Sveta's Blog

If you remember I had a bag revelation when I had to return a beautiful white satchel because it does not fit my life style? The result was a realization that I need a big tote for work. I often walk to work and I carry lunch with me every day and gym clothes 4 times a week. I hate carrying more than one bag so it all should fit into one - and look good in the process: no gym bags for me!
My Monty cousin tote (pic 8) was the one which filled this bill the most - and I end up carrying it almost every day. I am not a bag lady but I like to have some change in bags from time to time. Also while Monty cousin is big enough to fit my lunch and yoga clothes when I pack gym clothes with running shoes it is too overstuffed and cannot zip. I need at least one more tote which is bigger and can fit all my stuff comfortably. |It also should be a very versatile color so I can pair it with almost all outfits - until I get more of them :-)
I found 2 totes which work for me in size and which style I quite like. Now I would like your opinion: is any of them is fab enough and versatile enough for me?
pic 1-  -4 Danier silver tote 
IRL it is shinier than on the online picture but not as quite as in my pictures: I think the closest one is #4. I like that it has this pebble or fish scale texture (pic 1) but is it a lot of bag for me?  I know sci-fi is on trend now but I would plan to use this bag for years - can I?

pic 5-7 Charles & David tote from Winners.
I bought this one last Sunday and could not make up my mind. I was not sure I want a black bag, especially for summer. Today I decided to return it, came to Winners and tried it once more before the mirror - and suddenly was not sure if I should return it. I found another one like this but in purple and thought it would be better but then I realized that black and light snake skin contrast makes it better for me.
So here I am with two bags and cannot make up my mind which one should I keep if any. I hope for a collective YLF wisdom - what say you?

We are doing a big landscaping project this summer including building a deck so my free time is going to be very scarce on the coming weekends. I will try to post my weekly WIW just to keep myself motivated but I may not be online much otherwise. I apologize for this in advance! :-)
Also sorry for my disheveled look in pcs 2 and 4 - they were taken right after we came home from the gym.

pic 1 Daisy white and yellow
I am trying to wear this white sheath more often now before it is too hot for it. I really like bright yellow and white together, it did brighten up the gloomy and rainy day.
Calvin Klein white sheath via Winners
Yellow academy blazer - Gap
Re Me Too pumps - NAS

pic 2 Orphan day
I am struggling with this Anthro denim shirt I got in Chicago last spring. I like the tencel fabric and its drape and I like high / low style but these sleeves drive me crazy! The fabric does not have stretch in it and while sleeves are not tight they are a bit constricting, especially when I try to scrunch them up and have to have my arms bended. Also the cuffs do not have buttons and opening so they are very hard to scrunch and I have to roll them up. I am considering to take the sleeves off to see if I can wear it more this way but I am also ready to pass it on even though it was not a cheap buy.
I am also not sure if these skinny Martin pants do me any favors. Maybe my eye adjusted to looser fit now but I am not sure they are flattering on me - too tight?
The grey Trouve oxfords are living through their last summer I think: Portugal's rain and cobble stones really did them in! I hope I can find a good replacement at NAS this year...
Tencel denim shirt - Anthro
Martin skinny pants - BR
Trouve grey flat oxfords - NAS

pic 3 Angie's copycat
Ever since Angie posted her red skirt / blue shirt outfit last week I wanted to copy it. I don't have a red skirt so I substituted for a yellow one. My pale blue shirt with white trim is still going strong - even though I wish it was longer...
Halogen yellow seamed pencil skirt - NAS
Blue / white button down - BR
Cream pointy toe slingbacks - Ros Hommeson

pic 4 Feeling pink
Pink pants again! First time I paired them with black, red and animal print. This time I decided to add white, burgundy and gold. They are still new for me so I am not sure if I got it right this time. What do you think?
Pink khaki pants - Gap
Burgundy sweater - Reitmans
White cotton blazer - Melanie Lyne
Gold slipper flats - Isaac Mizrahi

Pic 5 Hole-y boyfriend
This is the only mesh sweater I have. I decided to wear it today with BF jeans. I did struggle with the tank to wear under. I tried white and it was too light and low cut neck so I did not like it. Then I tried this purple one with a square neckline and I think it works much better. Too bad the sleeves of the sweater do stretch out a lot - it does bother me.
Kut BF jeans - NAS
Mesh polka-dot sweater - Madewell
Me Too Adam Tucker grey flats - Nordstrom

This was my week. As I said above this weekend is landscaping work so I will not offend you with any outfits :-)
Have a great weekend and thanks for looking!

