Polkadot Pastiche

Hi everyone!

This is an older outfit from January, which some of you may already have seen, but I wanted to post it here so I can put it on my new YLF blog! :)

I wore this outfit to a book signing when one of my favorite authors came to town recently (see photo #5). I was sooo nervous meeting her, but she was super sweet. It was a really fun evening.

Thank you! Of course, suggestions and comments are always appreciated.

Jacket: Sister Moon. Chambray Shirt: J. Crew. Pants: Gap. Handbag: Kate Spade (via TJ Maxx). Watch, Bracelet: Michael Kors, Isharya (via TJ Maxx).

I hope it's okay if I post an outfit photo, since I haven't been able to comment much lately. :)

I got these jeans recently. They are the ones I asked about sizing up on a few weeks ago. I'm trying to wear all my pants and sweaters as much as possible before it gets too warm here. The sweater is boxy and cropped (as you can probably tell), and I wasn't exactly sure how to wear it at first. I think it will work best with skirts, but I wanted to see if I could pull it off with pants. I layered a longer tank underneath, but when I left it untucked, it just looked kind of messy to me.

Any comments/suggestions are appreciated. Thank you!
: )

I started to post this on Brenda's thread, but then I sort of felt like I might be threadjacking, so I decided to make a new post.

I am not a handbag (or shoe) girl. I know, I'm weird. But shopping and matching bags to my "style" is really kind of overwhelming for me. I've never really gotten how to do it. Since choosing handbags aren't really my strength, I've adopted a handbag shopping system. I will buy an inexpensive bag that I like at TJ Maxx or Express, Zara, etc. and carry that for a while. If I find that I am able to use it with lots of things, then I go looking for a high quality version, because I already know it will get a lot of use. For instance, I bought a cheapo yellow quilted, flap closure, chain handle purse and I used the heck out of it. It's finally starting to look kind of crummy, so for Christmas I asked for a nice, real leather version. It's not exactly the same, but pretty close and it will definitely serve the same purpose in my wardrobe. Some bags I think I'll really like and use a lot and end up not using them as much. But it's okay, since I didn't spend a lot of money on them.

Anyway, just an informational post, I guess. I know lots of you ladies ARE handbag gals, but I wonder if anyone else out there is overwhelmed by accessorizing with their purse or finding which style works with most of their outfits? Or does anyone else have a system/strategy for buying things that aren't fun for them?