Coral Pants & Bell Sleeves

 

As promised, I wore and loved my followers number one selection.  I actually wear this outfit all the time.  The coral skinny pants are my absolute favorites right now.  I got them from www.loveculture.com.  They look like leggings before you pull them on, but with the zipper fly, back pockets and bunching effect at the ankles, these are way more than leggings.  I would compare the material to a sweatshirt, which gives these pants the award for "THE MOST COMFORTABLE PANTS EVER"!
The floral printed top is extra adorable with the widest bell sleeves I have ever seen.  It's so much fun to wear and the best part is that I only paid $20 for it at Marshalls.  The camel wedge booties are from Target.  I bought them a couple years ago, so I don't think they still have them available, but I did see a pair just like them at DSW last week.
I always try to point out proportions on my blog.  For example: If you're going to wear a printed loose blouse, balance it with a pair of more fitted bottoms.  Or if your top is snug to your body, wear a flowing maxi skirt or wide leg pants.  Tight tops and bottoms are just totally out of style.  Show off your assets in a tasteful way by featuring only one fitted clothing item.
You chose this outfit and I love the feedback.  This was a fun way to let my followers decide what I'm going to wear.  Outfit number two will be featured soon.  Thanks!



Help Me Get Dressed!

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Believe it or not, sometimes even a Fashion Blogger needs help getting dressed.  I have two social evening events (both fairly casual) coming up and I can't decide what to wear.  I'm asking my Followers to help me decide on which outfits you like the most.  Whichever two get the most votes, I'll wear and blog about.  Thanks for your help!

What The Frock?

 

Events and occasions are always popping up in our lives.  Weddings, vacations, work conferences, etc.  Who can keep up with it all?  And who can afford to buy new dresses for each one?  Between the parking and huge stores that are mostly stocked with overpriced trendy items that you'll probably never wear again, the Mall can be quite daunting.  For years I did the Mall shuffle and spent a fortune on dresses that I usually settled on due to fit, timing or both.

There is a solution.  A solution that, before What The Frock, I had never considered.  What The Frock is a Designer and high end consignment dress store that has a dress to meet every size and budget.  I'm lucky enough to be friends with the Owner, Ali Lindkvist, but you don't have to be friends to reap the amazing benefits of buying second hand.  Most of the pieces she has look like they have never been worn, and some pieces haven't.  That's right, tons of dresses with new tags still on them at a fraction of the price. 

What The Frock carries wedding dresses, formal dresses, cocktail dresses, casual dresses, but that's not all.  She also has accessories to complete any look.  Shoes, jewelry, shawls.  I know when I walk in I'm going to get amazing personal service and walk out with something I would NEVER find anywhere else. 

The best part of What The Frock?  There is an in-house seamstress, Jacquelyn Pepice, that will do your alterations on the spot!  It doesn't get much better than that.  I always stop into a consignment store first when I need a special piece and What The Frock never disappoints.  You can find What The Frock online at www.WTFrock.com or if you're lucky enough to live in Maine, stop by and see Ali and Jacquelyn at 34 Washington Avenue in Portland.



Wardrobe Change

It's one of my favorite times of the year!  Wardrobe change time.  Time to put away all those sheer florals and flip flops and start incorporating some Fall pieces for cooler nights.  I'm not saying put away ALL your summer clothes.  The cool part about Fall is that the days are still warm, so you can keep out some of your favorite pieces out .  The key is to add a layer. 
Still want to wear your favorite heels?  Wear socks with them (which is totally in for the Fall).  Love that spaghetti strap dress you got compliments on all summer?  Layer a leather jacket on over it and boom!  Not ready to cover up those amazing legs you have been tanning all summer?  Throw a chunky sweater and booties on to give them a cozy feel.  The possibilities are endless!
I do insist you put away your super summery pieces.  Leaving them in your closet to consider will only confuse and overwhelm you when your getting dressed.  Flip flops, tank tops, floral maxis, put them in a Rubbermaid bin for the winter.  You'll be happy you did when that unexpected vacation pops up in January and you need to pack quickly.
Take the time to put away your summer pieces and pull out the Fall layers to incorporate into your everyday wardrobe.  It's time.  Feeling overwhelmed or confused on what to keep and what goes?  Call me.  That's what I do.

