Winter Chic

Happy Thursday, everyone!

Tweed jacket:  Gap
Blouse:  Target

Resigning myself to the fact that it's still winter, I decided to wear some of my favorite cold-weather pieces this week.  Today, that piece was my tweed jacket.

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

Necklace:  New York & Company
Ring:  The Limited (old)

I kept a dark neutral color palette and added a green bib necklace and ring with dark purple stones.

What was that I said yesterday about trying to break away from my black pants rut?  I've worn denim, red, and camel pants this week.  Three out of five days ain't bad.  ;-) 

Purse:  New York & Company

To see this tweed jacket in other looks, see here and here.
To see this top in other looks, see here and here.

Dark Moon Rising

My favorite color is green, but I have very little of it in my wardrobe.  I've been looking for some new green additions, and I loved the deep shade of this blazer.  Forest green is the perfect shade of green for fall, and I love the unexpectedness of pairing the color with black.  In the past, I disliked dark colors paired with black, but now, it seems really sophisticated and a little gothic, which I like.

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

Mixing slim cut trousers with a different colored blazer is an updated take on a traditional suit, which makes it a great choice for a business casual work environment.  

After years of working in a more relaxed environment, I sometimes feel constrained in my fashion choices due to the more conservative environment of my current job.

Purse:  The Limited
Shoes:  Target

The great thing about this look is that I would happily wear this outfit for a night out, but I think it is still completely work-appropriate.

Blouse:  The Limited
Tank:  Old Navy (Available here)
Necklace:  New York & Company (Available here)

This bold statement necklace ties the look together.  It may seem obvious, but I am a major accessories junkie.  As much as I love clothing, accessories are actually more important, in my opinion.  

Accessories allow you to change up more basic or classic pieces to extend your wardrobe options and transition your wardrobe from season to season.  Since accessories are usually cheaper than clothing, they are a practical and fun way of continually updating your wardrobe.

Today, I also treated my nails as an accessory and gave myself a variation of a fun moon mani. 

Do you like dark colors paired with black?  Any fun manicure ideas?

The Essential LBD

There's a reason the little black dress is so ubiquitous.  It's a great basic that can be accessorized in a myriad of ways to fit your personal style and moods.

Dress:  Target (Similar:  http://www.zappos.com/anne-klein-shift-dress-ak-black)
Blazer:  The Limited (Similar: http://us.asos.com/ASOS-Blazer-With-Roll-Sleeve/y44i6/?iid=2156705&cid=13632&Rf900=1632&Rf-200=5&sh=0&pge=0&pgesize=20&sort=-1&clr=White&mporgp=L0FTT1MvQVNPUy1CbGF6ZXItV2l0aC1Sb2xsLVNsZWV2ZS9Qcm9kLw..)

I got this dress for only $6.00 (Don't you love a great bargain?) and then had it altered to perfection.

Shoes:  Target

Necklace:  The Limited
Cuff:  Old (New York & Company?)

Today, I styled my black dress for a look that I like to call "Creative Corporate."  The black and white color combination is graphic; the shapes are no-nonsense, but the statement necklace and "bondage" sandals add a funkier vibe.

Do you have an LBD?  How do you like to style it?