Casual Combat

November 24, 2010





{Maxi Dress ~ NY&Co (last seen here) / Brown Open Cardigan (with tie from dress worn sort of as a belt with it) ~ GAP / Combat Boots ~ UrbanOG / Watch ~ Gruen / Earrings ~ Forever 21}


I love short {holiday} weeks at work; I woke up in a great mood everyday this week, lol!

Decided on an odd pairing for this outfit on Tuesday - a flowy maxi dress and rugged combat boots.  And I absolutely love this look!  I didn't want it to be fussy, just casual and pulled together, which is really my favorite kind of outfit.  I find it funny that when I thought "casual", I reached for a dress in my closet.  I guess I wanted casual in a sense of easy.  And what can be easier than pulling on a dress?

This dress was purchased in May to be worn on Mother's Day {and throughout the summer}.  I am so pleased that I am able to rock it in the winter {even though it was like 63 degrees on Tuesday!}.  Transitional pieces are absolutely the best.

...and although I thought I was tired of the maxi dress, sashaying around in this at work, felt so good.  And I got so many compliments, which is always a good sign, right?

Off to finish prepping and cooking for Thanksgiving dinner, which is at my house this year.  I have been quite the hostess lately. :)


I hope you have a fabulously delicious Thanksgiving!! :)


xoxo, thanks for reading!

Stripes and Dots

November 22, 2010





{Skinny Jeans ~ Source of Wisdom via Torrid / Striped Top and Sheer Button-up Shirt underneath ~ H&M / Faux Leather Jacket ~ DOTS / Boots ~ Vera Wang / Suede Fringe Bag ~ JJ Cole / Leather Gloves ~ Moschino Cheap & Chic / Vintage Crystal Earrings}


I am so obsessed with these gloves! I have worn them every day since last Monday with everything from this faux leather jacket, to blazers and a denim jacket with a scarf. So FUN!

OK, so I seriously think I have SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder).  I am not a fan of the cooler temps. At all.  And the fact that it is PITCH BLACK at 5:00pm doesn't help. As the temperature drops, it gets harder every morning to get out of my warm and cozy bed, lol.

...but putting on cute gloves like these help.  And grabbing this hot pink bag before dashing out the door to add a pop of color makes me feel better.  ...plus, polishing my nails a brighter "summer" color makes me smile when I am not feeling the best. Oh, and wearing sequins {on a cardigan} to work just gives me a chuckle. :)

What makes you feel better when you are not having the best day?


xoxo, thanks for reading!

Lioness

November 17, 2010






{Pants ~ Torrid / Ivory Top ~ NY&Co / Tunic Vest (was a cardigan) ~ Forever 21 / Tube Scarf (was an old dress that I cut) / Suede Boots ~ ASOS / Handbag ~ Rachel Zoe / Vintage Lions Head Pendant on Gold Rope Chain / Multi-chain Bracelet ~ ASOS}


Discovered a new leopard piece in my closet, a dress from Torrid, from 2 years ago.  I tried it on, only to find that it had a bubble hem, which I absolutely despise.  So I grabbed the scissors and turned it into a scarf.  And I love it! I also think the raw cut edge gives it another element of character.  It also looks fab double wrapped, closer to the neck, peeking out from under a jacket or blazer. LOVE!

I thought it was appropriate to pop this charming little necklace on today.  I have always been fond of the Lion (or Lioness, how gorgeous), being a Leo (although I am so far from believing in horoscopes, it's not even funny).  I am always told that I have the true characteristics of a Leo, which I think is hilarious.  Maybe that also has something to do with me being obsessed with any and everything leopard print.  I can't get enough!

Speaking of - this just went to the top of my ever growing wish list.  So fab!

Remember these $30 suede boots from ASOS, mentioned in this post?  Such a smart purchase.  And the height of the heel couldn't be more perfect, they are so comfortable!



xoxoxo, thanks for reading!


The Belted Beauty - The Finale!

