WEAR A SKIRT IN SWEATER WEATHER

Hey, strangers!

It seems like it's been forever since my last post!  Just like anyone, I've had a lot going on, so I managed to find the time to show you another cheap and chic outfit!

So let's get to it!

Girly-girls, you'll appreciate this post!  We LOVE our dresses and skirts, whether their flowy, bodycon, or pleated, we could wear them every day!  Prime seasons of course are spring and summer... but once the weather starts to cool down we turn to jeans, slacks, and yoga pants instead of trying to incorporate those dresses and skirts into our fall and winter wardrobes.  

What a shame!  

So, that's why I'm showing you MY take on wearing those short, breezy pieces during sweater weather!

So let's start with a close-up...

... because it's no fun to just give it away right off the bat!

The picture is super grainy because I didn't have the best lighting to work with, but you can see the colors I chose:

BLACK & WHITE

DARK GREEN

GOLD

Now, the dark green skirt, actually looks like it might be more turquoise.  I've noticed when photographing, green clothing tends to naturally take on a blue hue.  To my fellow photographers/videographers... I tried adding and subtracting natural and indoor lighting but I couldn't find the right balance to showcase the true color of this skirt.  

Maybe I need to try lense filters!

ANYWAYS!

So you've seen a little bit... but how does it evolve into a chic, chilly weather outfit?

...

Well, I can't show you ALL of it just yet!

I told you I don't just give it all away that easily ;)

So let's take another look at it...

Do you get the same 50's cheerleader vibe I'm getting from this?

Whatever, it's still modern and I love it...

... even though I felt like I should be doing a sideline cheer for one of the local high schools that sport the same colors.

The skirt is super girly; I mean, it's pleated and skater-style.  The only way it could get more girly is if it were pink.

So this post is all about 

Wearing a Skirt in Sweater Weather.

Let's take a look at how I spin this so it's warm and cozy...

Boots ... Check

Tights ... Check

Scarf ... Check

Cardigan ... Check

I feel like this would be a PERFECT weekend trip outfit for this time of year.  Know what I mean?  You're in a cute, old little city square checking out shops full of unique buys, your boots crunch the fallen leaves as you walk down the sidewalk to the corner pub you have a late lunch at... 

I clearly need to take a roadtrip.

But, if you aren't planning any fall weekend getaways, here's how you can wear it to work! Or church. Or dinner. Or wherever!

Sweater: TJ Maxx ... Less than $20

Skirt: Forever 21 ... $14.80

Tights: These are actually Capezio dance tights from my jazz days!

Boots: Charlotte Russe ... about $30

Cardigan: TJ Maxx ... $20

Scarf: Charlotte Russe ... $10

Pretty versatile, affordable, and cute, right?

What do you think?

Would you style it differently?

Let me know!

CASUAL SOPHISTICATION

Welcome back!

If you're anything like me, you take advantage of every chance you get to dress up!

I do this every day at work because, well, let's just say I don't go on a whole lot of dates.

But, of course, that absolutely does not stop me from wearing what I want!  Who needs a man anyways?  Am I right? ;)

So that brings us to today's post:

Casual Sophistication

I'll be honest, if I could wear cocktail dresses, hot pink lipstick, and stilettos everywhere, I totally would.  Unfortunately to society, that would make me a weirdo (especially where I come from).  So I have to keep things "toned down" to a certain extent I suppose.  *Gigantic sigh*

So it's with outfits like that that I feel SUPER awesome while knowing that I'm not standing out in even a slightly negative way.  Are you like me?  Do you wish you could glam up every single day without having people secretly judge you!?  Isn't it annoying?!  

I mean, check out this awesome necklace...

This has always been one of the accessories I have that rarely gets worn just because it is a little loud.  I really, really love it though, and anytime I do wear it, I always feel like my outfit is instantly kicked up a notch.

And it's actually what added the sophistication to this casual outfit.

