Firmoo Eye Wear Giveaway

Last spring, I told you all about Firmoo.com, a web site that has great affordable eye wear that is simply perfect for those of you who are looking to save some money on eye wear or who want to accessorize with your frames.

Spring Berries & An Eyewear Feature from Firmoo.com

The dark purple frames I received last spring get major use by me and are holding up really well.  They are super lightweight which makes them so comfortable on the face.

In honor of Thanksgiving, Firmoo is now generously allowing me to give away a voucher that can be used for your own pair of glasses, which includes a pair of frames from this selection and standard 1.50 index single vision lenses.  If you need upgraded frames or want any add-ons, these can be added to your freebies at cost.

Here are a few of my favorites currently available:

#DBSN62203

#DBSN62170

#DBSN65096

#Pae9915

Follow the instructions below to enter for your own free pair of glasses!

Don't forget to leave a comment after you check out the frames on Firmoo.com and let me know which pair you would choose!

Giveaway ends 12:00 AM on December 3rd!  Winner will be notified that evening.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Third Year Look Back: My 10 Most Popular Posts

In honor of my 3rd blogiversary, I'm looking back at the past year, and today, I've rounded up my 10 most popular posts.  These posts received the most hits over the last year, starting from the tenth most popular to the fan favorite.  As you'll see, the posts I've written as part of  the #UnconditionalBodyBeautiful series have been some of my most popular posts, giving me a lot of encouragement to continue promoting body positivity through the love of and experimentation with fashion!


#10.  A Homecoming Look + A Review of My Pick from Altuzarra for Target 
On this post, I wear my college alma mater colors and review what I thought would be my favorite dress from the Altuzarra collab with Target (turned out, not so much).

#9.  Unconditionally Body Beautiful Part 3: My Journey on My Legs
On the 3rd installment of Unconditionally Body Beautiful, the other participants and I talked about our relationships with our legs.  My legs are strong and shapely and are one of my favorite body parts.  I just love showing them off with short skirts and dresses!

#8.  What's New at eShakti!!
I've talked about eShakti quite a few times on the blog as I'm huge fan of their custom fit and styling options and variety of offerings.  I've actually got several new eShakti pieces that I'll be sharing on the blog soon, including a piece or two from this post!

#7.  The Temptress
While I inevitably returned this dress because of some minor fit issues and my inability to find a bra that would work with it, I really did love the color and overall shape of this style.  I especially liked the pairing of the sexy dress with the "Feminist" clutch because believing in the inalienable rights and inherent equality of all people regardless of sex or gender expression is in no way incongruous with loving fashion or wearing sexy clothes!

#6.  Garden Party
The watercolor floral pattern and lace inset at the waist really sold me on this slip dress.  Not sure why this particular post was so popular, but I'm guessing that the pretty pattern and unique aspects of the dress won you all over as well! :-)

#5.  Leopard in Transition
Leopard is a great transitional print.  I tend to think of leopard as mostly a fall print, but it really can work year round, depending on styling.  For late summer/early fall, a leopard print dress paired with bare legs and a plum satchel is perfect! 

#4.  Unconditional Body Beautiful - Part 1:  My Body and I From the Beginning
In the first post in the Unconditional Body Beautiful series, I explored my earliest feelings about my body and relate the changing nature of my relationship with my body over time.   While I rocked crop tops at the tender age of 3, it took me a long time to get back there, and I'm most definitely still a work in progress!

#3.  Smart Glamour and Body Positivity
I was so honored to be able to work with Mallorie Carrington of Smart Glamour and to feature a fun cropped tee from her custom, made in the USA, body positive fashion company!

#2.  Snowy Whites
This post was not only one of my most popular posts this past year, it is also one of my own personal favorites.   I love the shades of white and beige, and I felt like a fashionable winter fairy! 

#1.  Unconditional Body Beautiful - Part 4: My Belly and Me
The most popular post on the blog this past year was also the 4th installment of the Unconditional Body Beautiful Series in which I discussed my relationship with my belly.  Loving my belly sometimes requires daily reminders, but I'm getting there, and wearing crop tops now seem more fun than scary!