November 12, 2010







{Blazer ~ Thrifted / Black and White Top ~ Torrid / Black Slacks ~ Torrid / Braided Leather Belt ~ Hubby's / Handbag ~ Cole Haan / Patent Pumps ~ Nine West}
Do you ever belt your blazers?

I swear, I will belt just about anything.  Not so much to cinch in the waist, but to just complete an outfit.  Although I love this blazer and top; I think stripes are just absolutely adorable - I thought this black leather belt added another style element to this outfit that I loved.

This is a typical workday look for me.  Slacks and a blazer.  And a nice comfy heel.  These patent pumps are surprisingly comfortable, even at 4 inches.

For the very first time, I propped my camera up on the trunk of my car and took my own pics. :)  I actually took these on my lunch break at work yesterday.  Admittedly, it was nerve-wracking finding the right spot and I was so annoyed when a few cars rode by and pretty much stared out the window at me to see what I was doing.  AAACCK! 

Because it gets dark so early now and I don't get off until 5:30, by the time I get home and think about taking outfit pics, it's already pitch black outside.  And for some reason, I am not a fan of indoor pics.  It's quite depressing, actually.  It seriously feels like I am getting off at 8pm every night. 

I hope you enjoyed this mini-series. :)  Hopefully, I have inspired you to pull out those belts! A cute belt is one of the first things I notice when someone wears one.  Such a statement piece.

xoxo, thanks for reading!  And have a fabulous weekend!

A Few Of My Favorite Things!

November 11, 2010

{My Isis thumbing through my November issue of Everyday with Rachael Ray, helping pick out new recipes to try this weekend and for Thanksgiving.}


{The 3D Paper Flower that I made for my bedroom to hang over my bed and compliment my new wall color and bedding ensemble. Of course, I had to make one for Isis's room and the dining room may get one too.  Tutorial here.}


{Festive shoes with bows.  The velvet ones are from ASOS and the pink ones are Candies. I love finding reasonably price festive shoes.  I am not breaking the bank buying "fun" shoes since I literally only wear them a few times.}


{A vintage plaid blazer.  Perfect for a casual weekend with jeans, a tee and riding boots}


{Polka Dot leather gloves. These are Moschino Cheap and Chic, picked up at Nordstrom Rack for super cheap 2 years ago.  I anxiously wait for chilly weather every year to pull these beauties out.}


xoxo, thanks for reading!


The Belted Beauty - Part Three

November 9, 2010







{Vintage Suede Belt / Vintage Velour Blazer / NY&Co Riding Pants / Black and White Top ~ H&M / Black T Shirt ~ GAP /  Wedge Boots ~ Angeles via Yuradiche Boutique / Bracelet and Earrings ~ H&M}

In my opinion, everyone needs a brightly colored belt to add a pop to an otherwise basic outfit, like this almost-all-black ensemble.  And a bright lip to almost match that pop of color is probably necessary. 

I am such a huge fan of colored suede.  It's just so rich and vibrant, which is why I love this belt. 

I wore this out for cocktails with a girlfriend and I felt so fab!  And festive

Speaking of which, I have been adding so much festive eye candy to my inspiration binder lately.  Entertaining goodies and ideas.  Yummy recipes.  Fabulous and bright accessories.  Wintry and cozy home decorating ideas.  DIY's that I am determined to do. I just love thumbing through it and instantly becoming inspired!  Do you have an inspiration board or binder? 

Browsing and favoriting things online is cool, but there is nothing like having magazine clippings, printed pictures and articles to actually read and grab easily for ideas and inspiration.

I will share mine with you guys soon {just in case you need ideas}!

xoxo, thanks for reading!  And stay tuned for the finale. :)

The Belted Beauty - Part Two

November 7, 2010







{Suede Belt ~ Thrifted / Skinny Jeans ~ American Rag via Macy's / White Shirt ~ via hubby's closet / Corduroy Ruffle Jacket ~ NY&Co / Boots ~ UrbanOG / Handbag ~ Gucci Joy Boston}


I just love the look of a crisp white shirt with jeans.  Adding a belt was just icing on the cake. I also just adore this suede belt; it's extremely versatile and can be worn slung low on the hips or tied tightly under the bust, which is how I wore it in these pics.

