12 Days of Holiday: New Year's Eve Sparkle

I'm not sure what I'll be wearing for New Year's Eve yet, but this is one outfit idea.

Skirt:  Forever 21+ (Similar here)
Blazer:  The Limited (Available here)

I love the mix of metallics, and I'm a sucker for sparkle.

I'm absolutely loving this faux leather envelope skirt from Forever 21+.  

Tank:  Gap (old)

Tights:  The Limited (Available here)

Unfortunately, it's a little too big and longer than I'd like it to be, so I'm not sure it's a keeper.  Some items can be easily altered, but this skirt may be more trouble and costly than it's worth.  On bottom, I am typically a 10-12 in misses/straight sizing.  Being bigger on top, blouses, sweaters, and dresses from F21 usually fit great.  The junior plus-size fit gives me perfect proportions in those items. 

Bracelets:  LOFT (Available here, here, and here)

This is my first attempt at buying a bottom from the store, and I am wondering if their bottoms fit more like traditional plus-size 12 vs. straight size 12.  I can only get F21+ on-line, and I don't want to keep attempting buying skirts or pants if they are very unlikely to fit. Anyone know how the sizing of bottoms generally compares to straight sizing?

Clutch:  The Limited
Boots:  Fergaliciious by Fergie (Available here)

Will you be wearing sparkle this New Year's?

For this blazer in another look, see here.
For this top in another look, see here.

Cassential Links, 12/12/13

Kudos to Jennifer Lawrence for her straight talk about body image

This young woman beautifully articulates how women are subtly taught to hate their bodies.

I absolutely love evening/holiday fashion.  Unfortunately, I don't have enough fabulous places to wear sequins or get otherwise glitzy.  These two lovely ladies show how to do holiday chic in fab style.

Sexual abuse victims are often silenced in our culture.  These women holding signs quoting their attackers give them a "voice."

I'm not a fan of the memes that pit skinny women against curvy/fat women.  All women are beautiful, and it's important that we support each other as women.  Unfortunately, just as stereotypes and meanness about fat women abound, so do those about skinny women.

Keeping with the theme of holiday dressing, Wendy looks gorgeous in leather and tulle.  Perfect for being the Cinderella of your own ball!

Learning to love our bodies means learning to listen to the clues we give ourselves about our bodies and paying attention to our self-talk.

Gap responds to racism towards Sikh model.

More holiday fashion fabulousness from Nicolette Mason.

 

Date Night Chic

Jeans:  Torrid (Available here)
Blazer:  The Limited (Similar here)

I come up with more evening/date night clothing ideas than I get a chance to wear.   My personal aesthetic in fashion steers more towards evening looks.  Unfortunately, my work life (corporate office) and home life (five kids and a man who both works and is in school full-time) mean limited opportunities for going-out fashion.

Blouse:  The Limited

Heels:  Target (Available here)
Earrings:  Target

That's where playing dress up comes in.  I have loved playing dress up ever since I can remember.  I didn't play dress-up to engage in fantasy play that I was a princess or a superhero.  Instead, I made up commercials in front of the mirror advertising the "new fashion boutique" that just opened, describing in detail whatever crazy look I had created. 

Clutch:  Target (Available in stores)

My love for playing dress up has never really gone away, and today's look was one created while doing just that.   Today's look pairs skinny jeans with a sequined blouson tank and tuxedo blazer.

Bracelet:  eBay (Similar here)

I love the sexy laid-back vibe of this look.  I would definitely wear this look out for a dinner date with the man.

Do you like to play dress up?

For this blazer in other looks, see here and here.
To see this blouse styled differently, see here and here.
For these jeans in another look, see 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?

Denim and Tweed

This is a look from a previous casual Friday at work.

Jacket:  The Limited (Available at eloquii.com here )
Jeans:  The Limited (Available here)

I like mixing tweed with denim and other non-traditional fabrics.  I also like the mix of pastels with off-whites, like this mint and cream combination.

Blouse:  New York & Company (Available here)

Shoes:  Target (old)

This outfit isn't groundbreaking fashion, but it's a good way to do casual at the workplace.  Dark denim is crisp and looks professional.  A slightly unconventional blazer adds a personal twist but keeps the overall look work-appropriate.

I'm usually against any lists that tell people what they should or shouldn't wear; however, we all have to follow certain rules at work.  

Tote:  New York & Company (Similar here)

Ring:  The Limited
Earrings:  Gift (handmade)

Work dress codes vary, so it's important to know yours.  Generally speaking, if your work place allows denim, it's important to keep it fresh and crisp with no holes or stains.  Denim that is super-faded or is overly trendy, such as floral, reptile print, or tie-dye prints, should probably be saved for evenings and weekends.

Do you wear denim to work? 

