Giving Thanks

I hope those of you who celebrate Thanksgiving had a wonderful day!

Sweater:  The Limited (Available here)

I spent the day with my husband and kids, meeting up with my mother for brunch, playing Monopoly, and going to see Creed at a local movie theater (the movie was soooo good, by the way).

Pants:  The Limited (Available here)

Keeping it casual, I paired a sweater poncho with skinny pants and comfortable booties.

Booties:  Target

Camisole:  LOFT Petites

A python clutch and gold and silver jewelry completed the look.

Bracelet:  Ann Taylor

Clutch:  The Limited (Available here)

While I don't follow a lot of traditions (and have some strong philosophical issues with Thanksgiving and the gross misrepresentation of history this holiday represents), I do love the time with my family and am inspired by the idea of gratitude or thanks giving.

Rings:  Ann Taylor

Glasses:  Valentino

It can be so easy to get caught up in the day-to-day stressors of life and the challenges of completing regular tasks that sometimes it takes a reminder to step back and be appreciative. 

I am thankful for many people in my life and for the successes that life has brought me.  I'm even thankful for most of the failures and losses because those disappointments and hurts are so often how we grow and learn.  I am thankful that I got to marry my best friend this year, and I am thankful that even though this year brought some difficult times, that it has also brought great joy.

I am so thankful to those of you who read my blog and support what I'm doing here.  When I started blogging, I never really envisioned what the future would bring.  I never imagined the people who I would connect with nor some of the opportunities blogging has brought.  While my blog was always inspired by my desire to be a voice and visual presence for the petite, for the curvy, for the outsiders to the fashion industry, I have felt the importance of this voice more over the last year.  

My passion for my blog was first and foremost my love of fashion.  Now, all the more, I am grateful for the chance to be a conduit of sorts between fashion  and those of us who are outsiders to this industry for various reasons. 

Thank you for reading my blog!!!

Don't forget to enter my giveaway to win a free eye wear from Firmoo.com!!

Unconditional Body Beautiful - Part 10: My Height

The #UnconditionalBodyBeautiful series continues on the blog today, and this month, the participating bloggers and I are talking about our height.

Sweater:  Forever 21 (Available here)

I have been looking forward to this post for a while.  At only 4'9", my height has been a blessing and a curse.

Over the years, I have been called small fry, shorty, and a number of other names, and I have been the unwilling victim of a lot of short jokes. 

Jeans:  The Limited Petites

My height makes people think I am younger than I am.  A contractor once asked my mother if my then boyfriend was my babysitter - I was 22 years old and a college graduate!!!  In high school, I was at a car wash with a male friend.  A little girl, probably all of seven, came up to me and asked me to see if my "dad" would allow me to play with her.  That was actually kind of precious.  :-)
 
My height has at times felt like a liability in regards to my level of attractiveness to the opposite sex.  After dating for a couple months, my first boyfriend once told me, "I didn't think a short girl could be so sexy."  Ummm...thanks? 

T-shirt:  LOFT (Available here)

The reality is that while I have often wished that I was taller so that clothes would fit better off the rack or because of occasional desires to have Giselle legs, I also came to terms with my height many years ago.  My height doesn't define me any more than the shape of my body does. 

Booties:  Target

With all the negatives of being short, not least of which is not being able to reach things from top shelves, I have generally felt just fine about my height.  They say good things come in small packages, and my height has often made me feel cute.  When struggling with body image, my height made me feel a little more positive about my body - I still felt "little" (as though taking up more space is such a bad thing). 

Through the years, for better or worse, my height has just become part of who I am.  I am short like my mother, who is short like her grandmother.  My short stature gives me a lower center of gravity.  If I should fall down, I have less of a fall.  Yep, there are advantages to being short too!

Necklace:  Ann Taylor

Ultimately, I have learned that my height has no bearing on anything.  I have great calves because of standing on my tippy toes to reach for items.  If I can't reach something, I can get a stool or ask for help.  I am attractive, beautiful, sexy, etc. because of who I am, not because of or in spite of my height. 

In the past, I never would have worn cropped jeans with a long sweater as I was taught this was unflattering for someone of my height - that it made me look shorter.  This ideas is based on the idea that being short is a bad thing when in fact being short is great!  Today, I wear what I want! 

