Workin' into the New Year!

Happy New Year's Eve, everyone!!!

New Year's Eve is one of my favorite holidays, second only to Halloween.  New Year's Eve reminds me of the cyclical nature of time and of all life.  I love the idea of rebirth and renewal that a new year brings.  As 2012 draws to a close, I am reflecting on the challenges and triumphs of the last year and looking forward to 2013.

I'm not a major resolution maker, but I do take the opportunity of New Year's to think about my goals and plans for the next year and to reflect on how I can make myself a better person than I was the last year.  One of my great sources of joy in 2012 has been starting this blog and watching it grow.  I'm still in the infantile stages, but I am excited and eager to continue this journey!

I had to work today, but I still wanted a bit of a festive look for the day.  I am always up for a tuxedo-inspired look, and I love the simplicity of this monochromatic look.

Blazer:  The Limited (No longer available on-line; see here)
Top:  The Limited (Available here)

Pants:  The Limited
Heels:  Target (Available here)

The draped Grecian-inspired knit top is super comfortable, and the draping is flattering.

My plans for New Year's include watching movies, playing Wii, and drinking sparkling grape juice with my kiddos, which means I'll probably be in sweats tonight.

Necklace:  World Market (old)
Purse:  The Limited (old)
Ring:  The Limited (old)

Going out for New Year's?  Would love to see your looks!  "Like" me on Facebook and post your New Year's looks!

Hope you all have a wonderful and safe New Year's Eve!

See you in 2013!!!

Wedding Wear

Tonight the man and I went to a friend's wedding.

This is what I wore:

Dress:  Jovovich-Hawk for Target (old) (Similar here)
Blazer:  Gap (old) (Similar here)

Tights:  The Limited (Available in stores - no longer available on-line)
Shoes:  Payless (Available here)

Clutch:  Target (Available here)

I paired a black lace peasant style dress with my velvet peplum blazer.  Glittery heels and printed tights finished the look.

Overall, I liked the mix of patterns and textures.  If I had more options, I would have chosen a black glittery clutch or a velvet clutch in a bold or pastel color.  

Working with what I had, I went with my metallic silver clutch to complement my silver and black earrings, but I didn't love the clutch with this look. 

I had a great time at the wedding and loved the swingy skirt for dancing!

Earrings:  Target (old)

What look would you choose for a winter wedding?

Casual Comfort

Happy Saturday, everyone!

Today, I had a ton of errands to run.  I wanted a look that was super comfortable and warm.

Tunic blouse:  Target (Available here)
Cardigan:  The Limited (old) (Similar here)

Leggings:  Wal-Mart (Similar here)
Purse: The Limited (old)

 I opted for leggings and a cashmere cardigan and then added in a tunic length top and wedge boots for a look that felt very pulled together but completely comfortable and cozy.

Boots:  Target (Available here)
Earrings:  Forever 21 (old)

Tank:  Old Navy (Available here)
Turquoise ring:  Purchased at local jewelry show

Leggings, sweaters, and boots are a common winter weekend go-to for me.  Do you have a favorite winter weekend look?

Circles and Lines

Happy Thursday, everyone!

Today, I chose my favorite monochromatic color palette and mixed textures and prints to keep the look interesting.

Coated denim jeans:  Target (Available here)
Blazer:  The Limited (Similar here)

Tank:  The Limited
Satchel:  The Limited (Available here)

Scarf:  The Limited
Earrings:  Express

The herringbone blazer and stripes in the scarf play off of the circles on the scarf and polkadots on the blouse.

The quilted satchel and striped bangle adds more texture and subtle print to the look.

Bangles:  Target
Shoes:  Target

Do you like mixing textures and patterns?

Christmas Sparkle

Happy Holidays, everyone! 

Today, I wore one of my favorite looks. 

Blouse:  Gap (old) (Similar here and here)
Blazer:  The Limited (old) (Similar here)

Pants:  The Limited (Available here)
Shoes:  Target (old)

This sequin top has multi-color metallic sequins, which makes it really versatile.  

Paired with the champagne blazer, the sequins on this blouse remind me of champagne bubbles.  The look feels super festive, and with a great clutch, would be great for a New Year's Eve out with friends.

Satchel:  The Limited (Available here)
Earrings:  The Limited (Similar here)

Rings:  New York & Company

Do you have any exciting plans for New Year's Eve?  What do you plan on wearing?

Casual Christmas Eve

Hi everyone, and Merry Christmas!!!

I have been sick with the flu and out of commission the bulk of this past week.  I'm finally starting to feel better and am back to posting!

Last night, I went to a casual family Christmas gathering, and this is what I wore:

Blouse:  Ann Taylor Petites (Available here)
Tank: The Limited

Jeans:  The Limited (Available here)
Shoes:  Target (old)

I wanted an outfit that wasn't too dressed up, but that still had some holiday flair.
 
I paired dark denim jeans with my green wrap blouse and gold jewelry for a bit of understated glamour.

Necklace:  Target
Bow earrings:  The Limited (Available here)

Satchel:  The Limited (Available here)

What did you wear for the holiday festivities?

Happy Holidays!

Anchors Away

Hope you all had a great day!  Unfortunately, I'm feeling under the weather today, so my pics are a bit limited.
I paired my burgundy velvet pants with a striped tank and anchor cardigan for a fun nautical theme look.

I usually reserve nautical prints and themes for spring and summer, but I loved the mix of colors of this outfit.  The layers and fabrics were enough to keep me warm this chilly day. 

