Wild Card Wednesday: Undercover BodyCon

I was planning this post for Sunday, but I was having trouble with my photos - for some reason, I was appearing orange in a lot of them so I had to play around with the lighting so as not to look like an Oompa-Loompa!!!  Photography is one of the hardest parts of blogging for me as I don't have a ton of time to take pictures and I'm usually relying on the skill of my children!

Jacket:  Boohoo Plus (Available here)

The weather is a current set back to spring fashion, but I'm giving it my best!!!  This week, I am thinking about transitional looks and little black dresses. 

Dress:  Forever 21+ (Available in tomato here)

Heels:  New Look

Necklace:  Eloquii (Available here)

For today's look, I am trying out a bodycon dress.  I am not normally a bodycon gal - it's just not a look with which I usually feel completely comfortable and I love flowy dresses.  I am not crazy about showing off my belly, and I have yet to find shapewear that fits me well.  That said, I decided to give it a go with the mental safety net of the soft trench coat.

To my surprise, I really loved the look with the trench both opened and closed and got a little bit closer to fully embracing my belly.  Unfortunately, the wind was not really cooperating, so most of my looks were with the trench closed as the jacket was moving everrrrywhere!

Glasses:  Valentino

Speaking of the trench, I had it hemmed, as I do with most pieces!  I felt like the shape didn't really work for me when it was longer.  Having it hemmed created a more flattering shape AND showed off more of my legs which I love!

I finished the look with an oversized clutch from St. Louis-area designer Cameo de Bore.  The bag maintains my simple color palette, but it definitely adds a unique touch!

Clutch:  Cameo de Bore (Similar available here)

Are you a fan of bodycon dresses?  Do you wear shapewear?  Favorite brands?

Rung & Sprung Boutiques' Blogger Party - Shopping for a Great Cause

Thursday night, I had the awesome opportunity to attend a blogger event at two second-hand boutiques in St. Louis.  The connected shops, Rung and Sprung, offer second-hand and vintage finds in a boutique atmosphere for a personalized and unique shopping experience. 

Photo c/o David Kilper from Arkitography.com

Rung and Sprung are non-profits, with proceeds benefiting the Women's Foundation of St. Louis (which distributes resources to women and children all over the St. Louis area) and Nurses for Newborns.

Photo c/o David Kilper from Arkitography.com

Photo c/o David Kilper from Arkitography.com

Rung offers professional clothing for women at a reasonable price, while Sprung specializes in clothing and other items for pregnant women and children. 

Loving the Arch-themed books!!

Looking through the racks and aesthetically-pleasing displays, I saw items that ranged from vintage to Target to Dolce & Gabanna. 

Dolce & Gabanna heels

The boutiques also showcase art from local female artists, including jewelry designer Erica Dunk of Hyper Haute jewelry.

Erica, the designer behind Hyper Haute wearing some of her own pieces
Photo c/o David Kilper from Arkitography.com

Necklace:  Hyper Haute
Photo c/o David Kilper from Arkitography.com

Hyper Haute jewelry

Guests at the Blogger event enjoyed light bites (including yummy cupcakes), cocktails, fun fashion trivia, and a fashion show featuring on-trend looks available at Rung Boutique.

Photo c/o David Kilper from Arkitography.com

Carmen (center) of The Ruby Zipper and host for night with models in Rung fashions
Photo c/o David Kilper from Arkitography.com

Photo c/o David Kilper from Arkitography.com

It was great to see a few familiar blogger faces, such as Carmen from The Ruby Zipper (who is also a stock associate at Rung), as well as to meet some new ones like Summer from Hipster Hijabis and Latoya of Latoya Elnora.

Carmen of The Ruby Zipper
Photo:  C/o Carmen Boeser

St. Louis blogger, Summer from Hipster Hijabis
Photo c/o David Kilper from Arkitography.com

Latoya of Latoya Elnora, right, with model in dress from Rung
Photo c/o David Kilper from Arkitography.com

I enjoyed chatting with the Executive Director of Rung and Sprung Boutiques, Mallarie Zimmer.  Besides the fact that she was a delightful person, what struck me was the level of passion and commitment to servicing the community through both the boutique experience and the charitable giving.