Glasses:  Firmoo.com

Purse:  Target (Similar here)

What has your relationship with your height been?  Has it ever affected your body image?

For the other posts in the #UnconditionalBodyBeautiful series, see here:
Part 1:  My Body and I from the Beginning
Part 2:  The Heart (Bust)
Part 3:  My Journey on My Legs
Part 4:  My Belly and Me
Part 5:  My Buttocks
Part 6: Body Hair
Part 7:  My Arms, My Wings
Part 8:  Getting By On My Feet
Part 9:  My Face is Up Here

Catch up with the other bloggers participating in the series this month: 

Katherine Hayward, The Glitter Notebook https://theglitternotebook.wordpress.com/2015/10/18/unconditional-body-love-post-10-good-things-come-in-small-packages/

Zadry Ferrer-Geddes, Curves a la Mode
http://curvesalamode.com/2015/10/19/unconditional-body-beautiful-part-ten-my-height/

To see my jeans styled in other looks, see here, here, here, here, here, and here.

Preppy Simplicity

Hi everyone, and happy Friday!!

Sweater:  The Limited (Available here)

I hope you all have had a great week!  I've been super busy, but I'm hoping to get a little down time during this holiday weekend.

For today's look, I wanted to feature a sweater from my January wish list.  I really love the vintage preppy vibe of this sweater and, of course, the monochromatic color palette.

Camisole:  The Limited (Available here)

Purse:  Express

The fit was definitely more over-sized than I was expecting.  I am wearing an extra large (average) here, but I could have easily went with a large.  For reference, I'm normally a 16 petite on top, so this sweater would likely fit up to a 20, maybe even a 22.  It's 100% cotton, and it stretched a bit during the day.  I'm plan on trying to shrink it up a bit in the dryer.  I like over-sized, but this was just a bit too big.

Pants:  The Limited (Similar here)

For the first wear, I paired it with simple black skinnies and the lace trimmed camisole from my January wish list.  The low v-neck makes the sporty sweater a bit sexier, and the camisole adds a feminine edge.

Earrings:  Mix of two sets from Target and Trendy Little Pieces (Available here and here)

I kept accessories simple, adding a vintage jade ring for a small pop of color, and black and white Dior-inspired tribal earrings - created by mixing two pairs.

Ring:  Vintage
Heels:  Target

Do you opt for oversized sweaters, or do you prefer them to be fitted? 

I'm Thankful for...Cozy Knits & Lace

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you here in the States!

Sweater:  Forever 21+ (old)

I admit...I'm not much of a "holiday" person, and the story of the first Thanksgiving leaves me a little annoyed, to say the very least (nothing like completely airbrushing history beyond recognition to tell a pretty story).

That said, there's something about Thanksgiving that I do love - it is a day of giving thanks - a day of being appreciative for the people who have helped make our lives easier over the last year, as well as those who have challenged us to be better/smarter/wiser people, the people who love us, the people who we love. 

It's a day of giving thanks for what we do have, rather than focusing on what we don't.

Skirt:  Torrid (old)

So, today, I remember to feel fortunate for so many loved ones in my life.  As I see five generations of my family in one house, I know how lucky I am to still have my grandmother and how blessed I am for the newest family edition, my great nephew.

Tights:  The Limited (old)

I remember too that family comes in more than one form.  It's not just our blood ties, but also the family that we choose.  I am so fortunate to have a couple close friends in my life.  I am also incredibly grateful for the extended network of friends and acquaintances I have gained through blogging.  The relationships I've made through blogging were not something I ever imagined when I first started.

I am so thankful to all of you who take time out of your days to stop by my blog.  Your kind words, suggestions, and general feedback mean so much to me.  I'm always happy to hear your thoughts, constructive criticism, and ideas for what you'd like to see on the blog!  I'm so inspired by the real human connections I've made through blogging, even if I have never met most of you.

Clutch:  Target (Available here)

Boots:  Target

Now, on to what this blog is all about - everyday fashion for women in the real world! 

Today, I'm sharing my Thanksgiving look.  My family doesn't really get dressed up for the holidays, but I also wanted a look that had a bit of a flair.  I knew that I wanted to wear a cozy sweater, and it had been forever since I wore this one.  I paired it with a lace mini and ankle booties to dress it up a bit.

