Soft Separates

Today's look features a spring-ready work look.

Pants:  The Limited (Available here)
Blouse:  The Limited (Sold out on-line; may be available in stores)

I paired navy trousers with a mint crochet top and ivory herringbone blazer.  

Blazer:  The Limited (old) (Similar here)

I love the softness of the colors of the top and jacket and the crisp contrast with the navy.  Mint is one of my favorite colors and paired with ivory, reminds me of the beach for some reason.

Earrings:  Hand-made

.The crochet and herringbone print add visual interest, but the overall shapes and cuts of this these pieces are very office-appropriate.

Ring:  Purchased at local jewelry show
Tote:  Target (old)

Do you like mint green?  What is your work dress code?
 
For this top in another look, see here.
To see this blazer styled differently, see here and here.
To see these pants in other looks, see here, here and here.

Neon Edge

After a week of black and white, I am ready for some color!! 

Dress:  Eloquii by The Limited (Available here)
Jacket:  Forenza by The Limited (Available here)

Today's look combines three bold colors - hot pink, neon yellow, and cobalt blue.  In a pants look, I think this would be too much color, but I think this outfit works because there's enough skin showing to offset all the color.

Heels:  Target (Available here)

This look is spring-y but still manages to have a bit of an edgy, rock-n-roll vibe due to the moto jacket and fringe dress.

Necklaces (worn as bracelets):  The Limited

Today's look almost didn't happen.  I'm a little too small for Eloquii, so even though I loved this dress, I wasn't going to buy it.  After waiting and hoping that The Limited would carry the same style, I decided to give this Eloquii dress a try.  It's a little big so I was considering alterations, but I kind of like the relaxed, shift shape (I did get it hemmed).

I saw this jacket at The Limited when it first came out, but I didn't think it could be altered due to the zippers on the wrist.  I decided to give it a try when it went on clearance, and I'm so glad I did!  I lost most of the zippers, but I'm willing to overlook that because I love the color and style so much.

No matter what your body size/shape, most clothes will not fit perfectly off the rack. When you're petite and curvy, this is all the more true.  It would be wonderful if more mainstream clothing manufacturers catered to "specialty" sizes, but in the meantime, I am all about making the clothes work for me!

I've entered this look in a summer color challenge through Lucky Magazine and Dasani.

Shake N' Shimmy

Hope you've all had a great weekend. Today marks the end of Black and White week!

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

I finish this week off with a summer evening shorts look.  The outfit features geometric print shorts and my fun fringe top.  I'm usually not a very big fan of shorts, but I fell in love with the bold print of these.

Fringe top:  Ann Taylor Petites
Clutch:  Vintage

I added neon pink and red accessories to finish off the look and to add some fun pops of color.

Shoes:  Target (Available here)

Hope you all enjoyed some of my favorite black and white looks this week!  I'll be back soon with lots of color!!

Necklace (worn as bracelet):  The Limited

To see this top styled differently, see here, here, and here.

For more on spring's black and white trend, see here.
For more on spring's shorts trend, see here.

For more on the history of fringe, see here.

Casual Black and White (And My 200th Post!)

Hello to the weekend!!!

Jeans:  The Limited (Available here)
Blazer:  New York & Company

I wore my new white jeans for casual Friday at work, pairing them with a black and white graphic top and black blazer.

Blouse:  Forenza by The Limited
Flats:  Target (Available here)

My poor feet needed a rest, so I wore the studded flats to work; however, I wanted to show the look with heels too.

Ring:  The Limited
Heels:  Target (Available here)

I still need to get the jeans hemmed, so I cuffed them.  I also plan on trying to shrink them a little as they're a bit baggy, but I'm excited to find some white jeans again.  I've been looking for white jeans for the last couple of years, but most of them were too sheer for my liking.  This pair was perfect.

