OUTFIT

Jacket: Banana Republic Factory Store - $21
Tee: Express - $6
Pants: Banana Republic Factory Store - $35
Shoes: Ann Marino - $20
Earrings: Liz Claiborne - $12
Necklace: Polly's Jewelry - gift
Ring: gold - gift
Watch: Bulova - gift

WORN

to work

ON

June 22, 2010

These are the suit pants from last Tuesday, remixed with a different BR outlet jacket.  I love the BR outlet clearance rack!  I always find something at an amazing price.  Does every BR outlet have awesome sales or just the few I've been to (Hagerstown, Leesburg, Smithfield, Myrtle Beach)?  I received this tin cup necklace as a gift when I graduated from high school.  It's such a classic necklace that goes with nearly everything.  I should have taken a picture of the back of this outfit, because the back of the jacket is gathered a little bit.  Oh well.  Next time :)

OUTFIT

Top: Banana Republic Factory Store - $18
Skirt: Express - $30
Hose: Leggs - $4
Shoes: Tahari at DSW - $30
Earrings: White House|Black Market - $8
Bracelets: Express - gift
Watch: Bulova - gift

WORN

to work

ON

June 21, 2010

Well, my favorite brown shoes broke and cannot be saved (as in the leather ripped) and my next favorite brown shoes needed the tap replaced on the heel (they have since been repaired), so I was forced to wear a lot of black this week.  I actually don't mind pairing black & brown/tan if it's done right, but to be honest, it was just easier to put this together.  I love this little sweater, mostly because it has ruffles, but also because it's easy and comfy and breathable for spring & summer.  Generally, I wear jackets and the like just about every day to work, but this summer, I've been resisting due to the heat.  Besides, what's the point of taking a blazer to work if I'm too hot to wear it at all?

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OUTFIT

Dress: GAP - $11
Cami: Express - $10
Shoes: LOFT - $7
Earrings: Premier Design - $11
Sunglasses: Merona at Target - $17

WORN

to Bonefish Grill for dinner for Father's Day & spending time with my dear husband and dogs after

ON

June 20, 2010

Such an easy breezy dress to throw on during the summer.  I took a bright pink sweater along to throw on if it was chilly in the restaurant but didn't end up needing it.  I love these denim espadrilles--they dress up the outfit a little more than flat sandals would.

week(end!)

OUTFIT

Top: Express - $15
Vest: The Limited - $10
Pants: Express - maybe $20? 
Shoes: Madeline at Proffitts - $14
Earrings: silver - gift
Necklace: The Cottage - gift
Bracelet: Express - gift
Watch: Bulova - gift

WORN

to work

ON

June 18, 2010

Ok, this was probably the last time that I'll ever wear this little vest.  It's one of those pieces that you don't wear very often, and then when you do wear it, you remember that you don't wear it because you fidget with all day.  I kept having to straighten my top & the vest, and it got really annoying.  Anyhoo, it was Friday, so I tried to keep it simple.  I've had these pinstripe pants so long (as in many, many years) that I can't really remember how much I paid for them...but I know they were on sale.  Also, if you remember Proffitts, then you know how old the shoes are too!  We've been setting high temperature records for the month of June in Maryland (whew!), so this was yet another day when I just couldn't bear closed in shoes.

no gray area

OUTFIT

Top: Moa Moa - gift 
Skirt: White House | Black Market - $19
Shoes: Tahari at DSW - $30
Earrings: Kim Rogers - gift
Necklace: Express - $7
Ring: JamesAllen.com - gift
Watch: Bulova - gift

WORN

to work

ON

June 17, 2010

I threw on one of my favorite standby outfits before running out the door for work.  I've seriously had this top since high school (and it's black--and hasn't faded!)  I always like wearing this trumpet skirt.  And, yet another outfit where my shoes are the most expensive thing I'm wearing!  I was so excited to find these shoes as DSW.  I bought them with a $50 giftcard I received from my co-workers, so they didn't cost me much at all.  And they're great!  Perfect everyday work shoes.  I have this thing about having to have almond-toe black pumps for work.  FYI -- almond-toe black pumps are extremely hard to find.

OUTFIT

Jacket: Express - $15
Cami: The Limited - $5
Skirt: American Eagle - $8
Hose: Leggs 3-pack - $5
Shoes: Cole Haan - $35
Earrings: Liz Claiborne - $12
Necklace: vintage chain & charms - gift
Rings: gifts / vintage - gifts

WORN

to work

ON

June 16, 2010

I unintentionally dressed very patriotically for work...It turned out all red, white & blue, but I liked it (hey, I'm a pretty patriotic person anyway!).  I knew I'd be sitting at my desk on a 4-hour conference call all morning, so I wanted to wear a roomy skirt so I'd be comfy.  My deeply-discounted Cole Haans from DSW are also crazy comfortable.  The skirt is girly enough, but I went ahead and added the eyelet jacket anyway (no sense in doing something halfway!).  All in all, a good outfit choice for a day of being chained to my desk.

