Spearmint and Orange

Hope you're all having a great Saturday!

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

Today, I feature a recent work outfit.  I paired an orange-tipped blouse with a spearmint green blazer and navy skinny pants.

Pants:  The Limited (Available here)
Shoes:  Target (Available here)

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

I love the mix of green and orange.  The navy pants keep the look subtle enough for work, while being a softer choice than black. 

A straw bag with orange trim and a fun alligator ring finish the look (close-up of ring here).

Purse:  The Limited (Available here)

Ring:  Target (Similar here)

Do you like mixing orange and green?

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

Style Uniform

I have a style uniform - skinny pants, flowy top, blazer - usually in black and cream/beige.

Top:  The Limited (Available here)
Pants:  The Limited (Available here)

I knew I wore this style a lot, but when I wore this outfit, I realized just how much I like this look!!

Jacket:  The Limited
Shoes:  Target (old)

I ran across these similar  looks that I've worn previously:

Quick Picks

Touch of Color

Sequins, Velvet, & Tweed

At ease

Circles and Lines

Hey There Babydoll

When keeping a color palette so simple, mixing textures, patterns, and interesting shapes keep the look feeling fresh.

For example, this top has a great graphic print and cool cutout detailing on the neckline.

Jade ring:  Gift - vintage (Similar here)
Hourglass necklace:  Claire's (Available here)
Purse:  The Limited (Available at Eloquii here)

Do you have a style uniform?

Tunic Time!

Hi everyone!  On this fair Tuesday, I paired my new green and grey printed tunic with a grey blazer and what have become a recent obsession - black skinny pants.  I really love this pair with the faux leather tuxedo stripe.

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

I recently got this tunic from Target, and I can't wait to style it in different ways.  It's a little hard to see in the picture, but I belted this top to shorten the top for work.  The tunic actually hits me just above the knee.  I think it will look great worn loose with leggings and boots.  I'm also thinking that it would be great with some grey, teal, or white skinny jeans or pants.

Purse:  Target (Available here)
Earrings:  Handmade

"Pisces" ring:  H&M
Turquoise ring:  Purchased at local jewelry show

For more on fall's leather trend, see here.
To see this blazer in other looks, see here and here. 
For more looks with the pants, see here, here, here, here, and here.

Pants: The Limited (No longer available online.  See them here)
Heels:  Target (old)

Velvet Ingenue

Happy Tuesday!!!

Cardigan:  LOFT (Available here)
Pants:  The Limited (Available here)

Today, I wanted a comfortable outfit because I had errands to run after work.  I also wanted a slightly festive look since it was my last day at work before the Thanksgiving holiday.

Tank:  Target
Flats:  Target

I chose my black velvet pants and this pretty embellished cardigan.  I paired the outfit with flats to keep the look more comfortable, which also makes the outfit more casual, in my opinion.  

If I were to wear this outfit to a holiday party, I would add more sparkly jewelry, a pair of heels, and a fun clutch.

Purse:  New York & Company (Similar here)

The ballet flats and faux-Peter Pan collar add sweet touches that give this look a slight ingenue quality.

Bow Ring:  The Limited (Available here)

If you are interested in this cardigan, I would suggest going down a size or two.  I personally found this cardigan to run large.  I went down a size, and I still think it was a bit too big.Hope you all had a great day!!

Hey there, babydoll!

Happy Friday, everyone!

Blouse:  LOFT (Available here)
Pants:  The Limited (Available here)

I've been sick all week, and this morning, I felt very fatigued. I wanted a comfortable outfit for work that would help get me through the day.

Flats:  Target (Still available in select stores)
Cardigan:  Converse One Star by Target (Available here)

I don't opt for flats as often as I should (we all know how bad heels are for us, right?), but I was so excited to wear my new green ballet flats, which I got for a steal for $6 at Target.  I had eyed them late this summer, but passed them up.  When I saw them again on clearance, I knew I had to have them.  They are my favorite shade of green.

Paired with black slim-cut pants, I feel a little Parisian.  The ivory baby-doll top is a little voluminous, but the cardigan helps temper some of the volume.  I love the tie-back neckline of the blouse.

Ring:  H&M
Earrings:  The Limited

Fun accessories, like my purse necklace and "evil eye" ring finish the look.

Necklace:  Vintage Judith Leiber (Similar here)

Hope you all had a great day!  Happy Weekend!

Purse:  Express (Available here)

Birthday Suit

Blazer:  Ann Taylor Petites (Available here)
Pants:  The Limited (Available here)

What did you think I meant?  ;-D

Hope you all had a fabulous day!  Today is my birthday, and I wanted a special look that really captured the essence of my personal style.

Blouse:  Ann Taylor Petites (Available here)
Tank:  The Limited (Available here)
Necklace:  The Limited

The man treated me to a black velvet suit and this lovely green blouse for my birthday.  

The entire velvet suit seemed much too formal for the workplace, so I decided to skip the velvet pants and paired the velvet blazer with simple skinny black pants.

