Let's Reflect

Blazer: HERE | LBD: Old, similar HERE| Thigh high boots: Charles David, similar HERE

When you find a combination that works well for you, wear it on REPEAT - shamelessly! Case in point: I recently had the idea of layering an LBD (little black dress) with a long leopard print tunic (see HERE). From that outfit sprang another idea: Pair an LBD with a long blazer! And just like that, with minimal effort, and absolutely no additional purchase(s) ---> I had a new outfit to love 😍
Time to share, what style combinations do you LOVE? Do you find yourself wearing them repeatedly?!
Until next time,
Xx

Stepping Out

Hey Babes!!! Can you believe that today marks the very first Monday of 2017?! I tell ya, time waits for no one! 2016 was quite a memorable year, to say the least. Personally speaking, with it came a number of challenges and rewards. I am so thankful that the rewards outweighed the challenges - I am stepping into 2017 full of hope, joy, and purpose!
But most importantly, let's chat about what I’m wearing! 😁 I’m going to let you in on one of my shopping secrets: The beginning of the year is the best time of year to score BIG on special occasion wear! You know how I love dressing up! Check this out- Not only is there an overflow of styles/sizes available…prices usually drop during the first months of the year which means that you can get the biggest bang for your buck! When considering whether or not to purchase special occasion wear, I always plan ahead. For instance: ‘What events will I be attending in the Spring, Summer, and Fall of 2017? Do I have any special travel plans? Which items did I fall in love with this season but I didn’t snag because I didn’t love the price?’ Yes, if I loved it in November- odds are it will be on sale come January/February and it will look just as great the following November- especially if I get it for a steal-LOL!
Oftentimes we think of special occasion wear in terms of dresses, but separates actually make an equally awesome option! You can mix and match items depending on your style preferences and or needs, dress them up or dress them down depending on the event-  basically styling separates give YOU total control 😏 I love styling dressy separates, and one of my Favs , Eliza J., offers up fantastic options on a silver platter. I’ve been a fan of Eliza J. since they hit the scene, in fact to be honest, they are the reason that I rack up a number of points at Nordstrom 😍I am so happy to team up with them, showcasing a few of my favorite style picks!!!! Stay tuned Babes, this look represents pick 1 of 3  😊

Until next time,
XO

Earrings: Similar here| Sequin Top: c/o Eliza J.-available here| Plaid midi skirt: c/o Eliza J.-available here

Faux fur stole: Here| Red patent leather sandals: Old- other options here, here, and here| Clutch: Old

Thrift Store Score: Pattern Play

Although the cold weather months are upon us, it is still my goal to have fun with fashion! Take for instance plaid. Plaid is a cool weather classic. Notably it is currently enjoying a well deserved spell in the fashion spotlight. If you’re like me, you may have been wearing plaid for the majority of your life, and now open to new ways of styling it. 

At present, I am thoroughly enjoying taking a dip in the pattern mixing bucket at every opportunity (see here, here, and here). I look for opportunities to take a gander at a clash….Flashback: One summer afternoon while perusing through a fashion magazine, I came across the most unorthodox mash of prints styled with winter pieces. I set it in my mind at that moment; I would try out the madness for myself just as soon as the weather cooled off. I’m no stranger to the pattern mixing game, but for me this took it up a notch.

Clashing prints are a runway sensation. But can they be woven into everyday life? Where there is a will, there is a way. That being said, clashing prints can be incorporated successfully into one's everyday style. From what I have observed, the key lies in making sure that there is at least one commonality. In this instance, the color gray proves to be the common denominator and foundation. Added to that, the skirt conveniently boasts a checkerboard trim.

I had this jacket for over a year, but never worn it. There was no particular reason; I just seemed to keep forgetting about it. One day while shuffling through my wardrobe I pulled it out, and determined that I'd either wear it, or to place it in my “To donate” bag. My monthly shuffle continued (I go through my closet regularly to select items to be donated) and I came across this skirt. I plopped the two together and instantly knew I had a match.

Since both items are vintage, I decided to stick with that theme, and added on a pastel rose quartz (Pantone's color of the year) vintage blouse, along with vintage style pumps, and a leather bag. I was more than pleased with the outcome. I just love stepping outside of my comfort style zone!

Until next time Style Lovers!

XO

Hat: Zara| Sunnies: Jessica Simpson| Jacket: Vintage, thrifted| Blouse: Vintage, thrifted| Skirt: Vintage, thrifted
Heels: Flounce, Nordstrom (worn here and here)| Clutch: Vintage, thrifted

Thrift Store Score: Plaid & Stripes

Plaid has been a staple of the Fall season for years. It transcends the “trend” category, and rests comfortably as a solid Fall fashion “classic”. I often style my plaid pieces in a feminine way, click here and here for examples. When I spotted this dress at a suburban thrift shop while traveling this summer, I knew that I simply had to add it to my collection.
Now by itself, it may not look like much; But after it has been embellished, “My Oh My”!

