Thank you, everyone. One really nice thing about all of your comments is that I feel very confident I can put together an outfit without shopping for something new, although I may pick up new earrings (just for luck).
Suzanimal, Unfrumped, Smittie, Elle, Rachylou, Karen: It really seems like the lace shell is a given! I'm inclined to wear it with black trousers (either slim cropped or cropped flares). I have a soft green silk cami that I bought with the lace shell that works really well as an underlayer. Not the same color of course but a nice low-level contrast.
Lisap: I'll likely wear the gray jacket shown here. I like the authority it shows, especially dressed down with the lace and funky earrings. I know what you mean about that cardigan of Stylebee's -- it is TDF. But I'm not sure if it's too arty a look for me, or just too much fabric? Plus, it's sold out, and others I've seen don't have the inherent structure of hers. (They're so drapey and grandpa.) I'd love to try to find one like hers to give a try. (JCrew has a similar one, but it has a collar and pockets which takes away from the beautiful streamlined nature of hers.)
Angie, Isabel, Jenni, Lynn: I don't own the silver loafers yet and may or may not purchase them ... but I have been having really good luck with those blue shoes (and have been getting a ton of compliments on them) so i will probably wear those. I feel great with the boost of that heel.
Jussie, Texstyle: I will definitely do some try-ons, which is something I haven't done a lot of in the past. I want to be really sure of this outfit, so at ease that it kind of recedes into the background for me.