Crop it Off

Hope you all had a great weekend!

Blazer:  Forever 21+ (Available here)
Blouse:  Old Navy Petites

Pants:  New York & Company (Similar here)
Shoes:  Target (old)

Today I topped off basic black work staples with a cropped pink blazer with faux leather lapels.  

Bracelets:  Express (here) and Target

I had initially considered wearing my black tuxedo stripe skinnies (see here).  The wide-leg pants are a slightly less modern choice; however, they seem more elegant and work appropriate with the cropped blazer.

Cropped blazers are super flattering for petites as they really work with smaller proportions.  I can't wait to wear this blazer with flowy dresses when the temperature warms.

Tote:  New York & Company (Similar here)

Do you like cropped blazers?

See blouse in other looks here, here, and here.
See pants in other looks here and here.

Easy Separates

Happy Friday!!!!!

Hope the first week of the New Year has been great for you!

Today, I wanted an easy look that was still put together enough for work.

Pants:  The Limited (Available here)
Heels:  Target (Available here)

Blouse:  The Limited (old)
Cardigan:  The Limited (old) (Similar here)

I chose my velvet skinnies and mixed this magenta blouse and cardigan for a modern take on the twinset.  

I've had this cardigan for a while, but I don't wear it much.  I'm a little on the fence about keeping it as I'm not sure it's very figure flattering.  Since the cardigan is too big and a little shapeless, I tucked the blouse in to try to create more shape.  I'm generally not a huge fan of belts over cardigans on my body, but if you'd like to draw attention to a small waist or to create an hourglass shape, belting a baggy cardigan like this can quickly do the trick.

Cuff:  New York & Company (Similar here)
Ring:  LOFT (no longer available on-line)

Necklace:  Target
Purse:  The Limited (Available here)

 Stay tuned this coming week for a preview of my favorite spring 2013 fashion trends!!!

Have a great weekend!

Modern Lady

Today, I paired my tweed jacket with my houndstooth tie-neck blouse for a lady-like look.  I like the higher neckline of this blouse with this jacket and that the shapes are classic but modern.

Jacket:  Gap (old) (Similar here)
Blouse:  New York & Company

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

Ring:  Target (Similar here)
Earrings:  Gift (handmade)

The quilted bag finishes off the lady-like look.  I kept accessories simple today with a turquoise ring and handmade quartz earrings.

Tote:  New York & Company (Similar here)

For this blouse in other looks, see here and here.
For more on the black and white trend, see here.

Subtle Sparkle

Happy Monday everyone!  Hope you all had a great weekend.

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

I love a look with a little bit of edgy glamour.  One of my favorite things about the fall holiday season is definitely the fashion.  Fancy fabrics, embellishments, and sparkle - from Thanksgiving to New Year's, fashion is just a little more fun.

During the fall and winter months, I definitely opt for a lot of black, but mixing textures, silky fabrics, and embellishments keep me from getting bored.

Lace blazer:  The Limited (Similar here)

Today, I opted for a monochromatic look, adding in just a few small pops of color with burgundy heels and periwinkle nails.

Today's look was all about the subtle sparkle, mixing matte black pieces with glitter, gems, and rhinestones.  

Shoes:  Target (Available here)

Ring:  The Limited (old)
Nail polish:  Essie "Bikini So Teeny" and "Stroke of Brilliance" (Available at Target)

I chose hematite-colored rhinestone bow stud earrings, bangle, and this oversized bow ring.  The glittery nail polish adds a bit more sparkle.

Bangle:  Target (old)

The blouse adds extra embellishments, and the lace blazer adds a bit of texture.

Bow earrings:  Target (Available in stores; Similar here)
Purse:  New York & Company (Similar here)

It can be difficult to decide how much "holiday cheer" is acceptable in the work place.  Obviously, work place dress codes vary greatly.  I work in a fairly conservative field with a business casual dress code.  I probably push the envelope some days in regards to what's appropriate for my job, but I generally try to tow the line.
Do you like to dress up your work looks for the holidays?  How much sparkle do you think is "just right" for work?

I Vote for Sequins, Velvet, and Tweed

Hi everyone!  Hope everyone got out and voted today!

Jacket:  The Limited (Available here)
Pants:  The Limited (Available here)

Today, I selected my new velvet pants (see here) with my black bow-front blouse and this lovely tweed jacket.  I love the silver threads mixed sewn through the blazer and the unexpected silver sequin detail on the shoulders.  I also love the mix of textures and fabrics.

Blouse:  Old Navy
Ring:  The Limited (Available here)

Shoes:  Target (Available here)

My outfit today is very reminiscent of another recent outfit (see here).  I'm loving fun skinny black pants (tuxedo stripes, velvet, etc.) mixed with modern-looking tweed jackets.

I'm hunting for a light pink or mint top to wear with this jacket.  I love winter white mixed with pastels in the winter time.  

Bracelet:  The Limited (old)

Today, I kept the overall look neutral in black and ivory with just a subtle pop of color with the burgundy shoe.  I added a two-tone chain bracelet and a bow ring for a little feminine charm.

Purse:  New York & Company (Similar here)

Do you like mixing textures in your clothing?

Channeling Chanel

I've been waiting for the temperature to drop so that I could wear this tweed jacket.  It's one of my very favorite pieces.  I love the collarless design and the silver threads.

Jacket:  Gap
Blouse:  Old Navy (Similar here)

I love how the tweed jacket, bow front blouse, and quilted bag have a Chanel vibe.  I love the classic style of Chanel but can't afford the hefty price tags.

