Stripes Week: Print-tastic!

Today's striped look is a recent work outfit. 

Dress:  LOFT (Sold out on-line; May be available in stores)

It's bold in its mix of prints and graphic black and white combo, but the shapes are classic and demure.  

Blazer:  Torrid (Available here)

I thought this outfit was a little too loud for a normal work day (at my job), but I wore it for a casual Friday, so I felt like I could get away with the mixed patterns.

Clutch:  Target (old)
Flower cuff:  Claire's (old)

It's a fun and whimsical look that makes working during the summertime a little less of a bummer.  You know what they say about all work and no play?  Well, this summer has involved lots of work and not enough play, so I am compensating with some fashion play!  Gotta keep summertime from getting too dull!  :-)

Sandals:  Payless

Would you wear florals and stripes?For this blazer in another look, see here.
For more on the black and white trend, see here.

Dress Week: Bring on the Night

Dress Week continues with an evening look in lace.  

Dress:  The Limited (out of stock on-line)

I would wear this dress to an afternoon/evening wedding or for a special date night.  

Jacket:  Forever 21+ (Available in ivory and pink here)

The strapless dress is cool enough for a muggy summer evening, but the cropped tuxedo jacket adds a touch of sophistication that dresses the look up a bit more.

Heels:  Target (Available here)
Necklace:  The Limited (Available here)

Bracelet:  Target
Clutch:  Target

I added in gold jewelry for a little shine.  The neon pink pumps add a fun pop of color that takes black lace in a more summery direction.

Earrings:  The Limited (Available here)

What would you wear to an evening wedding?

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

Adventures in Traveling: Philadelphia

On Day 4 of our trip (see Days 1-3 here and here), we left New York and headed towards Philadelphia.

My fiance is in the Master's of Nursing program at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia.  His graduation was held at the Philadelphia Convention Center in Center City Philadelphia.

We decided to stay across the street from the Convention Center and arrived at our hotel mid-afternoon.  After resting up for a while (we were exhausted from our stay in NYC), we walked a block over from our hotel and started exploring Philly's Chinatown.

The weather was humid and chilly, and I wore my blue moto jacket (again!).  The weather started to change while we were in Philadelphia, becoming much warmer and more humid.  I wore my jacket the day of graduation too, but it proved to be a bit much. 

Coated denim jeans:  Target
Blouse:  The Limited (Available here)
Jacket:  Forenza by The LImited

Purse:  Target (old)
Bracelets:  The Limited, Express
Ring:  The Limited

We walked around for a while, stopping in a few of the novelty shops to purchase a few gifts.  The kids LOVED their Chinese candy.  

We decided to have dinner in Chinatown.  I let the man pick the restaurant, and he chose Sammy Chon's KTown BBQ.

I opted for a large salad with the most amazing sesame seed salad dressing.

The Free Appetizers

After dinner, we walked around Chinatown for a while longer before heading back to our hotel.

Shoes:  Target

The next day, we grabbed a quick lunch before going over to the Convention Center for my honey's graduation.  He's pretty amazing - works full-time as a hospice nurse and totally rocked his master's program.
The graduation was relativity entertaining (as far as graduations go).  The honorary degree recipient and guest speaker was John Howe III, M.D.  He is President and CEO of Project Hope, a foundation that provides international health care education and humanitarianism in areas of need (more info here).  His speech was both funny and inspiring.

Dress:  Old Navy Petites (Available here)

Necklaces:  The Limited

As soon as graduation was over, we headed out of Philly, planning a stop in Boston.

More details (and no more moto jacket) tomorrow!!

In The Mood For Polka Dots

Today's look was definitely inspired by my mood.  I've been feeling a little uncharacteristically melancholy the last few days.  That feeling has made me gravitate towards black and darker colors.

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

Usually, I am inclined to pair this dress with bright pops of color and play up the fun, feminine vibe of the dress.  Today, I wanted to give the dress a little more of an edgy, artsy feel.

I added one of my favorite necklaces, a bold cuff, and lace-up shoes.

Ring:  LOFT
Necklace:  The Limited (Similar here)

I paired the dress with my cropped tuxedo blazer.  I'm a naughty fashion blogger for wearing this jacket three times in two weeks, but I'm really loving it.  It's hard for me to find a cropped blazer that is actually short enough for my petite frame.  This one is perfect!  I'll be on the hunt for more 21" long blazers.

Cuff:  New York & Company
Shoes:  Target (old)

These shoes are full-on Monet (I watched "Clueless" last night :-)).  They look okay in the pictures, but they are so old and worn out.  I love these shoes, and I haven't found a shoe that I like enough to replace them yet.  These shoes are interesting and super comfortable - a combination that's very hard to find. 

I develop very little attachments to clothing, but I find it very hard to get rid of shoes.  It's hard for me to find comfortable heels that fit my tiny, wide feet.  These shoes are actually a little big, but they're so comfortable, I've gone through two pairs. 

While I often shell out considerable money for clothing pieces I love, I have typically gravitated towards inexpensive shoes.  If I can't find shoes that actually fit my feet, I figured why spend a lot of money on them?

Recently, I've been checking out some custom shoe web sites, like Shoes of Prey.  I'd like to have better fitting, more high-quality shoes, even if that means having a much more edited shoe wardrobe.   

Purse:  Express

Have any of you ever purchased custom-made shoes?  Were you pleased with the results?

To see this dress styled differently, see here.
For this blazer in other looks, see here, here, and here.

Fit and Flair

Hi everyone!

Dress:  Old Navy Petites (Available here)
Jacket: Forever 21+ (Available here)

Yesterday, we had absolutely beautiful weather.  I seized the opportunity to wear my teal eyelet dress as it's supposed to get chilly again (boo!!).   

Unfortunately, I didn't get a chance to take pictures until it was already dark, as you can see in the first pic!  :-)

Sandals:  Payless (old)

I added a cropped tuxedo blazer and comfy, low-heeled sandals. 

Bag:  The Limited (old)
Ring:  Purchased at local jewelry show

I actually think this outfit looked better in person than the photos capture.  I love how the tuxedo blazer and satin sandals gives the outfit a formality.  The blazer with this dress reminds me of wearing a man's tuxedo jacket on a date, except that the jacket has the right proportions. 

Earrings:  The Limited (Available )

Do you like fit-and-flare dresses??

Hope you all have a great day!!!

For this dress in another look, see here.
To see this blazer styled differently, see 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!!