One step @ a time

Blazer: Michael Kors.  Blue Ruffle Top: George.  Pants: Forever XXI.  Shoes: Nicole Miller.

I’m wearing jeans to work!  Okay – they’re not jeans jeans, but they’re gray jeans, so I figure I’m taking baby steps with this whole casual at work thing  :)   

I kept the look sleek with a black blazer (I’m in love with the zipper detailing) and a silky ruffle blouse.

What makes me happy

Red Dress: Ann Taylor LOFT.  Sparkle Shoes: Nine West.

 

   

This is another date night pic from our lovely stay-cation and the man actually allowed me to post a picture of him too!!  Isn’t he dashing?  (gush)  :)

This red dress was a labor of love.  I spied on it and tried it on 4 times before purchasing.  Initially it was about $170, then it was on sale for $90 range, then $50 when I actually purchased it (if I remember correctly it was only $50 b/c I got a coupon via advertising).  While I love holding out and getting items on sale, often that luck doesn’t happen. 

If you know you have to have something – then I say spend the $$ – but if you can afford to give or take, then hold out and you may find a fabulous deal!  Another tip to finding deals is to know the store.  Is it a store that often has sales or coupons?  Is it a store that only holds a few sizes of each item in stock and easily gets picked over?  etc… this will ensure you shop (and save!) wisely.

Nine West shoes found on discount @ TJ Maxx.

If you couldn’t tell, sales (& my man!) make me happy  :)

Belted Blue

Dress: Banana Republic.  Cardigan: Forever XXI.  Belt: Charming Charlie.  Shoes: Mossimo.

 

Back to color today!  I think I just get in more of a neutral mood come fall time, and have been wearing more grays, etc… of late – so the bright blue was definitely called for.

A super easy way to “spruce up” a normal dress?  Add a belt & a fun cardigan!  Not only are the changes quick and easy, but these simple changes are done with items that everyone has in their closets!

Miss Cincinnati

Top: Ann Taylor LOFT.  Pants: Express.  Jacket: Apt 9.

 

Wrap shirts and dresses have been a popular trend for a while now as they are so flattering for almost all figure types, but this ruffle wrap top actually reminds be of a Miss America sash.  I didn’t even realize it until I looked at my pictures tonight!

I love my ruffle wrap sweater, but God help us if pageant attire is the new trend…!  LOL

Weekend Wear

Dress: Mystree.  Necklace: Macy’s.  Scarf: Gift.  Jacket: Mixit.  Boots: Giani Bini.  Leggings: Apt. 9.

My “bubblegum” necklace!

I adore this zipper dress from PB&J Boutique, but actually find it quite short for my 5’8” frame.  When standing, the length is okay, but if I have to sit, bend, or move whatsoever… it’s just not really appropriate.  My solution – leggings!  Yep, my weekends seem to filled with them of late and that’s perfectly fine by me.  I honestly feel like I’m in my pajamas when I wear them I’m so comfortable (and you know I love that!).

Another fabulous fall addition – a light jacket and a scarf.  This combo can be mixed and matched a million  ways and will always add interest and definition to an outfit (plus added warmth for these chilly Fall days).

Webbed Snakeskin Shoes!

Ruffle Dress: WD NY.  Cropped Sweater: Old Navy.  Shoes: MIA girl.  Belt: Love Couture.  Bracelets: Charming Charlie.

  

I continue my “detail love” as normal.  At first glance this look may be just a dress and a sweater, but at second glance you hopefully notice the colorful blue, silver, and green bracelets, the contrast of the gray belt against the black ruffles, and the snakeskin “web” detailing of the shoes. 

I adore these shoes.  I think they’re really fun for work because the heel is not too high / skinny, yet they have such fun detail and uniqueness to them.

As luck would have it, I got caught in the rain for a short while - thus, my shoes were caught in the rain - but thankfully they remained unharmed and will live to be worn another day (many days!).

Dress for all occasions

Dress: Bisou Bisou.  Shoes: Steve Madden Luxe.  Belt: Gifted.

I love this dress because it works as an event dress, happy hour / cocktail dress, or even a work dress.  Today it served me as both a work and a happy hour dress!  This dress is also very comfortable and flattering with a more fitted silhouette.  I added the color belt and of course a fun sexy pair of shoes.  The belt and shoes actually matched almost identically, but for some reason the picture shoes them as a bit different.  Ah well – you get the gist  :)

Zip it up!

The dress I’m wearing is Mystree Front Zipper Ruffle Dress from PB&J Boutique.

The dress is a bit short, but is really great for summer casual events (picnics, weekend wear, grill outs…).  Also, because it was such a light fabric, I wore a little black under-dress to make sure I was covered!

If you haven’t checked out PB&J Boutique, they sell casual clothing which are typically in muted colors (grey, black, white, beige) and fabrics that are soft cotton blends.  Another good things to know is that they offer free shipping to Canada and the United States. U.S. customers also receive a prepaid UPS return label which provides free returns. Shopping is truly risk-free since they do full-refunds as well (note - other conditions apply to sale-items).

