Sleeve Patrol

earrings: Free People (these are super cute too)| dress: c/o HERE| suede pumps: DSW

It's no secret that I l❤ve an off the shoulder number (see HERE, HERE, HERE, HERE and HERE just for starters), the fact that this festive dress is adorned with colorful stripes and fabulous statement sleeves makes it all the better. I consider it perfect for a cocktail themed event and or a night out on the town. 
Initially, I planned to style it with black sandals... but at the last minute I decided to play up the turquoise colored stripes by adding in matching statement earrings (that I've never worn) and a classic suede pump. 
I totally love how this look came together, I'm looking forward to wearing this fit out on the town 😉

Xx

Discover FALL

dress: HERE| belt bag: HERE| shoes: c/o HERE

Do you like camouflage prints? I do! I spotted this number online and especially liked the red floral print that is intertwined throughout. Immediately I added it to my virtual basket.
When it arrived, I was pleased that the fit was exactly as I envisioned (I'm wearing a size 1X). I wanted to style it with a thin red belt, but decided to step outside of my comfort zone and style it with a red fanny pack instead...
Full disclosure: When fanny packs first made a comeback, I was not impressed! I didn't like them when I was younger, and I'm still not completely smitten with them...However, I do like the modified version: Belt bags. So cute! The difference between the two is usually a slim, sleek design. I set about finding a red one for this dress, but to no avail. You know how it is when you are looking for something specific? You can't find it anywhere! So I settled on a  red fanny pack... Since this one was under $20, I won't feel bad at all if its time with me is brief... When it comes to incorporating trendy pieces, I opt for fast fashion stores. However for quality, classic pieces, I prefer to go high end 😉
Until next time,
Xx

Chocolate Brown | #EveryBODYinPLT

hat: similar HERE| earrings: similar HERE & HERE| dress: HERE| shoes: similar HERE| purse: old
Photography by A. Robinson

Another color that I love to rock during the cooler months of the year: Chocolate brown ❤ 
Rich hues of brown feel synonymous with autumn and usher in thoughts of yummy hot chocolate (preferably topped with gobs of whipped cream), fresh baked gooey chocolate chip cookies, and homemade fudge 😋
Brown is a timeless neutral and can truly be paired with just about any other color effortlessly. Because I bat for team bold color 99.99% of the time, I usually wear brown with bold hues such as fire engine red or cobalt blue. However, I opted to take a different approach this time around, because that is what fashion is all about! Trying new things! I opted to pair it with light pink - quite possibly for the very first time. And what do you know? I love it just the same - LOL! 
This look is perfect for a girls night on the town or a date night.  
Fit notes: This dress is as a result of my very first time shopping with UK based fast fashion brand Pretty Little Thing. From what I can tell thus far, the brand fits true to size- YAY!!! I am wearing a US size 14. I also ordered a skirt in the same size, and the fit was perfect. Unfortunately I hated the print on it and so back it went... The ruching on this dress is great and very flattering for those generously endowed with curves 😉 My main disappointment was the shipping time (the return process is also a bit irritating), it took just over three weeks to arrive.  I'm not sure if this timeframe meets the standard expectation or if perhaps my case was an exception to the standard.  I find PLT's prices to be reasonable (they have frequent sales) and the quality is on par for fast fashion. Overall, my first experience shopping with the brand was a positive one!  
I'm curious, what new brands have you tried lately?
Until next time,
Xx

Spot On | One Top Styled Three Ways

Wrinkle-free animal print tunic: c/o HERE
save 25% off your order w/ code "JOIXFOXCROFT" 
skirt: similar HERE| socks: similar HERE| pink sandals: similar HERE

white denim jeans: HERE| belt: old, similar HERE| booties: ZARA

black dress: c/o HERE| OTK boots: Old, similar HERE

Hey Babes! Today's style story features a print that is synonymous with FALL: Leopard print! How do you rock leopard print?! I LOVE that this fun animal print can serve as a neutral hue, a statement piece, or as a base for pattern mixing. 
As you can see, I've styled this tunic not one, not two, but THREE ways! Versatility is key in the style game 😏 Experiment with your wardrobe - play dress up - you can create new ways to wear staple pieces! 
Which look is your favorite?! My personal favorite is the tunic paired with the pink skirt ❤  
There are a number of CUTE spotted pieces up for grabs this season, here are a few items that are currently on my radar:
Leopard print faux fur coat
Leopard print coat
Leopard print jumpsuit
Coordinating set, top + pants
Until next time,
Xx

