Sleek and Chic with Myrda J

So, recently I was contacted by the wonderful ladies over at Myrda J, a new clothing line ranging from sizes Large to 3L. 

Jacket:  c/o Myrda J (Available here)

Tank:  LOFT Petites (Available here)

I was given a little background to the company and given the opportunity to try out a few pieces from the new summer collection.

The small but trendy and fun collection includes modern staples like this open short sleeve jacket, along with printed dresses and tops and more. 

Earrings:  The Limited

In addition to having lovely clothes, Myrda J is introducing people to the brand through a brilliant lifestyle video available below. 

 So often, curvy and plus-size women are shown as miserable or annoying or as comedic fodder, if we are even included at all.  I love this video because it shows us curvy women as many of us really are...independent, free-spirited, confident, adventurous, and beautiful!

On to the jacket...

At first, I wasn't so sure about the fabric.  The body of the jacket is a thicker polyester material, and I wasn't crazy about it at first sight; however, once I put the jacket on, I loved how the substantial fabric draped on the body and helped add structure to this blazer.  The chiffon sleeves add a subtle mixed media twist.

Shoes:  Target (old)

While the fabric won't be great for the hottest of summer days, it's wonderful for slightly more moderate temperatures like we are currently having in the Midwest.

Satchel:  The Limited

I can think of many ways to style this jacket, but for today, I decided to add a belt to close the jacket and emphasize my curves. 
 
This was a hard decision because it looks really great worn open as well!

Pants:  The Limited

Cuff:  New York & Company (Similar here)

I chose skinny black pants and heels to create a streamline silhouette that is perfect for my business casual office.  Pops of bright orange add a fun flair.

How would you style this jacket?

Want to shop?  Myrda J was awesome enough to offer an exclusive 20% off coupon code valid through July 1, 2014.  Use code 'cassentials20.' to save!!!

Find Myrda J Designer Apparel on Facebook here!

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

Girly Details

Hope your week is treating you right! 

Dress:  LOFT (Similar here)
Blazer:  eShakti

Yesterday for work, I took an already feminine fit-and-flare dress and added a pink eyelet blazer and floral lace-up heels for a look with a lot of girly flair.

Shoes:  Prabal Gurung for Target
Bracelets:  The Limited

While I love a grown-up romantic and feminine look, I usually don't like to go over-the-top girly.  This outfit strikes a good balance to me.  The shoes have just a touch of edginess, and the blazer adds structure that helps offset the bubblegum pink color.

Clutch:  Target (old)

How about you?  Do you enjoy a girly look?

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

Easy Casual Friday

Hope you all have had a great weekend.  

Unfortunately, I'm still not feeling 100%.  Outside of catching a flick (Chef), I spent a lot of time resting this weekend.  Summer colds and bronchitis are no fun!  Boo! Hiss!

Dress:  Peter Som for Kohl's (Available here)

Jacket:  The Limited (Similar here)

Tonight, I'm featuring my recent casual Friday look.  I much prefer this dress the I way I wore it here, but if there is one thing that I love about a great maxi dress, it's its versatility.  Adding a tank and denim jacket to this dress takes it from evening to casual.

Tote:  The Limited

Necklace:  The Limited (Available here)

Bracelet:  New York & Company (Similar here)

In fact, this outfit is a little more casual than I normally do for work, but during the summer, I'm all about breaking my own fashion rules.  Summertime (even if it's not officially summer yet) begs for casual, easy clothes. 

Maxi dresses are nothing if not easy.  :-)

Tank:  Old Navy Petites

Do you have casual Friday in your workplace?  How do you do it during the summertime?

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

Easy Peasy, Lemon Squeezy

As much as I love color, nothing is better to me than black.  I will happily choose an all-black outfit as an easy go-to for day or night.

Skirt:  The Limited (Similar here)

For work yesterday, I paired a simple black cami and blazer with black pants. 

Deciding to take an evening twist on that look, I swapped out the black pants for a faux leather skirt and added strappy black heels.

Cami:  LOFT Petites (Similar here)
Blazer:  The Limited (Available in other colors here)

Clutch:  The Limited (Available in black here)

A lemon wedge clutch adds a fun pop of color. 

Necklace:  Shoxie (Available here)

Mixing blacks in several textures makes for an easy peasy look that works for many occasions.  A squeeze of lemon keeps it interesting!

Shoes:  Simply Vera by Vera Wang (Available here)

Ring:  Earthbound Trading Company

Would you wear an all-black look?


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

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

P.S.  I was trying something with the hair here, and in retrospect, it just isn't working.  :-)