Skirt Week: Drama Queen

Hi everyone!  Today kicks off Skirt Week, and I'm super excited about this first look.

Skirt: The Limited (Available here)
Clutch:  Jason Wu for Target (Available on eBay here)

Tank:  Torrid (Available here)

I fell in love with this skirt from The Limited the second I saw it and just knew I had to make it mine!  The mini with sheer overlay is a clever and sexy way to show off the legs while still having some coverage.

Shoes:  Target

I hear a lot of petites say that they can't wear maxi skirts because they are too long.  Well, this one was definitely too long, but hemming is generally one of the easiest and least expensive tailoring options.  At 4'9", I have virtually all of my pants and skirts hemmed, even petites sizes.

I had both layers of the skirt hemmed to get the right fit, and I couldn't be happier with the result.

Jade ring:  Vintage (Similar here)

I have some ideas for how to style this skirt for early fall, but after playing dress up for a bit, I came up with this dramatic summer evening look.

I love how these separates create the look of a dress. 

The bold beaded chainlink necklace adds to the drama and really works with this simple color palette and easy, flowy pieces.

Necklace:  Target

Do you like the trend of sheer maxi skirts layered over minis?

For this top in another look, see here.

Punch It Up

Happy Thursday everyone!

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

Today's look is one of my favorite spring/summer outfits.  I'm in love with the color and fit of this caftan-style top. 

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

I plan on wearing it with white skinny jeans this summer, but yesterday, I dressed the look up a little bit with black pants and strappy heeled sandals.

Purse:  The Limited (old)
Necklace:  Target (old)

We were having an amazing spring thunderstorm while I was taking these pics, so I was getting the perfect breeze during these pictures! 

Cuff:  The Limited (old)
Earrings:  Express (old)

Hope you all have a great day!!  :-)

A is for A-line

Recently, I've been playing around with skirts in different shapes.  Today's look features an A-line skirt.

Skirt:  Target (Available here)
Blazer:  New York & Company

In my early 20s, I lived in mini skirts (the shorter the better).  About six years ago, it was all maxi skirts, all the time.  More recently, I seem to have stuck to pencil skirts. Now, I'm in the mood for more variety. 

Blouse:  Old Navy Petites (Similar here)
Boots:  Payless (old)

Necklace:  Express (old)

I recently found this skirt at Target.  It has a matching bralette top, which sealed the deal for me.  The top is on back-order, but I definitely plan to rock the bare midriff look soon!

Purse:  The Limited (Similar here)

Belt:  The Limited

Yesterday, I wore this look to work.  The simple top and blazer kept the look professional, but the faux leather sleeves on the blazer, ankle boots, print of the skirt, and necklace gave the look a cool edge.

Do you like A-line skirts?

To see this blazer styled differently, click here, here, here, here, here, and here.

Colorful Mondays

Today, I wore one of my favorite colors - cobalt blue.

Blazer:  New York & Company (Available here)
Tank:  The Limited (No longer available on-line; Available in some stores)
Pants:  The Limited (Similar here)

I realized that I unconsciously choose bright colors to wear on Mondays more often than not, such as in these recent Monday work looks.

Happy Monday

Beads and Citrine

Red Pants, White Jacket

Prabal Gurung Neon Brights

I am NOT a morning person...EVER.  Daylight Savings Time threw me off even more today, so I wanted to wear an easy outfit and a favorite color.   

Bold colors are happy and project a message of confidence.  They're perfect for surviving those manic Mondays.

Necklace:  Target (May be available in some stores; on-line)
Evil eye bracelet:  eBay (Similar here)
Charm bracelet:  Zoppini

A simple outfit like this calls for bold accessories.

I recently got this beaded chainlink necklace, which I love.  It's super long and can be worn doubled or even tripled.  If you're interested in purchasing it, be forewarned -- it is a little heavy and the beads get a little scratchy throughout the day.  It won't stop me from wearing it, but it may be a dealbreaker for some.

Shoes:  Target (old)
Clutch:  Target (Available in stores)

Do you like to wear bright or bold colors on Mondays?

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.

Spring 2013 Fashion Preview: Red, White, & Blue

Red, white, and blue is always a popular color combination on spring runways. Most often, this color combination was done in bold graphic prints, florals, and nautical stripes (a staple of spring/summer fashion).

Peplum jacket:  The Limited (Available here)
Blouse:  The Limited (Currently sold out on-line; available in stores)

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

Today, I paired navy skinny pants with my graphic print top and red peplum jacket.

This outfit isn't much different than the previous way I styled this top (see here), but I like how changing the blazer and accessories give the outfit a different feel.

Purse:  The Limited
Shoes: Target (Available in other colors here)

"Evil eye" ring:  H&M

I am trying to will nice weather to the Midwest by wearing bright colors and using spring fashion inspiration for my cold weather looks.  It's not working out too well, but a girl can hope!!!

Red, white, and blue looks from spring 2013 runways:

Michael Kors offered preppy, nautical-inspired options. This look would be perfect for a summer barbecue or informal get-together.

Michael Kors spring 2013 look
Source:  www.vogue.com

Diane von Furstenburg spring 2013 look
Source:  www.dvf.com

There was nothing about Diane von Furstenburg's spring collection that I didn't like.  Her global-inspired prints and interesting shapes just feel so perfect for spring and summer!  If you're not into the nautical look, a print like the one above is a great way to wear red, white, and blue!

Do you like wearing red, white, and blue?

Earrings:  The Limited

To see this blazer styled differently, see 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?