Dress Week 2: Softness and Structure

Dress Week 2 continues today with my ivory color blocked dress.  I paired the dress with a navy military blazer with black trim. 

Dress:  The Limited (old)
Blazer:  The Limited
Bracelets:  New York & Company, The Limited (Available here, no longer available on-line)

A gold belt and gold hardware on the boots and bag help add a little brightness and flair to the outfit.

I really love mixing flowy pieces like this dress with more structured pieces like the blazer.  I think it is the hard and soft balance that I really enjoy.

Tights:  The Limited
Boots:  Target (Available here)

Purse:  Target (Similar here)
Belt:  The Limited (came with a jumpsuit)

Do you like mixing flowy pieces with more structured ones?  Do you like mixing neutrals?

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

P.S.  I was looking for a pair of rubber soled boots with a short stacked heel like the boots featured here (perfect for the snow).  I tried this pair at home, but the boots rubbed too much and had to go back.  The search continues!!

Singin' the Blues: Attention!

Hi everyone.  I apologize for cutting Fall Color Week short and being absent over the last few weeks.

I have a ton of reasons for not posting, but I think it comes down to an issue I've dealt with off and on during my adult life.  I go through periods of over-stress (usually coupled with sleep deprivation).  When these happen, I develop a generalized apathy and melancholy that leaves me unfulfilled by things I love, like blogging.  I'm working through it, and thankfully, some of the recent stressors have reduced or disappeared. 

I have several posts lined up for the next week, so hopefully things will be back on track soon!  Thanks so much for sticking with me!!!

Blazer:  The Limited (Available here)
Pants:  The Limited (Similar here)

Today, I'm starting with Singin' the Blues Week - a week of one of this fall's hottest colors!

The color navy is the subtlest and easiest to wear of the blues.   It's perfect for conservative work places, but it functions well as a neutral for many occasions.

For years, I wasn't a fan of navy as I saw it as too conservative and classic for me.  I love classic, but it has to have an interesting modern or tough edge.  Somewhere along the line, I became a navy convert, especially when worn with other neutrals as I did here. 

Purse:  Target (May be available in stores; similar here)

Shirt:  The Limited (old) (Similar here)

When done in streamlined shapes, navy brings with it much of what I love about black - it's dark, it's sleek and sophisticated, and it is forever versatile.

Today's navy look also plays into fall's military trend (see more here).  I love how military pieces like this blazer look very polished and even just a teensy bit edgy.

Heels:  Target (Similar here)
Bracelets:  The Limited (Available here)

Are you a fan of navy?

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

Textured Neutrals

As I discussed in yesterday's outfit post, I gravitate towards neutrals in the fall and winter.

Blazer:  The Limited (Available here)Camisole:  LOFT Petites (Sold out on-line; may be available in stores)

I love today's look.  I mixed black, beige, and navy with touches of gold.  The mix of textures, trims, fabrics, and metal details on the jacket and pants makes the outfit feel both interesting and a little more luxe.

Pants:  The Limited (Sold out on-line; may be available in stores)

Boots:  Payless (old)
Necklace:  The Limited (Available in silver here)

Most importantly, this look is so comfortable!  These booties are my go-to in fall and winter for their comfort and easiness, but they are starting to show some definite signs of wear.  I'm worried I'm not going to be find boots this perfect any time soon!

Earrings:  The Limited
Rings:  Vintage and The Limited

Clutch:  The Limited (Available here)

For this military jacket in another look, see here. 
For this cami in another look, see here.
For these pants in another look, see here.

For more on the military trend, see here.

P.S. Sorry for the grainy photos the last few days - getting my camera to take good pics after dark (the only time I've had to take pics) is difficult!!

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.

Candy Stripes

Happy Friday, everyone!!

Today's casual Friday look has a slight naval flair thanks to the military-inspired knit jacket and nautical striped scarf. 

Jeans:  The Limited (Available here)
Jacket:  Forenza by The Limited (old)

I'm not crazy about the heels with this outfit.  I would have preferred shoes that were more causal, but outside of boots, I didn't have any casual shoes that worked with the length of these pants. 

Blouse:  The Limited (Similar here)
Scarf:  The Limited

I got this shirt hemmed since the last time I wore it (see here). I think it is much more flattering now; small changes can make SO much difference!  I prefer my tops with slightly longer hem lengths, but it can be hard to find the right balance between preference for a longer length and being too long.  Shirts that are too long can make petite girls look super short as they give the appearance of the leg being cut off.

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

Do you alter your clothing?  What are some of the ways in which you get your clothes altered?

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

Anchors Away

Hope you all had a great day!  Unfortunately, I'm feeling under the weather today, so my pics are a bit limited.
I paired my burgundy velvet pants with a striped tank and anchor cardigan for a fun nautical theme look.

I usually reserve nautical prints and themes for spring and summer, but I loved the mix of colors of this outfit.  The layers and fabrics were enough to keep me warm this chilly day. 

Cardigan:  Torrid (Similar here)
Tank:  Old Navy Petites
Pants:  The Limited (Available here)

Purse:  The Limited (Available here)
Boots:  Payless (old)
Anchor earrings:  Gift (Similar here)

Would you wear an anchor print?  How would you style this cardigan?

At ease!

Happy Friday!!

For today's casual Friday, I paired a striped tee with this comfy knit military-inspired jacket.

Jacket:  Forenza by The Limited (old)
Tee:  The Limited (Available here)
Satchel:  The Limited (Available here)

I didn't realize until this evening that the stripes on the tee were actually navy rather than black, but I don't mind it with the black pieces and think it will work with both black and navy pieces.

Pants:  The Limited (No longer available on-line, see them here)

Shoes:  Target (Similar here)
Jade ring:  Gift

Military-inspired looks were all over fall's runways (See more here).  To maintain the military theme of the jacket and sailor tee, I added some cute anchor earrings.

Earrings:  Gift (Similar: here)

Stripes never really go out of style, but they are having a major moment this spring.  I can't wait to mix this top with bright colors and even some fun prints.

Oscar de la Renta spring 2013, Source:  Marie Claire

Dolce & Gabanna Spring 2013, Source:  Harper's Bazaar

For on fall's black and white trend, see here.

Fall 2012 Fashion Trends: Military

A strong military presence was seen on fall runways. Think strong shoulders, epaulettes, gold buttons, along with shades of olive and black.  This trend is easy to wear to work and translates especially well for outerwear.

From the runway:

Tommy Hilfiger Fall 2012 look

Victoria Beckham Fall 2012 look

 More affordable options:

The khaki trench below blends military styling with the classic trench for a modern interpretation of military uniforms.

Simply Be capelet trench coat

ModCloth orange brigade coat

Do you like the military look?