Manic Monday: Prints Charming

Today on the blog, I'm featuring two shift dresses with bold geometric prints that evoke vibes of different decades.

Dress:  LOFT Petites (Available here)

The first look features a 1920s Deco print dress in a super comfortable knit fabric that has a 60s look and feel. 

I threw on a belt and added a blazer to create more structure. 

Blazer:  Eloquii (Available here)
Necklace:  LOFT (Available here)

It was raining while I took these photos, so please disregard the rain drops on my clothes.  :-)

I'm looking for a chartreuse cardigan to match the print in the dress, but in the meantime, I also like the all black look.

Boots:  Target (old)

Bracelet:  NY&CO (Available here)
Belt:  Torrid

For the second look, I played with the 70s trend a bit with this plum, rust, and caramel printed dress. 

Dress:  The Limited

A rust cardigan added a little warmth and a slightly unexpected autumnal color mix.

Cardigan:  LOFT (Available here)

I finished the look with a vintage purse clutch to maintain the subtle retro vibe.

Necklace:  Vintage
Earrings:  The Limited

Earrings:  Etsy

Booties:  Target
Purse:  Loeffler Randall for Target (old)

Which look do you prefer?  How do you add prints into your office looks?

For the purple print dress in other looks, see here and here.
For the black blazer in other looks, see here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, and here.

Dress Week 2: Modern Fit-and-Flare

Dress Week 2 starts today with this fun printed fit-and-flare dress.  I am looking forward to wearing this dress with sandals in the summer, but I winterized it here with a faux leather jacket and warm tights and boots.

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

Jacket:  Target (Available here)
Purse:  Target

It can be hard to wear jackets with fit-and-flare dresses.  I usually feel like I lose my shape in such styles when I add a jacket.  This peplum jacket is great because it follows the contours of my shape and the dress.

As is usually the case with my clothes, both this dress and jacket required alterations.  I've featured this jacket here on the blog already a few times (here and here).  Outside of the sleeves being too long, the overall fit was not too bad before, but I opted to have the jacket taken in under the arms and to have the sleeves slimmed a bit for a more streamlined fit.  The jacket has stretchy side panels, which make the effects of the alterations a little hard to see; however, I did notice a difference in overall fit.

I lost some of the blue fabric at the bottom of the dress; however, I actually think the block of blue is now more proportionate for my petite frame.  The blue felt a little overwhelming before, but now I quite like it.

While the dress has an oversized lace print, it looks like a modern tribal print to me, so I added a white howlite necklace and my citrine/zebra bag to keep that feeling.

Necklace:  eBay (Similar here)

Tights:  The Limited (old)

I've really been into exploring more prints lately.  I am so fickle with prints that I'm often overly cautious about purchasing printed pieces because I'm afraid I will grow tired of them too quickly.  While they don't have the staying power of solids, prints certainly make a wardrobe more interesting and fun.

Boots: Payless (old)

Do you prefer to wear solids or prints?  Are you a fan of fit-and-flare styles?

Fashion Favorites: 4 Prints, 13 Ways

Prints add fun and interest to neutrals and other solids.  Mixed prints can be tricky to pull off, but when done well, mixed prints make for a unique look.

Here's a look back at some of the ways I've worn my favorite printed pieces.


Printed Skirt:

A is for A-line

Hello Yellow

Skirt Week:  Lady In Waiting

Floral Blazer:

Stripes Week:  Print-Tastic

Flower Child

Leopard Sweatshirt:

Skirt Week:  Grrrrrrl Power

Fall 2013 Fashion Trends:  The Luxe Sweatshirt

Go Bold, Go Casual

Foulard Blazer:

Crying Foulard

Foulard Me Once

Foulard Me Once

Pajama Party

Foulard and Gold Details

Are you a fan of prints?  Do you prefer wearing prints with solids or other prints?

Perk Up Winter!

Hope you all have been having a great week!  I have a round-up of holiday looks planned starting Saturday, but I thought I'd finish out the week with a recent work outfit.

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

I gravitate very heavily towards black in the winter, but I've been trying to keep things interesting by incorporating more prints and some bold pops of color. 

Today's look does both, and it also adds two of spring 2014's upcoming trends - sporty influences and color blocking.

