New Suit

J has been getting some fun stuff lately, so I've got more to share on his wardrobe!

This is what he will be wearing to a wedding this Saturday...Are those Gator colors I see?? :)



Also, he got the following card from Brooks Brothers today in the mail...I wonder if this will be a growing trend? Lands End Canvas does this too...



Well , I lied. I do have one fun thing to share...new shoes from the Dillard's clearance center. These are the black patent leather twins to my camel flats.



I'm off tomorrow and can't wait to enjoy being a lady of leisure!

Invitation Help...

I hosted a Holiday cookie swap last year and it was a great success! Lots of fun and lots of cookies! I'm already planning for this year's party. I've picked a date and have emailed friends for current mailing addresses. Now I need to pick some invitations. Knowing that my blogging friends have great taste, I'm asking for your help!

Here are some of the invites I'm considering...



Choice #1: http://www.polkadotdesign.com/Polka-Dot-Design-Digital/PDDD-NP58HC9007/



Choice #2: http://www.tinyprints.com/product/8080/flat_holiday_party_invitations_icing.html



Choice #3: http://www.peartreegreetings.com/Holiday-Cards/Christmas-Party-Invitations/2775-5956FC-Sweet-Treats--Holiday-Party-Invitation.pro

Let me know what you think! Also, if you have any other recommendations, please let me know!

Monday 9.27

This is me, trying to extend the life of my summer clothes!

Cardi: Merona, Target
Shirt: Mossimo, Trget
Skirt: Antonio Melani, Dillard's clearance center
Shoes: Jessica Simpson, TJ Maxx

Thursday 9.23

J bought new dress shirts from Brooks Brothers. He bought 2 new suits on Monday. We hit up the usual suspects for dress shirts: Banana Republic and J Crew. We weren't impressed with either stores' selection. Luckily J's trip to Brooks Brothers was a success! The shirts were on sale for 3 for $199. Then he had a coupon for their Friends and Family Sale (25% off), so he got them for $150, which can be found here. The tie is not new, but he wanted to see how it would look. I love a good striped tie!

Wednesday, 9.22

I dedicate this post to K, of Excavating K's Closet. If you follow her blog, you know she finds the most AMAZING deals on eBay! Dresses, skirts, shoes--you name it. I've never been very good at finding deals on there, but I was inspired by her! This skirt was a great and cheap buy, coming in at $5.34! I was a bit nervous if it was going to fit, but it did and I love it! So, thanks K, for the encouragement to seek out bargains on eBay!

Skirt: Merona, eBay
Top: H&M, from several years ago
Shoes: Bandolino, TJ Maxx
Necklace: Forever XXI
Earrings: Kohl's

Tuesday 9.21

This marks the debut of one of my Gap Groupon purchases! I had to wait a bit to wear them as I had them shortened by 1.5". Mind you, I bought the ankle length! My dry cleaner did a great job with keeping the original hem!

Jeans: Curvy Bootcut 1969, Gap, Medium wash
Cardi: Bealls
Shirt: ATL
Shoes: Naturalizer
Necklace: Premier

Monday 9.20

The above look is inspired by Kimberly of Fab Finds Under $50, specifically, this look. The shirt is my very first LL Bean purchase. I'd been searching for an oxford shirt. I tried one on at Brooke Brothers, but the fabric was stiffer than I wanted. I took a chance on this top, as I ordered it from their website. I'm very satisfied! I'm glad I also ordered one in white!

Oxford Blouse: LL Bean, on sale for $19.99
Skirt: Antonio Melani, Dillard's Clearance Center
Shoes: Bandolino, TJ Maxx
Necklace: Forever XXI
Earrings: Kohls

More budget-friendly design

I love large wall clocks, especially those with a vintage or Parisian style. Ballard Designs has lots of pretty choices, including this one:


Price ranges from $119 to $229

I stopped by Marshalls today and came across this charming piece:


Clearance Price: $20

Y'all know I had to bring this one home! J and I are planning to buy a few wall clocks, all vintage in style but of various sizes. We want to do a display of clocks in our living room. We're totally stealing this idea from one of our new favorite restaurants...

I love a bargain!

I really love the style of Ballard Designs. We are lucky to have one of only two Ballard Design retail stores here in Jacksonville. While we do have a few Ballard items in our home, a lot of it is out of our price range. I'm always on the lookout for Ballard-inspired items, some of which include the infamous Ballard bee. So when I spotted these at TJ Maxx, I was instantly in love.



