Casual Friday: The Oversized Sweatshirt

Hope those of you who celebrated Thanksgiving had a lovely time.  This holiday season is a little different for my family.  Last month, my grandmother ended her long suffering with Alzheimer's.  Just this week, my husband lost his father.  It has been a rough time for my family, but it has also been comforting to know that two very ill people are no longer enduring pain.

Dress:  ASOS (Available here)
Bracelet:  Ann Taylor

I feel so blessed that my children were able to know my grandmother.  She was such a special woman, and she just loved kids.  My youngest daughter was especially close to my father-in-law, and while his death has been hard on her, I  am thankful that she and my other kids had the opportunity to spend a lot of time with him.

Necklace:  LOFT

Yesterday, we had two Thanksgiving meals to try to spend the holiday with more family.  Two meals meant I needed some eatin' pants and later, no pants at all!  Ha, ha!

Sneakers:  Nike (old)

For the first part of the day, I paired an oversized sweatshirt dress with faux leather leggings and heels.  I added a blingy necklace to dress the look up a bit.

Pants:  Who What Wear for Target (No longer available online)

Glasses:  Valentino

Heels:  Target

Since my husband was cooking the second meal at our house, I got even more comfortable and lost the heels and pants.

Clutch:  The Limited

The holidays are always casual affairs in my family, and this year, I really just wanted to be comfortable.

This dress was perfect for the occasion!

Do you dress up for the holidays or go casual?

I Heart NYC

It's Monday, which means back to work, but a girl can fantasize about being somewhere else, right?

Skirt:  eShakti (Sold out on-line; Available in black here)

Today, I explored the juxtaposition of a casual sweatshirt with fancier pieces.  I paired my NYC love sweatshirt with my pink tulle skirt, lace-up heels, and a necklace with bling.

Necklace:  LOFT

Sweatshirt:  Wet Seal

I do love New York!  Being from small town USA and a pretty laid-back gal, the hustle and bustle of NYC probably wouldn't be my ideal for long-term living.  That said, I have visited twice and am looking forward to more visits. 

In fact, it was around this time last year that I last had an opportunity to visit New York for the second time.  The street culture and other dynamics of the city nurture my sociological mind, and I feel like I've only begun to scratch the surface of what NYC has to explore.

Shoes:  Prabal Gurung for Target

Ring:  Target
Bracelets:  Torrid and The Limited

I've always had a strong desire to travel the world.  So far, my journeys have only taken me to various parts of North America, but I feel so fortunate to have seen so much of the United States and small parts of Canada and Mexico.  

Maybe it is because I can be more of a loner, an introvert who usually feels a little awkward socially, but I have never felt a strong tie to a base location or a need to nest, if you will.  The idea of traveling through life sounds wonderful to me!  I feel like I have so much more exploring to do!

Purse:  The Limited (old)

Do you have a wandering nature or are you more of a nester?

For this skirt in another look, see here.

P.S.  eShakti was kind enough to provide an exclusive promo code for you, my dear readers!  Use code 'stylecases' to save 10% off your order. This code can be combined with most other codes and offers, and it can be re-used as often as you want now through 6/20/2014.

Fashion Favorites: 4 Prints, 13 Ways

Prints add fun and interest to neutrals and other solids.  Mixed prints can be tricky to pull off, but when done well, mixed prints make for a unique look.

Here's a look back at some of the ways I've worn my favorite printed pieces.


Printed Skirt:

A is for A-line

Hello Yellow

Skirt Week:  Lady In Waiting

Floral Blazer:

Stripes Week:  Print-Tastic

Flower Child

Leopard Sweatshirt:

Skirt Week:  Grrrrrrl Power

Fall 2013 Fashion Trends:  The Luxe Sweatshirt

Go Bold, Go Casual

Foulard Blazer:

Crying Foulard

Foulard Me Once

Foulard Me Once

Pajama Party

Foulard and Gold Details

Are you a fan of prints?  Do you prefer wearing prints with solids or other prints?

Go Bold, Go Casual

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend and that getting back to work today wasn't too rough!

Sweatshirt:  Torrid (Sold out on-line; May be available in stores)
Earrings:  Torrid (Sold out on-line; May be available in stores)

Today was dreary here in St. Louis, so I decided to feature a colorful outfit to beat the early fall blahs!  

This look is actually from the last casual Friday at my job.  I like jeans, but I do not always reach for them on casual Fridays.  Instead, I like to take pieces that are usually too casual for work, like this sweatshirt, and give them a little professional polish.

Pants:  The Limited (Similar here)
Button-down shirt (Available here)

Boots:  Payless (old)

Casual Friday also gives me permission (at least in my own mind) to add boldness to my look by mixing red and leopard print.

Ankle booties and dangly earrings lend an edge to this outfit.

Purse:  Express

Bracelet:  New York & Company (Similar here)

Do you like mixing red and leopard print?

If you work in a professional work environment, what do you like to wear on casual Fridays?

For this sweatshirt in another look, see here and here.
For these pants in other looks, see here, here, here, here, and here.