Sequined Pencil Skirt

I bought this sequined pencil skirt at Target last spring with the intentions to wear it to a cocktail party.  I paired it with a silk button down blouse and booties.  I got a ton of compliments that evening and when I got home, I tossed the skirt to the side with the intentions of probably not wearing it again for a while.  It's such a statement piece, I figured everyone would remember if I wore it again. 
Well, wear it again, I did.  And again, and again and again!  Thinking I could only sport the sequined pencil skirt as evening wear was my first mistake.  Talk about versatility!  The look pictured above was for a prospective client meeting.  The first thing she said when I showed up was, "Well, I'll need one of those skirts in my wardrobe"!  The next week, I went even more casual and paired the skirt with a pair of sneakers and a graphic tee.  Compliments galore!
Taking one garment and styling in different ways is the name of the game.  This inexpensive, comfortable and intended for one use skirt has turned into one of my favorite pieces that can be styled for day, night, casual, semi-formal, you name it.  Try putting an unexpected twist on something you normally wear the same way.  You'll be amazed at end endless possibilities.



Don't Let Your Maxi Swallow You

 

I've seen it time and time again.  Another beautiful young lady has been swallowed by her maxi skirt/dress.  Kills me.  There's no denying that the "to the floor" maxi style was one of the summer's biggest trends.  They're extremely comfortable, versatile and gives a person who wants to cover up their legs in the summer, an excuse to.  But all too often I see a big, overflowing maxi skirt dragging on the ground with a big, overflowing top, just swallowing the person wearing it.  Never a good look.

Keep your maxi skirt or dress balanced with a coordinating top.  Pictured above, I'm hearing a loose asymmetrical top, which I paired with hip hugging maxi skirt which goes right to the ground.  If your maxi skirt or dress is big and flowy on the bottom, then pair it with a fitted tank or t-shirt.  Also, if your maxi skirt has a print, keep your top solid or at least all in the same color scheme. 

If you don't own a maxi skirt, I highly suggest you invest in one.  The length should graze the ground (but not drag).  If it does drag, either wear heels or hem the bottom.  If you're tall like me, you'll find your length problem to be on the opposite spectrum and they'll fall too short.  If you love it, but it falls above your ankles, wear it as a midi (hem line falling below your knees and above your ankles).  The midi length is very "in" for Fall.  I got my fabulous maxi skirt from www.loveculture.com last year.



What Your Mama Gave You

 

We spend hours in the mirror obsessing over the parts of our body we don't like.  My nose is too big.  My butt is too flat.  My hair is frizzy.  I know I do it.  Constantly, in fact.  My biggest body complaint is my stomach.  I could blame it on my genetics, my inflammatory bowel disease or just get real and face the fact that it's probably because I love wine and food.  At this point, I have come to grips with the body my Mama gave me and I'm really embracing it. 
I've actually learned a lot of tricks to cover up my belly.  Trick #1: Wear loose tops (duh), Trick #2: Suck it in (which just plain sucks) but my favorite trick to taking the focus off my belly is Trick #3: Show off what you DO like about your body.
For me it's legs, legs, legs.  I was blessed with long, lean, athletic legs and when they're tan, they're unstoppable!  Throw on a pair of heels and they're borderline out of control.  There have been some obstacles along the way.  Like finding jeans long enough or making sure a mini doesn't look too short, but for the most part, my legs steal the show every time. 
Stop focusing on what you don't like about your body and start showing off what you do.  Shake what your Mama gave you.  The navy blue maxi (pictured above) was a perfect mix of loose in the stomach area and had a super high slit to show off my legs.  I got it at www.sheinside.com.