fearless fashion.

My favorite thing about fashion is that you can change your outfit to reflect your mood or your style for that day.  Playing with clothes should be just that-- FUN!  Even if later on you end up realizing that your outfit looks ridiculous, who cares?!  You can wear a different one tomorrow.  Plus, unless you mess up, you won't learn what works and what doesn't.

Be fearless--Mix it up! ;)

  

Express button-up layered under H&M peplum shell, Express pencil skirt, belt via Francesca's, NY&CO watch, gifted pearl bracelet, Jessica Simpson pumps

Blouse via TJMAXX (in cream), Target Mossimo Ankle Stretch Pant (in pink), belt via Francesca's, Jessica Simpson pumps, bubble necklace via eBay

JCrew Corduroy pencil skirt (in moss green), Old Navy Button Front Stretch Cardi (in black), Etienne Aigner Chip riding boots (in Banana Bread), gifted leopard print scarf, watch via Kohl's  

H&M button-up (in blue), Old Navy sequin tank, H&M peplum jacket (in black), The Limited Exact Stretch skinny pants (in black), Etienne Aigner Chip riding boots (in Banana Bread), watch via Target  

H&M button-up (in blue), Old Navy sequin tank, H&M peplum jacket (in black), The Limited Exact Stretch skinny pants (in black), Etienne Aigner Chip riding boots (in Banana Bread), watch via Target 

Old Navy chambray shirt, F21 polka dot sweater, The Limited Exact Stretch skinny pants (in black), Etienne Aigner Chip riding boots, F21 necklace, NY&CO watch

LOFT jacket, F21 skirt, BCBG pumps, Chanel quilted classic flap bag

double peplum.

I've had several e-mails about posting date night outfits.  So, here you go, Loves!

My best advice is to wear something that you'll feel sexy in.  Structured jackets, interesting tops, and unique jewelry are your best bets.  Oh, and the sky high pumps!

Vavavoom! 

__________________________

Sequin Top: JCP

Peplum Jacket: H&M

Peplum Skirt: F21

Shoes: BCBG
Bag: Chanel classic quilted flap bag

Bib Necklace: F21

Bracelet: Francesca's

life in pictures: baby, it's really cold outside.

This week was cold cold COLD!  I'm talking painfully so.  It snowed pretty much every day and made us re-hibernate because of the slippery road conditions.  

The downside?  I didn't go grocery shopping and we were left scrounging for food all week.  

The upside?  We had lots of canned soups and bread.  And who doesn't like grilled cheese sandwiches?!

Thankfully, by the end of the weekend the snow had let up and the hubs and I had a nice date night out.

Stay warm!

a touch of meow.

I've brought this up before.  I was never a big animal print fan, until one fateful day when I realized how crazy that was!  Well, that's not exactly how it happened.  I think I bought a leopard print belt (below) and then it was all downhill from there-- leopard everything!

My favorite thing to do is incorporate touches of animal prints in an otherwise simple outfit.  It catches the eye and is great start for dabbling in prints.

Express button-up, GAP outlet cardi (in beige), Express pencil skirt (in black), NY&CO leopard print belt, Dana Buchanan tall wedge boots via Kohl's, F21 pearl necklace, NY&CO watch, gifted pearl bracelet  

Express button-up, GAP outlet cardi (in beige), Express pencil skirt (in black), NY&CO leopard print belt, Dana Buchanan tall wedge boots via Kohl's, F21 pearl necklace, NY&CO watch, gifted pearl bracelet

Express sheath dress (in dark grey), GAP outlet cardi (in purple), leopard scarf via Target, Dana Buchanan tall wedge boots via Kohl's, Tissot watch

casual faux fur.

When I bought this faux fur snood 2 years ago I had just moved to Southwest Michigan.  Our first Winter here was insanely cold and snowy and the week after Thanksgiving I bought this faux fur snood because I just knew I was going to get so much use out of it.  I had visions of grandeur for this pretty thing-- it was going to keep me warm for years to come!

Aaaaaaaand then I ended up wearing it exactly ONE time in the months to follow.  Investment, fail.  (Well, given that it only cost $40, I didn't feel too bad.)

But now that the bitter cold weather has decided to re-visit I am ready to rock this baby with a vengeance!  Today, I paired it with this candy apple red cardi from Old Navy.  

I think I'm in luuuuurve.

____________________________

Cardi: Old Navy*

Jeans: F21

Earrings: Francesca's

Boots: Etienne Aigner Chip (in Banana Bread)

Bag: Louis Vuitton Speedy

Faux Fur Snood: LOFT

Lip Gloss: Chanel Rouge Double Intensite (in Ruby Lite)

*I switched the buttons to something more classy and uniform.  Buttons $5.00 via Jo-Ann Fabrics.

life in pictures: the winter hibernation.

Hey there, Lovelies!

How was your weekend?  Is it still ongoing because you have MLK day off tomorrow or do you have to pound the pavement in the A.M.?

