Manic Monday: The Relaxed Trench

Happy Leap Day!!! 

Jacket:  Boohoo Plus (Available here)

Hope your week is off to a great start!  I have been hard at work on some new posts and on some brainstorming for future blogging endeavors. 

I always love this time of year when spring is on the horizon.  Spring is all about rebirth and renewal, and it really gives me a boost of energy and motivation to reflect, to get re-inspired, and to re-charge.  I hope to make a few changes to the blog soon that I hope will improve the layout and optimize navigation.

Boots:  New Look

Skirt:  New York & Company

Blouse:  ELLE (Sold out on-line at Kohl's; May be available in stores)

Necklace:  New York & Company

I'm also feeling more inspired in the fashion department and can't wait to play around with a few spring trends! 

Today's look is a transitional one - the darker colors tend to be more associated with fall and winter, but I wear what I like year-round.  Black is an all-season color, I tell ya!! The lightweight trench is a cozy cover-up which is great for the chilly weather right now, but I can see myself wearing this well into spring and possibly summer.  The olive color would look amazing with an all-white look or pastels.

This outfit has such a relaxed feel, but it's also polished enough for work.  Actually, I would wear this look virtually anywhere!!

Glasses:  Coach

Clutch:  Cameo de Bore (Sold out; See more clutches here)

Bangle bracelets:  Target and The Limited

Cuff:  Eloquii

The mix of neutrals adds a little nuance to the look and feels sophisticated.  The bold jewelry adds a personal touch.  I love simple clothes for their ability to work as a canvas for great jewelry!

Are you looking forward to spring?  Any spring trends you're looking to try?

P.S.  Don't forget to enter my giveaway for a $50 gift card to PinkBlush Boutique!! Head here to enter!
 
For the skirt in other looks, see here, here, here, and here, and here.

Getting Comfortable in PinkBlush Boutique + A $50 Giveaway!!

Not too long ago, I was contacted on Instagram by PinkBlush Boutique, a women's online boutique that offers straight and plus size clothing for women, including maternity wear in both size ranges!

Tunic:  c/o PinkBlush Boutique (Available here)

The aesthetic is casual and relaxed with a bohemian flair.  Think swingy, relaxed tunics, jeans, drapey sweaters, yoga pants, and cute dresses for women.  I am always in search of fun and trendy boutiques online as I do at least 90% of my shopping on the Internet, so I was happy to find PinkBlush as an option for easygoing casual wear.

Booties:  Target (old)

After perusing the site, I found a couple pieces that I liked - the first was this embroidered navy polka dot tunic.  I went with a 1X (my normal size) in this piece, and as you can see it's plenty roomy.  I probably could have sized down.

Earrings:  Express (old)

Belt:  The Limited

As a petite, I'm always trying to minimize alterations, and tunics double well as dresses for those of us who are petite. No alterations needed!  This tunic is fully lined, so no slip was necessary either.

Clutch:  Ann Taylor (Similar here)

Since the tunic was a little oversized, I added a belt to create a somewhat dressier, more streamlined look.  I finished the look with a cobalt blue clutch and beige booties.

To keep things ultra casual, I would wear the tunic loose and go with a large tote.

Tote:  New York & Company

Bracelets:  Target

In addition to the tunic, I also initially tried this stretch blazer in navy.  The jacket seemed like it ran small, so I ordered it in a 2X.  Unfortunately, the jacket was still too small and didn't fit well in the bust or waist area. 

PinkBlush was gracious enough to let me return the blazer and pick out another item.  I chose the ivory and black striped waterfall cardigan, and I'm sort of in love with this piece! 

Cardigan:  c/o Pink Blush (Sold out in ivory - join the waitlist here; Available in mocha here)

Lately, I've been opting for softer sweaters and have put a greater emphasis on comfort in my wardrobe.   This cardigan definitely helps fulfill these desires for comfort at both work or home!

Last week, I wore the cardigan to work with black skinny pants and a simple camisole and received a ton of compliments.  Bonus, I was über-comfy!

