Today’s Outfit: A Blue Cardigan

I have been obsessed with royal blue these days. So I peered into my closet knowing that I wanted to wear this cardigan, to create an ensemble around it. “It” is a simple, half-sleeve, cotton cardigan from Nordstrom’s Brass Plum department. It’s the perfect color of blue and fits just perfectly. If careless, a cardigan can look like a grandpa sweater, over-sized, and ill-fitted. Since I never button cardis, I typically employ the one-size-small strategy to get a tailored look out of my knits.  To make the cardigan pop, I paired it with this neutral colored, silk top with an elastic waist. And, just so I wouldn’t get washed out by the neutral top, I tied on a pretty multi-colored scarf.  Here you go!

 

Top by Banana Republic  |  Cardigan from Nordstrom  |  Skinny Pants by Joe’s Jeans  |  Booties from Aerosoles

 

 

 

Today’s Outfit: Lace-Up Tunic

Bright, cheerful prints against a background of black are what made this shirt pop to my eyes. I really enjoy wearing tunics, which this shirt is, and one that has great details, which this one does. Three-quarter length bell sleeves and a corset-like, drawstring neck give my tunic a Victorian-era touch, while the bold print sharpens its edge. Wearing a print like this one means the rest of my outfit has to be simple and streamlined – dark-wash denim and hair in an easy side bun. The only other flashy addition is my funky bracelet, and that’s enough.

Tunic by Hale Bob  |  Jeans by Kut from the Kloth  |  Pumps from Nine West

 

A little closer on the top

I love the dangly plastic plastics – orange with pink beads.  It’s like having a little burst of cheeriness right on my wrist (or something like that).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Today’s Outfit: Inspired by TV

I’ll admit it: I’ve been style-inspired by Sex and the City reruns. There was one episode where the ladies were baffled by various men and dating, you know the one. The foursome was walking down the street and Carrie was wearing boot cut trousers and, what looked like, a dress over them. Insert lightbulb overhead here. Blink! I have been searching (that’s right, I actually search for these things) for a reason to wear today’s dress again. I have looked at it repeatedly in my closet over the last year and got a snooze-o-rama feeling each time. But not this morning! It became ‘that’ dress over my pants. I know the SATC series is over and all, but let’s don’t lie – you and I both know those women knew how to dress.

Dress by Scarlett  |  Pants by Gap  |  Belt by Allessandro Miele 

Truth be told, this is a dress, but it’s quite a short one. It is better suited when layered over leggings or pants, like I’m wearing today.

A little closer to see the dress color, the belt details and the little bubbles frayed into the fabric. The shirring around the neckline and puffy sleeves make the dress playful, but the color brings it back down to earth.

One Hot Thing: Side Lace T-Shirt Dress

God bless a dressed-up T-shirt.  There’s nothing better than the ease and comfort of a T. But I will admit that as comfortable as they are, I rarely wear them because there isn’t enough za-za-zoom for my personal preference. I need a little more embellishment, a little extra jazziness, a smidgen of accessory.  So, when I see a dress like this one from Clu, I get excited because it punches up a basic T-shirt dress, taking it from simple to elegant.

The asymmetric design and lace-up details break up the plain, simple front.  And, the gathered effect of the side-lace hides the tummy.  It’s a neutral color, a natural fiber, and minimal-effort dress that can be dressed up or worn as is.

 

Two Pretty Things: a Dress, a Bag

I spent Saturday afternoon wandering the upper east side with my great friend, Marisa. We popped into a store – Roberta Freymann - that had a ton of ethnic inspired, brightly colored, boldly printed frocks and jewels.  After touching and ooohing and ahhing, just as we were ready to leave, the sales woman pointed us to the sister boutique across the street – Ro’s Market.  We then popped over to the other store. On the second floor of Ro’s, we found endless racks of beautiful silk and cotton dresses, bags, rings, and scarves in a feast of colors.  The little store was the pot o’ gold at the end of its own rainbow. I’ve highlighted a couple fun, pretty things below. But, the store itself is far richer and plentiful in eye-popping wares.

