An Exploration

Dress: Land's End; Jacket: Levi's; Shoes: Steven by Steve Madden;

Belt: Ann Taylor; Sunnies: MARC by Marc Jacobs; Bracelets: Ralph Lauren;

Lip Color: Mary Kay Mystic Plum (c/o Style Hunters

 

As I continue to explore a way to wear fall in this oppressive heat, I stumbled on this dress that had been pushed to the back of the closet. That happens from time to time. You get to cleaning, you move things around from season to season, and while exploring your closet you find a little gem. The jewel tone color of the dress is a perfect color for fall, and the fact that it's sleeveless and airy, helps keep me cool!

 

The first time I wore this look, I feel like the shape of the dress was lost. This time, I added a thinner belt which helped accentuate the waist line and the denim jacket helped balance out the volume of the dress where the caridgan made it a little frumpy. Adding a somewhat neutral shoe and gold accessories completed the look. I can't wait to style it later in the fall with hopeful cooler temps!

 

 

The Dress: Before and After

 

 

 

 

 

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Not a Typical Look

Jacket: Banana Republic; T-Shirt: Dollar General; Jeans: LOFT;

 Sneakers: Target; Sunnies: Ann Taylor

 

This isn't a typical daily outfit for me, nor is it one I would normally sport on the blog. I might wear this around the house, to my parent's house or on an errand day when I just don't feel like dressing up. But for today, there are two reasons for posting said ensemble. I am typically a crewneck t-shirt kind of girl, but I am loving a deep V after wearing this on Friday. It shows a little more skin, feels a little bit dressier than your average tee and now I want one in every solid color I can get my hands on!

 

The other reason for the post is my new tennis shoe. This is a trend I've feared, loathed and tried to avoid. Then, I got into a Twitter discussion with Julie of I Heart Heels and she provided a piece of advice that every style blogger should take to heart, #justry. And, isn't that what I blogged about a couple of months ago. Just try! So, I'm trying them out and I kind of like them. They are really comfy, not nearly as bulky as I thought and not an average tennis shoe. A wedge sneaker. Who would have thunk it!

 

 

 

 



Royal Blue & Leopard

Top: Ann Taylor; Pants: Ann Taylor; Shoes: Ann Taylor; Bangles: Silpada;

Earrings: Silpada; Sunnies: MARC by Marc Jacobs; Lip Color: Mary Kay Mystic Plum (c/o Style Hunters)

 

I had a major love affair with these pants last year, but I think I've only worn them once this go round. Maybe fall is the time to bring them back out! I'm loving the combo of the royal blue with the black and white leopard top. The top is a new little piece from Ann Taylor that will take me through fall and into winter, when layered correctly. And the peplum trend is still going strong! Invest!

 

 

 

 

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What to Wear....

 

.....on ones 40th birthday when they will be out of town celebrating in LA with family and friends? And when I say they, I mean me! That's right folks, I will be 40 in a little under two months and I'm internally freaking out! I keep trying to focus on the good. Like, I'm turning 40. I made it to 40. I will try to look fabulous at 40. And that I have an amazing trip planned with my mom, Joel, McKinley and my aunt! We are going to LA, staying with our fabulous friend Joan and her husband Willy, and living up the weekend with so many things planned. But, the biggest plan of all is the big day!

 

My birthday happens to fall on a Sunday so I thought we could spend the late morning/early afternoon on Rodeo Drive, drinking mimosas and window shopping with the upper crust! I will wear something super chic for the day, but I've been thinking about what to wear that evening. We will be heading out for a special birthday dinner and I want to look amazing. I know it sounds incredibly superficial, but I want to look my best for a number that seems really big, and sometimes, a little old.

 

Here are a couple of things I've been muling around in my head and thought I would put them on paper. Things could change drastically before then, or they could stay exactly they way they are. Either way, here's to turning to 40....

 

I wore this Zara dress for our Drink Pink cocktail party and I honestly can't put it away until next season. A goodie like this needs to be out on the town!

 

 

Remember this skirt from ASOS? I was going to wear it for New Year's Eve last year but I just couldn't bring myself to do it! I thought people would stare and judge and I hate it when I think that people are doing that. Self-esteem issues anyone? So why not wear it in a town where nobody knows you, fashion has no bounds, and it's a very special occasion?

The things I need for this piece are the right top (I had issues with the one I had pictured in my head), the right pieces of jewelry and THE right shoe! So many things to scout out before Oct 31st (that's when we leave)!

  



 

Then there is this delicately beaded top from Anthropologie! I love that it can be worn several different ways, but I'm thinking for that night I would wear it like this. A little lace bra and the right skirt would look stunning, no? Do you go conservative with the skirt? Going short could cause it to look trashy. Finding the right balance is what it's all about. And again, the right shoe! 