Mallarie, the executive director of Rung & Sprung
Photo c/o David Kilper from Arkitography.com

I can't wait to get back out there to pick up some amazing and unique pieces for both me and my kids.  It truly is fashion with a heart!

P.S.  This event was possible due to the partnership of Rung and Sprung with Alive Magazine, Ivy Hill Boutique, Pinnacle Vodka, David Kilper, The Dam, Leopard Boutique, Byrd Style Lounge, Bronx Diba Shoe Outlet, and Hyper Haute.

Wanna Go To the St. Louis Fashion Blog Awards?

Hi all!

St. Louis Fashion Week kicks off this Thursday with the Fashion Blog Awards and after-party!  

Event is at the gorgeous Three-Sixty Rooftop Bar on 1. South Broadway (downtown St. Louis, rooftop of the Hilton St. Louis at the BallPark).  

Doors open at 6 pm.  Blog awards start at 7 pm, and doors open to general admission at 8 p.m.

I'd love your support during the blog awards, and I'd love to see you there!

To that end, I have two free tickets to give away for the event! 

To enter:

1.  Leave a comment here on this post.
2.  Like "Style Cassentials" on Facebook and leave a comment on this post.

Enter both ways for two chances to win.  Winner will be chosen at random, and winner will be announced Wednesday at 8 am!

Tell your friends.  Spread the word.  St. Louis Fashion Week is going to be amazing this year!!!

To purchase tickets for this or other St. Louis Fashion Week events, click here.

Use coupon code SUPPORT for $5 off this event!

P.S. One more hour to vote on your favorites for the St. Louis Fashion Blog Awards.

I'm so honored to be nominated for three awards, and I greatly appreciate all the support I've received from you all!

St. Louis Fashion Blog Awards Official Nominees and People's Choice Awards

Source:  StLouisFashionWeek.com

The Official list of nominees for the St. Louis Fashion Blog Awards is in, and I'm nominated in three categories!  Thank you to all of you who nominated me!

You can vote at http://www.saintlouisfashionweek.com/bloggers/st-louis-fashion-blogger-awards/ for People's Choice Awards winners in each category!  

Please take a look at the nominees, and if you think I'm the best in my categories, I'd appreciate your vote!

Vote once a day through September 16th.  

Meet the bloggers of St. Louis Fashion Week here.  Many of them are nominated!  It's always great to discover new blogs.

Date Night Maxi

The man and I had a lovely dinner date over the weekend, and this is what I wore:

Skirt:  The Limited (Available here)
Tank:  Target (old)

Blazer:  Forever 21+ (Available in pink here)
Clutch:  Target

I love how this outfit has a formality but does not feel too over-the-top.

We had dinner al fresco at Aya Sofia, a wonderful Turkish restaurant in St. Louis.  I love Mediterranean food, and this restaurant never fails to deliver on super delicious food and excellent service. 

Rings:  Earthbound Trading Company and The Limited (Available here)

The weather here has been unseasonably cool lately, so this was the perfect outfit for dining outside.

Necklace:  Target (old)

For this skirt in another look, see here.
For this blazer in other looks, see here, here, here, here, here, and here.

St. Louis Fashion Week - Blogger Nominations

Hope you're all having a great evening.  I have fall fashion on the brain and am loving all the fall fashion on Style.com and in the glossies.

In local fashion news, St. Louis Fashion Week is right around the corner!  I've been to a few Fashion Week events but missed the shows last fall and spring.

Since Fall is this fashionista's favorite season - for fashion and everything else - I am definitely looking forward to attending to see what talented local designers have to offer!

I'm also looking forward to sharing the shows with you!

If you're so inclined, please consider nominating me for the St. Louis Fashion Blog Awards honoring St. Louis area bloggers. 

Here's the link:  http://www.saintlouisfashionweek.com/bloggers/st-louis-fashion-blogger-awards/

Thank you!  :-D