Blue and Burgundy

Today's look pairs blue and burgundy.  I love that this is a somewhat unexpected color combination but that it really works.  Since burgundy is such a deep, rich shade of red, it can really function as a neutral and work with many different colors.

Jacket:  The Limited (No longer available; see here)
Skirt:  The Limited (Similar here)

I would definitely wear this look to work.  The faux leather and studs add a little edge to the outfit, but the shapes and fit of the pieces and overall feel of the look are very work-appropriate.

Shell:  The Limited (Similar here)
Shoes:  Target (Available here)
Clutch:  The Limited

Earrings:  Express (Available here)
Bracelet:  Target
"Evil eye" ring:  H&M

Would you mix burgundy and blue? 

For this jacket in other looks, see here and here.
For this skirt in another look, see here.

Chiffon & Velvet

Hi everyone!
We've been having great weather the last few days, but today the temperature started to drop again.  When I left for work this morning, I skipped the scarf, but added it for the much cooler ride home.

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

Scarf:  New York & Company (Similar here)Purse: The Limited (Similar here)
Heels:  Target (Available here)

 I plan on getting this top hemmed as it's a bit too long (story of my life!).  I like that the ivory fabric and sheer chiffon neckline adds a bit of lightness to the overall look.

Blouse:  The Limited (Available here)
Earrings:  The Limited
Ring:  H&M

To see this blazer in another look, see here.

How's the weather where you live?  How do you adjust your wardrobe to the changing temps?

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.

Holiday Dressing

Stumped with what to wear for the holiday season's gatherings and festivities?

I love holiday fashion!  I would happily wear glitter, rhinestones, velvet, and lace almost every day of the week, especially when it's cold outside.

Here's a gathering of some of the outfits I've worn so far that would be perfect for holiday parties or gatherings.

Don't like all my black?  You could easily substitute red, burgundy, emerald, silver, gold, sapphire, or winter white in places where I'm wearing black.

Happy Holidays!!!

Winter Sparkle

Casual Festive

Velvet Ingenue

Tuxedo Styling

Channeling Chanel

Birthday Suit

I Vote for Sequins, Velvet, and Tweed

Party Time! Excellent!!!

Workaday Elegance

Pajama Party

Today's outfit reminds of classic men's pajamas.

Pants:  The Limited (Available here)
Blazer: The Limited (Available here)

I think of old velvet robes and printed silk button-down pajama tops.  I love the relaxed vibe of the look, but that it was still also put together enough for work.

Blouse:  New York & Company
Purse:  The Limited

I can't wait to style these velvet pants for the holidays.  I'm thinking that a sparkly top or sweater will be the perfect accompaniment for the festivities.

Shoes:  Target (Available here)
Necklace:  Gift (old)

A note on fit:  I had these pants hemmed, but unfortunately, I didn't get them hemmed short enough.  When pants are too long, not only do they look a little sloppy and unkempt (and could ruin the bottom of your pants), they can make short legs look even shorter, which I think they are doing here.  Nothing a quick trip back to the tailor can't fix!!!

For more on getting the right fit, see here.
For this blazer in another look, see here.

Tuxedo Styling

As much as I love embellishments, sometimes the simplicity of a simple tuxedo or suit is all you really need.

The tuxedo jacket and tuxedo striped pants create the look for which I was going.  

Blazer:  The Limited (Similar here and here)

Pants:  The Limited (No longer available on-line, see here)
Tank:  Target (Available here)

The simple knit tank keeps the suit from looking too evening.

Purse:  Express (Available here)
Heels:  Target (Available here)

To maintain the daytime look, I kept the jewelry simple and chose daytime shoes and handbag.

Bow earrings:  The Limited (old) (Similar here)

What is your personal style??  Casual? Business? Preppy? Bohemian? Evening?

Subtle Sparkle

Happy Monday everyone!  Hope you all had a great weekend.

Blouse:  The Limited (Available here)
Pants:  The Limited (Similar here)

I love a look with a little bit of edgy glamour.  One of my favorite things about the fall holiday season is definitely the fashion.  Fancy fabrics, embellishments, and sparkle - from Thanksgiving to New Year's, fashion is just a little more fun.

During the fall and winter months, I definitely opt for a lot of black, but mixing textures, silky fabrics, and embellishments keep me from getting bored.

Lace blazer:  The Limited (Similar here)

Today, I opted for a monochromatic look, adding in just a few small pops of color with burgundy heels and periwinkle nails.

Today's look was all about the subtle sparkle, mixing matte black pieces with glitter, gems, and rhinestones.  