 

 

So let's focus on this right shoe. You know who I feel about shoes. I love them. I adore them. They can be works of art. Look at Christian Louboutin, Manolo Blahnik and Brian Atwood for example. Their shoes are amazing. Amazingly expensive, but amazing none the less. And because turning 40 is supposed to be amazing, I need an amazing shoe! I've had my eye on this Valentino studded pump for a year now but I will NEVER be able to afford them. However, when looking for said shoe, I found this red Valentino pump that I happen to have in my closet. I need to start wearing these guys a lot more!! Like maybe on my 40th birthday....

 

I'm loving the choices so far, but haven't made a firm decision. And, there may be something incredible out there and I just haven't seen it yet. Do any of the three speak to you? Weigh in on the options and let me know what you would wear. And what do you think of the shoes? Amaz-balls, right?

 

Happy Friday! XOXO

Mama Got Green Shoes On

Dress: Ann Taylor; Jacket: Vintage/My Mom's; Shoes: ShoeDazzle;

Sunnies: MARC by Marc Jacobs; Necklace: Baublebar

 

Yesterday was definitley "one of those days"! I overslept, got to work and my power strip wasn't working so nothing else was working, and I felt so bloated! (TMI I know, but if you're going to read a personal style blog, sometimes you have to read it all.) All I wanted to do was wear jeans, a baggy top and call it a day.

 

Instead, I found the most comfortable dress I owned, added a large babble to draw the attention away from my mid section, my favorite denim jacket these days and colorful heels to cheer me up! And, when McKinley saw me, he announced "Mama got green shoes on." How could you not be cheery after that!

 

 

 

 

  

Styling Tip: As I continue to explore my transitional fall closet, this is one way to go! Pair a sleeveless dress with your cutest denim jacket.

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Color Needed STAT

Dress: Anthropologie; Belt: Ann Taylor; Booties: Ann Taylor;

Bracelets: Ralph Lauren/J.Crew (gift); Sunnies: Prada: Necklaces: Gorjana/Gift

 

I was so happy to get started on the fall closet transition and found this little dress that I don't think I wore once last year. When I saw the after photos, I was so depressed! This outfit is so blah, but I wanted to show you an outfit that I created that didn't work! Not that they all work, or any of them for that matter, but this one just didn't work at all. It's literally all one color. The dress matches the belt that matches the shoes that matches my skin tone! It needs color STAT!!! I'm not even sure why I didn't see it when get dressed. 

 

Below, you can see how I've worn it before, with another version here. I will definitely re-work it into my wardrobe later in the season and really punch it up with what...color!

 

The Dress: Before and After

 

 



Making the Transition

So, it's the day after a long holiday weekend. The weekend that officially transitions us to fall. Technically, the first day of fall isn't until September 22, but in the fashion world it appears that fall truly begins at the end of Labor Day weekend. And with that, I'm starting to make the transition to fall myself! I've been thinking a lot about what to add to the closet that's new and fresh without packing it full of trends and "just because" items. And, I've really started thinking about editing the existing contents. (Read, major half yearly closet cleanout!)

 

So, what I'm thinking of adding to the closet? Well let me tell ya.

 

I wish I could show you the actual shoe, but alas it is sold out online! Good for me, as I own them, but bad for you because you can't order them. However, call your local Ann Taylor and ask if they carry them in the store. I love a boot as much as anyone, but it's a little early to wear boots. So, I opt for peep-toe versions! The pump is the design of the bootie that looks similar to the one on the right.

 

 

 

I have been scouring the internet for the perfect pair of faux leather shorts and I finally found them! These Bermuda shorts from Zara are the furthest thing from Bermuda! They are a great length, great fit and the perfect transition piece that will look awesome with tights later in the fall!

 

 

This rich navy top from Ann Taylor is going to look awesome with jeans and a tough pump, but even better with my navy lace crops! I love the bow-tie neck and flutter cap sleeves.

 

 

 

You know how I feel about boyfriend jeans. I love them! And, I found the perfect pair from LOFT. I've been shopping for a gray jean since last season but never found a pair that fit like I wanted. I had a great pair pre-baby, but those will never fit again. Then I had the best maternity pair, but again, those will never fit again. I am loving this pair and can't wait to wear them soon!

 

 

And lastly, these amazing wide leg pants from Anthropologie! They were onsale but I truly believe they are a perfect transition piece. Yes, they have a tiny white print but that will be lost with how I style them. Perfect with my moto jacket, a black t-neck, baggy sweater and any form of heeled shoe. I am so excited about them!

 

So there's a little preview into my pre-fall wardrobe. What are you looking forward to wearing the most? Is it something that already exists in your wardrobe or something you've had your eye on? Let's chat!