A little layering

Cardigan: Chadwicks.  Pants: NY & Co.  Pattern Oxford: Express.  Jewelry: Macys.  Purse: Versace.  Shoes: BCBG.

  

Even when I’m dressing more professional for a meeting or such, I like to spice it up a bit with fun pattern and color mixes.  Add a funky jewelry piece for additional sparkle!

I can’t believe it was just mid 90’s last week and this week I’m layering… yep – it’s been 60’s in Cincinnati the last few days.  Crazy!  I like Fall, but the seasons just change too quickly here.  I need some time to adjust and to wear my nice Fall clothing!

What’s your favorite time of year?  (click to vote!)

kimono inspired

Red silk tunic: Banana Republic.  Jeans: Anne Taylor LOFT.  

Inspiration: beautiful colors and fabrics…!

Okay, so my outfit is really a far cry from these authentic kimonos, but the red silk tunic did feel somehow reminiscent of them.  This tunic also had a lovely and intricate pattern / weave to the neckline which I fell in love with.  Classic, easy, bright.  Works for me!  Add dark wash jeans and I’m ready for weekend running or a casual Friday in the office.

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!).

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! 

Perricone Winner

Congrats to Mimi from http://whatmimiwrites.blogspot.com/

Mimi will receive cold plasma from Perricone MD!!  

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.

A little dressy

Green Dress: Chadwicks.  Print Tie Top: Mossimo.  Belt: Bargin Box Thrift.  Shoes: Nine West.

Some may tell me these colors don’t “go”, but I challenge them and say that they do!  :)

I like to bring fun color and a bit of pattern into outfits whenever I can, and overall I think the blend worked as the main focus was still on the green dress. 

This belt was a stellar find for $1 while I was in Hilton Head.  It’s a little old-school, but I think maybe that’s why I like it…  LOL

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.

Back from Hilton Head

If you’ve noticed that my fashion posts for last week were scarce, it was because I was on vacation!  My mom and I took a trip to Hilton Head, SC.  It was so nice to relax, sit on the beach, and eat a ton of great food.  I’m sorry to say that I’m not ready to be back yet…!

Click Here to check out all the restaurants we tried and food we ate!

As for fashion in Hilton Head – it is SERIOUSLY laid back.  I brought quite a few little dresses, and tended to be the most dressed up everywhere I went…  There were times I joined in the local style of athletic clothing or swim suit cover-up for going out (I was on vacation after all!), but overall still dressed in my normal attire.

 

Me & my lovely mom!

Beautiful harbor & boats I wanted to steal…

Gorgeous trees and scenery in Savannah, GA.

 

Pretty trees w/ crazy moss back in Hilton Head too!

    

Watch out for alligators!!

Swimming in the ocean – it doesn’t get much better than that  :)

Forgotten

 

I always refer to this blog as my little fashion diary.  It’s a reminder of all my good and bad days – not to mention good and bad fashion choices.  We all have them! 

This pic is actually a few weeks old, but I just found it so I figured I’d go ahead and share this extra “diary” entry. 

I hardly ever wear tops tucked in because I just find it less comfortable, but with these pants I try to find tuck-in options as it shows off the cute waist-line buttons.

A little twisted

Blue Knot Top: cable & gaunge.  Earring: Buckle.  Jeans: INC. 

Just a basic casual day, but I do love the special little twisty knot this top has.  Similar to a belt, this knot detailing cinches and accentuates a waistline. 

If you’re like me and you get irritated by a ton a jewelry pieces (sometimes they just get in the way!), I suggest finding clothing items with special detailing so that you still have a uniqueness to your look without having to add all the extras.

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  :)

a little sheer – a little sturdy

Skirt: NY&Co.  Shirt: Express.  Shoes: Anne Klein.  Earrings: Macy’s.

Blending clothing textures is always a great easy way to keep interest in an outfit.  This print top is light and sheer, so I paired it with a heavier (sturdy!) utility style jacket for contrast.  It was also helpful to have layers as I often get cold in the office.  Finally, I kept a neutral shoe - and since I left off the color there, I decided on bright earrings to finish the look.

Bubble Gum Bright

  

Weather has been gorgeous in Cincinnati these last few days so I kept with bright sunny colors as I pick out my outfit this morning.  The colors in this necklace remind me of candy and bubble gum  :) 

Even with my happy colors - I admit, I get really frustrated as I make the drive into work each day.  I really don’t like the long congested commute downtown, BUT… now and then I do remember the perks – fun restaurants in walking distance for after work happy hours, walking around town during lunch hour every now and then, looking out my window at the sunshine, city, the river, and pretty boats, and finally – random Cincinnati pigs!

 

Perricone Giveaway – Forever Young!

Okay, we may not really want to be forever young, but we probably wish our skin stayed that way! 

Fabulous giveaway for Cold Plasma skin care products.   Dr Perricone skin care products target 10 common signs of aging such as elasticity, smoothness, redness, dryness, fine lines and wrinkles, etc..

Dr. Perricone products work to “deliver optimal nutrition to skin cells to help skin achieve a healthy, glowing, youthful appearance”.

How to Enter (U.S. and Canada only please):

1. Share which Perricone product valued at $150 or less you would want or need and why.

2. Get a second entry if you follow / link me or post this giveaway on your blog.

3. Make sure to include your email or have it listed on your profile so I can contact you if you win! 

This giveaway will run through Sat, Sept 18.

Wardrobe Weekend

Dress: Susana Moraco.  Necklace: Ann Taylor Loft.  Shoes: BCBG. 

 

After much drama of shoe matching and dress fitting / not fitting (I had to lay off the pastries for a week!), I finally got to wear my weekend-wedding dress.  The wedding venue was lovely, the bride gorgeous, the company fabulous, and the man dashing.  What more could a girl ask for?

The rest of my weekend was spent shopping with my mom, organizing my closet (fall cleaning!), and cooking.  Seriously, I’ve often thought my calling is to be a personal shopper.  If my man turns into a sugar daddy some day and I no longer have to work – then I’ll definitely have to make it happen  :)  either that or I would just stay home, cook and eat all day long watching Frasier, Grey’s Anatomy, and FoodNetwork…

Anywhoo… my mom is a great candidate for trying out my personal shopping skills because I know what her style and lifestyle is, and she trusts me enough to try on everything I pick for her.  Overall – we made out like bandits!  Tons of great sales were going on and it was definitely wardrobe makeover time.

Although the majority of shopping was for my mom, I did find a few items myself including these fabulous Guess heels.  Aren’t they gorgeous?!  I’m in love.

The shopping time inspired me to do some fall cleaning of my closet, so I did my normal semi-annual clean out and ended up with several piles – one clothing pile to give to friends, one for goodwill, one for plato’s closet consignment, and one for alterations.  In addition, I labeled all my shoe boxes with shoe pics so it’s super easy to find what I’m looking for at any time.  How scary is it that I find this activity so much fun?!?