Finds of the week:

• High: Michael Michael Kors Jelly Jet Set Tote, $168
• Low: Danielle Nicole Jelly Tote, $54

Off the wire:

• Ashley Judd tells the truth about her face and shakes a finger at the media.
• Coffee drinking is linked to lower depression rates in women.
• If you attack someone with a Louboutin, you might be all over the internet.

Smart reads:

• Bisou Bisou for JCPenney Spring 2012 Loookbook - The Budget Babe
• DIY Nail Stickers - The Beauty Department
• Escape Plotting (In Pin, Obviously) - A Little Alytude

Back when Eye4Style and I worked together, she (in her loving way) chastised me for wearing far too much black. Since that day, I will always hear her voice in the back of my head as I get ready for the day. STOP BUYING BLACK, SARAH! I've made a committed attempt to diversify my wardrobe, almost to the point where I now own too many colors and not enough neutrals. What can I say? It's hard to find the balance.

The point is, this spring I have an over-abundance of color and I'm not afraid to wear it. I love matching up shades that feel like they don't normally go together to make the work day a little more interesting.

Neon hoops: Forever 21 (not available online, super similar here)

Sheer top: Lane Bryant (no longer available)

Cobalt jeans: Lane Bryant

Neon satchel: Kate Spade Bond Street Satchel in Flo Coral c/o Neiman Marcus

Colorful pumps: J. Renee (a Nordstrom Rack find)

Rose gold watch: Michael Michael Kors

Photos by Tara Shashaty

Returning to an office environment has been an interesting experience for me. When I was freelancing and blogging full time, some days I'd get to chill in pjs and save the great outfits for the days when I'd need to be out and about. The office environment, especially at a fashion x tech company, has certainly caused an interesting strain on my wardrobe. There are some times that I get the casual formula right and others...well I fail miserably. But hey - life's all about learning, right?

Outfit details:

Coat: Rediscovered for me by my friends at BKLYN Dry Goods, designed by Enrico Coveri

Fur sweater: MICHAEL Michael Kors, picked up at Nordstrom

White tee: Brand unknown, purchased at Lord & Taylor

Earrings: Lion doorknockers by Kenneth Jay Lane (get a closer look here), purchased on ideeli

Cuff: Safety pin bracelet by CC Skye, purchased on ideeli

Jeggings: Lane Bryant (no longer available)

Flats: Congac and gold cap toe flats, Barefoot Tess

Handbag: Halogen, discovered at Nordstrom Rack

How do you navigate your closet to fit your career?

One of the things I love most about fashion is that you don't always have to make the pretty choice, or the most flattering one for that matter. You can express yourself without even saying a word. Today was one such day. I wasn't wearing a particularly flattering look, but something about it felt right, like the perfect mix of casual and polished.

I'll be the first to admit that this top wasn't the easiest to wear and I pretty much felt naked all day. The color of the houndstooth is so unexpected, especially for me, that I really love how much of a departure this look is for me. It's not good to get too comfortable, after all.

Outfit details:

Hair bow: H&M

Rose gold earrings: Made Her Think (no longer available)

Houndstooth blouse: Avenue

Trouser jeans: Old Navy

Rose gold watch: MICHAEL Michael Kors

Heeled loafers: Avenue (no longer available)

Handbag: Chanel

I have so much to say - please excuse me if this post is a little verbose. First of all, I've started a full time job again, so things may be a bit slower than normal (and you've probably already noticed my absence). Secondly, this less frequent posting schedule leads me to the second change. My OOTDs will no longer be dated. Gotta snap 'em when I can these days!

This was last Sunday's look, when I officially reentered the brunching world (my first in 10 months) with the fantastic Dina of Eye4Style. Naturally we ate far too much at Beauty & Essex and then slowly made our way to the Style Coalition lounge for a casual Emmys gathering. It was barely cool enough to wear fur, but I didn't care. I've been desperate to rock this vest since I purchased it in early September. Allow me to digress.

On the morning of the first day of Fashion Week (also known as Fashion's Night Out), Lucky Magazine invited us to Lord & Taylor, with the guidance of Suze Yalof Schwartz, to shop the trends complete with a $200 gift card. Who was I to say no? Naturally I headed right up to L&T's plus size floor (one of my guilty pleasures) and immediately to the MICHAEL Michael Kors assortment. And there it was, patiently waiting for me, the last fur vest in my size. Needless to say, I put that $200 gift card to good use (and then some). I'd love to show you the vest on the L&T website, but sadly it's not available online. Should you be interested in picking up one for yourself, head to the store - you'll fall in love.

Outfit details:

Sunnies: Tom Ford Nikita (no longer available)

Vest: MICHAEL Michael Kors, c/o Lucky Magazine & Lord & Taylor

Dress: Avenue (no longer available)

Necklaces: Swarovzki (a birthday present), Twittabling

Belt: Lane Bryant (no longer available)

Tights: One Stop Plus (no longer available)

Wedges: Torrid (no longer available)

Envelope clutch: ASOS (black leather no longer available, other colors here)

Photo by Dina, Eye4Style

On Wednesday, I had the great pleasure of attending Lucky Magazine's Summer Jam, a sweet little soiree for their "favorite bloggers". It was a great excuse to see friends, old & new, have fabulous cocktails and be "judged" by The Bumbys (more on them in a bit). Since I knew I was going to be judged and it was my last day in an office, at least for a little while, I had to go with an outfit that I knew worked well for me. Naturally, I selected one of my Michael Michael Kors maxi dresses. They can easily become dressy or ease into casual with the right accessories. I can't say enough good things about them!

