Black On Black

I had to get my photo taken for work, and I wanted a professional outfit.  I also felt like wearing this tunic.  To create a more polished look, I buttoned the dress all the way up, added a blingy necklace with just a subtle pop of color, and threw on a blazer.  I love wearing black on black, and it had been a while since I had done it. 

Tunic:  Torrid (Available here)

Blazer:  The Limited (Similar here)

The necklace and gold belt help add a little more interest and break up the solid black.  To finish the look, I added a monochromatic satchel and gold bracelet.

Necklace:  Ann Taylor

Satchel:  Target

Belt:  Torrid

Bracelet:  LOFT

All in all, I was happy with the result, and it was a great way to start incorporating more of a fall feel into my look even though the temperatures are still quite summery.

Booties:  Target

Glasses:  Valentino

Do you like wearing all black?  How do you keep it feeling fresh?

For the tunic in another look, see here.
For the blazer in other looks, see here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, and here.

Gilding the Lily

I often think that clothes are the icing on the cake. 

Our bodies are beautiful without any adornment, but, in addition to the legal issues that full-time nudity would present, clothes are just so fun!

Skirt:  New York & Company (Available here)

Clothes can enhance what nature gave us or they can disguise our natural beauty.  I don't think there's anything wrong with wearing clothes that do either.  It is after all about our personal preferences and our own perception of what looks good or what appeals to us.

Tank:  LOFT Petites

Earrings:  Torrid

Clutch:  The Limited

Blazer:  eloquii (Available here)

I love dressing for myself, which means sometimes enhancing, sometimes covering, but always trying to feel comfortable and stylish (by my own standards) in what I'm wearing.

For today's look, I took the metaphor of gilding of the lily (the lily being our bodies, in this case) literally, opting for this gold pleated maxi skirt.  I just love maxi skirts, and spotting this one in a gorgeous metallic knit and on serious sale felt like a real find.

Ring:  LOFT

An ivory camisole and long black blazer complete the look. 

I'm really loving this long blazer from eloquii.  For quite some time, I avoided longer-length blazers.  As someone who's so petite, I figured long blazers weren't very flattering, but I think pairing a longer length blazer with a tucked in blouse helps balance the proportions.

I also really love the style of the longer blazer with this look.  It's kind of the feminine version of the so-called "boyfriend" blazer - a little bit over-sized feeling, which I really like with the more formal skirt.

While pink and red get a lot of love on Valentine's Day, and lately quite a bit on my blog, I would definitely wear this look for a more formal V-Day date or event.

Are you a fan of wearing metallics?  Do you like longer blazers, or do you prefer to keep them more proportioned?

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

12 Days of Holiday: Solid Gold

I hope you all have having a wonderful holiday season! 

Yesterday marked the start of Kwanzaa, and New Year's Eve is just around the corner.  I'm not a particularly religious person, but I love the themes of birth/re-birth, community, family, and giving that the winter holidays celebrate. 

A new year, in particular, is a time for reflection on the blessings and challenges of the past year.  A new year gives rise to the possibilities of change, renewal, and revitalization.  It's a time to celebrate the past, present, and the future.

No matter what I do for the evening, New Year's Eve is one of my favorite times.  With this special night just around the corner, I'm thinking of party fashion!

Dress:  The Limited (old)

Jacket:  The Limited

I'm still not sure what my New Year's plans will be.  For the last several years, New Year's Eve has consisted of music, snacks, sparkling grape juice, and board games with the kiddos as we counted down to the new year with the Times Square Ball drop on TV. 

This year, we are toying with the option of a New Year's Eve date night, so I'm having fun considering my wardrobe options.

Shoes:  Payless (old)

Clutch:  The Limited
Belt:  The Limited

This look has a slight 70s disco feel.  It's super comfortable and would be perfect for a drinks and dancing with the man. 

Tights could certainly be added for extra warmth.  Truth be told, I was freezing during these pictures, so if I were to wear this outfit, I'd be adding some fun printed tights.

Earrings:  The Limited

Do you celebrate New Year's Eve?  What are your plans for this year?  Know what you're wearing?

Hope you all had a Merry Christmas, a happy Hanukkah, a wonderful Pancha Ganapati, a joyous Yule, a fantastic holiday season...here's to making 2014 our best ever year!!!

For this dress in other looks, see here and here.
For this jacket in other looks, see here.

