Black Pants for Work: Subtle Details

I work in a conservative business casual office setting.  It can be hard to stay true to my personal style while still keeping my outfits work-appropriate.  I feel like I spend most of my waking hours in office clothes, so it's a constant challenge to me to find a way around the restrictiveness of work dress codes.  I try to find ways of keeping my office looks interesting with fun details and subtle design.  

Today, I'm starting a series on a wardrobe workhouse for many of us - black pants.

Pants:  New York & Company Petites (Similar here)
Blouse:  The Limited (Available here)

Black pants are my go-to work staple.  I practically live in them, and a week doesn't go by in the winter where I'm don't wear black pants at least once or twice.  I think I like them because they seem less stodgy than tan or grey might.  Black pants can get a little boring though, so I am always looking for ways to keep them interesting with details like the satin tuxedo stripe on these trousers.

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

Boots:  Target (Available here)

The ivory blazer has a subtle herringbone design that complements the floral pattern on this satin bow blouse.

Floral is not usually the first pattern for which I reach, but I loved this blouse at first sight. The floral pattern has a slight Asian influence, and the color combination of orange, black, tan, and ivory is lovely.

Bracelets:  World Market, Express
Earrings:  The Limited

Do you have a work dress code?  Do you ever get bored with your work clothes?  How important are black pants in your wardrobe?

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

Snow and Sable

Happy Friday, everyone!

Hope you all are starting to thaw if you were in the areas affected by the polar vortex.  It is expected to be in the mid-40s in my parts today - downright balmy after this week's sub-zero temperatures!

Today's outfit is perfect for winter evenings.  

I love wearing velvet in the wintertime.  A velvet suit is luxurious simplicity to me, and the soft fabric feels cozy in the chilly temps.  

Pants:  The Limited (Similar here)

Blazer:  New York & Company (Available here)
Bracelet:  The Limited (old)

I love the simplicity of this look so much that I kept accessories to a minimum and pulled my hair back to echo the streamlined feel.

A black bra or camisole underneath the suit provides a sexy underpinning and maintains the clean lines.

Bra:  Playtex (Available here)
Clutch:  The Limited (Similar here)

Shoes:  Target (Available here)
Earrings:  The Limited (Similar here)

SNOW!!!

Would you wear a velvet suit?

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

Stay warm, my friends.

12 Days of Holiday: New Year's Cocktail

Sometimes New Year's Eve calls for more formal attire. 

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

Sparkly dresses are great, but I love black dresses for the clean slate they provide.  This one-shoulder dress is different for me, but I was attracted to it as I think it can be worn in a variety of ways.  

To create a cocktail look, I added a few sparkly sunburst brooches and metallic belt.  I mixed gold and silver here with a pop of rhinestones to add more formality.  

Heels:  Simply Vera by Vera Wang

Clutch:  New York & Company (Available in black here)

The brooch on the shoulder actually came with the dress (it's removable), and I added the other brooch to my belt to create more visual interest.  I have been looking for some pretty brooches for a while, so I was excited to find these as part of Eva Mendes' collaboration with New York & Company.

Earrings:  Torrid
Brooch:  Eva Mendes by New York & Company (Available here)

Belt:  Torrid

This dress is too long, and I haven't had a chance to alter it yet.  I used the belt to create an asymmetrical look that added a bit of drape as well.

After some consideration, we plan on staying in with the kids for New Year's, so my look will be decidedly more casual than cocktail attire, but it's fun to play around with sparkly champagne looks!  :-)

Ring:  The Limited (Available here)

Hope you all have a safe and healthy New Year's Eve!!!  My last holiday post up soon!

12 Days of Holiday: Gilded Brocade

Hope you all have been having a fabulous weekend!

Today's look is what I wore to my office holiday party this past Friday.

Pants:  LOFT Petites (Available here)

I love these brocade pants.  They have a subtle shine without being too ostentatious, and I'm having fun imagining ways to dress them down for everyday work wear.

For the party, I decided to dress these fancy pants up with a velvet blazer, heels, and a scarf tied into a big floppy bow tie.

