Well according to Wikipedia, “Blouses were rarely part of the fashionable woman’s wardrobe until the 1890s. Before that time, they were occasionally popular for informal wear in styles that echoed peasant or traditional clothing…”  Now, I don’t know about you, but I am surely a fan of the blouse.  For those of you who know me–you will certainly recognize that the blouse makes up roughly 70% of my wardrobe.  I like the versatility, the comfort and the layering possibilities.  I wear short-sleeved blouses year round!  I took the liberty of doing a little search to find some blouses that are right up my alley.  I have them listed in order of expense, because obviously you can find loads of pricey numbers, but the “finds” are always the most gratifying.

First up is a little vintage number from my gal @VintageDaisyDeb–she is a poly/cotton blend.  This detail is crucial and all you vintage loving gals will understand that 100% poly blouses can be just plain bogus in the summer heat.  At $15–this is a steal!

Up next is a more modern take of the blouse demonstrated by Uniqlo.  I love this company–if you have had the opportunity to visit their stores you should understand my passion.  I mean the rows and rows of color-coated cashmere sweaters are enough to make you want to snuggle in a pile of them for hours, not to mention the pure OCD ecstasy I receive from seeing so many clothes categorized and properly folded in a very clean space (Is that TMI?) And at $39.99–still okay in my book.

Now the third is from my obvious resource Anthropologie.  This blouse has the clean, classic and crisp lines that I gravitate towards.  I could wear it with a skirt, jeans or under a jumper and you would find me equally cute in any of the aforementioned combinations.  But the sadness must begin somewhere–and the price tag on this beauty is just irritating.  Why must a cotton blouse be over $50 at anytime?  I don’t understand, it is still mass produced and sold in a chain store–can they not throw us a bone?  Boo!

Now my dear friend @kleah54 asked that I include some layering options.  This may seem like an odd request for those of you who do not have to experience the world of coporate office work.  The temperature usually levels around 65 degrees in the summer–which sounds fabulous until you have that cute summer dress on with some gross hoodie that you had crammed in your file cabinet.  Instead I suggest cashmere!  Oh yes, that’s right–no gal should be without a few 3/4 sleeve cashmere sweaters.  They simply make your life so much more livable.  Exaggeration? No!  I have been known to covet a little J.Crew cashmere, but in all honestly, I have not reached the point of weakness where a $160 sweater seems okay.  Instead I gravitate towards… super clearance.

I have never paid more than $20 for any cashmere sweater that I own.  Just to illustrate (but not condone) I have included an image and link for the style the I am referencing.

I also must give an apology for my lack of posts these past two Fridays.  I am really trying to post Mon-Fri each week, but as you can imagine sometimes life as a full-time employee, Wife and step-mom takes over.  Not to mention, I am just a baby blog (only 3 weeks old!) and I have been having some minor problems with links and images recently.  I think I have them sorted, but the issues have made a few “quick posts” turn into a 3 hour fiasco.  Bleh!  I will keep trying to bring daily workday goodness .

I have always loved rompers.  As a kid they provided a fast way to get dressed and they were always comfortable.  The adult versions that are hanging around these days appear to offer the same amount of comfort , but a whole lot of style and all around loveliness.  I popped around this week online to a few of my regular sites and Anthropologie appears to have the cutest (at amazing prices!).

I love Anthropologie so much!  I can always find something on their website that I love–sadly they are usually overpriced.  I plan on checking out a few of the locations here in Chicago, but I think they will pale in comparison to the SOHO location in NYC.  I had the luxury of living a block away from it a few years back and managed to score so many amazing deals!  Now I must keep them bookmarked and check the site frequently to get my fix.