Imitation Game: Nadia Aboulhosn

Hi everyone!  Sorry that I missed Wednesday's post, but I'm back today with another Imitation Game, this time featuring a look inspired by Nadia Aboulhosn.

Pants:  Eloquii (Available here)

I've been following Nadia's blog for a long time, and I love her sexy street style, but there's one look to which I have been particularly drawn - this bare tuxedo look.

Photo on left c/o Nadia Aboulhosn, from "Bare Pantsuit" post

For probably about two decades now, I have been obsessed with the sexy tuxedo look - I seriously just think women look so amazing in tuxedos! 

I had seen a lot of thin celebs wearing shirtless tuxes, but I had never seen a curvier woman rocking this style...until Nadia.  I WAS INSPIRED!!

Blazer:  Ann Taylor

Since I have a fuller bust, I couldn't quite go completely shirtless.  I tried...the blog would have gone a little R-rated. 

Heels:  Target

Necklace:  Target

To maintain the bare feel without revealing all, I added my deep plunge bodysuit from Boohoo, which also reminded me of Nadia since she rocks a lot of bodysuits.

My pants need some tailoring (they are cuffed under right now and need to be taken in around the knee), but I wanted to feature this look first.

Bodysuit:  Boohoo.com (Available here)

Rings:  Torrid, Kohl's, NY&CO

Glasses:  Valentino

What do you think of my interpretation of Nadia's look?  Are you a fan of the tuxedo look for women?

For the bodysuit in other looks, see here and here.
For the blazer in other looks, see here, here, here, and here.

Holiday Double Feature - Tuxedo Glam

Have you been staying on top of my holiday series in collaboration with Irene of Petite Plus, Meow?  If you've missed any, you can click on any of these links to catch up with our red/green, office party, and sparkly looks.

Our week of holiday fashion is almost over, but today, I'm excited to bring one of my very favorite ways to dress up - a tuxedo!!

Pants:  LOFT Petites (Available here)

Photo c/o HollieWould PIX

I just LOVE tuxedos on women, and today, we're bring you a little tuxedo glam with our personal takes on the tuxedo.

My favorite way to do the tuxedo is to stick to a more classic option and pair with a bustier for a sexy fitted look, but for today's holiday double feature, I decided to take the tuxedo to a new place for me. 

Blouse:  SCANDAL for The Limited (Available here)
Rings:  eloquii and Torrid

Jacket:  The Limited (old)
Earrings:  The Limited

Photo c/o HollieWould PIX

Belt:  Torrid (Available here)

I paired a tuxedo blazer with the origami collar top from The Limited's Scandal collection.  A classic tuxedo pant would have looked great with this look, but I decided to move out of my comfort zone just a tad and added floral pants for a more feminine take on the tuxedo.

Clutch:  New York & Company (old)

Bracelets:  LOFT

Irene also took a very feminine take on the tuxedo, pairing a white tuxedo blazer with a ruffled black dress and adorable fascinator.  Doesn't she look fantastic?

Irene of Petite Plus, Meow!

See more of Irene's look over on Petite Plus, Meow! or catch up with her on Facebook.

Are you a fan of tuxedo-inspired styles?

Heels:  Target

For this blazer in other looks, see here, here, here, here, and here.

Less Is More + Karma Mantra Jewelry Feature

I used to be quite the queen of embellishment.  I loved tons of jewelry and would often create new ways to wear it, like pinning brooches on headbands or using various necklaces as bracelets.  I was never one to take off that extra piece of jewelry before I left the house.  If anything, I'd add another!

Pants:  The Limited (Similar here)

In more recent years, I have become much more streamlined and minimal with my accessories.  I'm still a fan of jewelry, but I tend to take a more subtle approach with it nowadays.

That's one of the things that attracted me to this simple beaded bracelet from Karma Mantra.  When Karma Mantra reached out to me regarding a collaborative opportunity, this lovely mix of black labradorite, red jade, and rose quartz seemed a great choice.

Bracelet:  c/o Karma Mantra (Available here)

Blouse:  The Limited

Rose quartz has long been a favorite stone of mine.  It's often called the "love stone" - a stone of unconditional love that it supposed to help open you up to love in all its forms.  To me, love is the strongest force of nature...why not metaphysically channel as much of it as possible?!

I love that Karma Mantra uses stones and designs inspired by founder Romell Bhaala's travels all over the world.

Earrings:  Express (old), Claire's (old), Target

Jacket:  The Limited

Keeping with the simplicity of this piece, I went with an all black tuxedo-inspired look.  Red peep-toe heels and a fun clutch add a bit of flair while the overall look is sleek and streamlined.

I prefer the sleeves of the jacket pushed up to show off the bracelet, but, my oh my...it is cold in my neck of the woods!!!

Clutch:  Amazon (Similar here)

Heels:  Target (old)

Do you prefer a minimalist use of jewelry, or are you a proponent of more is more?

