Manic Monday: Work Style in Black and White

I think I've made it pretty obvious right now how much I love wearing black and white, and if you're new here, let me introduce you to the reasons why.  :-)

Such a color combination is sleek, sophisticated, and always chic.

Skirt:  Eloquii (Available here)

Jacket:  Eloquii (Available here)

While I love the combo, it can border on boring, which is why I look for more interesting or unique fabrications of my favorite basics - carwarsh pleats, windowpane plaid, layered looks, etc.

Carwash pleats are a big trend for fall, so I was super excited to find this skirt from Eloquii.  It required some alterations (and I'd love for it to be just a little shorter and slimmer fit), but so cool to find a straight from the runway style at an affordable price!

Tee:  The Limited (Similar here)

Clutch:  Target
Ring:  The Limited

Glasses:  Firmoo.com

Heels:  Chelsea & Zoe (Available at Kohl's here)

The windowpane plaid vest has zip-off sleeves, so it can be worn in multiple ways.  Such versatility!!

In addition to the vest, I paired the carwash skirt with a twist on your classic button down shirt and added royal blue heels and a red clutch.  I would throw on a basic cardigan or blazer for work and chilly fall temps.

Shirt:  Eloquii (Available here)

Ring:  Earthbound Trading Company

Clutch:  Vintage

For today's last look, I'm wearing another amazing Eloquii find - a layered look skirt, which I paired with a simple ivory camisole and boyfriend cardigan. 

Skirt:  Eloquii (Available here)

Camisole and Cardigan:  LOFT (Cardigan available here)

I apologize that it was a little dark when I snapped the pics, but I was excited to share this look, which I'll be wearing to work very soon!

Boots:  Target
Satchel:  Target (Similar here)

What is your favorite color combination? 

Lounging in the Flowers

These pants are so comfortable that I love the idea of pairing them with other comfy pieces for a relaxed look that feels as good as pajamas.

Pants:  LOFT Petites (Available here)

Top:  Mossimo Petites for Target

The black floral pants, bright watermelon top, and boyfriend cardigan are all soft, easy, and most importantly, ultra comfortable.

I would wear this look out for drinks or on a date, but I would also swap out the clutch for a tote and wear this to work on a more casual day.

Cardigan:  LOFT Petites

Clutch:  Target

Necklace:  The Limited
Cuff:  New York & Company

Black and gold accessories are bold, but don't overly compete with the bright colors and patterns.

Heels:  Target
Earrings:  Mix of two sets from Target & trendylittlepieces (Available here and here)

What's more important to you in choosing an outfit - comfort or aesthetics?

For the pants in another look, see here.
For the top in other outfits, see here, here, here, here, here, and here.
For the cardigan in other looks, see here, here, here, here, here, here, and here.

Top O' The Evenin' To Ya

Hope you all had a great St. Patrick's Day, if you celebrate!

I don't really do anything special for the day, but I usually wear green.  I paired my Kelly green boyfriend cardigan with dark skinnies and a striped top for an easy casual look.

Jeans:  The Limited (Similar here and here)
Cardigan:  The Limited (Available here)

Scarf:  The Limited (Similar here)
Booties:  Target (Available here)

I wasn't feeling well this morning and had an afternoon doctor's appointment, so I ended up staying home from work.  I had planned on wearing navy pants in this look, but since I was off, I traded them in for jeans for the doctor's office.  

I love how the look is springy while still being warm enough for the brisk weather.

Bracelets:  The Limited

Satchel:  The Limited
Earrings:  The Limited

Do you celebrate St. Patrick's Day?  Did you wear green today??

For these jeans in other looks, see here and here.
For the tee in other looks, see here, here, here, and here.
For this cardigan in another look, see here.

Shadow Florals and a Do-Over Look

Hope you all have had a great week.

Pants:  The Limited (Similar here)
Blouse:  The Limited (Not available on-line; may be in stores)

Today's look is one of those outfits that I can get by with at work on rare occasion.  It feels a little too casual to wear it often, but on those days when you just feel like flowy clothes, it works.

I love the shadow floral print on the blouse.  Florals always make me think of spring, but I love that this print isn't the typical bright floral prints you see in the spring.

Cardigan:  The Limited (Available here)
Boots:  Fergalicious by Fergie (Available here)
Bag:  The Limited

Necklace:  The Limited
Bracelets:  World Market, Target, The Limited

I'm a big fan of bright greens with black and ivory, so I paired a green boyfriend cardigan to maintain the comfort and ease of the top.

In other topics, sometimes I wear an outfit or see my blog pictures and realize that there was something "off" with the look that if tweaked would greatly improve the look.  

Such was the case with the look from my "Seafoam and Red" post.  I had not hemmed the shirt yet, and it was a little too long.  I had planned on wearing this blazer with pewter lapels (rather than the plain black worn) to tie the pants and blazer together more, but I was still waiting on it to get altered at the time.  Also, while I really do love seafoam and red together, I was not carrying the red clutch around all day, so the bangle seemed a little out of place.  I needed to incorporate more red in the look itself to get the full effect.

I will also add that in editing my photos, my images got blurred and accidentally saved, so my pics from the first post were not as clear.

Seafoam and Red look

Clutch:  The Limited (See here)
Blazer:  The Limited
Additional outfit details in original post

After hemming the top, I decided to wear the outfit again, skipping the red accessories (as fun as they are) and opting for a sleek black clutch.

