School Days: High End to Low End in Tartan & Stripes

Today's outfit was inspired by the school uniforms worn back in my day. I had to wear one, and detested it because I felt like it stunted my creativity. Now I rock it my way, by choice. You know which ones I am referring to: 

That navy blazer and plaid skirt deal! 

I wholly embrace tartan, and have done so since it was called plain ole "plaid"! LOL! 

It seemed only logical that my tartan blazer should be mixed with stripes and bold color.

This outfit is a mix of so-called high end brands, and their more budget friendly counterparts. I am a thrifty gal myself, yet I prefer to shop a wide range of brands to sift out quality, well-made pieces. Sometimes I find them in Saks Fifth Avenue (on sale of course), and other times at local thrift shops. In my opinion, quality and durability out weigh 'trends'. The majority of the time, I buy classic pieces, that are intended to last many years. For the fun, less practical side of me, I also purchase pieces that are trendy and hip to stay current, and to add additional flair.

This is easy business attire, and was taken to evening chic status by adding a vintage clutch. 

Sunnies: Nordstrom

Blazer: Evan Picone, Vintage & thrifted (worn here)

Shirt: Finity, Saks Fifth Avenue

Tie: Yves Saint Laurent, thrifted

Pants: NYDJ (also seen here)

Baby Jane's: Nine West (another go here)

Handbag: Dooney & Bourke Milano Collection (seen all throughout the blog)

Clutch: Vintage, thrifted

Over to you, do you mix high and low end brands? Do you fancy tartan as much as I do?

Polka Dots, Faux Leather Leggings, and a Tie

Hello! I’m back from my vacay, settling into the daily grind. *o*

In line with my goal of pattern mixing, wearing more black and white combinations (like here and here) and my post a couple of weeks ago sporting a tie (see here), I came up with this assortment.

Once again, I really liked it in the mirror, but upon seeing it on film….well, honestly, it reminds me of a Dalmatian! LOL

 Despite that, I think I like it!

A side note about my faux leather leggings: I’m not sure if it is based this brand (INC), but I feel like there is not enough room in the rear area. Know what I mean??  O_o  For those of us with luggage in the trunk, we need GENEROUS give/flexibility  in the seat area! Every time I wear these, I’m always pulling them up if I have been sitting down.  =( 

I think this problem is non-existent with genuine leather leggings, because genuine leather stretches over time and with repeated wear.  

What has been your experience?

Tie: Grant Thomas

Necklace: Nordstrom Rack

Shirt: Kardashion Kollection, thrifted

Sweater: Calson

Ring: Indiska, Stockholm

Bangles: Assorted

Leather look leggings: INC

Sandals: Tildon

Handbag: Kate Spade

Leather Midi Skirt

Happy Monday! A co-worker once told me: 'I didn't know Mondays were supposed to be happy', I replied: 'Monday is what you make it'. Make today a good one. There will never be another day, another hour, another minute, nor second - exactly like this one. Enough of my ramblings, on to today's post:

I love leather - handbags, furniture, clothes - you name it. This skirt is another item from my oldie but goodie collection. It's midi length and a straight cut. It seems to have stretched over the years, but I must say this fit and length is my fav thus far.

A note about the booties I am wearing: They are very comfy! I can wear them for 8 + hours = no pain whatsoever!!! I've noticed that I have been wearing them as my go-to black shoes. This proves that not all high heels bring discomfort. I believe that the platform on this pair aids in balancing out the height.

Who I'm Wearing

Earrings & necklace: Heavenly Couture

Top: One Clothing

Bracelets: Thrifted & Ross

Skirt: Saks Fifth Avenue

Booties: Kelsi Dagger

Handbag: Coach

Blue Floral Print Midi Length Dress

Today's outfit post features a midi length floral dress with blues and purples. It's thrifted and vintage, but I am not sure how vintage? 70s or 80s, maybe? I'm leaning more toward 80s, it makes me think of Marianne's or Winkleman's...Does anybody remember shopping at those stores?! I'm aging myself...

This go round I paired it with a turquoise shrug.  Usually on warm days, I wear it as is, sleeveless. Today's fall temps hit 80 (Fahrenheit), and now that I am acclimated to warmer temps most of the time, 80 can feel a tad nippy in the shade! LOL!
I also rocked my new favorite shades from Heavenly Couture.

What I wore:

Shades: Heavenly Couture

Necklace & studs: H&M

Shrug: Calvin Klein

Dress: Thrifted & Vintage

Peep-toe pumps: Giani Bernini

Handbag: Coach

Two Pleats in a Row

'If it ain't broke, don't fix it' - that's my motto. Two pleated dresses, two days in a row. Now what is odd, as you'll learn about me: I'm wearing black. I rarely wear black, let alone all black. Perhaps my big hair clouded my judgement (no pun intended). 

Anywho, here I am, in rare form: dressed in black.

Earrings: Thrifted

Necklace: TJMaxx

Bracelet: Ross

Peplum Top: Loehmanns

Dress: Thrifted

Stilettos: Nine West

Handbag: Brahmin

These shoes are a fav of mine. Although they are super pointy, the width is wide enough across the front brim that they are comfy. I'd love to have a few pairs, in cobalt blue, yellow, and fuschia. Fun, fun, and more fun. 

Well, the countdown continues to Friday! Whoo hoo!

Snapshot of Detroit - Part 3: Sunday Best

Part 3 wraps up my series, "Snapshot of Detroit". I took these shots on a Sunday afternoon, in the inner city. I remember when this area had thriving businesses. Now looking at it, you might think that this is a city outside of the US. It isn't. 

This is #DetroitUSA.

Hat: Vintage, thrifted - Jewelry: Jessica Simpson - Dress: Madison Leigh - Shoes: Via Spiga

What I Wore: Tulle Skirt to a White Party

We attended a White Party while visiting Detroit last weekend. There has been at least one 'white' themed event each year for the past few years. Last year I wore white jeans and a crochet top, the year before that, a white shirt dress, and so on. Typical off the rack wear. When I received an invite this go round, I immediately had an image in my mind of what I wanted to wear. I wanted to be, in a word: unique. This go round the attire was specified as dressy; slightly different than events in years past. I love an excuse to dress up, so I set about looking for a retailer that sold a nice full tulle skirt. That proved to be like looking for a needle in a haystack. So, I opted for a well recommended vendor, and had the skirt custom made.

Jewelry: Nordstrom

Top: TJMaxx

Skirt: Custom made

Shoes: Kenneth Cole

Clutch: Vintage, thrifted

This was a really fun outfit to wear! We made a long night of it, and while downtown after the White Party, many folks offered their congratulations as they thought we just got married - LOL! As the night went on, I wondered if anyone would gift us with a wedding present =) 

I didn't care for the way these pictures turned out, as it was an overcast evening. I added a basic filter which didn't really help...but oh well, it is what it is!

Snapshot of Detroit - Part 1: Patterned Skinnies

I've been having a blast during my visit here in my hometown, Detroit. Yet, I would be remiss if I didn't acknowledge the sad state of the inner city neighborhoods. I decided to take photos in a few areas that may seem unusual. 

What I Wore:

Earrings & top: Forever 21

Necklace: Nordstrom

Pants: Not Your Daughter's Jeans

Sandals: Chinese Laundry

These shots are not from a war torn country, not from a 3rd world country, this is a street in my old neighborhood: 

Detroit, MI USA

Stay tuned for: "Snapshot of Detroit - Part 2"