Obsession du Jour: Leather Skirt

 ASOS Skirt / F21+ Chambray / Kate Spade Shades / Spanx Tights / T-Strap Heels from France

I'm so excited for my new skirt and thinking of ways to style it. It's quite short, so I only anticipate wearing it with tights or leggings for the foreseeable future. ASOS also has lots of similar pleated looks in their main line, such as this faux leather option, knee-length leather one, and this leather mini. For class today, I'm wearing the skirt with my new chambray shirt, which is super soft and sure to become a key wardrobe player. For accessories I'm wearing the blue stone necklace I got for my graduation (don't ask me which stone, I'm horrible at jewel names). A new goal of mine is to wear my fine jewelry more frequently with regular outfits. There is no point in reserving it just for special occasions which are few and far between.

Necklace: De Luna Jewelers

Old Navy Plus Coat / Infinity Scarf (Thrifted)

ModCloth Bus Tote

Très Chic

Thrifted Skirt  / ASOS Blazer / Forever 21 Scarf

Today I had a semi-interview meeting for a long-term sub position teaching French. Since I was going to be meeting with Administration and meeting the students for the first time, I wanted to look the part of a French teacher. I've always had chic French teachers, and decided I needed to up my game from history teacher. And since it wasn't really an interview I didn't want to wear a suit. Also it was super cold this morning (it was 30 last night) and today, so I needed to be warm. I settled on wearing this new skirt I found at a thrift store this week. It's by Liz Clairborne and part of a suit, but the jacket is a little big on me and both pieces together look a little too British and/or matronly. However, I am excited to wear the pieces separately. You can see me wearing the blue version of the blazer here, and waxing poetic about how much I love them.

Naturalizer Boots from Piperlime

American Apparel Shirt / Old Navy Necklace 

After the jump, more accessories detail...

Special Family Brunch

My Dad and I are baptized Serbian Orthodox. We are not a religious family, but we like to do something special for Orthodox Christmas (meal, gifts) to celebrate our cultural heritage. Today (even though Orthodox Christmas falls on a  Monday, January 7th this year) we went out to our local Czech restaurant for brunch. I argued that the Greek restaurant would be more appropriate since Greeks are also Orthodox, while Czechs are Catholic, but I was overruled on the basis that Czech food is more similar to Serbian food. I digress. I used this occasion to wear my grandmother's gold cross. I also am debuting my new faux leopard coat. Despite the objections of my best friend, I decided to keep it. It is really soft and quite warm. I was inspired by all the fun ways Jessica at What I Wore has styled hers. I look forward to the challenge of creating more outfits around such a statement piece!

Target Dress w/ belt / ASOS Faux Fur Coat / Torrid Leggings / Nordstrom Boots / Kate Spade Purse  

Grandmother's Orthodox Cross / Gold Hoops from France

A Movie on a Cold Day

Now, that it's stopped raining, it's getting cold around here and I'm enjoying wearing some of my cold weather wear. I'm so excited about my new sweater that I just had to share it! It's a men's sweater by Rag & Bone, part of the Neiman Marcus holiday collection at Target. I bought it on clearance and my local store, but it's also available online for only $20.  In the store, it was in the front with the other gift items in the women's section, I didn't even notice it was men's. For your sizing information, I'm wearing an XXL and it's perfectly cozy. If there's anything better than a Target Designer collaboration, it's one on clearance. As Edwin said when I texted him the picture asking if I should buy it he said, "I personally can't resist discounted designer stuff." Neither can I. I hope all this clearance doesn't mean the collection was unsuccessful, I want it to come back next year!

Target Shades /  Rag & Bone for Target Sweater / Banana Republic Bag / Old Navy Jeans 

I bought these short boots when I was living in France

Daytime Sequins

This weekend I visited my best friend Edwin in San Francisco. Since it was Pride weekend, I wanted to add a little sparkle via this paillette-encrusted blouse.

Naturalizer Wide Calf Boots, Old Navy Jean Leggings, Forever 21+ Blouse

Kate Spade Gumdrop Studs, Tru.che CA Necklace, Old Navy Round Sunglasses

What I Wore: Winter Morning

This morning my family and I volunteered for a local charities gift basket distribution...one of our Christmas traditions. My Mom and I helped give out children's books while the families waited for their packages, and my Dad was Santa. It was in the 30s outside when we left the house, so I dressed for warmth and holiday cheer.

