Draped Dresses

Ughhhhh!  I've been so sick, but I have also really been in the mood to blog.  Taking pictures with droopy, watery eyes and a raw nose just isn't too fun though!  Sick or not, I decided that I was going to get some pics done, so during a brief period of lucidity, I added a little extra make-up and went with it. 

Dress:  ASOS Curve (Available here)

While being sick has gotten me a little cranky, today's fashion focus is more happy and romantic.  I'm featuring two pretty draped dresses that will be great for upcoming spring dates, weddings, and other events.

Dress:  ASOS (Available here)

Heels:  Anne Michelle

I just looooooove well-draped dresses, and these two dresses from ASOS are draped in all the right places.  Draping adds interest to a piece, but they also flatter the figure too which I can appreciate

The first dress is from ASOS Curve.  I went with a size 14, and it was a perfect fit with no alterations, a rare find indeed.  It was a little longer on me than shown on model, but I didn't mind it with this dress.  The drop shoulder and lower-cut neckline make this perfect for a date night. 

Clutch and Ring:  The Limited

Navy is a great alternative to black.  It took me a long time to appreciate navy, but it really does look great on every skin tone.

I paired the dress with gold heels and a blush clutch for a soft contrast of color.

Necklace:  The Limited (Available here)

Glasses:  Coach

For today's second look, I went with a draped nude-to-me dress from ASOS.  This one is a straight size 14.  It too was a perfect fit except for the length which I had hemmed. 

Apparently, my kids also decided to get a frisbee in my photos! 

Jacket:  The Limited (Available here)

Heels:  Target (old)

I previously showed this dress on the blog here in a wintery fur-filled look.  Today, I added a cropped khaki jacket, floral clutch, and cognac heels. 

Earrings:  LOFT

Bracelet:  Target

Clutch:  Purchased at Titanic Museum Gift Shop (Branson, MO)

Necklace:  The Limited

I love the spring-y feel of these looks.  I am really over winter, and I can't wait to starting breaking out some more spring style!  

Do you like draping in a garment?  Ready for spring?  What are you most looking forward to about the change of season?
For the nude dress in another look, see here.

Winter Romance

Happy Monday!  I hope you had a great weekend and a fabulous Valentine's Day no matter how you decided to spend it!

Skirt:  eShakti custom (Available in black here)

Valentine's Day means different things to different people.  I'm all about love, but for me, V-Day is first and foremost an excuse to get dressed up - not that I usually need one! 

I am a little late on posting these Valentine's Day outfit ideas, but I figured they also work well for other date nights or evenings out!

Dress:  LOFT (Available here)

Coat:  Old Navy Petites (old)
Clutch:  The Limited

I really love this red lace dress from LOFT.  I have already worn it to work, but today, I'm styling it for a night out with knee high socks.  

Blazer:  Apt. 9 Petites (Available at Kohl's here)
Cuff: Eloquii

Earrings:  Macy's

Socks:  Torrid (Available here)
Boots:  New Look Wide Fit (Sold out on-line; see here)

A tulle skirt is fun and flirty but also romantic.  For a special date night, I would pair a frothy pink tulle skirt with a faux fur coat and metallic gold.

Camisole:  The Limited
Jacket:  Target (Available here)

Bracelet:  Swarovski

Glasses:  Coach

Brooch (worn on skirt):  New York & Company

Clutch:  ASOS (Available here)

Even though I would have preferred to wear one of these outfits, the man and I actually kept things casual for our Valentine's Day.  The snowy and cold weather prompted a super casual leggings, tunic, and motorcycle boots look (a variation of this look coming to the blog later this week) which was just fine for our low-key V-Day lunch and evening movie at home.

Shoes:  Anne Michelle

Hope you all had a wonderful Valentine's Day!!! Did you stay casual or get dressed up? 

For the leopard coat in another look, see here.
For the black blazer in another look, see here.
For the skirt in other looks, see here, here, here, here, and here.
For the jacket in another look, see here.

The Evening "Suit"

Hi everyone!  It's nice to be back on the blog today.  I've missed you all!

Pants:  Eloquii (Available here)

Life has been super busy as I've been working 13 hour days with little break.  I expect to be doing the same for a couple more weeks, but I hope to squeeze in at least a couple blog posts like this one here.

Blazer:  The Limited (Similar here)

Bodysuit:  Boohoo (Available here)

I love a pants look as a winter dress-up option.  These wide leg lace pants from Eloquii are classic and elegant.  They're actually meant to be a bit cropped, but they were a great length for me as full-length pants.

Boots:  New Look (Sold out on-line; see here)

I paired them with a black suit blazer and a bodysuit for a streamlined look. 

Clutch:  The Limited

I added a black and gold clutch and gold and green accessories to add some pop and shine to all the black.

Jade ring and bracelet:  Vintage
Quartz and malachite bracelet:  Macy's

Earrings:  Eloquii

Cuff:  Eloquii

Would you wear lace pants?  How do you add pop to an all black outfit?

The Ubiquitous LBD

The little black dress is a wardrobe staple.  It's the perfect go-to for pretty much everything, including work, casual days, dressy evenings, holidays, and more!

For today's post, I'm rounding up some of my favorite LBD looks through my years of blogging.  Take a look:

A colorful blazer is an easy topper for black dresses.

Left to Right:  Red Hot; Day-to-Night Dress Up

A mini dress is great for a night out on the town.  These are all from eShakti and custom fit to perfection!

Left, from top to bottom:  Saint Louis Fashion Week:  My Experience, My Fashion;  Cutouts and Lace-Ups
Right:  eShakti Holiday - 70s Child

Paired with a faux leather jacket, a black dress works for both weekends and work.

From Left to Right:  Savoring Spring; Black Is The New Black

A black dress in a relaxed shape is an easy choice for summer when paired with high heels (or flats) and/or a floral kimono.

Left:  Kimono for Date Night
Right, from top to bottom:  Black for Summer:  Fresh Picks from Torrid; Queen Cobra

An LBD is perfect for holidays and other special occasions, especially with tulle, lace, or metallic details.

From Left to Right:  12 Days of Holiday:  Black Swan; 12 Days of Holiday:  New Year's Cocktail

A white or ivory jacket makes for a graphic combination.

Left, from top to bottom:  The Essential LBD; Evening Textures
Right:  Manic Monday:  The White Blazer

The little black dress doesn't have to be so little...make it a maxi for maximum impact.

Left, from top to bottom:  Easy Like Sunday Morning; Black Velvet & 3rd Blogiversary!!
Middle:  Edgy Formal
Right, from top to bottom:  Earthy Glam; Wild Card Wednesday:  Leather & Lace

What do you think - are you a fan of the ever-versatile black dress? 

Evening Textures

Sorry that it's taken me a while to get back to the blog.  I've been working a ton of overtime (with no end in sight), and now I have an upper respiratory infection, so boo!

Dress:  Ann Taylor (Available here)

Coat:  Target (Available here)

I have some other holiday looks planned that I hope to get up on the blog, but I wanted to be sure to include this one because it is my favorite!

Shoes:  New Look (Available at ASOS here)

Earrings:  Target

Clutch:  ASOS (Available here)

I paired a fringe dress with a faux fur jacket and a faux fur clutch for a sassy and fun evening look.

Bracelets:  LOFT & Torrid

Ring:  The Limited

I love the black and ivory color palette, the mix of textures, and the small pops of pink from the clutch.  I definitely don't think you need to stick to traditional red and green for the holidays!

Do you have any dressy holiday parties or evening events to attend this season?