Simple Black

I love the simplicity of this outfit.  It perfectly suits my style.  The base is just a pair of black jeans and a sweatshirt/sweater.  I added a cute pair of loafers with bow detail, a little neck scarf from ebay and a pair of earrings I thrifted for only 69 cents.
This could absolutely be my daily "uniform". 

Have you ever asked yourself the question..."What pieces in my closet would I choose if I could only pick one top, one bottom, and one pair of shoes to wear for the rest of my life?  You know...a sort of if I were stranded on a desert island type question.
What items would you choose?

When I think of the answer to that question for myself and consider my fantasies of having the wardrobe of a minimalist.... I imagine how it would be to have just a few pieces of clothing reflective of what I'm wearing here.  A few pieces that I really love, feel good in, and could wear all the time.
Would I feel freedom in that choice?  Would I get bored?  Maybe I'll make it happen someday and find out.
I am pretty proud of myself for seriously cutting back on my thrifting.  My goal this year is to spend less than half of what I did last year.  So far so good!

 thrifted:
black jeans $3.49 Forever 21
top $2.99 August Silk
black/gold hoop earrings .69 cents

purse $8 Fossil
loafers $3.59 Anne Klein
~~~
scarf $1.80 via ebay

The Black Jeans Are Busy

 thrifted:

Outfit 1
black jeans $3.49 Forever 21
green sweater $4 Sag Harbor
purse $8 Fossil
low heeled backless loafers $4 Cole Hahn

Outfit 2
black jeans $3.49 Forever 21
sweater $2.99 August Silk
necklace $5.35
purse $7.99
leopard loafers $5.99 Express
~~~
scarf = gifted (from daughter's trip to Paris)

Bright Red V-Neck Tee, Boyfriend Jeans, And Loafers

thrifted:
red tee .99 cents Merona
jeans $3 Mossimo
purse $8 Fossil
loafers $6.99 Partners

Buttercup Yellow Cardigan With Spring Floral Scarf And Skinny Jeans

Linking up for Visible Monday at Patti's Not Dead Yet Style blog.

