Playful Patterns

Hi everyone, and happy Friday!!!

Dress:  LOFT

I hope today's look puts a smile on your face because it certainly does mine! 

As most of you probably know by now, black and white is my favorite color combo and I love mixed prints.

Cardigan:  Torrid

Shoes:  Target (old)

The fit and flare shape of the dress and red peep-toe heels lend the look a retro vibe.

I only wore this outfit long enough for pictures, but I would definitely wear it to a bridal or baby shower or for another fun or festive occasion.

Clutch:  The Limited

And because joy is so often found in play...

Have a great weekend everyone!!  :-D

For this dress in another look, see here.

Don't be Scared...Answers to your Halloween Costume Dilemma

Halloween is my favorite holiday.  I just love dressing up and being someone different for a night!

Sonsi.com recently reached out to me about their fabulous line of Halloween costumes.

This year, they are offering costumes in fourteen different categories to find just the right costume for you!  Costumes are available in sizes 12-28.

Here are some of their great costumes:

To see all of Sonsi's Halloween costumes, just click here.

P.S. This is not a sponsored post.  I just really love Halloween, and Sonsi.com has a wide range of costumes available for a wide range of sizes.

Feminine Suiting

Whenever I think I've dressed a little too casually for work (see yesterday's outfit), I often purposefully choose something more formal to wear the next day.

Pants:  The Limited (old)
Blouse:  The Limited (old) (Similar here and here)

Today, I chose my black high-waisted pants and paired them with a polkadot bow-front blouse.

Blazer:  The Limited (Similar here)
Belt:  The Limited

I love the retro vibe of the look. It's classic, but in an interesting way as it has a 1940s vibe.

I paired the outfit with a peplum blazer for work since it was chilly today.

Earrings: The Limited (Available here)
Purse:  The Limited (old)

Today's look isn't too different than one I previously posted (see here).  I had originally planned on wearing a red blazer, but I just felt like this one worked better.  

Shoes:  Target (old)

Sometimes it can easy to get stuck in certain outfit pairings, but if it ain't broke, why fix it, right?

Keep or Return?

Dress:  Torrid (Available here)

Clutch:  The Limited

I bought this dress at Torrid not too long ago, but I'm pretty sure that I am going to return it.  

Necklace:  Target (No longer available on-line; see here)

Shoes:  Target (Available in other colors here)

I love the retro shape of it, but I'm not sure I'm in totally in love with this floral print.  I'm also not sure the strapless fit works for me in this particular dress.  If I keep it, I would get it hemmed an inch or two to fit right above or at the knee rather than below the knee.

Bracelets:  Express; Target

I had fun taking pics in this dress, but I just don't see it as being a mainstay in my wardrobe.

What do you think - keep or return?

Neutral sophistication

Today, I paired my paperbag-waist trousers and peplum blazer with a striped shell for a look that felt a little vintage, a little modern.

High-waist paperbag trousers:  The Limited (old) (Similar here)
Peplum blazer:  The Limited (old) (Similar here)

The high-waist wide leg trousers and peplum have a 1940s feel, but with the peplum being such a major trend the last year or so, the outfit also feels very modern.

Tank:  LOFT
Earrings:  The Limited

Vintage jade ring:  gift (Similar here)
Vintage jade bracelet:  gift (Similar here)

Wide leg trousers can be tricky on curvy petite frames.  I tend to err on the side of hemming wide leg pants slightly too long to create the longest line possible.
 
I paired the outfit with vintage statement jewelry and a faux croc bag to finish the retro modern look.

Purse:  Express (Similar here)
Shoes:  Target (old)

Do you like pairing vintage and modern styles?

Feelin Dotty

Happy Wednesday everyone!

Dress:  The Limited (Available:  here)

For work today, I went a little retro with this 50s-inspired polkadot dress.

Jacket:  The Limited

During work hours (that frigid air-conditioning), I wore this cropped blazer.

This jacket didn't have any closures, so I added a hook-and-eye closure to give me more options.  Often times, minor adaptations can transform an "almost" piece into something your really love.

Shoes:  Target (Similar:  here)

 I added these red patent leather peep-toe heels I got for $6.00 at Target (I soooo love my bargains!)

Ring:  H&M
Earrings:  Express (Similar here)

The look is vintage-inspired, but I tried to keep the look modern with the styling.

Love an exposed back zipper!