Beauty and the Blazer, Part Two

September 29, 2010













{Thrifted Jones New York Blazer / Wide Leg Pants ~ Style & Co. / Top ~ Forever 21 / Leopard Heels ~ Isaac Mizrahi for Target / Thirfted Belt, Earrings and Bracelets / Handbag ~ Rachel Zoe for QVC}


Here is another one of my favorite thrifted blazers.  I love the boxy shape that it has, definitely a change from the curve-hugging fitted jackets I usually go for. ;) 



I also love that it is button-less and meant to be worn casually over tops or dresses.  It looks cute belted, too!

I'm pretty sure this blazer was over $100 from Jones New York.  I scored this practically brand new, classic beauty for $4.00!  ...and this is why I love thrift stores.  :) 

These heels from Isaac Mizrahi are a forgotten fave.  I am starting to realize that I just cannot wear 4 inch heels every single day.  My ankles won't allow it, lol.  The pointed toe and touch of patent leather make these just that much more fabulous.  I can't wait to see how they look with black skinny jeans!

Blazer number 3 is up next.  It's going to be either the navy beauty that I have or a fabulous HOT PINK velour number. Stay tuned!
 
xoxo, thanks for reading!


Beauty and the Blazer, Part One

September 26, 2010


I got an email asking specifics about my thrift store adventures so I thought it would be appropriate to showcase a few of my thrifted peices here on the blog.  When trying to figure out what items to showcase first, it didn't take me long to make a decision...BLAZERS. 














{Vintage, Thrifted Blazer /Jeans ~ Z. Cavaricci / T-shirt ~ H&M / Pumps ~ UrbanOG / Vintage Leather Handbag worn as Clutch / Vintage Earrings}


I have quite a few thrifted blazers, and honestly, they are my favorite to shop for in thrift stores/flea markets.  Our favorite thrift store in New Jersey, The Red White and Blue, has 2 really long racks dedicated to blazers; all arranged by color, all different shapes and sizes and all under $10!  I am drawn to vintage ones, and you can usually tell by the brand on the tag and/or the cut.  Although it can get costly having every blazer I bring home dry cleaned, owning a one-of-a-kind piece for a dirt cheap price, makes it worthwhile.

I am a size 16 (and sometimes a 14 on top) and most of the blazers I have are NOT a 16, they are smaller (the one I have on in this post is a size 12). It is very typical for vintage 80's and 90's blazers, to be cut very generously. This would probably be an over sized cut on someone who is a true size 12, but for me, it is more fitted.





I love this one because it has a military feel with the contrast trim and buttons. 

I swear, I could wear a blazer every single day. Dressed down with a t-shirt and jeans like I wore today, or dressed up with a pretty dress and strappy heels.  A blazer will work with anything!

So tell me, are you a blazer fanatic, like I am? 

Stayed tuned for part two.  :)

A Celebration

September 25, 2010

{a celebration just isn't complete without balloons}

{white peach and pinepple sangria ~ the perfect celebration sip}


♥ Wishing my parents a happy 34th anniversary!

Earthy Tones

September 24, 2010















{Jeggings ~ ASOS / Sheer Cotton Shirt ~ H&M / Ivory Tank ~ Target / Boots ~ UrbanOG / Leather Handbag ~ Rachel Zoe for QVC / Ring ~ Kenneth Jay Lane / Watch ~ Gruen / Vintage Earrings / Elephant Necklace ~ Odunde' African Festival Vendor}


Even though it was 92 degrees today, I still rocked these boots like it was 62 degrees.  

And this Rachel Zoe for QVC bag?  Buttery soft, roomy, and fabulous!  I adore the chain strap and tassel details.  This is the perfect everyday bag!

Short and sweet post tonight, I have tons to do.  My sisters and I are giving my parents a 34th wedding anniversary dinner at my house tomorrow. :)

I will be back on Sunday with a fresh 4-part mini-series:  "Beauty and the Blazer".  Stay tuned!


xoxo, thanks for reading!

