Be Back Soon!!!

Hey everybody!!!

Sorry for the lack of posts this week. Lots of family and work stuff going on!

Will be back very soon!!!!

Spring Romance

Happy Friday, everyone!

Jacket:  Forenza  by The Limited (Available here)

Today's look is inspired by the colors of spring.    Before getting my ivory tulle skirt made, I bought this skirt off Etsy.  It's not as dramatic or as fun as the ivory skirt, but because it's not as fluffy, it's probably a little more wearable for everyday.

Skirt:  Etsy (Similar here)

I paired the aqua skirt with my blue moto jacket and added an ivory tank.

Earrings:  Gift
Tank:  The Limited (Sold out on-line; may be available in stores)

I really wasn't thrilled with the camel heels with this outfit.  I've been looking for a pair of metallic strappy heels that fit my feet for a couple of years now, and I wish I had some because they would definitely work much better with this look.

Clutch:  The Limited (old)
Bangles:  Target, The Limited, Express

That said, I still really like this outfit.  It's very soft, but the coral/gold clutch and biker jacket give the outfit a slightly harder edge. 

I hope you don't mind the prop today.  Taking pictures with the coral rose felt a little cheesy, but when I realized how perfectly this gorgeous rose matched my clutch, I couldn't resist.  :-)

Shoes:  Target (old)

Would you wear aqua, royal blue, and coral together?

For this jacket in other looks, see here and here.

Spring Leather

Hi everybody!  For those of you in the spring season, I hope you're enjoying the warm weather.  I am LOVING bare legs!!

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

Today I wanted to give a very spring vibe to this black faux leather skirt by adding an orange eyelet blouse, straw clutch, and wedge platform sandals.

Clutch:  The Limited (Available here)

I love how the styling gives this skirt a more laid-back casual vibe.  I do wish that I had skipped the necklace as it seems too clunky with the outfit.

Necklace:  Target
Shoes:  Target (Available here)

Are you wearing the spring leather trend?

Hope you all have a great day! 

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

In The Mood For Polka Dots

Today's look was definitely inspired by my mood.  I've been feeling a little uncharacteristically melancholy the last few days.  That feeling has made me gravitate towards black and darker colors.

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

Usually, I am inclined to pair this dress with bright pops of color and play up the fun, feminine vibe of the dress.  Today, I wanted to give the dress a little more of an edgy, artsy feel.

I added one of my favorite necklaces, a bold cuff, and lace-up shoes.

Ring:  LOFT
Necklace:  The Limited (Similar here)

I paired the dress with my cropped tuxedo blazer.  I'm a naughty fashion blogger for wearing this jacket three times in two weeks, but I'm really loving it.  It's hard for me to find a cropped blazer that is actually short enough for my petite frame.  This one is perfect!  I'll be on the hunt for more 21" long blazers.

Cuff:  New York & Company
Shoes:  Target (old)

These shoes are full-on Monet (I watched "Clueless" last night :-)).  They look okay in the pictures, but they are so old and worn out.  I love these shoes, and I haven't found a shoe that I like enough to replace them yet.  These shoes are interesting and super comfortable - a combination that's very hard to find. 

I develop very little attachments to clothing, but I find it very hard to get rid of shoes.  It's hard for me to find comfortable heels that fit my tiny, wide feet.  These shoes are actually a little big, but they're so comfortable, I've gone through two pairs. 

While I often shell out considerable money for clothing pieces I love, I have typically gravitated towards inexpensive shoes.  If I can't find shoes that actually fit my feet, I figured why spend a lot of money on them?

Recently, I've been checking out some custom shoe web sites, like Shoes of Prey.  I'd like to have better fitting, more high-quality shoes, even if that means having a much more edited shoe wardrobe.   

Purse:  Express

Have any of you ever purchased custom-made shoes?  Were you pleased with the results?

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

Simply Navy

I love the simplicity of today's look.  There's nothing overly special about any of the particular pieces, but the long block of navy just feels so streamlined and sophisticated.

Pants:  The Limited (Available here)
Blazer:  The Limited (Available here)

Wrap top:  The Limited (Available here)
Purse:  The Limited

I do love my wrap-style tops, real or faux, and this one is super comfortable as the front is woven, but the back is modal knit.

