Last Call

Happy Leap Year! 


Today, I realized it was my last call for tweed this season.  Being the very possible last day of February, I wore my MNG by Mango tweed dress, which I just adore.  It fits like it was made for my body. I had to see two clients today, and this dress suited the day well.


I kept accessorires very minimal.  Nude pumps, bronze (small) jewelry.  I must face the fact that Spring is arriving very soon. The Houston weather already feels like spring. It is warm and humid...(82 degress today)


I promise to wake up and embrace spring color and fabrics as of tomorrow. Although spring officially begins March 21, March 1, to me, begins the spring wardrobe season. I just hope it brings some sunshine too! But, for today, still February, I did enjoy my tweed!


I'm off to change and meet a friend for dinner. I'm thinking jeans and a cool blouse.  Hope your evening is good and you had a chance to wear all the winter outfits you wanted to this season!

My actual outfit: Dress: MNG by Mango, JCP ($25), Shoes: Calvin Klein, Macys ($99), Handbag: Coach (sale price $135)

Blue & Gray

Another weekend of working the home sale for my parents just exhausted me.  I kind of feel like someone beat me up...hence the blue & gray today.  This dress and these shoes matched my mood, my level of exhausted, the Monday blues AND the weather. 

I've been waiting to wear these shoes since I got them on sale at DSW.  (the photo shows my actual shoes)  I was so happy when I slipped them on this morning.  To the shoes, I added my blue dress, a statement necklace and a hammered silver band ring.  Simple, but striking. I typically don't wear much blue.  But blue felt right today.

With the dress as a back drop, the necklace popped and the shoes came in a close second on the noticable scale. The key to a well balanced outfit is to not have too many things going on at once. A good rule is to put it all on, then take off one accessory.  I tend to under accessorize in the NUMBER of things I wear, yet I try to choose pieces that make a statement and don't compete.  So you end up with polished, not boring and not gaudy. I'm choosing my image, I'm deliberately making a statement and I'm not letting the accessories or clothing overwhelm me.  I shine through, they just highlight me. 

My actual outfit: Dress: Ann Taylor ($100), Shoes: MRKT, DSW ($40 on sale), Necklace: Stein Mart (old)



*please note I use pieces which are representative of my outfit. I get as close as I can in order to exhibit the look, mood and structure of what I'm actually wearing. I use actual items when possible.

Denim Diva

You ever put on jeans and just feel like Beyonce?!

I wore skinny J-Brand jeans today, with a draped gray top, with purple ruffle peep toes, topped off with a charm necklace with so much character.  Bang!  My day was challenging, and I faced it like a DIVA!  I went through the day, shakin my booty, feeling confident, and very womanly all at the same time. I actually got things taken care of, and kept my saucy, yet positive attitude all along. 

A great fitting pair of jeans has a way of making you feel empowered, add a pair of heels, and LOOK OUT WORLD!  Know what cut of jeans work for you to feel and look your best. 

For petite ladies like me, you can do a skinny jean or a bootcut or a straight leg...but stay away from a super wide legs, they swallow you up.
Tall women can pull off just about any jean. (lucky you!)  More ample women should stick with straight, wider legged jeans, bootcut, and my faves for your shape are trouser jeans!  Curvy women, no matter the height, be careful with skinny jeans. Fit the widest part of your body and alter the rest to fit YOUR body. Yes, you can alter jeans. I have EVERY pair I own tailored for perfect fit (and confidence wearing them)!

However.....I believe any woman, of any shape can pull off just about any jean cut if you feel confident and use the rest of the outfit to make it work. 

This is a combo that will never go out of style: jeans and high heels....MEOW!

My actual outfit: Jeans: J Brand ($160), Top: Forever 21, Shoes: Steve Madden, Necklace: Zara, actual shown ($19), Sunglasses: Tom Ford, actual shown ($360)

Not Your Grandma's Dress...

This is one colorful outfit! It is not your grandma’s dress.  An abstract art print dress, a cobalt skinny belt, black tights and yellow shoes…now that’s an outfit.  It was a cloudy day, and it has been raining so much, I needed a punch of color.

The black tights against the bright dress and mustard yellow shoes just made my heart sing!  I love the look of black tights against a non-black shoe.  (Like I said, not your grandma’s dress…back in the day, you weren’t suppose to wear tights darker than your shoes.  It’s a trend I am just loving these days. Quirky.  Modern.  Delicious.)    I kept accessories simple, as I often do, with one big gold disc ring.  The dress made enough of a statement all on its own.

