Sometimes Simplicity

Sometimes you just want simplicity in your life and in your wardrobe.

Pencil skirt:  Target Petites (Available here)

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

Today's look combines a basic black pencil skirt and blazer to a grape purple tank for an easy work outfit.

I wore this outfit a few weeks ago when the weather was still a bit warmer, but you could easily add printed tights or black stockings for a little extra warmth.

Clutch:  The Limited (Available here)
Boots:  Target (old)

Necklace:  New York & Company (Sold out on-line; may be available in stores)
Ring:  Earthbound Trading Co.

Do you like wearing simple outfits like this one here?

For this blazer in other looks, see here, here, and here.
For this skirt in other looks, see here, here, and here.
For more on fall's midi-skirt trend, see here.

Date Night Maxi

The man and I had a lovely dinner date over the weekend, and this is what I wore:

Skirt:  The Limited (Available here)
Tank:  Target (old)

Blazer:  Forever 21+ (Available in pink here)
Clutch:  Target

I love how this outfit has a formality but does not feel too over-the-top.

We had dinner al fresco at Aya Sofia, a wonderful Turkish restaurant in St. Louis.  I love Mediterranean food, and this restaurant never fails to deliver on super delicious food and excellent service. 

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

The weather here has been unseasonably cool lately, so this was the perfect outfit for dining outside.

Necklace:  Target (old)

For this skirt in another look, see here.
For this blazer in other looks, see here, here, here, here, here, and here.

Sunday Lovin'

Happy Sunday, everyone!

Today, I went for a casual family brunch and this is what I wore:

Corduroy pants:  The Limited (Similar here)
Sweater:  Target (Similar here)

Tank:  Gap Petites (Available here)
Shoes:  Target

I don't usually wear so much color together, but it's fun on occasion.  The casual vibe of the outfit and black accessories help offset the sweetness of the sweater and the color palette.

Purse:  The Limited (old)

For this sweater in another look, see here.  To see these pants worn differently, see here.

 Hope you have all had a relaxing Sunday Funday!

Cashmere Cozy

Happy Sunday everyone!

Today, I paired my black skinny pants with a purple cotton/cashmere blend sweater for a comfortable and cozy outfit.  I like that the outfit is basic but refined. 

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

Pants:  The Limited (Available here)
Clutch:  Jason Wu for Target

The fit of this sweater is loose without being too baggy and a little longer than other similar sweaters, making it an ideal pairing for dress pants, jeans, leggings, skirts, and more.

V-necks are super flattering for most everybody.  They help elongate the neck and are great for women with larger busts and/or rounder faces.

I added burgundy pumps and green accessories for a few pops of fall color.

Heels:  Target (Available here)
Necklace:  Forever 21
Jade ring:  Vintage (gift)

Hope you all had a great weekend!!

Purple polish

Happy Thursday, everyone!  Hope you all had a wonderful day!

Blazer:  The Limited (Similar here)
Blouse:  Target (Similar here)
Ring:  The Limited (old) (Similar here)

Today, I mixed eggplant purple with black and grey for one of my favorite fall color combinations.

Pants:  The Limited (Sold out online, see here)
Shoes:  Target

I was excited to add this fun pewter fringe clutch that I recently unburied.  I thought I must have given it away, but I was pleasantly surprised to find it stuffed away in a drawer.It also has a fun story.  A few years ago, I won a national design/styling contest offered by The Limited.  My prize was a $2000 shopping spree and a trip to Miami, FL to shop with The Limited's VP of Design.  This clutch was one of my picks.

I love that it gives my work look just the slightest rock-and-roll vibe.  The blouse and clutch both have subtle python textures.

Clutch:  The Limited (old) (Similar here)
Necklace:  Express (old)

Do you have any favorite fall color combinations?

Blazer styled differently here and here
Blouse styled differently here

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

Getting the Right Fit

Finding clothes that fit off the rack is nearly impossible for the curvy petite woman.

Most of my clothes are altered, especially suit jackets.

AFTER

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

I love blazers for their structure and versatility, but without a good fit, they can look very sloppy.

BEFORE

When I bought this suit, the jacket's sleeves were too long, the arm holes too large,  and the shoulders too wide.  The pants were "short" fit, but they were also a bit too long.

While it's difficult to get a perfect fit without having an item made especially for you, a good tailor can get you close.

When purchasing a blazer, you should buy to fit the largest part of you.  Letting a jacket out is usually not as an option as manufacturers do not leave a lot of excess room in women's clothing.  Even if there's enough extra fabric, letting a jacket out may lead to unsightly holes depending on the color and fabric.

Bracelets:  The Limited (Available: here and here)

Ideally, if you can wear petites, do so as a petite jacket will be better proportioned all around, making the need for alterations fewer (and usually leading to a better fit after alterations).   

Now, my suit flatters my body and doesn't make me look like a kid playing dress up. :-)

Shirt:  The Limited

Extensive tailoring doesn't come cheap, so it's important to weigh the use value of the clothing item against the cost of getting it tailored.

A grey suit is classic, is functional for a conservative work place like mine, and is perfect for job interviews, so in my opinion (and for my life), it's worth it to invest in the tailoring.

Today, I paired my grey suit with a purple floral knit top that has a surprise back.

Lose the jacket, add some dangly earrings and a clutch, and you have a suitable (pun totally intended ;-D) look for an after-work dinner out.

A Little Pep(lum) in Your Step

Peplums are huge for fall (more about peplums here).

I am having a little bit of a love affair with the peplum (see previous peplum looks here and here).

Peplums can be super flattering for curvy women.  A properly placed peplum can disguise a belly bulge while minimizing a waist and accentuating curves.

Dress:  New York & Company (Available here)

I love the simplicity and modernity of this dress.  I had the skirt portion of this dress tapered to better accentuate my curves and to make the peplum detail really stand out.

Cuff:  Express (Available here)

I added this modern, sculptural cuff and navy pumps for a slightly unexpected touch.

Cardigan:  The Limited (Similar:  here)
Shoes:  Target (Available here)

The dark purple cardigan kept me cozy in the chilly office.  I like the subtle pops of color that the cardi and shoes add to the look; however, I would have preferred a cropped bolero-style faux leather jacket to show off the peplum shape.  I am adding that to my October wish list!!

My favorite peplum look to date!!

All Hail to Alma Mater!

The weather outside is still hot, but I'm ready for fall.  On this casual Friday, I paired denim with a mustard top and a deep purple knit blazer.  I really like the autmnal take on colorblocking.

Bag:  Old - Payless?
Blazer:  The Limited
Top (Available:  New York & Company)

I also realized that I was wearing the colors of one of my alma maters (Go Knox!), which got me thinking.  With Fall Homecomings coming up, wearing your school colors in a look like this is a great way to show school spirit without the usual alumni t-shirt or hoodie.  

Jeans:  The Limited (Similar:  Levi's)Shoes:  Target

This look would work for a reunion brunch.  Substitute the heels with boots or flats, and the look is perfect for a football game.  The look is casual but put-together.

Cuff:  New York & Company (Similar: Express cuff)
Earrings:  The Limited

Do you plan on attending a high school or college Homecoming?  Would you wear a look like this for that event?