I bought all of these items for a total of......




$13!




My TJ Maxx is moving to a new location (further from my work but close to home). All their clearance items were an additional 60% off!

I love a bargain!!!!

Thursday 9.16

Like Lianna, I'm excited that our temps have dropped into the 80's. For a Floridian, this means a hint of fall in the air. That means I can start pulling some "transitional" pieces from my closet. This dress is a fun print and makes me a tad bit sassy!

Dress: Ross
Shoes: Bandolino, TJ Maxx
Necklace: American Eagle "keys" on my own chain

Recap: Monday 9.13

I tried wearing a longer necklace with this dress and I think I'm pretty pleased with how it turned out. Also I debated wearing a heel with this dress, but it didn't feel right. Thoughts?

Dress: Ross
Shoed: Nine West
Necklace: Forever XXI

Lilly Sunday

I had a late breakfast with one of my oldest and dearest friends today. I was craving biscuits so we met up at Cracker Barrel! Aside from laughing and caching up with my friend, I picked up a Christmas ornament. Ah, love CB!



Polo: Vineyard Vines, via TJ Maxx
Shorts: Gap
Shoes: Sperry
Purse: Lilly Pulitzer

Today I also debuted my new Lilly bag, purchased from the Lilly Via Shop in Winter Park, FL. They had a great sale going on and I got this cutie for 40% off!



Back to football Sunday!

The rest of the week

I did take pictures of the rest of my OOTDs for the week. However they all turned out bad!! Seriously--blurry and/or camel toe spotting. ICK. I'm not quite ready for all the bad and ugly to be posted on this little blog.

In more positive news, I purchased a new pair of jeans and black slacks with my Groupon at Gap! It was a $50 value, purchased for $25. I only had to pay about $20 more when I cashed out, so I paid $45 really for both pants? That sounds about right! That plus Gap's vanity sizing--fun times :)


I really intended to purchase a darker wash, but I liked these too. Curvy Boot Cut - Sale price $35


Perfect Trouser Pants were almost perfect. I got the ankle length which is still a touch too long, even in my work heels. So once I get them hemmed, they will be perfect! Sale Price $35

J and I also took advantage of the LEC Stock Room Sale and the LE 25% off Labor Day sale. Wish I could post pictures, but Lands End's website is not cooperating. Here is what we got:

For moi
Modern Premium Stretch Denim Straight Leg 5 pocket Jeans - I've never tried LE's Jeans before. I picked the darkest pair. I really wanted a straight leg pair for Casual Friday's at work. Hoping these turn out.

For J
Long Sleeved Vintage Fleece - True Navy

Heritage Crewneck T in Lemon

Long Sleeve Henley - True Navy

J also ordered some Fall items from J Crew and LL Bean Signature, which will make their appearance once the weather cools down. Which at this rate is November!

Long Weekend wrap up + Tuesday 9.7

J and I had a great long weekend! It was a bit busier than I anticipated, but lots of fun! We tried out a delicious new French restaurant, went to St. Augustine for their farmer's market, attended a surprise birthday party, had dinner with some of our closest friends, visits our families and got some home decor/cleaning done. Whew!

Now, back to the grind. I picked today's outfit because....well, I'm bloated. I partly blame these.



Shirt: Merona, Target
Pants: NY & Co
Shoes: Naturalizer

Thursday 9.2

J loves his action shots :)

Polo and Pants: J Crew
Shoes: John Varvatos, via Gilt



Cardi: Bealls
Top: Spence, via Marshalls
Jeans: ATL
Shoes: Michele D, Dillard's

I think it is time to retire these shoes. Not to be gross, but my feet sweat like crazy in them these days! All my other shoes are fine, so it's time. Thanks Michele D Shoes, you served me well in the Spring and Summer!

Wednesday 9.1

"Wake me up when September ends..." - Green Day

The days I can wear this skirt are numbered, so I definitely wanted to give it a whirl before the holiday weekend! I did not learn anything new about my clothes, like yesterday. But I did try a tangelo for the first time and it was delicious!



Cardigan: Ralph Lauren, Belk's (super super sale--$15!!)
Shirt: ATL
Skirt: Merona, Target
Shoes: Naturalizer
Necklace: Forever XXI