Imitation Game: Simply Cyn

I hope you have been enjoying my new regular Manic Monday and Wild Card Wednesday features.  Saturdays are now the day to catch Imitation Game - a regular feature in which I showcase looks inspired by other bloggers and celebs.

Culottes:  eShakti

Today's look was inspired by Cynthia of Simply Cyn. 

Jacket:  Gap

There's not much I don't love about her fresh style, but I'm often drawn to Cynthia's use of color.  Today's inspired look features a gorgeous color combo of hot orange and blush. 

Photo on left c/o Cynthia of Simply Cyn, from Happy Monday: Orange is the New Black

I have worn these colors together on the blog before, but Cynthia's recent look reminded me how much I loved this color combo.

Color and Confidence:  ORANGE

Camisole:  LOFT

Booties:  Target

While not a literal interpretation, Cynthia's drapey dress was echoed in the drapey fit of the culottes. 

Necklaces:  Forever 21 and The Limited

I substituted a blush clutch for Cynthia's wedges and added gold and camel accents to pull the look together.

Clutch and Ring:  The Limited

Glasses:  Valentino

Are you familiar with Cynthia's blog?  Do you like pairing orange and blush?

For the culottes in another look, see here.
For the camisole in other looks, see here, here, and here.
For the jacket in other looks, see here, here, and here.

Skirtpalooza: 11 Lace/Sheer Skirts Sure To Make A Statement!

Yesterday, I posted a pretty new lace skirt I found at Ann Taylor.  I love that it has such a unique feel, which makes it feel special.  Today, I want to share with you more statement skirts with lace and sheer details!

In Plus-Sizes:

eloquii Studio Lace Midi Skirt

H&M+ Lace Skirt

Asos Curve Exclusive Full Midi Skirt with Mesh Panel

roz & ALI Plus Size Belted Lace Skirt from Dress Barn

Asos Curve Exclusive Midi Skirt in Scallop Hem Lace

Petite Options:

Asos Petites "Girls on Film" lace pencil skirt

Asos Petites Midi Skirt in Sheer Check

Halogen Petites "Avalon" Lace Pencil Skirt

Gap Petites Pleated Eyelet-Stripe Skirt

Available in XS or S to XL:

Sabine "Eva" Lace Maxi Skirt

Scully Honey Creek "Alouette" Crochette Skirt

Which one is your favorite?

10 Fall Floral Dresses to Wear NOW!!

Earlier today, I talked about how I styled a fall floral print dress to wear for summer.

Well, I'm back offering you ten more options in various size options and price points. 

Do you have a favorite?

Halogen Petites Belted Cap-Sleeve Dress

Rose gal Floral Dress

Simply Be Floral Print A-Line Dress

LOFT Wild Prairie Print Dress

Asos Maternity Wiggle Dress in Floral

Forever 21+ Floral Print Maxi Dress

IGIGI Isadora Dress

eShakti Floral Jacquard Dress

Gap Floral Cap-Sleeve Dress

Merona Floral Dress with Lace Cap Sleeves from Target

Happy Shopping!!

Denim Week 2: Moto-Mouth

I've been wanting a flannel for the last two years, but I couldn't find one that properly fit my bust without leaving the dreaded gaps.  

Finally, I found this plaid top from Wet Seal.  The fit in the bust is good (not perfect), and I love the color mix of burgundy with a hint of teal.

Shirt:  Wet Seal (Available here)
Jacket:  Gap (Similar here)

Pants:  New York & Company

I became a fan of the company Wet Seal after seeing the amazing way that they lived up to their diversity statement and welcomed the awesome Karrie Brown from my hometown into their family.  I wanted to support the company, but I found the styles too "juniors" for my lifestyle and personal taste.  I decided to give their web site another look recently, and I was pleasantly surprised to find several pieces that I loved.