Velvet Crush

hat: vintage, Antique Mall| dress: c/o HERE& HERE 
purse: ZARA| shoes: HERE+ another option HERE
Photography by A. Robinson

Welcome to Fall 2018 Loves! What fall colors are you looking forward to playing with/in this season? I shared on Instagram that I plan to dabble in reds, multiple shades of brown, emerald green, dusty pinks (pictured HERE), burnt orange, and mustard yellow 😍. In fact, the odds are very high that shades of yellow like the one pictured today (and HERE) will be a top contender in my wardrobe this fall 😉. I'm also looking forward to playing with a variety of textures...say velvet, corduroy, knit, and silk - for starters.
For today's look, I took a step back in time to my very first style love: V I N T A G E. This dress reminds me of another style era, I decided to follow through with that theme and pair it with a vintage pillbox hat complete with netting, a vintage style handbag, and classic shoes. I love the end result!
I can also see this dress styled with a modern twist, incorporating layers (think cotton button-ups or a classic turtleneck), boots or booties, and an updo 😉
Until next time,
Xx

Shift into Neutral

Sunnies: HERE | Cardigan & dress: c/o HERE| 
Nude sandals: Another option HERE| Purse: TJMAXX

Today's look is a perfection transition duo to carry you from summer into fall. If the weather is hot, lose the cardigan, if there is a chill in the air-rock them both! I can even see pairing the duo with a long scarf if temperatures take a dip + adding a pair of booties or boots 😊
Temperatures are mild during the daylight hours in my neck of the woods, yet the cotton blend material was totally comfortable and breathable. 
I decided to stay in neutral lane, pairing with the ensemble a nude bag & matching shoes. BTW-This purse is so fun! I saw it in TJMAXX (I find the cutest stuff there) when I was out of town last month and I could not leave it behind. 
When I got home I realized that purse was a perfect match to this pair of shoes- I knew I had to wear them together, at least once 😍 Mission accomplished!
Until next time,
Xx

The New Normal

Sunnies: HERE| Dress: c/o HERE| Handbag: HERE or try THIS| Shoes: Aldo, old

When the weather cannot make up it's mind on whether it is spring, fall, or better yet winter, I love to dive into my sweater dress stash (I store mine in a large decorative wicker basket from Pier 1 and roll them up to save space and alleviate wrinkling). Like seriously from day to day, it feels like we go from spring to winter! In fact, for a number of days it was actually warmer (as in HOT) on the east coast than it was here in SoCal!! 
{{Insert confused face emoji}}
Sweater dresses work really well for me when it comes to fluctuating temperatures - I always want to feel warm! I DO NOT LIKE TO FEEL COLD- EVER! By rotating my collection of sweater dress, I can skip the need to add on layers (unless temperatures drop under 50), I feel perfectly warm w/o a coat, and if temperatures happen to head up unexpectedly (a likely possibility nowadays) I can easily roll up my sleeves- and boom- I'm all set!! This particular body con dress by Calvin Klein has a couple of added style bonuses: cold shoulders + straps dipped in white 😊 You know how I feel about black & white color duos! 💖
I instantly decided that this dress would make an excellent addition to my sweater dress collection. Have you noticed that sweater dress options have evolved over the years? Now you can get them in practically every cut, print/color, and apparently they even sport cold shoulders! I love the variety currently on the market- really- you can get whatever you want AND in an array of sizes 💃Over to you: Are you Team Sweater Dresses or naw?!
Until next time, 
XO

Neutrally Minimal

It’s been a few weeks since I last blogged a look in a dress (see here), but I am most definitely still an active member of the team, ‘Team Dresses’ that is! Dresses are such a go-to for me, especially during the week. They serve cross functionally in multiple areas of my life, which I feel that gives me the most bang for my buck. This online beauty caught my eye because it was so unique. In fact, I had to take it to the cleaners to have it pressed once it arrived, and the owner commented that he had never seen anything like it!

