#Nicole by OPI Backstage Pass review

I picked up this color from Wal-Mart on my way home last night from work.  The polish coated my nails in two coats perfectly and was a snap to apply.  The color is a dark rich color but still office appropriate and worked well with my outfit today.  I can see using this color often and have had really good luck with the Nicole by OPI brand.

What Nail color/brand do you love, comment and share

Thank you for stopping and reading this brief post my beautiful friends!

Spring OOTD, Plaid, Purple and clearance finds

While wondering the isles at Wal-mart I found my self in the boy's section at a clearance rack and found the most amazing plaid shirt with beautiful spring colors of Blue's, Gray's and Purples with flecks of Silver.  Perfect for Spring/Summer Pairings as well as impromptu rodeo's for only $3.00.

I tried this little beauty over my turtleneck...A bit snug but all the buttons done up I could still breathe so I bought it.

Today I used my find to put together a Spring outfit.  

The colors don't look so good in the picture, the sweater is not as Pink as showing ~ is more of a deep lavender and matches perfectly with the purple in the shirt.  The Skirt is also not showing in the picture its true color, its more of a dark purple.  

I can't wait to style this shirt with my other Spring/summer staples that are still packed away because we still are getting snow.  

Do you have any ideas on what to pair my new plaid shirt with?  Share and comment below.

Thank you for reading my beautiful friends!

Friday OOTD, Layering on color for Spring

Today's outfit consists of my husbands button up blue dress shirt, layered over it is my light weight teal sweater.  I am wearing my black skinny dress pants and silver flats. I have layered over top my 3/4 sleeve spring jacket and a blue coordinating scarf.

With the Jacket and Scarf

Without the Jacket and Scarf

Check out my nail color from my #ipsy Glam Bag from March

These colors are forcing spring even though its snowing out, again.  Happy Spring my beautiful friends!

Friday OOTD : Dress Barn Clearance haul

Today's outfit was inspired by the Spring like weather weather coming soon and my need to not continue to dress like it's the middle of winter.  Actually, my outfit was purchased in its entirety last night at Dress Barn on my way home from work and was the last bit of money on my Dress Barn gift card.  The pants (similiar) are a pattern that I would normally never even attempt on my bottom half but for less than $10.00 I tried them on and fell in love.  Here is a close up of the pattern.

The top is a vibrant blue light weight sweater (similiar)with Silk back high low hem.  I layered the sweater over a light purple button down (similiar)for warmth more than anything but the color is actually in the pants.

I am wearing an arm full of bracelets from Lia Sophia and necklace also from Lia Sophia. 

Are you starting to wear your spring time colors? post comment below on how you add "spring" back into your step and wardrobe.

Thanks for reading my beautiful friends!

Using what you got, T-shirt scraps into a skirt OOTD

I recently blogged about my Holiday craft project making a T-shirt quilt for my son and his friend who is living with us called the "quilt of possibilities" because I used all shirts from area colleges.

Once the project was finished I had several buckets of "scrap" t-shirt material and I didn't want to just throw it all out.  I am going to start using these scraps to make something and as the projects are finished I will post.

Today's project post is a straight skirt using the bottom sections of the T-shirts.  I have many rings of t-shirt material and came up with this large striped skirt.

I used the smallest of the T-shirt scraps for the top band and folded it over to have a thicker waist band then sewed the other bands to the waist.  The look is a bit too July 4th for me with the pops of red but I've tried the skirt on with just a white t-shirt blouse and no tights and neutral sandals and will be a perfect casual outfit once it warms up.  Today I had to layer on the sweater, tights and shoes because 1. the weather today is pretty cold and 2. No navy/matching shoes???  

This was so easy to sew together and took me only about 15 minutes to get it all together and sew.  My next project won't be until this weekend so won't post until next Monday for Sewing projects but should post at least another OOTD later this week. 

Have a wonderful day my beautiful friends!

