Fashion Challenge: Brown? Cognac? Both...

Today's Fashion Challenge neutral color was cognac.  I googled cognac color and the image results came up with a wide range of medium brownish shades.  I was pretty unsure where to go with it so I picked different shades of brown in the hopes one of them would be cognac.  Since I missed out on yesterday's color of brown if none of my choices are cognac, I'm doing brown a day late.

Little Frankie is modeling his cute self in these photos as well.  Its was also too much effort to get the tripod out and watch the puppy so I'm back to using the deck railing and tables as perches.  Considering all that, I think my photos turned out pretty darn well.

Cardigan: H&M-Orange ruffle cardigan-$20
Dress: H&M-Khakhi shirt dress-$35
Tights: Marshalls-Brown striped tights-$4
Shoes: Kmart-Flats with buckles-$8

Be sure to check out the other lovely bloggers participating in the Fashion Challenge this week.  You can find links at Casual Chic Kiki or Megan Mae Daily.

Shopping Ban Outfit #13

I'm staring to get worried how my shopping ban will affect my holiday shopping or most likely how my holiday shopping with affect my shopping ban.  I love going out the day after Thanksgiving and Christmas for the great deals and mad rush at the mall.  Parking and people can be a nightmare, but its the nightmares, annoyances and such that make for great storytelling later.  Such as the time it took us over an hour to exit a parking garage, we were only parked on the second floor :O!  Or when I was 16, had my license for maybe 5 months max, and had a panic attack while trying to find parking....good times! 

Do you like to go out the day after Thanksgiving or Christmas? Are you the type to wake up super early for those special deals? Or, are you like my husband and have your Christmas shopping done in mid-November?

I bought this sweater because I loved the color and the fact that it was 70% off.  I held it up and figured a size small would work and didn't bother to try it on.  Apparently, I didn't look closely because the armpit region features a pretty big arm hole that makes it look like I have flying squirrel arms...not the biggest fan of this look, but I'm learning to like it.  Its much easy to wear a layer underneath, as I don't have to worry about the sleeves bunching up under my arm!

Sweater: GAP Outlet- Green pull over sweater-$12
Shirt: Marshalls-Grey button up ruffle shirt-$8 (also worn here)
Jeans: Macy's-Levis Bold Curve ID dark wash-$58
Shoes:H&M Green sneakers-$12
Approximate Total Cost-$90

Everybody Everywear: Freeze your butts and wear tights

I'm cold. I know I have no right to complain about the cold because living in the bay area we enjoy pretty mild weather. However,  this makes even the slightest dip in temperature feel cold.  If I freely chose my outfit today I'd be in jeans right now. I'm just saying.  Anyway, you should check out other (non-whiny) bloggers doing today's Everybody Everywear: Colored Tights edition.

Despite having a pretty colorful wardrobe, I don't own many colored tights. Don't worry, its on my list of things to purchase post-shopping ban.  Today I'm wearing a kinda grayish green pair of tights with a greenish gray dress.  Yes, the placement of the -ish makes a distinction between the similar colors.  The dress doesn't cover the girls modestly so I tried out an idea I saw over at True Fashion Confession.  She has nearly the same shirt and wore it over a dress and tied the bottom. And in case your curious I would say the top is blueish gray.

Top: Marshalls-Gray button up ruffle shirt-$8
Dress worn as skirt: Ross-Gray floral print dress-S15
Tights: Target-Grayish green tights-S4
Shoes: Meryvan's-Black wedge heels-Too old to remember

Random: Do these count as wood platforms? If so my score is 9/10 on this article about must have shoes my friend posted on facebook.  I very clearly don't own suede booties, but after seeing many blog posts with booties recently I'm considering finding a pair.

See! My grayish green tights.

Shopping Ban Outfit #10

 Love this skirt, shopping ban item #20, but I'm still trying to figure out what the name means.  Its called Lido Light Skirt and the Anthropologie description says something about it reminding them of a Mediterranean beach shade...i guess i kinda see it.

Skirt: Anthropologie-Lido Light Skirt-$24
Top: Old Navy-White tank top with lace-$3
Cardigan: Macy's-Gift from Mom-FREE!
Belt:Target-Teal snake print belt-$3
Tights: Marshalls-HUE Brown diamond shape-$4
Shoes: Ross-Black flats with flower-$15
Approximate Total Cost~$49

 I think the stripes and shades of blue are adorable.  I've searched online for how other people styled this skirt and its seems to be pretty unanimous either pair it with yellow for contrast or go monochromatic. This skirt was also worn by Zooey Deschanel in a photo for the her show, The New Girl. I went for contrast and she (or the person in charge of wardrobe) went with monochromatic.  Anyone have any styling suggestions?

Edit: I'm linking this post up to 260 Days, No Repeats "I've got this week" where she is featuring trends with items she already owns...considering I'm on a shopping ban this is right up my alley!