Tote:  New York & Company (Similar here)
Shoes:  Target (Available here)

Chanel jacket (see more black tweed jackets)

My general view of designer fashion is that it's inspirational, but ultimately not worth the higher price tags.  I can be a little fickle in my fashion choices and like to change my wardrobe up regularly.  Also, unless the piece is truly high-quality enough to last for 20 years with regular usage, $2000 for a purse just isn't very rational,  maybe even a little immoral.

IF I ever decide to save up for a designer piece or hit the lottery, I would definitely choose to invest in a Chanel piece - a quilted bag or a tweed jacket.  I would go with black in a classic style like the jacket shown above so that it would get lifelong wear and hopefully be passed down as an heirloom to my daughter. 

Pants:  The Limited (Available here)

Do you have any favorite designers?  What's your take on high-end fashion?

More on Chanel's famous black tweed jacket here at The Guardian

Bracelet:  The Limited (Sold out online; see here)

Fine and Dandy

Today I was Inspired by menswear. I pulled my vest from the back of my closet and paired it with my favorite black suit.  

Suit:  The Limited Black Collection (Similar pants here; Similar vest here; Similar blazer here)

I have worn vests off and on since junior high school. I have never stopped liking them, but for some reason, I find my vest to be an occasional piece that I only put out a few times a year.

Belt:  The Limited
Tank:  Old Navy Petites (Similar here)

I love the look of traditionally masculine looks, like this three piece suit, on women.  The polkadot scarf, worn like a necktie, adds a slightly quirky touch.  It also helped conceal cleavage during work hours.

Scarf:  The Limited (old)
Shoes:  Target (old)

Menswear inspired fashion was very popular on fall runways, so this outfit feels right on trend but very "me" at the same time.

Lest the look be too masculine, I wore my hair down and threw on a cuff to give it that feminine mix.

Cuff:  The Limited
Tote:  New York & Company (Similar here)

Do you have items in your wardrobe of which you don't want to let go, but that you don't wear too often?

Do you like the menswear look on women? 

Color Pop!

Happy Sunday everybody!  

Hope you're all having a great weekend! 

Today, I went out to lunch with my mother and then ran some errands.  I opted for a neon yellow sweater and paired it with my black lace skirt.  Then I added opaque black tights and black wedge boots to give me both height and comfort.

Sweater:  The Limited (Available here)
Skirt:  Torrid (Available here)
Purse:  New York & Company (Similar here)

Even though this color can be hard to wear (it's not a super flattering shade for most skin tones), there's something about how this bright citrine yellow pops, especially with black, that makes me seek it out.

Tights:  Torrid (Available here)
Boots:  Target (Available here)

I'm especially looking forward to wearing this sweater in winter.  When I'm feeling a case of the winter blahs, wearing bright colors makes me feel a little better!

Necklace:  Express (old)
Cuff:  New York & Company (old) 
Earrings:  Express (Available here)

 Would you wear neon yellow?

Casual Friday, 80s Flair

Happy Friday!!!!  

First, let me apologize for today's pics.  I can't seem to get the lighting right indoors.  :-(

On today's casual Friday, I went with my favorite skinny bootcut jeans and paired them with a houndstooth plaid top and light pink blazer.

Jeans:  The Limited (Available here)
Blouse:  New York & Company (Sold out online, view here)

I like how the look is slightly 80s.  The pastel blazer, the pushed up sleeves, and the neck-tie on the blouse all channel the 80s without making me look like an extra from "Pretty in Pink."  

Blazer:  New York & Company (Available in black here)

I love vintage, but it's very important to me that the any vintage or vintage-feel piece be worn in a modern way.  In my opinion, too much vintage can look a little costumey, which is great for Halloween but not every day wear. 

Tote:  New York & Company (Similar here)
Shoes:  Target (old)
Bow ring:  The Limited (Sold out online, see here)

Do you like 80s fashion?  What 80s inspired or vintage pieces would you wear?

Bracelet:  The Limited (Sold out online, see here)

Tweed, Leather, and Volume

One of the big trends in outerwear this fall is volume.  Voluminous coats were shown by Jil Sander, Michael Kors, Burberry Prorsum, and many other designers.

Now, being petite and extra curvy, I had no intention of partaking in this trend.  Something that would make me appear shorter and wider?  No thank you!!

But, then I spotted this sweater jacket one day while out shopping.  I fell in love the mix of tweed patterns, the faux leather trim, and the floppy collar.

Sweater jacket:  New York & Company (Available here)
Belt:  Express Men/DIY (10+ years old)

I had to go down two sizes from my normal size (not that I'm complaining), and the jacket still seemed a bit too big; however, I also found the overall shape to be more flattering than I would have expected from a jacket with this volume.  

I added a belt to help create a little more shape.  I'd love to find some large brooches to work as closures as well.

This belt was actually a bit of a DIY creation.  I had a worn-out belt from a pair of jeans that I had since junior high.  I loved the sun buckle.  One day (over ten years ago) while out shopping at Express Men with an ex-boyfriend, I came across belts that came with separate buckles so that you could create your own design.  I chose a belt, ripped apart the old belt and added my old buckle to the new belt.  I don't wear it much now, but I still love the buckle so much that it still comes out of the drawer on occasion.

Pants:  The Limited (Available here)
Shoes:  Target (old)
Earrings:  The Limited (old) (Similar here)

I actually see a lot of possibilities for this jacket.  I plan on wearing it with slim leg pants, as I've done here, and dresses of similar lengths with tights.

Cuff:  New York & Company (5+ years old)

While admittedly, a jacket with this much volume is not the most flattering fit, finding a piece you love that gives you fashion warm fuzzies is sometimes worth it!

Besides, who wouldn't love a piece with the comfort and warmth of a Snuggie that you can actually wear to work?  :-D 

Purse:  New York & Company (Similar here)

 Would you wear the oversized outerwear trend?