With Daddy as Santa!

Striped Slouch Beanie, American Apparel,  Old Navy Plus-Size Trench, Moto Boots ,

I love American Apparel's unisex thermals, they come in a rainbow of colors and are great for casual winter wear. My boots are American Eagle, you can get this double buckle motorcycle style at any price point.

Michelle Obama and her affordable BR tote!

Banana Republic

We all love when celebrities incorporate pieces from retailers within our budgets.  The First Lady is the expert in this department, effortlessly combining Mall finds with ready-to-wear and couture designer pieces.

She looked lovely leaving on her trip to Brazil in a Marc by Marc Jacobs ($628) dress and her $120 Banana Republic tote bag.  After all, who better than Banana Republic to dress you for a South American vacation? (If that joke went by you, click here)
 
For a more casual option I've found another cute striped Marc by Marc dress and paired it with another one of our great leather totes for a cute summer vacation look.

Marc by Marc Jacobs Schooner Dress

ASOS: CC Skye Clarity Cuff

BR: Colorful Exotic Hobo

Arrested Fashion: Leather

Much like robes, animal skin-based clothing is a staple in the Bluth family wardrobe. They maintain the illusion of their lifestyle by wearing lots of fur and leather.

One of Gob's signature pieces is his striped leather motorcycle (or in his case Segway) jacket:

George Michael's Campaign Video, wearing Gob's leather jacket.

The following exchange shows introduces the Bluths' opinions on cows:

Lindsay: Leather chair? So you're against stealing but skinning cows is cool?
Michael: Since when are you against leather?
Maeby:Yeah, you're not even a vegetarian.
L: I'm not against the insides, people need meet to survive.
Michael: You're aware they don't remove it from the cow surgically, right?

You can read more about Lindsay's eco-activism here. In response to her Mom's expressed opposition to leather , Maeby devises a plan of rebellion, "Let's see how she feels when her daughter is pro-leather":

Moo!?!

Maeby: This stuff's kind of hot, right?
George Michael: I hadn't noticed.

In a misguided attempt to impress his daughter, Tobias going shopping for his own leather ensemble:

Tobias: I'm looking for something that says 'Dad likes leather'
Salesman: Something that says, 'leather daddy'?
T: Oh, is there such a thing?

Look at us, who'd want to mess with any of us?

Style Icon: Eminem

"I want to be remembered as a fashion icon because man, do I know how to f*cking dress." (See the video)

It's rare the the internet disappoints me.  I do feel however that not enough has been said about  Eminem's recent wardrobe transformation. For those of you who don't know, I love Eminem. Yeah I know it's weird for a bourgeois feminist with a gay best friend. But there you go.  I think he's a brilliant storyteller.  From a physical perspective, he was one of my favorite heartthrobs as a teen. Here's an example of his fine vintage self.

 

Even back in his baggy sweats period, I always appreciated his comparatively mild bling.  If bling is a sign of how successful a rapper is, Em was always so big that he didn't need carat weight to prove his clout. Look at him compared to Busta Rhymes here:

Since their collaboration on Stan at the Grammys, Elton and Em have become friends. You can read about Em's raunchy wedding president to Elton here.

After the jump, we'll look at his recent style transformation.

Lindsay Bluth: The Cream Booties

So Linsday has an amazing pair of cream leather booties (seen in the family portrait above).  As her signature shoe, she pairs it with a variety of ensembles.  After the jump I will explore the various ways in which she incorporates this shoe into her bold styles.

Style Icon: Lindsay Bluth Fünke

Bringing opera gloves back!

Isn't this genius?! You can see the rest of the Bluth Family paper dolls here.

Lindsay was even recognized as a trendsetter by her peers. Since I am not a hair expert, I will not elaborate on her numerous amazing coifs, other than to mention that they are numerous and amazing.  In my other posts you can read more about Lindsay and her cream leather booties, sunglasses  fur and leather, robes, and nature.

After the jump, what to wear to visit your Dad in prison...