Black Florals

Sometimes, I just feel like wearing black.  It might be spring now, but black is a year-round option for me.

Pants:  LOFT Petites

The floral pants add a little spring life to the outfit, while the black button-down and moto jacket were an easy pairing that worked well for day and night. 

Jacket:  Torrid (Available here)

Booties:  Target (Available here)

Bracelets:  Ann Taylor & The Limited

I wore the outfit to work without the jacket, but threw the jacket on as outerwear for the chilly March day.

Blouse:  The Limited (Available here)

Satchel:  The Limited

I definitely incorporate more white and softer neutrals in the spring and summer, but black will likely always be my go-to, no matter what the weather.

Do you wear black year-round?

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

Ruffles & Lace-Ups

So yesterday was in the low 70s...after being in the low 20s last week.  It's true what they say about St. Louis.  If you don't like the weather, stick around - it will change soon!

Pants:  The Limited Petites (Available here)

Hopefully, the warmer temps will stick around though!

With spring on my mind, I paired my ruffled peplum jacket with brights and strappy wedges.  I also cuffed my pants for a more laid-back vibe.

Jacket:  Eloquii (Available here)

Cami:  LOFT Petites

Shoes:  Sugar (Available here)

Necklace:  Shoxie.com

I love how changing up accessories and opening the jacket gives the jacket/pants combo a different feel than my previous styling of the jacket (see here).

Sunglasses:  Calvin Klein

Bracelets:  New York & Company & Ann Taylor

Ring:  The Limited

Clutch:  Target

Making small changes to an outfit can be a very effective way of expanding your wardrobe options and helping you feel like your closet is bigger than you think!

Do you use accessories to change up your looks?

For the pants in other looks, see here, here, here, here, here, and here.
For the cami in another look, see here and here.
For the jacket in another look, see here.

All That Glitters

With my holiday collab with Irene of Petite Plus, Meow! starting Monday, my mind has steadily been on holiday fashion.  Wearing sparkly sequins is fun no matter what time of year it is, but it feels most appropriate around the winter holidays.

Pants:  The Limited (Similar here)
Tank:  The Limited

With five kids, it is nearly impossible to find a babysitter for New Year's, so we usually stay in or doing something out with the kids.

I don't usually have the chance to get glammed up for New Year's, but it's fun to play around with options, and when I find one I like - it can always work for date night!

I recently had an awesome photo shoot with photographer Hollie of HollieWould PIX.  She helped shoot several of the pics for my upcoming holiday series, and she also provided these photos.  If you're in the St. Louis area, I highly recommend you check out her work and give her a try!! 

Blazer:  LOFT Petites
Clutch:  Target

It was my first photo shoot with a photographer since my senior high school pics!  I'm so used to my kids taking pictures that I felt my usual awkward self at first, but by the end of the photo shoot, I was so much more comfortable.  Makes me want to have more photo shoots of the like!!

So, onto the outfit that Hollie snapped...

Today's look combines a blush sequin tank with black velvet skinnies and an ivory blazer.  I love that the look has a softness to it, but it also has a very rock-n-roll feel.

Necklace:  The Limited
Ear cuff:  Torrid (Similar here)

The faux diamond ear cuff and statement necklace add more shine to this look.  I also played around quite a bit with texture and pattern - combining the velvet and sequins with the jacquard blazer and satin/faux leather floral heels.

This look would be great for a New Year's party or holiday get-together  As I said, I would also wear this look for a date night with my crazy other half!  :-D

Shoes:  Prabal Gurung for Target (Available on eBay here)

Stay tuned tomorrow, and all next week, for more holiday fashion ideas - and more photography from HollieWould PIX!!

Do you tend to stay in for New Year's or go out?  What will you be wearing this New Year's?

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

Teal Appeal

With the first day of October here, it finally feels like fall to me! 

Dress: LOFT Petites

Jacket:  Torrid (Similar here)

The weather is actually unseasonably warm here right now, but thankfully fall temps are on their way! 

October is my favorite month - partly because it is the month of my birth (heyyy, fellow Scorps), but also because it is the month when the leaves really start to change colors, when evenings get crisp and cool, and when Halloween happens! 

I'm kicking off this first day of my favorite month by wearing my favorite color - teal green.

Belt:  Torrid

Earrings:  Target (old)

I've made his maxi dress appropriate for early fall by adding a lightweight jacket and faux python clutch.

The cutouts in the back of the jacket help show off the backless silhouette of the dress while providing a layer of warmth.

Rings:  Torrid and Earthbound Trading Company (Available here)
Clutch: The Limited (Available here)

I would wear this look for a night out or substitute the heels for motorcycle boots and even wear it for day.

Shoes:  Target (old)

How do you get your wardrobe ready for fall?  Do you have a favorite month?  Why is it your favorite?

