Foulard and Gold Details

 Hi everyone! 

Hope you all have been having a great weekend.  I'm sitting on the couch vegging, getting ready to watch the Golden Globes, nursing yet ANOTHER virus!  Hope you are staying healthy and feeling well.

Jeans:  The Limited (Similar here and here)
Clutch:  The Limited (Available here)

Blazer:  The Limited
Blouse:  The Limited (old)

Today, I'm featuring a recent denim outfit.  I wore this outfit  a couple days ago for casual Friday at my work place.

Heels:  Target (Similar here)

Bracelets:  The Limited (Available here)

Do you like foulard fabrics?


For this blazer in other looks, see here, here, and here.
For this blouse in other looks, see here and here.
For these jeans in another outfit, see here.

Cassential Links, 1/7/14

There's something so amazing and zen about this simple black and white look!

Target in trouble again - this time for using a pregnant model to feature a plus-size dress.  Get it together, Target!

Gendered differences in size of physical characteristics in Disney films...what does it mean?

Tanesha nows how to rock a frock!!

This tartan jacket is equal parts edgy and chic! 

Perfect winter styling of this fab body-con dress!

Leopard dress. Check.  Tweed coat.  Check.  Comfy boots. Check.  Perfect cool and casual look!

I don't think it's fair to put the lame on Jennifer Lawrence, but there certainly is a difference in perception of a thin woman saying she loves to eat and an overweight woman saying the same.  Thin privilege is real.

Magazine doesn't use Photoshop, and the results are gorgeous!

The "problem" of "strong women" still exists for Hollywood writers, apparently.  Thank the Goddess for Neil Gaiman and Joss Whedon!

Ke$ha's check-in to rehab for an eating disorder is a reminder that the time to reconsider the way women critique each other and get critiqued for their bodies is long overdue.  Celebrities especially are under constant scrutiny.  Jessica Simpson discusses the attacks she faced for that infamous pair of jeans. 

And, in exciting personal news, I've started as a contributor for the amazing blog, The Curvy Fashionista!  Check the blog out and see my first post here.

Source:  The Curvy Fashionista

This post got picked up by the Huffington Post too!

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.

12 Days of Holiday: Black Swan

If you've been following my blog, you know that I love ballet-inspired fashion.  When I spotted this dress at Forever21+, it had me at the tulle.  The full skirt just feels fun and special. 

Dress:  Forever 21+ (Available here)

Forever 21 can be a pig in a poke for finding quality clothes that look mature enough for a 30-something professional.  When I do find something though, I am usually quite happy with the fit.  Because Forever 21 has more of a juniors' fit, their XL is often perfectly proportioned for my petite curvy frame.

Belt:  LOFT (Available here)

Blazer:  Ann Taylor Petites (Available here) - Sleeves shortened

 This dress required no alterations.  While it's a little longer than featured on the web site, I love the longer fit.

I added a burgundy velvet jacket, sparkly belt, and floral satin lace-up heels for an evening feel. 

I decided to skip tights, but you could easily add some glittery or lace tights for a little extra warmth.

Clutch:  The Limited (Available here)
Heels:  Prabal Gurung for Target (Available on eBay here)

Ring:  The Limited (Available here)

Right now, I have nowhere special to wear this outfit, but I would definitely wear it for a winter wedding or dressy holiday party.  I don't usually purchase dressier items without some place to wear them, but I think this dress has a classic feel that I will love for years to come.  When an event comes up, I'll have something to wear!  :-)

Bracelet:  The Limited

What would you wear to a formal winter wedding or holiday party?

Perk Up Winter!

Hope you all have been having a great week!  I have a round-up of holiday looks planned starting Saturday, but I thought I'd finish out the week with a recent work outfit.

Pants: The Limited (old) (Similar here)
Clutch:  The Limited (Sold out on-line; may be available in stores)

I gravitate very heavily towards black in the winter, but I've been trying to keep things interesting by incorporating more prints and some bold pops of color. 

Today's look does both, and it also adds two of spring 2014's upcoming trends - sporty influences and color blocking.

The cardigan has subtle color blocking with slightly darker sleeves and lighter red-orange side panels.  The raglan sleeves and zipper closure give it a sporty feel.  Since I love the warmth and coziness of sweaters, I've been looking for more styles that suit my picky palette.  I loved that this cardigan is very simple, but that it's in a season-less bright color and has fun sporty details.  The medium weight will easily allow me to wear this sweater through spring.

Blouse:  The Limited (Available here)
Cardigan:  The Limited (Available here)

Heels:  Target (old)
Necklace:  New York & Company (Sold out on-line; may be available in stores)

How do you perk up your winter looks?