Blazer:  New York & Company (Available here)

Blouse:  Old Navy (old)
Scarf:  LOFT (Available here)

I had an image in my head of this outfit, and this is an instance where I used tailoring to get a look that was close to my vision.

When I first tried these straight leg pants, I looked like all thigh.  They were very unflattering, and I was sure that I was going to have to keep searching to get the look I wanted.  

Heels:  Target (Available here)
Clutch:  Jason Wu for Target (Available on ebay here)

Bracelets, right hand:  Torrid and The Limited (Available here and here)

After having the pants pinned to a slimmer fit, I realized that they would work.  Tapering pants legs is a relatively simple and inexpensive alteration, and since these are special pants not easily found everywhere, I found tailoring to be worth the cost.  The legs were tapered to create more of a skinny fit, and I got the look for which I was hoping after all!

Bracelet, left hand:  Vintage (Similar here)
Earrings:  Torrid (Similar here)

What would you wear to an office holiday party?

Singin' the Blues: Cobalt and Cognac

Blue was a huge trend on fall runways, and cobalt was everywhere!

I've always considered green my favorite color since early high school, but in the last few years, I think cobalt has replaced it.  It is such a vibrant color, and it looks amazing with so many other colors.

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

Shoes:  Target (old)

For some reason, I usually pair this particular blazer with black and white.  I don't wear a lot of browns, and I never really considered mixing cognac with cobalt, but I decided to give it a try.

I'll admit that I prefer cobalt with black, white, or grey (and a ton of other colors), but I don't mind this color mix and it's nice to try something new once in a while.

Tote:  Target (5+ years old)

Bracelets:  The Limited (Available here)

I love trapeze dresses, but they are super tricky to wear if you're curvy and petite.  The longer length blazer helps tone down some of the volume of the dress, making it a little more work-appropriate as well as a little more flattering.

Necklaces:  The Limited and Target (Available in silver here and available here)

Do you like trapeze dresses?  What shade of blue is your favorite to wear?

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

Sweater Season

If you follow my blog, then you know I love jackets, but I wear very few cardigans and sweaters.  

Pants:  The Limited (Available in other colors on-line here)

 I just tend to find most sweaters boring and a little too classic for my taste.   For me, the basic cardigan usually feels too conservative while most attempts at adding additional details and flair leave me cold.

Sweater:  New York & Company (Similar styles here and here)

Blouse:  The Limited

I'm always looking for more unique knitwear because I do love the softness that sweaters provide.  I am definitely drawn to oversized sweaters - grandpa/boyfriend cardigans, cocoon sweaters, etc.  Maybe it's just the desire for comfort and warmth when the temps drop, but I always seem to opt for big cozy sweaters.

I love this tweed sweater coat because of its interesting shape.  The faux leather trim adds a cool detail that makes this sweater feel a little more polished and less casual than most oversized sweaters.

Tote:  New York & Company (Similar here)
Shoes:  Target

Ring:  Target

Do you prefer sweaters or jackets?  What shapes and styles of sweaters do you like best?

For this sweater in another look,see here.
For this blouse in other looks, see here and here.
For these pants in another look, see here.

Easy Edge

On Sunday, my mom, the older kids, and I went to the DaVinci Machines Exhibition currently in St. Louis (see more here).

The exhibit was fascinating, and I learned a lot about DaVinci that I never knew.  The fact that the man was a beyond brilliant visionary is apparent, but also yay to the fact that he was a pacifist and a vegetarian!

Tank:  The Limited (Available here)
Pants:  New York & Company (Similar here)

I wanted to be comfortable and wear these sweatpant-like pants.  I was thinking of wearing a t-shirt, but it was most definitely laundry day and nothing was clean.  I pulled this leopard tank out of the closet and grabbed my knit moto cardigan, and I had an outfit!

Cardigan:  Converse One Star for Target (old)
Tote:  The Limited (old)

Cuff:  New York & Company
Boots:  Payless

This outfit was super comfortable all day, and I love that it has a little edginess to it while being ultra casual.

I couldn't decide whether to the wear the pants legs pulled up or left down, but whenever I pulled them up, they fell down after a short time, so my decision was made for me!

