Patterns

Hi guys, hope you have all recovered from a lovely holiday - just in time for more celebrating tomorrow night for NYE!  I put together today's outfit because I wanted to show you how to wear a pattern.  I know some of you might not feel comfortable wearing patterned pieces, but the skirt below from Anthropologie is good for first timers or those uncomfortable with a statement piece; reason being - it is mostly made up of darker colors and the print is small-ish, so it doesn't attract as much attention as say... a zebra print.

I picked this ivory ruffle top from J. Crew because it works well with the colors in the skirt and has a little flare (aka ruffle) at the top, but it doesn't detract the attention away from the skirt.... and that's just what we want, because the skirt should be the star of the outfit.

I'm not a huge fan of mixing patterns, and I know some people can pull it off, but I prefer that the other pieces in the outfit add to the beauty of the skirt, instead of them competing with the pattern.  I picked two options to wear over the ivory top - a nude colored sweater or a black boyfriend blazer with rolled up sleeves.  Both would be great, it just depends on personal preference.  If you are looking for a more relaxed feel, the sweater might be better - but for a day at the office, you might opt for the blazer.  The little suede beauties are from Nine West and are on sale for only 30 bucks right now - score!  They bring a little more interest to the table than say, a plain black leather heel (and for thirty dollars how could you pass them up, come on!).  For the accessories, I added a yellow flower post earring from Anthro to bring out the bits of yellow in the skirt, and a "melon" colored bag.  Both pieces add a bit of brightness to the otherwise muted tones in the outfit and picks up the pink/orange/yellow colors in the skirt.


Items in this set:
Forever cardigan, $90, Jcrew.com
Kelsey ruffle top (ivory), $88, Jcrew.com
Whizbang Mini, $88, Anthropologie.com
Joezee Shoe, ON SALE FOR $30!, Ninewest.com
Filtre Knit Boyfriend Blazer, $39, Nordstrom.com
Peyton Leather Carryall in Melon, $358, Coach.com

Thrifty Thursday - NYE Edition 2

Hey guys - a quick post from me today because I am getting ready to head to my sister's house to spend Christmas Eve with my family, but I put together another thrifty NYE outfit, in case last week's didn't float your boat.  This dark aqua dress is so pretty and unexpected.  I love the sparkly detail on the shoulders and pulled that dark grey shimmer into the shoes from Payless.  I picked some sparkly accessories to give the rest of the outfit some shimmer to go along with the shoulders on the dress, and a black shawl to keep you warm while traveling to your NYE party of choice.  One piece of advice - I would pick that dress up ASAP because I have a feeling it will sell out quickly!  Merry Christmas to everyone!

Items in this set:
Semi-Circle Shoulder Dress, $24.80, Forever21.com
Fioni - Lattice Chop-out Platform, $27, Payless.com
Envelope Clutch, $28, Urbanoutfitters.com
Dark Metal Knot Necklace, $7.80, Forever21.com

Leatherette Rose Studs, $6.80, Asos.com
Black Scarf, $10, Target.com
Total for outfit: $104

Color Explosion

I'm sick of drab winter, I am ready for color.... maybe some of you are, too.  Below is a great outfit for a dinner out or a day at work, the cream sweater makes it more work appropriate, but the shirt itself would be good for drinks after work or a nice dinner out.  I found this beautiful orange top at J.Crew - the detailing at the top is a fusion between flowers and ruffles - perfectly romantic.  It is a bit of a splurge item, but the top could go throughout the seasons and from office to night out - when a piece is versatile, it is worth the extra money.  I like the muted tones for the rest of the outfit, and then for a complementary pop of color I found this goooooooooooorg navy bag.  If you're not a nerd like me, you might not know that orange and blue are opposite on the color wheel... which is why these two colors work well together.  Also, the blue is a little less in your face than the orange satin top, so they don't fight for the attention of the eye, they just play off of each other for a very put-together chic look. 

Items in this set:
Petite Annalise ruffle cami - J.Crew, $70
Women's Belted Wrap Cardigans - Marshmallow White, $30, Oldnavy.com
Pintucked trousers - gray herringbone, $60, Gap.com
Nine West Rocha Pump, $79, Endless.com
Pink Studio Lupe - Navy, $80, Piperlime.com
Lotus Ring, $4.80, Forever21.com
Knotted Stud Earring Set, $3.80, Forever21.com

Pretty in Purple

Hi there blog world - Happy Christmas week to you all - I am enjoying my time off from work by formulating yummy outfits all week and really enjoying it!  I have been looking for a sweater dress for the blog for a long time.  This purple one is a little pricey but such a pretty color, I couldn't pass it up.  If you could afford the splurge, it would be a good investment piece.  You would be able to wear it throughout the year, since it is a pretty season-neutral color and has mid-length sleeves.  For the cold winter months, I would put a thin tight brown turtleneck underneath - the layering creates depth to the outfit, keeps you warm, and looks pretty darn cute, too.  Make sure you find a tighter, thinner turtleneck or you will end up looking bulky.

