This week I'm in a bit of a pinch as my two workhorse dress pants are tailored. They desperately need the alterations, and while I'm not in my favorite outfits, it'll be ok for one week. Excuse the bare feet - I usually don't wear shoes in our living space!

Pic 1) Monday: black ponte knit pants from Everlane, cobalt sweater, and a light jacket that's enough of a coatigan that I wore it until I got too hot walking around campus in the afternoon. Suede booties because ice has finally melted, so I don't need a lugged sole to get around safely.

Pic 2) Tuesday: same ponte knit pants and booties, navy button down, and my favorite plaid blazer.

Pic 3) Tuesday I wore the shirt completely buttoned up for the first time because I had to wear it straight out of the tumble-dry cycle - somehow the iron is in storage in Oregon! Usually I like a bit of neck room, but it looked rumpled un-ironed, and I knew it would bother me if I left it alone.

Pic 3) Wednesday: black skinnies, pale pink silk button down, and charcoal blazer. I wore snow boots to work for warmth and changed into snakeskin booties. We went to parent teacher conferences, then met our realtor in the evening, so I was glad to have a more business-like look. I kept my snow boots (finds, below) in a bag for the evening and kept the booties (also in finds, below).

Pic 4) Thursday: Boden green dress and camel suede booties. I am a total thigh-high hosiery fan now! They stayed up ALL day even with brisk walking. You can read about the fate of my new hosiery here: https://youlookfab.com/welookf.....ew-hosiery

Pic 5) Friday: a "smart casual" day at the office, with some team meetings and lots of office time to get tasks done. I wore faded black skinnies, cognac monk strap oxfords, and a grey sweater. We are encouraged to wear red (university color) but I haven't gotten my red items in the mail yet. My first Friday at work a few weeks ago, I wore this Monday's cobalt blue sweater to all all-staff meeting and WHOA did I stand out when 90% wore crimson red! I'm a quick learner so I wore grey today so it's less of a contrast.

Reflections:
1) I am wearing too much black for my taste, and I "felt" it all week - ahhh! Part of this is likely that the two black bottoms are not my favorite fits, and I'd like to pass them on. I will be glad to get my navy and plaid pants back into rotation next week. Plus, I'm getting at least one red top and that will help with some bright pops in outfits. Having light colored footwear was nice with so much black.
2) I will need to prioritize warm professional shoes (booties!) for future footwear purchases.
3) I am definitely on the minimalist side of wardrobes, plus I'm navigating a post-partum body and nursing, plus our family has a lot of big "life changes" - new city, new home, new addition to the family. I don't need to rush into purchases because life is rushed enough!
4) My black skinnies bag out after half a day. I need to prioritize replacing.
5) The black ponte-knits no longer fit well, so I also need to prioritize replacing.

Purchases this week:
1) red tops and sweaters to try on
2) a white knit hat
3) a blue gaiter (infinity scarf) that will cover nose/mouth on my commute