Imitation Game: Nicolette Mason

It's been a while since I have done an Imitation Game post, but it was long overdue!  Today, I'm featuring a look inspired by Nicolette Mason.  I first discovered Nicolette when she took over the "Big Girl in a Skinny World" column in Marie Claire.  I always enjoy Nicolette Mason's feminine and sometimes quirky style, but I was particularly inspired by her recent post "Still Here."

Dress:  ASOS (Available here)

In this post, Nicolette featured a floral slip dress with a moto jacket.  The look felt really modern, but the print of the dress also had a retro '90s feel that made me super nostalgic for a floral slip dress I had when I was a teenager.

Photo on left by Lydia Hudgens and used with permission of Nicolette Mason
As featured on NicoletteMason.com

Jacket:  Boohoo Plus

I was so inspired that I literally had to head over to the ASOS website to pick up the dress for myself.  The sheer panels at the neckline, mid-section, and hem were super cute, and the fit of this dress worked well with my top-heavy frame.

I liked the way that Nicolette styled this dress with a moto jacket, so I did the same.  I also echoed her pink purse by adding a recent faux fur find from Who What Wear x Target.

Purse:  Who What Wear x Target (Available here)

Glasses:  Valentino

Staying true to my style, I finished the look with booties instead of Nicolette's pumps.

Boots:  FarylRobin Fawcett (Available at Target here)

How did I do with this style steal?  Do you follow Nicolette's blog?

Head on over to NicoletteMason.com to check it out for yourself!

Reverse It

I first featured this dress styled simply and somewhat casually with beige booties and a chocolate clutch. 

The Dress Worn as Designed

When first trying this dress on, my seven-year-old said that I had the dress on backwards.  I explained that it was the design to have a lower vee back. 

She then suggested that I wear it reversed.  What a great idea!  I knew my baby was a genius!  :-)

Dress:  ASOS (Available here)

Dresses are wonderful, but they usually offer rather limited styling possibilities.  

As designed, this dress is versatile enough to style for casual days and evenings, as well as for work, but the fact that I can wear it reversed for another evening possibility gives this one bonus points.

Reversing the dress created a deep v-neckline that was stunning for an evening out with the man.

Jacket:  Torrid (Available here)

Boots:  Target

Clutch:  Target

Earrings:  The Limited

I really played with textures and patterns in this look, mixing an unexpected straw clutch, wood watch, and faux leather jacket to the weaved texture dress.  Lace print glasses added another subtle print.

Watch:  c/o JORD Wood Watches (Available here)

Glasses:  Valentino

Have you ever worn a dress backwards?  How did you like it?

For the dress in another look, see here.
For the jacket in other looks, see here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, and here.

Day To Night Minimalism

Hope your week is off to a good start!  I'm sorry I've been gone from the blogosphere for a while.

I've been so busy with work and fun time and haven't had a lot of time or energy for blogging. For me, blogging has ups and downs. When I start to feel blogger burnout, I try to step back a bit instead of forcing myself to write without passion.  While I take my blogging seriously, I never want it to feel like just another "job."

Skirt:  The Limited

It's kind of nice to be living life though, having fun playing board games with the kids and getting ready for Halloween, going to fashion shows, and spending a little time with the man.  Sometimes, I get so bogged down between my paid job and blogging that I let myself lose focus on actually living!!

I'm feeling a little more refreshed and have several posts planned, including today's outfit post featuring yesterday's work look with a day to night twist.

Top:  New York & Company (Available here)

Here, a statement making necklace helps bring together a solid pencil skirt, trapeze top, and blazer.

I love minimalist looks, but I would be bored by this outfit if it weren't for the necklace and textured bag.  For me, basic pieces usually require a little something extra to help make a look feel interesting and more unique.

Blazer:  The Limited (Similar here)
Satchel:  The Limited

While this outfit felt polished and professional for work, I would swap out the black blazer for a moto jacket for a super quick day to night switch.

Jacket:  Torrid (Available here)

FYI, I normally wear a size 0 at Torrid and sized up to a 1 in this jacket to get a more relaxed and slightly longer fit in this cropped jacket. 

I plan on getting the sleeves shortened soon, but otherwise, I'm happy with the fit.



Boots:  Target

Earrings:  New York & Company

Do you have any quick day to night wardrobe tricks?  Which look do you prefer? 

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

Go Bold, Go Casual

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend and that getting back to work today wasn't too rough!