After the heat of the last week we were freezing here! It is so hard to dress summery for almost-early-spring temperatures... I did not feel like wearing dresses or skirts this week at all  because I would freeze with bare legs and all my nude hose needs replacement...so it was Pants week for me!

pic 1
There is a silver lining to a colder weather in June  - this is an opportunity to wear my white leather jacket once more! I don't wear scarves very often now but I felt like wearing one that day. I was pretty happy how all colors played together here and hope the white jacket saved this outfit from looking too wintery.
White leather jacket - Danier
Burgundy banded short sleeve sweater - Reitmans
Taupe Editor trousers - Express
SE taupe suede booties
Pink raw silk scarf - market in Italy

pic 2
I got these pink khaki trousers from Gap some time ago but this is the first time I am wearing them. Please be honest - how does it look?
Pink broken in khaki - Gap
Black tux jacket - BR
Animal print blouse  - Rack
Me Too red patent pumps - Nordstrom

pic 3
I had quite a few debuts this week. This day was so cold I decided to wear a wool sweater - and leather jacket! As I was looking around for a sweater (I have already stored away some winter things) I thought that this Club Monaco boxy t-neck I received yesterday should work - so here it is its debut. I like this sweater, it is a great length to faux-tuck
Navy boxy t-neck - Club Monaco
Micro check slouchy trousers - Long Tall Sally
David Tate animal suede booties

pic 4
I slept in that morning and I had 5 min to get dressed so I pulled out the first things catching my eye from the closet. Before I wore this jacket with faded denim and white and hope it was not a complete faux pas with a darker column of color.
Yellow academy pique blazer - Gap
Striped boatneck tee - Gap
Straight leg Skyline jeans - Paige
SE python booties

pic 5
Another debut - Gap denim biker jacket. Actually this outfit started with faded denim BF jeans and white blazer but I was not happy with colors together.Then I changed to white BF jeans and white blazer but it felt too formal for Friday so I exchanged white blazer for my new faded biker jacket and felt right. It is totally weird because it is a the same colors as in my original outfit but reversed; however I liked it much better.
Faded denim biker jacket - Gap
B/w polka dot shell - Jacob
Kut Catherine BF  jeans in white
Fitzwell animal pumps

pic 6
Tonight our friend was graduating from an adult high school so we went to support her. I did not plan it and threw this outfit together literally in 5 min - hope it was not a disaster.
White leather jacket - Danier
Indigo banded silk top - Le Chateau
Wide leg trousers - Long Tall Sally
SE python booties
Any comments and suggestions are welcome as usual.
Thanks for looking and have a great weekend!

Have to run but want to get your advice: which Gap biker jacket to keep if any?
They are the same size but one is regular and another is Tall.

1,3,5 - Regular
2,4,6 - Tall

Sorry, my Photoshop was lost when our hard drive died and I did not have time to install it again: it would be easier to see them side by side

Sorry for the brevity of this post - have to run pick up my hubby!

Thanks a lot!

ETA: added pictures with jeans - I want to know if I can wear a shorter one with jeans as well as with skirts. Thoughts?

7,9- regular with jeans

8.10 - Tall with jeans

...and you know what: this brand is not friendly for tall gals! I am almost in tears here because the quality is so great...see for yourself.

1-2 Merino short sleeve sweater.
I though it may be a great layering basic for fall - winter...look at the length! It should work with skirts but not with pants and jeans, right? This is so sad because I love the color and the wool is soft and very lightweight - ideal for layering.

3-4 Snake print sweater.
This is the same sweater Angie and Ceit have in thistle pattern. Too short!!!! Also sleeves are too snug - I prefer to have some ease in sleeves for a sweater. In addition it is itchy. This one is going back for sure!

5-6 navy slouchy t-neck
I LOVE this sweater. It is so soft and cozy  - but again short! It also fits more oversized on the model I think.

7-8 silk shirt
This is the only one with a good length for me. I want to try more sit down tests to ensure it is not too snug over my hips but other than that I really like this shirt. It has Peter Pan collar and I like it!

I am strongly considering to keep the silk shirt. I am definitely returning the snake print sweater. However I am on the fence about the short sleeve sweater and t-neck. I looked at the website again and they are not much longer on the models as well...maybe they are supposed to fit like this?
Help me please, set me straight!!!!!

ETA: I have made up my mind on CM stuff this morning. I am keeping the silk shirt and navy t-neck (I actually wore t-neck today as it was COLD). I am returning snake print sweater  - well that was obvious. I am also returning the cobalt short sleeve sweater. While it has enough width in the body it cut too close in the shoulders and arms and I like more ease there in sweaters. I know now that I like to add some short sleeve sweaters for winter but this is not the right one. PPP prevails! Thank you all for your help - and especially Angie for pointing out the problem area of the cobalt sweater and saving me expense and frustration of owning a garment I would not be happy wearing.

I posted about these silk Hilary Radley sleeveless tops here. Unfortunately size M was cut too high under arms which made it uncomfortable for me.
I went back today in hope they restock - but no luck :-( However I liked the orange color so much I decided to give a try to a long sleeved silk shirt. It is the same fabric and color but the cut is simpler. I sized up to XL to get more length and slouch.
My main reservation is the collar. It does not button to the top - I have it buttoned up as much as it goes here. It is possible to add 2 more buttons but there is only one extra button attached... Also is it too short (my usual fear...)

What do you think? Please be brutally honest! Should I keep or return?