Right?  I mean, there's your average bodycon skirt and white sweater.  What's more casual than that?  Well, at least when jeans aren't really your thing.  They're really cute together, but pair them with black stiletto boots and a glamorous necklace like this (and a matching manicure!) and you've got instant class.

However, we wouldn't have the "casual" in "casual sophistication" without those not-so-flashy pieces then would we?  

Why don't we take a look at the whole thing then, okay?

I could wear this outfit every... single... day.

Sweater: JCPenney, $20

Skirt: Forever 21, $8.80

Boots: ShoeDazzle, $50

Necklace: JCPenney, about $12-$15

So, I mean, what do you think?

I love, love, love this because, yes, I wore it to work but this would be just as adorable for one of the upcoming holidays, a date night, or even a girls' night!  I would probably slip on my black belt with metallic detail to take this to nighttime, though.  You know, for a little added edginess.  This would look just as awesome with black (and even WHITE) heels/pumps.

So, next time you're wearing a cute, but overall basic outfit, try adding a crazy necklace and some heels! A lot of the time it seems like once I add some killer accessories - like these crazy, cool boots and loud necklace - my whole look instantly comes together.

I really could have gotten away without the necklace, but let's be honest, it is really what ties this outfit together.  Stilettos are ALWAYS a classic option, but here they just weren't enough to totally take this outfit from casual to sophisticated.

You want to know a reason why?  Here's a tip:

When you've got solid colors, basic structures, and no prints whatsoever, adding a statement piece will tie it together.  I mean, STATEMENT.  Five inch heeled black leather/suede boots aren't always enough.  Find something that's eye-catching and anchoring.

Like I said, what do you think?

Does this outfit speak true casual sophistication?

Love it? Hate it? Suggestions? Comments?

I'd love to hear it!

FALL CHIC

I think it's a mutual thing among all women that when fall comes around, we are super excited to break out the wardrobe that goes with it.  Am I right?

I thought about this Saturday before going to an annual fall festival in my small, little piece of wonderful town.  How the heck was I supposed to come up with a great outfit in the midst of a whole festival of women wearing almost the same thing?  I mean, think about it.  

What do we women wear in fall?

The Big Three

1. Riding Boots

Or boots in general, let's be honest.

2. Big Scarves

Seriously, the bigger the better.

3. Sweaters

Sweaters, cardigans, wraps galore. Go count how many are in your closet. Dare ya.

So instead of trying to fight it for the sake of individuality and my desire to stand out, I embraced it.

Here's the breakdown:

BIG, PLAID SCARF 

(That doubles as a blanket! All about those two-fers.)

Seriously I am in love with this thing.  I HATE the cold (does my use of italics, bold, and underline get that point across?), so I gladly wore it as a blanket for half of the day.  This thing is going to see a lot of frigid weather.

I also am obsessed with plaid if you can't already tell so this will be making many appearances regardless of the chilly air that I am dreading to be stuck with till May.  I'm pretty sure there's some small Southern town out there that's calling my name, needing me to move there...

Say hi to my mother! She had some nice sweater action going on as well.

She gets it from me.

Anyways!

Here is my "basic" fall chic look:

Sweater: $15-$20

Chambray Shirt: around $30

Jeans: American Eagle (< $40)

Boots: Charlotte Russe, $20 (but, they were a gift)

Scarf: Forever 21, $12.80

Originally, I had been wearing a different white sweater with sparkly stripes pictured in the very first photograph above, but I knew I was going to get cold (because Lord knows cold air goes straight to ma bones).  So, I layered a thicker sweater with a chambray shirt!  Hallelujah, I made the right choice there.   

So what do you think?  I know it's really simple, predictable, whatever, but sometimes simplicity translates as classic.   That's what I was going for here. I think, sometimes, I'd rather be classic than over-the-top. (Sometimes.)

Classic looks are so comfy but super chic all at the same time.  Why not feel good AND look good in what you're wearing all day long?

P.S., I just showed you how to wear white after Labor Day.

Risky.

And because, well, I really love this photo...

... it had to make it into this post!