I threw on a long black open cardigan when I got chilly at dinner with my family. If you’re looking for ways to transition from winter to spring, try adding a chunky sweater over lighter weight dresses when it’s still chilly out. Use the spring colors, and ground them with winter (black or other dark colored) tights, jackets or other pieces. Mixing textures and fabric weights is a perfect way to slowly bring spring into your wardrobe, yet still be temperature appropriate.

My actual outfit: Dress: Rachel Roy ($120), Belt: Ann Taylor, Shoes: J Crew ($90 on sale)

Rain Rain, Go Away...

I can't remember when I last saw a sunny day in Houston. I'm so sick of the rain.  I know the grass is happy, but my wardrobe isn't.  The rain forces me to choose outfit alternatives, which don't always make me feel at my best. :(

Today, I went with comfy jeans, an easy shirt, leopard scarf, boots, and to cover up a bad hair day (thanks rain), a headband.  Certainly nothing to brag about...

I'm looking forward to clear days where I can wear my suede shoes and dresses without the worry of wet legs!

Rainy days are perfect opportunities to do a cute hat, or headband.  It adds a little personaltiy to your boring jeans and boots outfit, and helps disguise frizzy rain hair!


Jeans: Gap, Shirt: Zara ($60), Scarf: Old Navy ($12-ish), Boots: Nine West ($60), Headband: Ulta ($10). 

Tuesday

Happy Tuesday! 

What a weekend....driving, setting up estate sale, long days...and NO fashion.  I was in jeans, sneakers, and sweatshirts all weekend.  

Valentines Day is a 'holiday' I skip. I worked, had a pedi and ordered pizza.  I felt sexy doing it all...my sweater dress hugged my body and I wore something other than black! Simple. Cool.

If you're going to wear a sweater dress, be sure it fits your body type.   Sweater fabric clings, and not everyone can pull that off...remember the rules for your body.

Dress: Victoria's Secret ($60); Boots: Frye ($400), Handbag: Kenneth Cole ($90), Earrings: Kenneth Cole

Easy Jeans

Yeah....it was a jeans day. Jeans and a black sweater-so easy to pull together. A real staple outfit for me. Add boots and a colorful necklace, and done! I had a ton of things to take care of before leaving town tomorrow, and this was just the outfit to accompany me.

I'll be out of town all weekend, helping my parents organize an estate sale, so I won't have any outfits to share...not any that you want to see.  (I'll be in jeans,tee shirts or sweaters and sneakers...sneakers are one item I don't wear in public, as I don't believe they are public wear. They are work out gear, and I'll be mortified should anyone see me in my home town.  However, I should fit right in, even at my worst-no offense).  Please excuse my absence.  But...a woman's gotta do what a woman's gotta do.

I'll be posting again next week...have a fabulous (and well dressed) weekend!

Business Chic

Today was a marathon meeting day.  I walked into a meeting with a client at 9:30 AM, and walked out at 3 PM.  Yes...a 5 1/2 hour meeting, including lunch.   Knowing it was a client-focused day, I wore a business casual combination that I love (pencil skirt and button down)...with a little jacket for a nice twist. 

In a pencil skirt and button down, I almost feel like I'm in a power suit.  I adore this combination for business meeitngs and events. It is feminine, yet strong and sharp.  To avoid being 'too' sharp, I added a little capelet with swing, letting my shirt sleeves extend pst jacket sleeves, black tights and tassel loafter pumps (the sturdy heel and masculine style also make me feel empowered). 

The day matched the outfit, I'd say.  Meetings went well, I felt focused and business-like. I even pitched some questions & ideas that were well received.  Would they have been as well received if I were in jeans or something more casual? Who knows...but I do know this: I felt empowered, I felt smart; like a business woman!  Perhaps that was the catalyst for my ideas and confidence to share them in the meeting. 

Tip: Everyone can wear a pencil skirt.  Keep hems at the knee, or just ABOVE the knee. You want to look like a lady, AND a professional.  Pencil skirts are sexy without being revealing, appropriate at any age AND they work for all body types.  If you have a boyish shape, it gives the impression of curves; if you're curvy, it plays up your figure; if you're plus size, it's more flattering than a full skirt. 

My outfit: Skirt: Target ($30), Button Down: Old Navy ($25-30, not exactly sure), Capelet Jacket: Forever 21 (older, don't remember price), Shoes: Levity (DSW, $40 on sale), Necklace: Kenneth Cole Outlet, Handbag: Coach ($320) 



Winter Still...

The weekend is over already…that was fast.  I did get some time to visit Zara and Kenneth Cole this weekend; they are starting to put out Spring fashions, of course. And I’m not quite ready for the lighter clothing just yet. I also checked out the Jason Wu for Target line…I was disappointed, by the look and cut of the garments.

