One Dress, Two Ways

Hope your week is off to a great start! 

Today, I'm featuring this fun fit-and-flare dress styled two different ways.

Dress:  The Limited (Similar here)

The first look is perfect for summer evenings.  I would wear this out to a special dinner, for a date, a wedding, or many other occasions.  Adding a gold plate belt and patent high heels makes for a simple look that really lets YOU stand out.

Heels:  Target (Similar here)

Belt:  The Limited (came with romper)

I took my grandmother to church yesterday, and below is a minor variation of what I wore.  I added the belt for pictures, which helps shows off my shape more.  The look is a tad sweeter than I normally like, but I like that it has a polished feel.  This look would be great for work as well.

Cardigan:  LOFT Petites (Available here)Earrings:  Torrid (Available here)

Sandals:  Payless (old)Belt:  The Limited

A printed clutch and ivory bracelets work for both looks! 

Clutch:  Target
Bracelets:  LOFT and New York & Company (Available here)

Which look do you prefer?

For this dress styled differently, see here and here.

Black Pants for Work: Modern Tuxedo

I cap off my feature on black pants with black tuxedo trousers.  I love that these pants have a classic trouser shape while the ivory stripe adds on-trend flair.

Pants:  Ann Taylor Petites (Available here)
Blazer:  Ann Taylor (Available here)

My love for tuxedo-inspired styles is never-ending.  For this look, I paired the tuxedo trousers with a cropped ivory tuxedo blazer and a bib-front tank for a modern take on the tuxedo.

Ivory tank:  LOFT Petites (Sold out on-line; may be available in stores)
Black tank:  Old Navy Petites (Similar here)

Bag:  Target
Bangles:  ??? (old)

I added wooden bangles and a bright zebra print bag for an unexpected mix.

I like this outfit quite a bit, but I think if I were to do it over, I would up the tribal accessories and inspiration to make the mix of tribal and tuxedo more deliberate looking.  If you're going to do something, commit, right?  :-)

Boots:  Target (Available here)

Are you a fan of tuxedo-inspired looks? How do you keep your black pants interesting for work?


For these pants in another look, see here.
For this tank in another outfit, see here.

Cheer Up Winter!

Hope you all have been having a great day!  

Pants:  The Limited (Sold out on-line; Similar here)
Blouse:  New York & Company (Similar here)

Pants:  The Limited (old; Similar may be available in stores)
Blouse:  The Limited (Available here)

Like many of you, I've been house-bound all weekend and will continue to be so tomorrow as I'm stuck in a near-record Midwestern snowfall.  As most of us in the U.S. are facing harsh blizzard-like snow and extreme temperatures, I've been thinking about ways to warm up and stay cheerful through the winter.

Jacket:  LOFT Petites
Clutch:  Target

Snow is beautiful, but I'm not much of a cold weather gal.  If you're a winter lover, this may not make much sense to you, but for me, months of little to no sunshine makes me feel down in the dumps. I often rely on my wardrobe to get me through the worst of it.  

Blazer:  New York & Company Petites (Similar here)
Tank:  Old Navy Petites (Similar here)

After the fun of holiday glitz and glam, I usually turn to pretty spring colors and interesting details to boost my spirits.  One of my most frequent work looks involves black pants with an ivory/white blouse and brightly colored jacket.   

Necklace:  The Limited (Available here)

I look for blouses in delicate fabrics with black trims and details to keep the look more intentional than a basic black pants/white blouse combo.   Accessories also help tie the individual pieces together to create a more cohesive look.

Bracelets:  Torrid and The Limited (Available here and here)

Tote:  The Limited
Boots:  Fergalicious by Fergie (Available here)

Heels:  Target (Available here)

The pops of springy colors give the outfits a happy feel while still being winter appropriate and warm.

Do you have a cold weather work uniform?

Dress Week: Mixing Decades

Happy Saturday, everyone!

We have been having a lot of 90+ degree days lately.  This season, I am forcing myself to dress for the season and rid myself of the constant need for cardigans and blazers, at least when I'm not at work in my chilly office.

Tunic:  Forever 21+ (Available here)

In the past, I would have thrown a cardigan over this look, even in the height of a balmy Midwestern summer.

Today's look has a modern appeal but references the 1920s and 1940s.  

I am completely inspired by the 1920s.  The decade was such an amazing period of progress and change for women's political and social rights in this country.  With the social changes came a change in fashion.  I really can't get enough of 1920s fashion - so beautiful and interesting.  The dropped waist of this dress and bead necklace is a subtle nod to the flapper era.

With World War II in full swing, the 1940s also brought about a lot of change for women as women were told it was their patriotic duties to join the paid labor force and support the war efforts.  This decade led to war-time rationing, and the fashion of that decade also reflected those changes.  These color blocked bow heels give reference to 1940s fashion.

Necklace:  The Limited (old)
Clutch:  Target

Shoes:  eBay (Available here)
Bow earrings:  The Limited (Similar here)

Mixing fashion from two decades that brought such major change for women feels modern, fun, and just a little bit quirky!

