Summer Crush

One of my favorite pairings during summer is black and white with hints of bold and bright, even neon, colors.  Black and white can look so crisp and clean together.  Super bright colors just play up that crispness.

Today on the blog, I'm playing with this pairing in a recent work look and a fun summer combo that I plan to wear to work soon!

Skirt:  Eloquii (Available here)

Blazer:  Eloquii (Available here)

The first look involves a bit of print mixing.  The black and white striped skirt can easily go more serious if it needs to, but I love playing with my wardrobe a little more in the summer.

Top:  Target (Available here)

Shoes:  Target (Similar here and here)

Clutch:  Target (Available here)

Necklace (worn as bracelet):  The Limited

Glasses:  Valentino

This top has such a laid-back bohemian feel, but paired with the midi skirt, it feels more put-together.  I plan on tucking in the top and wearing it with a blazer for work. 

I accessorized with a neon yellow necklace worn as a bracelet and a printed clutch to complete the look.

Honestly, this is one of my favorite looks in a while.  I just love it!!

The second look is a lot more subdued, but was such a comfortable work look. 

Skirt:  New York & Company (Available here)

When you sit at a desk all day, it helps when you can find clothes that feel polished but that have a lot of stretch.  The scuba pencil skirt and boxy crop top were just so easy.  

Top:  Eloquii (Available here)

Wedge sandals weren't necessarily my first choice stylistically for this look, but they were an easy choice for added comfort.

Shoes:  Sugar (Available at Kohl's here)

Necklace:  Target

Cuff:  The Limited

Earrings:  Torrid

Clutch:  The Limited

Which look do you prefer? Do you have any favorite color combinations for summertime?

For the pencil skirt in another look, see here.
For the white blazer in other looks, see here and here.

Skirt Week 2: Creative Draping

I love pieces for work that are comfortable but that also have a lot of polish.  I find myself reaching more and more for knits and drapey fits.

Skirt:  New York & Company (Available here)

This scuba knit pencil skirt and lightweight drapey sweater from New York & Company are super comfortable.  I added in a loose fit top with architectural pleats for a color and a bit of polish.

Sweater:  New York & Company (Available here)

Blouse:  Target (Available here)

This sweater is the perfect weight for spring - it works well for air-conditioned offices without being too warm once I head outside of the office.

I do plan on getting the skirt taken in a bit more.  Since it's a stretchy knit, I want a super pencil-y fit through the hips and legs!

Tote:  Target (Available here)

I finished the look off with a fringe necklace and my floral lace-up heels.  I had actually planned on wearing the shoes from this look, but they were really old and when is started to put them on, I realized one of straps across the top had come apart from the shoe! :-(

Shoes:  Prabal Gurung for Target

I have very small but wide and thick feet.  It's always so hard for me to find new shoes that I just hate when I have to retire a favorite pair.

Necklace:  Target

Cuff:  The Limited

Do you have a difficult time finding shoes that fit? How do you maintain your work style while keeping comfort in mind?

For the top in another look, see here.
For the sweater in another look, see here.

To catch up with the other posts from Skirt Week 2, see here:
Golden Mix
All White Everything
50s Flair

Skirt Week 2: Golden Mix

Hope you're all having a great week so far!  Tonight, I'm starting a new series featuring some recent skirt looks.  In the spring and summer, skirts and dresses are really my go-to for clothing.  There's just something about the breeziness of them that makes getting dressed so much better than in the winter time! 

For the first look of Skirt Week 2, I'm featuring my gold maxi skirt.

Skirt:  New York & Company

I really love the idea of mixing unexpected pieces together, such as I did here with the gold skirt and chambray top.

Top:  Torrid

Glasses:  Firmoo.com (Available here)

The skirt is such a statement piece, and my first inclination is to want to dress it up, as I did here.  But, I don't go to a lot of super dressy events or places.  I want to be able to wear this skirt without feeling too over-the-top.