The Bumbys are a best described as performance artists, aka judgement bandits, who sit behind electronic typewriters and produce "honest assessments of your style". They wear wigs, sunglasses and bandannas, so admittedly the experience can be intimidating until you receive your assessment. They are sharp, hilarious and my new obsession. I hope to run into them in the near future.

Outfit details:

Sunglasses: Tom Ford (I just can't stop!)

Necklace: A present from The Budget Babe

Watch: Michael Kors

Maxi dress: Michael Michael Kors

Envelope clutch: ASOS

Wedges: Torrid (no longer available)

Since The Bumbys were so honest with their style appraisal, I thought I'd be equally as honest & share their thoughts. The first critique I received was from Gill, the male Bumby. His assessment was as follows:

Your bag reminds me of a pillow, but you don't strike me as the kind of gal who takes impromptu naps. If I saw you wandering around in a Broadway theater I'd think you were the stage manager. Because you look like you're on top of your shit. Maybe the pillow bag is for union breaks? Nah. You run the world....no time for snoozing.

Average rating: 9.6

Clearly any man who thinks I run the world is alright by me. Next up was Jill and after observing her for a few assessments, hers seemed to be much more in depth. I was intimidated. I stepped in front of her typewriter and after much scrutiny, I was presented with:

You're larger than life. I think of you on the stage playing the great roles. Lady Macbeth and shit. When you cry, the guy in the back cries. Everybody cries. I love your insoussiant braid, I love the auburn hair, I love the Russian Red lip. I love the necklace made of bullets (?). I could sit down with you at a party and you would say something about science or medicine or an obscure hat designer in Paris and I would be forever transfixed. Get a platform and write a book, please.

Average rating: 9.0

If you ever see two people pounding away behind typewriters, shrouded by bandannas and chugging Red Bull, do not be afraid Go in front of them bravely and with a smile - you never know, you could be running the world, making men cry and shit. :)

Photo by Dina

Yesterday was a special day for me.  If you've been reading this site long enough (and bless you, if you have) you'll remember that back in the early days of On The Plus Side, my beloved friend (and coworker) Kimberley Williamson was supportive, encouraging and most importantly - readily available with her camera. Since I've moved on and she's given birth to darling twin boys....let's just say that our lives have become far more complicated. Yesterday we spent a little time together in Union Square Park so naturally, I dressed for the occasion. It was so nice to revisit how it all started.

All day, people kept complimenting me on my "dress" - my look was constructed out of an awkward length skirt that I decided should be worn high waisted and a tee that's just a smidge too short. Sometimes, if you're lucky, you can take piece that aren't working and make magic by putting them together. Get creative!

Outfit details:

Lipstick earrings: Danielle Scutt for Topshop

Leopard tee: Norma Kamali for Walmart (style no longer available online, others here)

Skirt: Randomly acquired at TJ Mxx

Flats: Nine West

Rose gold watch: Michael Michael Kors

Lipstick: MAC's Lady Danger & Neon Orange (mixed)

Photo by Kimberley Williamson

I'm going to be completely honest - I'm not 100% thrilled with how this photo turned out. To be clear, this isn't a fishing for compliments moment, but I think that it's important to be honest, accept life's challenges and grow. Not every outfit is worthy of an outfit photo. On this day, I learned a whole lot about the difference between what I think looks great on me and what photographs well. These two things aren't mutally exclusive, so I'm sharing this look with you as a learning opportunity. What I learned is that I feel more comfortable in looks with defined waists or at least a pattern to break up the look. Also, I never feel comfortable in brown, no matter how much I try. These are my style challenges.

On this particular day, I had the chance to meet the absolutely delightful Kate Walsh (of Grey's Anatomy & Private Practice fame) to discuss her breakout fragrance, Boyfriend (more on that soon). It was the first truly warm day in NYC, and I'm 99% sure that none of us saw it coming. I'm happy that I tried a look outside of my comfort zone, but I definitely won't be repeating this look. You live and you learn! What style lessons have you learned recently?

Outfit details:

Scarf/headband: Vintage Elsa Schiaparelli (an estate sale find, gifted by my aunt)

Top: MICHAEL Michael Kors

Jeggings: Lane Bryant

Watch: MICHAEL Micahel Kors

Handbag: Rebecca Minkoff (style no longer available)

Sandals: DV by Dolce Vita

Michael Kors Very Hollywood Gift Set

$65.00 by Michael Kors at Sephora

If you told me five years ago that I would have a moderate Michael Kors obsession, I'd have laughed you off the face of the planet (truly). I don't know if it's because my sensibilities have changed as I've aged or if it was the initial launch of the Very Hollywood scented pen, introduced to me by my friend Dina at Eye4Style, that made me sit up and take notice. Since then, my Michael Kors lust has evolved into clothing (hello, Lord & Taylor) right on through to the rose gold watch that I absolutely could not live without.

When it comes to fragrance, I'm not one to pick a scent for the season. Depending on the weather and my general mood, I'll scan my fragrance shelves for the one that will complement the way I'm feeling. On the few sunny, spring-like days that NYC has experienced this year, I've always reached for Michael Kors Very Hollywood.

Maybe it's the stunning faceted bottle or coral packaging (both very important), but it's likely the notes of madarin, gardenia and vetiver that keep this fragrance just right for spring. Fresh, light, floral and enchanting - just the way I like to feel on the most perfect of spring days.

Remember that scented pen that I mentioned? It was limited edition and extremely hard to find, but now it's back for (of course) a limited time. In true Very Hollywood style, the ink is blue and scented with the fragrance, encapsuled in a gorgeous gold and coral leather pen. Snag yours now for $25 and watch everyone's face light up every time you pull it from your purse. Trust - it'll make signing those credit card receipts a lot more fun.