Cassential Links, 4/28/14

It's been a while since I did an installment of Cassential Links...these are my links for the month of April.  Enjoy!

Fedora. Check. Citron. Check. Ultra cool laid-back look.  Triple Check.  

Aztec print and leather with pretty pops of berry.  Perfect look for an evening out.  

Clothing is never without social meaning.  Interesting take on lingerie as a tool of empowerment. 

Needing a little body image inspiration?  Look no further than here. 
 
Head-to-toe, this look is gorgeous.  The Aztec print dress and starfish cuff are so unique.

Mindy Kaling reacts to the characterization of her wearing a crop top as "courageous."

Amani Terrell makes a bold statement towards body acceptance. 

This article explores the desire to be the "right kind" of fat.

Amazing collection of photos...the beautiful diversity of humanity

Blogger Nicolette Mason reflects on the tools that led to her success and talks size discrimination in fashion.

This look manages to be cool, edgy, and summer chic all at the same time.  Love the jacket and organza panel!

Especially agree with Rules #1 and #5 for dressing a curvy figure. 

Dress Week 3: Pastels and Lace

Happy Monday!

Today I end Dress Week 3 with a recent work look.

Dress:  LOFT Petites (Similar here)

I paired my ivory lace and crochet dress with a pale blue blazer and yellow clutch for a soft look that also still manages to look professional.

Multiple textures add visual interest to this look, while the color palette keeps the various textures from being overwhelming.

Blazer:  The Limited

I enjoy pastels quite a bit, but I find that many soft colors wash me out.  This blue is one of the better pastels for my complexion.  I usually wear any color that I like, regardless of "flattery," sometimes wearing slightly darker make-up to avoid the wash-out effect.  


If you're a fan of pastels but don't like them with your skin tone, you may find adding accessories, like this clutch and necklace (worn as a bracelet), to be a more suitable way to enjoy the pastel trend.  Sage green nail color adds another pastel pop.

Clutch and Necklace:  The Limited
Bracelet:  LOFT

Booties:  Target (Available here)
Necklace:  Target (Available here)

Are you a fan of pastels?  How important is "flattery" in your choice of wardrobe colors?

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

Dress Week 3: Breezy and Easy

Last weekend, the man and I ran a few errands.  I wanted a super comfortable outfit, but one that had a little style to it.

Dress:  Babooshka Boutique (Available here)

I wore my knit jersey maxi dress.  Since it had high side slits, I added my black bandage skirt for coverage.

Skirt:  The Limited (Similar here)

I paired this outfit with silver gladiator sandals, a large statement necklace, and a large tote.

Necklace:  The Limited
Ring:  Earthbound Trading Company

Sandals:  Target (Kids) (Similar here)
Tote:  Isabel and Ruben Toledo for Lane Bryant (Similar here)

What do you like to wear for running errands?

For this dress in another look, see here.

Dress Week 3: Black and White for Evening

Happy Friday everyone!

Dress:  The Limited (old)

Moto jacket:  Peter Som for Kohl's (Available here)

Dress Week 3 continues today with a fun black and white look that's perfect for going out on a Friday night.

I paired a black ruched mini dress with an ivory knit moto jacket and open-toe booties for a easy rock-n-roll inspired evening look.

Boots:  Target (Available here)

Clutch:  The Limited

I added gold metal accessories to play up the hardware on the jacket and the gold sole of the booties.

Bangles:  The Limited and Target (Available here, here, and here)

Necklace:  Ixora Boutique (Sold out; View here)

Are you going out at all this weekend?  What do you plan on wearing?

For this dress in other looks, see here, here, and here.
For this jacket in another look, see here.

Dress Week 3: Put On Your Spectacles

It has been beyond crazed at work for the last few weeks, but I am back tonight with another post for Dress Week 3.

My spectacle print dress from eShakti is so summery and relaxed feeling that I thought it would be fun to take it a different direction by adding a cropped moto jacket, open-toe booties, and a studded bag.

Dress:  eShakti (Available here)

As much as I love each of these individual pieces, this is not my favorite way to style this dress.  Ultimately, I felt like this look involved too many similar colors which almost created a clashing effect.

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

Tote:  Target (Available here)

That said, the cropped fit and peplum of the jacket is a good shape for pairing with a fit-and-flare dress.

Booties:  Target (Available here)
Ring:  The Limited

How would you style this dress?

For the dress in another look, see here.

P.S.  eShakti was kind enough to provide an exclusive promo code for you, my dear readers!  Use code 'stylecases' to save 10% off your order. This code can be combined with most other codes and offers, and it can be re-used as often as you want now through 5/11/2014.

Dress Week 3: Leopard for Spring

Dress Week continues today with a leopard print trapeze dress.

Dress:  Eva Mendes for New York & Company

I always think of leopard print and other cat prints as more for autumn and winter; however, there is no real reason that they should just be for the cooler seasons.

Safari-inspired clothing and accessories are back for spring, so I decided to take this big cat print into that direction by adding a camel messenger bag and neutral booties. 

Booties:  Target (Available here)

Bag:  The Limited (old)

Bracelets:  The Limited

I kept accessories fairly minimal adding a couple bangles and an orange beaded necklace with gold coins for just the tiniest pop of color.

