Printed Shorts in Redbook!!!

Today I bring you exciting news that I have been anxiously waiting to share! 

In April, I was contacted by Redbook magazine about being featured in an upcoming issue of the magazine.  I was told that I needed an image wearing printed shorts for their August 2013's "Real Style" feature. 

I sent in several images in a few different printed shorts outfits, and this is the one they chose:

Shorts:  The Limited (No longer available; Similar here)
Blouse:  The Limited (Available here)

Page 77, August 2013 issue, courtesy of Redbook Magazine

 The runners-up here and below:

This one and the one below were my favorites!!

Blazer:  The Limited
Clutch:  The Limited

Heels:  Target (Available here)
Bracelets:  Target

Peplum top:  Forenza by The Limited
Blazer:  The Limited (Available here)

Earrings:  Target
Bracelets:  Target, The Limited

I am so over the moon about being contacted by Redbook.  While I would be excited about any national feature, I love that Redbook takes a very affirmative approach to including women of various shapes, sizes, and ethnic identities in their magazine.  It's an honor to be included in a magazine that appreciates the diversity of female beauty.  In my opinion, women's magazines, including Redbook, have a long way to go towards full inclusion, but Redbook stands as a shining example that the tide is changing.  It's so fulfilling to be part of their trailblazing efforts!

It's also ironic that the feature was on shorts - I have just started to break out of my shorts-phobia.  Shorts would not have been my first choice for my first major feature, but in the end, I think it was perfect! So many women that I know hate shorts and refuse to wear them because they don't think they're flattering or they are embarrassed of their thighs.  Not too long ago, I was one of those women! 

If you like the look of shorts but have been held back by self-doubt, it's time to challenge those fears and rock those legs!!!    :-D

For the ivory blazer in other looks, see here, here, and here.
For the peplum top in other looks, see here.
For the navy blazer in other looks, see here, here, here, and here.

A Shorts Story

Over the weekend, we took the kids to our local zoo, and this is what I wore:

Blazer:  LOFT Petites (Available here)
Shorts:  Torrid (Similar here)

The weather was perfect for walking around, and it was so fun watching my five-year-old squeal with delight at seeing all the animals.  :-)

James Dean t-shirt (Torrid here)
Shoes:  Kohl's (kids) (Available here)

Every time I say I'm not a fan of a certain trend or specific look, I find myself giving it a try (or three) and end up liking or even loving it. 

For example, I hated skinny pants and jeans on myself when they first came out and thought that I would never be a fan.  Now, I can't seem to get enough of them!

I've never been a big fan of shorts, no matter my size.  I always think they are riding up and have never found them as flattering as pants or skirts/dresses.

Purse:  Target (Available here)

This spring, I've seen so many cute shorts that I've been more willing to give them a try.  I also always find myself desperately seeking more breezy options come mid-July, and shorts are perfect for casual outdoor activities.  

These denim Bermuda shorts are super easy.  They have just the right amount of distressing, and because they are a longer, more fitted short, I don't get the dreaded ride-up issue.

Bracelets:  Target, Express, The Limited, H&M

I added a James Dean tee and seersucker blazer.  I love how the blazer dresses up the ultra casual jean shorts and tee.

This outfit has a tomboyish feel, but I added feminine details with the rope sandals, v-neck line, and bracelets.

It was perfect for a fun day at the zoo!!

For these shorts in another look, see here.

Wonder Woman

Something about this outfit reminds me of Wonder Woman.  I think it's a combination of the gold hardware, the red, and just how powerful I feel in this look.

Dress:  New York & Company (Similar here and here)

I wore my peplum dress with a red blazer and added in black and gold accessories.

Jacket:  The Limited (Sold out on-line, may be available in stores; Similar here)

I feel super put-together in this look and ready to take on the world.  RAAAAWWWWWWRRRRRR!

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

Do you have an outfit that makes you feel powerful?  What makes you feel like a superhero?

Purse:  Express (Similar here)
Ring:  LOFT (Similar here)

For this dress in other looks, see here, here, and here.
To see this blazer styled differently, see here.

Spring 2013 Fashion Preview: Color-palooza!