Purse:  Target (Available here)

Bracelets:  New York & Company (Similar here) & Express

I wore a ton of flannel plaids during my high school grunge phase, but I hadn't worn one since.  Today, I'm not quite as into the grunge look, but I think a flannel plaid button-down is a great casual addition to my wardrobe.

The family and I were running around last weekend. It was unseasonably warm, so I was able to skip a coat.  I paired my comfy pants with easy booties and my denim moto jacket.  

Boots:  Payless (old)

Would you wear a denim moto jacket?  Are you a fan of flannel plaids?

For this jacket in another look, see here and here.
For these pants in other outfits, see here and here.

Cassential Links, 12/12/13

Kudos to Jennifer Lawrence for her straight talk about body image

This young woman beautifully articulates how women are subtly taught to hate their bodies.

I absolutely love evening/holiday fashion.  Unfortunately, I don't have enough fabulous places to wear sequins or get otherwise glitzy.  These two lovely ladies show how to do holiday chic in fab style.

Sexual abuse victims are often silenced in our culture.  These women holding signs quoting their attackers give them a "voice."

I'm not a fan of the memes that pit skinny women against curvy/fat women.  All women are beautiful, and it's important that we support each other as women.  Unfortunately, just as stereotypes and meanness about fat women abound, so do those about skinny women.

Keeping with the theme of holiday dressing, Wendy looks gorgeous in leather and tulle.  Perfect for being the Cinderella of your own ball!

Learning to love our bodies means learning to listen to the clues we give ourselves about our bodies and paying attention to our self-talk.

Gap responds to racism towards Sikh model.

More holiday fashion fabulousness from Nicolette Mason.

 

Revenge of the Nerds

Sorry that I missed this week's "Cassential Links."  I had a ton of great links ready for posting on Saturday, and I accidentally deleted them.  I will make it up with an extended version next week.

I wore this outfit with my studded ballet flats to a birthday party for my nephew, but I love the way the heels give this casual look a more sophisticated vibe. 

Jacket:  Gap (Available here)

I recently found this t-shirt on Target.com and I couldn't resist... The idea that a geek* like me could be chic is something that seemed very incongruous to me as a child.  

T-shirt:  Target (Available here)

I love that "nerd" culture has become popular in recent years - I'm hopeful that it isn't just a fad, but a move towards an expansion and shift in the larger culture towards honoring more diverse ways of being, acting, and looking. 

Obviously, the idea of being a "nerd" or "geek" is not a new social creation; however, and I hope I'm not overreaching, it seems that the stereotype of what we are like or supposed to be like is changing in a way that doesn't force people into a box in the same way.

As those often thought of as less than cool have claimed the terms, "nerd," "geek," and "dork" for themselves, these labels have become a badge of honor for many.  While nerds still often appear in popular culture in stereotypical ways (disappointingly, often in shows for children), sitcoms like "Big Bang Theory" and reality TV like "King of the Nerds," have made more realistic and relatable "geeks" a staple of mainstream culture.  

Pants:  Target (old)
Heels:  Target (Available here)

Clutch:  Target

No matter "who" you were in high school, we've probably all felt uncool at one time or another.  That feeling doesn't necessarily change after high school.  All through our lives, we are expected to conform to various groups and many of us find it difficult and/or inauthentic to do so.

I have always been a more cerebral and academic kind of girl.  I was also lower working class and dressed differently (both because of income and choice) than most of my like-minded class mates.  

I'm an overweight, petite woman who is in love with all things fashion.  I can't afford to wear high-end designers.  In many ways, I don't fit into the fashion world with which I am so obsessed.  

I'm a mother whose kids play soccer, but I don't look or act like the other "soccer moms." 

I work in a conservative, professional environment, and I have three tattoos and plan on getting at least a few more.  

I'm a feminist, and I love to wear short skirts, high heels, and paint my fingernails.

Bracelets:  Target, The Limited

I am a geek, and I am more than okay with that.  8-D

For these pants in another look, see here.

*The terms "nerd," "geek," "dork," etc. are all used interchangeably in this discussion.