I found the scarf and *knew* the sweater dress was meant to be.  The colors in the scarf could not be better or more perfect to go with the sweater dress, and it is so preppy but so perfect with the supple brown of the bag and the shoes - makes me feel like you should be going out on a stylish foxhunt.  I know it might be a bit matchy-matchy, but it looks so sophisticated.  For accessories, the watch is the ever-stylish Michael Kors oversized, which I adore.  This watch goes really well with the richness of the rest of the outfit.  The gold ring is interesting, but not too interestin that it overpowers the simple nature of the rest of the outfit.   The boots and the bag are in the same color family and are perfect offsets to the purple and gold colors in the other pieces of the outfit.

Items in this set:
Athleta Vitis Sweater Dress in Fig Purple Heather, $128, Athleta.com
Silky long sleeve turtleneck top, $20, gojane.com
Women's Glaze by Adi High Heel Ankle Boots : Target, $37, Target.com
MICHAEL Michael Kors Midsized Chronograph Watch, Gold, $250, Michaelkors.com
Wendy Culpepper Fiore Gold Ring, $64, Shopbop.com
Plaid blanket scarf - purple plaid, $25, Gap.com
Bargerstock Purse, $45,  aldoshoes.com
Brown tights, $6, Oldnavy.com

Baby it's cold outside!

Well... it sure is cold outside for those of you blessed with the 20 + inches of snow over the weekend!  So, I told you all yesterday about how I am moving to Prague in a few weeks, and I have been thinking about/dreading the bitter cold that I will have to face, and since I know some of you are facing that right now, here is a layered and warm look, while still looking cute (even if you are sort of "marshmellow" looking - it is still possible to look cute!)

The North Face coat is intense, but like I said in one of my original posts, if you live in a climate that necessitates a huge down coat, for the love of your body, get one with a belt to give you a figure!  The gold color of this coat makes it seem a little more "pretty" than just practical, too.  I found these adorable houndstooth rainboots and figured they'd be perfect for the slushy mess that awaits you once the snow starts to melt.  The outfit is a simple pair of jeans that can easily be tucked into the boots, paired with a cute and bright coral sweater with a simple brown top underneath - layers are crucial in the winter months because you can easily adapt to the indoor/outdoor temps.  I found some cute coral beaded earrings and a simple gold bracelet to top it off.  The piece de resistance, however, are the rollable (!!!) ballet flats that you can toss into your purse and switch into once you get safely to your destination!  No need to clomp around in your wet boots, just whip out your cute little wristlet that safely houses a pair of awesome goldish flats - seriously people, this is quite the invention.  This pair is a $29 well spent - these are also good for a wedding, or a night out with friends when you know your new killer high heels will literally be killer to your feet by the end of the night.

Items in this set:

Isotoner Stretch Leather Glove - Brown : Target, $18 - target.com

Single Crochet Beret, $5.80 - forever21.com

THE NORTH FACE Women's Caroline Coat, $299, ems.com

Houndstooth boots - Rsvp Aster, $64 - zappos.com

 Hailey Crossbody Bag in Mahogany, Coach.com, $298

Women's Perfect Cardigans, $20, Oldnavy.com

Women's Surplice V-Neck Tops, $17, Oldnavy.com

Junior's Slouch Straight 504™ Jeans - Show Stopper, $35, Levis.com

Spare Soles Metro Line Foldable Flats, $29, sparesoles.3dcartstores.com

Polished Hinge Bangle$6.80, forever21.com

Stone bead hoop earrings, $2.80, forever21.com

Thirfty Thursday delayed - NYE

Hi guys!  Sorry for the lack of posts last week - it was a crazy week.  I found out that I will be moving to Prague, Czech Republic in about 6 weeks for work!  Wow!  So since I found that out, I've been working on a ton of details and doing lots of research - couple that with lots of last minute Christmas shopping and it created a busy week.  The point here is, I have a Thrifty Thursday post... only it's Sunday, but who cares!  I had a request for a new years eve outfit - and I know some of us need to be thrifty after Christmas shopping, so here is a relatively budget friendly but totally glam NYE outfit.  I will probably do another NYE post this week that won't be as thrifty, but will give you another idea if today's doesn't mesh with your personal style.  You work on finalizing those NYE plans and I'll work on finding you the perfect outfit.

