St. Louis Fashion Week Kick-Off Party & Blog Awards - My Not So Glamorous Life

Last night was the kick-off to St. Louis Fashion Week and the Blogger Awards!

Pants:  The Limited (Sold out on-line; may be available in stores)
Blazer:  The Limited (Available here)

I'm so excited to announce that I won the People's Choice Award for "Best Delivery of Personal Style"!  Thank you all so much for voting for "Style Cassentials."  Your support means so much!!!

For the awards and party, I wanted a polished, clean look that had just a little bit of edge.  I decided on an all-black outfit with gold touches.

Heels:  Simply Vera by Vera Wang (Sold out on-line; may be available in some Kohl's stores)
Clutch:  The Limited (Available here)

Top:  Ann Taylor Petites (Available here)
Bracelet:  Local shop

I took these pics at the end of the night.  My feet were sore, and I was super sweaty - the humidity had taken its toll on me and my flat-ironed hair.  :-(

In looking at the pics, I noticed the kids had also gotten hold of some chalk and drew on the house.  Ha! 

Before the Awards

As glam as I may start my evening, reality always sets in!!!  I'm not complaining...it just reminds me all the more that while the images we see in magazines can be beautiful, they aren't real. 

They're taken with perfect lighting, hair and make-up artists on stand-by, and then air-brushed and re-imaged to impossible standards (see more here).  I'll take real-life - sweat, chalk, and all!

Belt:  The Limited (Similar here)
Earrings:  New York & Company (Available in silver here)

With Julia of "Oh, Julia Ann"
Photo c/o Psyche Southwell of "Economy of Style"

P.S.  Thanks again for voting!

For this top in another look, see here.

Wanna Go To the St. Louis Fashion Blog Awards?

Hi all!

St. Louis Fashion Week kicks off this Thursday with the Fashion Blog Awards and after-party!  

Event is at the gorgeous Three-Sixty Rooftop Bar on 1. South Broadway (downtown St. Louis, rooftop of the Hilton St. Louis at the BallPark).  

Doors open at 6 pm.  Blog awards start at 7 pm, and doors open to general admission at 8 p.m.

I'd love your support during the blog awards, and I'd love to see you there!

To that end, I have two free tickets to give away for the event! 

To enter:

1.  Leave a comment here on this post.
2.  Like "Style Cassentials" on Facebook and leave a comment on this post.

Enter both ways for two chances to win.  Winner will be chosen at random, and winner will be announced Wednesday at 8 am!

Tell your friends.  Spread the word.  St. Louis Fashion Week is going to be amazing this year!!!

To purchase tickets for this or other St. Louis Fashion Week events, click here.

Use coupon code SUPPORT for $5 off this event!

P.S. One more hour to vote on your favorites for the St. Louis Fashion Blog Awards.

I'm so honored to be nominated for three awards, and I greatly appreciate all the support I've received from you all!

Laid-Back Evening

Happy Friday, everyone!!!

Pants:  Target (old)
Top:  The Limited (Similar here)

Blazer:  The Limited (Similar here)
Ring:  The Limited (Available here)

I love black and navy worn together.  The navy provides a subtle shot of color while the overall effect is a bit gothic glam.

The blazer provides structure to balance the slouchy fit of the pants and crossover top.  The statement necklace, silver accents, and heels create a feel that is just right for evening.

Clutch:  The Limited (old)
Necklace:  Target

Shoes:  Target (Available here)

I love this look - it's SUPER comfortable and feels effortless and cool.

What about you - Would you wear black and navy together?

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

Only a few more days to vote for your favorites in the St. Louis Fashion Blog Awards.  Style Cassentials is nominated in the categories "Best Personal Style," "Best Delivery of Personal Style," and "Best Use of Facebook."  Click to vote here once a day until 9/16/13.  Thanks for your support!!

