Spring Whites - The Look for Less

Recently, I was contacted by Credit Card Insider inviting me to participate in their "Splurge v. Save" campaign. 

Skirt:  Target (Available here)

Shirt:  Target (Available here)
Clutch:  New York & Company

As a shop-a-holic on a budget, I know the importance of finding bargains.  I'm continually inspired by designer fashion, but I lack the means or desire to shell out the cash for such big ticket items.  Since I like buying clothes often and having a lot of options, I'm always looking for ways to save money on items I love.

This spring, one of the looks that caught my eye was this design from Cynthia Rowley. 

Cynthia Rowley Spring 2014 look
Source:  Style.com

Shift blouses and white are both huge spring trends, and I love the clean, architectural lines of the look.  The quilting detail adds a luxe touch.  This look is fabulous, but way out of my price range, especially for an outfit so trendy.

Imagine my surprise to find a very similar look on Target.com.  This outfit is from the labworks, a fashion forward brand that is available in petites, misses, and plus sizes.

Not only did I find my designer-inspired outfit at a discount department store, I nabbed it on clearance while they had an additional promotional sale and used a coupon code to save even more cash.

Booties:  Target (Available here)

Bracelets:  Target and The Limited

This outfit is made from a substantial fabric and has great quilting detail just like the higher priced inspiration.

I preferred this look with a sturdier shoe than the designer inspiration, so I added beige booties.  A simple metallic necklace completed the look.

Necklace:  Torrid
Earrings:  The Limited

Are you inspired by designer fashion?  On what items do you like to save and on what items will you splurge?

Do you have a fashion budget, and how do you work to stick to it?

For this top in another look, see here.

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.

Because We Can - Bon Jovi :-D

Last night, the man and I went to a Bon Jovi concert.

Tie-dye jeans:  Torrid (Available here)
Jacket:  The Limited (Available in ivory here)

I wanted a casual look with a bit of an 1980s vibe.  The neon yellow stilettos and neon pink shirt gave a nod to all the fluorescent colors of the 80s without looking like a costume.

Blouse:  The Limited (old)
Shoes:  Target (Available here)

Earrings:  Prabal Gurung for Target (Available in stores; see here)

The concert was amazing!  We had great seats (10th row).  The music was wonderful, and Jon Bon Jovi is as sexy as ever!  :-D

A few of my poorly made videos:

 What would you wear to a rock concert?

See jeans in another look here.
See jacket in other looks here, here, here, here, and here.

Feelin' Lacy

Happy Friday everyone!!!

Today, I wore this great ivory lace top with faux leather Peter Pan collar for a sweet leather and lace look. 

Pants:  The Limited (Available here)
Lace blouse:  Forever 21+ (Available here)
Clutch:  Target (Available in stores)

Lace can definitely be acceptable at work, but it's important to make sure that you aren't exposing anything. A full coverage tank is a must, and bra straps must be covered.

I wore the ballet flats to work for comfort, but these bow heels would be great for after-dinner drinks or a girls-night-out.

Cardigan:  LOFT Petites (Similar here)
Tank:  Old Navy Petites (Similar here)
Ballet flats:  Target

Shoes: eBay (Available here)
Bracelets:   Target (old)
Moonstone earrings:  Purchased at local jewelry show

Would you wear lace to work?

See the pants styled differently here.

Business Casual

Happy Wednesday!!!

This morning was another morning filled with scrambling to find something to wear.  I really hate those mornings where I'm staring at a closet full of clothes feeling like I have nothing to wear!  Does that happen to you ?

Jacket:  The Limited (Available in ivory here)
Pants:  The Limited (Similar here)

I decided to mix classic work trousers and a bow-front blouse with my quilted faux leather jacket.  I like this take on business casual - it doesn't feel too stuffy and formal but still looks professional.

I've also been loving mixing primary colors lately, so I added earrings with yellow stones and a red tote.