(This is my "tease" photo I used on social media! Tricky.)

Love it? Hate it? Think it's "blah"? 

Hey, tell me about it.

BRIGHT BLUE IN AUTUMN

Welcome back!

I know it's been a little while since my last post, but today we're talking...

It seems with each season I form a habit of wearing a certain combo, color, accessory (whatever), and I can't get away from them. For example, my last post was all about leopard and merlot, and since then I've worn A LOT of merlot (or similar colors).  I am just going to save those styles for another time BECAUSE I decided today to really

change things up a bit.

Along with merlot and leopard, my last post mentioned transitioning your summer wardrobe into fall weather, and I was feeling a little summery today!  Like I said a little earlier, once the seasons change I get in a habit of wearing the same thing over and over again. In the summer, I cannot stop wearing blue!  Seriously, from maxis to tanks and turquoise to royal, I am obsessed with it.  

And I don't care that it's now fall, I will not stop wearing it!

I have this awesome, bright, jersey blazer that I love pairing over my pretty summer dresses for a relaxed look.  I love how vibrant it is, and I just had to break it out again.  

But how would I style it for fall?

Pair it with a plaid scarf.

That's how.

And then,

add a textured sweater.

Hey, look at that!

When I first thought about wearing this summer/spring time blazer, I really didn't have any clue how I was going to make it look fall chic.  My first thought was to pair it with a plaid flannel shirt - but that would be obvious. So I didn't want to be predictable, but now what?

A soft, pretty blouse or tank underneath wouldn't give this blazer the anchor it needed for a truly fall look.  Now a sweater? That's what I'm talking about.

I played off of the black in the sweater and in the scarf by adding black skinny jeans.  The scarf was giving me that classic fall feel, but I wanted to give it more dimension and warmth.

What says fall more than tall, brown boots?

Blazer: Charlotte Russe

Sweater: Forever 21

Jeans: Boscovs

Scarf: JC Penney

Boots: Charlotte Russe

Nothing here is more than $25-$30! Isn't that awesome?

I can't believe I've had each of these items for over two years (maybe even three if I think about it!) and I had no idea I could put them all together! 

(P.S., That's why I can't tell you exactly how much they each are! Sorry!)

Again, proof that you do not have to go on a shopping spree to have a completely awesome wardrobe.

Let me point something out,

other than the boots (which I wear all the time) - each of these pieces have just been totally awkward for me to style since I've bought them.  The blue blazer has seen its glory days granted, but the jeans have a weird fit, and the sweater is really just boring by itself.  I just love how the totally contrasting textures of the sweater and scarf really play off of each other in an awesome way. 

I really have never worn these together before today, nor have I thought to.

Seriously, GO INTO YOUR CLOSET RIGHT NOW.  Find your most boring sweater, layer it with your brightest jacket/blazer/cardi, and wrap yourself up in a scarf with at least one color in common with whatever you've found and see what you get.  Throw on boots, and you're golden. Please, do it.

NOTE: 

When it comes to layers, you NEED to make sure the fit is flattering.  I know fashion magazines like to boast layering with really loose and baggy sweaters and undershirts, but I completely hate it.  The female figure is wayyyyy to beautiful to be hidden under super-baggy and uneven tops that just hang off of you.  The sweater I have on here is loose (especially at the arms, which is what makes it awkward to style for me), BUT the blazer is tailored to flatter my waist.  Think about things like that when you're trying to put together an outfit.  If you really want to make a look work, but you feel like something's missing, try adding/swapping for something with a little structure.  It makes a huge difference.

That is how you do Bright Blue In Autumn and Take Summer into Fall.

Love it? Hate it? Comments? Suggestions?

Tell me about it.

MERLOT & LEOPARD

Before I dive right in, we need to set the record straight.

After work yesterday, I had a lovely evening with a few of my gorgeous friends...

... and we couldn't help but notice someone was a little confused about the weather lately.

It's not like it's THE WORST outfit I've ever seen, but it baffles me a bit.

