Casual Friday + Winterizing a Dress

Happy Sunday!

Sweater:  New York & Company

Hope the weekend has found you well!  I'm excited to have some time off work during a very busy and stressful patch.  That said, the next week will be busy with lots of Christmas shopping, baking, and family visiting.  I plan on being fairly laid-back and casual during the next week - wearing sweatpants when I can and lots of stretchy knits, oversized sweaters, and jeans when sweatpants just won't cut it.

Jeans:  The Limited

Camisole:  LOFT

I'll be bringing you some of these casual looks, and today, I have one for you.  This one is actually a recent casual Friday look.  When it's a  casual day at work, I tend to prefer to stick with dark denim as I think it looks most professional.  A comfy sweater and loose cami underneath were super comfortable, but still managed to have a crispness with the dark denim. 

Tote:  New York & Company
Booties:  Target (Available here)

Wanting comfy shoes as well, I went for my beige booties.  While heeled, these have a thicker heel that is very sturdy and provides a lot of support to the foot.

Bracelets:  Ann Taylor and Target

When it's not a casual day at work, I'm always looking for new ways to wear the more professional pieces in my closet.  One of my favorite ways of expanding my wardrobe is winterizing dresses.

Dresses tend to be the least versatile part of a wardrobe.  Unlike separates, you can't mix and match them to create new looks.  Adding or taking away blazers or sweaters, layering tops underneath, and changing up accessories/shoes are helpful though in giving your dresses a little more range.

Dress:  Ann Taylor Petites (Similar here)

Blazer:  New York & Company

Tights:  New York & Company (Available here)

Some dresses are easier to mix than others.  As much as I love this neutral color blocked dress, I've struggled with ways of increasing its versatility. 

Today's look isn't too far off from the first way I wore it.  Same boots, same necklace and purse, even a black blazer. 

See first look from "Neutral Zone" here

But, to winterize the look, I added cheetah print tights, and I changed up the basic blazer to one with faux leather sleeves.

Satchel:  Express
Boots:  Target

Necklace:  Ann Taylor

How do you transition dresses for the season? 

For the sweater in other looks, see here and here.
For the jeans in other looks, see here, here, here, here, and here.

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

Less Is More + Karma Mantra Jewelry Feature

I used to be quite the queen of embellishment.  I loved tons of jewelry and would often create new ways to wear it, like pinning brooches on headbands or using various necklaces as bracelets.  I was never one to take off that extra piece of jewelry before I left the house.  If anything, I'd add another!

Pants:  The Limited (Similar here)

In more recent years, I have become much more streamlined and minimal with my accessories.  I'm still a fan of jewelry, but I tend to take a more subtle approach with it nowadays.

That's one of the things that attracted me to this simple beaded bracelet from Karma Mantra.  When Karma Mantra reached out to me regarding a collaborative opportunity, this lovely mix of black labradorite, red jade, and rose quartz seemed a great choice.

Bracelet:  c/o Karma Mantra (Available here)

Blouse:  The Limited

Rose quartz has long been a favorite stone of mine.  It's often called the "love stone" - a stone of unconditional love that it supposed to help open you up to love in all its forms.  To me, love is the strongest force of nature...why not metaphysically channel as much of it as possible?!

I love that Karma Mantra uses stones and designs inspired by founder Romell Bhaala's travels all over the world.

Earrings:  Express (old), Claire's (old), Target

Jacket:  The Limited

Keeping with the simplicity of this piece, I went with an all black tuxedo-inspired look.  Red peep-toe heels and a fun clutch add a bit of flair while the overall look is sleek and streamlined.

I prefer the sleeves of the jacket pushed up to show off the bracelet, but, my oh my...it is cold in my neck of the woods!!!

Clutch:  Amazon (Similar here)

Heels:  Target (old)

Do you prefer a minimalist use of jewelry, or are you a proponent of more is more?

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

12 Days of Holiday: New Year's Cocktail

Sometimes New Year's Eve calls for more formal attire. 