For this blazer in other looks, see here, here, here, and here.
For this top in other looks, see here, here, here, here, and here.

Summer Tuxedo Style

One of my favorite things to wear is a stylized tuxedo.  I'm attracted to tuxedo stripes, tuxedo blazers, and even tuxedo style blouses.

Pants:  New York & Company

I wear a lot of this type of look in the winter, especially around the holidays, but I was contemplating how to get a similar look for summertime.

While I came up with a few creative solutions, the more classic trouser look won my favor.

Blouse:  The Limited

My pants have a satin piping down the leg that adds a subtle dressy vibe.  I added a sleeveless button down bow blouse and played around with the buttons and tie to create slightly different looks for evening, depending on one's level of modesty or personal preference. 

Heels:  Target (Similar here)

I styled the look for evening, but an extra button (or two) would make the outfit suitable for work.

I added bold gold and black jewelry for a more dramatic feel.

Necklace:  The Limited (Available here)

I'm always a fan of an all black look, but I chose a color blocked clutch to add a little color.

Bracelet:  The Limited (Available here)

Do you like tuxedo looks?  Do you like the simplicity of an all black look?

For these pants in another outfit, see here.
To see the blouse styled differently, see here, here, and here.

Black Pants for Work: Modern Tuxedo

I cap off my feature on black pants with black tuxedo trousers.  I love that these pants have a classic trouser shape while the ivory stripe adds on-trend flair.

Pants:  Ann Taylor Petites (Available here)
Blazer:  Ann Taylor (Available here)

My love for tuxedo-inspired styles is never-ending.  For this look, I paired the tuxedo trousers with a cropped ivory tuxedo blazer and a bib-front tank for a modern take on the tuxedo.

Ivory tank:  LOFT Petites (Sold out on-line; may be available in stores)
Black tank:  Old Navy Petites (Similar here)

Bag:  Target
Bangles:  ??? (old)

I added wooden bangles and a bright zebra print bag for an unexpected mix.

I like this outfit quite a bit, but I think if I were to do it over, I would up the tribal accessories and inspiration to make the mix of tribal and tuxedo more deliberate looking.  If you're going to do something, commit, right?  :-)

Boots:  Target (Available here)

Are you a fan of tuxedo-inspired looks? How do you keep your black pants interesting for work?


For these pants in another look, see here.
For this tank in another outfit, see here.

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.

Thanksgiving Casual

Hope you all have had a lovely Thanksgiving!

Being the most casual of the fall/winter holiday season, I kept my Thanksgiving look simple with jeans and a cardigan.

Sweater:  LOFT Petites (Available here)
Blouse:  LOFT Petites (Available here)

Jeans:  The Limited (No longer available on-line)
Boots:  Fergalicious by Fergie (Available here)

The tuxedo bib-front tank and gold threads on the cardigan add just the slightest festive feel to my outfit.

The gold snaps on the jeans and gold jewelry accentuate the gold in the sweater and help bring the look together.

Necklaces:  The Limited and Target (Available in silver here and available here)Bracelets:  The Limited and New York & Company (Available here and here)

Purse:  Target (Available in navy here)

And, I love a pop of color like this deep green satchel.

Do you dress up for Thanksgiving or go casual?

Happy Thanksgiving again, and happy Hanukkah to all my Jewish readers!!  

One Year Retrospective - My Favorite Posts

Hope all of you are having a wonderful day!

Today, I'm feeling retrospective and want to share with you my favorite posts from my first year of blogging. 

Here are my Top 15, in no particular order:

#1     Zesty Lemon and Lace
I chose this look because it looks so springy and is fairly versatile.  The tunic over the pants is a unique touch, and I love citrine yellow!

Zesty Lemon and Lace

#2     Ballerina Fantasies
My ballerina and fashion fantasies come to life?  What more can I say?

Ballerina Fantasies

#3     Adventures in Traveling:  Cape Cod, Massachussetts

I chose this post because I loved Provincetown, Massachussetts and because I NEVER thought that I would post a picture of myself in a bathing suit on the internet.  If it weren't for all the amazing and much braver bloggers of all shapes and sizes out there rocking such awesome swimwear, I would have never have had the courage to do this.  I'm learning to be much more unapologetic about my weight.  If people don't like what I've got going on...DON'T LOOK!  :-D

Adventures in Traveling: Cape Cod, Massachussetts

#4    Whimsy for Work

I love citrine. I love bow blouses. I love these black tuxedo pants. I love blazers.  I love mixing prints.  Lots of things I love rolled into one work outfit!

Whimsy for Work

#5     The Dark Side of the Sun

My current favorite outfit, I love everything about this outfit!  And I look HAWT!! ;-D

The Dark Side of the Sun

#6     Mod Squad
I really like mod-inspired prints, and I love this vintage purse necklace!!  Also, fashion for a cause...