Fall 2013 Fashion Trends: The Luxe Sweatshirt

Sweatshirts were a big trend on fall runways.  No longer relegated to the gym and other super casual situations, sweatshirts were elevated a notch this fall through various fabrications.

Sweatshirt:  Torrid (Sold out on-line; may be available in stores; Similar here)
Pants:  The Limited (Available here)

Sweatshirts were paired with lady-like brocade skirts, matching and mixed prints, leather, and more.

DKNY Fall 2013 look
Souce:  Style.com

J.Crew Fall 2013 look
Source:  Glamour.com

Yesterday, I paired my chiffon-front leopard print sweatshirt with a black blazer and burgundy pants for work.

Blazer:  The Limited (Similar here)
Clutch:  The Limited (Available here)

I'm hoping to find a chambray or black button-down top to layer under the sweatshirt for a slightly preppy look that would be perfect for a casual Friday at work.

I've been looking for a chambray shirt that doesn't gap, pull, or have tons of extra fabric in the shoulders...forever!

Milly Fall 2013 look
Source:  MarieClaire.com

Tibi Fall 2013 look
Source:  Style.com

Shooties:  Soft Styles by Hush Puppies (Kohl's) (Available here)

Do you like the luxe sweatshirt trend? 

Today concludes my series on fall trends.  Hope you've enjoyed my interpretation of some of the season's biggest trends!

To see this sweatshirt in another look, see here.

Please don’t forget to vote here every day through September 16th for Style Cassentials in the Saint Louis Fashion Blog Awards! I'm nominated for "Best Personal Style," "Best Delivery of Personal Style," and "Best Use of Facebook"!! While you're there, check out a very talented group of St. Louis area fashion bloggers!

Fall 2013 Fashion Trends: Military

In both fall and spring, military-inspired looks were a major trend.  This look has continued into this fall and is a major source of all the green we're seeing on fall runways (see more here).

Here, I've taken the trend in a more casual direction. 

Jacket:  Old Navy (Similar here and here)
Dress:  The Limited (Similar here, here, and here)

Soccer mom duty has officially started back up, and I spent the day outside (and make-up free!) in 100 degree heat.  I kept the look simple and casual today to beat the heat, giving this sailor striped dress a bit of a bohemian look.  I like how the chain link necklace adds to the nautical vibe.

Purse:  The Limited (Available here)
Necklace:  Torrid

Sandals:  Target

When the temperature cools down, I will definitely be wearing the look with my army jacket and booties.  I'll add black tights when it gets colder.

Here's a few of my military-inspired favorites from the runway:

3.1 Phillip Lim Fall 2013 look
Source:  HarpersBazaar.com

Prabal Gurung Fall 2013 look
Source:  HarpersBazaar.com

I have to get virtually everything altered to fit properly.  Sometimes, alterations aren't enough to get a perfect fit, but they definitely make a huge difference in how an outfit looks.

Here's a quick before and after:

Purse:  Express

I had the dress hemmed a couple inches.  To get a better fit on the jacket, I washed and dried it. Then, I had the sleeves taken in a bit for a slightly slimmer fit.

The result is loose and comfortable, but much more figure flattering.

Booties:  Target

Do you like the military trend?

For the army jacket in another look, see here.

Please don’t forget to vote here every day through September 16th for Style Cassentials in the Saint Louis Fashion Blog Awards! I'm nominated for "Best Personal Style," "Best Delivery of Personal Style," and "Best Use of Facebook"!! While you're there, check out a very talented group of St. Louis area fashion bloggers!

Fall 2013 Fashion Trends: Below-the-knee and Midi Skirts

This fall, hemlines generally are staying at or below the knee.  Below-the-knee and midi skirts are a big trend for fall.

Skirt:  Target (Available here)
Clutch:  Target

Blouse:  Target (Available here)
Ring:  The Limited (Available here)

I've never considered midi-length skirts to be flattering for someone as petite as me, but I was intrigued by the idea of changing up my hemline this season.  

