Holiday Double Feature - Casual Cocktails

Happy Friday, everyone!! 

Skirt:  Torrid (Available here)

Today, Irene and I are wrapping up our holiday double feature.  Hope you've gotten some ideas from our posts on red and green, office parties, sparkle and shine, and tuxedos. 

We're wrapping up our series today with a look for what we're calling "casual cocktails." 

Sweater:  New York & Company (Available here)

Boots:  Target

Going to a more casual holiday event?  Whether it's a house party, a low-key bar, or holiday happy hour, some events of the season are simply more casual.

Photo provided by HollieWould PIX

You could go with jeans and a sparkly sweater (which would be perfectly cute), but I love the idea of elevating even your casual looks for the holiday season.

Ring:  LOFT

This look has a cool French girl vibe that I reaallllly dig.  It feels ultra sexy without looking like you tried too hard.  

The off-the-shoulder sweater and peek-a-boo lace on the skirt add visual interest to this simple monochromatic look.  Wanting to preserve the sophisticated simplicity of this outfit, I chose minimal but statement-making extras, my Dior-inspired pearl studs and a red clutch, to complete the look.

Earrings:  Target

Clutch:  Vintage

Irene went more casual, but kept her look interesting and festive with special touches like her tuxedo stripe trousers and a lace color blocked blouse.

Irene of Petite Plus, Meow!

To see more of Irene's look, head over to Petite Plus, Meow! or check her out on Facebook!

Hope you enjoyed our holiday collab and were inspired to try out a new look for one of your holiday events!!

For my skirt in another look, see here.

Holiday Black & White

Happy Monday!!

Jumpsuit:  Torrid (Available here; Similar here)

My holiday collaboration with the lovely Irene of Petite Plus, Meow! starts next week, but I've been having fun playing around with holiday looks, and I came up with a few extras, including this one.

Blazer:  LOFT Petites

Heels:  Target

I wanted to create a holiday look that had a laid-back feel, but that also felt dressy enough for a party.

The first thing I thought of was my black jumpsuit!  I added an ivory floral jacquard blazer and basic pumps. 

Necklace:  New York & Company

Then, I finished the look off with some major accessories - a long lariat necklace, beaded ear cuffs, and a bold clutch.

Lariat:  New York & Company

Ear cuffs:  Eva Mendes for New York & Company (Sold out on-line; May be available in stores)

Clutch:  The Limited

Would you wear this look for a holiday event?  Where to?

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

Fall Double Feature: Loving Leather

Today, I'm excited to start a new series.  This "double feature" is a collaboration with fellow petite curvy blogger, Irene from Petite Plus, Meow!

Irene describes her style as classic, feminine, and sophisticated.  I prefer modern classics with a little dark or edgy glamour.  Together, we will be exploring and putting our own twists on several fall trends.

Today, we are talking LEATHER!

Skirt: The Limited (old) (Similar here)

Bustier top:  Ann Taylor Petites (last year)

Leather is a huge trend for fall, and black leather is back in a huge way this season.  I love wearing faux leather (prefer to let the animals keep their skins)! 

Today, I'm playing with my fit-and-flare leather skirt.

Blazer:  Ann Taylor
Shoes: Simply Vera by Vera Wang for Kohl's (Available here)

Paired with a bustier-style top, a cropped tuxedo jacket, and lace-up heels, my leather skirt is ready for an evening out.  I would wear this for a fall fashion event or possibly a dressy date night.

Necklace: Ann Taylor
Earrings: Torrid

Rings:  Shoxie.com & Torrid
Bracelets:  The Limited & Ann Taylor (Available here)

While I love my look for evening, Irene's look could work for night or day!  Irene gave her faux leather leggings and drapey jacket a feminine twist with a floral blouse.



Irene of Petite Plus, Meow!

The leather on leather look is softened by the blouse and has a cool "Pink Ladies" vibe that I love.  Read more about her look over on her blog here or check her out on Facebook here.

Are you a fan of black leather?  How would you wear this trend?

Clutch:  Amazon.com (Available here)

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

Screw Perfection

What is perfection?  What does it meant to be perfect? To look perfect?

Tee:  Torrid (Available here)

Perfection is in the eye of the beholder.  What's good for one person is not for the other.  

