July 29, 2010: The Sincerest Form

I went to a wedding a few months ago and it was one of the best weddings I have been to in my adult life! Everything was so laid back and relaxed; all the guests were just having a good time and celebrating. Most importantly there was no bridezilla! She was having a ball in her cocktail length wedding dress (with pockets!!) hot pink shoes and button bouquet! These forgotten shoes and simple dress are an homage to her relaxed style even on one of the most important days of her life! Hopefully I can be as laidback while I wait for Friday...

• Top: black convertible dress, Monif C. Although Monif C is a fabulous plus size brand this particular dress will fit anyone size 8-24 and is a great addition to your wardrobe! There are about 22 different ways to tie/pin/gather the dress and I am keeping it modest for the office. I could shift a few things around for happy hour after or date night with the right accessories.
• Shoes & Accessories: hot pink espadrilles, Chrisitan Louboutin; pink swawrovski crystal earrings, Pennyweights; silver L.A.M.B bag via Loehmann's

November 4, 2011: Why Midi?

If you are participating in this theme week please link up below and put the trend that you are representing where it asks for your name. Please leave a comment after you post, thanks!

This has been a fun theme week, don't you agree? While it has been enjoyable I think I have been playing it safe for the most part. I really wanted to push myself out of my ever shifting comfort zone and try a trend that I'm not really a huge fan of: the midi skirt.

I think they are an extremely unflattering style unless you are tall with super long legs. Not that shorter/non leggy people can't make it work but, it is a challenge I have very little desire to make an attempt at, until now... Since I wasn't going to buy anything new for this week (or in general) I decided to attempt a faux midi by wearing my Monif C Converitble Dress lower on my hips which I think worked out well but, if you could see how I wrapped the 9 ft. sashes around myself to keep them in check you would probably laugh; my torso looks like a stylin' mummy!

Let me continue by saying that I am not a short person (5'8 ish on most days) but, I think that this length of skirt makes me look short and there isn't really a great way to combat other than skyscraper heels which I wasn't in the mood for. Do I think I look bad? No. I just don't think it is flattering which is what I want my daily attire to be! Are there any trends that you are finding look great on other people, just not on you?

• Top: pink ruffle embellished t-shirt, Merona via Target; gray pinstripe blazer, Calvin Klein via Loehmanns (part of this suit)
• Bottom: Marilyn Convertible Dress as midi-skirt, Monif C (on sale)
• Shoes & Accessories: black ballet flats, Xhiliration via Target; rose quartz earrings, Elizabeth Showers Vintage; silver L.A.M.B bag via Loehmanns

Items from this outfit are previously seen and remixed here.

February 14, 2012: Happy Anniversary To Me!

One year ago today yesterday I took my first steps into the next leg of my career at a new job! Honestly, it has flown by a bit but, at that same time I feel like I've been there for the longest... Weird, right? Either way, I'm so happy I made this move and am looking forward to what the upcoming year brings me.

One of the things that I am happy about is that my hair has grown considerably since last year; No more Dutch boy haircut for me! Thanks, biotin/fish oil supplements and intrinsic speedy hair growth. Without you, I wouldn't have made it this far. Lesson learned: make sure your translator understands what you want before you let the hair stylist touch you hair or just go to someone who speaks your language...

I wanted to wear something special to celebrate the "momentous" occasion of my job-iversary/Tuesday so I reached for one of my Monif C convertible dresses. They claim that you can tie it into 27+ different ensembles but, after attempting to change it up my verdict is: not really or maybe with some additional assistance. Thank goodness I was wearing a jacket and a tank top because if I hasn't been my co-workers would have been privy some precarious wardrobe moments. Maybe I needed some fashion tape to keep it all together, I probably just need some more practice... Do you have a dress like this? How do you make it work?

• Top: orange convertible dress, Monif C (same dress different color here and here) with a tank top underneath for the modesty; brown houndstooth jacket, LOFT
• Shoes & Accessories: gray pumps, Steve Madden; Inkwenkwezi Safety Pin necklace, Smithsonian/Christmas gift from Mom; silver bead earrings, Tiffany & Co.; Neverfull GM, Louis Vuitton/gift from BF

Items ftom this outfit are prefviously seen and remixed here, here, and here.