DKNY Fall 2013 look
Source:  Style.com

Proenza Schouler Fall 2013 look
Source:  Style.com

BCBG Max Azria Fall 2013 look
Source:  Style.com

I found this faux-leather trim pencil skirt from Target, and I decided it would be a great choice for trying out this trend.  The slim fit of the skirt and heels create an elongating effect.

The faux-leather trim extends along the waistline, so it will look good worn with a tucked-in blouse and blazer for work.  Today, I decided to pair it with a flowy colorblocked top.

Cuff:  Express
Earrings:  The Limited

Shoes:  Target

I like the look of the high-low hemlines of both the skirt and top. I think it adds to the overall elongating effect of this outfit.

For more on the leather trend, see here.
For more on the green trend, see here.

Pssst.....Please don’t forget to vote here every day for Style Cassentials in the Saint Louis Fashion Blog Awards! I'm nominated for "Best Personal Style," "Best Delivery of Personal Style," and "Best Use of Facebook"!! While you're there, check out a very talented group of St. Louis area fashion bloggers!

Fall 2013 Fashion Trends: (Faux) Leather

Leather was a huge trend last fall, continued into spring, and is back again.  While leather has been a perennial fall favorite for years, this season, colored leathers are a big trend.

Dress:  LOFT Petites
Jacket:  The Limited (Similar here and here)

I'm not one to wear leather.  As a vegetarian and animal rights supporter, I prefer to let animals wear their own skin.  Thankfully, there are a ton of "vegan" or non-leather alternatives to leather that offer the same slick feel without the questionable ethics.

Belt:  The Limited
Shoes:  Target

Clutch:  Target
Earrings:  Target

Deep blues, greens, burgundies, and pinks are big color trends for leather and faux leather this season.

Tracy Reese Fall 2013 look
Source:  HuffingtonPost.com

Rebecca Minkoff Fall 2013 look
Source:  HuffingtonPost.com

Bracelet:  Target

Ring:  The Limited (Available here)

Of course, black leather will always be a stylish option, so you can't go wrong.

Altuzarra Fall 2013 look
Source:  Harpersbazaar.com

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

Pssst.....Please don’t forget to vote here every day for Style Cassentials in the Saint Louis Fashion Blog Awards! I'm nominated for "Best Personal Style," "Best Delivery of Personal Style," and "Best Use of Facebook"!! While you're there, check out a very talented group of St. Louis area fashion bloggers!

Fall 2013 Fashion Trends: It IS Easy Being Green

Green, green, and more green...

Pants:  The Limited (Sold out on-line; available in stores)
Blazer:  New York & Company (Similar here and here)
Purse:  Express

Runways were awash in a sea of greens this season.  Emerald, moss, forest, and even the occasional mint were spotted on fall runways.

Since green is my probably my favorite color, this is good news for me!  I'm hoping to find a broader selection of green options to add to my closet this fall.

The military trend (more coming soon) brought a lot of lichen, moss, and olive greens; however, as Pantone's color of the year, emerald green continues to be quite popular (see more here).

Chadwick Bell Fall 2013 look
Source:  Style.com

Monique Lhuillier Fall 2013 look
Source:  MarieClaire.com

Prabal Gurung Fall 2013 look
Source:  Style.com

Color trends are often the easiest way for those inclined to incorporate trends into one's wardrobe.

I recently nabbed these green pants from The Limited and paired them with older pieces that I already had in my wardrobe.

Blouse:  The Limited
Necklace:  Forever 21
Bracelets:  Target, The Limited, Claire's
Shoes:  Target (Similar here)

Do you like the color green?  Does the popularity of a color have any bearing on your clothing selections?

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

Pssst.....Please don’t forget to vote here every day for Style Cassentials in the Saint Louis Fashion Blog Awards! I'm nominated for "Best Personal Style," "Best Delivery of Personal Style," and "Best Use of Facebook"!! While you're there, check out a very talented group of St. Louis area fashion bloggers!