Purse:  Express (Available here)
Shoes:  Target

Velvet is probably my favorite fabric.  I just find it so sensual and sexy.

I remember seeing velvet suits by Tom Ford for Gucci in a magazine back in 1996.  I was a college student who was just starting to get out of her grunge phase.  

I was so enamored with the Gucci suits.  I loved the strong look of the women walking down the runway in this traditionally masculine look.

A 2012 Gucci velvet look:

Gucci Velvet Tuxedo Suit, Source: Saks Fifth Avenue

A velvet suit is so perfect for more formal occasions. I would definitely wear the full suit for a work holiday party.  I would also wear with the suit with a slinky top for a special date night.

Would you wear a velvet suit?

Casual Color

Hi everyone!  Hope you all have had a great weekend!  My weekend has gone entirely too fast!

Today, I ran errands, and this is what I wore:

Jeans:  Target (Available here)
Boots:  Target (Available here)

It's unseasonably chilly right now in my neck of the woods.  If it were warmer out, I probably would have worn flat sandals or ballet flats instead of the boots.

Blazer:  The Limited (Similar here)
Tank:  Target (old)
Earrings:  New York & Company

I am wearing two of my favorite colors together, and I love the look.  This teal shade of green is my absolute favorite, and I love it mixed with the eggplant blazer. 

Knit blazers like this one are great - they are super comfy but give you a put-together look.

Purse:  Express (Available here)Necklace:  The Limited (Available here)

Black and gold accessories complete the look.

P.S.  Please ignore my hair - I was having a bad hair day!  ;-P

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?

Croc N' Roll

Feeling inspired by bright colors this week, I decided to wear my green pencil skirt.  

Skirt:  The Limited (Similar here)
Tank:  Old Navy Petites
Jacket:  The Limited (styled differently here)

The last time I wore this skirt, I didn't get the proportions correct (see here).  

Today, the shorter jacket and loose, but not too long, top complement the shape of the pencil skirt.

Boots:  Payless

I added a little bit of a rock n' roll vibe to my work look by adding ankle booties rather than pumps.

I love adding a quirky, fun touch to my work clothes, and today, I added this rhinestone alligator ring.

Ring:  Target (Available in stores)
Bracelets (l to r):  Jodi Arnold for The Limited; ? unknown - old; Claire's; The Limited; The Limited

The ring feels a little tongue-in-cheek when paired with the faux crocodile bag

Purse:  Express (Available here)

Do you like to add a fun touch to your work looks?

September Wish List

So, due to too many recent shopping binges, I've decided to put myself on a bit of a shopping diet.

For now, I'm budgeting myself a modest $150 a month for new clothing, shoes, and accessories purchases, including alterations.

Here's what's on my September wish list.  I never shop without coupons, rewards, sales, etc., so I'm hoping that I can score all of these items and stay within budget! 

PONTE KNIT DRESS
I love the comfort and substantial-ness of ponte knit (also tends not to wrinkle too much).  This dress comes in a ton of great fall colors and has pockets (which I LOVE).  Just have to decide between the gold and the orange. :-)

Target knit dress

FAUX LEATHER PENCIL SKIRT
I can't decide right now whether I want this burgundy faux leather skirt or a black faux leather/ponte knit rendition that will be available in stores on September 6th. 

The Limited faux leather pencil skirt

FAUX LEATHER JACKET/BLAZER The number one item on my fall shopping list has to be a faux leather blazer or jacket.  It's a basic item, in my opinion, but I have yet to find one that I absolutely love.  I have my eye on a few from The Limited that are supposed to debut later this month.  The blazer featured has cool faux leather trim, but I want one with more faux leather detail.

FYI:  The Limited is currently having a suit promotion - free pant or skirt with purchase of any jacket

The Limited faux leather trim blazer

FAUX LEATHER TRIM PANTS
I love the faux leather trim on these pants.  They aren't available yet, but since they are already being featured on The Limited's web site, I think (hope) they will be available soon.  FYI:  The Limited offers free pants hemming for Couture cardholders, so this is one alteration, I won't have to factor into my budget.  :-)

The Limited pants

HUNTER GREEN
My favorite color is green, and I'm totally feeling this darker shade for fall.  Not sure if this sweater is what I'll be opting for, but I'm definitely looking for a staple piece in this color.

New York & Co. 3/4 sleeve cardigan

FUN PRINT TIGHTS
I purchase a pair of these lattice design tights every year.  They are fairly durable, and I love the design.  How cute are the houndstooth print tights?  So much more fun that plain black hosiery.

The Limited lattice tights

The Limited houndstooth tights

For more on the leather trend for fall (and my views on real leather), please see here.

What's on your September/fall wish list?  

Do you make a budget for clothing purchases?  If so, how do you determine your budget amount? 

What's your shopping style?  Do you splurge a few times a year, purchase weekly/monthly/etc.?