Shoes:  Target (Available here)

Ring:  The Limited (old)
Nail polish:  Essie "Bikini So Teeny" and "Stroke of Brilliance" (Available at Target)

I chose hematite-colored rhinestone bow stud earrings, bangle, and this oversized bow ring.  The glittery nail polish adds a bit more sparkle.

Bangle:  Target (old)

The blouse adds extra embellishments, and the lace blazer adds a bit of texture.

Bow earrings:  Target (Available in stores; Similar here)
Purse:  New York & Company (Similar here)

It can be difficult to decide how much "holiday cheer" is acceptable in the work place.  Obviously, work place dress codes vary greatly.  I work in a fairly conservative field with a business casual dress code.  I probably push the envelope some days in regards to what's appropriate for my job, but I generally try to tow the line.
Do you like to dress up your work looks for the holidays?  How much sparkle do you think is "just right" for work?

I Vote for Sequins, Velvet, and Tweed

Hi everyone!  Hope everyone got out and voted today!

Jacket:  The Limited (Available here)
Pants:  The Limited (Available here)

Today, I selected my new velvet pants (see here) with my black bow-front blouse and this lovely tweed jacket.  I love the silver threads mixed sewn through the blazer and the unexpected silver sequin detail on the shoulders.  I also love the mix of textures and fabrics.

Blouse:  Old Navy
Ring:  The Limited (Available here)

Shoes:  Target (Available here)

My outfit today is very reminiscent of another recent outfit (see here).  I'm loving fun skinny black pants (tuxedo stripes, velvet, etc.) mixed with modern-looking tweed jackets.

I'm hunting for a light pink or mint top to wear with this jacket.  I love winter white mixed with pastels in the winter time.  

Bracelet:  The Limited (old)

Today, I kept the overall look neutral in black and ivory with just a subtle pop of color with the burgundy shoe.  I added a two-tone chain bracelet and a bow ring for a little feminine charm.

Purse:  New York & Company (Similar here)

Do you like mixing textures in your clothing?

Channeling Chanel

I've been waiting for the temperature to drop so that I could wear this tweed jacket.  It's one of my very favorite pieces.  I love the collarless design and the silver threads.

Jacket:  Gap
Blouse:  Old Navy (Similar here)

I love how the tweed jacket, bow front blouse, and quilted bag have a Chanel vibe.  I love the classic style of Chanel but can't afford the hefty price tags.

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

Chanel jacket (see more black tweed jackets)

My general view of designer fashion is that it's inspirational, but ultimately not worth the higher price tags.  I can be a little fickle in my fashion choices and like to change my wardrobe up regularly.  Also, unless the piece is truly high-quality enough to last for 20 years with regular usage, $2000 for a purse just isn't very rational,  maybe even a little immoral.

IF I ever decide to save up for a designer piece or hit the lottery, I would definitely choose to invest in a Chanel piece - a quilted bag or a tweed jacket.  I would go with black in a classic style like the jacket shown above so that it would get lifelong wear and hopefully be passed down as an heirloom to my daughter. 

Pants:  The Limited (Available here)

Do you have any favorite designers?  What's your take on high-end fashion?

More on Chanel's famous black tweed jacket here at The Guardian

Bracelet:  The Limited (Sold out online; see here)

Snakes on a Date

Happy Thursday, everyone!

Blazer:  New York & Company (Available here) (See blazer styled differently here)
Jeans:  The Limited (Available here)

Today's look is actually from last weekend.  The man and I had a rare movie night.  

We saw "Pitch Perfect" which was great.  I love fun and interesting female characters!

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

Since we weren't going anywhere formal, I kept the look simple with jeans a silky top.

Clutch:  The Limited
Shoes:  Target (Available here)

I LOVE snake jewelry, and I mixed my fun snake ring with a colorful python clutch.  

There's something so sensual and subtly sexy about a snake crawling around your fingers that makes a ring like this perfect for a date.

Ring:  The Icing (Available in stores)

 What do you like to wear on casual dates?

Indian Summer Polkadots

Hi everyone!

As much as I love fall fashion, I was starting to mourn the loss of bare legs.  Thankfully, our cool fall temperatures were replaced by a high of 81 degrees today, so I seized the opportunity to go without tights for at least one more day.  

Dress:  The Limited (Similar here)
Cardigan:  Converse One Star by Target (Available in grey here)

I paired my polkadot dress with my motorcycle-style cardigan and added burgundy patent leather heels.

Tote:  The Limited (Similar here)

I love the mix of the ultra-feminine dress and the cardigan with just a touch of attitude.

The burgundy heels keep the look from looking too summery.

Zodiac Rings:  H&M (Available in stores)

Heels:  Target (Available here)

When it's cold out, what do you miss most about Spring/Summer fashion?