Heels:  Target (Available here)
Necklace worn as a bracelet:  The Limited

I wore this outfit to work yesterday with the navy heels, but I also really like the neon yellow pumps.  The navy heels finish off the clean monochromatic look, but the yellow pumps add a fun and unexpected pop of color to this simple outfit.

Heels:  Target (Available in other colors here)
Tank:  Target (Available in assorted colors here)

 Monochromatic looks were a popular trend on spring's runways (see here).  While these looks were usually shown in bright colors, navy is a more toned-down way to wear the trend for the office.

Earrings:  The Limited (Available here)

Would you wear a monochromatic look?  Which shoes do you prefer?

For this blazer in other looks, see here, here, here, here, and here.
To see these pants styled differently, see here, here, here, and here.

Minty Fresh: Spring-ify your Workwear

Hi everyone!  Hope you all had a fabulous day!  The weather was beautiful today, and it finally feels like spring has sprung!

Jacket:  LOFT Petites (Available here)

Blouse:  The Limited (Available here)
Pants:  The Limited (Similar here)

For work, I paired a dark spearmint green blazer with black pants and a soft ivory blouse.  This is my favorite shade of green, and I just love how it managed to give a spring-y vibe to the black pants.

Earrings:  The Limited (Available here)

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

My work wardrobe doesn't change much when the weather gets warmer.  I love my jackets, and chilly office air-conditioning usually makes layering necessary.

Necklace:  The Limited (Available here)

I do try to incorporate spring into my work wardrobe using these three criteria:

1.  Color - Adding in the bright colors helps your work wardrobe come alive with the colors of nature in the spring.

2.  Non-black neutrals - I love my black and don't completely give it up in the spring (e.g. my black pants), but adding in more whites, tan, taupe, soft grey, and navy can help a work wardrobe read more spring-like.

3.  Prints - I definitely tend to steer towards solids with interesting details, but when I do choose prints, I opt for florals, polka dots, and bold graphic prints during the spring.  Houndstooth and other plaids, pinstripes, and animal prints generally read for fall/winter.

Bracelet:  Target (old)
Shoes:  Target (old)

How do you change up your work wardrobe for spring?




 
  

Peony Power

Happy Thursday!

Pants:  The Limited (Available here)

Yesterday for work, I paired peony pink slim pants with a black and white top and cropped jacket.  

Blazer:  Forenza by The Limited (Available here)
Tote:  The Limited

Blouse:  The Limited (Available here)

I really love these pink pants.  They have cool ankle zips, and the color just makes me think of pretty spring flowers.

Bracelets:  The Limited

These pants were cropped/ankle length, but they were perfect as long pants for me.  I usually have to skip ankle-zip pants because they're too long and can't be altered, so I was excited to find these.

Shoes:  Target (old)

I added in a few additional pops of spring color with the yellow bangle and green nails. 

Hope you all have a great day!!

Ballerina Fantasies

I have always loved ballerina-inspired fashion.  For years, there wasn't a wrap sweater that I could resist.  I love the color palette of ballet clothes - soft mints and pinks mixed with blacks, greys, and ivories.

Tulle skirt:  Custom-made

Blazer:  Forever 21+ (Available here)

I've been obsessed with tulle skirts ever since Sex and the City.  I am in LOVE with the mint tulle dress and cream jacket Carrie wears in Paris during the final episode.  

Source:  Loyola Looks

Tank:  Old Navy Petites (Similar here)
Amethyst necklace:  Target

This skirt was custom-made for me, and I just love it!  I can't wait to style this skirt in a variety of ways.  I imagine it with cute flats and a chambray shirt (if I can ever find one that fits across the girls).  I also imagine wearing it very literally with a wrap sweater. 

Today, I dressed the look up with a cropped tuxedo blazer and stiletto lace-up heels.

Shoes:  Prabal Gurung for Target (No longer available; may be available)
Clutch:  Jason Wu for Target (Available on ebay here)

I'm taking a trip to New York soon, and I was planning on saving this look for my own Carrie moment, but I couldn't resist sharing it with you sooner!!

