Saffron and Navy

Happy Thursday, everyone!!

Today, I'm featuring a saffron yellow dress from Eva Mendes for New York & Company. The dress is the same shape/style as a leopard dress I already have.  I normally don't like having duplicates of the same look, but I fell in love with this vibrant and gorgeous color and I'm a big fan of the easy shape of this dress.

Dress:  Eva Mendes for New York & Company (Available here)
Bag:  The Limited

After getting the dress in the mail though, I second guessed myself.  Was it too yellow?  Would I look like Big Bird?  LOL 

I had already decided to keep it, but after I asked my step-daughter what she thought, I was sure in my decision.  She said, "That's a great yellow!  It looks like the sun!"  Being the sun worshiper that I am, how could I resist?  Besides, she did inform me that Big Bird is her favorite bird!!  :-)

Blazer:  The Limited
Necklaces:  Target & The Limited

To tone down the yellow a bit for work (and because the dress requires some shoulder alterations), I threw on my navy military jacket and added camel heels. 

Bracelets:  Target and New York & Company (NY&CO bracelet available here)

I love the overall look, and pairing it with navy makes me realize that this yellow will work well into the fall, so I should get a lot of wear out of it.

Heels:  Target

Are you a fan of saffron yellow???

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

Honorable Mentions 2

Last summer, I featured a few looks in one post and called them "honorable mentions."  These were outfits that didn't make the cut for whatever reason as their own post.  Today, I'm bringing four more honorable mentions - all looks worn to work over this past fall and winter.

For work, I tend to stick to certain formulas (skinny pants or jeans+blouse+blazer) that satisfy my personal aesthetic and the demands of the workplace.  I rarely wear the same exact outfit more than once, but I often tweak outfits that I love, creating only minor variations.  Since a lot of these looks are similar, I don't feature all of them on the blog.  That said, I thought I'd give a few of them an honorable mention...

A work version of this previous outfit:

Pants:  The Limited
Booties:  Target (Available here)

Cami, Blazer, and Scarf:  LOFT

I love red pants with black and white prints.  This fun tote adds a new touch.

Bright red lipstick really doesn't work for me, but my love of a red lip makes me "forget" that sometimes!

Pants and Blazer:  The Limited
Tote:  Isabel and Ruben Toledo for Lane Bryant (Available here)

Top:  Ann Taylor Petites
Heels:  Target (Available here)

Casual Friday options:

A python clutch, burgundy heels, and gold accents add interest to a simple look.

Jeans, Blouse, Blazer, and Necklace:  The Limited
Clutch:  Ann Taylor

Ring:  LOFT
Heels:  Target

Grey jeans are polished for work with a flowy aqua blouse and navy blazer.  Silver and turquoise accents help tie the look together.

Jeans and Blazer:  The Limited
Blouse and Heels:  Target

Cuff:  Gift

What do you typically wear to work?

For the purple blazer in another look, see here, here, and here.For the lace cami in other looks, see here, here, and here.

For the red pants in other outfits, see here, here, here, here, here, here and here.
For the black and white top in other looks, see here and here.
For the black tuxedo blazer in other looks, see here, here, here, here, and here.

For the dark jeans in other looks, see here, here, and here.
For the white wrap blouse in other outfits, see here, here, here, and here.
For the black blazer won in other outfits, see here, here, here, here, here, here, and here.

For the navy blazer in other outfits, see here, here, here, and here.
For the aqua blouse in other looks, see here and here.
for the grey jeans in other outfits, see here, here, and here.

Muted and Moody

Happy Saturday, everyone!!  Hope your weekend is off to a magnificent start.

When spring hits, your mind goes towards colorful blooms, but this spring, flowers are taking a decidedly darker turn.  Moody floral prints are a big trend this spring, which is great to me because it's definitely my favorite way to do floral. 

Today, I'm featuring a recent work look that includes a moody floral print. 

Blouse:  The Limited (old)
Blazer:  The Limited (Sold out on-line; see here)

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

I've had this top for several years, but I haven't worn it in a long time because it was too long.  For some reason I thought it couldn't be hemmed due to a side zipper, but I was proven otherwise.  I love how the flowers look like they were drawn with charcoals.

The slightly somber feel of the floral inspired me to keep a muted color palette, mixing ivory, black, grey, and pale blue. 

As muted as this outfit is, there's still a lot going on - colorblocked pants, floral print, satin top, and a soft pop of color.