I am not a total sequin lover in every day life, but for NYE you have GOT to have sequins... it is seriously the only day of the year (maybe other than halloween) that you can get away with it and look glam.  I found this really nice sequin (and racerback) black tank from Wetseal.  It would look so chic tucked into this satin waisted black skirt from Forever.  I took the patent peep toe pumps and clutch from last week's Thrifty Thursday (these pieces are very versatile) and found a little rough studded bracelet from Forever to accessorize, along wth some simple black rhinestone hoops.  The bracelet is good for the outfit because it is in the same color scheme but it's a total diferent style from the pretty jacket - so it blends in, but still creates interest in the outfit.  Now onto the jacket - isn't it so pretty?  I found this at Forever21 also, and thought it would be perfect for the cold weather.  I would take it off as soon as I made my entrance so you can show off that sequined top.  Since there is so much pizzazz to the outfit, I would keep a natural lip and then do a smokey eye to complement the dark colors in the outfit.

Items in this set:
Sequin Racer Tank , Wet Seal, $21
Luxurious Shag Jacket, Forever21.com, $32.80
Satin Contrast Skirt, Forever21.com, $17.80
Women's Mossimo® Vida Peep-Toe Pumps - Black Patent : Target, $19.99
Payless ShoeSource - Accessories - Minicci - Callie Clutch, payless.com, $14.99
Glam Rock Studded Bangle, Forever21.com, $7.80
Rhinestone Trim Hoops, Forever21.com, $5.80

Thrifty Thursday

I am super psyched that I checked our Forever21's jewelry stock today because, you guys (!!!!!!!!), I found the necklace below at Forever21 and it is only NINE DOLLARS! If you're an Anthropologie fan, you will know why I am so thrilled about the price - because Anthro sells a very similar necklace for $48!!!  This is really exciting to me (if you couldn't tell by the exclamation points and capitalization) and an amazing thrifty find.  Okay... I'll take a breather and move along to the rest of the outfit - so, I found this super cute skirt, also from Forever21 and I love all of the detail in the skirt - it really adds a luxury feel to this outfit.  The top is just a simple black tunic that I would tuck into the skirt.  It is the perfect simple complement to the skirt and a great backdrop to showcase the goooorg necklace.  I love these patent peep toes from Target, and right now they're on sale for 20 dollars, which is a pretty great price for these classic beauties.  The clutch is also patent and I found it at Payless.  Lastly, I found a silver and black ring to accessorize the outfit a tiny bit more, without taking away from the necklace. 

If you like the necklace, snatch up all three colors before they sell out, because I have a feeling other thrifty shoppers will see these and die over the great price - also a great gift idea for your girlfriends!  Happy almost weekend, friends.

Items in this set:
Grommet Knit Top, $17.80, Forever21
Ruffle Drape Skirt,  $22.80, Forever21
Women's Mossimo® Vida Peep-Toe Pumps - Black Patent,  $19.99 (ON SALE!), Target
Olivia Bead Frame Ring, $5.80, Forever21
Payless ShoeSource - Accessories - Minicci - Callie Clutch, $14.99, Payless
Pear Shaped Collar Necklace, $8.80, Forever21
TOTAL COST OF OUTFIT: ~$90

Weekend Trip

I was thinking about packing for the trip we're going on next weekend and realized that I don't want to pay for checking a bag, so I should probably try to consolidate and just use a carry on - but this poses a problem:  How can I ever fit all of the things I want to wear into a tiny carry on bag?  I mean come on.. for a weekend I need at least 4 pairs of shoes, right!?  I am assuming everyone has this problem, so if you do, I can help you deal with this.  Plan your outfits ahead of time in order to be able to use the same pieces in multiple outfits to cut back on the number of items you need to bring.  I put together outfits for an entire weekend, from Friday daytime to your return trip on Sunday.  I carried the same pair of jeans throughout 4 of the outfits, and only brought 2 pairs of shoes - this cuts back a TON on the space needed in your suitcase.  Shoes are awkwardly shaped and can't be rolled up and shoved into the last tiny corner of your suitcase, so opting for the least amount of them is a good (albeit unfortunate) idea.  I also found one large purse and one smaller clutch.  The purse can be your "personal item" on the plane, so you don't have to make space to pack it in your luggage.

I am always cold in airports and on planes, so I am going to assume you are too.  I think its a good idea to wear a long sleeved tee and pants and bring a sweater so you can put it on or take it off, depending on the temperature.  The pants are a personal preference because one time, I made the decision to wear a long skirt to the airport... which happened to be the same day I was "randomly" chosen to go through the extra security with the frisking, the whole nine yards.  Luckily they had a female TSA agent there, but needless to say I won't make the mistake of wearing a skirt to the airport ever again.  The flats for the weekend are a good neutral so they easily go with all of the shirts I picked for the casual days (Friday day, Saturday day, and Sunday day).  I picked a beautiful coral colored sweater for Saturday daytime - good for a casual outing (shopping, lunch with friends, etc) and a neutral v neck sweater with a pretty green floral scarf for Sunday. 