What to Wear Now, What to wear Later : a Jumpsuit

I recently purchased a jumpsuit from forever21 and am in love!!!.  The fit is perfect and came via mail fairly quickly but its made for warmer weather and I wanted to wear it today!.  To make it cold weather friendly I styled it with a red turtleneck and heavy weight Jones New York Sweater.  I balanced the top with heavy fleece socks and booties.

I added silver Jewelry and a black scarf and was off to work.  

Summer/warmer weather I plan to swap out the heavy sweater and boots and changed up the jewelry to Gold tones.  My red flats and belt also have gold accents and to the outfit.  I also plan to accent the black/white patterned jumpsuit with other colors instead of Red throughout.  You can really pump up the outfit wearing heels and larger jewelry accents for a night out on the town.

What are you wearing now that will continue to be a staple in your wardrobe through summer? 

Booties, Fleece leggings and Denim ~ what a combo

Today's weather was pretty iffy, expecting rain, black ice, snow later in the day and then back to rain.  What to wear on days like this?  To add to the mix of the day, I was going to be all over campus today for meetings, lunch etc and wanted to wear something comfortable but still professional and if it could also be a bit stylish ~ awesome.

I am wearing a denim shirt by Levi stolen from my husbands closet under a grey pull over vest from Jones New York.  My skirt is from Dress Barn and my tights are actually fleece lined leggings from Label shopper. peeking out of my booties you can see wool socks.  The scarf which is my favorite infinity scarf was a gift from my sister from Calvin Klein.

  

Pink, Pattern and flats OOTD

Today started "rough" and included me falling and ruining my intended outfit.  Because I had to rush and change quickly just threw together this outfit.

On my Toes, I am wearing a pair of blush pink flats with a rosette detail on the toe from Jessica Simpson, My black skinny dress pants are from Lane Bryant my turtle neck and shirt are both from Dress Barn

I topped it off with a mix of Lia Sophia Jewelry, heirloom and Wal-Mart and an off brand Black skinny belt.

Have you ever had a day that started off so bad that it could only improve?  The upside is I ended up with a really cute outfit and got loads of compliments all day about the pairing.  What do you do when you are in the midst of a fashion emergency?

Black and Tan OOTD with Animal Print

Today's outfit consists of High price / Low price items, layered together for a sharp office look.


Not shown is a cream turtle neck purchased from Dress Barn, layered under a black long sleeve sweater with waist detail and matching knit belt from JCPenney.  The tan skirt is from the Gap and tights are from spanks.  My shoes are Anne Klein and scarf is from Wal-Mart.  Jewelry is a mix of Lia Sophia and heirloom pieces from my Aunt Janice.  This is my first time wearing this combination and have received loads of compliments so will be using this outfit as a go too for rushed days. 


Do you have any outfits that you have planned ahead of time that you usually revert to on hectic days?

Mixing Patterns: The Good, The Bad and the UGLY!

Mixing patterns can be tough to get the feel for.  Typically the best way to mix patterns is to have complimentary colors.  Also using similar sized patterns can be more tricky than a contrasting pattern (larger pattern with a smaller similar colored pattern).  I’ve used my tweed pink jacket with an animal print scarf.  The smaller pattern in the jacket works nicely with the animal print scarf because of the colors match as well as the balance of the smaller more neutral pattern against the larger animal print.   

While traveling I had the opportunity to snap a picture of a bad attempt at mixing pattern

 

While the young lady was using the Larger pattern with a smaller pattern she failed to "match" in color combination nor in Genre.  You should never mix fictional representations with patterns found in nature.  Had she used a large black tunic with a Large Batman sign on the front, this would be a do (for a comicon convention).

 

Best of luck in your pattern combos and before you leave your house ~ best to take a glance in a full length mirror :)

 

What I packed for my business conference

It seems to me, the most frequent talks amongst travelers for work is what to pack.  The question comes up time and time again.  The rule of Thumb is to pack as little as possible depending on weather with a mix-match wardrobe that can give you multiple looks throughout the week (s).  I recently went on a work trip to Las Vegas.  I left on a Monday morning and arrived home on Friday.  I wore on the plane a white button up blouse with grey pants.  Because the weather was very cold where I was leaving from and even colder in Las Vegas I also paired a thin white long sleeve T-shirt under my blouse with a Black sweater over the blouse.  I kept in my carry-on bag a pair of light weight gloves and wore a brightly colored pashmina as a scarf with my black wool coat.  