St. Louis Fashion Week Kick-Off Party & Blog Awards - My Not So Glamorous Life

Last night was the kick-off to St. Louis Fashion Week and the Blogger Awards!

Pants:  The Limited (Sold out on-line; may be available in stores)
Blazer:  The Limited (Available here)

I'm so excited to announce that I won the People's Choice Award for "Best Delivery of Personal Style"!  Thank you all so much for voting for "Style Cassentials."  Your support means so much!!!

For the awards and party, I wanted a polished, clean look that had just a little bit of edge.  I decided on an all-black outfit with gold touches.

Heels:  Simply Vera by Vera Wang (Sold out on-line; may be available in some Kohl's stores)
Clutch:  The Limited (Available here)

Top:  Ann Taylor Petites (Available here)
Bracelet:  Local shop

I took these pics at the end of the night.  My feet were sore, and I was super sweaty - the humidity had taken its toll on me and my flat-ironed hair.  :-(

In looking at the pics, I noticed the kids had also gotten hold of some chalk and drew on the house.  Ha! 

Before the Awards

As glam as I may start my evening, reality always sets in!!!  I'm not complaining...it just reminds me all the more that while the images we see in magazines can be beautiful, they aren't real. 

They're taken with perfect lighting, hair and make-up artists on stand-by, and then air-brushed and re-imaged to impossible standards (see more here).  I'll take real-life - sweat, chalk, and all!

Belt:  The Limited (Similar here)
Earrings:  New York & Company (Available in silver here)

With Julia of "Oh, Julia Ann"
Photo c/o Psyche Southwell of "Economy of Style"

P.S.  Thanks again for voting!

For this top in another look, see here.

Easy Separates

Happy Friday!!!!!

Hope the first week of the New Year has been great for you!

Today, I wanted an easy look that was still put together enough for work.

Pants:  The Limited (Available here)
Heels:  Target (Available here)

Blouse:  The Limited (old)
Cardigan:  The Limited (old) (Similar here)

I chose my velvet skinnies and mixed this magenta blouse and cardigan for a modern take on the twinset.  

I've had this cardigan for a while, but I don't wear it much.  I'm a little on the fence about keeping it as I'm not sure it's very figure flattering.  Since the cardigan is too big and a little shapeless, I tucked the blouse in to try to create more shape.  I'm generally not a huge fan of belts over cardigans on my body, but if you'd like to draw attention to a small waist or to create an hourglass shape, belting a baggy cardigan like this can quickly do the trick.

Cuff:  New York & Company (Similar here)
Ring:  LOFT (no longer available on-line)

Necklace:  Target
Purse:  The Limited (Available here)

 Stay tuned this coming week for a preview of my favorite spring 2013 fashion trends!!!

Have a great weekend!

The Cat's Pyjamas

Happy Monday, everyone!  Hope you all had a great day! 

Dress:  The Limited (Available here)
Blazer:  The Limited (Similar here)

Today, I played up this fun leopard print of this dress with a black blazer and black and gold accessories.

Purse:  Express (Available here)
Belt:  The Limited (Similar: here)

 I love the pop of color with the bright geranium nail color.

Tights:  Torrid (Available here)
Boots:  Payless

The holidays are on my mind this week. What are your Thanksgiving plans? 

I have thoughts of pumpkin pie cheesecake and my mom's mashed potatoes in my head.  I also have thoughts of giving thanks.  I am thankful for so many things this year.  Among the many things, I am thankful to be more financially stable this year and thankful for fashion, which gives my life passion.  I am so thankful that I was able to get my blog off the ground this year and am very thankful to all of you, my readers!

Bracelets:  Target, Claire's; gold bangle (unknown)

See you tomorrow!

Leather or Not

Hi everyone!

Today I decided to wear my new blazer purchased from my September Wish List.  I love the faux leather sleeves and pocket detail.  

Blazer:  New York & Company (Available here)
Pants:  New York & Company Petites (Available here)

The high-waist and wider leg of the pant gives a subtle nod to the 70s, while the jacket shape and faux leather details keep the look modern.

Blouse:  The Limited
Belt:  The Limited

Leather is such a major trend this fall (See here).  Thankfully, vegan alternatives abound, so it's easy to find plenty of great pieces using faux leather.  I love the use of mixed materials in this blazer.  The woven fabric moves better than (faux) leather, and I think it makes the blazer more work appropriate than an all leather blazer might be.

Do you plan on nabbing any leather pieces this fall?  How would you rock them?