Making Friends at Neiman Marcus

Color is awesome and all, but I do love a sharp black and white look, too. Now, this dress is a smidge   too short for work, but it's a hot little number for dinner, which is where I wore it. On our first night for the Neiman Marcus event, we ate dinner in the hotel's pretty restaurant. I donned this dress and threw my leather jacket over top because I never know when I'll get cold. 

I have to admit that I worried about this event a lot beforehand. Images of pretentious, too-good-to-be-around-me women danced above my head. Seriously, I'm a high school English teacher who thinks prairie dogs are the best animals at the zoo and talks about poop far too often. Fortunately, everyone involved proved my fears wrong. On the car ride from the airport to the hotel, I met one of the Beauty Department Managers, Pat. Hailing from Florida, she is kind and a good listener. She also appreciates my sense of humor, which is a key factor in my deciding someone's worth. 

When I arrived at the hotel, I met coordinators, Caroline, who was quiet with a nice smile and gams I wish I had, and Dru, a petite fellow gluten-free lady. They were the women behind the scenes of the whole operation. The first winner I met was Jessica, who just graduated law school in South Carolina. We immediately hit it off and both found great comfort in the fact that we considered each other "normal" (not all uptight and persnickety).  I met Ashley, a writer and essential genius from Hawaii. (I'll be honest: she can wear J.Crew like no one I've ever met, and she can rock a pixie cut like a boss.) I loved talking to Gale, a doctor from California. She is the head doctor for Paul Walker's non-profit organization, ROWW (reaching out worldwide). I might just have to visit her in CA. I enjoyed meeting all of the girls, but my Beauty Department Manager, Claudio, takes the cake. That guy knows his way around the beauty department (he'd make a good teacher!) and he truly understood my sense of humor. Possibly to his dismay, I'd be his BFF if we didn't live 8+ hours apart. 

Quite honestly, the free clothes and gifts were awesome, but meeting new people was the best part for me. (Plus, I loved getting my mom on a plane for the first time in 40 years.) Actually, the best part about life is the relationships that we build. Am I right? And our relationship with ourselves counts, for the record. Now, that is the beauty of life, folks. 

The Look:

Dress: Banana Republic via thredUP

Shoes: BCBG via Boscov's 

Necklace: The Limited

The attack of the bumblebees isn't just a song. It's real life. My life. I decided to amuse you with my antics. 

Mom said, "Well, taking pictures of your clothes is most important. I'm trying to get a picture of your necklace. Smile." And I gave her this...

Sweet neck muscles, eh?

Bumblebees Got it Right

Black and yellow. They just go if you ask me. I like making sunshine and darkness befriend one another. Granted, I do try avoiding that whole black and yellow stripes combination because I suppose only bumblebees can pull off that look. However, black and white stripes with a pop of yellow makes for a lovely combination, right?

I considered pairing today's dress with a military vest, but I decided that look was too casual for a Tuesday at work. Plus, I keep telling myself to give more love to unloved (yet wonderful) items in my closet. Meet my sleeveless cardigan.

This necklace. OH, this necklace. It's large and in charge like my hair, which means I dig it. Plus, it's an obnoxiously bright yellow, which gives me another reason to dig it. It also cost $13 at Charlotte Russe. Triiiiifecta of awesomeness.

As for these boots, HOLY CRAP ON A STICK. Not only am I wearing sunshine, but I'm walking on clouds. These boots might honestly be the most comfortable shoes I own, and I got them for $50 (down from $140) at DSW. Because of them, I scored a free striped bag. I'm winning like Charlie Sheen over here. But, seriously, these boots are "gushy" as my Momma would say. Since she might read this post, I'll tell you a funny story about the purchase of these boots.

You see, I was in DSW with my Momma because she's my favorite person to shop with, of course. I put on the right boot and thought, "ooo, I like these." I decided to try on the left boot, but it felt funny and made this horrible squishing sound. I said, "I don't think these boots will work. They squish and feel really funny on the left foot." I took off the boots, and what did I find? That weird little plastic shoe horn was still inside of the left boot. Even my mom wonders how I got the boot on while that thing was in there. All I know is that taking it out made the boot much more comfortable, and they came home with me. They go with skirts, dresses, skinny pants, and they'll look good under pants (an important piece of criteria for this purchase.)

 P.S. I was talking to Jeff while he took these photos, which is why it looks like I'm not smiling. I really am happy. I swear.

Outfit Deets:

Dress: Old Navy (similar from Old Navy--only $20)

Belt: NY & Co (similar for $15)

Necklace: Charlotte Russe (similar from Etsy shop)

Boots: b.o.c via DSW (exact for $60)

Cardigan: Old and don't know! (similar for $7.90)

Linking up for the first time with Style Elixir.