Heels:  Target (Similar here)

Bracelet:  Ixora Boutique (Available here)

I decided to keep jewelry minimal with this look, opting only for a singular silver mesh bracelet from Ixora Boutique.  I love the simple design of this piece - it looks great on its own, but it would also look amazing stacked with other bracelets.

Tote:  New York & Company

Are you a fan of dark floral prints? 

Another moody floral top here.
For this blouse in another look, see here.
For this blazer in another look, see here.
For these pants in other outfits, see here, here, and here.

Dress Week 2: Metallic and Fringe

Hope you all had a fabulous Valentine's Day and weekend!

My honey was busy studying this week for a licensing exam, so we decided to postpone our plans for a weekend getaway for later this month.  Instead, we enjoyed a quiet Valentine's Day dinner at a new Mexican restaurant we discovered and then went shopping for household supplies.  You know what - it was so much fun!  It's so rare that we have the opportunity to do simple errands together. It may not seem like much, but just spending the alone time together was very lovely! :-)

Dress:  eloquii by The Limited (old)

Blazer:  The Limited (See here - no longer available on-line)

I'm continuing with Dress Week tonight with this fun fringe dress.  I featured a very simple styling of this dress to accommodate the sticky heat and humidity of last July during my first Dress Week here.  Now, the weather is decidedly colder, so I added a blazer with metallic lapels and high boots. 

I first envisioned this outfit with crochet tights and ankle boots, but I'm so over winter and wearing tights that I opted for these boots to add the needed leg warmth (sheer or printed tights could still be added for extra warmth).  I like the length of this dress well enough with heels, but I'm thinking that it should have been shorter to wear with high boots - to give it a more evening, less business-y feel with the blazer.  What do you think?

Boots:  Payless (old)

What I love about this look is how the metallics and fringe give the outfit a little bit of a rocker edge.  And, the hot pink is just so cheerful for the winter time!

Earrings:  The Limited (old)

Bracelets:  LOFT (Not available on-line; may be available in stores)

This dress was my only purchase from eloquii - a plus-size line that was previously owned and operated by The Limited.  I'm excited to announce that eloquii is coming back very soon!!  The company is under new ownership, so no word on what the style direction of the company will now be, but it's great news for plus fashionistas! 

Clutch:  The Limited (Available here)

Did you shop at eloquii?  Are you a fan of high boots?

For this dress in another look, see here.
For this blazer in other outfits, see here and here.

Printed Shorts in Redbook!!!

Today I bring you exciting news that I have been anxiously waiting to share! 

In April, I was contacted by Redbook magazine about being featured in an upcoming issue of the magazine.  I was told that I needed an image wearing printed shorts for their August 2013's "Real Style" feature. 

I sent in several images in a few different printed shorts outfits, and this is the one they chose:

Shorts:  The Limited (No longer available; Similar here)
Blouse:  The Limited (Available here)

Page 77, August 2013 issue, courtesy of Redbook Magazine

 The runners-up here and below:

This one and the one below were my favorites!!

Blazer:  The Limited
Clutch:  The Limited

Heels:  Target (Available here)
Bracelets:  Target

Peplum top:  Forenza by The Limited
Blazer:  The Limited (Available here)

Earrings:  Target
Bracelets:  Target, The Limited

I am so over the moon about being contacted by Redbook.  While I would be excited about any national feature, I love that Redbook takes a very affirmative approach to including women of various shapes, sizes, and ethnic identities in their magazine.  It's an honor to be included in a magazine that appreciates the diversity of female beauty.  In my opinion, women's magazines, including Redbook, have a long way to go towards full inclusion, but Redbook stands as a shining example that the tide is changing.  It's so fulfilling to be part of their trailblazing efforts!

It's also ironic that the feature was on shorts - I have just started to break out of my shorts-phobia.  Shorts would not have been my first choice for my first major feature, but in the end, I think it was perfect! So many women that I know hate shorts and refuse to wear them because they don't think they're flattering or they are embarrassed of their thighs.  Not too long ago, I was one of those women! 

If you like the look of shorts but have been held back by self-doubt, it's time to challenge those fears and rock those legs!!!    :-D

For the ivory blazer in other looks, see here, here, and here.
For the peplum top in other looks, see here.
For the navy blazer in other looks, see here, here, here, and here.