Dress:  Eva Mendes for New York & Company (Available here)

Sparkly dresses are great, but I love black dresses for the clean slate they provide.  This one-shoulder dress is different for me, but I was attracted to it as I think it can be worn in a variety of ways.  

To create a cocktail look, I added a few sparkly sunburst brooches and metallic belt.  I mixed gold and silver here with a pop of rhinestones to add more formality.  

Heels:  Simply Vera by Vera Wang

Clutch:  New York & Company (Available in black here)

The brooch on the shoulder actually came with the dress (it's removable), and I added the other brooch to my belt to create more visual interest.  I have been looking for some pretty brooches for a while, so I was excited to find these as part of Eva Mendes' collaboration with New York & Company.

Earrings:  Torrid
Brooch:  Eva Mendes by New York & Company (Available here)

Belt:  Torrid

This dress is too long, and I haven't had a chance to alter it yet.  I used the belt to create an asymmetrical look that added a bit of drape as well.

After some consideration, we plan on staying in with the kids for New Year's, so my look will be decidedly more casual than cocktail attire, but it's fun to play around with sparkly champagne looks!  :-)

Ring:  The Limited (Available here)

Hope you all have a safe and healthy New Year's Eve!!!  My last holiday post up soon!

12 Days of Holiday: Winter Floral

I'm addicted to black, especially for evenings, but it's fun to break out of the black rut every now and then.  This possibility for New Year's Eve includes more colorful pieces inspired by the winter season.

Jeans:  The Limited (Available here)
Blouse:  LOFT (old)

Blazer:  LOFT Petites (Available here)

The plum jacket complements the purples and burgundy in the blouse, and the ruby red and emerald green colors always make me think of winter!

Clutch:  Vintage
Heels:  Target (old) (Similar here)

The jeans keep the look casual and easy, but the silky top and cocktail ring strike an evening balance.

Earrings:  The Limited (Similar here)

Ring:  The Limited (old)

Would you wear jeans for New Year's Eve?

For this blouse in another look, see here.
For these jeans in another look, see here.
For this blazer in another outfit, see here.

12 Days of Holiday: Solid Gold

I hope you all have having a wonderful holiday season! 

Yesterday marked the start of Kwanzaa, and New Year's Eve is just around the corner.  I'm not a particularly religious person, but I love the themes of birth/re-birth, community, family, and giving that the winter holidays celebrate. 

A new year, in particular, is a time for reflection on the blessings and challenges of the past year.  A new year gives rise to the possibilities of change, renewal, and revitalization.  It's a time to celebrate the past, present, and the future.

No matter what I do for the evening, New Year's Eve is one of my favorite times.  With this special night just around the corner, I'm thinking of party fashion!

Dress:  The Limited (old)

Jacket:  The Limited

I'm still not sure what my New Year's plans will be.  For the last several years, New Year's Eve has consisted of music, snacks, sparkling grape juice, and board games with the kiddos as we counted down to the new year with the Times Square Ball drop on TV. 

This year, we are toying with the option of a New Year's Eve date night, so I'm having fun considering my wardrobe options.

Shoes:  Payless (old)

Clutch:  The Limited
Belt:  The Limited

This look has a slight 70s disco feel.  It's super comfortable and would be perfect for a drinks and dancing with the man. 

Tights could certainly be added for extra warmth.  Truth be told, I was freezing during these pictures, so if I were to wear this outfit, I'd be adding some fun printed tights.

Earrings:  The Limited

Do you celebrate New Year's Eve?  What are your plans for this year?  Know what you're wearing?

Hope you all had a Merry Christmas, a happy Hanukkah, a wonderful Pancha Ganapati, a joyous Yule, a fantastic holiday season...here's to making 2014 our best ever year!!!

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

12 Days of Holiday: New Year's Eve Sparkle

I'm not sure what I'll be wearing for New Year's Eve yet, but this is one outfit idea.

