Stripes Week: Print-tastic!

Today's striped look is a recent work outfit. 

Dress:  LOFT (Sold out on-line; May be available in stores)

It's bold in its mix of prints and graphic black and white combo, but the shapes are classic and demure.  

Blazer:  Torrid (Available here)

I thought this outfit was a little too loud for a normal work day (at my job), but I wore it for a casual Friday, so I felt like I could get away with the mixed patterns.

Clutch:  Target (old)
Flower cuff:  Claire's (old)

It's a fun and whimsical look that makes working during the summertime a little less of a bummer.  You know what they say about all work and no play?  Well, this summer has involved lots of work and not enough play, so I am compensating with some fashion play!  Gotta keep summertime from getting too dull!  :-)

Sandals:  Payless

Would you wear florals and stripes?For this blazer in another look, see here.
For more on the black and white trend, see here.

Stripes Week: Red-y for Work

Hope you all had a great weekend!

Cardigan:  The Limited (Available here)

Today, I'm starting Stripes Week!  Not sure what's up with me and my themes lately, but hey, why not?

Pants:  The Limited (Sold out on-line; may be available in stores)Shirt:  The Limited

Today's look is a recent work outfit.  I paired red skinny pants with black and ivory basics.

Earrings:  The Limited
Necklace:  Torrid

Tank:  Old Navy
Tote: The Limited

I love how this outfit looks classic and professional, but still has a modern flair.

Ring:  LOFT
Shoes:  Payless

Do you like stripes?

For these pants in other looks, see here, here, here, here, and here.
For this top in other outfits, see here and here.

Cassential Links 8/11/13

I have been busy this week getting the kids ready to go back to school.  Between registering five kids and shopping for supplies, uniforms, and new kicks, I haven't been hitting as many blogs and news threads as I usually do.  I can't believe my baby is starting kindergarten in a few days!!

Even though I haven't had as much time to peruse the news and fashion, here's what managed to catch my attention this week:

What does diversity really look like in the fashion industry?  The treatment of Gabourey Sidibe's recent photo-shoot in "Harper's Bazaar"  gives us some disappointing insight.

I love my tutu skirt - It just really feels like "me."  At the same time, it has led to questions of "Am I too old to wear this?"  Meagan reminds us that in a patriarchal society, remaining body-positive takes an ongoing effort.

Developing a signature style - if you're into rocker fashion, this one's for you!

The infantilization of women in this culture is the often-ignored flip side of the oversexualization of girls

Can't wait for this!  REBEL. WILSON.  AWESOME.

Nakedness as the last frontier to body acceptance?

Denim Week: Slouchy Blues

Hi everyone!  Denim Week continues today with a cropped denim jacket.

Denim jacket:  The Limited (Similar here)
Pants:  Outback Red by The Limited (Available here)

Purse:  Target (Similar here)
Tank:  Target

I grabbed this denim jacket as a quick casual topper to some super comfy weekend pieces.

The sporty pajama-like pants are the ultimate in comfort.  They look more stylish with heels, but since we were running around with the kids, I paired them with flat gladiator sandals for comfort.

Pewter and silver accents keep the relaxed blues and greens from looking too bedtime-ready.  The "evil eye" ring adds a fun touch.

Ring:  Earthbound Trading Company
Bracelet (and matching necklace in other photos):  Target

Sandals:  Target Kids' Department

The baggy pants and cropped jacket created a boxier shape than I would have liked, but at the end of the day, I was so comfortable that it was only a minor grievance for me.

Do you like denim jackets? Pajama-style pants?

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

Denim Week: Heart On My Sleeve

Today's denim look is a recent casual Friday work outfit. 

Jeans:  Torrid (Available here)
Blouse:  New York & Company (Available here)

I love the Stiletto Skinny Jeans from Torrid.  When I got my blue jeans (see here, here, and here), the store didn't carry different lengths.  Now, Torrid carries both 26" and 28" lengths in this style, so I was able to get these black ones in a better length.  The shorter length works much better for me!