So that's why we're briefly going to discuss what my darling friends like to call,

"THE IN-BETWEEN SEASON"

Ladies, gentlemen, there are ways to adapt your summer wardrobe for fall,

 but this is not one of them.

I know it's still relatively warm outside right now, but tank tops and scarves don't belong together.  Maybe to you it's not a big deal, but it just doesn't make sense to me.  Plus, that scarf is too cute for a "blah" outfit like that!  I mean the yoga pants... the flip flops... 

C'mon, girlfriend, where's your sass at.

Now maybe if she had had a cute cardigan with more seasonal shoes, my reaction might have been,

"Oh, that's a cute laidback early fall look!"

But it was not so.

So let's get to it, shall we?

This post is more about one of my favorite clothing combinations and not so much about one particular outfit.

 MERLOT & LEOPARD!

There's just something so awesome about these two together.  

I love the richness of merlot, and I'm not just talking about the color. ;)

And I wouldn't be a real Italian-American woman (well, partially) if I didn't love leopard print!

See, I even made a graphic representing my love for it.

BUT ANYWAYS...

I think because these are both so strong as a print and as a solid color, they come together in total perfection.

I will be wearing this combo all fall long.

So now that you've seen my awesome leopard print booties up close, 

let's take a look at the rest of the outfit!

I decided to balance the outfit with a bright neutral.

This is my all-time favorite blazer that I own; I could seriously wear it over anything.

I love this shirt without the blazer, but it matched my cream teardrop earrings and helped to break up all the darkness.  I'm all about contrasting colors; they make an outfit interesting.

I don't think you ever make a bad decision when you add a blazer to an outfit.

So like I said, think contrasting colors.

I wouldn't have needed the blazer necessarily if my jeans were white or beige.  

In my head, I picture beige, straight-leg trousers being SICK with the merlot lace top.

It would look awesome with a beige/cream skirt as well.

Also, remember when I mentioned my teardrop earrings? I let them be the only jewelry I wore because I didn't want to take away from the lace detail by adding a necklace.   

P.S., I love that top because although it isn't tight, the lace detail gives it a super sexy feel.

Now, let's check out yesterday's take on merlot & leopard!

Blazer: Charlotte Russe for about $30-$35

Top: Victoria Secret for about $25-$30

Jeans: American Eagle $35-$40

Booties: Charlotte Russe $30

Earrings: Charlotte Russe < $10

So like I said earlier, the outfit isn't super stunning, especially in that picture,

but I promise you, if you combine merlot & leopard, you are going to absolutely LOVE IT, whatever your pieces are.

Comments? Suggestions? Hate it? Love it?

Let me know!

POP OF PEACH

Let's stop and appreciate the goodness that is pumpkin beer.

I'm pretty sure it's my duty as a white girl to love all things pumpkin during the fall.  

We're so full of it.

;)

BUT unfortunately the only thing pumpkin about today's post is that I'm drinking it as I'm blogging it.

Maybe that's not so unfortunate...

Because I'm here to give you a 

(Shout out to my shower curtain for being such an awesome backdrop.)

I'm going to start by saying, in NO WAY does fall mean we have to put away all of our fun pops of color and be confined to the deep, rich tones of the season.  I LOVE emerald green, merlot, and of course black... but I NEED MORE COLOR.  

I'll be honest, when I came up with this outfit today, I did not center it around my pretty in peach scarf.  I actually changed my shirt a couple times because I thought THAT was going to be one of my main talking points, but that's what happens when you throw on a random accessory and the next thing you know it is what makes your clothes an outfit.

I didn't really know where I was going with this one; like I said, I thought my shirt was going to be something important.  I knew I wanted something classic which for me seems to always default to neutrals.  

So this was my original idea.

Neutrals ALL OVER:

navy blue, crisp white, and a little vintage gold.

Not bad, right?  I totally could have gotten away with this...

...but I knew there was something missing.

So after throwing on different necklaces, holding up different earrings in the mirror (because why go through the trouble of actually putting them on when you can hold them next to your face), and getting frustrated I thought, "How about a scarf?"