Gray by Gray

September 21, 2010









{Skirt ~ Daisy Fuentes for Kohl's - was a dress (last seen here as a maxi skirt) / Vintage Velour Blazer / Tights ~ Nordstrom (brand) these "swooshed" with every step - very annoying / Booties ~ UrbanOG / Vintage Chain Belt (worn as necklace) / Thrifted Bracelets}


I based my entire outfit around this perfect gray nail polish:


{Gray by Gray ~ Sally Hansen}


I have been looking for a suitable shade of gray nail polish for my skin tone for literally 2 months now.  Thankfully, my search is over!  This "Gray by Gray" has a blue tone, which works much better than the brown-gray tones I have been trying.  The brown/taupe grays seem to blend right in with my fingers, making me look like I have fungus on my nails.  Not pretty. 

I know I have a problem with everything being declared "my favorite" (as my sister always reminds me, lol)... but this is seriously my favorite nail polish at the moment.  The Sally Hansen "Complete Salon Manicure" polish is an ingenious one-step formula.  It goes on smooth... 2 coats give the best coverage and the wide brush is the best part.  I am in LOVE!

And even better, Rite Aid Pharmacy is having a {buy one, get one free} sale on all Sally Hansen nail polishes right now. 

...and of course, I had to stock up. :)

Battlefield

September 19, 2010











{Army Fatigue skinny pants ~ DOTS / Sheer Cotton Shirt ~ H&M / Suede Booties ~ Steve Madden / Handbag ~ Cole Haan / Corset Belt ~ ASOS}

I definitely felt like I was ready for a battle in these FABULOUS skinny pants. :) Oddly enough, there is something very sexy about an army fatigue print that I just LOVE.  And even better, these were another budget-friendly find at DOTS.

Loving the way these fit.  They have the perfect amount of stretch.  Just like the skinny cargos from Torrid, seen here

Oh, and this shirt was part of the BOGO sale at H&M.  And of course I got 2...one in black and another in army green.  They are the perfect basics to be paired with a printed pant. 

I was going to go monochromatic and grabbed the army green shirt at first, but decided to go with the black at the last minute.  This is typical of me, of course. :)


I hope everyone is having a relaxing Sunday! 

Giving Me Butterflies

September 16, 2010

Since seeing Heidi Klum on the 2008 Emmy Awards red carpet in these STUNNING Lorraine Schwartz jade butterfly earrings, I have been dying for a pair of whimsical dangling butterfly earrings of my own. 




So I decided to recreate the look!



With some pretty earrings from the garden section of the craft store, I went to work.  Adding chain, beads and hook posts, I played around with them until I was satisfied. 




They are just the right amount of whimsy.





Here I am after work without makeup (just gloss).  I can imagine wearing these beauties when I am all dolled up on my way to a nice dinner date with my Honey. 







I think I may play around with even BIGGER butterflies.


...now on to the other colors! :)


Thanks for reading! xoxo

Faux Moto Love

September 14, 2010










{Dress ~ Dorothy Perkins / Faux Leather Moto Jacket ~ DOTS / Tick Wedges ~ Jeffrey Campbell / Handbag ~ Cole Haan / Watch ~ D&G / Earrings ~ Forever21}



Leaving the house for work and school drop-off at 7am, the temps are in the low 60's and sometimes even 50's ... very crisp and cool.  Giving me the perfect opportunity to throw on a jacket.  Which makes me HAPPY.


Every year, I am convinced that summer is my favorite season.  That is, until the cool-but-not-cold, sunny breeze on a September afternoon sweeps me off of my feet.  Making autumn a season I don't ever want to see leave.

Oh, and how crazy-good is it that this FABULOUS faux leather jacket was $24?? 
Here is the picture (that I tweeted from the store) with the jacket zipped, showing the side detail:



I had about 3 genuine leather moto jackets on my fall wish list for a LOT more, but when I saw this for $24...seriously, come on. :)