Ring:  LOFT

Do you like wearing vintage or vintage-inspired fashion?  What fashion periods do you find inspiring?

For this tunic/dress in another look, see here

Second Time's a Charm

Hope you're all having a great Saturday!

Today, I styled my ivory lace dress with a black jacket and wedge sandals.

Dress:  LOFT (Available here)
Jacket:  LOFT Petites (Available in average sizes here)

Shoes:  Target (Similar here)

I added in a few pops of color with the jade ring and yellow bag.  I really like how the bag, bangles, and shoes help tie the ivory and black together to create a more cohesive look.

Purse:  Target (Available here)

The first time I wore this dress, I added a green jacket and yellow sandals (see here).  I liked the color combo but wasn't fond of the overall look. 

Bracelets:  Target, Express, The Limited
Jade ring:  Vintage (Similar here)

I think this outfit works much better!

Leather and Lace

For today's look, I paired a black faux leather skirt with a lace and faux leather top.  

Blouse:  Forever 21+ (Available here)
Skirt:  The Limited (Available here)

I love wearing leather and lace - such a great mix of hard and soft.  

Shoes:  eBay (Available here)

Tank:  Old Navy Petites (Similar here)

Such a mix of fabrics could easily translate to a bad 80s combo, but the more modest and modern shapes of this outfit feel spot-on to me.

Clutch:  Target (Available in stores)

This look combines two of spring's major trends - graphic black and white and leather.

For more on the black and white trend for spring, see here and here.

For this skirt in another look, see here.
For this blouse in another look, see here.

Style Uniform

I have a style uniform - skinny pants, flowy top, blazer - usually in black and cream/beige.

Top:  The Limited (Available here)
Pants:  The Limited (Available here)

I knew I wore this style a lot, but when I wore this outfit, I realized just how much I like this look!!

Jacket:  The Limited
Shoes:  Target (old)

I ran across these similar  looks that I've worn previously:

Quick Picks

Touch of Color

Sequins, Velvet, & Tweed

At ease

Circles and Lines

Hey There Babydoll

When keeping a color palette so simple, mixing textures, patterns, and interesting shapes keep the look feeling fresh.

For example, this top has a great graphic print and cool cutout detailing on the neckline.

Jade ring:  Gift - vintage (Similar here)
Hourglass necklace:  Claire's (Available here)
Purse:  The Limited (Available at Eloquii here)

Do you have a style uniform?

Touch of Color

Hope you all had a great Hump Day!!

Cardigan:  LOFT Petites (Similar here)
Blouse:  Gap (old)

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

Today, I paired neutral pieces with green color blocked heels and a jade ring for a few pops of color.

Shoes:  Target (Available here)
Bracelets:  Target, World Market

Purse:  The Limited (Sold out on-line)

Ring: Vintage (gift) (Similar here)
Earrings:  Express 

To see this blouse styled differently, see here.

Do you like adding small doses of color to neutral looks?

Workin' into the New Year!

Happy New Year's Eve, everyone!!!

New Year's Eve is one of my favorite holidays, second only to Halloween.  New Year's Eve reminds me of the cyclical nature of time and of all life.  I love the idea of rebirth and renewal that a new year brings.  As 2012 draws to a close, I am reflecting on the challenges and triumphs of the last year and looking forward to 2013.

I'm not a major resolution maker, but I do take the opportunity of New Year's to think about my goals and plans for the next year and to reflect on how I can make myself a better person than I was the last year.  One of my great sources of joy in 2012 has been starting this blog and watching it grow.  I'm still in the infantile stages, but I am excited and eager to continue this journey!

I had to work today, but I still wanted a bit of a festive look for the day.  I am always up for a tuxedo-inspired look, and I love the simplicity of this monochromatic look.

Blazer:  The Limited (No longer available on-line; see here)
Top:  The Limited (Available here)

Pants:  The Limited
Heels:  Target (Available here)

The draped Grecian-inspired knit top is super comfortable, and the draping is flattering.

My plans for New Year's include watching movies, playing Wii, and drinking sparkling grape juice with my kiddos, which means I'll probably be in sweats tonight.

Necklace:  World Market (old)
Purse:  The Limited (old)
Ring:  The Limited (old)

Going out for New Year's?  Would love to see your looks!  "Like" me on Facebook and post your New Year's looks!

Hope you all have a wonderful and safe New Year's Eve!

See you in 2013!!!

Circles and Lines

Happy Thursday, everyone!

Today, I chose my favorite monochromatic color palette and mixed textures and prints to keep the look interesting.

Coated denim jeans:  Target (Available here)
Blazer:  The Limited (Similar here)

Tank:  The Limited
Satchel:  The Limited (Available here)

Scarf:  The Limited
Earrings:  Express

The herringbone blazer and stripes in the scarf play off of the circles on the scarf and polkadots on the blouse.

The quilted satchel and striped bangle adds more texture and subtle print to the look.

Bangles:  Target
Shoes:  Target

Do you like mixing textures and patterns?