I picked two "going-out" outfits for Friday and Saturday nights, carrying the same black booties through each outfit.  For Friday night I chose a more casual look, using the same jeans from the other weekend looks.  I found a super cute top from Forever21 with a pretty embroidered pattern on it, and a black clutch with gold detail from Aldo to give the look a dressier feel.  For Saturday night, I went a little dressier with this GORGEOUS blue drawstring dress.  I would pair this dress with black tights similar to how they dressed the model for the photo and the same shoes & clutch from Friday night.  The necklace is a gold knotted strand necklace from Forever 21.  You could also pack a few gold accessories to go with multiple outfits, like the following pieces:

For an entire weeked, you can get by on a small amount of items, as long as you plan ahead! 

Items in this set:

Women's Roll-Sleeve Henleys in Heather Oatmeal, $12, Oldnavy.com

Covered in Cables Cardi in Dark Yellow, $88, Anthropologie.com

Kelly Boot Cut Jeans - Citizens of Humanity, $150, Shopbop.com

Merona® Madalena Suede Ballet Flats in Taupe, $20 - target.com

Bargerstock purse, $45, aldoshoes.com

Leaf Silk Woven Top, $27.80, Forever21.com

Toyoshima Clutch, $30, aldoshoes.com

Steven Brant booties, $129, zappos.com

Asymmetrical chiffon bow pullover in Sweet Papaya, $78, jcrew.com

Silk drawstring dress, $110, Bananarepublic.com

Knotted Rope Necklace, $6.80, forever21.com
Women's Perfect V-Neck Sweaters in Earthly, $23, Oldnavy.com

Women's Print Scarves in Green Floral, $13, Oldnavy.com

Weathered Stone Ring, $6.80, Forever21.com

Multi Chain Magnet Bracelet, $6.80, Forever21.com

Comfy (and thrifty!) Thursday

I know there are days when you really just want to wear sweats out of the house, but you don't want to feel ugly.... I have those same conflicting feelings almost every weekend, but you can be very comfortable while still looking cute, and for a low cost :)  Today I found this really pretty knit swing coat - I picked it because I was trying to find a "stylish" sweatshirt, and stumbled upon this.  It's a pretty good representation of what I was picturing as a stylish sweatshirt, since it is the same knit cotton that a sweatshirt is made out of... but it is wayyyyy cuter than a sweatshirt! 

I love the purple, it's a nice bright color when you're feeling drab.  It's a good style because if you're having a chubby day (and we know that every one has their chubby days), you can hide your stomach a bit, but still look really cute.  I paired the coat with a black flowy top from old navy underneath, in case you want to take the coat off, and it still allows the same comfort as the coat.  I found a nice pair of dark, affordable jeans from Old Navy, on sale now for $25.  The dark color is perfect - I am a big proponent of dark jeans because I think they make outfits look more expensive and dressy.  I found this pair of black and white tweed flats from Payless, at $16.99 I think these are a total steal.  Since the coat has 3/4 length sleeves, you might want some long gloves to keep the rest of your arms + your hands warm.  This pair has a nice knitted design and blends well with the rest of the outfit.  Lastly, to keep the look playful and add an interesting element, I found this really cool black mesh rosette headband.  I think this would actually be comfortable - I have  a problem wearing headbands, my sister and I actually discussed this today.  I can't wear them because the edges always dig into my head (ouch) and she can't wear them because her glasses don't quite fit over them - well problems solved, my friends, in the form of a cute mesh headband.  Enjoy this casual comfy outfit!

Items in this set:

Women's Roll-Sleeve Henleys - Black Jack, Oldnavy.com, $12
Loop Button Swing Coat, Forever21.com, $22.80
Women's The Flirt Flared Jeans - Rinse, oldnavy.com, $25
Predictions - Boucle Fiona Ballet Flat, Payless.com, $16.99
Merona® Long Gloves With Button - Black : Target, $10.99
Mesh Rosette Headwrap, Forever21.com, $3.80

Icey Blue

Hi guys! I have seen a lot of ice blue lately and found this beautiful long cardigan at J. Crew that I love and wanted to share with you all. I think it is a color that could complement both dark and fair skin types, and blondes, brunettes, and red heads alike.  This sweater is good for all body types, because if you have some imperfections around the midsection, the sweater helps hide that, and because of the length, it helps elongate the body - especially when paired with a matchstick pant. 

I found this visually interesting necklace from Anthropologie - which I like because it has a variety of colors in it, so it can go with a lot of outfits.  I really like the punch of yellow at the tip of the necklace.

I paired the sweater with some black denim matchstick pants from J. Crew - these work well with the sweater because, as I mentioned above, it carries on the elongating effect that the sweater has.  I added a beautiful metallic leather bag, also from J. Crew, to give a little sheen to the otherwise cotton/flat fabric outfit.  I found a pair of nude (patent) heels to blend with the outfit - I like how they aren't very noticeable at first glance, but create a good contrast in the outfit at the same time since they're up against the black pant.  This pair of shoes would be very versatile in your wardrobe. 

