Baby Dots

Studded Cardigan: Banana Republic.  Dress: BCBG.  Tights: Simply Vera.  Shoes: Michael Kors.

 

 

If you’re someone who wants to try out an all over pattern, but are nervous about being overwhelmed by the print, I suggest starting with a small print (like the subtle dot pattern in this dress!).  Then, move to bigger, bolder, and more colorful prints as you gain confidence with fun patterns and figure out what works best for you.

Once you’ve mastered wearing all types of patterns, the next step is to start mixing those patterns!!

Foundation Pieces

  

Same top & skirt, 2 varying looks!

Whether you work in a more conservative office or one with a bit more flexibility, you can always find options with great foundation pieces.

Anniversary Day

It’s anniversary day!  Over the weekend, my boyfriend and I celebrated his grandparents’ 54th year wedding anniversary (how fabulous is that?!?), and this week is my boyfriend and my 5 year anniversary.  No it’s not a wedding anniversary…, but I think we’re doing pretty damn good – ring or no ring.  I’m a very lucky woman, and he is definitely a very lucky man  ;)

As for the clothes – I wanted to wear something that was special, but not too dressy or “notice me”.  I love this silk dress and it feels like a nightgown, so all I had to do was add a few accessories to finish the look and I was ready to go.

A little leopard

Dress: Tahari.  Necklace: Charming Charlie.  Shoes: Steve Madden.  Belt: Macys.  Bag: Betsy Johnson.

I love this dress, but don’t wear it that often because it’s just a bit more dressy than what everyday wear calls for.  Actually, the last time I wore it was to a work awards ceremony last January!  Well, today wasn’t anything special, but I decided to pull out the dress anyway.  I figured I could always put on a little cardigan if I needed to “casual” things up a bit.

2 things I did a bit differently this time was to add a pop of color with a fun bold necklace (even though this top has a tie) and to add waist definition with a thick belt.  The flower on the belt is really supposed to go in the front, but it just looked funny and was distracting, so I simply turned it to the back! 

Crisp White Top – what does it mean to you?

 Top: NY & Co.  Necklace: Chadwicks.  Skirt: Dillards.  Shoes: ana bonilla.

I participated in a health screening today that checked cholesterol, sugar levels, body mass index, body fat, etc…

I got my results and guess what?  I’m still kicking & all checked out good :)

however… I will admit that I loathe needles and get serious stomach flips whenever I see blood.  Thank goodness it’s over!

Ironic that I had a health screening today as I was wearing a crisp white top which always reminds me of hospital uniforms & going to the doctor.  These tops also remind me of a relaxing weekend morning walking around in my man’s shirt… which is a much more fun and sexy thought to have on the mind.  Yes, I’ll stick with that.

Back to Work

Blazer: Swapped.  Periwinkle Top: Forever XXI.  Pants: Investments.  Shoes: BCBG.

 

I was able to snag this black & white tweed blazer at a Cincinnati Swap earlier this year.  I didn’t go to the swap expecting to find work attire, but this just goes to show - you never know what you might find if you’re willing to do a little digging! 

***

This was my first-day-back-from-vacation outfit and I have to admit that it was quite difficult to roll out of bed and get ready for the day…  I had such a nice vacation that it has spoiled my normal routine (work, eat, sleep, work…).  I’m sure it will just take me a few days to get back in the groove of things, so in the meantime I’ll just console myself with chocolate.

Goldilocks

Top: Michael Kors.  Shorts: Old Navy.  Bracelet: Forever XXI.  Ring: Charming Charlie.  Rosebud Wedges: Charming Charlie.

This Labor Day weekend started out great as we had a work grill out on Friday and got to leave work early.  In honor of our grill out, we got to wear extra casual clothes.  To find something for the casual but still workplace appropriate look, I scoured my closet and decided on this flowy top and average length shorts. 

I typically don’t like shorts because I can never find ones that are the right length.  I'm like Goldilocks when it comes to shorts!  They’re either up to my ass or down to my knee – seriously designers?!?  Anyway… last year I did find these Old Navy shorts and would have bought 1 in every color if they had more, but alas, navy was all they had, so here they are – my one average length pair of shorts!  I guess that’s why I often stick to skirts or dresses.

Color of the day

Polka Dot Ruffle Blouse & Cardigan: NY & Co.  Skirt: Mossimo.  Heels: BCBG.  Purse: Gucci.

   

There are moments when I get bored looking at my sage green photo backdrop, however I don’t have a handy photo taker with me throughout the day and the only time I have to take a fashion shot is 2 minutes before I run out the door to work in the morning, so green backdrop it is.