The mercury may be in the teens, but I am having a major case of spring fever, so today, I mixed last spring's bubblegum pink blazer with a mint top.

Jacket:  The Limited (Similar here and here)
Top:  New York & Company (Available here)

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

Color is always popular on Spring runways, and this spring is no exception.

Emerald is the color of the year, but spring's major color trends include all of the following:

Spring 2013 Color Trends,
Source:  www.pantone.com

I'm particularly loving the primary shades of poppy, lemon, and blue.

One of the big color trends for spring was a monochromatic color statement:

Gucci Spring 2013 look
Source:  www.harpersbazaar.com

I don't see myself in quite so much of one color, but I would definitely rock a dress with a matching jacket such as the look below.

I'm in LOVE with this seafoam green look from Donna Karan!  I love the soft muted color and the floaty feel.

Donna Karan Spring 2013 look
Source:  www.fashionista.com

More of my favorite colorful looks from the Spring runways:

Diane Von Furstenburg Spring 2013 look
Source:  www.dvf.com

Diane Von Furstenburg Spring 2013 look
Source:  www.dvf.com

Do you like to wear a lot of color in the Spring?  Would you wear a colorful monochromatic look?

Burgundy Velvet x Two

Today's blog is a bit of a two-for-one.  I'm featuring two looks from this week featuring red velvets.

The first look pairs a burgundy velvet jacket with skinny black tuxedo pants and burgundy heels.

Blazer:  New York & Company
Blouse:  Old Navy
Pants:  The Limited (Similar here)

Satchel:  The Limited (Sold out on-line)
Shoes:  Target (Available here)
Earrings:  The Limited (Sold out on-line)
Bracelet:  eBay (Similar here)

The second pairs dark red velvet pants with an eyelash peplum top for a casual romantic look.

Pants:  The Limited (Available here)
Blouse:  LOFT Petites (Sold out on-line; see here)
Blazer:  The Limited (Available here)

Boots:  Payless
Bracelet:  The Limited

Velvet is such a great winter fabric.  It adds texture to your outfit and keeps you warm at the same time!

Do you like wearing velvet?

Complementary Colors

Today, my look is inspired by a small fashion spread in the recent issue of one of my many fashion magazines (though for the life of me, I couldn't find the article again).  The spread showed burgundy mixed with forest green in looks that I found very fresh. 

Dress:  LOFT Petites (Available here)
Blazer:  New York & Company (Similar here)

Purse:  The Limited (old)
Boots:  Payless (old) (Similar here)

I was planning on wearing this before Christmas, but my bout with the flu kept that from happening.  Burgundy mixed with forest green is a slightly unexpected take on the traditional Christmas color combination.  

Necklace:  New York & Company

Tights:  Target (Similar here)

Thankfully, this outfit still works after Christmas because the look isn't "themed" and burgundy and forest are complementary shades that work well in fall and winter.    

Would you wear red and green together?

See this blazer styled differently here and here.
For more on the burgundy trend, see here.

Workaday Elegance

Happy Thursday!!

Blouse:  LOFT Petites (Available here)
Blazer:  Gap (old) (Similar: here)

Today, I paired my outfit around this lace peplum top.  I added wide leg trousers and a black velvet peplum jacket for an elegant vintage-inspired look.

I kept the accessories minimal to let the shapes and textures of this outfit be the show.

Pants:  Express Editor wide leg trousers (old) (Similar here)

Jacket:  Back view

Shoes:  Target (old)
Tote:  The Limited (Similar here)

For more on the peplum and lace trends, see here

Purple polish

Happy Thursday, everyone!  Hope you all had a wonderful day!

Blazer:  The Limited (Similar here)
Blouse:  Target (Similar here)
Ring:  The Limited (old) (Similar here)

Today, I mixed eggplant purple with black and grey for one of my favorite fall color combinations.

Pants:  The Limited (Sold out online, see here)
Shoes:  Target

I was excited to add this fun pewter fringe clutch that I recently unburied.  I thought I must have given it away, but I was pleasantly surprised to find it stuffed away in a drawer.It also has a fun story.  A few years ago, I won a national design/styling contest offered by The Limited.  My prize was a $2000 shopping spree and a trip to Miami, FL to shop with The Limited's VP of Design.  This clutch was one of my picks.

