12 Days of Holiday: New Year's Eve Sparkle

I'm not sure what I'll be wearing for New Year's Eve yet, but this is one outfit idea.

Skirt:  Forever 21+ (Similar here)
Blazer:  The Limited (Available here)

I love the mix of metallics, and I'm a sucker for sparkle.

I'm absolutely loving this faux leather envelope skirt from Forever 21+.  

Tank:  Gap (old)

Tights:  The Limited (Available here)

Unfortunately, it's a little too big and longer than I'd like it to be, so I'm not sure it's a keeper.  Some items can be easily altered, but this skirt may be more trouble and costly than it's worth.  On bottom, I am typically a 10-12 in misses/straight sizing.  Being bigger on top, blouses, sweaters, and dresses from F21 usually fit great.  The junior plus-size fit gives me perfect proportions in those items. 

Bracelets:  LOFT (Available here, here, and here)

This is my first attempt at buying a bottom from the store, and I am wondering if their bottoms fit more like traditional plus-size 12 vs. straight size 12.  I can only get F21+ on-line, and I don't want to keep attempting buying skirts or pants if they are very unlikely to fit. Anyone know how the sizing of bottoms generally compares to straight sizing?

Clutch:  The Limited
Boots:  Fergaliciious by Fergie (Available here)

Will you be wearing sparkle this New Year's?

For this blazer in another look, see here.
For this top in another look, see here.

Rocking Tweed

Happy Tuesday, everyone!

Hope you all had a wonderful start to your week.  My work week is short this week with the Thanksgiving holiday, for which I'm very thankful!

Yesterday, I gave my tweed jacket a slight rock-n-roll feel that I think still felt professional enough for my business casual workplace.

Blouse: LOFT Petites (Available here)
Pants:  The Limited (Similar here)
Jacket:  Gap (old)

Black or blush pumps might have worked better for the office, but I have been having a love affair with boots (and subtle rock-n-roll inspiration) this fall. 

Besides, I really wanted to wear my new booties.

Boots:  Fergie by Fergalicious (Available here)
Clutch:  The Limited (Available here)

I finally used my Famous Footwear gift card I received from Brown Shoe (details here) on these Fergalicious by Fergie faux suede and leather booties. The height is super comfortable thanks to a hidden platform.  Thanks to wide and thick feet, they are slightly tight (especially on my larger left foot), but otherwise, they're a great boot for work or weekends.  Unfortunately, finding any shoes that fit my feet properly is harder than finding a needle in that proverbial haystack...so I make do.

These boots did not come in wide-width, so if you have very wide feet, these may not work.

Necklace:  The Limited (Available here)
Bracelets: LOFT (Available here and here)

The faux leather tuxedo stripe, bold necklace, and glittery accents add to the rock-n-roll feel, while the tweed and soft pink color help strike a more conservative balance.

Are you a fan of booties or do you prefer another type of shoe/ boot?  Would you wear an outfit like this to work?

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

Playful Patterns

Hi everyone, and happy Friday!!!

Dress:  LOFT

I hope today's look puts a smile on your face because it certainly does mine! 

As most of you probably know by now, black and white is my favorite color combo and I love mixed prints.

Cardigan:  Torrid

Shoes:  Target (old)

The fit and flare shape of the dress and red peep-toe heels lend the look a retro vibe.

I only wore this outfit long enough for pictures, but I would definitely wear it to a bridal or baby shower or for another fun or festive occasion.

Clutch:  The Limited

And because joy is so often found in play...

Have a great weekend everyone!!  :-D

For this dress in another look, see here.

Dress Week: Mixing Decades

Happy Saturday, everyone!

We have been having a lot of 90+ degree days lately.  This season, I am forcing myself to dress for the season and rid myself of the constant need for cardigans and blazers, at least when I'm not at work in my chilly office.

Tunic:  Forever 21+ (Available here)

In the past, I would have thrown a cardigan over this look, even in the height of a balmy Midwestern summer.

Today's look has a modern appeal but references the 1920s and 1940s.  

I am completely inspired by the 1920s.  The decade was such an amazing period of progress and change for women's political and social rights in this country.  With the social changes came a change in fashion.  I really can't get enough of 1920s fashion - so beautiful and interesting.  The dropped waist of this dress and bead necklace is a subtle nod to the flapper era.

With World War II in full swing, the 1940s also brought about a lot of change for women as women were told it was their patriotic duties to join the paid labor force and support the war efforts.  This decade led to war-time rationing, and the fashion of that decade also reflected those changes.  These color blocked bow heels give reference to 1940s fashion.

