Casual Friday: Ready for the Weekend

With spring here, I decided it was time to add a new feature to the blog.  Warmer weather usually means more casual wear for me, so Fridays are going to be dedicated to casual wear - inspiration for easy weekends.

Top:  Target (Available here)
Jeans:  The Limited Petites (old)

I am kicking things off today with two outfits.  First, I'm wearing a look I have worn a few times already for running weekend errands or for casual Sunday brunch.

Sandals:  Payless (old)
Clutch:  Target (old)

The easy off-the-shoulder top is a simple pairing with jeans and sandals.  This is a look that I could easily dress up with heels or make more casual with a pair of booties.

Necklace:  Target
Sunglasses:  Tory Burch

Top:  The Limited

The second look gives a more polished feel to my citrus print shorts from Marimekko for Target.  I added a black button-down top, wedges, and a cute "lemon" clutch.  A bright coral lip adds another pop of color.

Shorts:  Marimekko for Target (Available here)

Clutch:  The Limited
Shoes:  Sugar

What is your casual go-to for warm weather?  Are you a fan of the off-the-shoulder and cold shoulder trends?  Have you tried any pieces from the Marimekko for Target line?

For the jeans in other looks, see here, here, here, here, here, and here.
For the shorts in another look, see here.
For the button-down top in another look, see here.

Drapey Blazers & Python Clutches

So, I've been feeling a little obsessed with drapey blazers lately.  They're a nice hybrid between super professional blazers and comfier sweaters.

Blazer:  Torrid (Available here)Skirt, Camisole, and Tank:  The Limited

As I just recently featured, I love mixing blues together, and I thought the navy and muted aqua shade of this blazer created a pretty pre-fall color palette.

Necklace:  Target

Tote:  New York & Company

I went with a tote for work, but to take this look from day to night, I would substitute the tote for a clutch, like this colorful python print.

Clutch:  The Limited

Bracelets:  The Limited

For today's second look, I paired gold and coral with dark denim flares for a casual Friday look.   By pure accident, I discovered that this coral python clutch was a perfect match for the top and blazer combo.  

Top:  Eloquii (Available here)

Blazer:  The Limited

Jeans:  New York & Company

I love that the gold of this jacket is subtle, easily allowing me to wear it for daytime or for an evening out.

Booties:  Target

Bracelets:  LOFT

Do you like draped blazers? 

For the maxi skirt in another look, see here.

For the jeans in another look, see here.
For the coral top in another look, see here.
For the blazer in other looks, see here and here.

Eff Your Beauty Standards

For today's casual post, I am excited to feature my new "Eff Your Beauty Standards" tee.

Tee:  Tess Holliday.com

I pre-ordered this tee a few months ago, and I was so pleased when it finally came in The material is soft and high-quality, and the tee fits just like I wanted!

If you're not familiar with the #effyourbeautystandards hashtag, let me fill you in.  Created by Tess Munster (Holliday), a model and body positivist activist, this hashtag was meant to reject the notion of there being one narrow beauty ideal.  The hashtag has since become a movement all of its own, prompting people of all shapes and bodies to share photos of themselves engaged in radical self love. 

Needless to say, I think Tess is amazing!

Jeans:  The Limited Petites

Booties:  Sonoma life+style (Available at Kohl's here)

I'm not usually much of a jeans and t-shirt gal, but sometimes, you just need to throw something on and go!  While I'm planning on incorporating this tee in some more fashionable looks, this outfit was perfect for running the kids around this weekend and visiting my sister and brand-new niece!!

Earrings:  Handmade

Clutch:  The Limited (Similar here)

Also given the message of this tee, I wanted to feature a more stripped down look, minimally accessorized, with me wearing only lip gloss.  Fashion and make-up are fun, and I love creating new looks for everyday and for special occasions.  Fashion is certainly a huge part of my identity, but I often remind myself that when you strip it all away, that's where you see the true beauty!

I encourage you to engage in some radical self-love, to say eff your beauty standards.  Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, after all.  It's time to behold the beauty within!

For these jeans in other looks, see 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.

Denim Week 2: Weekend Edge

Hi everyone!  Today marks the start of Denim Week 2!  If you missed my first Denim Week, you can check out the looks here, here, and here.

This denim look was a recent weekend outfit.  I wore it out for a casual dinner with the family. 

Jeans:  The Limited (Similar here)
Jacket:  The Limited (old)

I haven't featured a flats look as of late, and I decided it was time to give my poor abused feet some rest.  The studded flats add a little edge to the outfit, and I've always been of a fan of black and grey mixed with red.

Tote:  The Limited (old)
Flats:  Target (Similar here)

Blouse:  The Limited (old)

For the longest time, I didn't like grey jeans - I saw them as faded black jeans, and they reminded me of old outdated jeans from childhood.  Over the last year or so, they started to grow on me to the point that I decided to try a pair.  Guess what?  I love them!