I know, at first blush you’re thinking it’s a simple tunic/dress in a solid color, big deal.  However, don’t overlook the beautiful embroidery and delicate paisley pattern. Don’t disregard this dress because of its simplicity.  Instead, think it a blank (purple) canvas and add in:

–caramel colored, wrap belt

–leather wedge sandals

–earthy, multi-colored bangle bracelets

 

A beautiful beach bag, but who says it can’t double as a beautiful everything bag? Not me. Purple and orange are naturally contrasting colors; they look rich and almost juicy together, no? I’d use this as an overnight bag, a gym bag, a beach bag, and a whatever-I-can-throw-in-it bag.  What kinds of things would you toss in there? I mean, if I had a small dog, I may tote him around in this bag.

Weekend Outfit: Let’s Get Casz

Everyday is a day to dress up, in my mind, at least. But I get asked very frequently if I ever look casual.  Answer = yes. As proof, I decided to post a weekend outfit.  I’m popping into the city to run some errands and have brunch with my book, so my outfit is easy-breezy and casual.  Everything is made with some stretch, I’m wearing low-heeled boots, and  adorned with minimal accessories.  I love purple and love it even more in a crazy print – the tunic satisfies this ob-love-session.  So, here’s a casz outfit for a slightly warmer winter weekend in NY (and by slightly, I mean 40 degrees…hallelujah!).

Leggings by Zobha  |  Tunic/Sweatshirt by Custo Barcelona  |  Boots by Timberland  |  Camisole from Banana Republic

 

Peep the print…get hypnotized like I do.

Today’s Outfit: Olive a Jacket

I saw a woman wearing an army green-slash-olive colored jacket yesterday and was reminded of my own. This simple little jacket, cotton with a touch of spandex, was purchased as I killed time in a Chicago mall years ago before a work event. I bought the same jacket in a light khaki color, but the olive became my favorite.   I’ve come to believe that olive is a neutral (as is purple, but that’s a whole different story) that is as versatile as any black, white or gray. I’ve worn this jacket over graphic-print dresses, multi-colored silk tops and simple white tanks. It’s a super-staple for me, at least. Here’s today’s iteration with my all-season, all-occasion olive colored jacket (and my friend, Hermes).

 

Jacket from NY & Company  |  Top by Splendid  |  Scarf by Hermes  |  Pants by Joe’s Jeans  |  Booties by Marco Sarti

 

Here’s it is a little closer so you can see the color of the jacket together with the plum shirt. And, of course, the Hermes ties it all together (no pun intended, but drool definitely intended)

 

 

Today’s Outfit: Casual Friday on a Tuesday

Sometimes, I just gotta wear jeans. Jeans are not my favorite thing to wear. I have protested denim since I was a young girl. They feel tight, they pinch, they cinch, they are tempermental if they’re washed, they are the first to tell you that you’ve packed on a few pounds. But sometimes, on a good day, I’ll bust them out.  Today is one of those days.  I wasn’t feeling positive about wearing a dress. I didn’t feel like trousers. I own very few skirts.  So, jeans it was. And, jeans it is.  Oh, but wait. I also love this jacket – bought from a Trina Turk sample sale three years ago. It’s silk with puffed sleeves and an angular collar.  It is that perfect little dress-up jacket that dresses down, just as well.

 

Jeans by Kut from the Kloth  |  Top by Nordstrom house brand  |  Jacket by Trina Turk  |  Booties by Rampage

Outfits: Office Look-a-likes

Check out some terrific office style…animal print done two ways. I love the mix of prints and the energy that the leopard gives to each outfit in its own way. Both of these ladies are top notch, style-savvy beauties. Thanks for the inspiration girls!

Megan’s leopard happens by way of a top, with a Pucci scarf (in a completely different print), a layered chain necklace, and studded leather belt. There’s a lot going on, but it’s totally pulled together appearing both intricate and artistic.

 

Now look at them together. Brooke shows us one of her terrificly easy dresses – a leopard print from AKA New York. They even wore the same colored shoes & boots!

 

Today’s Outfit: Comfy Cardigan

In Monday’s post, I examined my co-workers’ outfits and was inspired today, by Shelley’s comfy/cozy cardigan sweater.  So I pulled out one of my own. While it’s a different style, I feel like I accomplished what I wanted–prettiness, warmth (it’s below 30 here!), and color. Oh, and because it’s so cold with zero humidity, I don’t suffer from the frizzies which means I can wear my hair straight (such a novelty)!

 

Cardigan from Mexx (about 6 years ago, it’s not even around anymore)  |  Lacy camisole by Gold Hawk  |  Pants by Gap  | Shoes by Jeffrey Campbell