Earrings:  Prabal Gurung for Target (No longer available; see here)
Purse:  New York & Company

This is my 200th post!  I just want to thank everyone for your viewership and support.  It has been quite humbling and gratifying to receive such positive feedback.  

I have loved fashion my entire life and have always dreamed of entertaining this passion in a bigger way than just my closet.  This blog has allowed me to discuss my love of fashion with like-minded people, but it has also provided me an incredible platform to begin pursuing another dream - to promote body confidence and to expand the notion of beauty.  I thank you all for joining me on this journey as I continue to pursue my goals and to develop my burgeoning blog!

Do you like white jeans?
For this blouse other looks, see here and here.
To see this blazer styled differently, see here, here, here, and here.

What's Black and White (and a little red) All Over?

Black and white has been called a major trend over the last several seasons as many designers have featured this graphic color combination.  It's such a classic and obvious pairing though that it seems silly to call it a trend. 

That said, it is my favorite combo by far, so I have no shortage of black and white options in my closet.

Skirt:  The Limited (No longer available on-line; see here)
Blazer:  The Limited (old) (Similar here)
Squinting eyes:  c/o of bright sun

Today's look pairs a faux leather skirt with a black and white cut-out tank that creates a bit of an eyelet lace effect.  I paired the pieces with a white blazer for a fun work look.

I added black pumps and a red clutch for a pop of color.

 

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

Ring:  Target

I'm loving the leather trend for spring, and this skirt is a breezy way to wear it without feeling like I'm being smothered in the heat.  I may change my mind come July, but I'm enjoying it for now!

Clutch:  Vintage

For more of spring's black and white fashion trend, see here.

For this skirt in another look, see here and here.
 
To see this jacket styled differently, see here, here, here, here, here, and here.

Monochromatic Minimalism

Happy Wednesday, everyone!!

Today's black and white look was inspired by one of my favorite major fashion trends of the 90s - minimalism.  

Pants:  The Limited (Available here)
Jacket:  Forenza by The Limited (Available here)

I spent my formative fashion years, high school and college, in the 90s.  The 90s saw the height of grunge, a look I spent many years rocking.  At the time, I was quite inspired by both the street and high-fashion aspects of the grunge movement.  

Around that same time, minimalist looks began being featured by many designers.  Calvin Klein was one of the leaders in this trend and was definitely one of my favorite designers of the time.

Mid-90s Calvin Klein
Source:  www.thewickedwallflower.com

Taking 90s minimalist inspiration to 2013, I paired black skinny pants with a black and white jacket and simple grey top.

Blouse:  The Limited (Available here)

I cheated a little with my "black and white" theme by adding in touches of soft grey, but I love the overall effect of the neutrals paired together.

Clutch:  The Limited (Available here)
Ring:  The Limited (old)

To maintain the minimalist effect, I fought the urge to add a big statement necklace and kept my accessories pared down to only a pair of silver earrings and silver band.  I finished the look off with a white and pale grey clutch.  

Shoes:  Target (old)

I tend to see perfume as a bit of an accessory, often choosing my fragrance based more on what I'm wearing than specific occasion.  Today, my look inspired a few spritzes of one of my favorite fragrances, CK One.  In 1994, Calvin Klein released this zesty, unisex scent and it's been one of my regulars ever since.


Do you like the minimalist look?  What are some of your favorite fragrances?

True Romance

Today's black and white look features a color blocked chiffon dress with pretty pleating detail.

Dress:  The Limited (old)
Blazer:  Forever 21+ (Available here)

Belt:  The Limited

I added a cropped jacket, knotted belt, and floral lace-up heels.  

Shoes:  Prabal Gurung for Target

I love that this look has a very romantic vibe.  

I also really love this dress, but I have difficulty styling it.  Dresses offer limited styling options anyway, but so far, I've only paired this with black blazers and jackets.  I think the dress might work with pastels like mint or pale pink, but I still seem to reach for the black to wear with it.

Purse:  Target (old)

How would you style this dress?