Sometimes Simplicity

Sometimes you just want simplicity in your life and in your wardrobe.

Pencil skirt:  Target Petites (Available here)

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

Today's look combines a basic black pencil skirt and blazer to a grape purple tank for an easy work outfit.

I wore this outfit a few weeks ago when the weather was still a bit warmer, but you could easily add printed tights or black stockings for a little extra warmth.

Clutch:  The Limited (Available here)
Boots:  Target (old)

Necklace:  New York & Company (Sold out on-line; may be available in stores)
Ring:  Earthbound Trading Co.

Do you like wearing simple outfits like this one here?

For this blazer in other looks, see here, here, and here.
For this skirt in other looks, see here, here, and here.
For more on fall's midi-skirt trend, see here.

Clinton Kelly Tells Us What to Wear!!!

I'm so behind in writing this post, but I'm excited to share my experience earlier this fall attending a fun fall fashion show at my local Macy's hosted by style guru Clinton Kelly.

I was grinning like the Chesire cat about meeting Clinton!
Photo c/o of Macy's

Clinton has had a partnership with Macy's since 2005.  As a component of that partnership, he tours the country dishing style advice and schooling adoring fans on how to wear the season's hottest trends, whatever your body shape or age.

At this "Girls Night Out," Clinton discussed six of the fall's hottest trends, while also answering the audience's style questions and charming us with his snarky funny, but still very sweet, personality.

Clinton advises an audience member on attaining a more flattering fit

Clinton dispensed advice on how to remain age-appropriate and flatter your body, while still having fun and remaining modern with trends.  To do so, he used models of various sizes and shapes and ages, which I love!  How annoying is it to see style advice for women of various shapes using models who essentially look the same???

Embellishment

Distressed Denim

Mixed Media (Mix of fabrics, textures)

Skater Skirts

Plaid

Layered Knits

While he provided familiar advice (if you are a What Not to Wear fan), he was quick to point out that people should wear what makes them happy.  If you love flaunting your cleavage, flaunt away.  Love showing off those legs, go for it!  The most important part is being happy with your look and who you are as a person!

One of the things that impressed me the most about Clinton was his awesome body positive stance.  He discussed how the images of "perfection" we see in the media are constructed.  Having met many celebrities first-hand, he re-iterated that NOBODY looks the way they are portrayed in the media.  He discouraged the audience from comparing themselves to these false images.

He also encouraged people in the audience to forgive people who have harmed their self-esteem through criticism or bullying but to  release any negative words they had been fed.  He admonished parents not to criticize their children's bodies, reminding them that even "helpful" comments can lead to lifelong injury.

Through "What Not to Wear" and other venues, Clinton has worked to help people feel fabulous through fashion.  I was sad to see this show come to an end.

Clinton dishes style advice

Clinton encourages body acceptance

After the show, Clinton posed for pictures with fans.  I was able to meet Clinton and discuss my blog and the struggles of finding trendy, edgy fashion as a curvy petite gal.  Clinton agreed that fit is a very difficult challenge for curvy petites, but he also re-iterated that there is not a single trend that can't work for ladies like us.  Silhouette is the key to making any trend work for any body, including curvy petites!

Which look or trend is your favorite?  Were you a fan of "What Not to Wear?" 

*ALL MODELED CLOTHES FROM MACY'S

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.

Singin' the Blues: Black and Navy

Singin' the Blues Week wraps up with one of my favorite color combinations - black and navy!

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

I'll wear just about any shade of navy with black, but the lighter shade of this top works best with black.

Blouse:  Outback Red by The Limited
Boots:  Payless (old)
Satchel:  The Limited

Gold jewelry adds a touch of lightness to this dark outfit (silver would work well too).

Bracelet:  LOFT (Available here)
Necklace:  The Limited (old)

Do you like mixing black and navy?

For this blouse in another look, see here.

Singin' the Blues: Casual Rock-n-Roll

Singin' the Blues Week continues with a denim and cobalt blue faux leather look.

Jeans:  Torrid (Available here)

Tee:  Torrid (Available here)

I added my Blondie tee to my Stiletto skinny jeans from Torrid for a comfy casual look with a cool rock-n-roll vibe.

I recently picked up these jeans with the 26" inseam.  When I originally bought this style of jeans, they didn't carry the short length.  I couldn't hem the jeans because of the zippers, so I was trying to make do.  I finally broke down and nabbed this pair - the length works much better!

Jacket:  Forenza by The Limited (Similar here)

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

The cobalt moto jacket adds a fun pop of color to this laid back look.

Boots:  Payless (old)

Are you a fan of moto jackets?  Have you tried the Stiletto skinny jeans from Torrid?

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

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.