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

How To Wear Fall Florals NOW!

I know most of you are probably way into summer mode, but for some reason, I can't resist thinking about fall fashion!

Dress: LOFT (Available here)

We are having a mild summer this year, and the temperatures have been in the low 80s Fahrenheit all week.  With it not being so hot, I have been enjoying adding little tastes of fall fashion into my work wear. 

Today's look is certainly lightweight enough for summer temps, but the color palette of the floral print has a distinctly fall feel.

Booties:  Target (Available here)

Clutch:  The Limited

I plan on wearing this dress well into fall/winter with tights and boots, but for now, I decided to give it an easier summer vibe with the addition of light accessories.  The beige booties and yellow clutch keep the look from feeling too heavy for summer, while the teal nail polish gives me another taste of fall.

Bracelet:  Ann Taylor (Available here)

Earrings:  Torrid

A belt would look great with this dress, and I plan on wearing one with it next time.  Today though, I wanted to preserve the lightness of the dress by skipping a belt.

In the past I haven't worn a ton of floral prints, but they are starting to grow on me more, especially darker florals like the ones on this print.  They are also expected to be a big trend this fall. 

Are you thinking about fall fashion yet at all?  Are you a fan of wearing florals?

P.S.  I'm thinking about getting this dress hemmed to right at the knee but I can't decide.  What do you think?

Black Pants for Work: Modern Tuxedo

I cap off my feature on black pants with black tuxedo trousers.  I love that these pants have a classic trouser shape while the ivory stripe adds on-trend flair.

Pants:  Ann Taylor Petites (Available here)
Blazer:  Ann Taylor (Available here)

My love for tuxedo-inspired styles is never-ending.  For this look, I paired the tuxedo trousers with a cropped ivory tuxedo blazer and a bib-front tank for a modern take on the tuxedo.

Ivory tank:  LOFT Petites (Sold out on-line; may be available in stores)
Black tank:  Old Navy Petites (Similar here)

Bag:  Target
Bangles:  ??? (old)

I added wooden bangles and a bright zebra print bag for an unexpected mix.

I like this outfit quite a bit, but I think if I were to do it over, I would up the tribal accessories and inspiration to make the mix of tribal and tuxedo more deliberate looking.  If you're going to do something, commit, right?  :-)

Boots:  Target (Available here)

Are you a fan of tuxedo-inspired looks? How do you keep your black pants interesting for work?


For these pants in another look, see here.
For this tank in another outfit, see here.

12 Days of Holiday: Black Swan

If you've been following my blog, you know that I love ballet-inspired fashion.  When I spotted this dress at Forever21+, it had me at the tulle.  The full skirt just feels fun and special. 

Dress:  Forever 21+ (Available here)

Forever 21 can be a pig in a poke for finding quality clothes that look mature enough for a 30-something professional.  When I do find something though, I am usually quite happy with the fit.  Because Forever 21 has more of a juniors' fit, their XL is often perfectly proportioned for my petite curvy frame.

Belt:  LOFT (Available here)

Blazer:  Ann Taylor Petites (Available here) - Sleeves shortened

 This dress required no alterations.  While it's a little longer than featured on the web site, I love the longer fit.

I added a burgundy velvet jacket, sparkly belt, and floral satin lace-up heels for an evening feel. 

I decided to skip tights, but you could easily add some glittery or lace tights for a little extra warmth.

Clutch:  The Limited (Available here)
Heels:  Prabal Gurung for Target (Available on eBay here)

Ring:  The Limited (Available here)

Right now, I have nowhere special to wear this outfit, but I would definitely wear it for a winter wedding or dressy holiday party.  I don't usually purchase dressier items without some place to wear them, but I think this dress has a classic feel that I will love for years to come.  When an event comes up, I'll have something to wear!  :-)

Bracelet:  The Limited

What would you wear to a formal winter wedding or holiday party?

Lace and Colorblocking

Happy Tuesday everyone!

Jacket:  Target Petites (Available here and in regular sizes here)

Today's look is a recent work look.  I always seem to add black jackets to this dress, but I really do love a black and white look!

Overall, I really like this outfit.  It has a simple color palette, but the textures and subtle prints add a lot of visual interest.

Dress:  The Limited

Boots:  Payless (old)

I tend to gravitate strongly towards neutrals in the fall and winter (especially my forever friend, black), but I also don't want to get bored with my clothes.  

Ring:  Torrid (Available here)

Long earrings:  Torrid (Sold out on-line; May be available in stores)
Stud earrings:  The Limited

Adding special details keeps me from getting too bored.

Tights:  The Limited (old) (Similar here)
Tote:  The Limited

I wish these tights fit better though.  :-/

Most of my tights come from The Limited and fit very similarly; however, this pair is too big (hence the sagging towards bottom of the tights).

Belt:  The Limited (Similar here)

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