Simple Black Dress

My friend contacted me over the weekend needing help with a wedding outfit for the end of February in Charleston, SC.  She has a simple black halter dress from J. Crew, and wanted an interesting heel and accessories to add some pizzazz to the outfit.  She also wanted the shoes to be more wearable than a evening sandal, something she could wear again.  I put together 6 options for her , trying to keep the cost reasonable.  Below you can see the options I put together for her.  Try to guess which one she liked best - and tell me which ones are your favorites!  These are great examples of how to keep a simple black dress interesting over the years and many events you will wear it for.

Items in this set (from left to right, top to bottom)
Tops/Wraps:
Jewel Trim Tweed Jacket, $35, Forever21.com
Pashmina Shawl, $9.99 - shoestation.com (both black and silver are from Shoe Station)
Slinker Scarf , $15, Aldoshoes.com

Cotton cady Madeleine dress - J.Crew, $195
Shoes:
Panout Heel in Brown/Brown Suede, $79, Ninewest.com
Hambert Heel in Yellow Python, $49.99, Ninewest.com
Fawson Heel in Taupe, $90, Aldoshoes.com
Trinitie Heel in Midnight blue, $57, Stevemadden.com
Yessa Heel in Black Leather, $130, Ninewest.com
Flawwles Heel in Plum Suede, $99, Piperlime.gap.com
Accessories:
Frylay Bracelet, $10, Aldoshoes.com
Pretzel Twist Bracelet in black, $5.80, Forever21.com
Woolhiser Bracelet in gold, $18, Aldoshoes.com
Broad Square Ring in black, $5.80, Forever21.com
Surace Headband, $12, Aldoshoes.com
Broad Square Ring in red,  $5.80, Forever21.com
Pretzel Knotted Bracelet in silver, $6.80, Forever21.com
Tear Looped Bracelet, $14.80, Forever21.com

Weekend Relaxation

You guys know I don't totally love the idea of leaving the house in sweats, but some days you just really don't feel like wearing "real" clothes, or you may be heading to Yoga but have to some errands to run first - so if you're going to wear the sweats, look cute!  I found some really affordable pieces from Old Navy (they have great quality athletic gear at a great price) and a splurger top from LuLuLemon (but it's probably worth it, as I have heard nothing but good things about LuLuLemon).  I think the hoodie from Old Navy is super cute, plus it comes in 8 or so colors - perfect to throw on top of your yoga tank.  The shoes are also from Old Navy and come in a variety of bright colors too - for only $20-ish dollars, these are great for running around town and since they come off when you get to Yoga class, so they don't need to be performance shoes, and for 20 dollars, you really can't beat the price! 

The water bottle is environmentally friendly - made from BPA-free Tritan, health-safe materials - and 1% of the proceeds go to an Environmental cause - in this case, fighting the Global Water Crisis... I know, 1% isn't much, but every bit helps.  The headband and yoga mat are both also from LuLuLemon - I loved the purple headband to match the top and keep the hair out of your eyes during downward dog :).  Happy weekend, my friends.  Relax as much as you can!

Items in this set:
Women's 3/4-Sleeve Lounge Hoodies - I Feel Teal, $15, oldnavy.gap.com
Women's Yoga Pants - Black, $20, oldnavy.gap.com
Luon Headband, $9, Lululemon.com
Kor Water Bottle in Orchid Pink, $30, korwater.com
lululemon athletica - Gather Racerback*Org, $42
Women's Mesh Suede-Trim Sneakers, $20, oldnavy.gap.com
Align Ultra Mat, $28 - lululemon.com