When we realize that perfection is subjective, then it really puts all the messages with which we are bombarded into perspective.  So many of us have let companies, the media, culture, etc. decide for us what it means to be and look "perfect." 

Cardigan:  Torrid (Similar here)

Skirt:  Peter Pilotto for Target

I struggled most of my life with insecurities - many of them related to my body and appearance, but also related to my social class and other factors.

I've largely overcome most of these issues with a lot of self-work and the increased knowledge that comes with growing older (Wisdom is a good thing, people - respect your elders!)

Bracelets:  Ann Taylor, Torrid, The Limited
Rings:  Earthbound Trading Co., Torrid, The Limited

But... I still have those nagging insecurities that creep about when I least expect or desire them.  I'm still working through my anxiety over my belly, but I know that each day is a process, and I know to remind myself that while my body isn't where it could be health-wise or appearance-wise, it is still my body.  It is beautiful and strong for all the amazing things it does.

I remind myself that beauty and "perfection" mean different things to different people  My excess belly fat, which I so often bemoan, is viewed as perfect to others.  My fiance loves my soft belly, and my daughter tells me that I'm "so comfy." 

Flats:  Target

I tend to be a perfectionist.  I don't like criticism.  I hate doing a poor job at something.  I strive to always do my best at the things that matter to me.

I don't like admitting my faults (is there someone out there who finds this easy??), but I have found that striving to have an appearance of perfection makes you fake to others...because you are being fake.  Trying to put on an air of perfection to hide our flaws and protect our delicate egos keeps people at bay.  It keeps people from seeing the real you.  The real you is wonderful - not in spite of your flaws, but because of them!

So, on those days when you're feeling not feeling so great, remember to tell yourself, "Screw Perfection!" The notion of perfection is both overrated and meaningless.

Do you consider yourself a perfectionist?

For this skirt in other looks, see here and here.

Summer's End

Happy Monday!

Skirt:  labworks Petites by Target (Available here)

Top:  Forever 21+

Hope everyone had a great weekend, and is enjoying some end of summer fun!

The end of summer is always one of my favorite times of the year.  It brings back memories of going back to school, and it bears the promise of the changing colors and cooling temperatures of fall.

Today's look is perfect for some late summer excitement.  I would wear this look out on a date, to a party, or even out to dinner.

Clutch:  Target

Bracelet:  The Limited (Available here)
Ring:  eloquii (Available here)

The clutch, bold jewelry, and neon heels give the outfit a fun evening flair.

Switch the heels out for flat sandals or more comfortable wedges, and this look could also work for just about any daytime function as well!

Heels:  Target

Jacket:  c/o Myrda J (Available here)

I've included my short sleeve jacket from Myrda J in this look.  Their end of summer sale starts today, so it's a great time to pick up some fun and versatile pieces!

PLUS:  Save 30% on non-sale merchandise and an EXTRA 30% off sale merchandise with exclusive promo code:  SUMMER100!

Add caption

Earrings:  The Limited

Any fun end-of-summer plans? 

For this skirt in another look, see here.
For this top in another look, see here.
For this jacket in another look, see here.
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Floral & Stripes

I'm not always the most subtle person in life.  Maybe that's why I love subtlety in my wardrobe!

Skirt:  Ann Taylor (Available here)

Today, I play around with pattern mixing in the subtlest of ways.  This floral blouse already has stripes within the floral pattern, but I thought it would be fun to wear a skirt that has striped pintucking detail for an additional pattern mix.

Top:  The Limited (Available here)

Sandals:  Payless (old)

Little touches like this help make your look feel more thought out and give your outfit more interest.

Jacket:  Forever 21+

Accessories help you make the look truly feel like your own.

Earrings:  Express (old)

Ring:  The Limited
Bracelet:  Ann Taylor (Available here)

Purse:  The Limited

When I first wore this skirt, it was below the knee as you see here.

The skirt was sold out in my size in petites, so I decided to go with a regular length.

At first, I wasn't sure if I was going to keep the length as is.  Midi skirts are on-trend, and it's fun to play around with different shapes. 

After thinking it through, I decided that I would prefer the skirt at a length right above the knees. 

I'm getting it altered, but in the meantime, I'm featuring the look as worn the first go-around!

Hope you're enjoying my series on black and white fashion.  Check out my earlier posts here and here.

For this blazer in other looks, see here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, and here.