For this shell in another look, see here.
For the cardigan in other looks, see here, here, here, here, and here. 

In the St. Louis area?  Check out Project: Design happening this Wednesday at Windows on Washington and help support emerging designers.  On Thursday, Industry Night is sure to please as local and runway designers are showcased, including Laura Kathleen!  

Get more info and purchase tickets here.

Wedged Between...

I can't decide how I feel about today's outfit.  I like each piece individually, but I'm not sure how well all of the pieces blend together as a cohesive look.

Skirt:  Torrid (old)
Blazer:  New York & Company (Similar here)

Maybe it's me, but the outfit seems a little disjointed?  The top and blazer say business, but the skirt and boots say casual.  The boots say fall, but the blouse and skirt in this particular outfit read a little more summer to me.

Tank:  Old Navy Petites (Similar here)
Blouse:  The Limited (Available here)

Boots:  Target (Similar here)
Clutch:  Target

Any one of these pieces could work in any season.  Any one of these pieces could go casual.  Somehow, together, the individual pieces seem a little mis-matched.  

Bracelets:  The Limited

What do you think?

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

Taste of Fall

Blouse:  New York & Company (Similar here and  here)
Blazer:  New York & Company Petites

I'm sooo ready for fall fashion, so lately, I've been incorporating more fall prints and colors into my clothing selections.

Pants:  The Limited (Similar here)
Tote:  New York & Company (Similar here)

Shoes:  Target (Available here)
Ring:  Earthbound Trading Company

The outfit blends a summery peachy pink with fall-ready houndstooth and burgundy heels for a fun and easy work look that has been perfect for the cool weather we have been having.

Earrings:  The Limited

Are you a fan of houndstooth print?

Stay tuned next week for the start of two full weeks of Fall 2013 Fashion Trends!

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

One Year Retrospective - My Favorite Posts

Hope all of you are having a wonderful day!

Today, I'm feeling retrospective and want to share with you my favorite posts from my first year of blogging. 

Here are my Top 15, in no particular order:

#1     Zesty Lemon and Lace
I chose this look because it looks so springy and is fairly versatile.  The tunic over the pants is a unique touch, and I love citrine yellow!

Zesty Lemon and Lace

#2     Ballerina Fantasies
My ballerina and fashion fantasies come to life?  What more can I say?

Ballerina Fantasies

#3     Adventures in Traveling:  Cape Cod, Massachussetts

I chose this post because I loved Provincetown, Massachussetts and because I NEVER thought that I would post a picture of myself in a bathing suit on the internet.  If it weren't for all the amazing and much braver bloggers of all shapes and sizes out there rocking such awesome swimwear, I would have never have had the courage to do this.  I'm learning to be much more unapologetic about my weight.  If people don't like what I've got going on...DON'T LOOK!  :-D

Adventures in Traveling: Cape Cod, Massachussetts

#4    Whimsy for Work

I love citrine. I love bow blouses. I love these black tuxedo pants. I love blazers.  I love mixing prints.  Lots of things I love rolled into one work outfit!

Whimsy for Work

#5     The Dark Side of the Sun

My current favorite outfit, I love everything about this outfit!  And I look HAWT!! ;-D

The Dark Side of the Sun

#6     Mod Squad
I really like mod-inspired prints, and I love this vintage purse necklace!!  Also, fashion for a cause...

Mod Squad

#7     Keep or Return?
I ultimately decided to return this dress because I just wasn't crazy about the print, but I loved how the pictures turned out for this post.  I also love how this dress fit - I really want to find something cut just like it, but in a more agreeable print or solid.  I felt very vintage pin-up, and I liked it! 

Keep or Return

#8     Tuxedo Redux
I love tuxedo-inspired fashion.  A LOT!  I think this watercolor print top is so pretty.  I bought it off eBay about three years ago, and it was too small.  I was so excited when it finally fit. 

Tuxedo Redux

#9     Gaga for Lady Gaga 
I had so much fun with my hair and make-up for a Lady Gaga concert.  It was fun to explore my more creative side and to show a side of my personality that work life (and laziness) do not usually allow me to show.