The effect of combining draping, gathers, and a wrap twist design resulted in a very modern silhouette. In fact, it comes across as almost artistic! I simply love the neutral hue. It’s not quite blush or beige, more like cappuccino, in my opinion. ASOS Curve however calls it "mink".

I was actually under the impression before it arrived that it was made from t-shirt material (i.e. cotton), hence the name: "SOS CURVE Wrap Twist T-Shirt Dress". It’s actually unlined crepe, which has underlined to me the importance of reading all of the details provided about an item when shopping online! It's a body con dress, so as usual, I sized up. I don't like overly tight clothing.

I would say this dress offers versatility as well, I could see it easily styled alternately with flats or sneakers. I went for heels this time around, because I have a thing for monochrome palettes (see here, here, and here), and the color of these heels were a dead ringer.

I opted to keep my accessories at a minimum: simple drop crystal earrings and my new wood watch. 

Ok, I just have to tell you about this watch! I love how goes with anything! The first time that I wore it I was in a monochrome state of mind (see here) but since then I’ve worn it just about every day… The secret is that the color of the watch is actually the natural color of the wood. It would make a great graduation gift and there are so many designs to choose from (more options here).

Did you notice that I changed my do, again?! LOL! Welp, I've been top knotting it for a week or so, until I decide where to go from here. My black temporary color has faded, and my blonde tips are once again exposed :) I am quite pleased with my hair growth from my big chop last July (see here & here)! I give it lots of TLC with coconut oil, mango butter, and deep conditioning.  For me the key to grow and retention (see here, here, and here) is leaving my hair alone. Protective styling helps me to do just that, so I'm on the hunt for my next look :) Stay tuned...
Well Loves, that wraps up today’s post- until next time!

XO

Dress: ASOS Curve (here and here)| Shoes: Nine West, also worn here| Earrings: Forever 21| Wood watch: c/o JORD Watches

For the Love of Stripes

 

Today’s style story is a perfect encore to Wednesday’s post which featured colored lines. It’s no secret that I have been completely swept away by clean lines for a number of years. They are all over this blog! Black and white is my favorite combination of the effect and it remains a formidable challenge to resist adding more of the phenomena to my wardrobe.

A post or so ago I confessed that I went on a mini shopping haul at Forever 21; This two-piece stripe ensemble is another product of that stopover. Admittedly, in years past, I was never impressed with Forever 21. To be honest, it will probably never replace my retail BFF, Nordstrom. However, I must admit that I am impressed with what they have recently (?) done (at least at the store I visited) with their plus size collection and the vast variety of styles available. It really took me by storm; Just ask my husband how long we were in there, LOL!

I really like the varying sized lines strategically placed on this two piece, and also that they went with off white versus a crisp white. However, the fit of the skirt left me disappointed, I found myself tugging on it throughout the day :( I hate to have to pull  at or tug my clothes! I even sized up to ensure the roomy fit that I desired, but  ah to no avail. So, I’m adding the top to regular rotation, but the skirt will most likely be shelfed…at least for now.

Another factor that I like about it is that it is easily layered, really taking it from one style genre to another. I wore it with the green accessories to the office, and found it very comfortable, yet work appropriate. Another revision that I made was adding a top underneath the crop top. If you like the crop top effect but don’t necessarily want your belly to show, try adding a matching top or even contrasting color underneath.

Well Babes that wraps up today's episode, I’ll see you next time!
XO

Crop top (OX) & skirt (2X): Forever 21 Plus| Hat: Vintage| Long shirt: Ross Dress for Less| Shoes: Aldo