 

Color Mixing Classics

Red ruffle cardigan: INC.  Brown Ruffle Top: Antilia Femme.  Skirt: The Limited.  Shoes: BCBG.

 

It’s very common place (and beautifully classic) to see red, white, and black paired together – but I liked adding the brown for a different take and I think it worked nicely.  

Yep, I wore my sassy BCBG shoes to work again.  From my Too Sexy for Work? post, these bad-ass heels got a vote of 77 (63%) who said they were work appropriate and a vote of 45 (37%) who said they were not work appropriate.  I went with the majority vote!!

I only wear these shoes with a skirt or dress as (in my mind) they are really meant for “show” and just wouldn’t be done justice hidden under pants!  So, I just make sure the dress or skirt is conservative enough to work with a sassy shoe.

Finding the right fit

Sheer Ruffle Top: Express.  Jeans: Anne Taylor LOFT.  Yellow Bracelet: Forever XXI.  Shoes: Michael Kors.

I always share my stories of great finds for the more proportionally curvy bottomed ladies.  I like the curvy fit from Express, and I also like these – curvy fit from Ann Taylor LOFT.  The waist is more fitted that a lot of jeans, and there is considerably more stretch in the hip / thigh area while not being too wide in the rest of the leg.  They also come in this nice dark color which is always flattering.

My Express curvy jeans below:

Sassy Work Shoes

After much debate (and a fun “too sexy for work?” post), I wore my red suede ruffle shoes to the office.  Not only was I concerned about the flair overall, but was a bit concerned on the heel height.  Don’t get me wrong – I love a good 4+ inch heel any day of the week, but comfort after 10 hours is not expected.  Surprisingly, I survived and they really weren’t that uncomfortable!  I wouldn’t run a marathon in them, but at least I know I can make it through a basic day (good thing I sit a lot for my job!).  Also, everyone at work seemed to like them and I didn’t get any funny “that’s inappropriate” looks.  As long as stand-out heels are paired with more conservative clothing items, I definitely think sassy work shoes are a DO!

 

 

Dress: INC.  Necklace: Newport News.  Heels: Quipid.

Dress it up!

This dress has a great sweetheart neckline with ruffle detailing and an empire waist, but I always think it needs a belt!  This pink belt is one of my favorites and I think it added the perfect touch.  I continued the color with blue jeweled necklace, ring, and earrings.

 

Dress: Tiana B. Shoes: Nine West. Belt & Jewelry: gifted.

Rolling out of bed

   

Dress: INC.  Belt: thrift.  Shoes: Jessica Simpson.  Olive blazer: DKNY. 

This was one of those mornings that I just had trouble rolling out of bed.  Actually, this whole week was hard for me.  I’ve just been super tired.  Maybe it’s because summer is winding down and I am in much need of a vacation.  I’ve taken a couple long weekend trips this year, but no REAL vacation – it’s definitely time!

All that said… I did manage to pull myself together and get dressed for the day.  I went more feminine with the dress and then added the contrast of the casual blazer.  I pulled my hair back because I just didn’t feel like doing it today!

Ruffles Revisited

Vest: Express.  Brown Wrap: Sunny Leigh.  Shoes: Nine West.  Necklace: Macy’s. 

 

Most people in my office wear jeans on Fridays, and I sometimes do too – but not today!  I felt like being a little more dressy as I was meeting one of my girlfriends for dinner / happy hour after work.  My feet were a little tired at the end of the day, but it was worth it!

This is the first time I paired this ruffle top with a vest, and I think I dig it.  I wouldn’t suggest it for a more top heavy or broad shouldered woman, but for someone who’s a bit smaller on top, it brought nice attention upward and didn’t feel too busy.  A colorful necklace (and shoes!) completed the look.

Feeling a Little Mynt-y

After work today we had a farewell party for a coworker, and met for the festivities at Mynt Martini on Fountain Square (Cincinnati, OH).  We had some lovely martini’s and appetizers and I found out that they have salsa dancing on Wednesday nights!  I might just have to pay another visit! 

If you’re a Cincinnatian who is looking for a local hot spot – this might be a good place for you to check out, but 1 tip for you… make sure to ask what their martini nightly special is (a great deal @ $5), otherwise it can become a bit pricey!

As for the clothes – I wasn’t exactly in “bar attire” as I was coming from work, but if I had remembered to pack something to make this look go from day to evening it would have been a silky red ruffle top of some kind   :)

 

Red Ruffle Cardigan: INC.  White Ruffle Top: Chadwicks.  Skirt: Target.  Polka Dot Shoes: BCBG.

Following the rainbow to the pot of gold

Ruffle Dress: Chadwicks.  Belt: Gifted.  Polka Dot Heels (!!!): Jessica Simpson.

 

These shoes are my treasure find.  I first saw them at DSW last month and tried them on, but they only had a 6.5 and a 7.5 – I needed a size 7!

Instead of searching for the shoes elsewhere I gave them up to the shoe gods and decided to live without them.  Until… I was sent a DSW email with a link and on the first page popped up these beauties (size 7 available!).  I figured it was an omen, so I purchased them and did a little jig    :)