Again, thank you so much for making my third year of blogging such a spectacular experience!!

Did any of your favorites make it to the top 10?

Black Velvet & 3rd Blogiversary!!

Today marks the 3rd anniversary of my blog! 

Dress:  Eloquii, c/o Sophisticated Curves (Available here)

It's hard to believe I've been doing this for three years!  My little labor of love has connected me to so many amazing people who I otherwise wouldn't have had the opportunity to know.  It's given me a platform to share my love of fashion with like-minded individuals, and it has connected me with some amazing brands.

Glasses:  Valentino

All in all, I've had so much fun blogging over the last three years, so I figured why not celebrate in style!

I decided to go with a fancy dress from +ELOQUII gifted to me by William of Sophisticated Curves.  I connected with William and Sophisticated Curves (an amazing resource for plus-size news and fashion) through my experience blogging, so wearing this dress for my blogiversary only seemed fitting.

Ear cuff:  eBay

Given that it's almost August, it has been too hot to wear a velvet dress.  Because of this, I hadn't gotten it hemmed yet.  You may notice that there is a seam past the knee that leads into the trumpet hem.  To get the proper placement for the trumpet, I'll be moving this seam up.

Even though I haven't yet had a chance to get it hemmed, I thought the extra length created a cool train, so I decided to go with it.  It's part Old Hollywood glam, part Morticia Addams.  Pretty good hybrid, if you ask me!

Clutch:  The Limited

The traditional gift for the third anniversary is wood, and I thought it would be cool to do a woodsy scene as a backdrop to my blog photos.  Due to the hectic wedding planning, I had to settle for a tree in my backyard, but it gave me a little of the vibe I wanted.

Thanks again for reading my blog and helping me celebrate three years!  I wouldn't be here without you! :-)

Go Blog Social

Hope you all have had a lovely weekend.  Happy Easter to those of you who celebrate!

Skirt:  Eloquii (Available here)
Clutch:  Smart Glamour Custom (Available here)

I can't believe we are already five days into April!  I'm excited by some of the things I have going on this month on the blog - a fun dress series starting later this week and a photo shoot I'm nervously planning!  I'm deciding that it's time to be a little more fearless, and this photo shoot is about conquering some of that fear!

I spent the first part of a three-day weekend in Kansas City going to a blogger conference.  At Go Blog Social, I met a few cool new people, though not as many as I should have.  I am trying to conquer my fear of walking up to people and introducing myself, but it is taking some time.  I always feel like I'm interrupting people or intruding on established pairs or groups, and I feel a wave of insecurity rush over that I normally don't feel.  Again, I'm trying to be more fearless in life though.  Who knows what connections I might miss out on if I'm too shy to approach people?

Bag:  Lily Jade

At the conference, I picked up a few ideas and tips that I hope to try out with the blog soon.  I'm really excited about the potential for some of these plans, and I hope you'll enjoy the small changes you'll see coming up soon!!

With Blogger Babe, Jill of Stilettos on Sunday Morning

Back tomorrow!!

Style Cassentials Turns Two!

My blog turns two today, and I just wanted to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their viewership and support. 

It really means a lot to me that anyone reads my blog, let alone comments or follows regularly!!

Dress:  Sophie Theallat for The Limited

This past year has been a year of change and growth for my blog, and I'm very proud of my efforts to offer various content over the last year.  While I did not achieve all the goals I had planned a year ago, I also adapted and changed some of these goals as the year progressed.

Heels:  Target (Similar here)

In December 2013, I started working as a contributing writer for The Curvy Fashionista, and this experience has taught me so much!  (Thanks Marie!!)  It has given me tons of tips, tricks, and ideas that I have started intepreting for Style Cassentials.

I have also expanded my presence on Facebook this year.  If you're a Facebook user and you're not already following me, check out my page here for lots of additional content not offered on the blog!

