Kittens From The Dark Side: Wardrobe Additions

As I've mentioned, and as you can see from my Pinterest Wardrobe Inspirations board,

the things I have in my closet at the moment for hot weather don't match my style goals very well at all at the moment. My winter wardrobe is WONDERFUL - I just wish it were winter all the time!

It's hard to dress for Arizona desert summers because it gets so hot. Skirts and dresses are my favorite. I used to wear patterned skirts (easy to find!) and plain t-shirts, but this became too causal and too young for me. I discovered that it's somewhat difficult to find solid skirts that aren't pencil skirts (which don't suit me). So I switched to dresses.

Most of my dresses have big patterns rather than the smaller patterns in the outfits I like best (see my Pinterest board for examples).

I have a number of dresses (mostly purchased over the winter with my sweet Mom) that are working great, and I'm wearing them in HEAVY rotation. A few dresses I bought did not work out.

For example, there were two that seemed fine in the store, but once I wore them a few times, I realized they didn't define my waist at all and I felt frumpy and self-conscious every time I wore them or caught a glimpse of my reflection. Those two dresses are on their way to the consignment store. Every time I make a shopping "mistake," I see it as a step on my way to better defining what suits me and what doesn't.

I have been browsing online and have purchased a few things in the stores, some of which is working as additions, and some of which isn't.

First, let's talk about what IS working!

I LOVE THIS OUTFIT!!!

Look at the cute little flounce on the skirt!

top: Maison Jules from Macy's
skirt: Tommy Hilfiger from Macy's
shoes: Target (I would not wear these shoes with this outfit!)

I styled it with cobalt blue shoes to match the stripes in the shirt

and a light blue CAT bag!!!

Here's a close-up of the bag:

It's smaller than I normally prefer, but it's worth it just for the adorable factor.

Here you can see the yellow and blue stripes better,

and the fact that the CAT is wearing GLASSES
and the shirt says, "Le Meow"! This might be my favorite t-shirt ever.

AND they were on sale for $11.03. I bought two.

I also found this skirt (Maison Jules at Macy's).

It has a stretchy waistband, but manages to still be slim-fitting enough in the waist and hips to be flattering. I already had the top. I have learned that these little mesh blouses are a great partner for skirts - they tuck in without a lot of bulk.

skirt: Maison Jules from Macy's
camisole: JKY by Jockey from Target
blouse: Ross
bag: Betsey Johnson from Ebay
shoes: Target
necklace: Etsy

And then there's THIS SKIRT!!!

It's on the short side for me, but I love the buttons down the front and the cute a-line shape.

skirt: Michael Michael Kors
camisole: JKY by Jockey from Target
blouse: Ross
bag: Betsey Johnson from Ebay
shoes: Target

Here are some things that did NOT work out for me.

Looks okay in the dressing room photo, but this skirt is shaped like a bell

and it's not what I'm looking for (it's from Loft). I bought it and brought it home, but after much deliberation, I decided I can (hopefully) do better, though I LOVE the tie-up front!!!

This skirt is exactly the same (also from Loft). I love the style, the button front, and the cute length, but there's a lot of room in the hips and then it slims down again around the knees, and it's just a bit of an awkward fit.

I will keep you updated as I add items to my closet!

It wouldn't be a proper blog post without cat photos.

Let's start with Stephen.

Delivery of supplies for the many Chirp Curriculum binders I shipped out over the past few weeks meant that there were a LOT of shipping materials in my office for a few days while I got everything put away. The cats used it well!

Stephan liked that this box was at an angle, sitting on top of another box,

and he pretended it was a cave and he was a bear.