Getting to Know You

Hope you all have been having a great week!

Today's outfit is actually a work look from this summer, but I haven't gotten around to posting it until now.  A soft neutral outfit like this is perfect year-round, and I especially love camel in the fall.

Blazer:  The Limited
Blouse:  LOFT Petites (Similar here)

One of the reasons I haven't posted this look until now is that it really isn't my style.  I like the color combination and the tie-waist blazer is flattering to curves, but the overall look just isn't "me."    The outfit feels very grown-up and professional (like how I think I'm really supposed to dress for work), but I spent the whole day feeling out-of-sorts - kind of like I was in someone else's skin. 

For me, it was a sartorial off-day, but I post it here as outfit inspiration for those of you who prefer a more classic style. 

Pants:  The Limited (Similar here)

I've recently done a major closet overhaul, moving a lot of clothing to the sale or charity pile.  This blouse did not make the cut.  The jacket is on the chopping block due to a few fit issues (I had the jacket altered a few years ago, and I'm debating the benefit of more tweaks vs. a new ivory blazer).

I'm learning to hone in on my style more.  I used to think that I needed to have a lot of variety of colors and cuts in my wardrobe.  I also got in a habit of purchasing styles or colors that I used to like out of habit, not paying attention to the fact that my fashion tastes and desires had changed over time. 

Bracelet:  The Limited (Available in black here)

I would feel compelled to wear pieces I didn't love simply because I thought I "needed" a lace shirt or brown pants to make my wardrobe complete.  Often times, clothes would sit in my closet after a few wears until I forced myself to wear them (such is the case with today's outfit). 

As I've gotten older, some styles and colors that I used to love now seem aging or stale.  I love fashion, and I'm open to most new styles and trends that coming along, but I'm also learning that liking a particular style doesn't mean it's right for me . 

Over the last few months, I've thought a lot about what I like to wear and have been working to better define my personal style.  I've been working on creating a smaller, more edited closet that balances my aesthetic and lifestyle.  While this will likely mean less variety in my wardrobe, it also means fewer "off" days.  I'll always be up for experimenting with new trends, but I'm learning to take into better account what trends work best with what's already in my closet and with my personal style.  When I find a trend I like, I'm learning to be more patient and wait to find the right style rather than snapping up the first item I find.

For example,  I really loved last spring's dramatic ruffle trend.  Unfortunately, I chose a blouse with less drama and more ruffles - I settled, and I quickly regretted it.  I recently found this blouse from New York & Company which is what I was looking for all along. 

Earrings:  World Market (old)
Shoes:  Target

As my wardrobe becomes less diverse in some ways, I'm looking for more interesting details, like colorblocking, mixed media, zippers, etc. that help make each piece feel unique.

Bag:  ??? (old)

Do you like to wear a lot of colors and styles, or do you tend to opt for the familiar when you shop?  Do you prefer having a small wardrobe of clothes you love or a large wardrobe of diverse pieces?

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

Thanksgiving Casual

Hope you all have had a lovely Thanksgiving!

Being the most casual of the fall/winter holiday season, I kept my Thanksgiving look simple with jeans and a cardigan.

Sweater:  LOFT Petites (Available here)
Blouse:  LOFT Petites (Available here)

Jeans:  The Limited (No longer available on-line)
Boots:  Fergalicious by Fergie (Available here)

The tuxedo bib-front tank and gold threads on the cardigan add just the slightest festive feel to my outfit.

The gold snaps on the jeans and gold jewelry accentuate the gold in the sweater and help bring the look together.

Necklaces:  The Limited and Target (Available in silver here and available here)Bracelets:  The Limited and New York & Company (Available here and here)

Purse:  Target (Available in navy here)

And, I love a pop of color like this deep green satchel.

Do you dress up for Thanksgiving or go casual?

Happy Thanksgiving again, and happy Hanukkah to all my Jewish readers!!  

Fall Color Week: Orange Crush

Fall Color Week continues today with orange!

Dress:  LOFT Petites (Similar here and here)

Orange is probably the first color I think about when I think of fall.  Whether pumpkins or the changing leaves, autumn is ablaze with the color orange.

Blazer:  The Limited (Similar here)

Belt:  Torrid (Available here)

Here, I took a dress I purchased over the summer and gave it a fall make-over with a camel blazer and leopard print heels.  

This is one instance where I would have preferred a cardigan.  A camel cardigan would have created a softer combination, making it ideal for dressier Thanksgiving festivities.

Shoes:  Target (Similar here)

It wasn't that cold here today, but tights could easily be added to this outfit to stay warm.

Clutch:  Target (old)

I don't wear much orange, but whenever I do, I usually think I should wear it more often.  It's such a warm and inviting color.

Do you like wearing orange?

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

Fall Color Week: Magenta Love

Hope you're all having a great week so far!

Fall colors continue this week with a pop of magenta in a recent work outfit.  

Blouse:  The Limited (old) (Similar here and here)
Cardigan:  Target (Available here)

I love my neutrals, but fall and winter can get really blah without the occasional pops of bright colors infused into my wardrobe.

I think magenta is one of the few colors that always seems perfect year-round.  It looks amazing with white in the summer and gives black, navy, camel and gray a brightness during the fall and winter.