Items in this set:

Corwin Sweater, JCrew.com, $90

Overdyed black denim matchstick jean - JCrew.com, $98

Trinitie Shoe, Steve Madden, Zappos.com, $90

Small metallic Georgie satchel - JCrew.com,  $258

Chamomile Necklace, Anthropologie.com, $48

Party Season

With Thanksgiving passing, the holiday season is in full swing, which means holiday parties for work, holiday parties with friends, family parties, new years, and the list goes on!  Tons of opportunities for dressing up and adding a little glitz to your outfits.  I found this beautiful blue satin dress on Piperlime and knew it could be beautiful for the holidays.  Beware, this outfit is a little pricier than some of my normal looks, but all of the pieces in this outfit could be used in so many ways if you did decide to splurge; but you could also find budget pieces in place of the shoes, jewelry, and clutch that look very similar to what I picked if you need to make this a more affordable option for your December events.

I picked the silver beaded belt to cinch the waist of this dress, because don't get me wrong, I love a flowy dress, but sometimes it is nice to show off your figure.  You could wear this dress either way and i would look great, but if you feel like accessorizing this look a little more, the belt is an awesome piece. The shoes are ahhhhh-mazing.  The rosette is the same color as the bootie, so it doesn't stand out too much, which I like since there is already a lot going on in the belt.  The booties just give the outfit a bit of "cutesy".  I love the toughness of the studded bracelet in contrast with the romantic shoes - like I said before, they work together because nothing sticks out too much that it attracts attention away from the cohesive look.  It's fun to pay with different fabric (suede shoes, metal cuff, beaded belt) and different looks, if you keep them in a similar color palate.  The Lauren Merkin clutch is awesome,  I have been eyeing them up for a while now but haven't decided to purchase one yet.  Her clutches come in a few different shapes and a ton of colors and materials.  I like this Louise Clutch in shiny silver. Hope this gives you some ideas to glam up your outfits for this holiday season!  (Let the Christmas music begin!!!!) 

Items Listed Above:
Betsey Johnson Kilburn at Zappos.com $229 - zappos.com
Delightful Dazzlers Jet Drops Earrings $12 - 1928.com
Women's AE Tights - Black $13 - ae.com
Women's apparel: Shiny Satin Tie Neck Dress: Dresses
Piperlime $78 - piperlime.gap.com
Lauren Merkin - Silver Metallic Lambskin Louise $200 - laurenmerkin.com
Gunmetal & Crystal Cuff - Kenneth Jay Lane $188 - shopbop.com (this is definitely one of those pieces you can find a substitute for unless you have a full wallet!!)
ASOS ASOS Premium Hand Beaded Deco Waist Belt at ASOS $46 - asos.com

Thrifty Thursday Thanksgiving Edition

Hi you guys!  Happy Turkey day to you all.  I hope you are preparing your bellies for feasts of mashed potatoes (my personal fave) and canned cranberries.  Today's thrifty Thursday brings together the colors of fall and thanksgiving in a chic, affordable option.  You'll have to forgive me because I am using the boyf's Macbook and can't get Polyvore to work for me, so I'll be showing you the outfit piece by piece today... and also, sorry for the delay in posts... I've really been enjoying my time off from work and haven't been near a computer much, but don't worry, I will be back next week with tons of new ideas.

Okay, first up is the skirt - this cranberry-reddish color is so pretty and it is from Forever 21's "Love21" line, which they say offers a more modest fit, and which is code for "doesn't make you look like a cheap hooker"

Forever 21 Satin Pleated Skirt - $22.80

You could probably pair this skirt with a couple of colors, but I like a cream colored blouse the best, so that the skirt is the punch of color in the outfit.  The shirt below has a little romanticism in the small ruffles, and doesn't overpower the skirt.

Ruffled Sateen Blouse in Marshmallow, $24.50, Oldnavy.com

 

In order to give the outfit a little sparkle, I would add a fun shoe - you could wear a heel or a flat, but since most Thanksgivings that I attend aren't too dressy, I picked a flat for today.  This particular flat is a little wild (Lizard Print!?) but since it is a pretty bronze color and a flat - it isn't too flashy - perfect to give this outfit a little pizzazz.

Lizard Print Flat in Gold - $24.50, Oldnavy.com

For accessories, I would keep it simple with some complementary cream and gold bracelets.  I like pairing these bracelets from Forever21.  The cream colored bangle has a bit of an antique feel to it, and I would use the other two bracelents to give it a little more substance.

Faceted Accent Bagle $6.80, Mara Bracelet Set $4.80

Total Cost of Outfit: $83.40
Hope you guys all have a wonderful and happy Thanksgiving with your family and friends! 

