Shop Your Closet: Ruffles

I have been fighting a cold which is never fun, but fall fashion has me all kinds of happy!  I'm seriously loving the trends this year, and I feel like after a couple rather boring fall seasons, we're seeing some more inspired options.

This season, ruffles are a big trend, and a tunic dress in black is a great way to hop on this trend without going too girly.  Today's Shop Your Closet features three ways to wear this ruffled tunic from Eloquii.

Wear-Now Evening
First up is a wear-now option.  It's still pretty warm in my neck of the woods, but I get too excited about fall fashion to wait until it's actually cool to shop or wear my fall pieces. 

Tunic:  Eloquii (Available here)

Heels:  Amazon

By opening up the neckline and pairing with strappy heels, I can stay breezy and cool on a still-balmy late summer night.

Clutch:  Target (old)

Sunglasses:  Tory Burch

Earrings:  Eloquii

Casual
There are a lot of new denim options this season, but skinny jeans aren't going anywhere.  They're now a wardrobe classic for many of us, but like all great classics, it's always best to update for the season to create a fresher look. 

Jeans:  Torrid (Available here)

Ring:  Earthbound Trading Company (old)

I paired the ruffled tunic over skinnies for a play with proportions.  I like how the soft black color of the denim creates a subtle contrast against the tunic.

Glasses:  Valentino

Shoes:  Target

Clutch:  The Limited (old)

I had planned a third look for today's post to show how I would be styling my ruffles for cooler weather.  Since I wasn't feeling well, I didn't get a chance to snap photos, but be sure to look for this tunic in the coming months layered over long sleeve tops and paired with tights and velvet boots! 

How would you style this tunic?  Are you a fan of this fall's ruffle trend?

Working It Like A Boss

Happy Friday, everyone!!

I'm wrapping up the week with a new work wear post.  Work clothes can become exceptionally boring, but since our image matters in the workplace, it is important to toe the professional line.

Blouse:  The Limited (Available here)

If you're lucky enough to work at a more creative company or one with a casual/relaxed dress code, your options become more plentiful.  Since I work in a business casual environment of a conservative industry, I generally try to stick to pieces that have polish and that aren't too loud.

That said, I don't think there's anything wrong with being a little dramatic at times, and that's the vibe I was feeling with today's look.

Cape:  Boohoo (No longer available)

I did a twist on the classic black pantsuit by pairing black skinnies with my black capelet jacket from boohoo. 

The minty aqua bow blouse added a fun pop of print and color while being a very classic work style.

This aqua color mixed with red is one of my very favorite color combinations, so I threw on red peep-toe heels and added a red clutch for a slightly flirty mix.

Pants:  The Limited (Available here)

Clutch:  Vintage
Cuff:  The Limited

Heels: Target

The bright colors, leopard print blouse and cape made me feel bold and in control.

It's nice to feel like a boss...even if, like me, you're NOT the boss!  :-)

For the capelet in other looks, see here and here.
For the pants in other looks, see here, here, here, here, and here.

J'Adore Denim and Stripes

Hope you're all having a wonderful weekend!  My weekend has been fairly uneventful, which is just fine by me!!  :-)

On Friday, I was off of work, and the man and I attended a reading awards ceremony for two of our daughters.  The ceremony was in the elementary school gymnasium, so it was decidedly casual, but I also wanted a look with some polish.

Jeans:  The Limited Petites

Heels:  Target (old) (Similar here)

I was in a rush to get ready, so for me this outfit was a quick and easy look.  I knew that I wanted to wear my new "J'Adorable" tee by Peter Som for Kohl's.  The rest of the outfit came together fast - first the jeans, then the heels, then the blazer for a bit of warmth on the chilly day.  

Tee:  Peter Som for Kohl's (Available here)

Silver bracelets and cuffs, a bold silver ring, and my fun pop art tote complete the look.

Bracelets and cuff (left arm):  The Limited

Ring:  Earthbound Trading Company

I did not wear any make-up during the event, and I tend to think that when rested, I look very young without make-up.  Is it okay that a friend of my ten year old step-daughter thought that I looked more like her sister than her stepmom?   LOL

When you're very short and have childlike facial features (rounded cheeks, for example), people tend to think you are younger than you are.  It used to bother me a lot as a kid and teenager. 

As an adult, looking young affects how people people see you - some doubt your competence or are less likely to value your contributions because they don't take you as seriously.  Looking young has often felt like more of a burden to me than a benefit.

Maybe because of this, I've never had a problem with aging.  As I'm starting to have more grey hairs and wrinkles, looking young doesn't seem quite as bad, but I plan to happily age gracefully.  :-)

Tote:  Ruben & Isabel Toledo for Lane Bryant

Blazer:  The Limited Black Collection (Similar here)

Have you ever been confused as younger or older than you are?  How did it make you feel?

Are you a fan of horizontal stripes?

For these jeans in another look, see here and here.
For this blazer in other looks, see here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, and here.

Red Pants, White Jacket

Hope you all had a great Monday!

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

Today, I played with color blocking, mixing red pants with a black bow blouse and white jacket.  

Blouse:  Old Navy
Shoes:  Target (old)

I like the simplicity of this look, which also allowed for distinctive accessories like arrow bangles and a polka dot clutch.

Bangles:  Forever 21 (No longer available on-line; may be available in stores)

Necklace:  The Limited (Available )
Clutch:  The Limited (Available here)
Stud earrings:  The Limited (Available here)

If you're dealing with Winter Storm Rocky, stay safe and stay warm!!!

Feelin Dotty

Happy Wednesday everyone!

Dress:  The Limited (Available:  here)

For work today, I went a little retro with this 50s-inspired polkadot dress.

Jacket:  The Limited

During work hours (that frigid air-conditioning), I wore this cropped blazer.

This jacket didn't have any closures, so I added a hook-and-eye closure to give me more options.  Often times, minor adaptations can transform an "almost" piece into something your really love.

Shoes:  Target (Similar:  here)

 I added these red patent leather peep-toe heels I got for $6.00 at Target (I soooo love my bargains!)

Ring:  H&M
Earrings:  Express (Similar here)

The look is vintage-inspired, but I tried to keep the look modern with the styling.

Love an exposed back zipper!