Skirt:  Forever 21+ (Similar here)
Blazer:  The Limited (Available here)

I love the mix of metallics, and I'm a sucker for sparkle.

I'm absolutely loving this faux leather envelope skirt from Forever 21+.  

Tank:  Gap (old)

Tights:  The Limited (Available here)

Unfortunately, it's a little too big and longer than I'd like it to be, so I'm not sure it's a keeper.  Some items can be easily altered, but this skirt may be more trouble and costly than it's worth.  On bottom, I am typically a 10-12 in misses/straight sizing.  Being bigger on top, blouses, sweaters, and dresses from F21 usually fit great.  The junior plus-size fit gives me perfect proportions in those items. 

Bracelets:  LOFT (Available here, here, and here)

This is my first attempt at buying a bottom from the store, and I am wondering if their bottoms fit more like traditional plus-size 12 vs. straight size 12.  I can only get F21+ on-line, and I don't want to keep attempting buying skirts or pants if they are very unlikely to fit. Anyone know how the sizing of bottoms generally compares to straight sizing?

Clutch:  The Limited
Boots:  Fergaliciious by Fergie (Available here)

Will you be wearing sparkle this New Year's?

For this blazer in another look, see here.
For this top in another look, see here.

12 Days of Holiday: Relaxed Tuxedo

Happy Friday everyone!

Holiday looks continue today with a relaxed tuxedo look.  I love tuxedos on women, and I really enjoy new twists on the tuxedo, like these pants with ivory stripes.  

Pants: Ann Taylor Petites (Available here)
Jacket:  The Limited (Similar here)

Blouse:  The Limited (Available here)

The flowy pants and loose open jacket have a relaxed feel that give this outfit less formality than one typically associates with a tuxedo. 

Necklace:  The Limited (Available here)
Bracelets:  Torrid and The Limited (Available here and here)

Heels:  Target (Available here)

I wore a variation of this look to work yesterday, but I added a gold clutch here for more of an evening feel.

I think this is a perfect day-to-night look for last minute holiday parties and events.

Clutch:  New York & Company (Available in black here)

Earrings: The Limited (Similar here)

Do you like tuxedo-inspired fashion?

To see this blazer in other outfits, see here, here, here, and here.

12 Days of Holiday: Cozy Days

Today's holiday-inspired outfit is great for running last-minute errands, staying cozy at work, or even for sipping cocoa by the fire (wearing slippers instead of boots).

Sweater:  NY&CO. (Similar here and here)
Pants:  The Limited (Similar here)

 I used a brooch to close the sweater, but I still kept the fit loose and easy.  I only had one brooch, but using three or four brooches with a similar feel would create a unique look.

Blouse:  The Limited
Boots:  Fergalicious by Fergie (Available here)

Rings:  The Limited (Available here and Similar here)
Brooch: Old (Retailer unknown)

To add a little more holiday bling, I added a few rhinestone rings and earrings (sorry for no-close-ups).  The overall look is somewhat casual, but polished, and VERY cozy!

Clutch:  The Limited (Available here)

To see this sweater in other looks, see here and here.
For these pants in other outfits, see here, here, here, here, here, and here.

12 Days of Holiday: Candy Cane Casual

Happy Holidays!

Jeans:  Torrid (Available here)
Scarf:  The Limited (old) (Similar here)

Today's casual look is a holiday-inspired outfit I wore this past weekend to an ornament exchange party.  The party was casual, but I wanted an outfit that felt a little bit festive.

Blazer:  Torrid

I started with this red and white striped scarf that always reminds me of candy canes and added a black and white striped blazer for a fun mixed striped effect. 

Camisole:  LOFT (Available here)
Boots:  Fergalicious by Fergie (Available here)

Purse:  Target (Available in navy here)
Bracelets:  The Limited
Earrings:  The Limited (old)

The green purse adds to the holiday color theme.

For these jeans in another look, see here.
For this blazer in other looks, see here, here, and here.