Manic Monday: Colorful Blazers and Fun Prints

Just as I had hoped to do, I literally did NOTHING this weekend...well, I breathed, and ate and stuff, but that's about it.  It was WONDERFUL!  

Skirt:  Eloquii (Available here)

My daughter did get me hooked on Monopoly Bingo though!  I never download game apps because I get addicted too easily, but she was playing on her phone, and next thing I knew, I was downloading the app on my phone.  Ugh!!! Currently addicted. LOL

So, I had a relaxing weekend, but alas, it was back to work today and back to another Manic Monday!  For today's work style post, I paired bright blazers with fun prints. 

Blazer:  Eloquii (Available here)

With the first look, I paired a matching pencil skirt and shell with a blue blazer, all from Eloquii.  I just love this interesting mixed stripe print.   The variety of colors make these pieces very versatile.

Shell:  Eloquii (Available here)

FYI, the fabric of the pencil skirt and blouse are different, and the colors on the top are a little lighter.  I personally think the pieces still work well together, especially if you're adding a blazer or cardigan on top.

Necklace:  Eloquii (Available here)

For the second look, I went with one of my personal favorite easy work combos - black pants, a soft blouse, and blazer. 

Blouse:  Eloquii (Available here)

Blazer:  The Limited

This star print blouse is such a great graphic print, one that I think pairs really well with red.  I cuffed the blazer to show the polka dot lining on the sleeves.

Clutch:  ASOS

Heels:  Target

I can't believe I caught a rainbow in the pics.  How cool is that!?  It was actually a double rainbow, but the second rainbow was hard to see.

Pants:  The Limited Petites (Available here)

Glasses:  Valentino

For the red blazer in other looks, see here, here, here, here, here, and here.

Blue Streak

Happy Friday!!!  This weekend will be the first time in a while that I have had to relax, so I intend to really enjoy it, and by enjoy it, I mean do absolutely nothing!

Dress:  ASOS (Available here)

Today, I close out this colorful week with the color blue.  Like green, blue is one of my favorite colors to wear.  I tend to gravitate towards blues quite a bit without even realizing that I'm doing it.

Trench:  Boohoo Plus (Available here)

I was really drawn to this slip dress from ASOS.  It was a perfect match with my strappy blue heels.  I decided to add a cranberry-colored trench and ivory faux fur clutch for a red, white, and blue look with a bit of a fall feel.

Clutch: New Look

Shoes:  Chelsea & Zoe at Kohl's (No longer available)

Glasses:  Firmoo.com

Cobalt and indigo blues are probably my favorite shades of blue to wear, but really I love just about any shade from pale blue to deep navy.

Blue prints add interest to easy day looks
From left to right:  That Versatile Skirt; The Floral Set

Inspired by watery shades for swimwear
Left to right:  Indie Spotlight:  Zelie for She; The Striped Shirtdress, Part Two

Add caption
From left to right:  Shop Your Closet:  Culottes; Draped Dresses

 For more ways to style blue, check out my previous Color & Confidence series here and here.

Ring (right hand):  Earthbound Trading Company

What is your favorite shade(s) of blue to wear?  Favorite color to wear?

Tutti Fruiti

Hard to believe the week is almost over!  August has been such a whirlwind with multiple out-of-state trips, back-to-school shopping and preparation for five kids, and so much more going on!! 

Tunic:  eShakti

When life is stressful, I often rely on my clothes to boost my mood, and nothing is more mood-enhancing than fun colors.  This fun color combination of bright fruity colors was just the ticket. 

Glasses:  Coach

The wedge shape of the clutch reminds me of a lemon wedge, and the pompoms on my shoes kind of resemble cherries, which I think makes this such a great summery look, especially with my vacation tan!  :-D

Clutch:  The Limited (old)

Sandals:  Amazon

This past year, I have been wearing a lot of greens and blues.  Maybe it's because I am a water sign, but I really seem to gravitate towards these colors.  I love green in just about every shade, especially teal, olive, and emerald/kelly greens.

While I played up the colors today, my usual way to wear green is to pair it with neutrals, especially black and white/ivory.

