Preppy Color

Hi everyone!

Hard to believe it's been a week since I posted.  Between the kids and me, this has been one sickly household the last few weeks!!! I hope you all are staying healthy!

I have decided to postpone the rest of my Spring fashion forecast for now.  I will have more spring preview some time in February.  It is bitter cold in my neck of the woods, so even though my mind is on spring colors and styles, the temperatures are forcing me back to the reality that we still have a lot of winter left!!!

Tee:  The Limited (Available here)
Blazer:  The Limited (Similar here)

Corduroy pants:  Forenza by The Limited (Similar here)
Shoes:  Target

I actually wore today's look last casual Friday.  I wore the green flats to work for comfort, but I've also shown the look with navy heels.  The green flats add a fun pop of color that add to the look's classic preppy vibe. 

Heels:  Target (Available here)
Bracelets:  Express, Zoppini

I personally prefer neutral pants to color, but it's definitely fun to experiment.  While this look is winter appropriate, it does play on two big trends for spring - stripes (which I've already discussed here and here) and COLOR (more on this trend later)! 

Bag:  Target (old) (Similar here)

Do you like wearing color to beat the winter blahs?

Spring 2013 Fashion Preview: Global inspiration

This spring, many designers were influenced by Eastern Asia, Africa, and India - think gorgeous prints, vivid colors, and intricate beading

This trend fits in perfectly with my spring/summer aesthetic which is decidedly more bohemian than my fall/winter tastes.

Some of my favorites off the runways:

Etro Spring 2013 look
Source:  www.harpersbazaar.com

Mary Katrantzou Spring 2013 look
Source:  www.glamourmagazine.co.uk

Marchesa Spring 2013 look
Source: www.style.com

Marchesa Spring 2013 look
Source:  www.style.com

I am hoping this trend hits stores soon as I personally can't wait to find a few global-inspired pieces to add to my spring and summer wardrobe!  

Do you like the global trend for spring?

Spring 2013 Fashion Preview: Stripes

Happy Monday, everyone!

Blouse:  New York & Company (Available here)
Blazer:  The Limited Black Collection (Similar here)

This week I will be featuring my favorite picks from the Spring 2013 runway shows.

I love designer fashion straight from the catwalks, but like most people, I don't have the budget for it.  Designer fashion is often inspirational and certainly helps determine what we all see in our neighborhood stores and mall chains each season.

Trends keep fashion fun and help keep your wardrobe new and interesting, but great style is definitely not about being a slave to trends.  For me, great style is about incorporating trends into one's wardrobe in a way that suits one's own personal style, lifestyle, body type, and budget. 

One thing I have noticed about the trends over the last year or so is that most of the major runway trends have been extremely wearable.  For example, one of the major trends on Spring 2013 runways was stripes.  Stripes are super easy to wear.  

Don't believe the hype that curvy or petite girls can't wear stripes.  Wearing stripes is all about getting the right fit and proportions.  Diagonal and chevron stripes are almost always lengthening and thinning.  Narrow to medium horizontal stripes can be very flattering to all figures.  I've already featured a few of my favorite striped looks off of the runways here.

This spring, many designers took stripes in new directions or used stripes in creative ways.  For me, the most innovative was definitely Marc Jacobs who showed a variety of striped dresses, suits, and tunics.

Marc Jacobs Spring 2013 look
Source:  www.style.com

Other favorite striped looks from the Spring 2013 runways:

Jonathan Saunders look
Source:  www.thefashionspot.com

Michael Kors Spring 2013 look
Source:  www.style.com

I am not a winter girl, so even though it's only January, I am ready for spring fashion!

I recently purchased this chevron stripe blouse.  I love the bright orange color of the stripes.  It's great now under a suit, but I am looking forward to pairing it with pencil skirts, white pants, and boyfriend jeans for spring.

Pants: The Limited Black Collection (Similar here)
Satchel:  The Limited (Available here)

Shoes: Target (old)
Earrings:  World Market (old)
Cuff:  New York & Company

Do you like the stripe trend for spring?  Do you have your sights set on any spring fashion yet?