Sometimes I’ll take a photo by my fireplace or on my porch, but the outfits don’t always display quite as well.  Today I did step outside my box and actually tried out my bright bathroom for my photo of the day!  Okay, so the color is a bit overwhelming… but maybe a nice change from the normal sage?  Hopefully, it can remind you to have a bright and happy day!

Pink, orange, polka dots, stripes, ruffles, buckles… if you only read this description, it might seem that there’s to be a lot going on in this outfit, but together it’s definitely not that much.  Adding a solid tone sweater / cardigan / or jacket of any kind can really tone down a look that might have otherwise been a little busy.  If you’re more of a busy-lovin’ gal – by all means, leave the sweater off!

 

Mix it up

 

Floral Top: Target.  Skirt: Newport News.  Shoes: Target.  Bracelet: Forever XXI.

Mixing patterns is all the rage right now -- plaids with floral / stripes with animal / etc…  I love it all and have done some mixing of floral patterns in the past (click here to see one example), but for some reason I haven’t tried it again for quite some time.

I went bold and bright with this pairing, but still kept with the tried and true “balancing act” that I typically use when pairing patterns -- keep 1 bolder / larger print, and 1 more subtle print.  My skirt held the role of bolder colorful larger print and my top held the smaller print role with more subtle coloring.

Have you joined the mix & match trend?

Tie it!

I love tie tops!  I think they remind me of ruffles… or something… Tie tops are just fun to me and always seem to add that special little touch of interest.  Plus they’re great for layering!

Dress: Worthington.  Tie Top: Forever XXI.  Shoes: Nine West.  Bracelet: Lia Sophia.

  

Some other tie tops of mine:

 

 

and a little interest

Cardigan: Forever XXI.  Tank: Chadwicks.  Skirt: NY & Co.  Shoes: Nina. 

Oh such fun with color and pattern!  This combo is super simple, but hopefully interesting enough with the few contrasts and the little details of texture, rusching and sheen.

Big & Little Patterns

Blazer: INC.  Skirt: Forever XXI.  Tights: Express.  Shoes: Steve Madden.

More patterns today (bold on top / dainty on the bottom) and just a few dashes of red!  This week is a very tight packed busy week for me so dashes of this and that as well as dashing here and there seems to be the theme.  Good thing is summer – I always have so much more energy when the sun is out!

Be hypnotized by my pattern

 

Dress: Investments.  Sweater: INC.  Shoes: Nine West.

 

 

Yep, I’m a little dressy dressed for work today, but trust me I was SO comfortable!  It was like I was wearing my silk pajamas and the only thing I was missing was a fuzzy pair of slippers (good thing I had my flip flops under my desk!).

One tip to beware when wearing a standout pattern is to think about accessories.  I brought my new Betseyville bag as well as my zebra print umbrella to work today and it was somewhat print crazy until I got to put those extra accessories down!!

Call of the Sea

Silk Top & Cardigan: Chadwicks. Capris: NY & Co.  Sandals: 9 west 

I love this blue / green color because it reminds me of the sea, being on vacation, and walking with my feet in the sand.  Unfortunately, I’m really at work – but at least I can drift to other places in my mind!

Detail Love

 

Skirt: Chadwicks.  Shoes: Steven.  Lace Top: Newport News.

I was going to mix this skirt with a turquoise top, but I just couldn’t find the right one to make it work – so instead I went to good old basic black.

Even when I wear basic colors or structures, I like to have some kind of special interest in each clothing item without overloading or looking like I’m trying too hard.

My Details Today

1. Top = lace
2. Skirt = pattern
3. Shoes = texture & color

LBD w/ Red

 

Dress: Laura Clement.  Black/White pattern top: Express.  Necklace: Forever XXI.  Shoes: Stuart Weitzman.

I love a little black dress because it’s so easy to dress up or down / wear for business or wear for work… etc…

I always like to pair classic pieces with:

1. A statement jewelry piece (necklace)

2. Some kind of pattern (top)

3. A pop of color (shoes!)

 

Other essentials for a perfectly put together look are always the purse and the jacket.  Today I wore a red / white checked trench (apt 9) with a black Gucci purse (thrifted).

 

One more khaki round-up

I just realized this look is somewhat similar to my last khaki dress post, only – this look is professional work appropriate!

Vest: Express.  White Tee: INC.  Skirt: Moda Int’l.  Blazer: H&M.  Shoes: Guess.

  

 

Uber amounts of pictures today… I’m not sure why… guess I was just picture-happy this morning.  Well, for those of you who love detail shots – here ya go!

 

I originally wanted to stay matchy-matchy with this look, but it ended up just a bit too one-tone for me.  So, to mix it up I brought in the bright pop of color with the blazer.  It finished off the look and allowed me to be colorful or not depending on my mood.