Sweatshirt:  Torrid (Sold out on-line; May be available in stores)
Earrings:  Torrid (Sold out on-line; May be available in stores)

Today was dreary here in St. Louis, so I decided to feature a colorful outfit to beat the early fall blahs!  

This look is actually from the last casual Friday at my job.  I like jeans, but I do not always reach for them on casual Fridays.  Instead, I like to take pieces that are usually too casual for work, like this sweatshirt, and give them a little professional polish.

Pants:  The Limited (Similar here)
Button-down shirt (Available here)

Boots:  Payless (old)

Casual Friday also gives me permission (at least in my own mind) to add boldness to my look by mixing red and leopard print.

Ankle booties and dangly earrings lend an edge to this outfit.

Purse:  Express

Bracelet:  New York & Company (Similar here)

Do you like mixing red and leopard print?

If you work in a professional work environment, what do you like to wear on casual Fridays?

For this sweatshirt in another look, see here and here.
For these pants in other looks, see here, here, here, here, and here.

Pencil Me In

Many in the body acceptance movement would say flattery-schmattery, that worrying about traditional constructs of figure flattery (taller, thinner equating better) is a waste of time and that promoting such is regressive or unenlightened.

I tend to disagree with that idea somewhat.  While I generally say, wear what you want (and I sometimes wear pieces that aren't traditionally flattering to appease my fashion desires), I think most of us are drawn to what makes us look most streamlined.  Most often, the pieces that make us look taller and thinner are those that show off our bodies in the best of ways.  

Skirt:  Target Petites (Available here)
Blouse:  Ann Taylor Petites (Available here)

Blazer:  The Limited (Similar here)
Earrings:  Target

For example, pencil skirts are super flattering for most curvy women.  They show off curves while creating a streamlined silhouette.  In a pencil skirt, you're certainly not hiding fuller thighs or a fuller bottom.  You're showing them off in the best of ways!

Ankle boots:  Payless

I am especially in love with this new pencil skirt I just picked up from Target.  Because it's knit, this skirt is a little more fitted and pencil-y than I am usually able to get from other pencil skirts (even after alterations).  

I'm also in love with the on-trend midi length of this one.  I've largely moved passed the high-low look, but I have to admit, I love the way that it really adds a lengthening element to this skirt.  I manage to look taller in what I usually think of as an awkward skirt length.

Bracelet:  eBay (Similar here)

Clutch:  Vintage (eBay)

Full disclosure:  The first time I featured this skirt on my blog, I was wearing a misses size.  I had only thrown the outfit on for pics and hadn't worn it out yet.  When I realized that the skirt was available in petites on-line, I decided to give the petites version a try.  I was in between sizes on the misses skirt, had opted for the larger version, and wasn't 100% content with the fit.  The petites version in the same size provided a more streamlined fit without being too tight.  The difference between the petites and misses size was slight, and probably imperceptible to most, but it made this picky girl happier!

I'm always excited when I can wear a new item without spending time and money on alterations!

How much does figure flattery play into your fashion choices?

For this skirt in another look, see here.
For this blouse in another look, see here.
For this jacket in other looks, see here, here, and here.

B&W Colorblocking

Dress:  New York & Company

Hi everyone!

Today I paired this sporty black and white shift dress with opaque black tights and wedge heels boots for a comfy, but put together look.

I love the black and white trend for fall as I could live in this classic color combination.

Tote:  The Limited (Available here)

Tights:  Torrid (Available here)
Boots:  Target (Available here)

See this dress styled for warmer weather/climates here.

Necklaces:  The Limited
Ring:  Local jewelry show

Do you like wearing black and white, or do you prefer color?

Biker Chic

Happy Monday Everyone!

Today, I decided to add a little edge to my pink pencil skirt with a black motorcycle jacket-style cardigan and black booties.

Converse One Star Jacket (Available:  Target)
Skirt:  The Limited

I love this cardigan. It gives the look of a biker jacket without the structure or heaviness of (faux) leather.

Top:  Old Navy Petites
Ankle boots:  Payless

I also have a major affinity for snake-themed jewelry.  Maybe because I was born in the Year of the Snake? 

I got this bracelet off eBay.  I have found eBay to be a great source for unique, low-priced jewelry.

Earrings:  Express (old)
Bracelet (Available:  Ebay)

Do you like ankle boots with pencil skirts?