Re-mix

Here we go again with the pink lace dress from Forever 21…I just by chance laid my newest thrift find (the pink and red fair isle angora v-neck by American Eagle $3.45) and they looked so adorable together, I had to try it out, especially with tomorrow being National wear red and pink day (I mean Valentine’s day-see flowers below) .

I had a skinny leather belt around the sweater but with all the horizontal stripes, it just overwhelmed

However, I ran into a dilemma, the first couple times it just passed dress code, but this sweater makes the dress ride-up a little and I didn’t want to worry, so I searched for a solution…..this tan knit a-line skirt by express adds another tier and looks like an intentional ruffle.

Now for how to keep my legs warms, I went with 2 pairs of hoes, for a thicker, matte appearance, almost like leggings, and for a little gamine charm, converse kicks instead of ballet flats. Overall, I think the look is a bit more  juvenile than sophisticated, and it may not be the look for me, but personal style is all about figuring out what IS you by knowing what’s NOT and there’s something about this that I like…it has a certain je ne sais quoi!

I bought the dress without a belt which I argued with the employees over because I said I should get a discount since its missing a belt and is the only one left, but they tried to say just because it has belt loops doesn’t mean it comes with a belt…total baloney! A couple months after buying the dress it appeared in Lucky magazine and I wish I’d had  it then because it would’ve proved me right! Oh well, since its on it’s 4th wear already, the dress was worth the full $24.80

 

 

Well L B Darned!

The infamous LBD (Little Black Dress). Practical, elegant…something every girl should have in her closet; so of course I have 2.

For work or casual events,  cotton or a knit fabric gives you more options without being overdone at the office. Keep the dress simple, no shine, but a subtle pattern or embroidery would be  a nice accent; like the polka dots in this one from BR.  Keep your accessories fun and informal

A string of pearls is classic, but the belt adds some bling

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I love adding color with a cardigan, red is expected, the go-to color for LBD’s  so I prefer this bright robin’s egg blue or purple. These silver ballet flats add an art deco flair and the geo-circle print handbag makes the ensemble feel vintage and architectural. A full-proof look for the office.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Audrey is the inspiration for every LBD, every woman wants to be as glamorous as she was, but let’s get real people It’s 2012 and you can’t go out at night in full length gloves and a tiara on your head unless you’re going to the prom, but here are some tips for a sexy LBD that you can go out and party in

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Look for a silk chiffon fabric , knee length a line skirt. I don’t recommend mini’s, the LBD is about class not just sex appeal and if you wear something form fitting, then you’ve just defeated the purpose and you might as well be wearing hot pink. Completely Strapless is a no-no too, if you are really going someplace special, no one wants to see you adjusting all night, or chance a wardrobe malfunction.Lace is definitely the demure way to do sexy, if you can’t find an LBD with lace detailing, then add your own! I love the red cami underneath for a pop of color.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Classic pearl strand layered with a longer gold necklace for glamour

Add a few bangles for fun, three is better than one! And absolutely go with leopard pumps!  Like I mentioned earlier, red is expected, everyone pairs red with their LBD, be more daring!

Here’s one more way to sneak in some lace and add a little ruffle sleeve!

This is an LBD I would love to have; sweet, sexy , sophisticated…a triple ‘S’  threat.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Baby’s got a brand new bag

I found this burgundy leather coach satchel with ostrich embossed detailing on sale at Nordstrom’s! I don’t want to say how much I paid because my frugal mom would be appalled, but I can say I got a 65% discount!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Banana Republic always has gorgeous silk blouses with delicate feminine details; like this one I found at the thrift $4.45

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The snakeprint is like a neutral backdrop underneath and adds even more interest to the neckline

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It looks even sharper with a navy blue blazer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Or with a leather vest worn open to toughen it up

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I love these hand crafted wire earrings with little green drops ($1.90 from thrift) and this necklace for $3.90

 

 

Piece by piece

It’s hard to put a suit together from separates and sometimes the proportions aren’t perfect, but piece by piece can be more interesting and create more dimensionality.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This wool boulcle blazer from BCBG is warm and cozy and is the cornerstone of this ensemble;

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Orange is a brilliant pop to underneath a sea of chocolate brown and black and these navy trousers with a subtle brown pinstripe; unfortunately they are a size too large and a size too long (I’m behind on my alterations)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Because the pants were too big, the shirt shortened  my torso, so I left it un-tucked, and with the cowlneck it elongates instead.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

for a tough structured edge; geometric pyramid dangle earrings

Super!

When you don’t have a jersey for either team, here’s a great casual ensemble for the big game day festivities!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ann Taylor teal paisley jersey dress $4.45 and Teal AT Loft wrap sweater $7.90

 

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Party guests

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If it were warmer, I’d like to wear it without the leggings for a lighter feel

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

just a tiny bit of bling; earrings $1.45   leopard headband $1 (dollar store is the best for hair accessories)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

gorgeous pattern and color

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Red leather Ballet flats by Mossimo $8.90

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YUM

Friday Night Fever

Love this silk cheetah sheath dress by MK -Michael Kors ($12.90). It’s a fun color play by adding pink to the centers, I got to wear my pink glitter pumps by Betsey Johnson.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To match  my glitter pink pumps I got a pedicure to match; a fishy-cure! it’s crazy but these fish eat all the dead skin off your feet see:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For night time, I added a bow belt to bring in the waist  and I had a shrug to wear for work, but I don’t like the shrug and belt together, I think they interfere with each other:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Leggings aren’t ideal for cocktail hour, but it’s still below 50 and I’m a wuss.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The best part….pockets!!! cute and practical

neon lights

Time to amp up the electricity with these neon brights!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yellow silk blouse by BCBG  Max Azria($2.99 from Goodwill in Cat City, CA)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

wide black snake-embossed belt from BR $12; love the snake on snake pattern

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accordian Pleat skirt $5.90  from Village thrift

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

and these awesome hot teal silk ribbon heels by Betsey Johnson   $34 from Nordstrom’s

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Third time’s a charm

Here is my pink lace dress again; this time with a little more Parisienne circa 1960 something.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The navy polka dot skirt by J.Crew is a couple sizes too big, so I had to disguise the extra fabric with a navy beltand brought it up to the waist.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Metallic pink ballet flats $8.90 from the thrift

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Love these earrings! pearly petals and pink jewel center $3.90