Thankfully, the Groundhog says we’ll be having six more weeks of winter. It was about 70 degrees when I heard that news last week. So, this week’s cool weather in Houston is welcome.  I didn’t get to wear near enough of my winter wardrobe this winter!  A few more pieces will get to come out and show themselves….so my winter wardrobe and I are both happy! 

I spent yesterday arranging fresh items on my go-to rack.  (I keep a clothes rack full with the clothes that suit my current mood or inspiration, or anything that I might want to wear this week…I update it regularly.  It saves time and frustration in the mornings.  I don’t have to dig through my overstuffed closet).  So, I with the rack all refreshed, I already knew what I was wearing today: The red 60s dress. It’s so cute, and only been worn once before. 

The red dress is definitely the show stealer, so I added muted gray suede boots, gray tights and a black/white/gray leopard print scarf.  I also grabbed my white coat on the way out.  Thank you to Mother Nature for the cool weather. 



I love red. I love black.  But, sometimes I feel like red and black together are too harsh, or sort of cheap looking, and predictable.  So I’m substituting gray for black quite often these days.  It calms the outfit down.  Gray is a neutral and can be worn in place of black in almost every instance.  Mix it with colors, other neutrals and black.  If you aren’t already wearing it, try it!

** at the request of some followers, I’ll start telling you what brands I’m actually wearing, and price points so you can find something similar when interested. Photos are representative of my daily outfits.

My actual outfit: Dress:Zara (was on sale last season $30), Scarf: Old Navy (I think around $12), Boots: Gianni Bini (Dillards-last season $180), White Collarless Coat: XXI ($40), Handbag: Coach ($320)

Well Vested

Finally Friday! I had a long week and just sat down to blog for today after a full day at the office, and a hair appointment. So, what did I wear today? Jeans. Well….not just jeans.  Jeans, a leopard blouse, a black vest and my killer lace up platform ankle booties.

I’m not sure what it is about Friday, but something in the air makes me feel a little bit spunky.  Fridays offer me an unspoken liberty in my wardrobe.  Today, I went with a vest and a little leopard.  The vest is just a powerful garment.  I love wearing vests. They define a waist, polish up an outfit and just add enough of a menswear touch to feel tailored. You have a big meeting? An important appointment? A day that requires "guts"?  Put on a a vest! A vest is the perfect armor you need to face your day!


Believe it or not, this is a look a lot of body types can pull off. You just have to adjust it to your ‘rules for dressing your body’. For example, I wore a high heel because I’m short.  I wore a skinny jean because I’m petite. A more ample figure could wear a loose blouse, a vest (leave the vest open), and wear it with boot cut jeans.  A taller woman can wear this look with a flat shoe.  A boy-shaped body (no waist) could add a belt around the waist.  You can add a vest to a dress, a skirt and top, there are options for everyone!



Happy Weekend!

Jumpsuit Obsession

I am officially in love!  The jumpsuit is my latest obsession. 70’s inspired, clean European cut, or any other design…I love them all.  A jumpsuit is one stop dressing…much like a dress.  When I put on a jumpsuit, I feel chic, urban, and really stylish.

I have a handful of jumpsuits, all slightly different.   I'm crazy about wearing them to any kind of event or occasion.  Today, I went with the three-quarter sleeve faux wrap top. It’s jersey…and so comfy!  And, I ordered it from target.com!  You can get them at all price points….from Forever 21 to Valentino.   

The thing with jumpsuits, is that they are so versatile.  Change the belt, jewelry, shoes, and you have a brand new outfit.  Depending on the style & fabric, you can wear them for Saturday shopping or even to more formal events!  (Rose Byrne just wore a gorgeous white Elie Saab jumpsuit on the red carpet) And a bonus: it can take you from day to night…..I wore mine to the office and after work, I’m headed to dinner with a friend at a little French restaurant, and I will be appropriately dressed there as well.  


Women of ALL sizes and ages can wear jumpsuits, just remember the rules for dressing your body type/age (do you need to define the waist? Should you wear boatneck or v-neck? Can you pull off skinny pants or do you need a wider leg? Typical rules…just all in one piece).  Check out my ‘outfit ideas’ page for examples of how to wear jumpsuits. 


Caution: the jersey material jumpsuits like I’m wearing today can look like you have on your PJ’s, so be sure to dress it up a little.  Add a belt of more sturdy fabric, put on a nice shoe, and add jewelry.  I replaced the jersey tie belt that came with the jumpsuit with a wide black leather belt, a colorful bead necklace my son gave me, which I adore, and added another pop of color with a cobalt blue pump.  I assure you I don’t look (or feel) like I’m in my PJ’s. 

So, now that I have shared my new love affair with you, I hope you’ll all go out and get a jumpsuit!