I popped into mall yesterday to check out Gap denim biker jackets (Angie, what are you doing to my NAS diet!!!)  and of course I could not pass Danier store without checking it out.   This time I decided to check the bags.
I am not a bag lady. I can appreciate how a bag adds to the outfit but I am too lazy to switch my stuff from one bag to another every day. Saying this I wanted to add a white bag for summer (and maybe beyond) because I am on the white kick lately.
Danier has several nice white bags but this one called my name. It has a soft leather, minimal hardware and simple satchel design which really spoke to me. It was also on sale from $225 to $99 so it came home with me.
Alas when I came home I realized that it will not work for my lifestyle. I carry lunch to work every day. I don't like to carry a handbag AND a lunch bag so my handbag should be big enough to fit my lunch - and this white beauty is not <sob>
I am returning this bag with  broken heart. It does not work for work and I don't have a need for a new bag outside of work. Instead I am thinking that maybe my ideal white bag is a tote where I can fit my lunch easily?

Then I went to Costco for groceries and found these beautiful Hilary Radley silk shirts there. The fabric is gorgeous, washable and wrinkle resistant and colors are vibrant without being neon brights. I could not decide between blue and orange so I bought both to try at home. They did not have size L so I hoped M may work.
Well it did not. There is a very slight pulling across the chest and armholes are cut too high. I hope they may get size L this week so I am going to check them out but size M will go back.
Now in case size L is there and fits well - what do you think of the color and style? I don't have anything in this orange shade - is it too bright for me? Also this blue is lighter than cobalt I usually like, it is closer to royal blue I think so I am not sure it works for me either.
What do you think?

I am still on the summer jacket spree as was posted here. I was able to pare down my Zara shopping bag based on the forum help but somehow I got other ones in so the list is not any shorter.
I would really like your opinion on this one. I find this style new to me, like the oriental embroidery and that it is cotton and lined in cotton. What I am not sure is if it will work with my style and if this neckline is flattering on me.
What do you think?

I am working this weekend so no much time for forum: work continues to be crazy! I wanted to get my weekly WIW out now before I head to work so sorry for shortness in advance!

pic 1 Cool and no rain
Paige Skyline straight leg jeans
BR striped sweater
SE python booties

pic.2 Trying out a flared midi skirt with my new gold slipper flats...thoughts?
IM slipper flats
The rest is thrifted or "no name" brand from Winners :-)

pic 3 Business casual day at work - YAY!
CK dress
"no name" denim jacket - Winners
Fidji nude pumps

pic 4/5 The weather is getting hotter and more humid... Tried to wear this shirt with an open collar and buttoned all way up - which is better?
Cleo cotton/silk shirt
cropped micro hound tooth trousers from Winners
Ros Hommerson pointy toe slingbacks

Have to run now - see you later! Thanks for looking!!!

It is late and I should be in bed and I have enough work to take my mind off anything else and I am supposed to be on a shopping diet until NAS...but somehow I am stuck on Zara's website looking at jackets.
I can count the number of times I have been in Zara store on one hand and I don't own anything from this store. However I am intrigued by the jackets there.
Also I found that I really can add a couple of more jackets to my summer closet. I wear them to work at least a couple of times a week in summer due to AC so it is a summer essential for me. I also would like to branch into different styles to spice up my summer wear. Right now I have a couple of blazers (white, yellow, green) and denim moto jackets (white, light grey, faded).  I need a different style to change the landscape like Angie says but which should it be?
Here are the ones I have in my shopping bag right now. If you saw any of them IRL I would appreciate the input on the quality, style and especially if you think they can work for me. What I really want to avoid is kind of slippery polyester fabric which looks really cheap to my eye. OK here is the list:

Bombers
I am warming up to the idea of bomber but for me it cannot be utilitarian in fabrication but rather lux or unexpected. I love Angie's lace one for example!
1. Oriental bomber 
I really like the pattern and color palette. I find it hard to like floral patterns but I make exception for oriental ones! Concern - may be hard to pair with patterned dresses so limited usability?
2. Jacquard bomber
Maybe next best to lace in texture. Cropped length should work with dresses well - even midi flares. Concern - I have an optic white blazer and  denim moto jackets - does adding another shade of white makes sense?
3. B/W patterned bomber
Graphic pattern looks like another alternative to lace (can you tell I cannot get Angie's lace beauty out of my head?) Concern - not sure if pattern is sophisticated enough for my style...
4. B/W combination bomber
Love black and white graphic appeal, will work with a lot of my stuff. Concern - black it is faux leather, not sure if it will be too hot...

Bikers
5. Combination linen
Like the style, the fabrication and that it is mixed media. Concern: not sure if khaki color will work in my wardrobe or do me any favors..

6. Combination cotton
Love the texture, shape and length for dresses. Concern -  the same as #2: do I need another shade of white?

7. Denim biker
Love faded denim for summer! Concern - I have 3 moto denim jackets already - white, light faded and light grey. I may also try Gap one from Angie's post, it looks pretty similar in style.

8. I was also looking at kimono jackets but I have a hard time imagining them in my style. This printed relaxed jacket reminds me of kimono in print and some swing but it is still structured: would it work for me? 

I would really appreciate your input if any of those will work for my style and wardrobe and give me that landscape change I crave...or if you have other suggestions I am all ears!

Now I really must get myself to bed!