Wild Card Wednesday: The Floral Set

So, several months ago, Eloquii came out with this adorable two-piece set (see here and here).  I loved it, but I didn't think it would look right on me given that I'm so petite.  I also wondered whether I would wear it enough to make the purchase worthwhile.  I held off and decided not to get it.

Pants:  Eloquii (Available here)

Then a few weeks ago, Eloquii came out with another set in the same style but with a different floral print.  I loved this print a little bit more (though both are seriously great) and decided that I would just go for it and see whether it fit.  I could always return it if it didn't work out.

Top:  Eloquii (Available here)

The top was a great fit right out of the package, a little longer than intended, but not a bad fit!  The rise in the pants was too long as I expected, and the pants were too long, as I expected even more.  I had the waistband taken up and the pants hemmed, and now, they are perfect!!!

Shoes:  Candie's

Necklace:  The Limited

While I don't mind a crop top, I love that the longer length of the top allows me to tuck the top into the pants a bit and wear this outfit with a blazer for casual Fridays at work.

Clutch:  Ann Taylor

Here, I feature the look as worn for a dinner out with the hubs.  I added white heels, a subdued red lip, and a blue cross-body bag to bring out the colors of the floral print.

I can also see myself pairing the separates with other pieces, so even if I don't wear this outfit a ton, it will still get plenty of wear!!

Sunglasses:  Tory Burch
Bangle:  Target

Do you avoid trying pieces because you think they won't fit?  How do you get over that or do you?  Have you found a good tailor to work his or her magic??

Shop Your Closet: The Printed Midi

Ugh....I have been away from the blog much too long!!  I have missed you guys!!  Work has been super busy and has left me with no time for blogging, but I hope to change that this coming week, even if I will still be working long hours!  So today, it's time for another Shop Your Closet post!

 Skirt:  Eloquii (Available here)

Today, I'm rocking this amazing printed skirt from Eloquii.  They have some of the best prints, and this one is just so perfect for summer!  This skirt is the same style as the striped one I previously featured here and here, and there is also a matching crop top. 

Sadly, the crop top didn't work for me in either fabrication, but that's okay!  There are still sooooo many ways to style this skirt, and today, I am offering you four!

For the first look, I went for a little date night chic.  I love the sophisticated and sexy feel of this off the shoulder top. 

Black off-the-shoulder top:  Eloquii (Available here)

I haven't had much luck with off-the-shoulder styles this season.  I have narrow shoulders and big arms, so it's hard to find a fit that doesn't slide right back up on my shoulders.  This top from Eloquii is more like a tube top with an attached scarf that you tie around your arms, so you're sure to get the right fit.

Shoes:  Anne Michelle

In fact, I even tried it out as a tube top and loved that variation too.

Clutch:  Target

Bracelets:  LOFT

To not compete with the tie on the top, I tied the attached self-tie belt to the back of the skirt, creating a bow in the back of the skirt (sorry, no photos).

Sunglasses:  Tory Burch

For the next look, I kept things a little more casual.  I paired the printed midi with a white crop top from ASOS layered over a lace bralette from Torrid.  I debated between white sneakers and wedges, and while both worked, ultimately, the wedges won out.

Tie-front crop top:  ASOS (Available here)

Wedges:  Sugar

Bralette:  Torrid (Available here)

Sunglasses:  Calvin Klein

For work, I decided to go with a bold mixed print look by pairing a striped button down shirt with the skirt.   

Striped button-down top:  Eloquii (Available here)

Shoes:  New Look

Bracelets:  LOFT
Satchel:  The Limited

Lastly, I wanted to create a go-anywhere look, one that I could wear to work but that I would be equally as likely to wear outside of work as well. Pairing the skirt with this simple orange blouse is an easy combo.  

Top:  The Limited (old)

Booties:  ASOS

Necklace:  Eloquii

Clutch:  Boohoo

Which look is your favorite?  How would you style this skirt?

For the orange top in other looks, see here, here, here, and here.

Shop Your Closet: Culottes

My heart is so heavy today with news of the mass shooting in Orlando.  Hatred and intolerance has bred so much violence in this world, and it saddens me so much to know of the terror that so many people go through on a daily basis in this world.  I stand as an ally to my LGBTQ brothers and sisters, and I stand as an ally to my Muslim brothers and sisters.  Love is always the answer.  I have so many thoughts right now about everything that has happened in the last 24 hours, but my thoughts aren't really that important.  Though I am hurt by it, this mass shooting isn't about me...that said, I contemplated whether to post today, whether me talking about fashion was in poor taste in the wake of such a horrific tragedy.  I decided that maybe some of you needed an outlet just like me...something to take your mind off the senselessness we have witnessed.  So today, I bring you style. 

Pants:  c/o Eloquii (Available here)

Since the first Shop our Closet feature was so much fun, I decided it was time to do it again.  Today, I am trying out three ways to wear a pair of culottes.  These culottes are courtesy of Eloquii, and I am so in love with the pleating on the front of these which gives them a special feel.

Top:  c/o Eloquii (Available here)

For the first styling, I went simple with a black crop top and heels in order to showcase this amazing purse from Betsey Johnson!  I received the striped Call Me Baby cross body bag as a Mother's Day gift from my husband and kids.  It is so adorable, and I loved having fun with it for the shoot!!

