11.30.2015

Manic Monday: Military Inspiration

I hope you like this skirt from Eloquii. I have four outfits planned for it this week!!

Skirt: Eloquii (Available here)

I'm all about creating a versatile wardrobe, and this skirt is such a great addition! It's perfect for many different occasions, and because it's made from an all-season cotton, I'm looking forward to styling it for spring and summer as well.

Top: Eloquii (Available here)

Today, I've styled the skirt for work. I love pastels with army green, so I added a light blue top. To continue the military vibe of this skirt, I added a knit military blazer.

Blazer: The Limited

Necklace: Forever 21

Satchel: Express (old)

Stay tuned later this week to see how I've styled it for an evening out, for a fun and trendy twist, and for an everyday look.

Glasses: Valentino
Boots: New Look (Available here)

Have you found any super versatile go-to pieces lately?

For the top in another look, see here.

11.27.2015

Saint Louis Fashion Week: My Experience, My Fashion

I hope you all enjoyed my coverage of Saint Louis Fashion Week! You can catch up with those posts here and here.

Today, I wanted to wrap up by talking a bit about my own personal experience with STLFW, including, of course, what I wore!!

Dress: eShakti custom

I'm always wowed by the talent during the emerging Designer Competition, and this year was no exception. I grew up going to St. Louis Union Station to shop, and it makes an amazing venue for a fashion show!

It's always hard for me to decide what to wear to a fashion show - I want to look stylish and wear something that makes me feel great, but I also want to be comfortable, not knowing if I'll be doing a lot of standing or walking. Since I also had to work the day of this show, I needed something that could transition well from day to evening to minimize what I would have to cart along with me to work. I love the color and print of this dress, so for the show, I added a boyfriend blazer and quirky clutch.

Blazer: Eloquii (Available here)

After the show, I enjoyed spending a few moments catching up with some of the other St. Louis area bloggers...even if I do totally look like I'm photobombing here. Ha, ha!!

From left to right, Carmen of The Ruby Zipper; Julia of Oh, Julia Ann; Psyche of Economy of Style
Photo c/o Alec Wallis

Clutch: Torrid
Ring: The Limited

Earrings: Ixora Boutique

Because of a super busy work schedule, I wasn't able to partake in as many of the events of STLFW that I would have liked, but I was really happy that I got to make it out to the Fantich&Young opening at Projects+Gallery.

The show was really impressive, and it's nice to get out and discover new places in St. Louis. I don't go out much - mostly work and home. I'm a homebody at heart, but STLFW always pushes me to explore my corner of the world a little more!

Dress: eShakti custom

Boots: Betseyville at Target (Available here)

Clutch: Torrid

For this event, I went with an LBD - a trench style dress in a custom fit from eShakti. I added velvet platform boots and a perfume bottle clutch as accessories.

Earrings: The Limited

For the very last night of STLFW, the Wrap Party, we went to St. Louis Ballpark Village. I wore my lace Boleyn dress from Chubby Cartwheels, styled similarly to how I previously featured it on the blog. After having a few drinks and enjoying the piano bar at Howl at the Moon, the hubby and I headed over to The Drunken Fish for some dinner. As I'm not really into sports (I know...downright blasphemous in Cardinals nation), I had never been to Ballpark Village, but I also realized what a fun entertainment complex it could be.

Hope you enjoyed my coverage of STLFW. Saint Louis has an impressive and growing fashion scene, and it's exciting to get to share it with you!

Special thanks to the Midwest Influencer Network and Explore Saint Louis for the opportunity to take part in #STLFW as a blogger!!

Don't forget to enter my Firmoo.com giveaway here! Ends 12/3/15!

Giving Thanks

I hope those of you who celebrate Thanksgiving had a wonderful day!

Sweater: The Limited (Available here)

I spent the day with my husband and kids, meeting up with my mother for brunch, playing Monopoly, and going to see Creed at a local movie theater (the movie was soooo good, by the way).