I packed one pair of black skinny pants, the matching blazer and coordinating black dress.  I also packed both a black and gray turtleneck and a pair of pajamas.  I wore a dark gray pair of flat shoes and packed a wedge heeled black shoes.   I packed undergarments and several pairs of tights in blacks and greys as well as trouser socks and pashminas of varying colors and an animal print belt.  I never wore the same outfit and used accessories like my pashminas as extra layering pieces and pops of color.   

A great option when traveling is to opt for a wardrobe that has the dress, dress pants and blazer and then add in extra pieces to complete the capsule wardrobe  I found several options on-line fairly quickly but you may have really good look at department stores in your area.  You want to ask for mix-match work pieces.

What do you pack for your business travel?

Shopping your Closet, Restyle old favorites!

Today I used pieces already showcased on my blog to re-imagine a look. 

I used the Red turtle neck dress from last week and the floral print dress from last month and combined them for a bit more coverage.

 

I added a brown leather belt purchased in Mexico in my teen years, brown tights and brown suade shoes from Mudd, layered on the jewelry and called it good.

 

Baby, its cold outside so took the look to a new level by adding a smart looking suade Jacket in a yummy green shade that matches to thedress and an animal print scarf that goes with everything.

 

Jazzing up basic pieces in your wardrobe to create a new look, Outfit of the Day

Hello fello fashionistas! Today my outfit started out very bland.  Black wool wrap skirt and crispy white blouse.  We all have these staples in our work wardrobe and they work well as a basic outfit.

I added some statement necklaces, bracelets and suade shoes with animal print detail to jazz the outfit up. 

 

I then added an additional layer for warmth and structure in a purple wool jacket from Jones New York and a Large belt from Guess.  I added a colorful scarf in purples, pinks  and blues that don't match with my shoe pattern but it goes well.

 

How do you take your basic work staples to the next level? post and share

Print, an animal flair Outfit of the Day

Today I am embracing my animal nature and the need to be comfortable at the same time. 

 

Top, is a silk print with lace detail on the bottom hem and cuffs.  Jacket is black with complimentary lining to the shirt.  Black skinny dress pants with leather detail and flats.

 

 

Lia sophia leaf design necklace "effloressence" and a long strand of pearls from my Aunt Jan's jewelry collection.

 

 

stacked pearl bracelets from Kiam Collection Lia Sophia with "branch out" also from Lia Sophia and peeking through is a black hair tie with gold accents from goody.

 

 

 

Flats are deep burgandy with gold accents. So comfortable!

 

Can you feel the roar?

Lady with a Red Dress, Outfit of the Day

Todays outfit includes a red turtleneck dress from Landsend and Animal print cardigan from Allie & Rob .  I've added gray tights for warmth and my gray suade flats.

On my wrist I have stacked pearl bracelets from Lia Sophia with a silver charm bracelet

Around my neck I've added two necklaces, the longer moon necklace was a gift and the shorter chain necklace with pendant is from Lia Sophia

on my ears you will see the match to the necklace also from Lia Sophia

 

Believe it or not, I typically pull together my outfits Sundays for the week ahead based on the weather channels prediction as well as what is on my work schedule.  I also throw together a more professional look (just in case ) for a meeting that gets put on my schedule with say the president and another more casual outfit for Saturday/Sunday.  Many think that this is crazy or time consuming, but instead of spending 10-15 minutes each morning trying to figure out what to wear, I spend 2-3 hours on Sunday while doing my laundry.  I figure that I am already hanging the clothes up, might as well match them to other pieces and get myself a headstart on the week. 

 

What do you do to start your week off strong?