Cardigan:  Torrid (Similar here)
Tank:  Old Navy Petites
Pants:  The Limited (Available here)

Purse:  The Limited (Available here)
Boots:  Payless (old)
Anchor earrings:  Gift (Similar here)

Would you wear an anchor print?  How would you style this cardigan?

Black and White Delight

Hi everyone!   Holiday hustle and bustle and a hectic work schedule has kept me too busy for blogging the last several days, but I'm back today with this black and white combo.  It's also my 100th blog post!  Thanks for joining me on my new adventure!

Jacket:  The Limited
Pants:  The Limited (Similar here)

Blouse:  New York & Company
Purse:  The Limited (Similar here)
Ring:  H&M

Black and white is a perennial favorite.  It never really goes out of fashion as a color combination, but it's having a serious moment in fashion right now.  It was all over Fall 2012's fashion runways and is expected to be a huge trend for Spring 2013 as many designers featured the graphic color combination during their spring shows. 

BCBG Max Azria Spring 2013 look, Source: www.marieclaire.com

Rachel Zoe Spring 2013 look, Source:  www.thefashionspot.com

Heels:  Target (old)
Cuff:  New York & Company (Similar here)
Earrings:  The Limited

For more on the black and white trend for fall, see here.
To see this jacket styled differently, see here and here.  
To see this blouse styled differently, see here.

At ease!

Happy Friday!!

For today's casual Friday, I paired a striped tee with this comfy knit military-inspired jacket.

Jacket:  Forenza by The Limited (old)
Tee:  The Limited (Available here)
Satchel:  The Limited (Available here)

I didn't realize until this evening that the stripes on the tee were actually navy rather than black, but I don't mind it with the black pieces and think it will work with both black and navy pieces.

Pants:  The Limited (No longer available on-line, see them here)

Shoes:  Target (Similar here)
Jade ring:  Gift

Military-inspired looks were all over fall's runways (See more here).  To maintain the military theme of the jacket and sailor tee, I added some cute anchor earrings.

Earrings:  Gift (Similar: here)

Stripes never really go out of style, but they are having a major moment this spring.  I can't wait to mix this top with bright colors and even some fun prints.

Oscar de la Renta spring 2013, Source:  Marie Claire

Dolce & Gabanna Spring 2013, Source:  Harper's Bazaar

For on fall's black and white trend, see here.

Modern Lady

Today, I paired my tweed jacket with my houndstooth tie-neck blouse for a lady-like look.  I like the higher neckline of this blouse with this jacket and that the shapes are classic but modern.

Jacket:  Gap (old) (Similar here)
Blouse:  New York & Company

Pants:  The Limited (Similar here)
Shoes:  Target (old)

Ring:  Target (Similar here)
Earrings:  Gift (handmade)

The quilted bag finishes off the lady-like look.  I kept accessories simple today with a turquoise ring and handmade quartz earrings.

Tote:  New York & Company (Similar here)

For this blouse in other looks, see here and here.
For more on the black and white trend, see here.

Soft and easy

Lately, my main priority in fashion has been comfort.  I don't know if it's the onset of cold weather, daily stressors, or something else, but I find myself with a strong desire to wear sweats to work everyday.

Blazer:  New York & Company
Blouse:  LOFT (No longer available on-line, see top here)
Silver locket:  Target (Similar here)

Since I can't do that, my second choice has been to choose easy, flowy pieces.  Today, I opted for my ivory chiffon babydoll top (quickly becoming a new favorite) and paired it with a light pink blazer and grey pants for a soft and feminine work look.

I love a pastel color palette like this during winter.  Mint, light pink, and soft blues mixed with ivory, grey, or taupe reflect both the iciness of the season but also a desire for softness in contrast to the harshness of winter.

Pants:  The Limited (old) (Similar here)
Heels:  Target (old)
Rondell crystal necklace:  The Limited

Purse:  Target (Available here)
Handcuff bangles:  The Limited (no longer available)

Do you favor certain colors or color combinations during winter?

See this blouse in other looks here and here.   
See this blazer style differently here, here, and here.

Cashmere Cozy

Happy Sunday everyone!

Today, I paired my black skinny pants with a purple cotton/cashmere blend sweater for a comfortable and cozy outfit.  I like that the outfit is basic but refined. 

Sweater:  The Limited (Available here)
Earrings:  The Limited (Available here)

Pants:  The Limited (Available here)
Clutch:  Jason Wu for Target

The fit of this sweater is loose without being too baggy and a little longer than other similar sweaters, making it an ideal pairing for dress pants, jeans, leggings, skirts, and more.

V-necks are super flattering for most everybody.  They help elongate the neck and are great for women with larger busts and/or rounder faces.

I added burgundy pumps and green accessories for a few pops of fall color.

Heels:  Target (Available here)
Necklace:  Forever 21
Jade ring:  Vintage (gift)

Hope you all had a great weekend!!

Holiday Dressing

Stumped with what to wear for the holiday season's gatherings and festivities?

I love holiday fashion!  I would happily wear glitter, rhinestones, velvet, and lace almost every day of the week, especially when it's cold outside.

Here's a gathering of some of the outfits I've worn so far that would be perfect for holiday parties or gatherings.

Don't like all my black?  You could easily substitute red, burgundy, emerald, silver, gold, sapphire, or winter white in places where I'm wearing black.

Happy Holidays!!!

Winter Sparkle

Casual Festive

Velvet Ingenue

Tuxedo Styling

Channeling Chanel

Birthday Suit

I Vote for Sequins, Velvet, and Tweed

Party Time! Excellent!!!

Workaday Elegance