just another day

OUTFIT
Blazer: Banana Republic Factory Store - $60
Top: Express - $10
Pants: Banana Republic Factory Store - $30
Shoes: Nine West - gift
Earrings: Liz Claiborne - $12
Necklace: vintage chain & charms - gift
Ring: vintage - gift
Watch: Bulova - gift
WORN
to work
ON
June 15, 2010
Standard suit for a standard work day.  I used to have the skirt that goes with this suit collection (and I actually like the skirt and jacket combo a LOT better), but it was damaged beyond repair so I had to say goodbye.  I tried to make the outfit a little more fun with the ruffled blouse I found at an Express box sale, and I still didn't like the idea of closed toe shoes, so I threw on a pair of sandals my sister gave me.

yard sale

The Braddock Heights neighborhood is having a community yard sale TOMORROW (Saturday, June 26) from 8am-3pm.  Check out the ad here.  Stop by if you're in the area--we've got some great stuff for sale!

get the car!!!

OUTFIT

Cardigan: LOFT - $20
Top: GAP Outlet - $9
Cami: Express - gift
Shorts: American Eagle - $30
Shoes: Banana Republic Factory Outlet - $7
Earrings: Kohls - $3
Necklace: American Eagle - gift
Watch: Bulova - gift

WORN

to IKEA & Bojangles'

ON

June 14, 2010

I basically needed to do a quick change when I got home from work before jumping in the car to head down to IKEA-College Park & Bojangles' (the best fast food money can buy).  So, I took part of what I had already worn to work that day and dressed it down with my favorite shorts and my mystery-coupon flip flops.  I threw on the cardigan because I'm always freezing in IKEA.  Then I was ready to shop for outdoor furniture and stuff myself with chicken & biscuits (glad I wore a top that concealed my stomach)!

monday, monday

OUTFIT

Blazer: Express - $30
Top: GAP Outlet - $9
Cami: Express - gift
Pants: Express on eBay - $15?
Shoes: Jones Wear - $11
Earrings: Kohls - $3
Necklace: American Eagle - gift
Watch: Bulova - gift

WORN

to work

ON

June 14, 2010

This was just an easy outfit to throw on Monday morning after a fun weekend of travel.  I bought the jacket at Express, but didn't have the matching suit pants until I found them on eBay a few months later (score!).  I used a mystery discount coupon (ended up only being $5 off) to get the top at the GAP outlet in Hagerstown.  I doubt that sandals are actually considered super-appropriate at my office, but it was getting hot out, and I really couldn't stand the thought of closed toe shoes!  (Plus, I didn't have any meetings scheduled & my feet would just be under my desk all day.)  These were bought at JCPenney forever ago.  Add cheap earrings and a fun necklace that somewhat go together and -- voila!

carolina in my mind

OUTFIT

Top: Banana Republic Factory Store - $15

Jeans: Old Navy - $30

Shoes: American Eagle - $15

Earrings: Kohl's - $2

Necklace: LOFT - $7

Ring: sapphire - gift

Watch: Bulova - gift

WORN

drive to North Carolina for a bridal shower weekend for my dear Michelle!  (read about her wedding here)

ON

June 11, 2010

I just wanted to wear something comfy for my (normally) 5 hour drive, but I still wanted to be somewhat put together since I wasn't sure what would be going on when I arrived.  The trip took longer than expected due to traffic, so I basically just ended up wearing this in the car.  Oh well :)

OUTFIT

Cardigan: Banana Republic Factory Store - $7
Skirt: The Limited - $20
Hose: Leggs 3 pack - $5
Shoes: BCBGirls - $24
Earrings: Liz Claiborne - $12
Watch: Bulova - gift
Ring: gift from grandma

WORN

to work

ON

June 11, 2010

I got this cardigan at the BR outlet in Leesburg, VA in May while shopping with a friend.  It was already on sale, and I also had a coupon or something that made it super cheap.  The skirt is from the clearance rack at The Limited like two years ago.  These shoes are NOT my favorite brown shoes, but my favorite ones are now broken beyond repair so these will do in a pinch.  I bought them at DSW on sale with rewards points.  Add basic gold hoops, my standard watch, and Nana's ring and the outfit is complete.  Oh, and hose -- an unspoken requirement at my office.  Boo.

Welcome to the Third Floor Closet!

Though I realize I'm way late to the fashion/personal style blog scene, I thought it would be fun to start my own anyway.  The best thing about these blogs is that even though they all revolve around the same concept (daily outfits, personal style, etc.), each one turns out a little different since each person interprets fashion in her own way.  I've noticed that few personal style blogs out there focus on workwear that would actually be appropriate for a conservative office (like mine).  So, you'll get to see what I wear to work most days, and you'll see how I try to have a little fun within the bounds of corporate america (and my budget!).

Feel free to email me with any feedback, suggestions, etc.--seriously!  Hope you enjoy!