Ring:  The Limited

Do you like grey jeans?

For these jeans in another outfit, see here and here.
For this jacket in other looks, see here, here, here, here, here, here, here, and here.

12 Days of Holiday: Casual Glam

Happy Sunday, everyone!

Jeans:  The Limited (Available here)
Jacket:  Torrid (Sold out on-line; may be available in stores)

Today's holiday look is something I would wear to an evening holiday house party or a low-key evening out.  

Camisole:  Ann Taylor (Available here)

Necklace:  LOFT (Sold out on-line; may be available in stores)

Shoes:  Target (Available here)
Purse:  The Limited

The sequins, silk, and rhinestones feel festive and fun, while the jeans and relaxed shapes keep the look laid-back.

To make the look more casual or snow-friendly, you could switch the heels out for a pair of knee-high or over-the-knee boots.

Bracelets:  LOFT (Available here and here)

What you wear for an evening holiday house party or holiday evening out?

P.S.  Sorry for the wrinkles on my shirt.  I decided to snap pics before I got the iron out!  :-)

Thanksgiving Casual

Hope you all have had a lovely Thanksgiving!

Being the most casual of the fall/winter holiday season, I kept my Thanksgiving look simple with jeans and a cardigan.

Sweater:  LOFT Petites (Available here)
Blouse:  LOFT Petites (Available here)

Jeans:  The Limited (No longer available on-line)
Boots:  Fergalicious by Fergie (Available here)

The tuxedo bib-front tank and gold threads on the cardigan add just the slightest festive feel to my outfit.

The gold snaps on the jeans and gold jewelry accentuate the gold in the sweater and help bring the look together.

Necklaces:  The Limited and Target (Available in silver here and available here)Bracelets:  The Limited and New York & Company (Available here and here)

Purse:  Target (Available in navy here)

And, I love a pop of color like this deep green satchel.

Do you dress up for Thanksgiving or go casual?

Happy Thanksgiving again, and happy Hanukkah to all my Jewish readers!!  

Singin' the Blues: Casual Rock-n-Roll

Singin' the Blues Week continues with a denim and cobalt blue faux leather look.

Jeans:  Torrid (Available here)

Tee:  Torrid (Available here)

I added my Blondie tee to my Stiletto skinny jeans from Torrid for a comfy casual look with a cool rock-n-roll vibe.

I recently picked up these jeans with the 26" inseam.  When I originally bought this style of jeans, they didn't carry the short length.  I couldn't hem the jeans because of the zippers, so I was trying to make do.  I finally broke down and nabbed this pair - the length works much better!

Jacket:  Forenza by The Limited (Similar here)

Ring:  The Limited
Clutch:  The Limited (Available here)

The cobalt moto jacket adds a fun pop of color to this laid back look.

Boots:  Payless (old)

Are you a fan of moto jackets?  Have you tried the Stiletto skinny jeans from Torrid?

For this jacket in other colors, see here, here, here, here, here, and here.

Ready to Roll

I almost didn't include this outfit on the blog.  

Jeans:  The Limited (old)
Military jacket:  Old Navy (Similar here)

It is ultra casual, maybe too casual?  Heck, just a year ago, I wouldn't have even worn an outfit like this anywhere I expected to be seen, let alone publish photos of myself on the web.  

Purse:  The Limited (Similar here)

T-shirt:  Torrid (Available here)

These jeans are at least four years old.  I ripped them myself, and the years of frequent wear have worn the holes much more than originally intended.  I love these jeans.  They're comfortable and the perfect length for my motorcycle boots.

My motorcycle boots...worn on actual motorcycles....I couldn't possibly feature these boots on a fashion blog, or could I?

Can you tell I think way too much? I was over-analyzing and taking myself too seriously.  It's just clothes, after all.

Besides, I have always meant for my blog to show everyday style.  Life presents itself with many different occasions, and sometimes you just need clothes that you can throw on and go.

Bracelet (Purchased locally)

I wore this outfit the weekend before last.  My honey was still home-bound from his accident, and he was getting super stir-crazy.  While I was ready to spend my Sunday lounging at home, surfing the internet, he was longing to get out of the house.  I took pity, and we loaded up the kids for a Sunday drive along the Mississipi River on the Great River Road, the Midwest's version of the Pacific Coast Highway (love you, Cali!). 

We had fun checking out a local kid-friendly art fair, nibbling at a delicious fudge shoppe (where I also found this cool snake coil bracelet!), and ending our day at a local Mexican restaurant.

My outfit was perfect for walking around the art fair, and the military jacket was just the right cover-up for the slightly chilly temps and occasional raindrops.

All in all, it was a Sunday much better spent than had I trolled the internet all day!  Darn it...I hate it when the man is right.  ;-)

How do you dress for extra casual days?

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