Don't forget to enter the giveaway for a Shopbop giftcard!! 

Weekend Wear: Give Thanks

Did you host Thanksgiving dinner or did you have to travel? Did you dress up for the family and friends? I just had to ask because I wanted to share my Thanksgiving outfit with you and I think the picture needs to be put into perspective. I hosted so, while I made the effort to keep my outfit on the fancier side of things (seriously people, I could have been wearing yoga pants) I did not think it necessary to wear actual shoes. It was just more comfy this way plus, the sound of me clacking all over my apartment would have probably driven my downstairs neighbor insane... Towards the end of the evening I did throw on some slippers since my feet were in need of cushy support but, they didn't photograph well. Would you have done the same and forgone actual shoes or toughed it our for the sake of outfit completion?

• Top: orange convertible dress, Monif C (same dress different color here) with a tank top underneath for the modesty
• Shoes & Accessories: brown tights, Merona for Target; tiger's eye earrings, Citygirl Accessories

Night Out: Gala

I got an invite to the very exclusive gala for my company about a week ago. Last minute, I know but, I was more than happy to oblige. I mean who wouldn't be excited for free dinner in a fancy hotel on Fifth Avenue?! Plus, this was a low stress situation; I already had a dress to wear, or so I thought... This unfortunate weight gain made that prospect null and void (maybe next year) and I was all of a sudden dress-less.

I resigned myself to try and make my Monif C. Marilyn Convertible dress work for the event; With 22+ different ways to tie it there had to be something that worked for this occasion, right? Not so much... Even though the event was not black tie the dress was too plain for evening wear. Now I was really in a tight spot, let the stress commence.

Enter my local Loehmann's! I got a coupon in the mail and thought, "Why not?" It was a good move because they saved me with a nice selection of modest pieces (it was a work event after all) and this lovely Calvin Klein dress was the winner. Seriously, if you are ever in need of a dress for a fancy occasion head to Loehmann's, if you can, they have an awesome selection! What do you think of the final ensemble?

The best part of this dress is that I don't have to count it in my purchases for November! Why, you ask? Because it was free! BF had gotten a rebate on our new cell phones and he gave it to me to get the dress (what a sweetie.) Still, I didn't want to squander all our free money so I was a discount ninja when it came time to check out. Let me break it down for you: Original cost of the dress $128.00, Loehmann's price $59.99, Gold member discount: $6.00, 15% off coupon discount: $8.10, Price after discounts, $47.90 (w/ tax) minus a gift card: $15.00, Final price: 32.90. I was honestly impressed with all that and still had money to give back to BF! I love it when things work out like this... What's your favorite discount ninja memory?

• Top: gray sheath dress with pearl embellishment, Calvin Klein via Loehmann's
• Shoes & Accessories: black and gray leopard print peep toe pumps, Hollywould for Target. Does anyone else remember that line?; pearl earrings, gift from Mom; black satin clutch, Old Navy (not pictured)

Review: Swappeez Sandals

While on my haitus someone from Swappeez reached out to me to review their sandals. With the warm weather on our door step I was more the happy to comply, the timing couldn't be more perfect!

O, you've never heard of them? Neither had I but, now that I have learned a little more about them I LOVE the idea! Honestly, what girl wouldn't? You can take one pair of sandals and make it many pairs of sandals just by adding accessories. It sounds so familiar to me but, I digress... Swappeez was conceived with the quintessential modern girl in mind. The result was a series of interchangeable straps, buckles and accessories. These colorful and fun components come together creating various styles and designs. So whether you're hitting the beach, planning a vacation, on a tight budget or like the rest of us, just can't get enough shoes...

This is The Organizer, so you can keep your sandals, straps and few extra buckles to swap (you love how I did that I know) depending on the occasion. Not only can you be exceptionally fashionable you can be practical AND organized. This is sounding better and better!

There was, unfortunately, one thing that didn't work for me. I had trouble tying them so that they didn't shorten my leg or flop around. In the end I suppose I could try a different type of strap besides the one included, perhaps one that is longer/shorted until I find something that works for me. Maybe I just need to practice like with a Monif C dress. I'll let you know how that works out. I would recommend trying them out first but, definitely think they could be a great buy!