I'm one of the lucky ones that gets to sleep in tomorrow and have the day off.  (And do all of the chores that I promised myself I'd do on Saturday and Sunday.  Oops.)

My only excuse is that I spent my weekend doing this--

p.s.  I know everyone gushes over their pets.  But, seriously, how adorbs are my cats here?!    

Michigan weather has been torturously cold and staying in has felt like the thing to do. So, it's given me the perfect excuse to hang with the hubs and the kitties, eat pizza, read books, and paint my nails.  Sort of like Winter hibernation-- human edition.  Which I imagine to be a little like glamping.  But, without the glam and without the camp.  So... not like glamping at all??  

In other news, not to be outdone by 98% of Americans, we too are getting on the work-out bandwagon and signing up at a new gym.  The gym that I checked out seems to offer good classes and I would love to get back in the groove of working out.  Believe it or not--there was once a time when I frequented the gym and not just the refrigerator!  

  

Here's to sticking to it!   

the trouble with bubbles.

The trouble with bubbles (bubble necklaces) is that they go with EVERYTHING!  Not that that's something to complain about.  Apparently my passion for bubble necklaces was re-ignited with a fury this week.  Hence, my outfits below.

Old Navy chambray shirt and polka dot sweater, Express Zara jeans, Etienne Aigner Chip riding boots, bubble necklace via eBay

Zara turtle neck, LOFT color block skirt, Dana Buchanan tall wedge boots via Kohl's, bubble necklace via eBay

Turtle neck, Zara pencil skirt, Jessica Simpson pumps, black bubble necklace via eBay, cuff via F21

I did manage to wear a couple of other things this week, too.  The final outfit was actually from a ski trip last weekend.

H&M button-up (in grey), houndstooth cardi via Target, Banana Republic outlet Martin Wool Trousers (in black), Nine West Jobst pumps, F21 necklace

F21 wrap sweater, Express Zelda skinny jeans, UGG Bailey Button Triplet boot, The Posh'mina scarf (in Miss Mosaic), bag bought in Florence, Italy 

Have a great weekend!

9 to 5.

Can I just get away with posting this week's work outfits in reverse chronological order?  I think so!  

Happy Friday!!

Grey cheetah print cardi via Old Navy, Express pencil skirt, F21 belt, Nine West Jobst pumps, Apt. 9 Gold Tone Square Hoop Earrings via Kohl's, gold cuff via Francesca's

Black turtleneck via Zara, Target Mossimo Ankle Stretch Pant  (in royal blue), black almond-toe flats, Ebony Jaguar Cuff via Francesca's (same here at Baublebar)

Green sleeveless top via TJMaxx, Target Mossimo Ultra Soft Scoop Neck Sweater, Banana Republic outlet Martin Wool Trousers, Nine West Jobst pumps, necklace and cuff via Francesca's

Express button-up, LOFT outlet v-neck sweater, Express pencil skirt, Etienne Aigner Chip riding boots via Macy's (in Banana Bread), Banana Republic belt, NY&Co watch

F21 Polka Dot button-up, American Eagle sweater, Express pencil skirt, Dana Buchanan tall wedge boots via Kohl's, Ebony Jaguar Cuff via Francesca's (same here at Baublebar)

F21 Polka Dot button-up, American Eagle sweater, Express pencil skirt, Dana Buchanan tall wedge boots via Kohl's, Ebony Jaguar Cuff via Francesca's (same here at Baublebar) 

The Posh'mina.

Banana Republic sweater (in burnt brown), ombre scarf c/o The Posh'mina (in sorbet), Express Zelda skinny jeans,Etienne Aigner Chip riding boots via Macy's (in Banana Bread), orange bangle via Macy's, gold bangle via Francesca's

Let's just get right down to business.  How freaking fabulous is this ombre scarf by The Posh'mina?!  I haven't seen a scarf like this, anywhere, really.  I've been so excited to share it with y'all and today's (super) Casual Friday allowed me to rock it.  The color is absolutely beautiful and get this: the scarf has slots so you can loop one end through one of the slots and make a perfect cowl neck that stays all day.  

What more could you ask for, you say?  Oh, just the fact that this is a Detroit-based business created by a group of fantastic women.  

Perfection.

The scarves are so fabulous I also gave one to hub's aunt for Christmas.  If you want in on this, check out my girls' site at:

http://theposhmina.com

Ciao, Bellas!

neutrals + black.

F21 Contrast Round Neck Sweater (in black and cream), F21 tweed skirt, Dana Buchanan tall wedge boots via Kohl's, F21 Classic Pearlescent necklace 

Banana Republic sweater, The Limited Exact Stretch skinny pants, Jessica Simpson pumps, NY&CO watch 

Banana Republic sweater, The Limited Exact Stretch skinny pants, Jessica Simpson pumps, NY&CO watch

Happy 2013!  How's your 1st week of the year going?  Mine has been spent trying to get back into the swing of things at work.  So happy it's almost the weekend!