The cardigan has subtle color blocking with slightly darker sleeves and lighter red-orange side panels.  The raglan sleeves and zipper closure give it a sporty feel.  Since I love the warmth and coziness of sweaters, I've been looking for more styles that suit my picky palette.  I loved that this cardigan is very simple, but that it's in a season-less bright color and has fun sporty details.  The medium weight will easily allow me to wear this sweater through spring.

Blouse:  The Limited (Available here)
Cardigan:  The Limited (Available here)

Heels:  Target (old)
Necklace:  New York & Company (Sold out on-line; may be available in stores)

How do you perk up your winter looks?

Fall Color Week: Burgundy Basic

Happy Sunday, everyone!

Pants:  The Limited (Sold out in burgundy; other colors available here)
Blazer:  The Limited (Similar here)

Today, I'm featuring a recent work look.  These pants are a great basic that can easily transition into casual, work, or evening looks.  I like the mix of burgundy with beige and black.

Blouse:  Target (old)
Tank:  Old Navy Petites (Similar here)

Heels:  Target (Similar here)
Purse:  Express

In fact, I'm really loving burgundy this fall. It is such a warm color that can function almost as a neutral.  In my opinion, it looks great with other neutrals or paired with shades of blue, pink, and mustard.

It's red's sophisticated sister, adding a touch of boldness without being as show-y.

Bracelet:  The Limited

Are you a fan of burgundy?

For these pants in another look, see here. 

Kiss and Tell

I just wanted to extend a big thank you (and cyber-kiss) to everyone who voted for me for the St. Louis Fashion Blog Awards.  I'm so honored to be nominated and am excited to hear the results tonight at the awards presentation!

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

Blazer:  The Limited (Similar here)
Clutch:  Vintage

My almost daily bombardment of requests for your vote is over.  Asking for your vote everyday was not always an easy thing to do.  Doing so felt obnoxious, self-serving, and needy, qualities I generally dislike, and I certainly hope no one was put off by my frequent reminders.

At the same time, I have learned some very important lessons over the last year or so:

1)  You don't usually get what you want unless you ask for it.

2)  People aren't inclined to believe in you and help you work towards your goals if you don't  first show that you believe in yourself.

3)  You have to be your biggest cheerleader.

Heels:  Target (Available in other colors here)

Bold, gutsy, self-assured people often get further in life.  It is not because those people have more education, are more attractive, or are smarter.  It's that those people create excitement in others.  They make people stand up and take notice. 

The daring to show your self to the world is not an innate quality.  While it may naturally come easier for some than others, I definitely believe it's possible to develop these characteristics through affirmative efforts.

I'm s.l...o....w....l.......y learning to become one of those people, but it is a daily conscious process for me to remember to put myself out there and to garner the courage to actually do it. 

Women are often socialized in this culture to not take up a lot of "space", to put others' needs and wants before their own, and to not ask for or demand too much from others.  

Through a lot of reflection on my life, I realize that I was taught these lessons in many ways, lessons that cripple many women from realizing their full personal and social potential.

Asking for what you want, saying "Hey, I'm out here, and I'm fabulous...Notice me" feels "ballsy" because it IS.  So many of us, women particularly, have been taught that doing this is arrogant, selfish, and needy.  

It is not.  

Bracelet:  The Limited

We all have something unique to contribute, and it's in recognizing our own potential and uniqueness that we make ourselves useful to others.  Asking others to take notice of us in a direct way shows confidence.  It shows that we believe in ourselves and the skills, talents, and ideas that we can contribute.  It makes people remember your name and makes them WANT to take a chance on you!

Do you ask for what you want?  Do you like kiss/lip prints?

Dress Week: Coming Up Roses

Today, I conclude Dress Week with an ikat rose print maxi dress.

Dress:  Target (old)

Paired with wedge sandals, this dress has a relaxed and laid-back vibe that's perfect for summer.  The floor-length of this dress gives it an easy sophistication that feels casual but a little glam.

I would wear this to an outdoor party, to a casual dinner, or even to go shopping.

Cardigan:  Converse One Star for Target (old)
Clutch:  Vintage (eBay)

For cooler evenings or air-conditioned buildngs, this moto-style cardigan is a perfect lightweight touch.  I bought this cardigan last summer and it continues to be one of the favorite pieces in my wardrobe.

Bracelets:  Target, Claire's Express

Earrings:  Target
Shoes:  Target (Similar here)

Do you like maxi dresses?  Where would you wear one like this?

For this cardigan in other looks, see here, here, and here.