Favorite Pairings

I'm really loving this arrowhead pendant from 11 Twenty Eight, especially paired with my cognac moto jacket. 

Jumpsuit:  Torrid (Available here; Similar here)

This is the third time that I've worn this combo together on the blog.  Here, I give these pieces a sophisticated but casual fall twist with my black jumpsuit and booties.

Jacket:  The Limited (Available here)

Necklace:  11 Twenty Eight (Similar here)

When I first got this necklace, the first thing I thought to wear it with was actually this black jumpsuit. I love the idea of a minimalist canvas to showcase fabulous jewelry.

Booties:  Target

Satchel:  The Limited

Plus, I think this necklace gives the jumpsuit a really cool vibe that could be appropriate for both casual days and evening, while also being über relaxed and modern.

Bracelets:  Target and Ann Taylor

I wore this outfit yesterday to run errands and for dinner out with my family.  I rolled the legs up a bit on the jumpsuit to give the look a more casual feel, and I just loved the comfortable easiness of this look!

Do you have favorite clothing/jewelry combos that you tend to re-wear?

For this jumpsuit in other looks, see here, here, and here.
For this jacket in other looks, see here, here, here, and here.

Fall Double Feature: Blue Hues

Does cooler weather make you blue?  

I love fall, but winters in the Midwest can be fairly harsh.  They can make a gal like me feel very down. 

Well, this year, the color palette for fall and winter can match that mood.  Virtually every shade of blue was seen on fall runways, and as I previously discussed, bright cobalt and royal blue have been named by Pantone as two of the trendiest colors for fall 2014.

Skirt:  Outback Red by The Limited (Available here)

Jacket:  The Limited (Available here)

But blue often unfairly gets associated only with feeling down or depressed when many blues are calming or vibrant or even energetic.  With almost every shade of blue out there this fall, you can create a look that suits any mood!

Tank:  LOFT Petites

Today, Irene of Petite Plus, Meow! and I continue our series on fall trends by trying out some popular blue shades for fall - Irene is in bright cobalt (see below), while I'm in more subdued navy.


 Neither of our looks will get you through winter (unless you are lucky enough to have very mild winters), but they are PERFECT for fall!!

Pearl bracelet:  New York & Company

This look isn't too dissimilar from the red maxi skirt look I featured here.  In fact, it's the same skirt - I nabbed this color on an end-of-summer clearance.

It's a formula of which I am particular fond.

Maxi skirt + tank + moto jacket = Casual Cool Happiness :-)

Earrings:  The Limited

I added some of my favorite fall neutrals - ivory and caramel - to my navy maxi skirt for a laid-back look.  I would wear this look for a relaxed evening out, a casual Friday at work, or shopping on weekends if I felt like getting a bit more dressed up.

A large tote and gold and pearl bracelets complete the look.

Tote:  The Limited

Bangles:  Target and Ann Taylor (Available here)

While my look is more casual and laid-back, Irene oomphs up the sex appeal, with a printed body con dress in bright cobalt.  Doesn't she look A-MA-ZING?!

Irene of Petite Plus, Meow!

Learn more about Irene's look over on her blog, Petite Plus, Meow! or find her on Facebook.

Are you a fan of wearing blue?  What shades will you be wearing this fall?

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

For the jacket in another look, see here.

A Homecoming Look + A Review of My Pick From Altuzarra for Target

My 15-year reunion homecoming from Knox College is right around the corner.  I'm still not sure if I'll be able to make it, but with the weather getting crisp and cool, my mind is on all the activities of fall, including my college Homecoming.

Dress:  The Limited (Sold out on-line; May be available in stores)

Jacket:  The Limited (Available here)

I talked previously on the blog about how to create a slightly elevated look for a Homecoming (see here).  I've been thinking about what I would wear to any dinners, parties or evenings out that might come up with Homecoming.

This dressier look here would be just the ticket!

The printed dress, with its shades of purples and gold (my school colors), would be perfect for a Homecoming look at my alma mater.

Since it's usually quite chilly in Galesburg, Illinois by mid-October, this cognac moto jacket would help keep me warm and it could pull double duty with jeans for a football game or hanging out during the day.

Shoes:  Target

I completed the look with gold jewelry and cognac heels.

Necklace and Bracelet:  Ann Taylor (Available here and here)
Ring:  New York & Company

Earrings:  Torrid

Do you plan on attending any high school or college Homecomings this year?  What will you be wearing?

This dress is a little big on the bottom half (I usually have to buy dresses to fit my bigger top half), so I'm thinking about having it taken in for a more flattering fit.  Taking in the dress on the sides is a relatively simple alteration.

Unfortunately not everything can be altered to fit properly.

Such is the case with another recent purchase.  I tried out one of the Altuzarra for Target pieces.  If you caught my post the other day, you know how much I love this line.  It's really lovely as a whole, but this dress, in particular, caught my eye from the Look Book.  

When a second photo of this dress was posted on Target's web site this past Sunday, I noticed that the fit, construction, and quality of this dress did not seem nearly as high as the one from the Look Book.  The rest of the line looked very high quality, so I decided to go for it anyway.

Altuzarra for Target Dress

I was really excited about the dress and was hoping to wear it to the St. Louis Fashion Blog Awards.  Unfortunately, the dress just didn't work for me.  

I've seen a few reviews that said it fit small in the arms.  The arms weren't too awful for me, but it was definitely too small in the chest and back area.  The dress smashed my breasts, and the band under the bust was a bit too tight, making my tummy bulge more than normal. 

For reference, I'm normally a size 12 Petite on bottom and 16 Petite on top.  I ordered a size 16, so this appears to run quite small on top.  You'll likely have more luck with this dress if you're a size 14 or under and more pear shaped.

I also was not overly pleased with the quality and construction.  It looked better in person that what the web site photo showed, but not nearly as nice as the Look Book!  In particular, the back seaming puckered quite a bit.  The fabric seemed a step above from a cheap polyester Halloween costume.

I plan on hitting my local Target today to take a look at the pieces in person and maybe try on a few of the other pieces I have my eyes on.  Have you tried any of the looks from this line?  How did you find the fit and quality?

I'm planning a different look for the Blog Awards and hope you can join me there if you're in the St. Louis area! 

TODAY is the last day to vote for the St. Louis Fashion Blog Awards.  Style Cassentials is up for three awards, including Blog of the Year!  Check out all the bloggers of Saint Louis Fashion Week, check out the events, and cast your votes here!!  I truly appreciate your support!