St. Louis Fashion Week Kick-Off Party & Blog Awards - My Not So Glamorous Life

Last night was the kick-off to St. Louis Fashion Week and the Blogger Awards!

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

I'm so excited to announce that I won the People's Choice Award for "Best Delivery of Personal Style"!  Thank you all so much for voting for "Style Cassentials."  Your support means so much!!!

For the awards and party, I wanted a polished, clean look that had just a little bit of edge.  I decided on an all-black outfit with gold touches.

Heels:  Simply Vera by Vera Wang (Sold out on-line; may be available in some Kohl's stores)
Clutch:  The Limited (Available here)

Top:  Ann Taylor Petites (Available here)
Bracelet:  Local shop

I took these pics at the end of the night.  My feet were sore, and I was super sweaty - the humidity had taken its toll on me and my flat-ironed hair.  :-(

In looking at the pics, I noticed the kids had also gotten hold of some chalk and drew on the house.  Ha! 

Before the Awards

As glam as I may start my evening, reality always sets in!!!  I'm not complaining...it just reminds me all the more that while the images we see in magazines can be beautiful, they aren't real. 

They're taken with perfect lighting, hair and make-up artists on stand-by, and then air-brushed and re-imaged to impossible standards (see more here).  I'll take real-life - sweat, chalk, and all!

Belt:  The Limited (Similar here)
Earrings:  New York & Company (Available in silver here)

With Julia of "Oh, Julia Ann"
Photo c/o Psyche Southwell of "Economy of Style"

P.S.  Thanks again for voting!

For this top in another look, see here.

Kiss and Tell

I just wanted to extend a big thank you (and cyber-kiss) to everyone who voted for me for the St. Louis Fashion Blog Awards.  I'm so honored to be nominated and am excited to hear the results tonight at the awards presentation!

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

Blazer:  The Limited (Similar here)
Clutch:  Vintage

My almost daily bombardment of requests for your vote is over.  Asking for your vote everyday was not always an easy thing to do.  Doing so felt obnoxious, self-serving, and needy, qualities I generally dislike, and I certainly hope no one was put off by my frequent reminders.

At the same time, I have learned some very important lessons over the last year or so:

1)  You don't usually get what you want unless you ask for it.

2)  People aren't inclined to believe in you and help you work towards your goals if you don't  first show that you believe in yourself.

3)  You have to be your biggest cheerleader.

Heels:  Target (Available in other colors here)

Bold, gutsy, self-assured people often get further in life.  It is not because those people have more education, are more attractive, or are smarter.  It's that those people create excitement in others.  They make people stand up and take notice. 

The daring to show your self to the world is not an innate quality.  While it may naturally come easier for some than others, I definitely believe it's possible to develop these characteristics through affirmative efforts.

I'm s.l...o....w....l.......y learning to become one of those people, but it is a daily conscious process for me to remember to put myself out there and to garner the courage to actually do it. 

Women are often socialized in this culture to not take up a lot of "space", to put others' needs and wants before their own, and to not ask for or demand too much from others.  

Through a lot of reflection on my life, I realize that I was taught these lessons in many ways, lessons that cripple many women from realizing their full personal and social potential.

Asking for what you want, saying "Hey, I'm out here, and I'm fabulous...Notice me" feels "ballsy" because it IS.  So many of us, women particularly, have been taught that doing this is arrogant, selfish, and needy.  

It is not.  

Bracelet:  The Limited

We all have something unique to contribute, and it's in recognizing our own potential and uniqueness that we make ourselves useful to others.  Asking others to take notice of us in a direct way shows confidence.  It shows that we believe in ourselves and the skills, talents, and ideas that we can contribute.  It makes people remember your name and makes them WANT to take a chance on you!

Do you ask for what you want?  Do you like kiss/lip prints?

Cassential Links, 9/18/13

Sorry my Cassential Links are late this week...family duties have taken their toll on my weekends!!!

Since starting my blog and following so many fashion blogs, I have been exposed to an increasingly diverse group of chicly dressed women.  I hadn't thought about how this exposure might have contributed to my greater body-confidence until I read this and this.  Little surprise, but an important reminder that diversity is a good thing for us all.

Classic prints never looked so chic!

The poor are often  simultaneously ridiculed and disdained, but what's it actually like to be poor and how many Americans are dangerously close to poverty?

Karrie Brown, and her mother Sue, from my hometown, are such inspirations!  Love that they are helping bring attention to people with developmental disabilities.  Karrie dreams big, and her story shows us that we can all make our dreams and goals come true.  Get #KarriedAway, and you can help more young adults like Karrie find meaningful employment and realize their dreams. 


Black and gold is such a chic combination - love how it is classic, but easily goes edgy.  Yasmin from Bangles and Bungalows offers some fabulous fall style inspiration.

Want some amazing unique costume ideas?  Look no further than Jes' post from The Militant Baker.


The problem with the privatization of feminism.

I can't read Italian (though hopefully my years of Spanish will help), but I am picking up a copy of Marie Claire Italy STAT

Reminder that loving our kids means loving who they are.

While the lack of body diversity shown by major designers is nothing new, the models of NY Fashion Week are also very racially homogenous.  

Love the song or hate it, think the song is "rapey", misogynistic, or fun, there's no denying that "Blurred Lines" has sparked discourse.  While the article's argument is compelling and the photographs brave and moving, the discussion comments had me engrossed for over an hour.

