Classic with a twist

Bonsoir divas! I hope you are all having a fantastic week! If you are anything like me, you are already thinking about your weekend plans, and daydreaming about the fabulousness to come. If all goes right for me (a little flight drama to work out) I will be living it up this weekend in sunny Florida for a quick vacation to the Keys and a visit with the grandparents!! I haven't seen my grandmother in 4 years, so it will be really nice to see her again! Plus, our house is literally on the beach, which means I can hopefully soak up the last little bit of color until spring. Just when I thought I was done with my tanks, shorts and sundresses, along comes a trip to Florida- not that I am complaining :) Since I haven't even started to pack yet, (yikes) I am going to keep this post short and get straight to the outfit photos. 

As much as I adore color (especially pink) and the instant spice it adds to an outfit, I never get tired of a classic black and white combo. Add in a fun pattern or funky shape (like this layered skirt and the ruched sleeves) and I am sold! Blouse: BCBG; Skirt: Boutique in London (forgot name); Tights: Topshop; Booties: Steve Madden; Watch: Micheal Kors, Necklace: Lavender Cottage; Rest of jewelry: Gifted or borrowed.

My college roommate and I actually both bought this skirt when we studied abroad. I had left Paris to visit her in London for the weekend and we found a very pink boutique in Camden Market (rather rare) and I, of course, insisted on popping in. The sweetheart that she is indulged my obsession, and we both wound up leaving with this fun skirt!

Now that I finally fixed the previously uncomfortable lining of these booties, I totally love them! They are rapidly becoming my go-to black heels, although everyone seems to question my sanity when  I wear them. I'm sure you all will understand :)

I've made it well known that my goal for this season is to diversify my look, so to add a little oomph to my classic look, I paired it with my new H&M aviator shearling bomber jacket. It is definitely not a style I usually wear, and I LOVE it. It is an easy way to add a little edge to my girly vibe. Plus, it is sooo warm.

This jacket is definitely going to be a staple piece in my wardrobe this year!

Back of the shirt. My mom and I actually found this shirt at the Williamsburg outlets a month ago when we went down to visit my brother. I loved that it gave me an opportunity to experiment with the sheer trend, without feeling too exposed.

I think I really am addicted to shoes!

And I say the higher the better!

And before I go try and figure out how to pack three days worth of clothes (and shoes!) plus my laptop into a carry-on, I wanted to show you the necklace I am wearing, a bit closer up. It was a gift from the terrific etsy shop, Lavender Cottage when I won  Belle de Couture's giveaway a few weeks ago and I am totally in love with this sweet piece. The light always seems to catch it just right and I adore how it shines. It is a nice size too- not a statement necklace, but not too tiny either. 

Everything was first-class about this necklace, right down to the adorable packaging it arrived in. And I am a total sucker for packing!!

So dolls, what is on your weekend agenda? Any vacation plans, or upcoming trips you are excited about? Try out any "out of the comfort zone" outfits lately? Don't forget to enter my In Fashion giveaway before midnight Wednesday. The winner will be announced Thursday!

Bisous!

Layer me, please!

Happy Sunday babes! I don't know about yall, but I majorly enjoyed some much needed R&R this weekend. It was a loooong and hectic week, and I am so grateful to have had nothing on the agenda this weekend. I hope you all were excited about whatever plans you may have had as well, and I can't wait to read all about them :)

First, I'd like to share a few exciting things with you before I post the promised "layer success" photos (er, at least I think it was a success!) Thanks to an amazing giveaway from the ever fabulous Erika of Cafe Fashionista, I was introduced to an amazing boutique filled with wonderful trinkets of all sorts! Shock Boutique has all kinds of chic goodies from dresses and tops, to accessories and intimates! I think I need to pick up that fierce panther ring if I'm not lucky enough to win Erika's giveaway! Shock Boutique has been so kind to offer all of you lovely readers a 25% off promo code if you see something you like, which I have no doubt that you will! Just use "SHOCKTWEET" when you go to check out. Happy shopping bellas and don't forget to let me know what you find!

If any of you are as devoted to beautiful shoes as I am, then I know that Jessica of Style Obsession's KM2 shoes giveaway is a no-miss!! I am so beyond in love with these work-of-art heels that I can't even explain it, but I needed to share these delectable treats with you lovelies. Click on over there to check out how you can enter yourself to win a pair of these couture heels!

And now, the layers :) I have been wanting to figure out how to layer up without making my frame look too bulky for quite some time, if only for practicality's sake. I would see other bloggers pulling off the look effortlessly and want so badly to find a way to make it work for myself. Needless to say I spent many hours in front of the mirror modeling various combos, yet each time I would frown at the less than satisfying end result. Until Wednesday, that is, when i managed to put together something that finally didn't make me look three times my usual size. 

I apologize for the boring backgrounds of my photos. I will have to  get more creative :) Dress: Macy's; Sweater wrap: H&M; Belt: Kohl's; Socks: Century 21; Shoes: Simply Vera Vera Wang; Necklace: Amrita Singh, Watch: Michael Kors

All day long I got compliments on my "boots" lol. I guess the socks and shoes kind of run together if you aren't looking closely. 