If you're 5'3" or under, you will likely prefer the 26" length for more of a true ankle fit.

Cardigan:  Target (Available here)
Bracelets:  The Limited and H&M

I recently picked up this cardigan with faux leather heart elbow patches.  This is an early fall clothing purchase.  I start thinking about fall fashion when it's still sticky and humid out - probably because I'm longing for cooler weather. 

This summer has had some oddly cool, but delightful, weather, so I was super comfortable wearing this outfit - even in July!

I kept the look simple and neutral for work, but I think this cardigan will be cute with more faux leather touches when fall actually gets here.

Purse:  The Limited

Sandals:  Payless

Are you thinking about fall fashion yet?  Any trends on your radar for fall?

Cassential Links 8/3/13

Happy Saturday, everyone!

Today, I bring you the first ever "Cassential Links" - a compilation of links to fashion, lifestyle, society, and body image articles, etc. that grabbed my attention this week!

White for all seasons!

I was led to this blog by one of my readers.  We all deserve to feel the breeze...

The reality of fashion blogging for many of us

Because it really does get better...

I watched this interview on The Colbert Report and was so inspired.  Remarkable! 

Black and white with pops of metallic and shocking pink

Yes, Virginia, there is a Joss Whedon

 A sweet ode to her son and fierce style

Thoughts on the changing plus-size fashion culture from the inside

What an anti-teen pregnancy campaign tells us about gender construction and transgender bias

Photoshop is everywhere...

Super chic travel style

Lies about weight affect perceptions of normal bodies

One Year Prospective - What's Coming!

I have spent the last several weeks reflecting over my blog and the direction that I would like to see it go in the future.

Boyfriend jeans:  The Limited (Available here)

Fashion has been a lifelong passion, and I have been having fun continuing to evolve my style over the last year.  I will continue to offer lots of outfit posts, between 3-4 times a week - sometimes more, sometimes less depending on what is going on in my non-blogging life.

I would like to take some of my time though to move the blog towards my larger goals of promoting body confidence and discussing clothes, fashion, beauty, etc. as they relate to the culture-at-large.

I've always wanted my blog to be more interactive and more multi-focused than just "what I wore today."  As much as I love discussing and showing my fashion and having people actually care about what I wear, I've also struggled with feeling like doing so was a little too ego-centric and shallow.

Blouse: Outback Red by The Limited (old)

Purse:  The Limited (old)

Starting later today, you will still start seeing a regular Saturday feature, called "Cassential Links."  I have been inspired by a couple of my favorite blogs which have a similar feature.  Weesha's World and Already Pretty regularly provide features that link their readers to varioius content.  They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, and I am very sincerely imitating this idea because I think it's a great one.  Expect to see links to other bloggers of all shapes and sizes rocking cool looks, links to body-positive articles and content, as well as links to socially-oriented content that relates to fashion, gender, body image, and other relevant topics.

At least once or twice a month, I will also be writing my own socially-oriented content.  I questioned myself a lot in posting "Loving Myself:  The Path to Self-Acceptance" and "Mod Squad" and even more so in posting "Grrrrrrl Power."  I worried that I would alienate readers or cause friction by incorporating my politics and social views into my posts.  It turns out that my worries were in vein as I've received nothing but positive response to all of these posts.  Also, those posts were among my most shared and most viewed posts.

I'm very inspired and validated by the responses that I've received to that work, which tells me that I have hit on something relevant.  In the end, I have also realized that I am willing to lose readers if it means that I am able to offer content that is authentic and that allows me to focus on my larger goals.

Bracelets:  The Limited

Shoes:  Target

I hope you will enjoy these new additions to my blog.  I look forward to the next year!

P.S.  Today starts Denim Week!!!  I wore this outfit last weekend to the movies.  The man and I watched "The Heat."  The movie was hilarious, and it was awesome to see a buddy cop movie featuring women!  Melissa McCarthy and Sandra Bullock were a great combo!