Stop by for a Spell: Halloween, Part 2

I love getting dressed up in costume for Halloween.

Dress:  The Limited (old)
Jacket:  Target (Available here)

I didn't have any special reason to dress up in costume this year, but I decided to create one for trick or treating with the kids.   

Tights:  Torrid (Available here)

Hat:  Wal-Mart
Boots:  Target (Similar here)

This is my conceptualization of the modern witch.

I don't know if any of you are "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" fans (BFFs if you are), but I couldn't dress as a witch and not think of the scene in Season 6 when Wiccan Willow scolds a woman for dressing as a stereotypical witch for Halloween, warts and all.

I didn't want to rely on the stereotypes of the "classic" witch look.  Besides, even if witches wore pointy hats and striped stockings at one point in time, today's witch has more options!

Snake necklace:  eBay (Similar here)
Quartz crystal pendant:  Earthbound Trading Company

Bracelet:  Torrid (Available here)

Hopefuly, my look would make Willow proud.  The modern witch is subversive, feminine, wicked, and fashionable!

For this dress in another look, see here. 

Stop by for a Spell: Halloween, Part 1

Tonight, on this All Hallow's Eve, I'm bringing you two wicked looks.

Skirt:  Target Petites (Available here)
Shirt:  The Limited (No longer available, see here)

The outfit featured here is what I wore to work today.  Since I can't wear a costume to work, I celebrated during the day by wearing Halloween colors and adding in a few scary touches.

Tuxedo blazer:  Forever 21+
Boots:  Payless

Satchel:  The Limited

I had planned on wearing this outfit during St. Louis Fashion Week but never got around to it.  I am a firm believer that you can mix black and orange any time of the year (as I did here and here), not just on Halloween.  That said, this outfit is perfect for Halloween too!

Necklace:  The Limited

The proportions make this outfit a little less conservative and more trendy than I normally like to do at work, but I made a concession for the holiday.

Rings:  Torrid (Nail ring available here)

The skull and nail rings add a spooky touch without taking the look over the top.  The web necklace completes the subtle Halloween theme.

Bracelets:  The Limited (Available here and here)

Beware!!!!  Another scary look coming up soon!!

For this skirt in other looks, see here and here.
For this top in other looks, see here and here.
For this jacket in other looks, see here, here, here, here, here, here, and here.
For last year's Halloween outfit, see here.
For more on fall's midi-skirt trends, see here.

It's My Birthday, and I Can Wear What I Want To!!

So, today was a great day.  It was my birthday, and I was in a really good mood.

The weather was positively dreary though!  Grey, rainy, and chilly.

Dress:  Sophie Theallat for The Limited (Similar here)

Belt:  Torrid (Sold out on-line; May be available in stores)

The man and I were going out to dinner to celebrate my birthday, and I really wanted to wear this outfit.  The weather was not cooperating, but I decided to wear it anyway.

We went out for a nice Italian dinner, so what could be better than a dress that makes me feel like Sophia Loren?

Shoes:  Vera by Vera Wang (Kohl's - sold out on-line)

I like the juxtaposition of the ladylike dress with the moto jacket.  Some would say that these two pieces don't go, but this gal likes her sweet mixed with a little spice.  Leather and lace is a new classic in my book.

Clutch:  Target (old)

As I looked around the restaurant, all I saw were jeans and other casual clothes.  I suddenly felt a little overdressed, but I'd rather be a little overdressed for an occasion than under-dressed. 

After dinner, we picked up the kids from the grandparents and went to DQ to enjoy dessert as a family.  I was DEFINITELY overdressed for Dairy Queen, but as the man and kids loudly and embarrassingly sang me "Happy Birthday," my wardrobe choices hardly seemed to matter.  I felt special and silly and had fun with my family.  Also, the new pumpkin pie Blizzard...not too shabby.

Bow ring:  The Limited

Moto jacket:  The Limited

Who cares if this outfit was not exactly weather or event appropriate?

It's my birthday, and I can wear what I want!    :-D

For this moto jacket in other looks, see here, here, here, here, and here.

P.S. I altered this dress to suit my needs.  The dress was too long, but hemming meant losing the pretty scallop hem detail.  I opted to have only the lining hemmed to keep the lace and to show more leg.  I love that the flash of skin at the hem echoes the neckline.  The shortened lining creates a longer leg line that I find more flattering for my petite frame.  I am all about making clothes work for my body and for my personal aesthetic.  Alterations are a great way to make that happen.   After all, we should ALL be able to wear what we want EVERY DAY!!

Foulard Me Once...

