Make it Work (For Work)!

Happy Thursday, everyone!!

Blouse:  Ann Taylor Petites (Sold out on-line, see here)
Pants:  The Limited (Available here)

I have decided that even though this blouse isn't very corporate, it's too fun not to wear it to work.  Wearing clothes that make you smile makes the work day a little brighter!

I think to make a top like this work-appropriate, it's important to keep the look overall look simple and toned down.

Jacket:  The Limited (old) (Similar here)
Heels:  Target (old)

Moonstone earrings:  Gift
Shoes:  Target (old)

Today, I paired the top with a simple black cropped jacket and my new periwinkle skinny pants.  I wore the more simple black heels for week to keep the look a little bit more conservative.

For an evening out, I would go with the lace-up shoes and add bolder jewelry and a fun clutch.

Tote:  The Limited
Cuff:  New York & Company (old)

For this blouse styled differently, see here.

Chiffon & Velvet

Hi everyone!
We've been having great weather the last few days, but today the temperature started to drop again.  When I left for work this morning, I skipped the scarf, but added it for the much cooler ride home.

Blazer:  New York & Company
Pants:  The Limited (Similar here)

Scarf:  New York & Company (Similar here)Purse: The Limited (Similar here)
Heels:  Target (Available here)

 I plan on getting this top hemmed as it's a bit too long (story of my life!).  I like that the ivory fabric and sheer chiffon neckline adds a bit of lightness to the overall look.

Blouse:  The Limited (Available here)
Earrings:  The Limited
Ring:  H&M

To see this blazer in another look, see here.

How's the weather where you live?  How do you adjust your wardrobe to the changing temps?

Style and Comfort

Hi everyone!  Hope you all had a great day. 

Today, I paired my painterly tunic (I love this print!) with leggings and a faux leather jacket.  This look is perfect for running errands, shopping, or even drinks. 

Tunic:  Target (Available here)
Jacket:  The Limited (No longer available, see here)

I love how comfortable this look is but that it is so much more put together than sweats.

Satchel:  Target (Available here)
Ring:  Purchased at local jewelry show

Leggings:  Wal-mart (Similar here)
Boots:  Target (Available here)

Do you have any go-to looks when you want to be stylish but super comfortable?

To see this tunic in other looks, see here and here.
To see this jacket in other looks, see here and here.

Happy Monday!

Mondays can be rough.  Returning to work after a weekend of leisure or hectic errands running, returning to our morning work schedules, etc. can be difficult.  Sometimes it's nice to wear a bright color to start the week off right.  

Peplum jacket:  The Limited (Available here)
Blouse:  New York & Company (Similar here)

Pants:  The Limited (Sold out on-line)
Shoes:  Target (old)

Today, I paired some of my favorite black and white pieces from this fall with my new red peplum jacket.  Red, white, and black is one of my favorite color combinations. 

Purse:  Express (No longer available on-line) (Similar here)

The color red signifies confidence and power.  It's also just a really happy color!

Bracelets:  Express, Target, Claire's, The Limited
Ring: LOFT

To see more red, white, and black looks, click here, here, here, and here.

Do you have any favorite pieces to get you through the Monday blahs? 

Hope you all had a great Monday!!

Sportin' Stripes

Happy Friday everyone!

On today's casual Friday, I was feeling a little bit sporty.  I paired a striped tank with a colorblocked cardigan.  I then decided to mix prints by adding leopard print heels.

Cardigan:  The Limited (old) (Similar here)
Tank: The Limited (old)

Jeans:  The Limited (Available here)
Heels:  Target (Available here)
Bag:  The Limited (old)

I'm not in love with this outfit, but sometimes it's fun to experiment with different color and pattern combinations.  It's not a winner for me, but I did like the mix of colors and prints, so I'll just have to keep trying combinations until I get it right!

One of the great joys of developing a personal style is figuring out what works for you and what doesn't, what you like and what you don't.  That takes trial and error.   

Don't be afraid to shop your closet and try new looks!

Spring 2013 Fashion Preview: Color-palooza!

The mercury may be in the teens, but I am having a major case of spring fever, so today, I mixed last spring's bubblegum pink blazer with a mint top.

Jacket:  The Limited (Similar here and here)
Top:  New York & Company (Available here)

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

Color is always popular on Spring runways, and this spring is no exception.

Emerald is the color of the year, but spring's major color trends include all of the following:

Spring 2013 Color Trends,
Source:  www.pantone.com

I'm particularly loving the primary shades of poppy, lemon, and blue.

One of the big color trends for spring was a monochromatic color statement:

Gucci Spring 2013 look
Source:  www.harpersbazaar.com

I don't see myself in quite so much of one color, but I would definitely rock a dress with a matching jacket such as the look below.

I'm in LOVE with this seafoam green look from Donna Karan!  I love the soft muted color and the floaty feel.