Yep, that's it.

So the unplanned, unexpected, unthought-of piece became the centerpiece of my look.

Blazer: Tahari - T.J. Maxx (Originally $120, Purchased for $20)

Sweater: Charlotte Russe

Skirt: Charlotte Russe

Boots: Charlotte Russe (Christmas gift from a sweet heart!)

Scarf: Can you guess? ... Charlotte Russe

Necklace: Step grandmother's mother's vintage jewelry box

So much unlike my last post, I would change NOTHING about this outfit.

Last time, I know there are pieces I could have swapped for others, but this one is perfect to me. Sometimes when I think I've decided exactly what I want to wear and I try it on, I realize that I've missed a beat and there's just something missing.  I can't always figure it out right away, and then I start to doubt that my appearance is up to my own standards.  

(Silly thing to be worried about, huh?) 

So that's why I did a hop, skip, and a jump when I put this scarf on! 

I felt awesome in this, and you know I strutted around like I was too cool for anyone today.

(Except when I tried to make words happen with that guy I "crush" on.)

Feeling like a million bucks in the clothes you're wearing is one of best feelings a woman can have.

One simple accessory helped to do that.

***

Comments? Suggestions? Hate it? Love it?

Leave it.

PLAID PROFESSIONAL

I'm obsessed with plaid.

I don't own enough of it.

Especially now that it's been officially fall for about a week now,

 I am so happy to be breaking out my favorite button-up plaid flannels!  

Here's why I love them so much:

1. They go with ANY solid color...

that complements the colors in the print.

That's a no-brainer I think, but let me explain anyway.  I usually stick to two ways of pairing patterns with other pieces like skirts or blazers:

- Make the outfit's solid color piece the least represented color in the pattern.

Pairing this shirt with a navy blazer and white jeans would really make this shirt pop.

- Stick to the same base colors.

For example, blue-based reds don't match orange-based reds.  The blue-based red matches pretty nicely with my electric blue bib statement necklace, right? (And I like contrasting shades of the necklace and navy stripes too.)  You'll see how the color of the skirt I chose follows this rule!

2. They give professional clothing a casual vibe...

and it looks awesome.

Professional style doesn't mean just suits jackets and matching skirts anymore.  BORING.  I love how this casual look gives me a little country flair but stays glamorous with the pencil skirt and necklace.  To anchor it all, I added hints of brown with the belt and flats.  

Shirt: JCPenney

Skirt: Charlotte Russe

Shoes: Aeropostale

Necklace: Charlotte Russe

Belt: Charlotte Russe

Although I can't remember exact prices for each of these items, 

I know all of the clothing items were under $20 each & the accessories were less than $10 each.

How could this outfit be different?

Heels: Nude, Brown, Navy, White, or LEOPARD

I usually ALWAYS wear heels, but for some reason I didn't regret my decision not to today as I walked across our uneven stone walkway to my car.  This outfit would have looked great with any heels in the colors I mentioned above, but if I really wanted to amp up my fashion game, I could have been risky with a pair of leopard heels. Now, I don't think uber-platform, shiny pumps in that print would work, BUT almond-toe suede in leopard?  Yes.  I might even go so far as to say: 

leopard prints have blue and red bases too!

You'd be surprised to see how similar bases can make unlikely matches between drastically different prints.

Can I also just say...

The newest item in this outfit is around one year old?  The oldest is from my freshman year of high school!  There is nothing "brand new" about ANYTHING I'm wearing here!  What I'm saying is, you don't NEED to go on a shopping spree to change up your seemingly "blah" wardrobe.  

LOOK AT YOUR BASICS. 

Here we have the basic red skirt, the basic flannel button-up, the basic flat.

POP WITH A STATEMENT.

 The only thing not basic about this outfit is the statement necklace!

Get to know what's already in your closet because you might have the exact look you want to just waiting for you to put it together!

Thoughts? Comments? Hate it? Love it? 

Tell me about it.