Promoted Without a Raise

The last couple days at work, I've been in a pretty bad mood. I felt like I was failing at my job. I couldn't sell a single banana card (it's like a credit card for Banana Republic). But even more frustrating, no one wanted any help and if they did they never really bought anything! Grrrrr.
So at the end of my shift, one of my leaders said she wanted to "touch base." So after my crappy days, I was pretty sure that she was going to yell at me and tell me I suck at my job. Insteaaaaaaaddddd, she said that wanted me to join the Styling Team. She went onto tell me how I'd get my own designated changing rooms for my personal customers etc etc Basically it sounded like I got promoted and was given more responsibility and pressure, but for some odd reason there was no discussion about getting a raise. Like come on, give me at least another dollar an hour! But nonetheless, I am now a stylist for Banana Republic. And apparently, we're the only team of stylists in stores in the entire company.

Due to my new position, you might see some more polyvores highlighting Banana Republic clothing as a practice creating outfits for customers. I promise, we actually have some pretty cute clothes! I've been eyeing a whole lot of things this past week. Oh no! I forgot to extend the hold on my blue pants!
But this is what I wore to work during this whole ordeal. I was inspired by the advice I presented in my post for College Fashionista on stripes from J.Crew's fashion director, Gayle Spannus. Treat stripes like neutrals. Therefore, when I grabbed this skirt (it's one of my few skirts whose length is appropriate for work), I no longer felt obligated to grab a white top. Instead, I grabbed this old Michael Stars t-shirt from high school! I then added more to the outfit with my statement necklace from J.Crew, but unfortunately, I forgot my new green rose studs. They really added to the skirt...
So what do you guys think of my pattern mixture? Do you think it's worthy of J.Crew?

 

Sweater: Uniqlo

Shirt: Michael Stars

Skirt: Marc by Marc Jacobs

Shoes: Sam Edelman

Necklace: J.Crew

Outfits of Our Dreams: Stripes Get a Makeover

Organic by John Patrick merino wool sweater / 3.1 Phillip Lim crepe pants / Loeffler Randall clogs shoes / Stella & Dot chain jewelry

In case you haven't noticed, I'm a little obsessed with stripes. Now if you haven't picked up on that pattern, I invite you to look down at my last outfit post and then to your right to my lookbook.nu feed. Stripes, stripes, stripes everywhere! There are many reasons why today seemed like the perfect time to post about stripes. 1) I'm wearing stripes today 2) Fourth of July is coming up with all its stars and stripes 3) Today my post about stripes went live on CollegeFashionista. When I was doing my little research for my post, I found this lovely quote from J.Crew's Fashion Director, Gayle Spannaus. "For me, stripes are a neutral--I pair them with everything." I loved this quote because it opened up a world of opportunity to my favorites stripes. 

Above, I have posted my very first set from polyvore. I joined the site 6 months ago, but I didn't really do anything with the site until today. After I read that quote from Gayle Spannaus, I instantly wanted to pair my stripes with some of this summers favorite trends: patterned pants and neon. Unfortunately, I don't have either. Coming to the conclusion that I need to go shopping (surprise) and that I cannot do an outfit post on my imaginary outfit, it hit me: Polyvore.
Tell me what you think of it and maybe follow me? I don't really understand how that site works still. Also don't forget to check out my post on CollegeFashionista! I've linked you to some more amazing striped items!

JCrew Inspired Stripes

In case you weren't previously aware, I am quite obsessed with stripes. STRIPES STRIPES STRIPES. They've become kind of my security blanket that I wear almost everyday. Whenever I go shopping I constantly have to tell myself that No, I do not need anything striped shirt you have plenty already, but I might need to change that because that just means I wear my favorite stripes far more than is healthy or perhaps even sanitary. I believe my stripes obsession came from my year in France, since they do have that beautiful and classic boatneck navy striped shirt that almost defines France and definitely the region of Brittany where I was staying. Therefore, the navy, black, and grey (which are the real colors of the French not the blue white and red) stripes are my most commonly worn items. However, I am trying to break away from that. The other day I bought an ORANGE striped shirt. I know, I am going absolutely crazy! Huge changes, I don't know if I can handle it. I will show you that shirt sometime soon.
So back to this outfit, I wore it for no good reason at all. Just hung out with my brother at his house (the last picture is a view from his living room at night). I was going for a funky Jcrew look, which is ultimately what I believe Jcrew is actually going for instead of the motherly New England pole up her ass, non-creative look most people create when wearing Jcrew. Like honestly, look at their catalogues and all their outfits look gorgeous and creative. Look at their clientale...borinnggg. Sadly, none of this outfit is actually from Jcrew--honestly it's way too expensive. But I hope you still see the inspiration. Actually, I lied! The chain necklace is from Jcrew, I bought if for my apparent goth prom dress....

Outfit-- Striped tank: Brandy Melville, Silver Skirt: H&M, Denim Shirt: Buffalo Exchange, Boots: LF

Ok I lied above, I didn't buy these boots from LF but I saw them there and I actually bought them from this random store in SOHO so I figured that was easier to find. I wear them everyday, all year round so they're a little beat up.

Look how gorgeous that view is from Glen Park/Diamond Heights in San Francisco