Long overdue…

Skirt: Chic Wish Blazer: Banana Republic
Skirt: Chic Wish  Brooch: Hobby Lobby
Blazer: Banana Republic  Shoes:  Nine West

Well..as the title states..this post is long overdue.

I love blogging, I love following other bloggers and I love my followers.  Unfortunately, all of this blogging love doesn’t pay the bills or help my daughter learn Oh Captain, My Captain any quicker.

Between work, the Holidays, family and Thoreau, I’ve been pulled away from my sweet little niche I’ve carved out in this wide and wonderful internet world.

For those of you whom I usually follow, please know I’ve missed you all and I promise I’ll be back soon ..marveling at your talents and commenting on your fabulous posts.  For those of you who follow me and wonder what quirky and crazy outfit I’ll come up with next, please be patient and know that I’ll be back working it soon…this crazy life of mine has to calm down!

That all leads to today’s post. This outfit just get’s me and I love it!

As in my last post, this skirt takes me away on a little journey and this time it’s to London…the skyline winking out at you as I walk by.  

I can’t tell you how much I love this skirt.  The fabric is fantastic and it hangs just right.  It’s also affordable  – on sale now for $48.90!!  There are also other deals as part of Chic Wish’s Shop and Save event.

  Check it out here!

Shop my outfit!

Skirt – Chic Wish

Blazer – Banana Republic

Heels – Nine West Booties

Brooch: Hobby Lobby (and yes..it’s only $5.99!)  

Blouse – Belk – (and also on sale..20% off!)

Bag – Kate Spade (of course!)…this is the Iconoclast bag and its sold out but here is one I really like also!

Hope you enjoyed today’s post!  Have a wonderful week!!  xoxo…

K.I.S.S. Keeping it simple…and stylish!

Hello, all! Hope you’re having a great Wednesday! I’m actually not having a great day…it’s been filled with deadlines, emails and much frustration. But, I digress and I don’t want to taint my blog (which is a source of much joy and satisfaction) with the negativity of my work day.

Shirt: Banana Republic Skirt: Banana Republic Wedges: Banana Republic Necklaces: JCREW
Shirt: Banana Republic
Skirt: Banana Republic
Wedges: Banana Republic
Necklaces/Bracelet: JCREW

Soo…its Wednesday! Um…yay!? I’m not a Wednesday fan really. I usually find myself scrounging to find something mid-week as I’ve lost my Monday/early week momentum and it’s not quite close enough to Friday to be exciting. That being said, I decided to go for a classic look today. I found these great shirts at Banana Republic. They require no ironing (who has time?), do not wrinkle (hence the no ironing) and fit true to size. Click here for details!

 

Shirt: Banana Republic Skirt: Banana Republic Wedges: Banana Republic Necklaces: JCREW
Shirt: Banana Republic
Skirt: Banana Republic
Wedges: Banana Republic
Necklaces: JCREW

Actually, everything I have on today is from Banana Republic. It’s rare that I wear an outfit entirely from one store but it happens on occasion. Banana Republic is one of my fave go-to shops – it’s got a great selection and the clothing is well made. Plus, I find some GREAT sales!

 

Shirt: Banana Republic Skirt: Banana Republic Wedges: Banana Republic Necklaces: JCREW
Shirt: Banana Republic
Skirt: Banana Republic
Wedges: Banana Republic
Necklaces: JCREW
Shirt: Banana Republic Skirt: Banana Republic Wedges: Banana Republic Necklaces: JCREW
Shirt: Banana Republic
Skirt: Banana Republic
Wedges: Banana Republic
Necklaces: JCREW
Shirt: Banana Republic Skirt: Banana Republic Wedges: Banana Republic Necklaces: JCREW
Shirt: Banana Republic
Skirt: Banana Republic
Wedges: Banana Republic
Necklaces: JCREW

To spice up the outfit I added pearls and my cheetah print wedges. Hope your Wednesday has fared better than mine….till tomorrow, my friends..Cortneybre…

Hello Spring! …In a Kate Spade skirt!

First, let me just say to everyone “Happy Spring”! 

Cardigan:  Ann Taylor Blouse: Banana Republic Skirt: Kate Spade Shoes: Mossimo Sunglasses:  UnionBay Jewelry: Bealles Watch: Kate Spade
Cardigan: Ann Taylor  Blouse: Banana Republic  Skirt: Kate Spade  Shoes: Mossimo
Sunglasses: UnionBay  Jewelry: Bealles  Watch: Kate Spade

What a week!  I’ve been so busy at work that I’ve neglected my posts for the last couple of days.  But….on to new posts and better days…here goes…

In honor of the inception of this glorious season, I wore one of my favorite pieces – my bright yellow, silk, Skirt the Rules Kate Spade skirt.  It was quite the find on eBAY and love at first sight!

