Denim Skirt

It's the last days of August.  I wanted to wear these Guess Heels one more time before they get pushed aside for fall and winter.  With lots of colors in them they are fun to wear, and go with lots of things in my closet.  I like to wear them with my lavender pants too. They are still available and true to size.

 

I pulled out my denim skirt today, but I've worn this outfit with a white skirt and a khaki skirt also.  My blouse is a silk knit top in a lime yellow.  It's a hard color for a lot of people to wear, but I've loved it since I was in high school. I think it works if your skin has blue undertones, not yellow.

My white jacket with a mandarin collar and zip front completes the look.  The sleeves on this jacket are too long on me so I always roll them up, I should just get them hemmed to this 3/4 length, it would look so much more polished!

 

 

 

 

Denim skirt - White House Black Market

Blouse - White House Black Market

Jacket - Alfani

Shoes - Guess

Purse - Chanel

 

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Guess Heels

 

 After work I ran some errands.  I took my jacket off and and changed into these shoes and was good to go.  These wedges are by Vionic and they feel like athletic shoes.  They have a super-duper orthopedic foot bed just like my Nike's. I used to wear flats when running errands, but these days they make my feet hurt; I need a little bit of heel.  I replaced my leopard flats (that needed to be retired!) with these leopard wedges and I can go all day.

 

 

            

 

Vionic Wedges

 

Charity - I use affiliate links in this blog.  That means each time you click on a link to a product I get a few cents, even if you don't purchase anything.  I have a full time job and I keep this blog purely for fun.  All proceeds I make here I donate to charity, so please click away and know it's for a great cause! Also, please tell me what your favorite charities are in the comments.  I will donate to the ones that are most popular. Many thanks!

Coral Blazer 5 Ways

Here's my favorite coral blazer again.  I bought it last year at White House Black Market and had no idea what a wardrobe workhorse it would turn out to be. Even in such a bold color it has so much versatility. It easily pairs with black, white, blue, and tan which are the most common colors in my wardrobe.  I've worn it to work, I've worn it on date night, and I've worn it to casual events as well.

 

The cropped style and shawl collar let it stand out.  The 3/4 sleeves and linen blend fabric make it wearable for 3 seasons here in Houston. White House Black Market brings back many pieces year after year in a new colors or a slightly different cut. I kept my eye out for a repeat of this blazer all year, but no luck.

For Look 1, I paired it with a fit and flare knit dress that I got at Marshall's. It's in a heathered blue that makes it look like denim, and easy to dress down for weekends too.

Matching shoes also from WHBM and multi strand coral necklace from San Miguel complete the look.

 

Look 2: I've worn this bight jacket over a white dress with matching belt and shoes (see blog post).

 

 

Look 3: I've paired it with a nautical stripe dress for a patriotic look.

 

Look 4: I've worn it with a navy skirt and blouse, this time with brown studded sandals.

 

 

Look 5: And, I've worn it for date night with an embroidered bustier and black skirt.

 

 

Look 6 (bonus!): Paired with a matching knit top and white skirt with lace up leather sandals (See post). 

Black and White and Bold All Over

I love how black and white is effortlessly chic in any situation.  Here, I'm in my the little white dress I just got from Nordstrom via Trunk Club  (styled before here). This time I topped it with a black pin stripe blazer with short sleeves. I just buttoned the middle button and added a belt over the blazer. I've found that while models can pull off the belted blazer look effortlessly, I can only manage it with fitted blazers that are intended to be belted like this one!

The blazer is the top half of a two piece suit. I used to hang my suits in sets in my closet.  I always kept the blazer with the skirt or pants it came with.  About a year ago I tried separating my suits so I have just the blazers with all of my blazers and the skirt with my other skirts, etc.  I found that by doing that I found other ways to wear the pieces separately; giving me more unique outfits and more mileage out of my existing wardrobe.  It's been a great trick.

 

 

White Dress - Classiques Entier, available here it comes in four colors, regular and petite

Blazer - Tahari ASL (old)

Booties - Tahari (old)

 

I've had these black and white booties for many years; long before booties were all the rage and became trendy to wear with skirts and dresses. I still think they look better with Capri pants, trousers, or jeans, but I figured I'd give the trend a go.  I think booties with skirts work better on women with super skinny calves or really long legs.  I need that extra couple inches of skin to help elongate my legs!

 

 

Charity - I use affiliate links in this blog.  That means each time you click on a link to a product I get a few cents, even if you don't purchase anything.  I have a full time job and I keep this blog purely for fun.  All proceeds I make here I donate to charity, so please click away and know it's for a great cause! Also, please tell me what your favorite charities are in the comments.  I will donate to the ones that are most popular. Many thanks!

