Singin' the Blues: Attention!

Hi everyone.  I apologize for cutting Fall Color Week short and being absent over the last few weeks.

I have a ton of reasons for not posting, but I think it comes down to an issue I've dealt with off and on during my adult life.  I go through periods of over-stress (usually coupled with sleep deprivation).  When these happen, I develop a generalized apathy and melancholy that leaves me unfulfilled by things I love, like blogging.  I'm working through it, and thankfully, some of the recent stressors have reduced or disappeared. 

I have several posts lined up for the next week, so hopefully things will be back on track soon!  Thanks so much for sticking with me!!!

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

Today, I'm starting with Singin' the Blues Week - a week of one of this fall's hottest colors!

The color navy is the subtlest and easiest to wear of the blues.   It's perfect for conservative work places, but it functions well as a neutral for many occasions.

For years, I wasn't a fan of navy as I saw it as too conservative and classic for me.  I love classic, but it has to have an interesting modern or tough edge.  Somewhere along the line, I became a navy convert, especially when worn with other neutrals as I did here. 

Purse:  Target (May be available in stores; similar here)

Shirt:  The Limited (old) (Similar here)

When done in streamlined shapes, navy brings with it much of what I love about black - it's dark, it's sleek and sophisticated, and it is forever versatile.

Today's navy look also plays into fall's military trend (see more here).  I love how military pieces like this blazer look very polished and even just a teensy bit edgy.

Heels:  Target (Similar here)
Bracelets:  The Limited (Available here)

Are you a fan of navy?

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

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.

Adventures in Traveling: Plymouth, MA and Middletown, NY

Jeans:  The Limited (Available here)
Blouse:  Target Petites (Available here)
Sandals:  Kohl's (Available here)

On our trip back home, we became pretty determined to make good time and kept our stops minimal.

The last of our featured stops were in Plymouth, Massachusetts and Middletown, New York.

After we left Highland Lighthouse, we got back on the road.  We soon came upon Plymouth, Massachusetts.  I knew we couldn't pass without at least taking a look at Plymouth Rock.  We drove into town and stopped at Plymouth Harbor where we took a look at some of the boats.

Purse:  The Limited
Bracelets:  Prabal Gurung for Target; Express; The Limited

We then found Plymouth Rock.  It is down in a pit in the sand, with a viewing area built around it.  The tide is still able to wash over it as the observation deck sits above the ground.  As we learned from a Park Ranger, the current Plymouth Rock is about a third to quarter of the size that it would have been back in 1620 and the "1620" was carved in the late 1800s.  The decrease in the size of the rock has more to do with human intervention than natural erosion.

We didn't spend much time in Plymouth, but it's definitely a place where you could spend the say going through the museum, enjoying the Boardwalk, and taking a boat ride.

We continued on down the road and stopped for the night in Middletown, New York.  We went out to a few bars in town and spent some time visiting with a friend.

Jeans:  Torrid (Similar here)
Blouse:  The Limited (Available here)
Shoes:  Target (Available here)

The remaining two days of our trip were very low-key as we were worn out and eager to put an end to all the driving.

Hope you enjoyed my travel pics.  Outfit post tomorrow!!

Simply Navy

I love the simplicity of today's look.  There's nothing overly special about any of the particular pieces, but the long block of navy just feels so streamlined and sophisticated.

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

Wrap top:  The Limited (Available here)
Purse:  The Limited

I do love my wrap-style tops, real or faux, and this one is super comfortable as the front is woven, but the back is modal knit.

Heels:  Target (Available here)
Necklace worn as a bracelet:  The Limited

I wore this outfit to work yesterday with the navy heels, but I also really like the neon yellow pumps.  The navy heels finish off the clean monochromatic look, but the yellow pumps add a fun and unexpected pop of color to this simple outfit.

Heels:  Target (Available in other colors here)
Tank:  Target (Available in assorted colors here)

 Monochromatic looks were a popular trend on spring's runways (see here).  While these looks were usually shown in bright colors, navy is a more toned-down way to wear the trend for the office.

Earrings:  The Limited (Available here)

Would you wear a monochromatic look?  Which shoes do you prefer?

