12 Days of Holiday: Relaxed Tuxedo

Happy Friday everyone!

Holiday looks continue today with a relaxed tuxedo look.  I love tuxedos on women, and I really enjoy new twists on the tuxedo, like these pants with ivory stripes.  

Pants: Ann Taylor Petites (Available here)
Jacket:  The Limited (Similar here)

Blouse:  The Limited (Available here)

The flowy pants and loose open jacket have a relaxed feel that give this outfit less formality than one typically associates with a tuxedo. 

Necklace:  The Limited (Available here)
Bracelets:  Torrid and The Limited (Available here and here)

Heels:  Target (Available here)

I wore a variation of this look to work yesterday, but I added a gold clutch here for more of an evening feel.

I think this is a perfect day-to-night look for last minute holiday parties and events.

Clutch:  New York & Company (Available in black here)

Earrings: The Limited (Similar here)

Do you like tuxedo-inspired fashion?

To see this blazer in other outfits, see here, here, here, and here.

Cozy Day to Night

Happy Monday, everyone!

Hope you all had a great weekend.  I spent the past weekend getting some much needed R&R; 'twas a blissfully lazy time.  :-)

Sweater:  Target (Available here)

Camisole:  LOFT (Available here)
Belt:  Torrid (Sold out on-line; May be available in stores)

As pictured, today's look works well for evening, but this outfit is actually a tweak on a recent work look.  I wore this same outfit to work last week, but changed the accessories a bit to make the look more modest and conservative for work.  

For work, I paired the outfit with ankle booties and a classic work tote.  More importantly, I moved the belt down to the waist to create a blouson-y and less cleavage-y look.

Tuxedo stripe pants:  The Limited (Similar here)

Shoes:  Target (Available here)
Clutch:  Target

Whether for work or play, this outfit is super comfortable, which is becoming more and more of a requisite in my book!

Cuff:  Express
Earrings:  Target

How important is comfort to you in choosing a look?

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

Easy Black and White

Last week, we had some chilly weather.  I wore this outfit to work to stay warm.

Jacket:  The Limited (Available in ivory here)
Purse:  The Limited (old)

Blouse:  New York & Company (Available here)
Pants:  The Limited

I love this outfit!  It's my favorite color combo; the top has a great graphic print; and I can't get enough faux leather lately!

Heels:  Target (old)
Necklace (worn as bracelet):  Target

What's your favorite color combination?

To see this blouse in another look, see here.

For this jacket styled differently, see here, here, here, here, here, and here.

To see these pants styled differently, see here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, and here.

For more on the black and white trend for spring, see here and here.

Where's Spring?

Ugggghhhhhhh!  I am sooo tired of the cold weather we keep having!  It's the first day of spring, but the temperature is anything but spring-like.  

The sun was shining, but I was freezing while taking these pics!!!

Pants:  The Limited (Similar here)
Top:  Forenza by The Limited (No longer available on-line; see here)

Blazer:  The Limited (Available here)
Shoes:  Target (Available here)

This cold weather is leaving me in a little bit of a fashion rut.  I have bare legs, bright colors, and sandals on the brain, but the weather isn't cooperating.  

In a fashion rut, I always seem to stick to my comfort zone - neutral (okay, black) pieces in comfy shapes.

I wore the black heels (first pic) for work to help polish up this somewhat more casual look.  I would grab the studded flats to run errands or go shopping after work.

Necklace:  Target (Sold out on-line; may be available in stores)

Purse:  The Limited (old)

The white tote gave a touch of spring to the outfit.

How's the weather in your area?  

For this blouse in a different look, see here.
For this jacket styled differently, see here, here, and here. 

Pop of Cobalt

Cobalt blue is such a fabulous color.  It looks amazing paired with so many other colors and with just about every neutral.

Blazer:  New York & Company (Available here)
Pants:  The Limited (Similar here)

Blouse:  The Limited
Tank:  Old Navy Petites (Similar here)

I look forward to pairing this blazer with a bright sundress this summer, but for now, I kept the look simple with all black pieces. 

Bracelets:  Express and The Limited
Earrings:  New York & Company

Wearing one color (any neutral would do) underneath a bright blazer makes you look long and lean.  If you're new to adding color to your wardrobe, a bright blazer paired with all black pieces is an easy way to start. 

An all-black outfit with a colored blazer is one of my favorite go-to looks (see here and here) as it's a quick and easy way to look great in the morning!

Heels:  Target (old)
Purse:  The Limited (old)

Hope the weather is agreeable in your neck of the woods. We got hit with a major winter storm today!  :-(

Come on spring!!!!

Workin' into the New Year!

Happy New Year's Eve, everyone!!!

New Year's Eve is one of my favorite holidays, second only to Halloween.  New Year's Eve reminds me of the cyclical nature of time and of all life.  I love the idea of rebirth and renewal that a new year brings.  As 2012 draws to a close, I am reflecting on the challenges and triumphs of the last year and looking forward to 2013.

I'm not a major resolution maker, but I do take the opportunity of New Year's to think about my goals and plans for the next year and to reflect on how I can make myself a better person than I was the last year.  One of my great sources of joy in 2012 has been starting this blog and watching it grow.  I'm still in the infantile stages, but I am excited and eager to continue this journey!

I had to work today, but I still wanted a bit of a festive look for the day.  I am always up for a tuxedo-inspired look, and I love the simplicity of this monochromatic look.

Blazer:  The Limited (No longer available on-line; see here)
Top:  The Limited (Available here)

Pants:  The Limited
Heels:  Target (Available here)

The draped Grecian-inspired knit top is super comfortable, and the draping is flattering.

My plans for New Year's include watching movies, playing Wii, and drinking sparkling grape juice with my kiddos, which means I'll probably be in sweats tonight.

Necklace:  World Market (old)
Purse:  The Limited (old)
Ring:  The Limited (old)

Going out for New Year's?  Would love to see your looks!  "Like" me on Facebook and post your New Year's looks!

Hope you all have a wonderful and safe New Year's Eve!

See you in 2013!!!

At ease!

Happy Friday!!

For today's casual Friday, I paired a striped tee with this comfy knit military-inspired jacket.

Jacket:  Forenza by The Limited (old)
Tee:  The Limited (Available here)
Satchel:  The Limited (Available here)

I didn't realize until this evening that the stripes on the tee were actually navy rather than black, but I don't mind it with the black pieces and think it will work with both black and navy pieces.

Pants:  The Limited (No longer available on-line, see them here)

Shoes:  Target (Similar here)
Jade ring:  Gift

Military-inspired looks were all over fall's runways (See more here).  To maintain the military theme of the jacket and sailor tee, I added some cute anchor earrings.

Earrings:  Gift (Similar: here)

Stripes never really go out of style, but they are having a major moment this spring.  I can't wait to mix this top with bright colors and even some fun prints.

Oscar de la Renta spring 2013, Source:  Marie Claire

Dolce & Gabanna Spring 2013, Source:  Harper's Bazaar

For on fall's black and white trend, see here.