Sorry for the poor quality of the photos. I have been having difficulties with my camera  unfortunately. 

The sweater is sooo comfy!

Found these on sale at Kohl's this summer and have been meaning to wear them ever since! Nothing like the first wear of a new love, right? :)

Ok, now I want to hear your tales of looks it took you a while to perfect. What was the look and how did you finally master it? Do you live for layering or does the style trip you up? How was YOUR weekend?

Oh, don't forget to enter my In Fashion giveaway before Thursday!!

Bisous!

 

Unveiling...

How many of you have that one chic accessory that you know in an instant will add glam to any outfit? The one that had you saving your pretty little pennies for quite awhile before dashing out to satisfy your craving. The one that can make you feel completely grown-up on the outside, no matter what youthful desires are screaming on the inside to be let out. Well, my darlings, I am pleased to say that I have now joined your club. Never did I imagine myself admiring an accessory quite as much as I have been doing with this beauty for several weeks. It seemed to be everywhere! With each blog I read that displayed it tantalizingly, I grew more and more enamored, until I finally broke down and decided it was unhealthy to deprive myself of such a strong "want". Yes, I know it was not necessarily a need, but hey, sometimes a girl just deserves a treat!! And so, without further adieu, I present you with....

My absolute obsession! I had been seeing Michael Kors beauties glistening in the blogosphere for quite some time and I just couldn't resist their allure any longer! I managed to get a great deal on my lovely watch, but it was still a good bit more than I typically allow myself to spend on an accessory. However, I feel totally justified in my purchase, because I know it is a classic piece that I will wear all the time. Plus, there is something to be said for how put-together I feel donning this gem every day. It is my first "adult" piece of jewelry and I couldn't be happier!

With three freelance articles worth of work clasped around my wrist, I have a permanent reminder of how great it feels to work hard for something that you truly want. Even though this purchase was definitely a "want" and not a "need", in a way I think that makes me appreciate it even more!

I couldn't wait to try out several of my new purchases today, and with the Palestinian Ambassador to the U.S. coming in today, it seemed like the perfect day to feel grown-up.

I was so in love with this printed sundress that I picked up in Georgetown this weekend, that I couldn't let it idle in my closet until spring. But with the half cardi, tights and wedges it made for a perfect transition outfit. Cardigan: Anne Taylor, Dress: Urban Outfitters, Tights: Topshop, Wedges: Steve Madden, Watch: Michael Kors, Ring and necklace: Grandmother's vintage, Bracelet: Personal Accents, Purse: Handbag Heaven, Scarf: Paris

Added my favorite scarf to my structured, lady-like handbag to give it a youthful vibe. It also conveniently complimented the subtle pink throughout the dress.

Showing off the watch :)

Though my love of shoes seems to have taken a back seat to my watch in this post, I can't totally ignore my absolute favorite pair currently! Never have I had such a comfortable, cute shoe!!

It was love at first step :) (Yes, I really am a cornball)

So dolls, what accessory gives you that total grown up chic confidence? Have you come to love a certain piece of your jewelry collection so much that you feel naked stepping out of the door without it? I'd love to hear all about it! A big thank you to all my lovely readers and followers! Hearing from you always just makes my day :)

Bisous!

Pretty in pink

Hello bellas! Oh the joy of working two jobs and not hoping into bed until 3 am.... and yet I am still blogging. Guess that makes me crazy! Well I apologize, but I am going to keep this short for now since my eyes are fighting to stay open, and who knows what I might write in this sleep-deprived state! :) I will leave you with just my outfit pictures for now, but check back tomorrow afternoon for an updated post! Every Wednesday in October is show your pink support day at my office, which naturally I love for many reasons, so of course I had to join the cause! Not that it was a hardship since I am obsessed with pink anyways. Ok ladies, good night and good luck!


(P.S. I was doing sooo well on no shoe buying... until today)

In honor of yesterday's tribute to scarves, I had to show you one of my personal favorites! Shirt: H&M Paris, Dress: BCBG, Scarf: Paris, Leggings: Paris, Boots: Madden Girl, Watch: White House Black Market, Rings: Charlotte Russe, Grandmother's vintage collection, Earrings: gifted.

One of my favorite purchases from Paris, and I got it from a street vendor for 3 euros!

Even sporting my breast cancer awareness watch! I know it is a little hard to see but the ring on my pinky is one of my absolute faves! It is one of my grandmother's vintage rings and she gave it to my mother the day I was born, because it was my birth stone. I love wearing sentimental pieces and this one is beautiful to boot. Unfortunately my fingers are larger than my grandmother's so it only fits my pinky. But I still wear it!

Yes, I know this has nothing to do with clothes, but how cute are these breast cancer awareness cookies?? I couldn't resist them in the caf. today! I still haven't eaten them, but I have no doubt they will be as delicious as they are adorable!

Bisous!