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

If you dress for it, will it come?

Well, we are expecting snow this weekend!!!  So much for spring weather anytime soon (grumble, grumble)!

Peplum blazer:  Target Petites (Available here)
Pants: The Limited (Available here)

Feeling the urge to bring on spring, I chose a fresh and spring-y color palette of navy, coral, and white.  Polkadots feel happy and always make me think of spring.

Cuff:  Express
Shoes:  Target (Available in other colors here)

Top:  Forever 21+

I've been trying to think of more fun and trendy ways to wear my several pairs of dress pants.  I find them to be the most work-appropriate pants; however, I find that they can get dreadfully boring and sometimes stodgy.

I am not a fan of a super-classic or preppy style, so I like that the trendy peplum and bold cuff add in a little of my own flair.

Tote:  The Limited (old)

Do you wear dress pants for work?  How do you make them more stylish and more "you"? 

To see this blazer styled differently, see here and here.
For these pants styled differently, see and  here.
 

Pattern Play

Today's look is inspired by spring.  The nautical stripes on the top, floral scarf, and fresh navy, white and green color palette all make me think of spring.

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

Mixing patterns has been a trend the last season or so and will be continuing into this spring.  

Purse:  The Limited

The top and scarf have a somewhat casual feel, but the navy trousers help dress the look up enough for work.  I added a matching navy blazer for work since it was rather chilly.

I love the tassels on the scarf!!!

Scarf:  The Limited (Available here)
Bracelet:  Target (old)
Ring:  Gift-vintage (Similar here)

Shoes:  Target (Sold out in navy; find other colors here)

Do you like navy?  Do you like mixing patterns?

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

Spring 2013 Fashion Preview: Red, White, & Blue

Red, white, and blue is always a popular color combination on spring runways. Most often, this color combination was done in bold graphic prints, florals, and nautical stripes (a staple of spring/summer fashion).

Peplum jacket:  The Limited (Available here)
Blouse:  The Limited (Currently sold out on-line; available in stores)

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

Today, I paired navy skinny pants with my graphic print top and red peplum jacket.

This outfit isn't much different than the previous way I styled this top (see here), but I like how changing the blazer and accessories give the outfit a different feel.

Purse:  The Limited
Shoes: Target (Available in other colors here)

"Evil eye" ring:  H&M

I am trying to will nice weather to the Midwest by wearing bright colors and using spring fashion inspiration for my cold weather looks.  It's not working out too well, but a girl can hope!!!

Red, white, and blue looks from spring 2013 runways:

Michael Kors offered preppy, nautical-inspired options. This look would be perfect for a summer barbecue or informal get-together.

Michael Kors spring 2013 look
Source:  www.vogue.com

Diane von Furstenburg spring 2013 look
Source:  www.dvf.com

There was nothing about Diane von Furstenburg's spring collection that I didn't like.  Her global-inspired prints and interesting shapes just feel so perfect for spring and summer!  If you're not into the nautical look, a print like the one above is a great way to wear red, white, and blue!

Do you like wearing red, white, and blue?

Earrings:  The Limited

To see this blazer styled differently, see here.

Anchors Away

Hope you all had a great day!  Unfortunately, I'm feeling under the weather today, so my pics are a bit limited.
I paired my burgundy velvet pants with a striped tank and anchor cardigan for a fun nautical theme look.

I usually reserve nautical prints and themes for spring and summer, but I loved the mix of colors of this outfit.  The layers and fabrics were enough to keep me warm this chilly day. 

Cardigan:  Torrid (Similar here)
Tank:  Old Navy Petites
Pants:  The Limited (Available here)

Purse:  The Limited (Available here)
Boots:  Payless (old)
Anchor earrings:  Gift (Similar here)

Would you wear an anchor print?  How would you style this cardigan?

Shopping Failures and Pitfalls

Happy Friday everyone!

I've been trying to add more color to my work outfits this week.  I really love wearing black and dark neutrals in the fall/winter time and tend to use a lot more color in the summer when my style gets more bohemian and more casual.