Ring:  Earthbound Trading Co.

A note about this skirt - I had it in a box of clothes to sell on eBay.  I was planning to get rid of it because I thought that it was too girly and "young" for a mid-to-late thirtysomething.  I didn't really wear it much, and it seemed to just be taking up closet space.

But, recently, I had found myself thinking about the skirt and wanting to wear it.  Not only did I decide that my self-imposed age restrictions regarding this skirt were silly, but I hiked the skirt up a bit and decided to wear it as a shorter mini.  Rules, be damned!! ;-D

Hope you've had a wonderful day, however you're spending it!!! 

For this sweater in another look, see here.
For this skirt in other looks, see here, here, and here.

It's A Jungle Out There

Happy Thursday, everyone!  Hope you have been having a great week. 

This week, I've been preparing for a fall feature that will start on Sunday.  I'm really excited about it and hope you'll enjoy it!

Sweater:  New York & Company (Sold out on-line; May be available in stores)

In the meantime, I'm enjoying the brisk temperatures we've been having here in the St. Louis area and pulling out some of my new fall pieces.

Pants:  The Limited (Available in khaki and navy here)

Cami:  LOFT Petites

Earlier this week, I wore this long zebra print sweater coat to work. An orange cami added a pop of color.

Boots:  Fergalicious by Fergie (Available here)

Purse:  Express (old)

Earrings:  The Limited and New York & Company

A lot of "experts" will tell petites (especially curvy petites) to avoid long sweater coats like these, but I love them.  I think they're super comfortable and cozy, and, if worn over a streamlined silhouette, they can be flattering too!

Bracelet:  The Limited (Available here)

My office is always so cold that it makes it hard to resist pieces like this.  Chic, easy, and warm.  What else does a girl need in the fall? 

P.S.  The sweater is currently sold out on-line, but it may be available in stores.  While I normally wear an XL in tops from NY&CO (and alter certain proportions), I tend to size down in sweaters, and this one was no exception.  I'm wearing a M/L.

Are you a fan of sweater coats?

For the camisole in another look, see here.
For the pants in other looks, see here, here, and here.

P.S.  Voting is still open for the St. Louis Fashion Blog Awards until Friday, September 19th.  Style Cassentials is up for three awards, including Blog of the Year!  Check out all the bloggers of Saint Louis Fashion Week, check out the events, and cast your votes here!!

Get Cozy

Today's outfit would be great for an easy-going evening out.

Sweater:  Forever 21+ (Available here)
Pants:  Target (old)

Shoes:  Payless (old)

The lattice back adds sex appeal and style, while the flowy sweater and pants are relaxed and comfy.

I added some fun silver and sparkly jewelry and a pewter clutch to add a little more flair to these simple pieces.

Sparkly heels complete the look.

Bag:  Target (Similar here)
Necklace:  Shoxie.com (Available here)

Ring:  The Limited (Available here)
Bracelets:  New York & Company and The Limited (Available here and no longer available)

I would wear this for a dinner date out with the man.  Sans the heels, the outfit is perfect for cozying up on the couch after dinner with some Big Bang Theory.  :-)

For these pants in other looks, see here, here, and here.

12 Days of Holiday: Out With A Bang

Hope you all had a wonderful New Year's Eve!

Now when I think of holiday fashion, I think metallics, glitter, silk, and sequins.  When you're hanging out at home or in another super casual situation, anything goes.  This is an unorthodox holiday look, but it's what I wore for New Year's Eve this year.

Sweater:  Target (May be available in some stores)

Pants:  New York & Company (Similar here)

We decided to spend New Year's Eve with the kids, taking a trip to the skating rink and enjoying a sparkling cider toast.

I wore this comfy outfit - perfect for watching the kids skate and lounging around the house after!

Clutch:  Vintage
Heels:  Target (Available in other colors here)

Of course, I wore flats for the casual evening, but the yellow heels would be fun to dress the look up a bit.

Bracelets:  Express

What did you wear for New Year's Eve?  Post your look on my Facebook page "Style Cassentials."  I'd love to see it!

For these pants in another outfit, see here.