So one evening as we prepared to get ready for an engagement, SoCal temperatures dipped into the 70’s. I was ecstatic with the cool-down (we’ve had a mega-mild Fall season so far) and immediately headed to my wardrobe to see what concoction I could pull together, in the name of “Fall Fashion”. Wahlah, herein lies the final result.
For the night air I wore my red blazer on, and once we arrived to our destination I wore it draped over my shoulders.

I love the bright tomato hue of this blazer! However, I must say, the true star of this installment of #ThriftStoreScore is my dress, which I purchased for a whopping 97 cents!!! Click here for previous ThriftStoreScore posts, and scroll down.

Call it Plaid, or call it Tartan, this pattern is here to stay and I love it!

Wool Blazer: Vintage, thrifted (also worn here)

Pinstripe Blouse: Vintage, thrifted (worn here)

Plaid Dress: Vintage, thrifted

Belt: Kate Spade (worn here)

Tote: Coach (see here and here)

Leather stilettos: Victoria’s Secret Online Store

P.S. My apologies for the dim pictures, we had the worst lighting (I don't use a fancy camera as of yet) and it was already dark outside :(

30PlusStyle:The $30 Challenge, Mad for Plaid

The #30PlusStyle Collaboration (www.facebook.com/30plusstyle) returns today with a budget friendly post: Mad for Plaid! PSA: Women do not have to compromise their budget to stay on trend and to look great!

First off, I'd like to extend a warm welcome to our Guest Blogger Gaëlle-Vanessa, the Creator of French Curves!!!

Plaid or tartan, is a classic staple and wool variations naturally resonate with cooler seasons. Inquiring minds want to know: What exactly is the difference between plaid and tartan? Here's what I gathered from dictionary.com: "Generally, we think of tartan as the name for the cloth and plaid as the name for the particular pattern, but the words are often used interchangeably so that tartan can mean any checkered pattern and plaid can mean any checkered fabric".
Now that we've gotten that out of the way, let's move on with today's post!

Fall is officially underway here in the States, which means in my mind that it's time to break out the Plaid =) Red and black tartan is everywhere around us, but how often do you cross paths with colorful plaid combinations?

I'll give you one guess at where I picked up this beaut of a maxi skirt!

Sunnies: Betsey Johnson, $10 (also worn here)

Shirt: Jones New York, $5

Skirt: Vintage, $6

Clutch: Vintage, $2

Shoes:Tildon-excluded from budget friendly portion (also worn here)

Don't forget to pop over and visit our special Guest Blogger, Gaëlle Vanessa: http://thecurvyandcurlycloset.com/

And of course all of the #30PlusStyleBloggers today:

www.grownandcurvywoman.com

www.mode-plus.com

www.pumpsandstudz.blogspot.com

www.thejenesaisquoi.blogspot.com

www.prettypluspep.blogspot.com

If you’re a Blogger and would like to join us for a future #30plusstyle post please email us at: 30plusstylecollab@gmail.com. Please be sure to include your blog's URL! Click here if you'd like to see previous #30PlusStyle posts. 

And last but not least: Join me on Facebook! www.facebook.com/InMyJoi1

All Tied Up; Silk, Stripes & Tartan

Every now and again, I get in the mood to sport a tie. Today was one of those days. Fortunately, my husband is on hand to assist, not only with photography, but also with tying ties for me. J I like a big knot, so this one suits me just fine. I wanted to add more blue to the dominant rust colored combination, so I paired it with a statement necklace. The tartan contrast with the striped blouse is in sync with my goal of more pattern mixing (see here and here)

Why does silk wrinkle up so? I ironed this skirt not once, but twice, and yet it still seems like I just rolled out of bed...

I hate when I pose like this (last picture). I keep telling myself to never pose like this again, but somehow I keep doing it! It makes me look preggers, which would be fine- if I were preggers! I must remember to stand up straight and avoid slouching. I think one of my teachers used to tell me that on a daily basis..I digress. Happy HUMP Day!

Blouse: Rena Rowan, thrifted

Necklace: JCPenny

Tie: Neiman Marcus

Skirt: Ralph Lauren

Booties: Levity (also seen here and here)

Shoulder bag: Dooney & Bourke

P.S I'm participating in a Link Up for Personal Style Wednesdays with Whitney over at: http://whitneynicjames.com/personal-style-linkup-chunky-sweaters-thrifty-heels/

Business As Usual

Well it's Monday. I had an AMAZING weekend, I received a beautiful gift that I will treasure for many years to come.

{Contains immense excitement}  

I repeat: "Well it's Monday"- back to the grind...

Here's a fit worn to the office. The jacket caught my eye at the thrift shop, but I wasn't sure how to pair it with my existing pieces. I nabbed it anyway and decided to pair it with a sheath dress that's a similar hue of blue.

Jacket: Thrifted (Evan Picone)

Dress: Lord & Taylor (Kate Hill)

Shoes: Nine West

Handbag: Dooney & Bourke