As I've mentioned, I've been focused on filling out a "casual" capsule. This is the one area I never feel I really "nail" -- I always feel schlumpy. But I do have a lifestyle need for it, so I keep trying. Here are some attempts this week.

I wore other things this week -- dressier - but did not have a chance to photograph. Sorry these photos are not that great. Had a busy week with daughter visiting from college.

Outfit #1:
- paisley BR blouse, tucked in. I do not have a decent black wide belt, which I think would have helped here. After seeing this photo, I untucked the blouse, and DH agreed it looked better that way. That is how I normally wear it anyway. (This blouse, btw, is the one I'd use for the BR capsule challenge -- one of my favorite blouses, hands down)
- Compass necklace
- AT ponte knit jacket with black/gold buttons (this is one of my favorite jackets ever; veterans may remember it from the past -- I am still wearing it.. sorry the photo does not do it justice).
- AG Farrah high rise skinnies
- Me Too wedge booties
- black slouchy bag (casual seems to require a slouchy bag!)

Outfit 2: worn to Regatta.
- ATL army jacket (again; it does dress everything down!)
- Jcrew short sleeve vintage cotton tee
- leopard belt
- AG skinnies again
- black slouchy bag again
- Me Too bronze ballet flats. Yes, I'm still wearing these. I have walked all over the place in these, and I walked for hours in these yesterday.

Outfit 3: trying the oversized scarf. Hair worn back for a change.
- Angie pick scarf
- green Jcrew long sleeve cotton V-neck tee
- Brown tweed ATL jacket
- AG skinnies again (was trying to see how many wears I can get out of these before they bag out too much!)
- black slouchy bag again
- leopard belt again
- NEW Frye booties!

Notes & commentary:

1) My hair is driving me NUTS. It is now long enough I can actually pull it back in a hair band (creating an awkward "nubbin" -- the reason I chopped it off in the first place. Wow. It has not been this long in YEARS). I have a salon appointment on Tuesday. I am going to cut it short again. I did like the longer style for a change of pace, but when my hair reaches this length, it just refuses to go any farther, without looking like a rat's nest. I have been losing massive amounts of hair (breakage... it's like my strands get this long and then decide to commit suicide, or something). Plus, with scarves and colors and layers, I feel like I lose my neck, when my hair is this length. So... chop chop I go again, at least for the winter!

2) I pulled the hair back not only because it was driving me nuts, but I felt it looked better with my oversized scarf attempt. I do love this scarf, but it is a bit overwhelming on me, size wise! I wore it a different day with a black dress, in a totally different manner ... wish I had taken a pic of that outfit. I wore it shopping at the mall with DD, and rec'd lots of compliments. I will re-wear that outfit again and be sure to take pics.

On that shopping trip, we purchased a huge oversized knit infinity scarf for DD at Urban Outfitters. DD adores scarves and has a big collection. It looked adorable on her, particularly with hair tucked in, or pulled back in a pony. Wish I'd taken a pic! But that was my inspiration for outfit 3 hair/scarf combo.

3) The Frye boots: DD needed good quality tall boots for college. I wanted her to try Frye's, since everyone here raves about them, and since she's 4 inches taller, I figured she'd be able to find some to fit her (I've not had any luck with the tall boots). She found the perfect pair... my dream boots, actually... in chestnut. Sorry no pics, but they fit her like a DREAM. And I wound up splurging on these shorties. This is NOT my typical style........ but boy are they comfortable for walking. So I am giving them a try! I went with black rather than brown because I felt it would elongate my legs more, seeing as how they only have a bit of a heel.

4) New lipstick color (pics 2 and 3). Some drugstore brand. It stains my lips and lasts 12 hours, through eating and everything. I was dubious about it, as I've been doing more muted/subtle shades for awhile now, but DH told me today he really likes it a lot and I should wear it more often.