Embroidered Skirt Two Ways

I've enjoyed this skirt all summer. It is white with a subtle beige geometric embroidered pattern on it. I usually wear it with my tan blazer and nude shoes. I like to change up my blouse and jewelry though for more variety. Here I'm wearing it with a sky blue wrap blouse, and below with a simple white shell.

 

Embroidered skirt - White House Black Market

Blue wrap shell - Lafayette 148

Nude Heels - Christian Louboutin

Tan Blazer - Brooks Brothers

Blue chalcedony necklace - Sri Lanka

 

Embroidered skirt - White House Black Market

White shell - White House Black Market

Nude Heels - Christian Louboutin

Tan Blazer - Brooks Brothers

 

Tropical Print Skirt

Several bloggers I follow are already talking about transitioning to fall clothes. We still have two months of summer weather left here in Houston, so wardrobe adjustments haven't even crossed my mind yet! On the flip side, I tend to start thinking about spring outfits while others are still wearing their Uggs.

Even though I won't be able to pull out my knee high boots until November. There are some things that I put away in mid September. My seersucker suit doesn't feel correct after Labor Day, even when the temps are still pushing 100. Tropical prints, linen garments, and sun dresses will all be relegated to the back of my closet in a month too.  With that in mind I'm putting my overtly summery pieces in high rotation until then since I won't have a chance to wear them again until next year.

I'm not usually a fan of floral prints, but lately a few have crept into my closet. They are all bold and tropical like this skirt, so I guess I just don't like grandmothery florals! 

 

Skirt - Ann Taylor current season

Blouse - Vince 

Blazer - Brooks Brothers 

Suede sandals - Audrey Brooke (one of DSW's in house brands)

Errand Day

My weekends are always full of running errands. As I'm writing this I'm sitting at the auto place hoping my leaky tire can be fixed and doesn't need to be replaced. It's another 100 degree day, and I really feel it when I'm getting in and out of the car all day. It's tempting to wear shorts and t-shirts on days like this, but then I hear Stacy London (do you remember that show, "What Not to Wear"?) in my head telling me you can be cool and comfortable and still look put together.

I also hear my mother telling me to "dress nicely, because people treat you better when you look nice." Which is true, the auto repair guy just gave me a cold bottle of water.  So, I'm still wearing shorts to be cool and comfortable, but they are a tailored pair with a flat front and a breezy tropical pattern. Instead of tennis shoes I'm in cute gold wedges (styled before here, and Deborah from Fabulous After 40 just did a great post about metallic sandals) that are still comfortable, and even cooler than tennis shoes. I swapped a t-shirt (to be honest I did look for my red t-shirt but it is in the wash) for a short sleeved blouse, that I usually classify as work wear. My matching cross body purse, and a statement necklace in a neutral color finishes the look. I'm cool and comfortable, and if I happen to run into a client I won't have to duck or hide! Stacy London and my mom would be so proud.

Shorts - White House Black Market 

Blouse - The Limited

Gold Wedges - Fergalicious by Fergie 

Cross body - Kate Spade

Charity - I use affiliate links in this blog.  That means each time you click on a link to a product I get a few cents, even if you don't purchase anything.  I have a full time job and I keep this blog purely for fun.  All proceeds I make here I donate to charity, so please click away and know it's for a great cause! Also, please tell me what your favorite charities are in the comments.  I will donate to the ones that are most popular. Many thanks!

Little White Dress

Every one is familiar with the "little black dress."  It's a wardrobe staple that is appropriate for just about any occasion.  Lately though, the little white dress has become just as popular. 

Hallie over at Corals + Cognac just did a great post on how to wear a little white dress five ways. Her post just happened to coincide with my latest Trunk Club delivery that included none other than a little white dress.  Hallie's post made me decide to keep it, so here's my first attempt at the now ubiquitous little white dress.

This dress is that wonderful ponte knit that looks professional, but stretches like a t-shirt and doesn't loose its shape.  Lucky for me it comes in comes in petites too, so it hits at mid-knee without alterations (I'm 5'3" for reference).  It's from Nordstrom via Trunk Club available here. (Read about my fun with Trunk Club here and here).

My coral blazer is a linen blend, so it's cool enough to wear all summer, but doesn't wrinkle like linen.  I got it last year at White House Black Market along with these shoes and belt.

Here are a couple of other go anywhere white dresses:
Jackie O Dress  - I've read lot's of good reviews about this dress and it comes in several colors

Tahari Dress - One of my "go to" brands

Blush Two Ways

Yesterday, my delightful colleague, Kelsey, wore a fabulous blush blazer to work.  I happened to be wearing a blush dress. As we joked about getting the "pink" memo and confided how we hope blush continues to be on trend in the business professional wardrobe for many more seasons, she kindly let me take a picture of her awesome outfit to share with you. 