Blouse:  The Limited
Tote:  The Limited

Earrings:  The Liming
Zodiac ring:  H&M
Shoes:  Target (old)

Do you have a work dress code?  How do you infuse your personal style and tastes into your work wardrobe?

To see this blouse styled differently, see here and here.
For this jacket in other looks, see here,  here, and here.

HELP ME CHOOSE!!!!!

Tomorrow night, I am going to see Lady Gaga in concert. Woohoo!!!!

The problem is that I'm not sure what I want to wear.  I have pulled together some possibilities for the concert, and I'd love your input.

Look #1

Look #2

Look #3 - may opt for a different top with pants and blazer

I kept my hair simple and wore no jewelry for these photos to serve as a blank canvas of sorts.  For the concert, I plan on doing some crazy, fun hair and make-up and accessorizing differently depending on the outfit.
 
Which of these styles should I wear? 

Please vote for #1, #2, or #3 here on blog, Facebook, or Twitter. 

Style and Comfort

Hi everyone!  Hope you all had a great day. 

Today, I paired my painterly tunic (I love this print!) with leggings and a faux leather jacket.  This look is perfect for running errands, shopping, or even drinks. 

Tunic:  Target (Available here)
Jacket:  The Limited (No longer available, see here)

I love how comfortable this look is but that it is so much more put together than sweats.

Satchel:  Target (Available here)
Ring:  Purchased at local jewelry show

Leggings:  Wal-mart (Similar here)
Boots:  Target (Available here)

Do you have any go-to looks when you want to be stylish but super comfortable?

To see this tunic in other looks, see here and here.
To see this jacket in other looks, see here and here.

Sunday Lovin'

Happy Sunday, everyone!

Today, I went for a casual family brunch and this is what I wore:

Corduroy pants:  The Limited (Similar here)
Sweater:  Target (Similar here)

Tank:  Gap Petites (Available here)
Shoes:  Target

I don't usually wear so much color together, but it's fun on occasion.  The casual vibe of the outfit and black accessories help offset the sweetness of the sweater and the color palette.

Purse:  The Limited (old)

For this sweater in another look, see here.  To see these pants worn differently, see here.

 Hope you have all had a relaxing Sunday Funday!

Romantic with an Edge

Happy Wednesday everyone! 

Today, I chose my ivory chiffon colorblocked dress and paired it with my faux leather jacket.

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

I love the hard and soft mix of the fabrics.  Maximizing your wardrobe by transitioning pieces, like this flowy chiffon summer dress, into cooler weather is a great way to get more bang for your buck with your wardrobe.  The fabric and style of this dress is the easiest for transitioning into colder months, in my opinion.

The small fishnet knit of these tights and Swiss dot pattern adds visual interest, but is still subtle enough to not overpower the entire look.

Tights:  Target (Similar here)
Boots:  Payless

The ankle boots and romantic silver locket finish the hard and soft balance of today's look.  The red tote adds a bright pop of color.

Tote:  The Limited (Available here)
Locket:  Target (old)

How do you transition summer pieces into fall and winter?

For more on fall's leather trend, see here. 
For more on fall's black and white trend, see here. 
For this dress worn differently, see here.

Black is the New Black

Some people may find an all-black look boring.  While I love color, I love mixing textures and shapes of black pieces to create all-black looks that are interesting and flattering.  I love how all-black looks can go from edgy to romantic to classic to gothic depending on how you style them.

Just this week,  I've worn three black outfits:

Monday's three-piece suit look was classic, but quirky and masculine.
Tuesday's Chanel-inspired look was classic modern with a touch of romance.

Jacket:  The Limited (Available here)
Dress:   New York & Company (Similar here) (Styled differently here)

Today's all-black look is modern and edgy.  I paired my new black quilted faux leather jacket with my black peplum dress.

Shoes:  Target
Earrings:  Target

A black bag and silver earrings complete the simple look.

Purse:  The Limited

For more on the peplum trend, see here.
For more on the leather trend (and my views on real leather), see here.

How do you like to rock all-black looks?