Day to Night

 

Blazer:         Topshop   

Shirt:            Gap (old)   
Skirt:            The Limited (old, but similar here   
Shoes:          Tahari (on sale for $35!)  
Watch:         Michael Kors  

Last Thursday, the lovely, Miami-based designer Carolina Benoit hosted a Blogger’s Tea Party at her studio.  This is what I wore.  Since I knew I would be going to the party straight from work, I had to wear something that was work appropriate, but that would transition easily into the night.  I chose this outfit because I thought it was the perfect mix of classic silhouettes (pencil skirt and blazer), which make the outfit professional, and fun colors, which make the outfit party-worthy. To spice it up a little more, I switched out the nude pumps that I wore to work with these snakeskin sandals.  Stay tuned for pictures from the tea party!

An Ode to the Forever 21 Gods

Shirt:             Zara       

Skirt:             Forever 21 (old, but similar here)       
Shoes:           MIA (on sale for $39.99!! last seen here)
Bracelets:     David Yurman 

You know that feeling when your friend calls you at work on a Friday inviting you to go out and you almost say no because even though your closet is full you have absolutely nothing to wear?  Instead of saying no you make a quick stop at Forever 21 on your way home because at this point anything is better than wearing something you already have?  Then… just as you’re about to surrender, you find a diamond in the rough?  A dress so perfect that it just makes you want to run over and hug the random lady going through the rack next to you?

 Or what about that feeling when you’ve been at the mall all day and haven’t found a thing?  Exhausted, you almost walk right past Forever 21, thinking to yourself …“I just can’t right now”? But then, in a last ditch effort to buy something you go in? And as you’re reluctantly making your way through the chaos, you spot it?  A garment so perfect it could not possibly cost $19.80?  A piece of clothing so special you wish there was someone you could thank for creating such a masterpiece? A Forever 21 god, perhaps?

 No? Well, maybe I’m crazy… but this happens to me all the time.

Take this faux leather skirt for example.  A few weeks ago I was on a business trip in Houston, TX.  When I got to my hotel, of course my room wasn’t ready.  So, I asked the girl at the front desk if there was a place I could walk to while I waited.  She said (completely seriously), “have you ever heard of Forever 21?”  While the sarcastic, overly tired, pissed that my room wasn’t ready, voice in my head thought “No, ma’am, actually I haven’t,” I put on my prettiest fake smile and said, “of course!”  She gave me a map and I was on my way.

 As I was taking my sweet time, going through each and every rack, I found this amazing skirt.  Its faux leather (or “vegan leather” as I prefer to call it) and only cost $19.80.  Seriously.  The “leather” is really soft, and feels and looks just like the real thing.  The fit is perfect (not too tight/long/short), and the seaming gives it a more expensive look.  They also had it in a cognac brown color (which was even nicer than the black one), but of course they didn’t have it in my size.  I haven’t seen this skirt available on the Forever 21 website but if you come across it in the store, buy it in both colors! I’m telling you, you won’t be disappointed.

 

 

Coral

Jacket:            Zara (old, but similar here)

Skirt:               Mango (old, but similar here)

The first time I wore this skirt I was visiting my parents. As I came out of my room, very impressed with my new skirt, my Dad looked at me with a straight face and said… “So, you’re going for the Amish look today?” In case there is any confusion, he did not mean it as a compliment.  Since my Dad’s idea of  high fashion is Costco brand jeans and Timberland work boots, I brushed off his comment and went on my way. Anyway, Amish or not, I love this skirt. I love the bright color and the flowiness of the fabric. It is very girly, but the army green jacket gives it a bit of an edge.  I bought this jacket in the beginning of the summer and have been waiting months to wear it! 



Shades of Fall

Shirt:                Gap (old, but similar here)
Skirt:                JCrew
Necklace:        Banana Republic (old, but similar here)
Shoes:              Steve by Steve Madden (old, but similar here, also dying for these)

 Even though it is still ridiculously hot in Miami, I’ve been dying wear all my pretty fall-colored clothes.  As I’ve told you guys before, the colorful JCrew No. 2 pencil skirts are an obsession of mine.  I love the way the mustard yellow looks combined with the leopard print.  I think the neutral shirt is a nice balance to the bright skirt and wild shoes. 

 I’m already thinking of other ways to wear mustard and leopard this season.  Like my Zara leopard pants…

Wednesday Work Inspiration

 

Look 1:

Shirt:    Everly (old, but similar here)
Skirt:    Ann Taylor (old, but similar here)

Look 2:

Shirt:    Calvin Klein
Skirt:    The Limited

Happy hump day!  Here’s some inspiration to help get you through the rest of the week.  I’m going to New York on Friday (for ten days!!), so I’m dying for this week to be over.

P.S.  Remember these sandals I told you about??  Well, I ordered them.  They came.  And they suck L.  Very poor quality, awkward fit, and super uncomfortable.  I’m sad because I really wanted these shoes, but they are going back.  I guess I can cross Asos Harlot Sandal off the List.

Wear-to-Work

Shirt:                The Gap (old, but similar here)

Skirt:                 The Limited

Shoes:              Joan & David (old, but similar here)

Necklace:        Banana Republic (old, but similar here )

For some reason I can’t stand wearing suits.  Every time I put one on I feel like a little kid playing dress up in my mother’s clothes.  That being said, I try to avoid wearing them at all costs (except when I have to, like when I go to court).  So, my work uniform usually consists of separates, mainly pencil skirts and blouses.  For the past year I’ve been a huge fan of the bright colored pencil skirts from J Crew (I have yellow and green).  I think wearing a classic silhouette, but in an eye-catching color, is a great way to add style to your work wardrobe without looking too over the top. 

This weekend, while strolling around the mall, I wandered into the Limited and found the skirt pictured above.  Such a great find!! It’s just like the J Crew skirts, but at a fraction of the price (originally $59.95, I got mine on sale, only $39.95!!).  The skirt is fully lined, made of a nice thick fabric, and did not wrinkle, even after a full day of wear (I despise clothes that wrinkle easily).  It also comes in a bunch of really pretty colors (I got the red and the purple).