Necklace:  The Limited (old)
Clutch:  Target

Shoes:  eBay (Available here)
Bow earrings:  The Limited (Similar here)

Mixing fashion from two decades that brought such major change for women feels modern, fun, and just a little bit quirky!

Ring:  LOFT

Do you like wearing vintage or vintage-inspired fashion?  What fashion periods do you find inspiring?

For this tunic/dress in another look, see here

The Dark Side of the Sun

Hope everyone had a fabulous weekend! 

Pants:  The Limited Black Collection (old)
Blazer:  The Limited Black Collection (old) (Similar here)

Today's look is the epitome of my style - simple black, somewhat androgynous pieces, mixed with a few unique or trendier touches.  

To mix the look up and give the outfit a sexier and cooler vibe, I added in an on-trend cropped bustier top and neon yellow pumps. 

Top:  Target (Similar here)
Shoes:  Target (Available here)

Belt:  Express Men (old) + older buckle
Clutch:  Target (Similar here)

Finishing off this look, I added a sun-buckled belt, bangles, and crystal dangly earrings.  

I love the little pops of yellow on the top and the pumps which bring it out.  The silver sun is cool in contrast to the warm golds, oranges, and yellows that typically make me think of sunlight. 

Earrings:  Prabal Gurung for Target
Bracelets:  Express and The Limited

In astronomy, the dark side of the sun refers to the area of the sun that we don't usually see.  Here, it refers to the cooler/darker color combination and a side of me you don't usually see.

In a continued effort towards complete self-love and self-acceptance, I find myself reaching for pieces that only a few months ago would have been outside of my comfort zone.  As much as I loved the midriff trend, I wasn't sure it was for me. 

I'm 35, and I wore cropped tops back in my early twenties.  Was I too old to wear this trend again? 

I also don't have the same tummy that I did in my twenties.  Was I simply too fat to wear the trend?

At the end of the day, my love of fashion has won out against any self-doubt.  My artistic spirit has conquered my critical one. 

To paraphrase Neil Armstrong, that's one small step for womankind, one giant leap for this woman.   :-)

More looks with this blazer here, here, here, here, here, and here.
To see matching skirt in other looks, see here and here.

Sun and Sky

Hi everyone!

Hope you all had a great day!  Things are pretty frenzied at work right now, so I'm doing my best to squeeze in new blog posts.

Pants:  The Limited (Sold out in blue; Available in navy and black here)
Blouse:  The Limited (Available here)

Today's featured look is inspired by the summer sky and sun.

I paired blue pants with an off-white blouse and white blazer.  I added a yellow clutch for a pop of sunny color.

Blazer:  The Limited (old)
Shoes:  Target (old)

Clutch:  The Limited (Available here)
Necklace:  The Limited (Available here)

I added grey heels and silver and blue jewelry to finish off the look.

I love simple, streamlined looks like this for work during the summer.  The pieces are easy and comfortable, the colors light and airy.

Bracelets:  Target and The Limited

How do you make your work wardrobe more summer friendly?

To see these pants styled differently, see here, here, here, and here
To see this blouse in other looks, see here and here
For this blazer in other looks, see here, here, here, here, and here

Spring Romance

Happy Friday, everyone!

Jacket:  Forenza  by The Limited (Available here)

Today's look is inspired by the colors of spring.    Before getting my ivory tulle skirt made, I bought this skirt off Etsy.  It's not as dramatic or as fun as the ivory skirt, but because it's not as fluffy, it's probably a little more wearable for everyday.

Skirt:  Etsy (Similar here)

I paired the aqua skirt with my blue moto jacket and added an ivory tank.

Earrings:  Gift
Tank:  The Limited (Sold out on-line; may be available in stores)

I really wasn't thrilled with the camel heels with this outfit.  I've been looking for a pair of metallic strappy heels that fit my feet for a couple of years now, and I wish I had some because they would definitely work much better with this look.

Clutch:  The Limited (old)
Bangles:  Target, The Limited, Express

That said, I still really like this outfit.  It's very soft, but the coral/gold clutch and biker jacket give the outfit a slightly harder edge. 

I hope you don't mind the prop today.  Taking pictures with the coral rose felt a little cheesy, but when I realized how perfectly this gorgeous rose matched my clutch, I couldn't resist.  :-)

Shoes:  Target (old)

Would you wear aqua, royal blue, and coral together?

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

Zesty Lemon and Lace

I love unexpected pieces that pop into my life.  

Pants:  The Limited (Sold out in navy on-line; Available in black here)
Lace tunic:  Forever 21+ (Available  here)

I was very excited to find this lace top from Forever 21+  It's long enough to wear as a dress (once I find a suitable lining), but I also love it over skinny pants.