I’ve typically paired the yellow skirt with either a black and white polka dotted top or a black and white striped top.

However…one can quickly turn into a bumble bee (or a Yellow Jacket if you live in Georgia!) when wearing these color combinations, so I decided to try something different.

I purchased this lovely red and white striped blouse from my friend’s Closet Sale and was happy to pair it with an old fave.

I popped on a dark blue cardigan and my square heeled, gold buckle heels to finish the look.

One big change that you may notice is my hair.  It’s VERY different from before!

Cardigan:  Ann Taylor Blouse: Banana Republic Skirt: Kate Spade Shoes: Mossimo Sunglasses:  UnionBay Jewelry: Bealles Watch: Kate Spade
Cardigan: Ann Taylor     Blouse: Banana Republic     Skirt: Kate Spade     Shoes: Mossimo    Sunglasses: UnionBay
Jewelry: Bealles   Watch: Kate Spade

I’m a natural redhead, or a ginger as some say, and my hair has never highlighted prettily.  It tends to be brassy and the blonde doesn’t quite sit right with my complexion.

I’d been eyeing the ombre look for some time and was very hesitant.   But…I decided to try something new and go for it!

Sooo…drum roll please, introducing my ombre hair!  What do you think?!  Xoxo and Happy Friday!  Cortneybre

My Tips for Dressing for Work!

Sweater: Banana Republic Shirt: Red Camel Skirt: Worthington Pin: Chanel Earrings/Watch : Kate Spade Shoes: Mossimo
Sweater: Banana Republic     Shirt: Red Camel     Skirt: Worthington
Pin: Chanel     Earrings/Watch : Kate Spade     Shoes: Mossimo  Sunglasses: ColeHaan

I work behind a cubicle wall …in an office…in a Hospital.

It’s not glamorous and my day isn’t spent dodging highly fashionable ladies and gents as they dash about.

Nope.  At best, I might see the occasional quirky set of scrubs…and I do mean occasionally.

With that in mind, I do try to bring a sense of style to my otherwise style-starved workplace but I do need to maintain a professional look and presentation as well.

At times, this can be quite the challenge but I like to think I pull it off most of the time.  🙂  Here are some rules I follow to stay stylish at work!

Redefine Your “Neutral” – Neutral colors go with everything but most people think of neutrals as black, white, and tan.  Let’s push those boundaries a bit!

I’ve expanded my neutrals category to include grey, gold and silver as well as animal prints.  Varying shades of cheetah, leopard, zebra – heck any animal print – can be worn as a neutral to really pep up an outfit without going over the top.  You can pair any of these with stripes, colors, and different patterns provided you stick with the same color scheme.

Layering – Offices or other work environments are often cold and sterile.  (Especially hospitals!)  I typically dress in layers, which keeps me comfortable plus adds dimension to my look.  I try to always build my outfit with the basics (shirt and pants or shirt and skirt) and add one more item – a blazer or cardigan, etc.  That extra piece will bring sophistication to your outfit.

A Tailored Look – Try a fitted skirt (just not too short!) – Tailored or form fitting items automatically look more professional.  Just that extra detail makes the piece look more work appropriate.  As business attire is typically bland, add that new neutral to dress it up!  A tailored but unique office look is not only appropriate but unique and fun!

Don’t be shy about wearing a tailored, fitted skirt also.  I try to keep my skirts no shorter than one inch above the knee for work.  I usually wear shorter skirts in winter (the opposite of what you’d expect) as I wear tights during that time which acts as an “almost-legging”.  Bare legs in a too-short skirt might seem unprofessional.

Whimsical or Unique – Be You! – What makes “you”, you?  Do you love pink?  Are you a fan of polka dots, or stripes?  Bring that into your daily work look!  Just because you’re at work doesn’t mean you need be boring.  Liven up your look with things you love!  I’ve noticed people love to look at what I’m wearing and notice a surprise detail – maybe that my skirt is actually a dress paired with a sweater or a surprisingly cute earring.  Be yourself and treat yourself as if you were a piece of art!

Take Chances! – Lastly….take a chance now and then…remember…”If you obey all the rules, you miss all the fun”….Katharine Hepburn

Happy Wednesday!
Cortneybre…

© Cortneybre and http://Cortneybre.com, 2014. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Cortneybre and http://cortneybre.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.