With the intent of styling this skirt for a pool party (spring evenings here are cool, and I believe in dressing for the weather) or other outdoor spring/summer evening event, I decided to pair this pretty pleated number with a chambray shirt. I left most of the buttons unbuttoned and added a few gold necklaces to create more of a relaxed vibe. 

Clutch:  New York & Company

Necklace:  The Limited

The overall effect is a little sultry, a little sophisticated, and not too overdressed.

Bracelet:  Swarovski (Gift)

What do you think?  Would you wear a look like this?  Where would you wear it?

For the skirt in another look, see here.
For this top in another look, see here.
To catch Skirt Week 1 posts, see here, here, here, here, and here.

Fashion Favorites 2: Bright Swing Dress, 10 Ways

I have several swing dresses from the Eva Mendes for New York & Company line.  The "Sabrina" dress appears in new colors with every collection, and it's a real favorite of mine. 

In addition to the red and yellow versions featured here today, I also have this style dress in black and leopard print.  I RARELY buy multiples of the same style, but I just love the comfortable shape of these dresses.

The yellow version is my favorite of the four.  The pretty bold hue looks great with a variety of neutrals and other colors.  Yellow gets a bad rap as a color that is hard to wear, but it's all about finding the right shade for you.  The saffron color works for my skin tone, but a lemon, banana, canary, or mustard may work better for you.

I find these dresses surprisingly versatile, and I just love the way they look on their own or paired with tights and jackets for colder weather.

Here are some of the ways I've styled these bright swing dresses:

For Spring with Bare Legs and a Graphic Tote

Color and Confidence:  Yellow

Mixing Red & Gold/Yellow

From left to right:  Yellow & Red; To Belt or Not To Belt

With Cognac Moto Jackets

From left to right:  11 Twenty Eight Designs; Color and Confidence:  Yellow

With Printed Tights

From left to right:  Winter Bites; Taxi Cab Confessions

For Evening

Holiday Double Feature:  Red & Green

For Work With Neutrals and a Structured Blazer

From left to right:  Bzzzz...Black and Yellow Aren't Just for Bumblebees!!; Saffron and Navy

Swing dresses get a bad wrap because they can be a little shapeless.  This style isn't a dress to show off your curves, but it is super comfortable and easy for a range of situations.  One is a bold color makes it that much more of a fashion favorite!

Catch my other fashion favorites here, here, and here.

Weekend Natural + JORD Wood Watch Feature

Recently at a blogger event, I had the opportunity to learn more about JORD wood watches.  A St. Louis-based company, I fell in love with the natural design elements of JORD watches and the simple beauty of the wood.

Shorts:  New York & Company (Available here)

I personally have been wanting to get a watch for a while.  I used to wear one at all times, but I had fallen out of habit several years ago and began relying on my cell phone to get the time.

In an age where virtually everyone has a cell phone or other electronic device attached to their hips at all times, watches almost seem to reflect a bygone era.  JORD watches also reflect the beauty and craftsmanship that you don't often see in today's mass produced consumer economy.

Watch:  c/o JORD (Available here)

Tee:  LOFT Petites (Available in regular here)

Cardigan:  LOFT Petites

Sandals:  Target

I was so very excited when I learned that I would have the opportunity to try out one of the designs.  I chose the Fieldcrest style in back.  The watch is made from a deep brown wood and has a black face.  Since I seem to have black in virtually every outfit, I thought that this one was a great choice!

The package arrived beautifully in a wooden box.  It has an easy clasp closure for a quick on and off.

Hat:  Target

I thought the watch worked splendidly with today's look that blends natural fibers and textures, with a pop of citrine, one of my favorite colors.  My clutch is from another St. Louis designer, Cameo de Bore.

Clutch:  c/o Cameo de Bore

Bracelets:  Express, Target

I would wear this outfit for a casual weekend outing. 

Are you a fan of wearing a watch?

For the shorts in another look, see here.
For the cardigan in other looks, see here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, and here.

**Watch was provided in exchange for a product review.  As always, all opinions are my own.