Singin' the Blues: Casual Rock-n-Roll

Singin' the Blues Week continues with a denim and cobalt blue faux leather look.

Jeans:  Torrid (Available here)

Tee:  Torrid (Available here)

I added my Blondie tee to my Stiletto skinny jeans from Torrid for a comfy casual look with a cool rock-n-roll vibe.

I recently picked up these jeans with the 26" inseam.  When I originally bought this style of jeans, they didn't carry the short length.  I couldn't hem the jeans because of the zippers, so I was trying to make do.  I finally broke down and nabbed this pair - the length works much better!

Jacket:  Forenza by The Limited (Similar here)

Ring:  The Limited
Clutch:  The Limited (Available here)

The cobalt moto jacket adds a fun pop of color to this laid back look.

Boots:  Payless (old)

Are you a fan of moto jackets?  Have you tried the Stiletto skinny jeans from Torrid?

For this jacket in other colors, see here, here, here, here, here, and here.

Singin' the Blues: Cobalt and Cognac

Blue was a huge trend on fall runways, and cobalt was everywhere!

I've always considered green my favorite color since early high school, but in the last few years, I think cobalt has replaced it.  It is such a vibrant color, and it looks amazing with so many other colors.

Dress:  Eva Mendes for New York & Company (Available here)
Blazer:  New York & Company (old) (Similar here)

Shoes:  Target (old)

For some reason, I usually pair this particular blazer with black and white.  I don't wear a lot of browns, and I never really considered mixing cognac with cobalt, but I decided to give it a try.

I'll admit that I prefer cobalt with black, white, or grey (and a ton of other colors), but I don't mind this color mix and it's nice to try something new once in a while.

Tote:  Target (5+ years old)

Bracelets:  The Limited (Available here)

I love trapeze dresses, but they are super tricky to wear if you're curvy and petite.  The longer length blazer helps tone down some of the volume of the dress, making it a little more work-appropriate as well as a little more flattering.

Necklaces:  The Limited and Target (Available in silver here and available here)

Do you like trapeze dresses?  What shade of blue is your favorite to wear?

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

Singin' the Blues: Attention!

Hi everyone.  I apologize for cutting Fall Color Week short and being absent over the last few weeks.

I have a ton of reasons for not posting, but I think it comes down to an issue I've dealt with off and on during my adult life.  I go through periods of over-stress (usually coupled with sleep deprivation).  When these happen, I develop a generalized apathy and melancholy that leaves me unfulfilled by things I love, like blogging.  I'm working through it, and thankfully, some of the recent stressors have reduced or disappeared. 

I have several posts lined up for the next week, so hopefully things will be back on track soon!  Thanks so much for sticking with me!!!

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

Today, I'm starting with Singin' the Blues Week - a week of one of this fall's hottest colors!

The color navy is the subtlest and easiest to wear of the blues.   It's perfect for conservative work places, but it functions well as a neutral for many occasions.

For years, I wasn't a fan of navy as I saw it as too conservative and classic for me.  I love classic, but it has to have an interesting modern or tough edge.  Somewhere along the line, I became a navy convert, especially when worn with other neutrals as I did here. 

Purse:  Target (May be available in stores; similar here)

Shirt:  The Limited (old) (Similar here)

When done in streamlined shapes, navy brings with it much of what I love about black - it's dark, it's sleek and sophisticated, and it is forever versatile.

Today's navy look also plays into fall's military trend (see more here).  I love how military pieces like this blazer look very polished and even just a teensy bit edgy.

Heels:  Target (Similar here)
Bracelets:  The Limited (Available here)

Are you a fan of navy?

To see this blazer in other looks, see here and here.

Style Cassentials, 11/11/13

 This art project looks at the ridiculousness of Disney-fying female role models.  Does it go too far?

Sexism in advertising is nothing new.  How far do you think we have come from these sexist ads? 

Quality, price, range of sizing?  Are consumer demands reasonable? 

Halloween may be over, but these amazing costumes are making me plan for next year!

Gorgeous gold detail and over-the-knee boots.  Chic and fabulous!

Cool and classic with a bit of edge....Konstantina gets black and white is oh so right!

The images we see in magazines and on billboards are disturbingly altered, as this short video clearly illustrates.

So, you say you're not a feminist?  Are your reasons misguided or reasonable?  This article explores why many famous women deny being feminists.

Wendy's outfits are always inspirational!  Beautiful mix of textures and color.

Fall Color Week: Orange Crush

Fall Color Week continues today with orange!

Dress:  LOFT Petites (Similar here and here)

Orange is probably the first color I think about when I think of fall.  Whether pumpkins or the changing leaves, autumn is ablaze with the color orange.

Blazer:  The Limited (Similar here)

Belt:  Torrid (Available here)

Here, I took a dress I purchased over the summer and gave it a fall make-over with a camel blazer and leopard print heels.  

This is one instance where I would have preferred a cardigan.  A camel cardigan would have created a softer combination, making it ideal for dressier Thanksgiving festivities.

Shoes:  Target (Similar here)

It wasn't that cold here today, but tights could easily be added to this outfit to stay warm.

Clutch:  Target (old)

I don't wear much orange, but whenever I do, I usually think I should wear it more often.  It's such a warm and inviting color.

Do you like wearing orange?

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

Fall Color Week: Magenta Love

Hope you're all having a great week so far!

Fall colors continue this week with a pop of magenta in a recent work outfit.  

Blouse:  The Limited (old) (Similar here and here)
Cardigan:  Target (Available here)

I love my neutrals, but fall and winter can get really blah without the occasional pops of bright colors infused into my wardrobe.

I think magenta is one of the few colors that always seems perfect year-round.  It looks amazing with white in the summer and gives black, navy, camel and gray a brightness during the fall and winter.

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

Tote:  New York & Company (Similar here)
Earrings:  Target

Even though this is an older shirt, I've just recently gotten this shirt hemmed.  I find the length much more flattering than it is here.  This length is awkward and cuts off the legs if you're petite as I am.  I'll post another outfit with the blouse soon to show the figure-flattering difference.

Ring:  The Limited (Available here)

Do you like magenta? What other year-round colors can you think of?

For this cardigan in another look, see here.
For this blouse in other looks, see here and here.

Fall Color Week: Burgundy Basic

Happy Sunday, everyone!

Pants:  The Limited (Sold out in burgundy; other colors available here)
Blazer:  The Limited (Similar here)

Today, I'm featuring a recent work look.  These pants are a great basic that can easily transition into casual, work, or evening looks.  I like the mix of burgundy with beige and black.

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

Heels:  Target (Similar here)
Purse:  Express

In fact, I'm really loving burgundy this fall. It is such a warm color that can function almost as a neutral.  In my opinion, it looks great with other neutrals or paired with shades of blue, pink, and mustard.

It's red's sophisticated sister, adding a touch of boldness without being as show-y.

Bracelet:  The Limited

Are you a fan of burgundy?

For these pants in another look, see here.