Jacket:  The Limited (Available here)
Tank:  Target (Available in other colors )

Remember how I said that petite girls have to be careful not to go too long with tops?  Tops that hit mid to upper-thigh are a no-no (unless you really love them, and then, do whatever you want!).  I think a knee-length top like is a different story.  It works here because the pants are kept narrow.

I threw on my lemon yellow faux leather jacket and added a clutch, and I was good to go!  

To see these pants styled differently, see here, here, here, and here.
For this jacket in other looks, see here and here.

Easter Teal

This Easter, I decided to get more dressed up than usual.  Usually holidays are casual affairs in my family, but I felt like wearing my new teal eyelet dress.

Dress:  Old Navy (Available here)

I really like the fit and flare shape of this dress.  Super fun and flattering!
I love bright greens and yellow together, so I paired my dress with neon yellow heels and matching necklace.

Necklace:  The Limited (Available here)

Shoes:  Target (Available here)
Bangle bracelet:  Target (old)

I have this clutch that I haven't used in years.  The brown color is a nice contrast to the bright colors

Clutch:  Loeffler Randall for Target (old) (Available here)

Hope you all had a great day, and again, Happy Easter to those who celebrate!!

Fit to be tie-dyed

Today's evening look is more casual than yesterday's artsy date night outfit.

Blouse:  Target Petites (Available here)
Jeans:  Torrid (Available here)

I would wear an outfit like this for a casual evening out.  It would be perfect for going out to the movies or to a bar.

I love the bold color pop of the top.  The tie-dye jeans are slightly bohemian, which I love.   

Shoes:  Payless
Clutch:  The Limited (old) (Similar here)

Necklace:  Target (Similar here)
Bracelet:  The Limited (old)
Rings:  Purchased at local jewelry shows

Paired with the fringed purse and necklace, the outfit has a casual rock-n-roll vibe.

What would you wear for a casual evening out?  

Like me on Facebook and show me your favorite going-out looks!

To see this blouse in another look, see here.

Beads and Citrine

Happy Monday, everyone!!

In the spirit of spring, bright colors continue this week. Today, I am pairing a citron faux leather jacket with neutral pieces.

Jacket:  The Limited (Available here)
Pants:  The Limited (Available in other colors here)
Earrings:  The Limited (old)

The tan silky top has pretty beading at the neckline which means you can skip a necklace. I opted to accessorize with only a pair of earrings and a turquoise ring to not overly compete with the beading.

Blouse:  The Limited (Available here)
Turquoise ring:  Target

The taupe and citron color blocked clutch completes the look.

Clutch:  The Limited (old)

Do you know those amazing photo shoots where the model's hair is blowing perfectly in the wind?

Well in my perfectly imperfect world, the wind was blowing, but my hair was going in literally EVERY direction.  I apologize for the cropped/cut pics today, but they were better than the hair!  (grumble, grumble)  ;-D
Hope you all had a great day!

Gaga for Lady Gaga

Coated denim jeans:  Target (Available here)
Top:  The Limited (old)

Happy Sunday, everyone!  Hope you're all having a great day!!!

Last night's Lady Gaga concert was ahhhh-maaaaaaaa-zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzing!!!!!  I had so much fun and am so in love with her artistry and her messages of individualism, self-acceptance, and tolerance.

I knew I wanted a wild look that was very different than my day-to-day.  While I didn't want to get too extreme with my clothes, I loved the idea of going all out with my hair and make-up.

Earring (left ear):  Express
Feather earring (right ear):  Claire's (Available here)

Crystals:  Hot Topic

My sister's a hair dresser and helped me create this fun mohawk with a slight pompadour front.  

I did my own make-up, playing around with the idea of a futuristic hybridization of cultures with the bindhi and Kabuki-inspired lip.

Thank you to everyone who voted for my concert outfit.  

Unfortunately, I didn't get a ton of votes for what to wear, so I went with the votes that I got, but made some changes based on my needs for the night.

Look #1 was the unanimous winner:

Jacket/cardigan:  Converse One Star for Target
Top:  The Limited (Available here)

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

Shoes:  Payless
Necklace:  eBay (Similar here)
Bracelets:  Torrid, The Limited (Similar here)

It was cold outside, but I didn't want to deal with a coat at the concert, so I decided to swap the cardigan for the blazer from Look #3 for a little more coverage and warmth.  I also opted for an assymetrical sequin top as I preferred the scoopneck of the tank with the blazer.

As much as this overall look was forged out of the desire to play dress-up, I have always loved mohawk-styled looks on women and have always wanted to try it.  This look is as much "me" as any other.  Having so much fun with this look inspires me to try out an edgier cut/style with my hair.

Would you ever try out a mohawk?