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.

Fall Color Week: Burgundy Basic

Happy Sunday, everyone!

Pants:  The Limited (Sold out in burgundy; other colors available here)
Blazer:  The Limited (Similar here)

Today, I'm featuring a recent work look.  These pants are a great basic that can easily transition into casual, work, or evening looks.  I like the mix of burgundy with beige and black.

Blouse:  Target (old)
Tank:  Old Navy Petites (Similar here)

Heels:  Target (Similar here)
Purse:  Express

In fact, I'm really loving burgundy this fall. It is such a warm color that can function almost as a neutral.  In my opinion, it looks great with other neutrals or paired with shades of blue, pink, and mustard.

It's red's sophisticated sister, adding a touch of boldness without being as show-y.

Bracelet:  The Limited

Are you a fan of burgundy?

For these pants in another look, see here. 

Glam Geek

Today's look takes my "Chic Geek" tee to a slightly edgy androgynous glam place (Does such a place exist, and how do I get to such a wonderland??!!).

Blazer:  New York & Company

Pants:  The Limited
Clutch:  Target (Similar here)

I've only recently started wearing t-shirts outside of the house again.  

In high school and my early years of undergrad, I wore a LOT of 
t-shirts - my favorite music (John Lennon, Pearl Jam, R.E.M.), my favorite quotes (Nietzche), my social causes (vegetarianism, animal rights, Amnesty International), portraits of my favorite authors (Steinbeck and Poe... because I couldn't find Camus) - you name it, I had it on a t-shirt. 

Maybe it was t-shirt overload or maybe it was an effort to mature my sartorial choices, but at some point around my junior year of college, I stopped wearing t-shirts except as lounge wear.

T-shirt:  Target (Available here)

Bracelets:  Express, The Limited, Claire's, H&M

Over the last year or two, I have seen my t-shirt collection grow.  I have a lot of kids, creating a need for a more casual weekend wardrobe that works for my lifestyle.  I also realized that there are a lot of cool t-shirts out there, and I was missing out.
 
My t-shirt looks are often super casual (stay tuned for tomorrow's post), but I also love the idea of dressing tees up with fancier fabrics like velvet, silk, and faux leather.

Rings:  Earthbound Trading Company and The Limited (Available here)

Shoes:  Target

Some of my previous t-shirt looks:

Cabana Coral

Bettie at the Movies

A Shorts Story

Hello Kitty

 



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

Burgundy and Gold

I'm trying to break out of my black pants rut. I love how versatile black pants are and how you can find so many fun textures, cuts, fabrics, and details in black pants.

I know camel isn't a daring leap from black, but I love what a year-round neutral camel is.  It looks great with pastel, bright, or bold colors, as well as other neutrals.

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

Today, I paired my camel pants with an ivory draped knit tank and my burgundy velvet blazer.

Leopard print heels and mixed bracelets finish the look.

Bracelets (bottom to top):  Express, Target, World Market, The Limited

Necklace:  The Limited (Sold out on-line; may be available in stores)
Heels:  Target (Available: here)

It has been snowing all day in my 'hood (that would be the white spots in the last picture).  The past few weeks have reminded me that winter is not over, despite my wishes.  Hope you all are staying warm in your part of the world!!

To see the blazer styled differently, see here and here.
To see the pants in other looks, click here and here.
Top styled differently here.

Chiffon & Velvet

Hi everyone!
We've been having great weather the last few days, but today the temperature started to drop again.  When I left for work this morning, I skipped the scarf, but added it for the much cooler ride home.

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

Scarf:  New York & Company (Similar here)Purse: The Limited (Similar here)
Heels:  Target (Available here)

 I plan on getting this top hemmed as it's a bit too long (story of my life!).  I like that the ivory fabric and sheer chiffon neckline adds a bit of lightness to the overall look.

Blouse:  The Limited (Available here)
Earrings:  The Limited
Ring:  H&M

To see this blazer in another look, see here.

How's the weather where you live?  How do you adjust your wardrobe to the changing temps?

Complementary Colors

Today, my look is inspired by a small fashion spread in the recent issue of one of my many fashion magazines (though for the life of me, I couldn't find the article again).  The spread showed burgundy mixed with forest green in looks that I found very fresh. 

Dress:  LOFT Petites (Available here)
Blazer:  New York & Company (Similar here)

Purse:  The Limited (old)
Boots:  Payless (old) (Similar here)

I was planning on wearing this before Christmas, but my bout with the flu kept that from happening.  Burgundy mixed with forest green is a slightly unexpected take on the traditional Christmas color combination.  

Necklace:  New York & Company

Tights:  Target (Similar here)

Thankfully, this outfit still works after Christmas because the look isn't "themed" and burgundy and forest are complementary shades that work well in fall and winter.    

Would you wear red and green together?

See this blazer styled differently here and here.
For more on the burgundy trend, see here.

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 Trends - Burgundy and Red

One of the easiest trends this season is the color red.  

From burgundy to wine to oxblood red, dark and moody reds are everywhere this fall.  Their cheerier and equally appealing sister, cherry, is also popular for fall.

The darker reds function as a neutral.  I plan on mixing wine with mustards, golds, black, and pale pink, possibly even cherry.
I haven't always been a big fan of wearing the color red, but lately, I am loving the pop of color.

Here are my picks for Fall burgundies and reds:

From the runway - How fabulous is the Donna Karan look?

Source:  http://www.style.com/fashionshows/complete/slideshow/F2012RTW-DKARAN/?iphoto=7#slide=7

More attainable looks:

LOFT deep cabernet lace skirt

Express Columnist burgundy pants

I recently purchased this blazer in light pink, but I am loving the red too!

Source:  New York & Company Crosby Street Jacket

ModCloth red peplum dress

On my fall shopping list?

A floaty chiffon burgundy dress and new wine or red heels.  I'll definitely post my finds.  :-D