Donna Karan Spring 2013 look
Source:  www.fashionista.com

More of my favorite colorful looks from the Spring runways:

Diane Von Furstenburg Spring 2013 look
Source:  www.dvf.com

Diane Von Furstenburg Spring 2013 look
Source:  www.dvf.com

Do you like to wear a lot of color in the Spring?  Would you wear a colorful monochromatic look?

Touch of Color

Hope you all had a great Hump Day!!

Cardigan:  LOFT Petites (Similar here)
Blouse:  Gap (old)

Tank:  Target (Available here)
Pants:  The Limited (Available here) 

Today, I paired neutral pieces with green color blocked heels and a jade ring for a few pops of color.

Shoes:  Target (Available here)
Bracelets:  Target, World Market

Purse:  The Limited (Sold out on-line)

Ring: Vintage (gift) (Similar here)
Earrings:  Express 

To see this blouse styled differently, see here.

Do you like adding small doses of color to neutral looks?

Work that Dress

Today, I chose my black dress and ivory tie-waist blazer.

Dress:  Target (Similar here)
Blazer: The Limited (old)

Tights:  The Limited
Boots:  Payless

Something about this outfit makes me feel very powerful, like I could take on the world.  To me, it's the perfect look for a board meeting, an office presentation, or for any event in which you'd like to project confidence and competence.

It's easy in its color palette and fit, which gives it a sophisticated edge.

Satchel:  The Limited (Sold out on-line)
Necklace:  eBay (Similar here)

Jade ring:  Vintage (gift) (Similar here)
Bracelet:  Vintage (gift) (Similar here)

The howlite beaded collar necklace looks a little bit like bones or animal teeth, adding a bit of fierceness to the look.

The printed tights add a little bit of a personal touch.

This is my version of power dressing!

For this dress in other looks, see here and here.
For this blazer in other looks, see here, here, and here.

Sunday Lovin'

Happy Sunday, everyone!

Today, I went for a casual family brunch and this is what I wore:

Corduroy pants:  The Limited (Similar here)
Sweater:  Target (Similar here)

Tank:  Gap Petites (Available here)
Shoes:  Target

I don't usually wear so much color together, but it's fun on occasion.  The casual vibe of the outfit and black accessories help offset the sweetness of the sweater and the color palette.

Purse:  The Limited (old)

For this sweater in another look, see here.  To see these pants worn differently, see here.

 Hope you have all had a relaxing Sunday Funday!

Comfy Colorblocking

Happy Friday, everyone!!!

Today, I paired my ivory colorblocked blouse with black pants and a purple blazer for a comfortable Friday work look.

Blouse:  New York & Company (Available here)
Pants:  The Limited (Available here)

Blazer: The Limited (Similar here)
Flats:  Target

While I like today's look, this look is an example of how the wrong fit or proportion can throw off an otherwise great outfit.  This blouse is too long.  I do like slightly longer, tunic-length tops, but they look best on shorter gals when worn with heels to help elongate the leg.

With flats, the blouse has the effect of creating a long torso and proportionately too short legs.  I will be taking this one to the tailor to get the right length.

Purse:  The Limited (Sold out on-line; may be available in stores)
Necklace:  The Limited
Alligator ring:  Target

For more on fall's black and white trend, see here.
For this purple blazer in other looks, see here, here, and here .
 
Do you get your clothes altered?

Fun with Geometrics

Hope you all had a great day!

Today, I'm pairing a fun geometric print top with neutral work pieces.  The navy and ivory color palette is a softer take on the classic black and white, but provides the same graphic contrast. 

Blouse:  The Limited (Currently sold out on-line; Available in stores)
Pants:  The Limited (Available here)

Blazer:  The Limited
Heels:  Target (Available here)

I paired the look with gold jewelry and a red clutch for a pop of color.

Clutch: Vintage
Bracelets:  World Market, The Limited

Lately, I've been really into the idea of mixing patterns and textures.  The mix on this look is subtle (herringbone blazer with the printed top), but I'm planning on mixing prints in the same color palette often this spring.  It's a fun way to add visual interest to a look.

Necklace:  The Limited
Earrings:  The Limited

Do you like wearing geometric prints?

Burgundy Velvet x Two

Today's blog is a bit of a two-for-one.  I'm featuring two looks from this week featuring red velvets.

The first look pairs a burgundy velvet jacket with skinny black tuxedo pants and burgundy heels.

Blazer:  New York & Company
Blouse:  Old Navy
Pants:  The Limited (Similar here)

Satchel:  The Limited (Sold out on-line)
Shoes:  Target (Available here)
Earrings:  The Limited (Sold out on-line)
Bracelet:  eBay (Similar here)

The second pairs dark red velvet pants with an eyelash peplum top for a casual romantic look.

Pants:  The Limited (Available here)
Blouse:  LOFT Petites (Sold out on-line; see here)
Blazer:  The Limited (Available here)

Boots:  Payless
Bracelet:  The Limited

Velvet is such a great winter fabric.  It adds texture to your outfit and keeps you warm at the same time!

Do you like wearing velvet?