Gaga for Lady Gaga

#10     Tweed, Leather, and Volume
I love this tweed sweater.  It is like a super stylish Snuggie!!!  My sun belt made a rare appearance.  I love suns so much I have two sun tattoos! 

Tweed, Leather, and Volume

#11     Dress Week:  Coming Up Roses
I love few items of clothing more than a maxi dress.  This is an older one that I don't wear much because I didn't have it hemmed short enough so it requires me to wear some of my highest heels or wedges.  Usually when I wear a maxi dress, I prefer flat sandals for a comfortable casual outfit.  This dress makes me feel super tall though, and I find the overall fit to be very flattering in the usual sense.  I don't understand why some "experts" claim maxi dresses aren't a good choice for petites.  I personally find them elongating.  I also love that this print is different than many of the prints I usually see on maxi dresses.

Dress Week: Coming Up Roses

#12     Day-to-Night Dress Up
This outfit made me feel very chic and pulled together.  I really love this cool architectural web necklace.

Day-to-Night Dress Up

#13     Skirt Week:  Grrrrrrl Power!!
I did not choose this post for the outfit.  I like the outfit, but I don't love it.  The outfit was meant to illustrate my post about how one's various social statuses affect how one is perceived, including what one's clothing "means."

Skirt Week: Grrrrrrl Power!!

#14     The Yin and Yang of Dressing
I wasn't overly thrilled with this particular outfit, my hair, or how the pics turned out, but I love the idea behind this post. 

The Yin and Yang of Dressing

#15     Skirt Week:  Drama Queen
This outfit made me feel glamorous. The pieces are actually quite easy and can be worn much more casually.  I love the floatiness of this look.

Skirt Week: Drama Queen

And an honorable mention!

Loving Myself:  The Path to Self-Acceptance
This post was cleansing to my soul - it was everything I felt about my body or did out of body shame that I had been too embarrassed to share with all but a couple of people.  Putting it out to the public made me feel so much more authentic.  I felt like my secret was out.  I really hope that this post helped somebody, anybody in feeling a little bit better about their own bodies.  Developing self-awareness and an appreciation of the bodies in which we inhabit is a journey that will take many twists and turns, but it's a journey worth taking.

Loving Myself: The Path to Self-Acceptance

In reviewing my first year of posts, I see outfits I love, outfits that make me cringe, and outfits that are just so-so.  I think that's the nature of fashion.  Fashion and style changes, even within a year's time.  Also, if you are a fashion explorer, which I tend to be, you're bound to make some missteps along the way.

I think blogging has given me a better idea about what looks good on my body and what doesn't.  That has helped me to become a better, more consistent shopper in that I am more aware of what brands, cuts and styles look best on me.

That said, I don't always choose the most "flattering" option.  I love fashion and require a certain level of variety in my wardrobe or I become bored too quickly.  For the sake of fashion, fun, personal challenge, or even whim, I will sometimes make choices that do not make me look slimmer and taller - an idea that is relatively taboo in certain parts of the fashion world - especially for a short, chubby girl.

I have a hard time identifying or labeling my personal style.  I tend to be a "I know it when I see it" type of shopper and do not always consistently choose clothing from a certain style category (boho, preppy, edgy, goth, trendy, classic, etc.).

I do know that I always like black (everything seems chicer in black), blazers, layered looks (see blazers), tuxedos (see blazers), interesting textures, patterns and details, and a touch of edginess. 

Blogging has allowed me to explore my style more than I have in years.  After having my daughter five years ago, I gained a lot of weight and had to replace my entire wardrobe.  For several years, my wardrobe was much more basic and classic because I was trying to obtain the essentials and was learning how to dress a differently shaped body.  I was so ready to add more joy and personality to my wardrobe, and over the course of the last year, I have been doing just that.

What type of shopper are you?  Do you have a way of describing your personal style? 

Have you had fluctuations in your weight or changes in your body shape over time?  How has that affecting your shopping habits and clothing choices?

Stay tuned...Later this week, I'll be announcing some changes to my blog that I hope you will enjoy!

If you haven't entered my giveaway for a handmade tutu (adult or child), please hurry and do so...Contest ends August 1, 2013 at 11:59 p.m. CST).  Details here.