For this blazer styled differently, see here.

Gaga for Lady Gaga

Coated denim jeans:  Target (Available here)
Top:  The Limited (old)

Happy Sunday, everyone!  Hope you're all having a great day!!!

Last night's Lady Gaga concert was ahhhh-maaaaaaaa-zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzing!!!!!  I had so much fun and am so in love with her artistry and her messages of individualism, self-acceptance, and tolerance.

I knew I wanted a wild look that was very different than my day-to-day.  While I didn't want to get too extreme with my clothes, I loved the idea of going all out with my hair and make-up.

Earring (left ear):  Express
Feather earring (right ear):  Claire's (Available here)

Crystals:  Hot Topic

My sister's a hair dresser and helped me create this fun mohawk with a slight pompadour front.  

I did my own make-up, playing around with the idea of a futuristic hybridization of cultures with the bindhi and Kabuki-inspired lip.

Thank you to everyone who voted for my concert outfit.  

Unfortunately, I didn't get a ton of votes for what to wear, so I went with the votes that I got, but made some changes based on my needs for the night.

Look #1 was the unanimous winner:

Jacket/cardigan:  Converse One Star for Target
Top:  The Limited (Available here)

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

Shoes:  Payless
Necklace:  eBay (Similar here)
Bracelets:  Torrid, The Limited (Similar here)

It was cold outside, but I didn't want to deal with a coat at the concert, so I decided to swap the cardigan for the blazer from Look #3 for a little more coverage and warmth.  I also opted for an assymetrical sequin top as I preferred the scoopneck of the tank with the blazer.

As much as this overall look was forged out of the desire to play dress-up, I have always loved mohawk-styled looks on women and have always wanted to try it.  This look is as much "me" as any other.  Having so much fun with this look inspires me to try out an edgier cut/style with my hair.

Would you ever try out a mohawk?

HELP ME CHOOSE!!!!!

Tomorrow night, I am going to see Lady Gaga in concert. Woohoo!!!!

The problem is that I'm not sure what I want to wear.  I have pulled together some possibilities for the concert, and I'd love your input.

Look #1

Look #2

Look #3 - may opt for a different top with pants and blazer

I kept my hair simple and wore no jewelry for these photos to serve as a blank canvas of sorts.  For the concert, I plan on doing some crazy, fun hair and make-up and accessorizing differently depending on the outfit.
 
Which of these styles should I wear? 

Please vote for #1, #2, or #3 here on blog, Facebook, or Twitter. 

Christmas Sparkle

Happy Holidays, everyone! 

Today, I wore one of my favorite looks. 

Blouse:  Gap (old) (Similar here and here)
Blazer:  The Limited (old) (Similar here)

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

This sequin top has multi-color metallic sequins, which makes it really versatile.  

Paired with the champagne blazer, the sequins on this blouse remind me of champagne bubbles.  The look feels super festive, and with a great clutch, would be great for a New Year's Eve out with friends.

Satchel:  The Limited (Available here)
Earrings:  The Limited (Similar here)

Rings:  New York & Company

Do you have any exciting plans for New Year's Eve?  What do you plan on wearing?

Holiday Dressing

Stumped with what to wear for the holiday season's gatherings and festivities?

I love holiday fashion!  I would happily wear glitter, rhinestones, velvet, and lace almost every day of the week, especially when it's cold outside.

Here's a gathering of some of the outfits I've worn so far that would be perfect for holiday parties or gatherings.

Don't like all my black?  You could easily substitute red, burgundy, emerald, silver, gold, sapphire, or winter white in places where I'm wearing black.

Happy Holidays!!!

Winter Sparkle

Casual Festive

Velvet Ingenue

Tuxedo Styling

Channeling Chanel

Birthday Suit

I Vote for Sequins, Velvet, and Tweed

Party Time! Excellent!!!

Workaday Elegance

Party Time! Excellent!!!

Today, we had our annual holiday party at work.

I wanted a festive look that was still work-appropriate.  That meant no cleavage, no short skirts, etc.

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

Blouse:  The Limited (No longer available on-line, check local store for availability)

As you may know by now, I love menswear-inspired pieces, especially tuxedo looks.

I chose my velvet skinny pants with this sequined bib-front blouse and tuxedo blazer from my December Wish List.  To add more sparkle and feminine glamour, I added a shiny pewter clutch, these pretty vintage-inspired earrings, and patent leather black heels.  I also wore this fun ring because you know, what says "holiday" more than a rhinestone gecko?  ;-D

Ring:  Target (Available in stores; Similar here )

Purse:  Target (Available here)
Shoes:  Target (old)

Earrings:  Target (old)

I don't get nearly enough chances to wear sparkle, so today was fun!

Do you have any office-related holiday parties to attend?  What do you plan on wearing?