Bralette and tap shorts:  Torrid (Bralette Available here)

Over the weekend, it was time to relax!  I lounged around in my PinkBlush cardi with some reads - my favorite book is The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran.  I have read it several times and always get something new and inspiring from it.

Glasses:  Valentino

Glasses:  Coach

Want more?  Head to ShopPinkBlush and pick out your favorite item or items?  Win a $50 electronic gift card to PinkBlush by leaving a comment below letting me know what you'd buy if you're the winner.  Get additional entries following the instructions below!!

Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclaimer:  This is a sponsored post.  I was provided product in exchange for offering my opinions. 

The Future's So Bright...

I am probably dating myself with this title, but this neon jacket is so bright, it literally makes me want to wear shades!

Jacket: Torrid (Available here)

I would still like to have this dress hemmed an inch or two, but I don't hate the current length. I just prefer a bit of skin showing between my boots and hem.

Dress:  Eloquii (Available here)

Boots:  Target (old)

Clutch:  Target

Sunglasses:  Calvin Klein

I love that today's look is bright and cheerful for winter. It has a springy feel, but the high boots and slightly thicker fabrication of the dress helps keep it just right for February chill.

Earrings:  Prabal Gurung for Target

How do you brighten things up during the dreary days of winter?

For the dress in another look, see here.
For the jacket in another look, see here.

Winter Romance

Happy Monday!  I hope you had a great weekend and a fabulous Valentine's Day no matter how you decided to spend it!

Skirt:  eShakti custom (Available in black here)

Valentine's Day means different things to different people.  I'm all about love, but for me, V-Day is first and foremost an excuse to get dressed up - not that I usually need one! 

I am a little late on posting these Valentine's Day outfit ideas, but I figured they also work well for other date nights or evenings out!

Dress:  LOFT (Available here)

Coat:  Old Navy Petites (old)
Clutch:  The Limited

I really love this red lace dress from LOFT.  I have already worn it to work, but today, I'm styling it for a night out with knee high socks.  

Blazer:  Apt. 9 Petites (Available at Kohl's here)
Cuff: Eloquii

Earrings:  Macy's

Socks:  Torrid (Available here)
Boots:  New Look Wide Fit (Sold out on-line; see here)

A tulle skirt is fun and flirty but also romantic.  For a special date night, I would pair a frothy pink tulle skirt with a faux fur coat and metallic gold.

Camisole:  The Limited
Jacket:  Target (Available here)

Bracelet:  Swarovski

Glasses:  Coach

Brooch (worn on skirt):  New York & Company

Clutch:  ASOS (Available here)

Even though I would have preferred to wear one of these outfits, the man and I actually kept things casual for our Valentine's Day.  The snowy and cold weather prompted a super casual leggings, tunic, and motorcycle boots look (a variation of this look coming to the blog later this week) which was just fine for our low-key V-Day lunch and evening movie at home.

Shoes:  Anne Michelle

Hope you all had a wonderful Valentine's Day!!! Did you stay casual or get dressed up? 

For the leopard coat in another look, see here.
For the black blazer in another look, see here.
For the skirt in other looks, see here, here, here, here, and here.
For the jacket in another look, see here.

Wild Card Wednesday: Sweet Bohemian

Hi everyone!  Hope you're all having a great week!  

Blouse:  Torrid (Sold out on-line; See here)

For the next several posts, I'm featuring some Valentine's Day-inspired looks.  While I have some dressy looks planned for this weekend, today, I'm offering up a casual outfit.

Jeans: Torrid (old)

Shoes:  Christian Siriano for Payless

If you're going casual for the day, there is little better than a pair of comfortable jeans and a romantic top.

Clutch:  Eva Mendes for NY&CO

Here, I paired a sweet bohemian-inspired blouse with skinny jeans and ikat-print heels.  I would wear this outfit for a casual movie date or simply hanging out.

Pendant:  Antiquarian Couture (Find similar here)

Glasses:  Coach

I love that Torrid offers the "extra short" length in many of their denim styles.  With a 25-26" inseam, I can completely avoid alterations on my denim.

Do you have any plans for Valentines' Day?  Dressing up or keeping it casual?

For the jeans in other looks, see here, here, here, and here.