 

Doesn't she look fantastic and professional! Her lovely lace skirt and blouse are from Ann Taylor.  I first started seeing lace skirts last fall, but this was the first time I had seen someone wearing one in a business setting, and it is lovely.  When they first came out I was concerned that lace might be too feminine for a business setting, but after seeing Kelsey's outfit, I realized how wrong I was.  She looked beautiful and feminine but completely professional at the same time. Nailed it!

 

She perfectly paired the neutral lace skirt with nude shoes and a blush blazer. She purchased her blazer at TJMaxx.  I love shawl collars on blazers, and they can be hard to find.  I've been on the hunt for a blush blazer like this for some time, but still haven't found a keeper yet.  I do have a blush skirt, though.  I might barrow Kelsey's color pallet, but switch the skirt and blazer.  I could combine my blush skirt with a white blouse and a neutral blazer...stay tuned!

 

 

My blush pink outfit was this Tahari dress that my Trunk Club stylist sent me (previously worn without blazer).  I paired it with a navy blazer with a stand up collar and ruffled lapel from White House Black Market.  I could have worn my nude heels like Kelsey, but chose my Ivanka Trump blush pink heels instead.

 

Charity - I use affiliate links in this blog.  That means each time you click on a link to a product I get a few cents, even if you don't purchase anything.  I have a full time job and I keep this blog purely for fun.  All proceeds I make here I donate to charity, so please click away and know it's for a great cause! Also, please tell me what your favorite charities are in the comments.  I will donate to the ones that are most popular. Many thanks!

Modified Column Outfit

I like to call a matching skirt and blouse with a contrasting blazer a "modified column."  To be a true column outfit I would have to wear a matching blazer, so that's why I call it modified.  This look can be accomplished with a dress and blazer too.  It is  an easy formula to copy and looks just as professional as a traditional suit.

Black skirt is part of a Tahari Suit 
Black jersey cowl neck blouse is White House Black Market
Red and black stripe knit blazer is from The Limited
Shoes are my favorite patent leather Louboutin pumps

Black and White with Bright Shoes

Black and white is so easy to wear and always looks professional.  I love to pair bright shoes with my black and white outfits to make them more interesting. 

 

The wrap blouse is the Deneuve from MM La Fleur (exact.) I love it because it is sewn all the way up in the front, so I'm not adjusting it all day, and I can lean over without worrying about flashing anyone.  I love the bracelet length sleeves, it drapes beautifully, and it is wash and wear, so worth the higher price tag if you ask me.  It comes in 3 colors, they sell out often but also restock often.

 

This pencil skirt from White House Black Market. It's from last season, but I'm still wearing it.  The black horizontal stripes on the sides are so slimming, and its made a super soft knit so it is comfy all day long.

 

 

Shoes are Christian Louboutin that I actually scored on one of those Facebook swap pages!

 

I don't often wear these shoes to work.  I think of them as more of a "date night" shoe, but it's summer and there's hardly anyone in the office these days so I can get away with it. Besides I'm meeting a girlfriend for dinner tonight in the new swanky River Oaks District, so they're perfect for that.

 

***Update: This ended up being the perfect girls night out outfit.  I stopped in the Dior store on the way to the restaurant and the ladies in the store swooned over my shoes!  My friend told me I looked fabulous too. :)

 

Pop of Pink

Last weekend all of our kids were away so hubby and I had a date day. We started out with the Heritage Society tour of the historical homes around Sam Houston Park. Then we went to the Menil Collection, and topped it off with a stop at the Rothko Chapel. It all seemed liked the kind of date you would do when you first started dating, not really a married couple outing, but it was more fun this way. I didn't have to pretend that all of that modern art was so inspiring. Instead we made fun of it together!

It was a hot day and I knew we'd be doing a lot of walking so I wanted to be cool and casual but still put together.  I decided on white shorts paired with this white and green tunic, and my Converse tennies.

The tunic is from Vineyard Vines. It is so light and breezy. The sleeves are a little long on me but they stay rolled and that gives a more casual look to the outfit. I really like the look of long sleeves with shorts.  It's usually so hot here though, that if you're wearing shorts, you probably want short sleeves too. This tunic is so lightweight though that it still works. 

While I was getting ready I kept wishing I had a white purse to carry. Thinking I would have to make do, I started just holding up bags to my outfit infront of the mirror and voilà! This pink Kate Spade cross body ended up being perfect. The little bit of contrast just made me smile!