Pair green with black tops and white blazers!
Left to right:  Wide Legs and Long Lines; Fall Colors

Green maxi dresses pair well with black jackets
From left to right:  'Tis the Season; Saint Louis Fashion Week:  My Experience, My Fashion

Green jackets in a variety of shades and lengths add interest to black basics and denim
Left, from top to bottom:  Imitation Game:  GabiFresh; The Simplest Workwear Formula
Center to right:  Imitation Game:  Eloquii Fall 2015; The Relaxed Trench

Add fun details like candy stripes or velvet and fringe
From left to right:  Bright Stripes; On The Fringe

For more ways to wear green, check out my previous Color & Confidence series here and here.

See the tunic in another look here.

Indie Spotlight: Honey's Child Boutique

For today's Indie Spotlight, I wanted to feature a local plus size store that I recently tried for the first time - Honey's Child Boutique. 

Skirt:  Honey's Child Boutique (Sold out on-line; shop more skirts here)

Located in downtown St. Louis on Washington Avenue, this boutique also has a web site, so you can have treasures shipped to you wherever you are!  I had been aware of this shop for quite a while, but for some reason, I had never given it a-go.  I'm so glad that I finally did.  I recently ordered two pieces, and I'm really in love with both of them - I featured the striped harem jumpsuit I got from them previously, but today, I'm rocking this dramatic striped maxi skirt. It is sold out, but this shop is continually re-stocking with new treasures.

Tank:  Mossimo for Target (old)

I love black and white stripes, and I was really drawn to the pairing of vertical and horizontal stripes on this one, the self-tie belt, and the POCKETS!!!

Jacket:  Forever 21+ (old)

This skirt is such a statement piece that I wanted to keep things simple on top.  A mustard yellow tank was a good accompaniment, and the look was a great pairing for my black, white, and gold striped necklace.

Necklace:  The Limited

Clutch:  Cameo de Bore (Sold out on-line; shop more clutches here)

Since I decided to wear this skirt to work, I needed a topper to cover my arms and keep me warm in the air conditioning.  A cropped tuxedo jacket was a good fit, allowing me warmth without being overpowering with the full maxi skirt.

Glasses:  Coach

Sunglasses:  Tory Burch

I really enjoy wearing yellow, but surprisingly, I haven't worn much yellow this year and really don't have a lot of yellow in my closet anymore.  I plan to change that with some more mustard pieces this fall, but I leave you with my one other yellow look this year - a citron midi and tee paired with a blue moto jacket.

Spring Double Feature:  Citron Chartreuse

Get more inspiration and ways to wear yellow from my previous Color and Confidence series here and here.

Miss my previous Indie Spotlights?  Catch up with Myrda J and Zelie for She.

Cuff:  Eloquii

For the tank in another look, see here.
For the cropped jacket in other looks, see here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, and here.

Are you an independent designer or clothing store who would like to be featured on the blog?  Send me an e-mail at stylecassentials29@gmail.com!

Manic Monday: Orange You Happy?!

Orange is one of those colors that can feel equally as bold as red, but it has a warmer energy.  While red can feel a little ferocious (not a bad thing!), orange feels sunny, dynamic, and inviting. 

I feel like it's a great color to wear to work for those very reasons.  It instantly puts me in a good mood, and orange often has that affect on people around you.

Skirt:  Eloquii (No longer available)

For today's look, I paired a silk button-down blouse in a pretty tangerine color with a simple A-line skirt.  I am definitely starting to think about fall fashion, and I loved that this look had a bit of a fall feel to it. 

Blouse:  Eloquii (Available here)

Booties:  ASOS (Available here)

Tote:  Target (Similar here)

Since it is still summer, I wanted to keep the overall color palette light so I added an aqua tote.  The mix of orange and aqua is one of my favorite color combinations and reminds me of the beach.

Glasses:  Coach

Locket:  Vintage

The overall look was simple, chic, and perfect for work!

For a more subdued and sophisticated take on orange, try pumpkin and rust oranges.  Pumpkin was a hot color on fall runways, so expect to see more of it as the weather cools down.  Wear it now with white, denim, turquoise, or blush pink for a summery desert/Southwestern feel.

Left to right:  Who What Wear Slip Dress; Prints Charming

Navel orange, peach, and coral are all easy shades for most people to wear and look great year-round.

From left to right: The Printed Midi; Nudes & Neutrals; Imitation Game:  Simply Cyn

Do you like to wear orange?

See more ways to wear orange from my previous Color & Confidence series here and here!