For other ways I've styled this dress, see here and here.
For more of spring's black and white fashion trend, see here.

Graphic Flow

Pants:  Target (old)

Today's black and white look pairs silky pajama style pants with an asymmetrical trapeze tank.

Tank:  Target (old)

Clutch:  The Limited (Available here)

Neon pink heels add a pop of color and the polka dot clutch adds another fun graphic print to the look.

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

I love this look!!  It's super comfortable and is such a relaxed way to look chic while going out.

Cuff:  The Limited

Slouchy pants and a trapeze tank definitely break the fashion rules for short curvy girls, but who cares?  Rules are meant to be broken, right?! ;-D

Today's look also provides a segue into this week's feature - black and white!  All looks this week will feature this major spring trend!

Hope you enjoy!!

Urban Safari

Happy Friday, everyone!!!

Today's post features an outfit that I wore to work yesterday.

Blazer:  The Limited (Available here)
Pants:  The Limited (Available in other colors here)

I paired red pants with a black wrap top, camel blazer, and leopard print heels.

I originally conceived of this outfit with just a simple black silky tee, but I decided that I wanted a slightly longer and more detailed top.  The pics with the plain top are from this past weekend (before my haircut).

Top:  Old Navy Petites
Shoes:  Target (Available here)

Purse:  Express (Similar here)
Necklace:  Forever 21 (Available here)

I love that this look has a slight safari feel with the camel jacket and leopard print.  The red makes the look perfect for navigating the urban jungle!  ;-)

Blouse:  The Limited (Similar here)
Tank:  Old Navy Petites (Similar here)

Hope you all have a wonderful day!!

Would you pair red with leopard print?

For this blazer in another look, see here.
To see these pants styled differently, see here, here, here, and here.

Spring To It

Today, I bring you a professional spring work look.

Skirt: The Limited (Similar here)
Blazer:  The Limited (Similar here)

I paired a green pencil skirt with a white top and jacket.  To add some visual interest, I added this floral scarf.

Top:  Torrid (old)
Scarf:  The Limited (No longer available on-line; see here)
Bracelets:  Express, Target

This outfit is quite conservative, more conservative than I usually go for.  I like it though because it feels so fresh and springy with the combination of green and white.  It's a great way to bring a little of the joy of spring into the office.

Shoes:  Target (Available in other colors here)
Purse:  The Limited (Similar here)

Hope you all have a great day!!

For this skirt in other looks, see here and here.
For this blazer in other looks, see here, here, here, here, and here.
For this top in another look, see here.

Easy Black and White

Last week, we had some chilly weather.  I wore this outfit to work to stay warm.

Jacket:  The Limited (Available in ivory here)
Purse:  The Limited (old)

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

I love this outfit!  It's my favorite color combo; the top has a great graphic print; and I can't get enough faux leather lately!

Heels:  Target (old)
Necklace (worn as bracelet):  Target

What's your favorite color combination?

To see this blouse in another look, see here.

For this jacket styled differently, see here, here, here, here, here, and here.

To see these pants styled differently, see here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, and here.

For more on the black and white trend for spring, see here and here.

Stripes & Polka Dots

Today's work look takes a nautical inspiration.  I love playing with prints, and mixing stripes and polka dots is a fun and simple way to do it. 

Skirt:  The Limited
Tank:  Forever 21+ (Available here)

The striped A-line skirt (it has pockets!) complements the coral dotted tank.  The navy blazer and pumps pull the look together and make it perfect for work.

Blazer:  The Limited (Available here)
Shoes:  Target (Available in other colors here)

Necklace:  The Limited (Available here)

I love that the color blocking on this necklace also creates a striped effect, adding to the pattern mixing of this look.

Satchel:  The Limited (Similar here)

Do you like nautical-inspired looks?  Would you wear mixed prints?

For this blazer in other looks, see here, here, here, and here.
For this tank in another look, see here.