Pants: The Limited (Available here)

Keeping it casual, I paired a sweater poncho with skinny pants and comfortable booties.

Booties: Target

Camisole: LOFT Petites

A python clutch and gold and silver jewelry completed the look.

Bracelet: Ann Taylor

Clutch: The Limited (Available here)

While I don't follow a lot of traditions (and have some strong philosophical issues with Thanksgiving and the gross misrepresentation of history this holiday represents), I do love the time with my family and am inspired by the idea of gratitude or thanks giving.

Rings: Ann Taylor

Glasses: Valentino

It can be so easy to get caught up in the day-to-day stressors of life and the challenges of completing regular tasks that sometimes it takes a reminder to step back and be appreciative.

I am thankful for many people in my life and for the successes that life has brought me. I'm even thankful for most of the failures and losses because those disappointments and hurts are so often how we grow and learn. I am thankful that I got to marry my best friend this year, and I am thankful that even though this year brought some difficult times, that it has also brought great joy.

I am so thankful to those of you who read my blog and support what I'm doing here. When I started blogging, I never really envisioned what the future would bring. I never imagined the people who I would connect with nor some of the opportunities blogging has brought. While my blog was always inspired by my desire to be a voice and visual presence for the petite, for the curvy, for the outsiders to the fashion industry, I have felt the importance of this voice more over the last year.

My passion for my blog was first and foremost my love of fashion. Now, all the more, I am grateful for the chance to be a conduit of sorts between fashion and those of us who are outsiders to this industry for various reasons.

Thank you for reading my blog!!!

Don't forget to enter my giveaway to win a free eye wear from Firmoo.com!!

11.25.2015

Firmoo Eye Wear Giveaway

Last spring, I told you all about Firmoo.com, a web site that has great affordable eye wear that is simply perfect for those of you who are looking to save some money on eye wear or who want to accessorize with your frames.

Spring Berries & An Eyewear Feature from Firmoo.com

The dark purple frames I received last spring get major use by me and are holding up really well. They are super lightweight which makes them so comfortable on the face.

In honor of Thanksgiving, Firmoo is now generously allowing me to give away a voucher that can be used for your own pair of glasses, which includes a pair of frames from this selection and standard 1.50 index single vision lenses. If you need upgraded frames or want any add-ons, these can be added to your freebies at cost.

Here are a few of my favorites currently available:

#DBSN62203

#DBSN62170

#DBSN65096

#Pae9915

Follow the instructions below to enter for your own free pair of glasses!

Don't forget to leave a comment after you check out the frames on Firmoo.com and let me know which pair you would choose!

Giveaway ends 12:00 AM on December 3rd! Winner will be notified that evening.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

11.24.2015

Manic Monday: Quiet Statements

I tend towards a more minimalist aesthetic especially when it comes to my work clothes. I prefer my work clothes to be no-fuss, plus I find that a minimalist look can present as more professional than a lot of embellishment.

Jacket: Eloquii (Available here)

But, minimalism doesn't have to mean boring, and one of the ways I add interest to my minimalist looks is through interesting shapes and by mixing textures.

Jacket: Eva Mendes for NY&CO (last year's)

When cooler weather hits, I love a wool jacket. The looks I'm featuring today are very simple, but these wool jackets, in great cuts or stylish prints, definitely help these looks feel chicer.

Pants: The Limited (Available here)

The first look includes very basic black skinnies and a camisole, but the cropped ivory/black windowpane jacket in a boxy cut helps add a more unique touch to the look.

Camisole: LOFT Petites

Heels: Target (old)

Burgundy patent leather heels add color and shine to the simple look.

Clutch: The Limited (old)

I went with a tweed clutch to add more texture.

Ring: The Limited

Earrings: etsy & Target (mixed two pairs)

Glasses: Valentino

For the second look, I went with a knit pencil skirt and boxy faux suede tee in a pretty blue shade. The capelet-syle jacket adds polish and sophistication to the look.