Thrifty Thursday - Heidi Merrick Edition

I got an email today alerting me that Heidi Merrick was having an online sale, so I decided to stop on over to see what was left - unfortunately, not much.  However, I did see that she has a bunch of pieces in this pretty green, black, and white Ikat print.  At full price, these pieces can range from 300-830 dollars - this particlar skirt retailed for $315 (gasp... I swear, I am getting to the thrifty part)  but is now on sale for $75!

Score! Until I realized that there are only two sizes left, neither of which are my size...(and as I am writing this post I went back to check the sale... almost everything is sold out!) but have no fear thrifters... I did a little more research and found out that Heidi designed a very similar version of this skirt and it is for sale on Target.com for $55!!!  If you enjoy designer styles but your pocketbook does not - this is really a steal.  I know it is not as super cheap as my usual Thrifty Thursdays, but it is an 83% discount off of the original retail price on Heidi's site .. sure, the target version looks slightly different... but I'd almost argue that I like it more because it is a little bit more fun than the longer 'stepford' design above.

I put together two outfits because this skirt is really versatile and I wanted to show how it could be dressed up or down and for summer or a cooler month of the year.  On the left I paired it with a casual pocket tank, a pretty and delicate locket necklace, and some simple strappy white sandals.  I added a wide braided belt to pick up the black in the skirt and give a little more interest to the outfit.  The addition of a camel colored bag gives the outfit a more relaxed vibe by still "going" with the outfit, but not being too matchy. 

 On the right, I paired it with a simple scoop neck tee that has a bit of embellishment in the back in the form of an external zipper.  I added some sparkle with a knotted silver necklace and the rhinestone studded clutch - and since all the pieces in the look are black except for the skirt, these sparkly accessories aren't overwhelming.  I added some black tights (sorry about the strange white spots - they should look opaque) and a pair of sleek black booties to top it off. 

Items featured above:
Left
Heidi Merrick Skirt - $54.99, Target.com
White Pocket Tank - $4.99, Oldnavy.com
Locket Lavaliere - $5.80, forever21.com
Sandals - R2 Gemma in White- $25, piperlime.gap.com
Wide Braided Belt - $10.80, forever21.com
Side handle Leatherette Tote - $26.99, forever21.com
Total: $128.57


Right
Heidi Merrick Skirt - $54.99, Target.com
Zipper Back Top - $8.80, forever21.com
Chaz Suede Ankle Boot - $24.80, forever21.com
Opaque Tights - $5.80, forever21.com
Rhinestone Studded Clutch - $9.80, forever21.com
Knotted Rope Necklace - $6.80, forever21.com
Total: $110.99

Roughin' It

I don't have a particular issue with purchasing real leather,  but if I was presented with a choice between a real leather jacket for $500 and a faux leather jacket for $98 that felt like real leather, I would probably go with the latter - and bonus! no cows hurt in the purchasing of this faux jacket.  This brings me to my inspiration piece for today's outfit.  I was perusing the internet and stumbled upon this great faux leather jacket from Express.  It comes in 4 colors (black, cognac, current, and powder) but the Cognac really caught my eye - it can be worn with brown or black and it looks really expensive!  I like to keep this outfit simple since I want the focus to be on the jacket, so I paired it with a plain v-neck tee, a pair of skinnies, and some killer black ankle boots from Steve Madden - and although these boots look kind of badass in this setting, you could easily pair them with some black tights and a dress for a night out - they're a good versatile style.

To accessorize,  I found the beautiful "Crater Ring" on Shopbop.com and thought it added the perfect touch of style to the outfit, without being too "pretty".  I like this duffle shoulder bag from Forever21 because it is cheap (duh) and it really goes with the toughness of the outfit, without being too matchy.  The sunglasses are a nice addition to top off the look because they have some brown hues that complement the cognac of the coat.  If it happens to be a cool day, you could also add a scarf to the look for a bit of color.  I included a scarf here that ties together the cognac and black, and also adds some cranberry and blue hues to the mix - but there are lots of options when it comes to scarfs.  Mix it up with colors and patterns to give a tired outfit a fresh look. 

Items featured above:
Jacket:  (Minus The) Leather Belted Jacket in Cognac, $98, Express.com ($25 off using code 4368)
Scarf: Madewell Wooly Printed Open Weave Scarf, $50, Shopbop.com
Bag: Duffle Shoulder Bag in black, $34.80, Forever21.com
Ring: Alex and Ani Crater Ring, $58, Shopbop.com
Jeans: Real straight jeans (dark wash), $69.50, Gap.com (use code Gift123 for 25% off!)
Ankle Boots:  Steven - Brant; $129, Zappos.com
Tee: H81 Pocket Boyfriend Tee, White, $6.90, Forever21.com
Sunglasses: Marc Jacobs, Green stone inset aviator sunglasses, $219, bluefly.com

Kelly Gorney Photography

Hi friends!  I had the opportunity to write another guest blog post for Kelly Gorney Photography's blog this weekend.  One of Kelly's clients is the mother of two boys - a toddler and a 6 month old, and wanted some help planning an outfit for their family of four.  Head on over to Kelly's blog to check out what I put together for them and why it works for photographs!

