Outfit: Mondrian and Mint

Hooray for random weekdays off!  I didn't have to work today, so I spent a lot of the day running errands, and of course that led to shopping.  More on that later.  Considering I basically wear pajamas to work, a day off is a huge fashion upgrade!

I often build outfits around my purse and/or shoes.  And by often, I basically mean always.  The tote bag I have here is a real showstopper that I came across by accident.  Gilt was having a sale on Kate Spade clothing and accessories, and I really really wanted this dress:

And in my haste to order it, I forgot that shift dresses NEVER look good on me.  I really shouldn't even bother trying.  They completely obliterate my waist to the point that it looks like I'm wearing a potato sack.  So of course, when it came in the mail and I tried it on, this happened:

Yeahhhhh........no.  Just no.  So of course I was disappointed, but then the miracle that is Marshall's came through for me with a bag in the same print!  And since it was a bag and not a dress, no fit issues could ruin my day!

Bonus points for being less than 1/3 of the price of the dress.  So of course I started putting together outfits to match the bag, and this is my favorite:

Because the bag has such an eye-catching print, I stuck with solids for the clothes.  It's hard to see in the pic, but I combined a peplum-esque top with skinny jeans to create a little bit of shape contrast.  I love this top so much, although it didn't photograph well.  I don't know why it looks like my boobs are almost on my shoulders in this pic, but they're not...it looks quite nice in real life.  But let's talk about these awesome mint flats!  Good old Target usually doesn't do leather but quietly put out a wonderful flat called "Emma" in genuine leather.  The leather is thin but butter-soft, and the shoes are true to size and so comfy!  I highly recommend them to anyone looking for a comfy and affordable simple leather ballet flat.  They've started making them in fall colors now too!

Oh, and the results of my shopping trip?  A pair of purple croc texture Tory Burch flats (my first of hers!) and a gorgeous metallic navy Rebecca Minkoff M.A.C. with gunmetal hardware.  LOVE!

Top: Max Studio
Jeans: Target/Mossimo "curvy skinny" (it strikes again!)
Shoes: Target "Emma" leather scrunch flat (buy them here)
Bag: Kate Spade via Marshall's