My blog has always been about personal style and its evolution.  That focus is based on the foundation that ALL women deserve to partake in fashion, if they so choose.  Body size, shape, age, income, race, sexual orientation...NONE of these things should be relevant in having fun with fashion.

I hope to continue to promote these ideas and share body-positive content with you in the coming year.

I will continue to explore my own personal style and share my fashion joys, challenges and growth with you.

In addition, I have ideas that I hope will make my blog a more interactive experience for all of us.  More on that later...

I have some questions for you: 

What would you like to see more/less of on the blog?  Do you have any style questions you want answered? 

LET ME KNOW!

In the meantime, a birthday celebration wouldn't be complete without a birthday look!

I had wanted to do a really fun photo shoot like I did last year, but I seriously could not decide what I wanted to do!

So, this year, I'm a little more subdued and classy in a lace dress that I actually wore on MY birthday last year.  :-)

I'm looking forward to the year ahead, and hope you'll stick around with me because there's so much more to come!

Again, thank you so much for joining me on this journey!

Blush and Back Zips

Happy Friday, everyone!!

Today, I'm featuring two recent work outfits that have a few details in common - blush pink and back zips.

Pants:  The Limited (Sold out on-line; may be available in stores)
Blouse:  LOFT Petites (Sold out on-line; see here)

Pants:  The Limited (Available here)Blazer: New York & Company (Available here)

I'm not usually one to buy multiples of clothing items.  I like variety in my wardrobe, and I don't like looking the same everyday.  That said, when it comes to pants, I make an exception, especially if they are a more basic pant like the navy and black skinnies I'm featuring today.

Heels:  Target (Similar here)
Purse:  Forever 21 (Available here)

Cardigan:  LOFT Petites
Heels:  Target (Similar here)

I love the back zip detail as it gives these pants an extra something, and also because it reminds me of when ankle zips were popular when I was a kid. 

I feel like I'm doing a major booty shot here, but how else am I supposed to show you the cool detail?  :-)

Earrings:  Ixora Boutique (Sold out on-line)

I've long been a fan of blush pink - it reminds me of ballet, and as I've stated here before - I LOVE ballet-inspired fashion.

I love how the pale pink adds a soft detail to the darker neutrals.  Pastels are a HUGE trend this spring, and pink, in all its shades, is having a serious moment this year.

Tank:  Target (Available in other colors here)
Blouse:  Gap (old)

Clutch:  The Limited (Available here)
Necklace:  The Limited

Would you wear blush pink?  Are you a fan of back-zipped pants?


For the blush blouse in other looks, see here and here.
For the black cardigan in other looks, see here, here, here, and here.

For the beige blouse in other outfits, see here and here.
 

Style Cassentials, 11/11/13

 This art project looks at the ridiculousness of Disney-fying female role models.  Does it go too far?

Sexism in advertising is nothing new.  How far do you think we have come from these sexist ads? 

Quality, price, range of sizing?  Are consumer demands reasonable? 

Halloween may be over, but these amazing costumes are making me plan for next year!

Gorgeous gold detail and over-the-knee boots.  Chic and fabulous!

Cool and classic with a bit of edge....Konstantina gets black and white is oh so right!

The images we see in magazines and on billboards are disturbingly altered, as this short video clearly illustrates.

So, you say you're not a feminist?  Are your reasons misguided or reasonable?  This article explores why many famous women deny being feminists.

Wendy's outfits are always inspirational!  Beautiful mix of textures and color.

Help Me Re-Name My Blog!!

For some time, I have been wanting to change the name of my blog. I want something that is catchy and easy to remember but that also fits the content and mission of my site.

I have always planned for a different logo for the blog and have grappled over other aspects of my site's design. By the end of the year, I plan to make several changes to my blog's design that I hope you will all enjoy.

By then, I also hope to have a new name to go with my new look. To that end, I am looking for suggestions. Any and all ideas are greatly appreciated!

 Thanks so much!!

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.