cardigan $6.04 Land's End
black skinny jeans $3.49 Forever 21
studded black suede flats $12.99 BCBG
purse $8 Fossil
~~~
scarf = gifted

Tunic Over Black Jeans

black jeans $7.99 Charter Club
black tank top 
patterned tunic $8.99 Angie
purse $8 Fossil
sandals $4.90 Nine & Company

Silver Sparkle Earrings

A casual outfit with new sparkly earrings...silver, dangling, with double hoops.

Black Jeans $2.50 Gloria Vanderbilt
Black Long Sleeved Tee $2.50
Sweater $2.81 effeci
Black Canvas Slip On Shoes $3.99 Soda
Purse $8 Fossil
~ ~ ~
Earrings .99 cents via ebay

Black Soda

I'm wearing newly thrifted, Soda brand, black canvas slip on shoes.  These shoes are so very comfy.  They are flimsy so they may not last forever, but I'll be happy wearing them while they do.

Just a simple black outfit with a pop of color in the bright blue scarf. 
Easy.  No Fuss.  Comfy.  Casual.

Black Jeans $8.50 Gloria Vanderbilt

Black Tee $2.80 Falls Creek

Scarf $3.88

Purse $8 Fossil

Canvas Slip On Shoes $3.99 Soda

~ ~ ~

Black Cardigan $9.99 JKLA California via Ross 

Taupe With Black

Black Pants $9.97 Atelier Luxe
Animal Print Short Sleeved Sweater $1.88 Liz Claiborne (similar $76.29 via Saks 5th Avenue)
Cardigan $6.52 Career Essentials
Purse $8 Fossil
Shoes $7.48 Etienne Aigner (similar $87.99 Macy's)
~ ~ ~
Necklace $2.82 via ebay (similar $75 House of Harlow 1960 via Nordstrom)

Out Of My Comfort Zone

Well, these shoes definitely took me out of my comfort zone.  I was in agony all day at work.  So much so that I had to remove my shoes and walk around our office barefoot.  Thank goodness I was only working with one female therapist and I'd seen her walking around barefoot on other occasions before too.  I explained to her my situation and she replied that she liked me barefoot...that it reminded her of being in Mexico.  She'd just returned a couple of days before from vacation.  I did not go barefoot in front of patients, of course, but on this day was mainly behind my partitioned  desk area where they could not see my feet.   (I don't think I've ever shown my office.  Maybe I'll post some photos sometime.)

So by the end of the day the worst of it was that I had a blister on my heel and aching feet.  I stopped at Goodwill on my way home from work not really expecting to find a more comfortable replacement, but I was going to make it my mission...even if it meant numerous thrifting trips to do so.  The sacrifices I make. haha  But I got lucky.  Extremely lucky.  I found a pair of "bendy" black ballerina flats and a pair of simple black canvas slip ons.  Both seem (so far) to be very comfy.  Comfort is going to win out over style.  I'm okay with that.  Sure beats a painful blister.

After I found the canvas ones I couldn't bear to take them off and put my own shoes back on.  When I got to the check out I explained that I was purchasing the shoes I was wearing and donating my own.  The stylish woman behind the counter asked what size I wore, dropped them on the floor, slipped them on, and said "I just got a new pair of shoes!" I was happy she liked them.  They looked like they belonged to her.  And now they do.

Black Jeans $2.50 Gloria Vanderbilt
Black Tee $2.80 Falls Creek
Black Cardigan w/Pockets $2.80 Mossimo
Scarf $2
Black/Gold Bangle
Purse $8 Fossil
Pointy Flats $5.61 Franco Sarto

The Jacket

Beige Jeans $3.99 Style & Co.
Asian Style Jacket/Top $7.99 Chance Collection
Necklace $2.63
Purse $8 Fossil
Shoes

New Cherry Red Necklace and Leopard Sweater

The necklace and short sleeved sweater I've never worn before.  I found the necklace for a quarter!  I really like the red color in it.  I realized, after seeing these photos, that I should have draped the necklace over the leopard top, but inside the cardigan.  Fashion faux pas.  I make plenty of them. :)  That's one reason I have this blog.  If I weren't taking photos of my outfits then I'd probably just be clueless of these things.  At least now I can try and avoid that particular mistake again.

Black Ankle Pants $9.97 Atelier Luxe
Animal Print Sweater $1.88 Liz Claiborne
Necklace .25 cents
Bracelets
Purse $8 Fossil
Sandals $6.99 Naturalizer
~ ~ ~
Black Cardigan $9.99 JKLA California - Ross

Charcoal Grays and Fringe

I'm not a huge fan of the fringe trend for myself this fall, but I don't mind a bit of fringe on my scarves. :)

I know this scarf will work well with many of my other fall neutral pieces and so will be on definite repeat wear over the next several months.

White Ankle Pants $5.99 J.Crew
Charcoal Tank Top $3.99 Halogen
Charcoal Cardigan $4.19 Halogen
Scarf $6.80
Bracelet
Purse $8 Fossil
Sandals
~ ~ ~
Gray-Blue/Silver Necklace $5.25 ebay

Snakeskin Print Sandals

This is a first time wear for the necklace and shoes, however the jacket is very old.  I've probably had it 12-15 years.

Getting soooo much wear out of these beige jeans.  They're one of my best fitting pair and are nice for transitioning into fall.  I know I'll still wear them with heavy sweaters, cardigans, and maybe some booties too.

 I really, really love my new necklace and was so happy to find it while thrifting.

Was also thrilled to find these cute shoes.

Beige Jeans $3.99 Style & Co.
Striped Tee $1.50 Land's End
Necklace $2.58
Bracelets
Purse $8 Fossil
Sandals $6.27 Impo