These boots, last seen here, are such a fave, and are actually really comfy but I made the mistake of wearing them on Friday without socks and they were rubbing like crazy, OUCH! I quickly learned a lesson and went and bought socks on Saturday, even though I hate wearing them.  Am I the only one that hates socks, even in the fall/winter? ...and don't call me crazy. :)

Thanks so much for the comments on my last post; I got some great ideas for belt storage.  I think one of the hanging tie racks would work best for me. Since I am working with limited space, vertical storage is a must.

Off to give myself and manicure, polish my nails and get ready for the week.  I cant believe how fast these weeks {and weekends} are flying by!

I hope everyone had a great weekend!

xoxo, thanks for reading!

The Belt Battle

November 3, 2010

So, I was supposed to take outfit pics and post Part Two of the "The Belted Beauty" mini-series tonight, but...my belts needed (and still need) serious organization.  I almost had a closet meltdown this morning - nixed a belt altogether and just threw on a chunky sweater.  Which was perfect today since it was in the 30's when I left out and I was so mad I had to leave my warm and cozy bed.  


Every belt that I owned was just thrown into a pile at the top of my closet.  I took the time tonight to tie a piece of rolled chiffon fabric to each side of the bars in my closet and hung the belts over it.  Still not completely satisfied with the way it looks, but at least I can sorta browse through and see what I have.



...and I am not working with much space {unfortunately}.  Each side of my closet has 2 bars to hang (4 bars total) and it isn't enough.  It will never be enough.


The sad part is, I don't even think there is a practical way to store belts...unless you have ample space aka an entire room dedicated to clothes {as a closet} and can get super creative.  I have very limited space and have to keep everything inconspicuously confined {inside of} MY CLOSET, or hubby complains, lol.   

Until we are able to build my dream home where I can claim an entire room for my stuff, this will have to do. :)

If anyone out there has any ideas on belt storage, do share!

xoxo, thanks for reading and stay tuned for Part Two of the mini-series... :)

The Belted Beauty - Part One

November 1, 2010

After having tons of fun spotlighting a few of my favorite thrifted blazers in the "Beauty and the Blazer" Mini-Series, I knew I wanted to feature another item here on BeautyFash soon. My good friend Danita gave me the wonderful idea to make it all about belts!

Belts are a very important part of my wardrobe. Quite honestly, some days I have to stop myself from putting a belt on; I could easily wear one every single day.

I will make a thick belt work with almost anything, especially flowy pieces - like this wonderful leopard bed coat that I picked up at the thrift store a few months ago.







In the pictures above, the sides of the bed coat were pulled up and tucked under the sides of the belt.  Doing that created a cascading flow, allowing the front to hang a little longer.  ...and I absolutely love it!


I also just adore this vintage beauty tightly closed and belted.  Because I was running around the city on Saturday - having lunch and shopping with my 7 year-old, I chose to wear a modest heel.  This would probably look even better with a 4 inch heel, ditching the jeans and putting on leggings, or tights.  I can't wait to try that!

{Vintage Leopard Bed Coat / Source of Wisdom Skinny Jeans via Torrid / Faux Croc Stretch Belt ~ Newport News / Brown Tank ~ H&M / Bronze Pumps ~ Nine West}


I am also a huge fan of wearing cardigans and blazers with a skinnier belt.  I just think it looks veeeerrrry chic!  Corset belts are also fabulous, but I have to be careful as to WHERE I wear a corset belt, as sitting is not the most comfortable with it on, lol.  But I love the look. 

As with everything (in my opinion) thrift stores are great places to find one-of-a-kind belts or vintage scarves to be worn as belts, which I also love doing.  I will tie just about anything around my waist if needed.  Sometimes a good cinch in the middle is exactly what an outfit needs. :)

Weather you wear them in your pants, via the belt loops, or as an accessory over a sweater/cardigan/top or dress, are you a fan of "the belt"?  

xoxoxo, thanks for reading!  And stay tuned for Part Two. :)