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.

Caped Crusader

Can I tell you just how happy I am that capes are back in style?

Cape:  Boohoo (Available here)

I had a cape style jacket several years back, and I wore that thing to death.

Dress:  Eva Mendes for New York & Company (Available here)

This fall, I'm resisting the urge to buy up every cape style piece I can get my hands on.  While I'm not buying all the capes, I have indulged on a few caped items, including this cape jacket from boohoo.com that I recently featured on my Halloween post.

Today, I'm back wearing it again with all black, but this time, I went for an easier silhouette by adding it with a belted trapeze dress.  The sleeves of the dress add a little warmth and coverage, but the sheerness helps provide a lightness that sets the black pieces off from one another.

Boots:  Payless (old)

Like a lot of you across the States, we are having winter temperatures right now, so I paired these pieces with tights and high boots to add some additional warmth.  It's hard to tell in the pics, but you can actually see a sprinkling of snow on the ground behind me.  Yikes!!  I'm not ready for winter!

Tights:  The Limited

Taking pics after work has proven difficult since the end of Daylight Savings Time.  It's always dark, so I have to get better at taking photos on the weekend - the only shot I have at getting light!! 

The darkness is hiding some of the details of this look that I would have loved to have shown off better.  :-/

Clutch:  The Limited
Cuff:  The Limited

Ring:  Earthbound Trading Co. (old)
Necklace:  Express (old)

I just talked on the blog yesterday about my move towards minimalist accessorizing, but for this look, I'm actually accessorized quite a bit with lots of shiny silver and pewter metals.  The same look, with more blingy jewelry, would be perfect for an upcoming holiday party.

I wore this look to work yesterday, which was possibly a little dressy for the office, but sometimes, it's fun to be the diva....which a cape most definitely makes me feels like. 

Belt:  Torrid

Are you a fan of the cape trend?

Fall Double Feature: Mad for Plaid

I hope you've been following my series in collaboration with Irene from Petite Plus, Meow! We've had so much fun this past week discussing fall trends!

Today, Irene and I are talking PLAID!

Whether you prefer it preppy, grungy, classic, or punk, plaid is back in a big way for fall this year.

My office job often dictates my clothing purchases and outfits, but a girl likes to play too!  So today, I styled glen plaid for both work AND play!

Glen plaid is a classic, but it can definitely read conservative - more conservative than I like. 

Blazer:  The Limited (Available here)

For work, I wanted to keep the look conservative but I wanted to add in some fun and individual elements, so I decided to play around with pattern mixing by adding a floral top to a glen plaid blazer. 

Pants:  The Limited (old)

Even though this blazer has a classic silhouette and print, it's got this amazing spade print lining and faux leather elbow patches. 

The flirty crop top adds a fun touch.

Top:  Target (Similar here)
Clutch:  The Limited

I kept jewelry minimal with just earrings and a couple rings, but I made sure that each of the pieces was interesting and "me."

Earrings:  Target (Available here)

Rings:  eloquii and NY&Co. (Available here and here)

I stayed simple on bottom with black skinny pants and added burgundy heels and clutch for a pop of fall color.

Heels:  Target

While my work look is a little preppy (with just enough whimsical elements added to get me through the work day), my evening look has a somewhat edgy feel.

Top:  The Limited (Available here)

Bracelet:  The Limited (old)

For play, I layered a sheer glen plaid top over a nude bra.  I threw a faux leather moto vest over top and added cutout ankle booties.  

Necklace:  Target
Booties:  Payless

A coated tweed clutch and pewter and silver jewelry complete the look.

Clutch:  The Limited

Rings:  Torrid
Bracelet:  Ann Taylor (Available here)

I took the "play" pics over a couple different days, so there are a few subtle differences in the pics.  Remember those "Find what's different" games we did as kids?  Today's blog post has a built-in activity!!  :-D

Always feminine, Irene paired her mid-length plaid skirt with a cozy sweater and ankle booties for a ladylike look with a little sass.  I love that we are both using roughly the same color palette but creating very different looks. 

Irene of Petite Plus, Meow!

See more of Irene's look over at Petite Plus, Meow! or follow her on Facebook.

Are you mad for plaid?  How would you style this trend?

For more looks featuring these pants, see here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, and here.

Check out all the other fall looks from this collab here, here, here, here, and here.  Last installment tomorrow!

Moto & Graphics

Happy Tuesday!

Jacket:  Peter Som for Kohl's
Top: Ann Taylor Petites

Hope your week is going well so far!  Today, I'm featuring a recent work look.  As you know, I'm a huge fan of black and white, and I LOVE moto jackets, so a look that incorporates both is always a favorite.


Heels:  Target

This knit moto jacket is a good way to wear a moto jacket in the summer without the heaviness of faux leather.

Tote:  Target (Similar here)

I love the graphic print and cutouts of the top and the overall streamlined look of this combination.

Bangle:  The Limited (Available here)

Zip-back pants and bold accessories help add visual interest to this simple look.

Pants:  The Limited

Do you like moto jackets?  Are you a fan of graphic prints?

P.S. Tomorrow is the LAST day to nominate your favorite fashion bloggers for the St. Louis Fashion Blog Awards.  If you're so inclined, I'd really appreciate your nomination.  You can access the nomination form here, or check out the official St. Louis Fashion Week web site here for more details on what's in store!!

For the moto jacket in other looks, see here, here, here, and here.
For the top in other looks, see here and here.
For the pants in other looks, see here and here.

Bzzzz...Black and Yellow Aren't Just For Bumblebees!!

There are certain color combinations that somewhere along the way I learned weren't okay for everyday wear.  Some combinations are associated with holidays (red and green; red, white, and blue; black and orange). 

Some get associated with other things...like bees.

Dress:  Eva Mendes for New York & Company

Well, like all rules in fashion, these rules about color deserve to be broken!

For work yesterday, I decided to pair my bright yellow dress with leopard heels. 


Heels:  Target (Available here)
Purse:  Express

What looks better with leopard than black?  So, I threw on a black blazer and added a black purse.

Blazer:  The Limited Black Collection (Similar here)
Rings:  Torrid

Necklace:  Ann Taylor (Available here)

While the weather outside is hot and sticky, my mind is on fall fashion, so pairing a lightweight dress and bare legs with leopard and faux croc is a way to incorporate some fall staples without melting in the heat (because I am that sweet, y'all...LOL).


The necklace and heels help tie the look together, and all in all, I'm really digging this combination.  I should wear yellow and black more often!  :-D

Bracelets:  Target and Ann Taylor

Are you a fan of yellow paired with black?  What are some of your favorite color combinations?

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

Comfy Work Wear

I'm always looking for ways to change up my work wear. 

Yesterday for work, I played with older pieces in my wardrobe to create a super comfortable work look that managed to also look very professional.  The skirt and jacket are both knit!

Skirt:  Target Petites

Jacket:  Labworks for Target Petites

I love how the peplum cut of the blazer works with the asymmetrical hemline of the skirt. 

Clutch:  Vintage

Top:  Ann Taylor Petites

To add a bit more fun to this look, I added a fringe top and mint nails for a pop of color.

Ring:  Earthbound Trading Company

Shoes:  Target (old)

I love how the pieces all work together, and have personality while still being subtle enough for work.

Earrings:  The Limited (Available here)

And of course, a black and white palette is always a favorite!  :-)

How do you change up your work clothes?  Are you a fan of fringe?

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