Easy Separates

Happy Friday!!!!!

Hope the first week of the New Year has been great for you!

Today, I wanted an easy look that was still put together enough for work.

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

Blouse:  The Limited (old)
Cardigan:  The Limited (old) (Similar here)

I chose my velvet skinnies and mixed this magenta blouse and cardigan for a modern take on the twinset.  

I've had this cardigan for a while, but I don't wear it much.  I'm a little on the fence about keeping it as I'm not sure it's very figure flattering.  Since the cardigan is too big and a little shapeless, I tucked the blouse in to try to create more shape.  I'm generally not a huge fan of belts over cardigans on my body, but if you'd like to draw attention to a small waist or to create an hourglass shape, belting a baggy cardigan like this can quickly do the trick.

Cuff:  New York & Company (Similar here)
Ring:  LOFT (no longer available on-line)

Necklace:  Target
Purse:  The Limited (Available here)

 Stay tuned this coming week for a preview of my favorite spring 2013 fashion trends!!!

Have a great weekend!

Green with Envy

Hi everyone!

I am super excited about today's outfit.  I recently picked up this colorblocked skirt from Ann Taylor.  I love the emerald green color mixed with black.

I paired the skirt with a fun fringe top and tuxedo style blazer for a little added flavor to my work look.

Skirt:  Ann Taylor Petites (Available here)
Blouse:  Ann Taylor Petites (Available here)

Blazer:  The Limited (Available here)
Tights:  The Limited (old)

I love pairing typical "evening" pieces like this fringe top with more basic, but interesting, pieces that allow me to have fun with my work wardrobe.

Cuff:  Express (Sold out online)

Earrings:  The Limited

The best part?  Emerald green has been named the color of 2013 by Pantone, which means that my favorite color will now be readily available in stores this year!!!

Clutch:  The Limited (old)
Boots:  Payless (old)

Do you like to incorporate "evening" pieces into your daytime work looks?  Are you excited about emerald green being the "it" color for 2013?

For more on Spring 2013's Fashion Color Trends, see here.

Complementary Colors

Today, my look is inspired by a small fashion spread in the recent issue of one of my many fashion magazines (though for the life of me, I couldn't find the article again).  The spread showed burgundy mixed with forest green in looks that I found very fresh. 

Dress:  LOFT Petites (Available here)
Blazer:  New York & Company (Similar here)

Purse:  The Limited (old)
Boots:  Payless (old) (Similar here)

I was planning on wearing this before Christmas, but my bout with the flu kept that from happening.  Burgundy mixed with forest green is a slightly unexpected take on the traditional Christmas color combination.  

Necklace:  New York & Company

Tights:  Target (Similar here)

Thankfully, this outfit still works after Christmas because the look isn't "themed" and burgundy and forest are complementary shades that work well in fall and winter.    

Would you wear red and green together?

See this blazer styled differently here and here.
For more on the burgundy trend, see here.

Happy New Year!!!!

Hi everyone, and Happy New Year!!!!

Today, I went out with the family for a casual Italian dinner.  This is what I wore:

Tunic:  Converse One Star for Target (Available in black here)
Blazer:  New York & Company (Similar here)

Leggings:  Wal-Mart (Similar here)
Cashmere scarf:  The Limited (old)

I originally got this flowy burgundy tunic top with the intent of wearing it out on a date with the man.  I decided to take it a more casual direction by pairing it with leggings, motorcycle boots, and a light pink scarf.  The boots were needed for the recent snow, but I also like how the boots give the look a slightly tougher look (see more on the leather trend here).

Burgundy has been the "it" color this past fall (see more here), and I love the mix of burgundy and soft blush pink.  The softness of the pink and flowiness of the top helps offset the dark color palette of the overall look.

Mother-of-Pearl Ring:  Purchased at local jewelry show
Bracelet:  The Limited (old)

Purse:  The Limited (old)
Boots: Target (Similar here)

How have you spent your first day of 2013?  Hope you're off to a great start!!!