Wedged Between...

I can't decide how I feel about today's outfit.  I like each piece individually, but I'm not sure how well all of the pieces blend together as a cohesive look.

Skirt:  Torrid (old)
Blazer:  New York & Company (Similar here)

Maybe it's me, but the outfit seems a little disjointed?  The top and blazer say business, but the skirt and boots say casual.  The boots say fall, but the blouse and skirt in this particular outfit read a little more summer to me.

Tank:  Old Navy Petites (Similar here)
Blouse:  The Limited (Available here)

Boots:  Target (Similar here)
Clutch:  Target

Any one of these pieces could work in any season.  Any one of these pieces could go casual.  Somehow, together, the individual pieces seem a little mis-matched.  

Bracelets:  The Limited

What do you think?

For this blazer in other looks, see here, here, and here.
For this skirt in other looks, see here and here.
For this blouse in other looks, see here, here, and here.

Taste of Fall

Blouse:  New York & Company (Similar here and  here)
Blazer:  New York & Company Petites

I'm sooo ready for fall fashion, so lately, I've been incorporating more fall prints and colors into my clothing selections.

Pants:  The Limited (Similar here)
Tote:  New York & Company (Similar here)

Shoes:  Target (Available here)
Ring:  Earthbound Trading Company

The outfit blends a summery peachy pink with fall-ready houndstooth and burgundy heels for a fun and easy work look that has been perfect for the cool weather we have been having.

Earrings:  The Limited

Are you a fan of houndstooth print?

Stay tuned next week for the start of two full weeks of Fall 2013 Fashion Trends!

For this blazer in other looks, see here.
For this blouse in other looks, see here, here, here, here, and here.

Date Night Maxi

The man and I had a lovely dinner date over the weekend, and this is what I wore:

Skirt:  The Limited (Available here)
Tank:  Target (old)

Blazer:  Forever 21+ (Available in pink here)
Clutch:  Target

I love how this outfit has a formality but does not feel too over-the-top.

We had dinner al fresco at Aya Sofia, a wonderful Turkish restaurant in St. Louis.  I love Mediterranean food, and this restaurant never fails to deliver on super delicious food and excellent service. 

Rings:  Earthbound Trading Company and The Limited (Available here)

The weather here has been unseasonably cool lately, so this was the perfect outfit for dining outside.

Necklace:  Target (old)

For this skirt in another look, see here.
For this blazer in other looks, see here, here, here, here, here, and here.

Revenge of the Nerds

Sorry that I missed this week's "Cassential Links."  I had a ton of great links ready for posting on Saturday, and I accidentally deleted them.  I will make it up with an extended version next week.

I wore this outfit with my studded ballet flats to a birthday party for my nephew, but I love the way the heels give this casual look a more sophisticated vibe. 

Jacket:  Gap (Available here)

I recently found this t-shirt on Target.com and I couldn't resist... The idea that a geek* like me could be chic is something that seemed very incongruous to me as a child.  

T-shirt:  Target (Available here)

I love that "nerd" culture has become popular in recent years - I'm hopeful that it isn't just a fad, but a move towards an expansion and shift in the larger culture towards honoring more diverse ways of being, acting, and looking. 

Obviously, the idea of being a "nerd" or "geek" is not a new social creation; however, and I hope I'm not overreaching, it seems that the stereotype of what we are like or supposed to be like is changing in a way that doesn't force people into a box in the same way.

As those often thought of as less than cool have claimed the terms, "nerd," "geek," and "dork" for themselves, these labels have become a badge of honor for many.  While nerds still often appear in popular culture in stereotypical ways (disappointingly, often in shows for children), sitcoms like "Big Bang Theory" and reality TV like "King of the Nerds," have made more realistic and relatable "geeks" a staple of mainstream culture.  

Pants:  Target (old)
Heels:  Target (Available here)

Clutch:  Target

No matter "who" you were in high school, we've probably all felt uncool at one time or another.  That feeling doesn't necessarily change after high school.  All through our lives, we are expected to conform to various groups and many of us find it difficult and/or inauthentic to do so.

I have always been a more cerebral and academic kind of girl.  I was also lower working class and dressed differently (both because of income and choice) than most of my like-minded class mates.  

I'm an overweight, petite woman who is in love with all things fashion.  I can't afford to wear high-end designers.  In many ways, I don't fit into the fashion world with which I am so obsessed.  

I'm a mother whose kids play soccer, but I don't look or act like the other "soccer moms." 

I work in a conservative, professional environment, and I have three tattoos and plan on getting at least a few more.  

I'm a feminist, and I love to wear short skirts, high heels, and paint my fingernails.

Bracelets:  Target, The Limited

I am a geek, and I am more than okay with that.  8-D

For these pants in another look, see here.

*The terms "nerd," "geek," "dork," etc. are all used interchangeably in this discussion.

Stripes Week: Crochet Flowers

Happy Friday, everyone!

Today, I end Stripes Week with another work outfit, and I figured why not wrap it up with more black and white!

I like that the stripes on this top aren't literal but created out of the pattern of the crochet flowers.

Blouse:  Ann Taylor Petites
Jacket:  LOFT Petites (Available in regular sizes here)
Tote:  New York & Company

The textured detail of the top adds visual interest to this outfit, and the blue pants add just enough color.

Pants:  The Limited (Available in other colors here)
Heels:  Target (old)

Sorry for only two pics - I have had a squinty-eyed smile ALWAYS, and my eyes were closed in EVERY other picture.  ;-D

Hope you enjoyed Stripes Week!

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

P.S.  Check out this awesome young lady from my hometown!  Link to her Facebook page here.  Trendy juniors clothier Wet Seal has developed a plus size line, and Karrie recently caught their attention.  Her dreams of becoming a model are about to come true!  Kudos to Wet Seal for appreciating diverse beauty.  Karrie is so awesome and determined - a true inspiration!

Stripes Week: Working Black and White

Happy Thursday, everyone!

Stripes Week continues with this recent black and white work ensemble.

Jacket:  Torrid (Available here)
Blouse:  Old Navy Petites (old)

Pants:  The Limited (Similar here)
Shoes:  Target (Similar here)

I guess I should have called this week's theme "Black and White Stripes Week" as every outfit featured this week has included my favorite color combo!

Tote:  The Limited
Bracelet:  Torrid

Necklace:  The Limited

This is one of my favorite ways to wear black and white.  I wore my burgundy heels for a subtle pop of color.  I'm so ready for fall, so burgundy shoes are a great way to get a touch of fall while it's still warm.

For this blazer in other looks, see here and here.
For this blouse in other looks, see here, here, here, and here.

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.