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

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

Even though this is an older shirt, I've just recently gotten this shirt hemmed.  I find the length much more flattering than it is here.  This length is awkward and cuts off the legs if you're petite as I am.  I'll post another outfit with the blouse soon to show the figure-flattering difference.

Ring:  The Limited (Available here)

Do you like magenta? What other year-round colors can you think of?

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

It's My Birthday, and I Can Wear What I Want To!!

So, today was a great day.  It was my birthday, and I was in a really good mood.

The weather was positively dreary though!  Grey, rainy, and chilly.

Dress:  Sophie Theallat for The Limited (Similar here)

Belt:  Torrid (Sold out on-line; May be available in stores)

The man and I were going out to dinner to celebrate my birthday, and I really wanted to wear this outfit.  The weather was not cooperating, but I decided to wear it anyway.

We went out for a nice Italian dinner, so what could be better than a dress that makes me feel like Sophia Loren?

Shoes:  Vera by Vera Wang (Kohl's - sold out on-line)

I like the juxtaposition of the ladylike dress with the moto jacket.  Some would say that these two pieces don't go, but this gal likes her sweet mixed with a little spice.  Leather and lace is a new classic in my book.

Clutch:  Target (old)

As I looked around the restaurant, all I saw were jeans and other casual clothes.  I suddenly felt a little overdressed, but I'd rather be a little overdressed for an occasion than under-dressed. 

After dinner, we picked up the kids from the grandparents and went to DQ to enjoy dessert as a family.  I was DEFINITELY overdressed for Dairy Queen, but as the man and kids loudly and embarrassingly sang me "Happy Birthday," my wardrobe choices hardly seemed to matter.  I felt special and silly and had fun with my family.  Also, the new pumpkin pie Blizzard...not too shabby.

Bow ring:  The Limited

Moto jacket:  The Limited

Who cares if this outfit was not exactly weather or event appropriate?

It's my birthday, and I can wear what I want!    :-D

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

P.S. I altered this dress to suit my needs.  The dress was too long, but hemming meant losing the pretty scallop hem detail.  I opted to have only the lining hemmed to keep the lace and to show more leg.  I love that the flash of skin at the hem echoes the neckline.  The shortened lining creates a longer leg line that I find more flattering for my petite frame.  I am all about making clothes work for my body and for my personal aesthetic.  Alterations are a great way to make that happen.   After all, we should ALL be able to wear what we want EVERY DAY!!

Foulard Me Once...

Today, I am featuring two ways of styling my foulard blazer from last year.

Blazer:  The Limited (old)

Skirt:  The Limited (Similar here and here)
Purse:  The Limited

This past week, I wore this the pants look to work.  Over the summer, I shopped my closet and created this skirt look.

Shirt:  The Limited (Similar here)

Shoes:  Target (Similar here)

While I find the skirt look very figure flattering, it feels a little too "Real Housewives" for my personal taste.  

Belt:  The Limited
Necklace:  Torrid

Pants:  The Limited (Similar here)
Shirt:  The Limited

The pants outfit is a little more low-key and feels a little less fussy, making it much more of a go-to option.

Clutch:  The Limited (Available here)

Which look do you prefer?

Do you shop your closet to try out new combinations?

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

P.S. I had some alterations done to the blazer between the photos of the two looks.  The pants outfit reflects the shortened and slimmed sleeves and side tucks from underarm to waist.

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.

St. Louis Fashion Week Presents Industry Night!

 Sorry I've been absent for a bit.  I was having internet issues, but I'm back now!!

Tonight, my coverage of St. Louis Fashion Week continues!  The last major fashion show of the week was Industry Night, featuring local and national designers.

Wai Ming
Local designer Wai Ming started the show featuring wearable, tailored clothes with interesting colorblocking, mixed media, and fabric manipulation.

Laura Kathleen
Then, one of my favorites, St. Louisan Laura Kathleen, of Project Runway fame, featured a gorgeous, feminine collection that left me longing for this trench, the khaki dress, and pretty much everything else.

Jennifer Chun 
Jennifer Chun showed a sporty collection that had a little bit of a 1920s tennis vibe...I could just imagine a modern-day Daisy Gatsby wearing these pieces.  While I really enjoyed this collection, I especially loved the look worn by the designer (bottom right)!!

Samantha Pleet
Samantha Pleet, whose looks have been sold by Anthropologie, showed pretty clothes that made me long for vacation.  Many of her models walked the runway barefoot, and all of the models had an easy,carefree vibe that made me smile.  The rainbow dress (second row, right) was definitely my favorite out of the collection. 

Eva Franco
Last, but certainly not least, Eva Franco showed a whimsical and quirky collection complete with fun prints, umbrellas, wigs, and lots of smiles and waves from the models.  How adorable is that sunglasses print dress?

You can find Eva Franco at Mod Cloth, among other places.

All in all, I was pleasantly surprised by the offerings of both the national and local designers.

As I wrap up my St. Louis Fashion Week coverage with my next post, I just want to take a moment to give a shout out to St. Louis, Alive Magazine, and all the designers, bloggers and others who participated in Fashion Week.  I feel so fortunate to have been afforded the opportunity to participate as a blogger, and I had a great time meeting new people and soaking in all of the gorgeous fashion.  We are one fashion-forward city and know how to put on an amazing week of style!!!