I love that it gives my work look just the slightest rock-and-roll vibe.  The blouse and clutch both have subtle python textures.

Clutch:  The Limited (old) (Similar here)
Necklace:  Express (old)

Do you have any favorite fall color combinations?

Blazer styled differently here and here
Blouse styled differently here

Crying Foulard

Traditional menswear-inspired fabrics and looks were very popular on fall runways.  Personally, I love this trend as I enjoy mixing feminine and masculine pieces in my wardrobe.

Jacket:  The Limited (Available here)
Pants:  The Limited (Similar here)
Clutch:  1980s Vintage

This foulard (pronounced fu-lard) print jacket takes traditional men's tie fabric and turns it into a versatile lightweight blazer.

Purse Necklace:  1960s Vintage Judith Leiber
Bracelets:  World Market; The Limited
Rings:  H&M (Available in stores)

The flowy blouse and heels keep the look feminine, and I like the mix of burgundies and reds in the shoes, blazer, and heels.  

I do think the top was a little long for the jacket, making the look a little sloppy.  Next time, I would wear this jacket with a shorter or tucked-in top.

Blouse:  Gap
Tank:  Target (Similar here)
Shoes:  Target (Similar here)

Would you wear the menswear trend?

Daytime Champagne

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

Today, I decided to wear my champagne tuxedo blazer and paired my outfit around this jacket.

I bought this blazer to wear for New Year's last year, and I love dressing it up with sparkles and sequins.  

Pants:  The Limited (Similar here)
Necklace:  Target (Available in stores)
Shoes:  Target (old)

Blouse:  Target
Bracelets:  Claire's, Unknown
Zodiac rings:  H&M (Available in stores)

 For a more professional look, I opted for a Peter Pan collar trapeze-style top from last summer.  In my opinion, sheer fabrics are not appropriate in the workplace, so I layered a black tank under the blouse for modesty.

Tank:  Old Navy (Similar here)

Not to change the subject, but I'm watching Project Runway as I type this.  Anyone else LOVE this show?

Laid-back Polish

Hi everyone! I'm back from vacation.  

Blazer (Available:  New York & Company blazer)
Bag:  New York & Company (Similar:  Silk Elements)
Bracelet - Left Hand (Available:  The Limited)

I hope you enjoyed my picks out of the Fall 2012 runway trends.  

My advice on trends:

• Stay true to yourself:  Don't buy something just because it's trendy.  I used to dress trendier when I was younger, but now, I buy clothing that suits my personality and my body type.  Being in my 30s, I'm more comfortable in my own skin and more attuned to what looks good on my body type. I only featured Fall 2012 trends that I like and would actually wear.  For example, 70s geometric print suits were shown by Prada and other designers on fall runways (See look here).  I prefer a much more classic look and will definitely be skipping that trend.  Picking a few looks or ideas from each season's trends keeps your look current and modern, but helps keep your style uniquely you.
• Don't break the bank:  Style isn't about running out every season and buying a whole new wardrobe, which is great because most of us can't afford to do that.  The key to great style is to learn how to wear what's already in your closet in new ways.  If you have the means, add a few trendier pieces to your wardrobe each season.  Accessories are a relatively inexpensive way to update your look each season.
• Break the rules:  Personal style and fashion should be fun.  While I focus a lot on finding flattering fits, sometimes girls just wanna have fun!  If you're in love with a new color, print, or cut, even if it's not the most practical or flattering, I say go for it!  It's important not to take yourself too seriously (I'm working on this :-D).  Loving your look will make you feel great, and your confidence will shine through!

Now for today's look:

Not quite ready to end my vacation, I wanted to wear something that was easy and laid-back but still polished.  I chose an all black look topped with a light pink blazer for a little color.  I finished the look with silver jewelry.

Silver collar necklace:  New York & Company
Tank:  Old Navy (Similar:  Old Navy)
Crossover top:  The Limited
Pants:  The Limited (Similar: The Limited)

Bracelet (Available:  The Limited)

What's your view of trends?  

What do you wear for work when you want something easy but still want to look put together?