At ease!

Happy Friday!!

For today's casual Friday, I paired a striped tee with this comfy knit military-inspired jacket.

Jacket:  Forenza by The Limited (old)
Tee:  The Limited (Available here)
Satchel:  The Limited (Available here)

I didn't realize until this evening that the stripes on the tee were actually navy rather than black, but I don't mind it with the black pieces and think it will work with both black and navy pieces.

Pants:  The Limited (No longer available on-line, see them here)

Shoes:  Target (Similar here)
Jade ring:  Gift

Military-inspired looks were all over fall's runways (See more here).  To maintain the military theme of the jacket and sailor tee, I added some cute anchor earrings.

Earrings:  Gift (Similar: here)

Stripes never really go out of style, but they are having a major moment this spring.  I can't wait to mix this top with bright colors and even some fun prints.

Oscar de la Renta spring 2013, Source:  Marie Claire

Dolce & Gabanna Spring 2013, Source:  Harper's Bazaar

For on fall's black and white trend, see here.

Dark Moon Rising

My favorite color is green, but I have very little of it in my wardrobe.  I've been looking for some new green additions, and I loved the deep shade of this blazer.  Forest green is the perfect shade of green for fall, and I love the unexpectedness of pairing the color with black.  In the past, I disliked dark colors paired with black, but now, it seems really sophisticated and a little gothic, which I like.

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

Mixing slim cut trousers with a different colored blazer is an updated take on a traditional suit, which makes it a great choice for a business casual work environment.  

After years of working in a more relaxed environment, I sometimes feel constrained in my fashion choices due to the more conservative environment of my current job.

Purse:  The Limited
Shoes:  Target

The great thing about this look is that I would happily wear this outfit for a night out, but I think it is still completely work-appropriate.

Blouse:  The Limited
Tank:  Old Navy (Available here)
Necklace:  New York & Company (Available here)

This bold statement necklace ties the look together.  It may seem obvious, but I am a major accessories junkie.  As much as I love clothing, accessories are actually more important, in my opinion.  

Accessories allow you to change up more basic or classic pieces to extend your wardrobe options and transition your wardrobe from season to season.  Since accessories are usually cheaper than clothing, they are a practical and fun way of continually updating your wardrobe.

Today, I also treated my nails as an accessory and gave myself a variation of a fun moon mani. 

Do you like dark colors paired with black?  Any fun manicure ideas?

Simply Burgundy

Burgundy is the "it" color of the season.  Like many of Fall's trends, burgundy is an easy-to-wear classic. (More on fall's fabulous color here)

Today, I think the accessories are what make this outfit work.  The pants and cardigan are simple, basic, and let's face it...a little boring.  The burgundy top has fun detail but is more casual.  

The burgundy patent heels and faux croc bag with gold hardware look much more expensive than they are and elevate the outfit.

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

While not on my official "September Wish List," I've been searching for a smaller black bag with gold hardware.  I saw this bag and fell in love with how luxe and edgy it looked.

Top:  Converse One Star for Target (Available here )
Cardigan:  Target Petites (Available  here)
Pants:  The Limited (Available here)

My obsession with snake jewelry continues!  today, I wore this fun snake earring with a simple pyramid stud in the other ear.

Earring:  eBay (Available: here)

Outtake: 
And sometimes, you just wanna be silly!
Inspiration:  Austin Powers - "You're an animal...You're a tiger."  :-)

Fall 2012 Fashion Picks: (Faux) Leather

Hi everyone!  

I apologize for the lack of posts the last few days as I've been without adequate internet access.  

I'm on vacation, so this week, I will be blogging my picks out of the fall 2012 trends.

Leather (or faux leather) is everywhere for fall.  I am sooo coveting a cropped leather jacket. It's an edgier alternative to the black blazer but almost as versatile.

I'm on the fence about whether to buy a leather jacket or a vegan alternative.  As a friend to animals, I prefer animals wear their own skin.  I seldom buy real leather, and when I do, I usually opt for vintage or used pieces to be more animal and environmentally friendly. 

A major issue with finding a leather jacket is fit.  Jackets made of cotton, wool, or synthetic fabrics can generally be altered to fit.  Leather and faux leather is harder to alter, so finding a jacket that fits both a curvy and a petite frame has proven difficult, but my search is on!

Here's my picks for the leather look:

 Asos Curve leather biker jacket

Simply Be black and chocolate PU biker jacket

I was loving the look of this ponte knit and faux leather tee from The Limited.  While I love The Limited, this top did not live up to my hopes.  It had a boxy, unflattering fit and looked a little inexpensive.  If I can find something similar though, I'm on it!  Such an edgy but conservative addition to a work suit.

The Limited faux leather tee

The Limited has some other faux leather pieces coming out on September 6, including a pencil skirt and jacket.  I will definitely be checking them out!

I am seriously considering a vegan leather pencil skirt this fall.  Who doesn't love a skirt that lets you live out your inner bad girl self while at work in an office?  Or is that just me?  ;-D

Tinley Road vegan leather pencil skirt

Do you like the leather trend?  Do you wear real leather?