    




P.S. If you would like an awesome coupon code, let me know in the comments and I'll email it to you.  


* I received this dress as a gift, however, all opinions expressed are my own.*

Mimics

    When I saw Sally rock this outfit, I just *knew* I had to find a way to copy her outfit from my own closet.  It just looks so cute on Sally and maybe, just maybe, I could harness the cute for myself.  So I went and looked in my closet for the first piece of my copycat outfit, the vest.  It just so happens that I have a vest that I've worn a total of maybe 2 times and don't ever know how to really style it.  From there I looked for a suitable button down shirt.  Unfortunately, mine isn't as tunic-y as Sally's, but because its so damn difficult for me to find a button down that fits, my go-to pinstripe button worked fine.  Its nowhere near fitted and long enough that it would still hang out from the bottom of the vest.  Lastly came the pants.  Since this outfit was to wear to work which includes going to court, I couldn't wear leggings.  Instead, I grabbed these black pants and voila!  I mimicked Sally's outfit.

      Now, I'll be the first to admit that Sally's look was way cuter, but that's not the point of my taking inspiration from her look and interpreting it through my closet.  I think that one of the coolest things about this blogging thing is that we give each other so many ideas.  I can't even begin to count the ways I've taken aspects or whole outfits from other bloggers and made them work for my closet and my body.  And it is just so cool to have such a diverse group of women as inspiration.  So, thank you ladies for being my inspiration, you rock!

P.S. So those black pants?  I bought them during the spring of 2007.  I think I wore them, washed them and didn't wear them again because they shrunk a bit and just didn't fit.  UNTIL I tried them on last week and they fit perfectly!!!  As hard as it is to watch what I eat and exercise regularly, it is so worth it knowing that I'm fitting into pants that I haven't worn in years.  The downside of course is that most of my blazers all now fit too big as do most of my pants, but such is life.  I'm thrilled with my progress and know that I'm on my way to a healthier me.    

The Details:
Shirt: Old Navy
Vest: NY&Co
Pants: Express
Boots: Nine West

Online Shopping!

     I am a HUGE fan of using the internet to help shop.  While I don't normally shop online, I do look at styles, colors and shapes of items before I head out to stores.  I tend to use the internet as a super awesome research tool and not as a means of shopping.  I have a preference for trying things on and touching them before I buy them.  But there are always exceptions.  Recently, I was approached by a company to take advantage of the internet to do some shopping.  And I've agreed.  The really cool part is that this company has over 200 websites with items that range from upholstered headboards, to bar stools, to designer shoes, to wallets to anything else you can think of.  If you guessed that this is CSNStores.com, then you're right!  I am really excited and know that this will bring good things not just to me, but to the blog and to my lovely readers as well.  So stay tuned. . .  

Interview Outfit

Look guys!  I'm featured on Academichic's Interview Attire Symposium.  Head over there and check it out and let me know what you think of my suit and my ridiculous "power" pose.  

Happy Birthday!

    So today marks one year since I started blogging.  A lot has changed since then.  I've finished law school, thought I would never get a job, got a job, took the bar, failed the bar, moved, started working, found out I'm not making nearly enough money to survive, and continued blogging because I love you all.  I have made so many friends through blogging.  I've discovered that the women who blog are vastly different yet incredibly kind.  I've realized that clothing and writing about clothing isn't frivolous and really can impact how a person is viewed and understood.  I've realized that its ok to fail.  Its not fun, it sucks, but its not the end of the world.  I've also realized that my Fiance is the best in the whole world.  Even though I know I am strong and can do things alone, having someone to lean on, to go for comfort and to share life's ups and downs has really been important this past year.  So to him, and to all of you, thank  you from the bottom of my heart for sticking by me and supporting me and loving me.   

THANK YOU!

Weekend Wear

    This is what I wore Saturday.  As I mentioned yesterday, The Fiance took me out to eat Saturday night to cheer me up.  We went downtown, had dinner, then walked a couple of blocks to the riverfront area.  This area is absolutely beautiful and I wanted to match the atmosphere with this floral dress.  It is brand new to me as I got it at the consignment store before we moved.  I didn't want to wear heels so I opted for a pair of silver flip-flops that you can't really see in the picture.  Speaking of the picture, sorry for the quality of these and the last few posts.  I've been having to make do with my iphone camera and The Fiance instead of my Canon and the tripod.  The iphone/Fiance combo is ok, but it just isn't up to snuff.  Hopefully I'll be able to find my tripod soon so that I can resume taking pretty pictures.   

The Details:
Dress: consignment
Sandals: exhilaration for Target