Mod Squad

#7     Keep or Return?
I ultimately decided to return this dress because I just wasn't crazy about the print, but I loved how the pictures turned out for this post.  I also love how this dress fit - I really want to find something cut just like it, but in a more agreeable print or solid.  I felt very vintage pin-up, and I liked it! 

Keep or Return

#8     Tuxedo Redux
I love tuxedo-inspired fashion.  A LOT!  I think this watercolor print top is so pretty.  I bought it off eBay about three years ago, and it was too small.  I was so excited when it finally fit. 

Tuxedo Redux

#9     Gaga for Lady Gaga 
I had so much fun with my hair and make-up for a Lady Gaga concert.  It was fun to explore my more creative side and to show a side of my personality that work life (and laziness) do not usually allow me to show.

Gaga for Lady Gaga

#10     Tweed, Leather, and Volume
I love this tweed sweater.  It is like a super stylish Snuggie!!!  My sun belt made a rare appearance.  I love suns so much I have two sun tattoos! 

Tweed, Leather, and Volume

#11     Dress Week:  Coming Up Roses
I love few items of clothing more than a maxi dress.  This is an older one that I don't wear much because I didn't have it hemmed short enough so it requires me to wear some of my highest heels or wedges.  Usually when I wear a maxi dress, I prefer flat sandals for a comfortable casual outfit.  This dress makes me feel super tall though, and I find the overall fit to be very flattering in the usual sense.  I don't understand why some "experts" claim maxi dresses aren't a good choice for petites.  I personally find them elongating.  I also love that this print is different than many of the prints I usually see on maxi dresses.

Dress Week: Coming Up Roses

#12     Day-to-Night Dress Up
This outfit made me feel very chic and pulled together.  I really love this cool architectural web necklace.

Day-to-Night Dress Up

#13     Skirt Week:  Grrrrrrl Power!!
I did not choose this post for the outfit.  I like the outfit, but I don't love it.  The outfit was meant to illustrate my post about how one's various social statuses affect how one is perceived, including what one's clothing "means."

Skirt Week: Grrrrrrl Power!!

#14     The Yin and Yang of Dressing
I wasn't overly thrilled with this particular outfit, my hair, or how the pics turned out, but I love the idea behind this post. 

The Yin and Yang of Dressing

#15     Skirt Week:  Drama Queen
This outfit made me feel glamorous. The pieces are actually quite easy and can be worn much more casually.  I love the floatiness of this look.

Skirt Week: Drama Queen

And an honorable mention!

Loving Myself:  The Path to Self-Acceptance
This post was cleansing to my soul - it was everything I felt about my body or did out of body shame that I had been too embarrassed to share with all but a couple of people.  Putting it out to the public made me feel so much more authentic.  I felt like my secret was out.  I really hope that this post helped somebody, anybody in feeling a little bit better about their own bodies.  Developing self-awareness and an appreciation of the bodies in which we inhabit is a journey that will take many twists and turns, but it's a journey worth taking.

Loving Myself: The Path to Self-Acceptance

In reviewing my first year of posts, I see outfits I love, outfits that make me cringe, and outfits that are just so-so.  I think that's the nature of fashion.  Fashion and style changes, even within a year's time.  Also, if you are a fashion explorer, which I tend to be, you're bound to make some missteps along the way.

I think blogging has given me a better idea about what looks good on my body and what doesn't.  That has helped me to become a better, more consistent shopper in that I am more aware of what brands, cuts and styles look best on me.

That said, I don't always choose the most "flattering" option.  I love fashion and require a certain level of variety in my wardrobe or I become bored too quickly.  For the sake of fashion, fun, personal challenge, or even whim, I will sometimes make choices that do not make me look slimmer and taller - an idea that is relatively taboo in certain parts of the fashion world - especially for a short, chubby girl.

I have a hard time identifying or labeling my personal style.  I tend to be a "I know it when I see it" type of shopper and do not always consistently choose clothing from a certain style category (boho, preppy, edgy, goth, trendy, classic, etc.).

I do know that I always like black (everything seems chicer in black), blazers, layered looks (see blazers), tuxedos (see blazers), interesting textures, patterns and details, and a touch of edginess. 

Blogging has allowed me to explore my style more than I have in years.  After having my daughter five years ago, I gained a lot of weight and had to replace my entire wardrobe.  For several years, my wardrobe was much more basic and classic because I was trying to obtain the essentials and was learning how to dress a differently shaped body.  I was so ready to add more joy and personality to my wardrobe, and over the course of the last year, I have been doing just that.

What type of shopper are you?  Do you have a way of describing your personal style? 

Have you had fluctuations in your weight or changes in your body shape over time?  How has that affecting your shopping habits and clothing choices?

Stay tuned...Later this week, I'll be announcing some changes to my blog that I hope you will enjoy!

If you haven't entered my giveaway for a handmade tutu (adult or child), please hurry and do so...Contest ends August 1, 2013 at 11:59 p.m. CST).  Details here.