New outfit post tomorrow!!

Wanna Go To the St. Louis Fashion Blog Awards?

Hi all!

St. Louis Fashion Week kicks off this Thursday with the Fashion Blog Awards and after-party!  

Event is at the gorgeous Three-Sixty Rooftop Bar on 1. South Broadway (downtown St. Louis, rooftop of the Hilton St. Louis at the BallPark).  

Doors open at 6 pm.  Blog awards start at 7 pm, and doors open to general admission at 8 p.m.

I'd love your support during the blog awards, and I'd love to see you there!

To that end, I have two free tickets to give away for the event! 

To enter:

1.  Leave a comment here on this post.
2.  Like "Style Cassentials" on Facebook and leave a comment on this post.

Enter both ways for two chances to win.  Winner will be chosen at random, and winner will be announced Wednesday at 8 am!

Tell your friends.  Spread the word.  St. Louis Fashion Week is going to be amazing this year!!!

To purchase tickets for this or other St. Louis Fashion Week events, click here.

Use coupon code SUPPORT for $5 off this event!

P.S. One more hour to vote on your favorites for the St. Louis Fashion Blog Awards.

I'm so honored to be nominated for three awards, and I greatly appreciate all the support I've received from you all!

Reviewing the Collection: 3.1 Phillip Lim for Target

The long anticipated (for some of us) 3.1 Phillip Lim collaboration with Target finally hit stores and the internet today.

The line is filled with pieces that work for every aspect of one's lifestyle.  There are plenty of work-friendly pieces from which to choose, pieces with a touch of sparkle that will work well for all the upcoming holiday events, and some fun pop-art casual pieces that will get you through the weekend in style.

Unfortunately, the collection is only available in misses sizes - no petites or plus-sizes. I plan on picking up at least a piece or two out of the line and getting them altered to fit my petite frame, if necessary.

Here are my favorites from the collection:

For evening:

3.1 Phillip Lim for Target Tuxedo Jacket
$59.99

3.1 Phillip Lim for Target Sparkle Dress (Available in blue too here)
$49.99

Fun print!

3.1 Phillip Lim for Target Animal Print Silky Skirt
$29.99

3.1 Phillip Lim for Target Canvas Drawstring Travel Bag
$49.99

Work:

3.1 Phillip Lim for Target Dress with Faux Leather
$49.99

3.1 Phillip Lim for Target Floral Print Peplum Tank
$39.99

3.1 Phillip Lim for Target Tote with Gusset (see here; Available in stores only)
$54.99

Casual:

3.1 Phillip Lim for Target French Terry Sweatshirt
$29.99

Do you like this most recent designer collaboration with Target?

Only one more day to vote for your favorites in the St. Louis Fashion Blog Awards.  Style Cassentials is nominated in the categories "Best Personal Style," "Best Delivery of Personal Style," and "Best Use of Facebook."  Click to vote here once a day until 9/16/13.  Thanks for your support!!

Laid-Back Evening

Happy Friday, everyone!!!

Pants:  Target (old)
Top:  The Limited (Similar here)

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

I love black and navy worn together.  The navy provides a subtle shot of color while the overall effect is a bit gothic glam.

The blazer provides structure to balance the slouchy fit of the pants and crossover top.  The statement necklace, silver accents, and heels create a feel that is just right for evening.

Clutch:  The Limited (old)
Necklace:  Target

Shoes:  Target (Available here)

I love this look - it's SUPER comfortable and feels effortless and cool.

What about you - Would you wear black and navy together?

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

Only a few more days to vote for your favorites in the St. Louis Fashion Blog Awards.  Style Cassentials is nominated in the categories "Best Personal Style," "Best Delivery of Personal Style," and "Best Use of Facebook."  Click to vote here once a day until 9/16/13.  Thanks for your support!!

Fall 2013 Fashion Trends: The Luxe Sweatshirt

Sweatshirts were a big trend on fall runways.  No longer relegated to the gym and other super casual situations, sweatshirts were elevated a notch this fall through various fabrications.

Sweatshirt:  Torrid (Sold out on-line; may be available in stores; Similar here)
Pants:  The Limited (Available here)

Sweatshirts were paired with lady-like brocade skirts, matching and mixed prints, leather, and more.

DKNY Fall 2013 look
Souce:  Style.com

J.Crew Fall 2013 look
Source:  Glamour.com

Yesterday, I paired my chiffon-front leopard print sweatshirt with a black blazer and burgundy pants for work.

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

I'm hoping to find a chambray or black button-down top to layer under the sweatshirt for a slightly preppy look that would be perfect for a casual Friday at work.

I've been looking for a chambray shirt that doesn't gap, pull, or have tons of extra fabric in the shoulders...forever!

Milly Fall 2013 look
Source:  MarieClaire.com

Tibi Fall 2013 look
Source:  Style.com

Shooties:  Soft Styles by Hush Puppies (Kohl's) (Available here)

Do you like the luxe sweatshirt trend? 

Today concludes my series on fall trends.  Hope you've enjoyed my interpretation of some of the season's biggest trends!

To see this sweatshirt in another look, see here.

Please don’t forget to vote here every day through September 16th for Style Cassentials in the Saint Louis Fashion Blog Awards! I'm nominated for "Best Personal Style," "Best Delivery of Personal Style," and "Best Use of Facebook"!! While you're there, check out a very talented group of St. Louis area fashion bloggers!