Blazer:  The Limited (Available here)
Jeans:  The Limited
Clutch:  The Limited

In an effort to add some color splashes to my blog posts, I wore this lime and taupe blouse with teal and yellow beads in a causal work look. I was drawn to the color when I bought this last spring, but I haven't worn the blouse much.  It would look great with teal pants or a skirt or toned down with taupe or navy, like I did here.  

I can think of several different outfit possibilities for this blouse, but at the end of the day, I've come to the conclusion that it's been hanging in my closet not getting worn simply because it just isn't me.  It's a pretty blouse, and I would like it on someone else.  I think this one just goes down as one of my shopping blunders. 

Blouse:  The Limited
Heels:  Target (Available here)
Bangle:  Target (old)
Earrings:  The Limited

Over the years, I have gotten better at avoiding shopping pitfalls.  I used to buy lots of multiples, but then I would get bored with wearing the same thing everyday in a different color.  I still buy multiples on occasion (especially shoes since I have a lot of trouble with fit), but when I do, I do so with more purpose.  Buying multiples of everything discourages creativity in your wardrobe and gives you fewer options for mixing and matching.

I also used to purchase items when they were on clearance sale simply because they were a great deal.  I still love a bargain, but I have learned to weigh the benefit of having a wardrobe of pieces that I want to wear often vs. a closet full of clothes that I find "just okay."  The likelihood is that the higher priced item has more use value and will get worn more often than items purchased simply for their low initial costs.

Nowadays, I have largely learned to purchase items that I really love rather than just pieces that are "nice" or "cheap."  I have learned to appreciate having less clothes, but spending more money for quality.  I've also learned that having a large diversity of clothing isn't necessary if you are comfortable in your personal style and know what you enjoy wearing and feel comfortable in.  

Unfortunately, this top was a bit of a blip in my improved shopping skills.  I had noticed this blouse when it first came out, but it wasn't something I liked enough to purchase - even after several shopping trips.  At some point, I decided to buy it because it was a pretty color, or on sale, or it was different than other things in my closet.  I can't really remember.

What I do know is that it hangs in my closet simply because I didn't listen to my shopping instincts.  I was attracted to the color and the beading.  The problem was that I settled for an item that wasn't quite my personal style.  

Assessing your closet and making a running shopping list can be a great way of avoiding some of these shopping mistakes.  It helps focus your shopping to avoid impulse purchases and mistakes that initially look tempting due to price, color, or attractive store displays.

How do you avoid shopping blunders?

Pajama Party

Today's outfit reminds of classic men's pajamas.

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

I think of old velvet robes and printed silk button-down pajama tops.  I love the relaxed vibe of the look, but that it was still also put together enough for work.

Blouse:  New York & Company
Purse:  The Limited

I can't wait to style these velvet pants for the holidays.  I'm thinking that a sparkly top or sweater will be the perfect accompaniment for the festivities.

Shoes:  Target (Available here)
Necklace:  Gift (old)

A note on fit:  I had these pants hemmed, but unfortunately, I didn't get them hemmed short enough.  When pants are too long, not only do they look a little sloppy and unkempt (and could ruin the bottom of your pants), they can make short legs look even shorter, which I think they are doing here.  Nothing a quick trip back to the tailor can't fix!!!

For more on getting the right fit, see here.
For this blazer in another look, see here.

Crying Foulard

Traditional menswear-inspired fabrics and looks were very popular on fall runways.  Personally, I love this trend as I enjoy mixing feminine and masculine pieces in my wardrobe.

Jacket:  The Limited (Available here)
Pants:  The Limited (Similar here)
Clutch:  1980s Vintage

This foulard (pronounced fu-lard) print jacket takes traditional men's tie fabric and turns it into a versatile lightweight blazer.

Purse Necklace:  1960s Vintage Judith Leiber
Bracelets:  World Market; The Limited
Rings:  H&M (Available in stores)

The flowy blouse and heels keep the look feminine, and I like the mix of burgundies and reds in the shoes, blazer, and heels.  

I do think the top was a little long for the jacket, making the look a little sloppy.  Next time, I would wear this jacket with a shorter or tucked-in top.

Blouse:  Gap
Tank:  Target (Similar here)
Shoes:  Target (Similar here)

Would you wear the menswear trend?