Shop Your Closet: The Printed Midi

Ugh....I have been away from the blog much too long!!  I have missed you guys!!  Work has been super busy and has left me with no time for blogging, but I hope to change that this coming week, even if I will still be working long hours!  So today, it's time for another Shop Your Closet post!

 Skirt:  Eloquii (Available here)

Today, I'm rocking this amazing printed skirt from Eloquii.  They have some of the best prints, and this one is just so perfect for summer!  This skirt is the same style as the striped one I previously featured here and here, and there is also a matching crop top. 

Sadly, the crop top didn't work for me in either fabrication, but that's okay!  There are still sooooo many ways to style this skirt, and today, I am offering you four!

For the first look, I went for a little date night chic.  I love the sophisticated and sexy feel of this off the shoulder top. 

Black off-the-shoulder top:  Eloquii (Available here)

I haven't had much luck with off-the-shoulder styles this season.  I have narrow shoulders and big arms, so it's hard to find a fit that doesn't slide right back up on my shoulders.  This top from Eloquii is more like a tube top with an attached scarf that you tie around your arms, so you're sure to get the right fit.

Shoes:  Anne Michelle

In fact, I even tried it out as a tube top and loved that variation too.

Clutch:  Target

Bracelets:  LOFT

To not compete with the tie on the top, I tied the attached self-tie belt to the back of the skirt, creating a bow in the back of the skirt (sorry, no photos).

Sunglasses:  Tory Burch

For the next look, I kept things a little more casual.  I paired the printed midi with a white crop top from ASOS layered over a lace bralette from Torrid.  I debated between white sneakers and wedges, and while both worked, ultimately, the wedges won out.

Tie-front crop top:  ASOS (Available here)

Wedges:  Sugar

Bralette:  Torrid (Available here)

Sunglasses:  Calvin Klein

For work, I decided to go with a bold mixed print look by pairing a striped button down shirt with the skirt.   

Striped button-down top:  Eloquii (Available here)

Shoes:  New Look

Bracelets:  LOFT
Satchel:  The Limited

Lastly, I wanted to create a go-anywhere look, one that I could wear to work but that I would be equally as likely to wear outside of work as well. Pairing the skirt with this simple orange blouse is an easy combo.  

Top:  The Limited (old)

Booties:  ASOS

Necklace:  Eloquii

Clutch:  Boohoo

Which look is your favorite?  How would you style this skirt?

For the orange top in other looks, see here, here, here, and here.

Manic Monday: Spring Transitioning

As the weather starts transitioning to spring, I'm starting to think about wearing more color.  I've been wearing a lot of black lately, but I have also been trying to incorporate more bright colors and pastels.  One of my favorite ways to transition my wardrobe is by taking a cold weather staple, faux leather, and adding spring-like touches such as a pretty coral blouse and turquoise jewelry.

Skirt:  Eloquii (Available here)

This outfit could easily be worn a lot of different places, but by pairing it with a large clutch and simple pumps, it is work-ready. 

Bracelet:  Purchased from jewelry vendor

I would possibly add a blazer depending on how cold it was or if I needed to up the professional appearance of the outfit.

Blouse:  Target Petites

Necklace:  eBay

Heels:  Target

Clutch:  Target

Glasses:  Valentino

Leather, real or faux, can be a great staple for work, even in more conservative office settings.

Would you wear leather for work?  How do you transition your wardrobe for spring?

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

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.

Manic Monday: Variation on Suiting

Long gone are the days of huge shoulder pads and oversized masculine suiting.  Today, we have lots of options, and with workplaces going more business casual, we have even more opportunity to play around with variations on suiting.

Skirt:  Eloquii (Available here)

A well-fitting black, navy, or grey suit is an important wardrobe staple for interviews, important meetings, or for more formal businesses.  The rest of the time, we can mix things up a bit more. 

Blouse and Necklace:  The Limited (Blouse available here)

One of my favorite things to do is to mix suiting up with other non-suit pieces like this skirt, top, and blazer combo.  Pairing the button down top with the overlay skirt gives it a really cool and modern feeling of the skirt being worn over a shirt dress.  A black suit blazer adds a professional finishing touch. 

Blazer:  The Limited (Similar here)

Boots:  New Look

While my look today sticks to a more neutral black and white color theme, mixing bolder colors or pastels is another way to have more fun with your suits.

Stay tuned to next week's Manic Monday post for more suiting options - I had another look planned for today, but I have been too sick to take photos!! Boo! :-(

Satchel:  Target

Check out this recent post from +The Curvy Fashionista for more suiting options.

For the skirt in other looks, see here and here.
For the ivory blouse in other looks, see here and here.
For the black blazer in other looks, see here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, and here.

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?