Project Defiance - Outfit #5

Why just break the rules with jeans when I can do short jeans? And I forgot that I even owned gladiator sandals. They were my pregnancy sandals last year and I pretty much took a mental roofie and blocked out the majority of that episode. I found them in a box last week which was perfect because I am feeling a bit stiletto sandal lazy in the heat. 

I had been stalking the blouse at J. Crew for a couple of months, trying to decide if it was too loud (I know, right?). Last week I found it in the clearance section from $88 to $19 and then 30% off which is like...almost free. It was still selling around $65 online last week, but it's now sold out. I saw at least 20 of these in store, so I'm sure some locations still have stock. I was so pleased with myself that I went straight over to Paul and ordered a macaron the size of a slider which I promptly ate in the parking lot. 

Shirt: J. Crew Piped Foulard Shirt - sold out online but the store had tons Jeans: My own, but similar here Sandals: My own See by Chloe from last season, but similar looks here and here Belt: C. Wonder Nappa Leather Belt Watch: Michael Kors Large Runway Watch Earrings: Nardi Large Hoop Earrings

Project Defiance - Outfit #4

This isn't exactly breaking the corporate dress code (it actually does say no denim...what do they have against Canadian Tuxedos?), but it is pushing the limits of reasonably accepted office wear. I challenged the levels of good taste by featuring THREE competing textures with denim against eyelet against leopard calf hair. It's an all out war on the senses intended to cause side-eye followed by confusion and ultimately acceptance because you really have to admit this look is straight dope. 

Vest: J. Crew Denim Vest Skirt: Talbots Eyelet Skirt Shirt: Old J. Crew Linen Tee but similar here Shoes: Last season's Christian Louboutin Calf Hair Square Toe Pumps but similar here Belt: C. Wonder Nappa Leather Belt Bracelet: Tory Burch Metalllic Double Wrap Logo Bracelet Watch: Michael Kors Large Runway Watch

"Mama's all alone! Mama doesn't care! Mama's lettin' loose!"

The outfit that never was...

This weekend was my spa day/ bed & breakfast package at the Mandarin Oriental DC . It was an early retirement gift organized and financed by only the coolest of the cool guys from my job (and one peripheral). I made it a point of specifying that they planned and paid because credit needs to be given where credit is due. I've always been the planner for 13 years and having someone else do something for me is beyond meaningful, especially from a group made up of mostly of dudes. 

The weekend began with a luxuriously indulgent spa afternoon which was prefaced by a visit to the sauna where I'm sure I had some Lakota sweat lodge visions. I've never sweat so hard and so fast when booze wasn't involved and I estimate I lost, maybe, 2 pounds. Let's go with that. 

After a massage, facial and mani/pedi, I checked in upstairs into a corner room overlooking the Jefferson Memorial and Tidal Basin with views of two of my favorite freakin' things of all time...planes and trains. Seriously. I love watching planes and trains. Not so much automobiles, but planes and trains. And the planes were landing south bound booyah! Watching a 757 skim the top of the 14th Street Bridge must be a treacherous sight to a DC outsider.

For all of the haters, this was actually an MD-80...

It was a little unsettling being alone. Not asking who has to poop or who smells like poop or who's poop this is on the floor...

...so I decided to do a bootleg The Coveteur shoot...

Back to the outfit that never was. After a burger and a glass of Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label, I figured what I wanted most in the world was actually sleep and some Adult Swim ("Later, world. Smell my ass!" - Stan Smith). The outfit I brought (including a T by Alexander Wang racerback tank worn as a dress #firstworldshortpeople) ended up being worn to check out the next morning. I made sure to wear  my House of Harlow Chelsea sunglasses to fein a badass hangover.

Some shots of one of the few breakfasts I've had in years that I didn't have to share...

My tea has eyes and a smirk. Oh hai there...