Today, I am featuring two ways of styling my foulard blazer from last year.

Blazer:  The Limited (old)

Skirt:  The Limited (Similar here and here)
Purse:  The Limited

This past week, I wore this the pants look to work.  Over the summer, I shopped my closet and created this skirt look.

Shirt:  The Limited (Similar here)

Shoes:  Target (Similar here)

While I find the skirt look very figure flattering, it feels a little too "Real Housewives" for my personal taste.  

Belt:  The Limited
Necklace:  Torrid

Pants:  The Limited (Similar here)
Shirt:  The Limited

The pants outfit is a little more low-key and feels a little less fussy, making it much more of a go-to option.

Clutch:  The Limited (Available here)

Which look do you prefer?

Do you shop your closet to try out new combinations?

For this blazer in other looks, see here and here.
For this blouse in another look, see here.
For these pants in other looks, see here, here, here, here, here, and here.

P.S. I had some alterations done to the blazer between the photos of the two looks.  The pants outfit reflects the shortened and slimmed sleeves and side tucks from underarm to waist.

Cassentials Links, 10/28/13

Lovely words from a lovely woman.  Love Kiah's look too!  It's urban, country, sophisticated, and earthy all at once.

Hate and anger towards others and/or towards ourselves can so easily eat away at who we are.  Meagan discusses how overcoming her hate has made her a happier person. 

Sally offers tips on how we can learn to love our bodies and ourselves. 

Isabel calls for inclusion and catering to by the fashion industry of "medium-sized" women.  I say the more diversity in the fashion industry, the better!!

Love the proportions and shapes of Karla's look.  I appreciate the love of black...hard to resist the allure of a simple, polished all-black look during the summer/spring...impossible in the fall/winter. 

Love the mix of black, soft grey, and fuschia in this outfit.  We should all have at least one outfit that makes us feel this amazing! 

As I turn 36 tomorrow, I have been reflecting a bit on my own growth and transformation over the last few years and how this confidence has played into my style.  Marie echoes this idea that confidence does truly grow with age and with some positive efforts.  Confidence is what makes us reach for that shorter skirt, amazing pair of jeans, motorcycle boots, stilettos, whatever it is that makes us feel like the best possible version of ourselves; and more importantly, it's what allows us to see ourselves accurately and lovingly in all our flawed and gorgeous fabulosity.  

Yes, Confidenceville is a pretty terrific place to live.  We always welcome newcomers, and the locale is perfect -  just up Assurance Road from Sasstown, and you can see the gorgeous Feisty Mountain in the horizon.

Cozy Day to Night

Happy Monday, everyone!

Hope you all had a great weekend.  I spent the past weekend getting some much needed R&R; 'twas a blissfully lazy time.  :-)

Sweater:  Target (Available here)

Camisole:  LOFT (Available here)
Belt:  Torrid (Sold out on-line; May be available in stores)

As pictured, today's look works well for evening, but this outfit is actually a tweak on a recent work look.  I wore this same outfit to work last week, but changed the accessories a bit to make the look more modest and conservative for work.  

For work, I paired the outfit with ankle booties and a classic work tote.  More importantly, I moved the belt down to the waist to create a blouson-y and less cleavage-y look.

Tuxedo stripe pants:  The Limited (Similar here)

Shoes:  Target (Available here)
Clutch:  Target

Whether for work or play, this outfit is super comfortable, which is becoming more and more of a requisite in my book!

Cuff:  Express
Earrings:  Target

How important is comfort to you in choosing a look?

For this sweater in another look, see here.
For these pants in other looks, see here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, and here.

Textured Neutrals

As I discussed in yesterday's outfit post, I gravitate towards neutrals in the fall and winter.

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

I love today's look.  I mixed black, beige, and navy with touches of gold.  The mix of textures, trims, fabrics, and metal details on the jacket and pants makes the outfit feel both interesting and a little more luxe.

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

Boots:  Payless (old)
Necklace:  The Limited (Available in silver here)

Most importantly, this look is so comfortable!  These booties are my go-to in fall and winter for their comfort and easiness, but they are starting to show some definite signs of wear.  I'm worried I'm not going to be find boots this perfect any time soon!

Earrings:  The Limited
Rings:  Vintage and The Limited

Clutch:  The Limited (Available here)

For this military jacket in another look, see here. 
For this cami in another look, see here.
For these pants in another look, see here.

For more on the military trend, see here.

P.S. Sorry for the grainy photos the last few days - getting my camera to take good pics after dark (the only time I've had to take pics) is difficult!!