Simple + Elegant

You don't always have to have a flashy outfit to turn heads - today's post is a good example of that.  You also don't have to spend a ton of money - it is Thrifty Thursday after all!  Today I put together a simple work outfit that is quite simple, yet very classic.  I found the cream colored top at Forever21 and was really pleased with the button detail down the front.  I paired it with a basic brown pencil skirt (the quality of this picture isn't so good, but you get the idea) from Old Navy for $29.50.  Sure, at that price it might not be as nice as the $120 J.Crew pencil skirt, but it will do the trick until you grow that piggy bank enough to afford the J Crew version.  The shoes have got to look familiar by now, I've used them in a couple of outfits, and I still can't believe they're only $25 at Nine West - they're suede and beautiful - wear them while you can.  The cranberry colored purse is from Old Navy - my sister has one similar (if not this same version) and I was quite pleasantly surprised with the quality when I saw hers, so I think this is definitely worth the money.  Bonus - it adds some color to the outfit.  The necklace and earrings both are from Forever.  You know I love rosettes - especially when they're under $4.  This cream pair of earrings complements the top nicely, while keeping with the elegant theme.  The gold necklace adds a bit of sparkle near the face  so that the cream top doesn't wash you out - it's not necessary to have a necklace exactly like this if you're not crazy about all the chains, you could do something more simple - just use the necklace as a tool to bring attention to your face. 

Happy almost friday - this week was incredibly exhausting and I am looking forward to some relaxation and blogging this weekend :) 

Items in this set:

Poet Chiffon Blouse, $19.80, Forever21.com
Women's Essential Pencil Skirt - Coffee Grounds, $29.50, Oldnavy.com
Joezee in Lt Natural Suede, $25, Ninewest.com
Women's Faux-Leather Satchels - Bougainvillea, $19.99, Oldnavy.com
Pretzel Drape Chain Necklace, $6.80, Forever21.com
Flower Earring Set, $3.80, Forever21.com
Total for outfit: $104.89

Snow Bunny

Hi guys! Happy 2010 to all - hope everyone had a wonderful new year's eve celebration complete with the cutest outfit that made all the other girls in the room jealous!  I spent the night in eating pizza, watching football, and falling asleep on the couch with the BF before midnight - that's what a nasty cold will do to you, but I had a great evening anyway. 

Today I was looking for some inspiration for a new post, when my friend Brittany offered up the idea for a look fit for a weekend at the ski slopes.  I am certainly not a skiier, so if I were to head up into the mountains for a weekend, I'd be hangin' at the lodge with a warm cup of hot chocolate on a comfy leather couch.  That being said, I created the outfit perfect for the snowbunny spending her weekend in the lodge.  I found some warmer pieces, but also worked with layers in case you're spending time by the fire and need to cool off.  I paired thick (this is key) brown leggings with a cream colored tunic and a knit vest - the picture doesn't show the detail very well, but the vest has a beatiful woven pattern down the front on each side.  I say thick is key because although the tunic and vest cover your behind parts, some legs just weren't made for leggings, and the thicker they are, the better the coverage - this is better for everyone.  All together, these neutral pieces create the perfect backdrop for the beautiful accessories.

The preppy red, navy, and army green scarf was $60 at Abercrombie but is now selling for $19, what a steal!  I paired this with a simple navy knit beret from Forever to add another layer of color to the outfit.  The sunglasses are perfectly simple/chic if you decide to head out of the lodge.  The wrap watch is very unique, I've never seen anything like it, but I Loooove it.  Lastly, I am usually not an Uggs fan, but this crocheted pair won me over because I think it is just the perfect last addition that tops off the outfit.

Items in this set:

Truly Madly Deeply French Terry Scoop Neck Tunic, $38, Urbanoutfitters.com

UGG Classic Argyle Knit Womens Boots, $140, tillys.com

Classic Plaid Blanket Scarves, $19, Abercrombie.com

Double Wrap Gold Link Watch, $38, Urbanoutfitters.com

Fab Crochet Beret, $5.50, Forever21.com

Bundle Up Leggings, $11.80, Forever21.com

Kyle Handknit Sweater, $79, Abercrombie.com

Morgan Sunglasses, $78, Bananarepublic.com