Weekend Wardrobe Update

This weekend, I will be working with a client to help her shop for a wardrobe update!  We're armed with a 30% off, multiple use (!!!) Gap/Banana/Old Navy coupon that can also be used at the outlets!  I am sure we will also hit a few other go-to stores like H&M (a new one just opened in our mall) and Forever 21.

Coming up next week I will show you pieces from her existing wardrobe - both the "keepers" and the throw-away clothes, and I will also give you insight into what we bought and why. 

Stay tuned!

Thrifty Thursday - Knits galore

So, a few weeks ago I was watching The City (I know.. I am kind of embarrassed... but in my defense, I watch to drool over all of their beautiful ensembles!... and maybe a little for the drama) and Whitney was wearing this gorgeous sweater dress with a cable knit "seam" along the arms and shoulders.  It was awesome - and I bet pretty expensive, but that over exaggerated cable-knit was my inspiration for today's Thrifty Thursday. 

 I first went searching for a piece that mimicked the knit I saw on the show.  The sweater below had the same sort of feel that Whitney's dress did, but in a cute sweater/vest.  To neutralize, I decided to put a cream colored turtleneck underneath, because you can't tell, but the skinny corduroy pants I chose are a deep purple color (so rich and expensive looking).  I found these super cute, and inexpensive cuffed boots from Target in a color similar to the sweater, which helps to mend the outfit together.  Since most of the outfit is pretty neutral, I added some touches of warm color in the charm necklace.  It has deep oranges, yellows, and greens in it.  Lastly, I topped the outfit off with another knit - a cute little knit "beret" hat, also in cream.  I would imagine wearing it with hair down in loose waves - a little bit of a bohemian look.

This outfit is perfect a perfect daytime look when you want to look a bit more dressed up.  The boots help with the "dressier" feel, but you could also wear this look with a warm colored flat. 

Items in this set:

Cable Trim Sweater Cardigan, $22.80, Forever21
Merona® Long Sleeve Turtleneck - Polar Bear, $12.99, Target
Skinny Leg Corduroys in Deep Purple, $15.80, Forever 21
Women's Mossimo® Kahsha Tall Cuffed Boots - Mushroom, $29.99, Target
Truly Charmed Chain, $5.80, Forever21
Spiral Crochet Beret, $6.90, Forever21  
Total Cost of Outfit: $94.28


Happy Almost-Friday!

One dress... two ways

J and I are headed down to Texas in a few weeks for a big Southern wedding; we're really looking forward to celebrating the big day with our friends.  What I was not looking forward to was finding an outfit for it - I've been spending a LOT of money lately, so I decided if I was going to get a dress for the wedding, I might as well pick something that I can wear multiple times, for multiple occassions.  One day a few weeks ago, I had an exhausting day at work .. and since Banana is (conveniently) on the way home from work, I decided to swing by and see what they had.  I found this beautiful, classic black dress, with satin piping along the stomach. 

Flannel Sheath Dress, $152

I think Banana should hire me to model this little number, because it fits me like a glove!  The picture above, from their site, doesn't really do it justice - but I am sure you can see the classic lines and the piping detail, despite the iffy photography.

For the wedding:  Because it is a night time wedding, I wanted to liven the outfit up a little.  I found this necklace at Anthropologie that would add a lot of sparkle, without standing out too much. 

Million Strand Necklace, $58

I picked a pair of black shoes because I didn't want to take away from the attention that the necklace will bring up to the face, and although I picked black, I still wanted to pick something interesting.  I haven't decided if they are "the pair" ... especially because they're almost as much as the dress.  These shoes are pretty cute though, and I like how the strand detail mimics the piping on the dress.  Also, the "tough" leather on the shoe contrasts perfectly with the satin piping on the dress.

Jayleen, Nine West, $149

Since it could be a little chilly at night, I would just drape a simple black wrap around my shoulders - here is a super cheap one from Forever 21.

Gauzy Fashion Scarf, $5.50

For work: Since the dress is sleeveless, and I know that shoulders are frowned upon in most offices (and it is cold  in most offices) I knew I needed to find something to cover up my arms/shoulders.  I have a lot of cardigans, but I think that might be a little boring with this dress.  I found this adorable little tweed jacket and think it easily work with the classic style of the dress.

Bethany Tweed Jacket, Forever 21, $27.80

This jacket would probably be long enough that it would cover up the piping, but that's okay because there is nice detail on the coat.  This could also be worn with pants or a pencil skirt - so I think it is a good, versatile piece for your wardrobe.