A Shorts Story

Over the weekend, we took the kids to our local zoo, and this is what I wore:

Blazer:  LOFT Petites (Available here)
Shorts:  Torrid (Similar here)

The weather was perfect for walking around, and it was so fun watching my five-year-old squeal with delight at seeing all the animals.  :-)

James Dean t-shirt (Torrid here)
Shoes:  Kohl's (kids) (Available here)

Every time I say I'm not a fan of a certain trend or specific look, I find myself giving it a try (or three) and end up liking or even loving it. 

For example, I hated skinny pants and jeans on myself when they first came out and thought that I would never be a fan.  Now, I can't seem to get enough of them!

I've never been a big fan of shorts, no matter my size.  I always think they are riding up and have never found them as flattering as pants or skirts/dresses.

Purse:  Target (Available here)

This spring, I've seen so many cute shorts that I've been more willing to give them a try.  I also always find myself desperately seeking more breezy options come mid-July, and shorts are perfect for casual outdoor activities.  

These denim Bermuda shorts are super easy.  They have just the right amount of distressing, and because they are a longer, more fitted short, I don't get the dreaded ride-up issue.

Bracelets:  Target, Express, The Limited, H&M

I added a James Dean tee and seersucker blazer.  I love how the blazer dresses up the ultra casual jean shorts and tee.

This outfit has a tomboyish feel, but I added feminine details with the rope sandals, v-neck line, and bracelets.

It was perfect for a fun day at the zoo!!

For these shorts in another look, see here.

Wonder Woman

Something about this outfit reminds me of Wonder Woman.  I think it's a combination of the gold hardware, the red, and just how powerful I feel in this look.

Dress:  New York & Company (Similar here and here)

I wore my peplum dress with a red blazer and added in black and gold accessories.

Jacket:  The Limited (Sold out on-line, may be available in stores; Similar here)

I feel super put-together in this look and ready to take on the world.  RAAAAWWWWWWRRRRRR!

Belt:  The Limited (Similar here)
Shoes:  Target (Available here)

Do you have an outfit that makes you feel powerful?  What makes you feel like a superhero?

Purse:  Express (Similar here)
Ring:  LOFT (Similar here)

For this dress in other looks, see here, here, and here.
To see this blazer styled differently, see here.

Spring 2013 Fashion Preview: Color-palooza!

The mercury may be in the teens, but I am having a major case of spring fever, so today, I mixed last spring's bubblegum pink blazer with a mint top.

Jacket:  The Limited (Similar here and here)
Top:  New York & Company (Available here)

Pants:  The Limited (Similar here)
Heels:  Target (old)

Color is always popular on Spring runways, and this spring is no exception.

Emerald is the color of the year, but spring's major color trends include all of the following:

Spring 2013 Color Trends,
Source:  www.pantone.com

I'm particularly loving the primary shades of poppy, lemon, and blue.

One of the big color trends for spring was a monochromatic color statement:

Gucci Spring 2013 look
Source:  www.harpersbazaar.com

I don't see myself in quite so much of one color, but I would definitely rock a dress with a matching jacket such as the look below.

I'm in LOVE with this seafoam green look from Donna Karan!  I love the soft muted color and the floaty feel.

Donna Karan Spring 2013 look
Source:  www.fashionista.com

More of my favorite colorful looks from the Spring runways:

Diane Von Furstenburg Spring 2013 look
Source:  www.dvf.com

Diane Von Furstenburg Spring 2013 look
Source:  www.dvf.com

Do you like to wear a lot of color in the Spring?  Would you wear a colorful monochromatic look?

Burgundy Velvet x Two

Today's blog is a bit of a two-for-one.  I'm featuring two looks from this week featuring red velvets.

The first look pairs a burgundy velvet jacket with skinny black tuxedo pants and burgundy heels.

Blazer:  New York & Company
Blouse:  Old Navy
Pants:  The Limited (Similar here)

Satchel:  The Limited (Sold out on-line)
Shoes:  Target (Available here)
Earrings:  The Limited (Sold out on-line)
Bracelet:  eBay (Similar here)

The second pairs dark red velvet pants with an eyelash peplum top for a casual romantic look.

Pants:  The Limited (Available here)
Blouse:  LOFT Petites (Sold out on-line; see here)
Blazer:  The Limited (Available here)

Boots:  Payless
Bracelet:  The Limited

Velvet is such a great winter fabric.  It adds texture to your outfit and keeps you warm at the same time!

Do you like wearing velvet?