Which look do you prefer?

Denim Week 2: Longing for Summer

Today's denim outfit was a look from last summer.   I never got around to posting it when the weather was warm, so I decided to post it now.

Jeans:  The Limited (Available here)
Top:  Ann Taylor Petites

Cardigan:  LOFT Petites (Similar here)

White jeans can definitely work for winter.  Gone are the days when white was reserved only for spring and summer.  This outfit could easily be winterized with a pair of black ankle or knee boots.

The fringe top is fun, and the black and white color palette is always a favorite of mine.

Purse:  The Limited
Sandals:  Payless

Earrings:  Target
Cuff:  The Limited (old)

Would you wear white jeans in the winter time?

For these white jeans in other looks, see here, here, here, and here.
For this top in other outfits, see here, here, here, here, and here.
For this cardigan in other looks, see here, here, here, and here.

Fall Color Week: Magenta Love

Hope you're all having a great week so far!

Fall colors continue this week with a pop of magenta in a recent work outfit.  

Blouse:  The Limited (old) (Similar here and here)
Cardigan:  Target (Available here)

I love my neutrals, but fall and winter can get really blah without the occasional pops of bright colors infused into my wardrobe.

I think magenta is one of the few colors that always seems perfect year-round.  It looks amazing with white in the summer and gives black, navy, camel and gray a brightness during the fall and winter.

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

Tote:  New York & Company (Similar here)
Earrings:  Target

Even though this is an older shirt, I've just recently gotten this shirt hemmed.  I find the length much more flattering than it is here.  This length is awkward and cuts off the legs if you're petite as I am.  I'll post another outfit with the blouse soon to show the figure-flattering difference.

Ring:  The Limited (Available here)

Do you like magenta? What other year-round colors can you think of?

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

Denim Week: Heart On My Sleeve

Today's denim look is a recent casual Friday work outfit. 

Jeans:  Torrid (Available here)
Blouse:  New York & Company (Available here)

I love the Stiletto Skinny Jeans from Torrid.  When I got my blue jeans (see here, here, and here), the store didn't carry different lengths.  Now, Torrid carries both 26" and 28" lengths in this style, so I was able to get these black ones in a better length.  The shorter length works much better for me!

If you're 5'3" or under, you will likely prefer the 26" length for more of a true ankle fit.

Cardigan:  Target (Available here)
Bracelets:  The Limited and H&M

I recently picked up this cardigan with faux leather heart elbow patches.  This is an early fall clothing purchase.  I start thinking about fall fashion when it's still sticky and humid out - probably because I'm longing for cooler weather. 

This summer has had some oddly cool, but delightful, weather, so I was super comfortable wearing this outfit - even in July!

I kept the look simple and neutral for work, but I think this cardigan will be cute with more faux leather touches when fall actually gets here.

Purse:  The Limited

Sandals:  Payless

Are you thinking about fall fashion yet?  Any trends on your radar for fall?

Hello Kitty

Happy Sunday!

Cardigan:  The Limited (Similar here)
Tee:  Torrid (Available here)
Coated denim jeans:  Target (Available here)

A few weeks ago, we had a birthday party for my youngest kiddo who was turning five.  The theme of her party was Hello Kitty.

I've loved Hello Kitty ever since I was a kid, so I have a few Hello Kitty tees that I sometimes wear when I'm going super casual.

Since my daughter's party was Hello Kitty-themed, it seemed like the purrr-fect (sorry, couldn't resist) time to wear my fun Kitty with glasses tee.  Girls with glasses are very cool!  ;-D

Clutch:  The Limited (Available here)
Shoes:  Target (Available here)
Bracelet:  Gift (old)

I paired the tee with my coated denim and a colorblocked cardigan to give the overall look a little more of a grown-up feel.

Do you ever wear novelty or character tops?

To see this cardigan styled differently, see here and here.

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?

Color me comfy!

As much as I love clothes, by Wednesday, I often fight the urge to roll into work in my jammies.  Today was one of those days.  I like to plan my outfit for the next day before I go to bed, but I didn't do that last night.  This morning, I had no clue what I wanted to wear other than I wanted something comfortable and easy.

I came up with this colorful look.  Probably the biggest trend this year has been colorblocking.  It's an easy trend, one that many people were probably already doing.  I'm not afraid of color, but I definitely tend to steer towards neutrals.  Today's look was a bit uncharacteristic for me.  I paired the teal dress with a citron and beige sweater, colors I normally wouldn't pair.  To avoid looking like an Easter egg and to tie in the beige from the sweater, I added neutral leopard flats, a camel bag, and black and gold bangles.

Cardigan:  The Limited

 Being only 4'9" and fuller figured, I often feel a little stumpy or dowdy in flats.   Flats work here though because the shorter hemline of the dress helps lengthen the leg without the need for heels.  If you can't or don't wear heels, look for maxi dresses or dresses that hit above the knee for the most flattering visual effect.

Bag:  The Limited

By the end of the day, I was comfortable but still on the fence about whether these pieces worked together.  What do you think?  Is this look a hit or a miss?

Bracelets:  Claire's, Target

Earrings:  Express
Shoes:  Target Kid's Department

Dress: Target Petites

P.S.  I apologize for the quality of today's photos.  An after work dentist appointment forced a rushed and indoor photo session.  :-(