Fringe Society

My love of the color duo black + white is eternal. What other duo can be said to be equally neutral yet bold?

I wore this look (sans the heels) to a festival last weekend. It was perfect for taking in the sights, tasting stops at food booths, and mild gusts of wind (which by the way added total wow factor to the flow fringe).

Fringe has become synonymous with festival season/festival wear, but I believe a piece like this jacket can be successfully woven into multiple style genres with minimal effort. 

This shirt dress is a great multi-wear piece. I’ve worn it with pants, over dresses, under dresses, and I’m planning to pair it with shorts.

I actually hadn’t thought about wearing these two pieces together, until one day I was rummaging through my closet, pairing different things together. The two items ended up hanging next to each other by happenstance, and suddenly the idea was born! I just love it when things come together :)

One of the main reasons why I enjoy playing around in my wardrobe, is because I never know what is going to spring from it ;)

Until next time Loves,
XO

Sunnies: Tildon| Faux suede fringe jacket: Ross Dress for Less| Stripe shirtdress: Ross Dress for Less| Clutch: Zara (worn here)| Shoes: Pour La Victoire (also worn here)| Wood watch: c/o JORD Watches

Crash Color Course

Recently over at Already Pretty, I discussed what what I like to call “Size Segregation”. I said, and I quote: “Would it be horribly wrong if designers and retailers made a commitment – or shall I say, the SAME commitment- to ALL consumers, providing them with ample options in ONE central place, both in-store and online?! What exactly is the benefit of forcing prospective customers to limit their fashion options based on what is available in, for example, rare petite shops, mail order catalogs for tall women, or specialty venues that offer plus sizes?” My thoughts got reader engagement, and several women mentioned that they actually don’t mind sizes being segregated. They would prefer to go directly into a store, straight to their applicable size section, without having to muddle through items that are not their size.

I genuinely appreciated their feedback, it helped me to appreciate that my circumstances may be somewhat unique and to see the matter from another perspective. You see I shop juniors, misses, petites, and plus size! I have to trump all over a store to find clothing, from petites, to misses, up or down to plus, and so on! What would be ideal for me is if all items sized 14 were grouped together, for example: 14 P, 14, 14W and so on. However, I realize that I have different circumstances based on what readers shared, and I can understand that there is not a 'one size fits all' rule that can be applied in this instance. For me, size segregation is an irritant, whereas for others, it is a matter of convenience. I’m curious, what are your thoughts and or preferences when it comes to size segregation, that is, when designers and or retailers insist that clothing be grouped separately, versus in numerical order, all in one section? Do you feel that plus size clothing from the same designers should be showcased on separate social media platforms versus one, as a unified front?

Today’s look features a classic dip in color-blocking bliss. I am very much team monochrome (example here and here), but am also equally team color-block too! Bright colors have been my 'go-to' long before it was in style and or trendy. I love playing in color, and often times that means wearing pieces that don’t "match". A simple way to color-block is to choose three colors that you like and that look well together. Then incorporate that color palette into a look. As time goes on, and you feel more comfortable, you can continue to build on that basic foundation.

Until next time Lovies!
Xx

Sunnies: Nordstrom| Blouse: Liz Claiborne,14W |Skirt: Vince Camuto, worn here {L}|Suede pumps: Audrey Brooke, worn here and here

Fuzzy Logic

The month of January is ramping down so quickly, meanwhile I’m still in disbelief that it is actually 2016! I was talking to a close friend about planning a get-a-away together, and as I looked for possible dates I realized that this year is quite full already, I would need to push it out to 2017!!!   O_O 

Where oh where does the time go?! Clearly it’s flying, but where to?! LOL!

Moving on… I am beyond thrilled about the plethora of faux fur options currently available! I have acquired a number of pieces, and find that they add just the right amount of warmth for chilly So-Cal days and or nights. Besides functionality, they are also stylish, and add in textural interest to any look.

If you follow me on Instagram (preview here) you may recognize this vest as the one I wore on vacay in Cabo last month. It was perfect for the chilly nights off the water and early mornings. I am totally crushing on this vest, I mean it really is so versatile! I feel like I wear it at least once a week – that is, if at all possible. As I mentioned in a previous post, hubby says a tell-tell sign that I really like a new purchase is that I wear it at least three times in a row-LOL!

We were in Arizona a couple of weeks ago, and I scored this scarf during a shopping haul. Side note: My hauls are pretty intense (I bought 14 new dresses, and much, much more), I am thinking about recapping a few of them on You-Tube. Would you watch? Comment below! Anywho, caught in the haze of my current faux fur infatuation, I did not even realize that this infinity scarf matches my vest perfectly! Generally speaking, I am pretty on point about matching up items in my head while I’m shopping for clothes…the match-up process plays a great part in whether or not an item makes it with me out of the store…

So we had plans to meet up for dinner and drinks with some friends from out of town. The restaurant that we picked tends to have an outdoor wait time of 30 minutes or longer, so I knew that staying warm would be a factor as I am almost always: C O L D. 
Running late is the story of my life, makes sense that this outing was no exception. I made a mad dash to my closet, flinging clothes left & right. Finally I settled on this look, including a twist on the classic LBD (little black dress) and a timeless red lippie.

