Wild Card Wednesday: Sweet Bohemian

Hi everyone!  Hope you're all having a great week!  

Blouse:  Torrid (Sold out on-line; See here)

For the next several posts, I'm featuring some Valentine's Day-inspired looks.  While I have some dressy looks planned for this weekend, today, I'm offering up a casual outfit.

Jeans: Torrid (old)

Shoes:  Christian Siriano for Payless

If you're going casual for the day, there is little better than a pair of comfortable jeans and a romantic top.

Clutch:  Eva Mendes for NY&CO

Here, I paired a sweet bohemian-inspired blouse with skinny jeans and ikat-print heels.  I would wear this outfit for a casual movie date or simply hanging out.

Pendant:  Antiquarian Couture (Find similar here)

Glasses:  Coach

I love that Torrid offers the "extra short" length in many of their denim styles.  With a 25-26" inseam, I can completely avoid alterations on my denim.

Do you have any plans for Valentines' Day?  Dressing up or keeping it casual?

For the jeans in other looks, see here, here, here, and here.

The Full Black Midi: Two Ways

In an effort to get a little more organization on the blog, I have a few changes that will start on Monday.  I hope I can stick with the changes and that you'll like the new format.

For today's post, I've got two more ways to wear a full black midi skirt.

Skirt:  Eloquii (Available here)

I'm starting first with a romantic look.  The lace camisole dresses up the skirt, and the lace-up heels add to the feminine vibe.

Camisole:  The Limited

Blazer:  Forever21+

Shoes:  Chelsea & Zoe (Available at Kohl's here)

A sweet bracelet with a bow and colorblocked clutch complete the look.

Bracelet:  The Limited
Glasses:  Valentino

Clutch:  The Limited

For the second look, I went a little more funky with a gondola print crop top, ikat print heels, and an eyelash applique clutch.

Top:  Forever 21+

Jacket:  Jennifer Lopez for Kohl's

Clutch:  Torrid (Available here)

Shoes:  Christian Siriano for Payless

Pendant:  Antiquarian Couture (see more here)

The temperatures are starting to dip, so I threw on a blush moto jacket for a little extra warmth.

Which styling do you prefer?

For more ways to wear the black skirt, see here.
For the crop top in another look, see here.
For the moto jacket in other looks, see here, here, here, and here.

For the lace camisole in another look, see here.
For the cropped blazer in other looks, see here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, and here.

Garden Party

I mentioned in yesterday's post that I have had a tendency lately of opting for clothes that aren't readily suitable for work.

Dress:  ASOS (Available here)

Such is the case with today's dress.

I've always loved slip dresses. I spent a good part of the 90s in a couple of my favorite slip dresses. This one actually looks like a vintage slip but also has some on-trend details like blue and yellow (two big color trends for spring) and white lace/sheer details.  It was instant love when I saw it online.  The clearance price totally sweetened the deal!

Booties:  Target

Clutch:  The Limited

Bracelet:  Paperdolls Boutique

When I got the dress and tried it on, I wasn't so sure.  Did it look too much like a pretty night gown? Was it vintage cool or simply old-fashioned?

I am trying very hard to be more thoughtful with my purchases, so I spent some time mulling it over. In the end, I decided it was  a keeper.  My apprehension was simply that it was different than something I would normally choose.  In the end, the fact that I don't have anything else like it in my closet was actually a major draw.

Earrings:  The Limited

I will be wearing this for date nights, fashion events, and the like.  I'll definitely be paring it with my cobalt moto jacket. And should I ever get invited to a garden party, I would wear it to that too! Ha, ha!

As for today's photos, the weather wasn't being very cooperative - it was pouring down rain during most of these pics.  That said, the breeze was amazing.  Have I said how much I love spring?  :-)

Would you wear a slip dress?  How would you style a piece like this?

Edgy Formal

Our weather has been a bit up an down, so for a spring night when the temperatures have dropped, I love the idea of pairing this maxi dress with a moto jacket. 

Dress:  The Limited

The satiny fabric of this dress instantly makes me think of wearing it for formal occasions, but by pairing it with a moto jacket, the dress becomes more casual and a little cooler.

Jacket:  Torrid (Available here)

Earrings:  The Limited

Glasses:  c/o Firmoo.com (Available here)

Clutch:  The Limited

I paired the dress with some simple dangly earrings, a jade bracelet (one of my amazing Mother's Day gifts from my honey), and a black clutch with tons of gold hardware.

Bracelet:  Vintage (gift)
Ring:  Francesca's

The overall effect is a little edgy but also a little feminine and romantic.

Do you dress down fancier pieces in your wardrobe to get more wear out of them? What are some ways you do it?

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

Desk to Drinks

Planning a Valentine's Day-related event sometime during the week?  If you are heading straight out from the office to drinks, dinner, or another event, you may not have time to change.

Skirt:  The Limited (old)

But, your look can be ready for romance (even if the romance is with your fabulous self!!) and still be work-appropriate.

Blouse:  Target

Blazer:  New York & Company (old)

Shoes:  Target

Here, I paired a soft pink pencil skirt with a floral crop top.  The blazer keeps you appropriate for work, while it also adds a cooler edge to the overall look.

Ring:  Gift

This is a great look for heading out with friends after work.  Simply swap out a work bag for a cute wristlet or clutch, and you're good to go!

Earrings:  Ixora Boutique

About this bag - I was immediately drawn to the message.  I saw it as a promotion of confidence.  Life's too short to feel negatively about yourself.  A message of self-love can only be positive, right? 

Wristlet:  Torrid

Then, my analytical side kicked in.  Should a bag marketed to women say "girls"?  Does this message promote the annoying and sexist message that women are always supposed to smile and be happy?  Is it insensitive to women who just aren't at a happy place in their lives? 

In the end, my emotional reaction to the bag won out. No matter your size, shape, sex or gender identity, color, abilities, etc., confidence always comes off as attractive.  With confidence, you project positive energy, which draws others to you.  Happy PEOPLE are the prettiest!! :-D

Eyeglass Frames:  Valentino

Do you have any after-work V-Day plans this year?

For the skirt in other looks, see here, here, and here.
For this top in another look, see here.
For this blazer in other looks, see here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, and here.