Casual Friday: Beachside Looks

It's Friday, so it's time for another casual Friday post!  Today, I'm featuring a couple of looks from my week in Florida.

Jumpsuit:  Honey's Child Boutique (Sold out on-line; see similar here)

We are finishing up our trip (insert tears here), but I'm enjoying my last day of beach time today before we head back home.  Since we have been spending so much time at the beach and pool, I have kept my outfits pretty casual for low-key dinners, shopping, and other outings.

Wedges:  Sugar

Glasses:  Coach

First up is a striped harem jumpsuit.  This jumpsuit is sooooooo comfy that I wore it twice on the trip, first with flat python sandals and then with wedges.

Sandals:  Daisy Street (Available at ASOS here)

Cuff:  Eloquii
Earrings:  The Limited

For the second look, I paired plaid shorts with a simple tank/vest combo for another comfortable and easy, but still polished, look.

Shorts:  Myrda J (Available here; use code Cassentials2016 at checkout)

Tank:  Gap (old)
Vest:  Who What Wear for Target (Available here)

Clutch:  Boohoo
Cuff:  The Limited

Both outfits kept me nice and cool in the summer heat!!!

To see the shorts in other looks, see here.

Indie Spotlight: Myrda J Designer Apparel

I have been trying to shop more with indie designers and stores, so I decided to start a new regular feature on my blog where I put the spotlight on some of my favorite independent designers and shops who are helping revolutionize the fashion industry through their philosophies, business plans, and fashionable offerings.

Pants:  Myrda J (Available here)

Up first is Myrda J Designer Apparel!  I have featured pieces from Las Vegas-based Myrda J on the blog a few times - this great vest here and here and these adorable plaid shorts here.  Myrda started out by offering sizes Small to 3L (3X), but now she focuses on offering up petite plus options for all of us short AND curvy fashionistas!!

As a petite plus woman herself, Myrda understands the special fit needs of shorter women, and she brings her casual but feminine and edgy personal style to her line.

Designer Myrda J wearing top of her own design and IGIGI trousers

Top:  ASOS (Available here)

Shoes:  Sugar
Purse:  Vintage

Her pieces include fashion-forward basics like the comfy knit harem pants I am wearing today, classic wrap dresses, sexy lace dresses, and so much more!  

Items available for Pre-Order

Don't take my word for it - take a look at some of my favorites:

Top and skirt available for Pre-Order

Body Con Lace Dress (Available here)

Deep V-Neck Mesh Dress (Available here)

Shorts:  Available here
Top:  Available for Pre-Order

As is the case with many indie designers, Myrda's products are made-to-order and take about a week to make.  Please be sure to enter Cassentials2016 at checkout!

Interested in the pre-order items?  Contact Myrda at orders@myrdaj.com.

As always, all items are made in the USA.  Myrda offers international shipping and free Priority Mail shipping within the States.

Sunglasses:  Calvin Klein
Cuff:  The Limited

See anything you like?  If you're petite plus, what are some styles you would love to find in your size?

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

See the tank in another look here.

Disclosure: Items purchased using code Cassentials2016 may result in commisions for this site. 

Shop Your Closet: The Plaid Shorts

With spring here and Memorial Day being the unofficial kick-off for summer festivities, it's time to start thinking more about warm weather style.  To that end, I'm starting a new regular feature on the blog called Shop Your Closet! 

As I have been trying (somewhat unsuccessfully) to reduce my clothing expenditures and stick to a budget, I have been playing in my closet a bit more, looking to wear pieces that I already have in a greater variety of ways to increase their use value.  So, periodically, I will be featuring an item from my closet worn at least three different ways to help give you all ideas on how to style pieces in your closet.  In addition, this feature will help me slow down with new purchases - does the article of clothing I'm considering meet a wardrobe need? Is it functional for my life?  Do I already have what I need to make at least three outfits with this new piece? 

Shorts:  Myrda J Designer Apparel (Available here)

I start the new Shop Your Closet feature today with shorts!

Enjoying shorts is somewhat new to me. I didn't have much problem with them as a kid, but by college, I was not a huge fan.  It seemed like every pair I ever tried would ride up between the legs and as my body confidence waned, I didn't feel comfortable showing off my thick thighs.

In the last few years, things have really started to change for me regarding shorts.  Don't get me wrong...I still prefer a cute skirt or culottes over shorts, but I have a newfound love of shorts.  Saint Louis has hot and humid summers.  They can be quite miserable - a pair of cool cotton shorts like this flirty pair from Myrda J Designer Apparel is a great solution.  Plus, I think printed shorts are less overwhelming than printed pants on my petite frame.

Blazer:  Eloquii (Available here)

I can easily pair these shorts with a blazer as I did here for a pulled-together but not too serious look for evening. 

Bodysuit:  BoohooUSA (Available here)

This is my favorite of the three looks featured today!  It's a little sexy, a little sophisticated, and it makes me at 4'9" look like I have legs for d...well, legs for a day at least.

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

Clutch:  Ann Taylor
Bracelets:  LOFT and gift

Tee:  Torrid

For an easy, breezy summer look for wrangling kids, running weekend errands, etc., I could pair the shorts with a tee and sandals for a more casual feel.

Wedges:  Sugar

Bracelet:  The Limited

Bikini top:  GabiFresh for SwimsuitsForAll

Lastly, I took a little summer inspiration from Chastity of Garner Style and paired my plaid shorts with a bikini top, perfect for laying out in the backyard with a good book or hanging poolside with the kids.

Sunglasses:  Tory Burch

Do you like wearing shorts? Have you tried Myrda J - this indie designer carries petite plus sizing to fit us shorties so well!!! :-D

How would you style this pair?

Want to try a pair for yourself?  Myrda is graciously offering all Style Cassentials readers a coupon worth 20% off your entire cart!  Head to MyrdaJ.com now through June 15, 2016 and use CASSENTIALS2016 at checkout to save!

Sunglasses:  Calvin Klein

From Look #1
See the bodysuit in another look here.
See the blazer in other looks here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, and here.

From Look #2
See the tee in other looks here, here, and here.

From Look #3
See the bikini top in another look here.