I was pleased with the outcome and will be wearing this ensemble again...

Until next time,

Xx

Wool hat: Shiraleah| Sunnies:Nordstrom| Scarf: Nordstrom| Vest: Ross Dress for Less| Dress: Topshop| Handbag: Vintage| Riding boots: Ciao Bella

Almost Does Count: The Unexpected

Sometimes the best way to style a vintage number is going the route of the unexpected.

This classic beauty would look equally fab dressed up with heels, I'm picturing slingbacks, a matching handbag, and a timeless up-do.  But sometimes the expected…is well…boring…in my opinion.

I wanted to dress this look down versus up, so I went with a casual yet modern approach: A side pony for fun, a red belt for a splash of color, calf skin flats for comfort, and a statement clutch just because!

The best part about styling myself is having fun with it! Stepping outside of my comfort zone, trying new things, and of course,  getting away with the unexpected ;) Check out another vintage number that I styled in an unexpected way here.
 Since I started blogging, there have been too many times when I wouldn't post looks because I lost track of time. For instance I got in some snaps of a shot I wore on June 1st, but by July 1st I hadn't blogged about it yet, for some reason or another. Welp,  I've decided to start posting those looks anyway,even if they are a few weeks late. How does the saying go? 'Better late than never'.

A perfect example lies in today's post, which I actually wore back in December 2015. I didn't get a chance to post it then because it was such a busy month for me, but alas 'Almost Does Count'....

Until next time style lovers!
XO

Sunnies: Tildon| Dress: Vintage| Belt: Banana Republic| Flats: Sam Edelman| Clutch: Kate Spade (also worn here)

Citron in the City

So my friend Thamarr over at MusingsOfaCurvyLady reached out to me to join up and rock one of Eloquii’s newest midi skirts, the citron yellow laser cut midi. I felt a smidge apprehensive about trying out this skirt! Nonetheless, I threw caution to the wind and decided to have a go at it.

I was pleasantly rewarded with a BOGO offer =) which I happily took full advantage of (stay tuned for that post).

Ladies, let me tell you: this skirt is gobs of fun on overload! I am so happy that I ordered it!!! 
Whenever I purchase something new, the ever present question, "What will I wear it with?" comes to the surface. My first thought went to this abstract print tank, which has been sitting patiently in my closet (never worn). I had the sneaking suspicion that it would match the citron of the skirt exactly. Wouldn’t you know it, I was dead on!

Next in, an added matching statement necklace provided just a touch of contrast (previously worn here). Yet, I was craving more “umph”. After searching through my bracelet birdcage (literally a decorative birdcage) I decided on three rhinestone bracelets for a rocker-chic feel, harmonious with my up-do ;)

Finally, what shoes and purse to wear with it? I have a number of grey and silver sandals, but since I was heading out to an event that would require a bit of walking, comfort was a necessary consideration. I decided to wear my grey wedge sneakers. My handbag was an easy pick, it’s my favorite grey one. Wahlah, hubby and I hit the door :)

Well fellow Style Lovers, you won't believe how many compliments I received on this look at the event; It made me even more excited to share it with you!

Don't forget to visit all of my blogger babes doting on this citron hottie right along with me:


Thamarr- MusingsOfaCurvyLady
Sandra- LapecosaPreciosa
Georgette- GrownAndCurvyWoman

Aviator sunnies: Tahari

Statement necklace: Saks Off Fifth (worn here)

Tank: Calvin Klein

Skirt:Eloquii

Bangles: Zara & Nordstrom

Sneaker wedges: Steve Madden (worn here)

Handbag: Michael Kors (worn here)

More Ankara Anyone?

So I ventured down to the Fashion District and happened up on a fabric store that sold Ankara. 
Now why did I do that? After I deliberated for nearly an hour, I walked out with two bundles, and had this skirt made with one of them :) This is my very first, yes, one and only, Ankara skirt!

Remember how I said that I'm kinda fond of blue (here)? The blue and yellow in this print captured me! 

Even now as I look at it I wonder: Is it yellow or citron?! On camera it looks more yellow, but in person there seems to be a tinge of a green-like hue to it..

The flow and ease of this fabric is totally perfect for the warm breezy days of summer.

I added a simple yellow tank, gold bangles, and a beaded evening bag.

I was more than pleased that my curly curls decided to behave and I had superb curl definition :) For me as a natural haired gal, perfect hair days can be like finding that illusive needle in the haystack!

Have you tried Ankara? If so, how do you rock it?

Have a great weekend and thanks for visiting!

Xx

Sunnies: Tod's (also worn here, here, and here)
Tank top: Amber Sun: Nordstrom
Skirt: Custom made
Sandals: Nina (worn here )
Beaded evening bag: Vintage, thrifted