I decided to carry on the classic theme here with a cute shoe from Forever21.  I'm not crazy about the oxford wing tip flat women's shoes that have been popular in the past year, so I really like how this shoe is a tad "menswear" but still gets the femine feel from the big stiletto heel.

Suedette Lace Up Pump, $24.80

I would wear a pair of sheer black tights with this outfit to round out the look.  A few small accessories - maybe a pair of earrings or a ring would be nice, suttle detail for this outfit. 

I hope this post can inspire you to make multiple outfits out of a piece you thought was only for one occassion!

Thirfty Thursday - Hot Night Out

I've been doing a lot of casual looks lately, so this week's edition of Thrifty Thursday, I wanted to Glam it Up.  The entire outfit this week is from Forever 21 - they are definitely a "go-to" store for clothes to go out in because you won't be crushed if someone spills a drink on you, or if you smell like a smoky bar at the end of the night.  Might be a little dressy for Cincinnati, but if I was going out on a Friday in a bigger city, you can bet your butt I'd be wearing the cute little number below.  I would tuck the silk tunic (Yes, it is REAL silk from Forever21) into the cute skirt.  Glam it up a little with the rhinestone chain.  I love the zipper detail on the clutch, and it also comes with a long chain in case you want to wear it on your shoulder.  The suede heels top off the outfit - they are an interesting design and look really good for $27.  Although... I might plan ahead and grab some Dr. Scholl's blister bandaids before heading out (they are the best thing that ever happened to a woman with a love for high heels)... price and comfort are usually somewhat correlated when it comes to shoes.

Items in this set:

Silk Trapeze Tunic, $19.80
Fan Chiffon Bubble Skirt: $10.50
Convertible Zipper Clutch: $18.80
Pleated Wrap Platform: $26.80
Rhinestone Wrapped Chain: $11.80

Total cost of outfit: $87.70... even cheaper if you already have a pair of cute black shoes or a black clutch!

What I am wearing....

Taking a break from the Thrifty Thursday today - I wanted to give you a glimpse into what I am wearing because it is a good example of how you can make a piece work in two totally different settings.  I bought a dress to wear to my cousin's wedding this weekend, and decided last night that it could definitely be work approproiate if I threw a little khaki blazer over top.  As I was putting on my outfit this morning, I had my doubts... "is this too risque for work?  Ah.... screw it, I'll pretend I work somewhere fashionable today!"  So here's what I put together today:

The dress is from Gap - they were running a 20% off promotion a few weeks ago, so it is regularly $69.50 but I got it for $55.60.  It has an underlayer of fabric, so it feels pretty substantial when you put it on.  I love the length, it is perfect - not too long and not too short.

Tiered Silk Dress in True Navy - Gap.com - $69.50

Next, I put a slim fit Khaki blazer over top - I like how the structured blazer looks with the frilly, lightweight dress.  It adds a nice contrast, and also makes the dress more subdued and "work appropriate".  I couldn't find the exact blazer that I am wearing today from Banana, but here is a similar piece from J. Crew:

Butterscotch Wool Flannel Blazer, JCrew.com - $178

I knew that showing as much leg as our model featured above in the dress might be a little much for my corporate environment, and it is getting pretty chilly here lately, so I decided to pair the dress with a pair of brown tights from Old Navy that I bought last week.  I really like the tights with the dress because the dress can look black in some lights, but when paired with the brown in the tights, the navy comes out a lot stronger.

Women's Solid Tights in Brown - Oldnavy.com - $6.50

I debated over my shoe preference for a solid 10 minutes, clomping all over my apartment thus making me late for work and probably waking up and infuriating my downstairs neighbors.  I was debating between a simple rounded toe brown pump, and my faaaavorite pair of tortoise shell t-strap peep toe shoes that I bought 2 years ago from Nine West.  Since the brown in the first shoe option slightly clashed with the brown of the tight, I went with the tortoise shell shoe.  Wearing a tight with a peep toe shoe is ver acceptable these days.  I can't find a picture of my exact shoes, but here is a pretty close representation:

Tortoise Shell Peep Toe, Brownsfashion.com, $228

Last but not least, some jewelry to glam it up.  I went with my four strand gold/pearl necklace today because it brought some attention up to my face and the colors worked well with the navy and brown in the rest of the outfit.  I again can't find an exact replica, but this necklace is pretty darn close.  I think the chain looks silver in this picture, but it is supposed to be gold (mine is too).

Whisper Faux Pearl Necklace, Forever21.com, $4.80

I can't forget the last accessory, and the best purchase I ever made (after my one year anniversary at my company, I took the LV plunge).  I know, I know... It's a big investment, but I will never be sorry that I bought this - it goes with EVERYTHING (I tell myself that even when I am wearing crappy sneakers and a VT sweatshirt).  I love and it is the perfect accessory to this outfit.

Speedy 35 in Damier Canvas, Louis Vuitton

Hope this gives you some inspration to glam it up during your dull work week!