Ring:  Torrid
Bracelet:  The Limited

Bow earrings:  The Limited (Similar here)

Do you like tulle skirts or other ballet-inspired fashion?

Feminine Monday

Hope you all had a wonderful Monday...or at least as wonderful as a Monday can be anyway!  ;-)

Dress:  The Limited (Similar here)
Jacket:  Forever 21+ (Available here)

Today, I styled last year's high-low dress with a pink draped-front blazer.  I added in feminine touches with the bow belt, and knotted satin sandals.

This probably wasn't the most professional, office-y outfit, but it was super comfortable.  I do miss the fashion freedom I experienced as a college instructor (my previous career).  I would have worn this to teach and not thought twice about it! 

Belt:  The Limited (Similar here)
Sandals:  Payless

Necklace:  Target
Earrings:  The Limited (Similar here)

I do enjoy high-low dresses and find them to drape in flattering ways.  They also give you the best of both worlds - the ease of a maxi, while showing off cute shoes.

Do you like high-low dresses?

To see this dress styled differently, see here.

Happy Cinco De Mayo!!!

Today, as is a normal Sunday ritual, the family and I went out to one of our favorite Mexican restaurant.  Seriously, I could eat Mexican food virtually everyday and be extremely happy.  With it being Cinco de Mayo, the place was hoppin', service was great, and the food was delicious.

Dress:  Forever 21+ (Sold out on-line; May be available in stores)

When getting ready, I wasn't feeling very well, and I just wanted to wear something comfortable.  I chose a jersey maxi dress and my blue moto jacket, which has become my new fashion obsession.

Jacket:  Forenza by The Limited (Available here)

Purse:  Target (Available here)

I paired the look with studded flats and a make-up free face save the red lipstick (I really wish I could find the right shade of red).  Since I was feeling a little blah, I wanted a little added color for my face, but seriously, how does one find the right shade of red lipstick for their skin tone?  Every time I think I've found it, I put it on and realize that it wasn't the right choice.

Thankfully, dinner made me feel much better - think my blood sugar was just off some.

Shoes:  Target (Available here)
Bracelets:  Express, Claire's Zoppini (old)

Hope you all had a wonderful day and a fabulous weekend!!!

For this jacket in another look, see here.

Fit and Flair

Hi everyone!

Dress:  Old Navy Petites (Available here)
Jacket: Forever 21+ (Available here)

Yesterday, we had absolutely beautiful weather.  I seized the opportunity to wear my teal eyelet dress as it's supposed to get chilly again (boo!!).   

Unfortunately, I didn't get a chance to take pictures until it was already dark, as you can see in the first pic!  :-)

Sandals:  Payless (old)

I added a cropped tuxedo blazer and comfy, low-heeled sandals. 

Bag:  The Limited (old)
Ring:  Purchased at local jewelry show

I actually think this outfit looked better in person than the photos capture.  I love how the tuxedo blazer and satin sandals gives the outfit a formality.  The blazer with this dress reminds me of wearing a man's tuxedo jacket on a date, except that the jacket has the right proportions. 

Earrings:  The Limited (Available )

Do you like fit-and-flare dresses??

Hope you all have a great day!!!

For this dress in another look, see here.
To see this blazer styled differently, see here.

Hello Yellow

Happy Wednesday, everyone!

Skirt: Target (Available here)
Jacket:  The Limited (Available here)

For work yesterday, I had fun styling my A-line print skirt with a black bow-front blouse and citrine yellow faux leather jacket.  

Blouse:  Old Navy (old)
Necklace:  Express (old)

I love how the yellow jacket brings out the hints of yellow in the skirt.

Bag:  The Limited (old)
Earrings:  The Limited (Available here)

The bow-front blouse and hemline is conservative enough for the office, but the print of the skirt and strappy heels gives the look a more youthful edge. 

Shoes:  Target (old)

I'm actually considering hemming this skirt.  Sometimes, it takes a few wears of a garment before I decide it needs alterations.  Due to the volume of this skirt, I think cutting off an inch or so would be more proportionate.

What do you think?  Do you get many clothing items altered?  How do you decide the "best" fit?

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