I love the easy breezy feel of this look - I think it's perfect for the more laid-back vibe of spring and summer!

Necklace:  The Limited

Are you a fan of leopard prints for spring and summer?

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

Dress Week 3: Cutouts and Polka Dots

This dress had me at hello.

Dress:  eShakti (Available here)

Shoes:  Target (Available here)

Sometimes clothes just speak to me, and in this case, the dress was yelling, "PICK ME! PICK ME!"  Okay, clothes talk to me a lot - it's a problem.  LOL

I love the cutout detail of this - it shows just enough midriff without making it the central focus.  It also gives the dress a modernity that blend really well with the 1950s shape and cut of the dress.

Necklace:  Torrid

Bracelets:  The Limited

The shape of this dress flatters curves.  The sweetheart neckline adds a bit of sex appeal which is perfectly balanced by the knee-length hem.

Rather than play up the inherent sweetness of this dress, I decided to give it a little bit of a more womanly feel while adding just the slightest touch of edge that I love.  The chain-link necklace mixed with the lace clutch is for me the perfect mix - all lady, but with a bit of attitude!  ;-D

Clutch:  Jason Wu for Target (Available on ebay here and here)

How would you style this dress?

P.S.  eShakti was kind enough to provide an exclusive promo code for you, my dear readers!  Use code 'stylecases' to save 10% off your order. This code can be combined with most other codes and offers, and it can be re-used as often as you want now through 5/11/2014.

Neutrals for Work and Play

Today, I'm featuring a look I wore last summer and never got around to posting on the blog.

Dress:  Target (old)

Black and tan are a perfect neutral color combination.  Changing the jacket and purse take this outfit from work to play. 

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

Clutch:  Target (old)

The statement necklace is fun for day or night.  With simple, neutral pieces, the necklace is allowed to really stand out as a feature piece.

Necklace:  The Limited (old)
Shoes:  Target

Rings:  The Limited and local jewelry show

 Fun back details add a cool twist for evening.

Jacket:  Torrid

Do you like changing up a work look for evening?  How do you go from day to night?

For this dress in another look, see here.
For the cropped blazer in other looks, see here, here, and here.
For the suit blazer in other looks, see here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, and here.

Honorable Mentions 3

I know that I just did an honorable mentions post recently, but I had another, more spring/summer set of photos to share.  Some of these are from last summer, and some are more recent, which explains the variance in hair length/style.  :-)

Casual/Evening:

Shorts:  Torrid
Blouse and Blazer:  Forever 21

Shoes and Clutch:  Target

Skirt, tee, and clutch:  The Limited
Shoes:  Target
Bracelets:  World Market and Target

Top and Sandals:  Target
Jacket:  Torrid
Skirt and Purse:  The Limited

Skirt:  Wet Seal (Available here)
Tee:  LOFT Petites
Earrings:  World Market

Moccasins:  Minnetonka (Available here)
Bag:  The Limited
Bracelets:  Baker's, Target, Express

Work:

Dress, Satchel, Belt, and Earrings:  The Limited
Blazer:  LOFT Petites
Sandals:  Payless

Look 1: 
For the denim shorts in other looks, see here and here.
For the cropped tuxedo blazer in other looks, see here, here, here, here, here, here, here, and here.

Look 2:  For the faux leather skirt in other looks, see here, here, here, and here.
For the tee in another look, see here.

Look 3:
For the top in other outfits, see here, here, and here.
For the skirt in other looks, see here, here, here, and here.
For the jacket in other looks, see here and here.

Look 5:
For the polka dot dress in other looks, see here and here.

Tickled Pink: Blushing Zebras

I wrap up Pink Week today with a whimsical dress look that I'm planning to wear to work soon (the weather here took a cold turn, boo hiss).

Dress:  The Limited (Available here)

Blazer:  New York & Company (Available here)

The zebra print is so fun, but I love that it is almost abstract enough to also appear as just a pattern from a distance.

Necklace:  Shoxie.com (Available here)
Ring:  Purchased at local jewelry show

Earrings:  New York & Company (old)

The soft cream color has just the slightest pink tint, so this blush jacket was an easy pick to pair with the dress.

Purse:  New York & Company (old)

Black shoes and purse ground the look and give it a little more seriousness that makes it work appropriate.

Shoes:  Target (old)

Do you like animal prints on clothing?

For this blazer in another look, see here.

Tickled Pink: Fringe Shift

One of my most favorite pinks is the bright, almost neon, shade of this dress.  It is such a cheerful shade without being super girly.

Dress:  eloquii (old)

Booties:  Target (Available here)

I love pairing this dress with other bright colors like neon yellow and cobalt yellow, but today, I decided to let the pink really stand on its own by pairing this dress with beige booties and a metallic clutch.

Clutch:  New York & Company

Bracelet and Necklace worn as bracelet:  The Limited

After wearing this dress right above the knee for a while (see links to posts below), I decided to take it a little shorter.  

For me, the fringe makes this dress appropriate mostly for evenings or special occasions.  I like to keep hemlines that I wear to work at a more conservative length, but a few inches above the knee is perfect for date nights, weddings, and other social events.

Earrings:  The Limited

Fringe has such great movement - makes me want to twirl!  :-D

What's your preferred hem length?

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