Purse: Betsey Johnson (gift) (Available here)
Bracelet:  Swarovski (gift)

Heels:  Target
Sunglasses:  Tory Burch

For the next look, I made my culottes work-friendly by pairing them with a button-down blouse, trench, and heels. 

Trench:  c/o Eloquii (Available here)
Shirt:  c/o Eloquii (Available here)

Culottes and cropped pants aren't allowed styles in my business casual dress code, but I wore this look for a recent casual Friday when the dress code is more relaxed.  Since I'm not much of a denim person, casual Fridays are usually when I wear styles that I think are perfectly professional but that aren't usually allowed.

I felt super chic and polished in this look!  The yellow and blue help soften up the black and white and also give this outfit more of a spring-like vibe.

Shoes:  Candie's (Available in other colors here)

Necklace:  eBay
Clutch:  The Limited

For the last look, I styled the culottes for a relaxed summer evening with a long tunic-style top.  A turquoise howlite necklace and neon pink pumps add pops of color to this monochromatic look.

Top:  c/o Eloquii (Sold out on-line; See here)
Tank:  Old Navy Petites (old) - folded under to create a crop top

Heels:  Target

I am a strong proponent of breaking style rules.  If I were to abide by the rules, cropped culottes would be off limits for two reasons - I'm petite AND curvy.  All the archaic style rules say that I should stay away from them, but why?  They look great, in my opinion!! 

Necklace:  eBay

Like pretty much everything, I had these altered to more of a crop length.  I also had the rise shortened by having them taken up in the crotch a bit.

My favorite pairing of these three is probably the crop top look.  Even though it's super simple, I love the proportions on that outfit. The crop top helps balance out the fuller leg of the pants, which I find flattering on my petite frame.  Crop tops are another one of those pieces that curvy/plus girls are not supposed to wear.  Why?  Because our bellies have extra fluff?  Who makes these rules?  Who gets to decide what other people should wear?  We can decide for ourselves, and in realizing that, we open ourselves up to new possibilities, some of which can look and feel REALLY GREAT!!!!

Which look is your favorite?  Are you a fan of culottes?  Have you tried them?   Do you have any fashion fears - looks or styles that you love but are afraid to try??

Casual Friday: Ready for the Weekend

With spring here, I decided it was time to add a new feature to the blog.  Warmer weather usually means more casual wear for me, so Fridays are going to be dedicated to casual wear - inspiration for easy weekends.

Top:  Target (Available here)
Jeans:  The Limited Petites (old)

I am kicking things off today with two outfits.  First, I'm wearing a look I have worn a few times already for running weekend errands or for casual Sunday brunch.

Sandals:  Payless (old)
Clutch:  Target (old)

The easy off-the-shoulder top is a simple pairing with jeans and sandals.  This is a look that I could easily dress up with heels or make more casual with a pair of booties.

Necklace:  Target
Sunglasses:  Tory Burch

Top:  The Limited

The second look gives a more polished feel to my citrus print shorts from Marimekko for Target.  I added a black button-down top, wedges, and a cute "lemon" clutch.  A bright coral lip adds another pop of color.

Shorts:  Marimekko for Target (Available here)

Clutch:  The Limited
Shoes:  Sugar

What is your casual go-to for warm weather?  Are you a fan of the off-the-shoulder and cold shoulder trends?  Have you tried any pieces from the Marimekko for Target line?

For the jeans in other looks, see here, here, here, here, here, and here.
For the shorts in another look, see here.
For the button-down top in another look, see here.

Manic Monday: The Faux Jumpsuit

I love the look of jumpsuits, and while I have found a few over the years that have fit well, jumpsuits still prove to be a little difficult.

Pants:  Eloquii (Sold out on-line; see here)

That's where a matching pants and top set come in!!  I recently picked up this lace top from Eloquii on clearance.  The top matches the lace pants I bought back in January.  I tucked in the top and added a belt to hide the waistband and to create the effect of a jumpsuit.

Top:  Eloquii (Available here)

Cardigan:  LOFT Petites

A simple black cardigan kept me warm in work air-conditioning and also gave the lace a more casual vibe.

Belt:  Torrid

Shoes:  Target
Glasses:  Valentino

I finished the look with a cool woven-look clutch I recently got from Rack & Clutch, a local mobile fashion boutique.

Clutch:  Rack & Clutch Mobile Boutique - St. Louis

Do you like the look of jumpsuits?  Have you tried any matching sets?

For the pants in another look, see here.

Wild Card Wednesday: Rust & Ruffles

Happy Wednesday!

Top:  Eloquii (Available here)

Wow, this week is going by so fast thanks to the short work week!  As always, I'm looking forward to the weekend and to what may come.  Work is getting ready to pick up a great deal, so I am cherishing any and all time off!

Skirt:  Eloquii (Available here)

This look from Eloquii is great for time off!  I would wear it for a girl's night out, a date night, or to an event.  I would even wear it for work with the addition of a cardigan or blazer.

Shoes:  Target (old)

Necklace:  World Market

I added a silver necklace with pale blues tones to accent the rusty color skirt.

The cold shoulder top adds romantic ruffles without feeling too frou-frou and girly.  

Glasses:  Valentino

Are you a fan of ruffles?  The cold shoulder trend?