The Casual Challenge: Weeks 1 & 2

Hello,

It’s been a crazy week.  DH recently celebrated a milestone birthday, and I’ve spent the last few days orchestrating, executing, and enjoying his multiple parties (hey, go big or go home, right?).  Additionally, I hit the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale on its opening morning for those with “private access,” which really means people with a Nordstrom card.  I'll share that day of sheer madness in an upcoming entry.

For today’s post, I owe you a round-up of the last 2 weeks of my Casual Challenge.  It's a happy mix of current clothes, some treasures I dug out from the back of the closet, and the 3 skirts I bought especially for the month of denim, mostly because July is turning into a roaster, and pants don't do well with a 105 degree heat index.  With the exception of one day where I forgot to document (I'll repost when my memory returns), here's my summary, so far:

Monday, 7/2:

T-shirt - from a shop in Paris

Skirt - Merona from Target

Tuesday, 7/3:

Top - J. Crew

Skirt - James jeans (haven't worn in years, great to rediscover)

Wednesday, 7/4:

Holiday bonus random super-awkward-pose non-denim photo!

T-shirt - YES!  I finally got my Swan Kick shirt!  Designed by Chow Hon Lam and printed by Threadless, it reminds me of my semi-recent amateur forays into ballet and kickboxing.  Both of which I have not done in awhile, and both of which I miss.

Skirt - 10+ year old J. Crew cargo skirt.

(Really, this is the weirdest angle ever for a picture, but it's the only one I had with the beloved tee.)

Thursday, 7/5:

This is the day I forgot to take a picture or pester someone else to take a picture.  I've also had a total brainfart and can't remember what I wore...

Friday, 7/6:

Top - J. Crew

Jeans - CoH

Shoes - beat to heck Skechers

Monday, 7/9:

Top - J. Crew

Skirt - Halogen from Nordstrom (CC purchase)

Shoes - Rachel Zoe

Tuesday, 7/10:

Cardigan - J. Crew

Necklace & ring - Karin Jacobson Design

Top - Trina Turk

Cami - Banana Republic

Jeans - CoH

Shoes - same ol' Skechers

Wednesday, 7/11:

Top - Theory

Necklace - vintage

Jeans - CoH

Bracelet - Karin Jacobson Design

Shoes - Blay, a closet rediscovery, bought these at the now-closed Chicago boutique, Etré, where I briefly worked, also nearly 10 years ago.

Thursday, 7/12:

Top - Sweet Pea

Skirt - Hudson (CC purchase)

Shoes - Rachel Zoe

Friday, 7/13:

Top - Marc by Marc Jacobs

Bracelet & ring - Karin Jacobson Design

Jeans - CoH

Shoes - loving the dug up Blays

Backdrop - the most excellent Pat's Tap

As you've probably noticed, I love J. Crew for cute work staples and swear by Citizens of Humanity jeans.  Since my workplace prefers "no bare shoulders," the sleeveless outfits were accompanied by some neutral cardigan (like the cream one pictured above), thus rendering them a little less cute but decidedly more appropriate for corporate life.  I also just realized this is about the closest I've come to a typical fashion blog, where outfits are paraded and indexed.  Not usually my style, but maybe it should be on occasion?  What do you think?  

Images:  my own

Backdrops:  home, work, and various restaurants/pubs