Sleek and Sophisticated

Sleek blouses are very popular right now, anything satin (polyester gives the same look) and sheer is sure to be a win. I instantly loved the style of this look when I saw it in Ann Taylor Loft, the color and trim detail sealed the deal.

This top is simple with a neutral color, but it has sleek detail with black trim along the cuffs and neck - borderline colorblock. The best touch is noticed from the back - the trim around the neck continues into an elegant black tie. Personally, I love when the sleeve of a blouse has fitted and buttoned cuffs, causing the sleeve to balloon over the wrist.

To accessorize this blouse I chose brushed gold as the accent and paired my Alex and Ani charmed necklace. I love the detail of the rings and delicate touch of the heart charm at the end. To match, I added my chunky gold watch to the look.  A simple, yet great choice for the office or a casual night out! 

Tip: Some of my favorite places to find this style blouses - The Loft, Gap, Banana Republic, and Marshalls! 

Dressing up a Plain T

Well it was a plain T kind of day but I wanted to add something that would give it a little style.  Plain T's are perfect for adding a fashionable necklace, even something on the chunkier side will work well.  When I'm in the stores, I always try and take a peak at their jewelry.  You never know what you'll find on their sale or clearance wall, just might be the necklace you've been looking for!

This necklace was a Kohl's find - clearance tag for $8.00.  Try not to over spend on fashion jewelry, it's better to get a few different pieces on sale that you can switch around then spending a lot on one necklace.

Have fun with it!

T-shirt: Marshalls

Sweater: Ann Taylor Loft 

Necklace: Kohl's 

Browns and Boots

Well we're in full fall swing - browns and boots.  This was a recent outfit I pulled together, I went with lots of layers.  This skirt is a Gap find, perfect with tights and also works with bare leg in warmer weather.  I kept it simple with a heather gray v-neck t-shirt and then layered on a simple zip cardigan from The Loft.  Its a must to have basics in your wardrobe to mix and match to make many different looks.  A plain black sweater like this will get you a long way.

To add some life to the look I paired a light brown belt around my waist, layered on a brushed gold necklace and my chunky gold watch and bangles.  Brushed gold and bronze jewelry are perfect for accenting the fall colors in your wardrobe!

The best part of my look are my favorite fall boots.  These are classic distressed brown riding boot style, that go with so many of my fall outfits.  I swear they get better with age!  These are a Nine West find from their vintage line - I've been in love since I got them! They don't have the exact style, but check out this years vintage line here!  

Purple Pants and Ankle Boots - Fashion of the Season!

Well I finally found a pair of purple pants this weekend!  Added bonus, they have a cool floral scroll pattern in the corduroy fabric that adds great depth.  Where can you find these, check out Ann Taylor Loft - I picked them up at 60% off in stores but you can get them at 40% now!!  Not only are they pretty different, but this color is so in for the fall!

Strolling through the mall, I stopped in Bakers to see what they had.  Ankle boots are in this year so my eye quickly was drawn to this cute pair.  Here is a similar pair from their site, but the ones I picked up were on sale for $39.99 and the color is a little lighter.  Not only are they ankle boots but the side zipper is a great detail.

Since the pants were such a statement I toned it down with a simple gray shirt and scarf.  I wanted the pants and boots to be the focus :)  It's pretty cold in the morning so I threw on a sweatshirt jacket I found at Marshalls.  The button detail gives it the perfect touch! 

Tip: Pick up a pair of ankle boots (with a side zipper if you can)!  Don't be afraid to add some bright skinny pants to your wardrobe, purple/burgundy is a hit fall color this season!

Your Staple Black Skirt

Today's look was business casual focused.  The main item is my staple black skirt.  Every girl/lady 20+ needs to have a black pencil skirt in their closet. This one is a Banana Republic find and is great because of the detail.  It has pleats and pockets in the front with a belted waist - giving it some additional style.  These skirts are perfect for all weather, wear it in the summer with sandals and throw it on in the fall/winter with tights and boots.

Paired with the skirt, I chose a slate blue button up from Ann Taylor Loft.  Normally I leave it untucked with dress pants or jeans but I dressed it up today and tucked it into the skirt.  Tucking it in gives the outfit a clean look, exposing the detail of the skirt.  Cuffing the sleeves also softens the look.  Such simple apparel calls for some jewelry so I went with a new piece from Brighton.  A thin long necklace would also work, but I chose something shorter and a bit heavier.  Don't you like it?  It was a birthday present from Mom :) xo.  I'm a summer girl so I like to hold onto summer till the very end.  Seeing as its still hot and humid, I chose a pair of basic black sandals that had black rhinestones on the straps.

Tip: Versatile pieces are going to make your closet go a long way!

Black and White with a Touch of Silver

I've had this shirt hanging in my closet for a while, but today I finally took the tags off.  I actually think it was around January when I bought it, I knew the material was summer appropriate. It was something I picked up from Ann Taylor Loft off the sale wall, perfect shirt for work.  To be honest, when I first saw it on the hanger, I didn't think much of it.  It sounds odd, but sometimes the "ugly" well what appears to be at first glance, looks great and is an awesome find!

I've been waiting to wear it with white pants and a little tan.  What really sold me was the detail ruffled front and also the thin silver thread.  Although plain, paired with bottoms that gave contrast and a silver necklace, it all came together.  These pants are from Gap, something I picked up as a basic for the office.  White dress pants are a must for the summer!

You've seen this necklace before, a thin silver strand that gives just the right touch.  To add some style to the look a wore a black floral headband.  Keeping the clothes basic allowed me to add snaz with a hair accessory.    

Tip: Pair black and white together for a classic look 

Lush Lavender

I knew today was a business casual day so I picked this dress out last night.  When I was getting ready this morning I knew I at least had the base picked out - a simple lavender dress.  I found this dress at The Loft last season on the sale wall, what a find!  Silver would work too, but I added gold to accent the color.  Being so basic, this dress allows you to layer on a long or chunky necklace to showcase.  I loved how this necklace tied the look together, the diamond colors in the flower and straight piece went great with the colors in the dress.  Believe it or not, I picked this necklace up at Kohls, by Lauren Conrad.  Keeping it simple this morning, I only went with my gold watch, I just wasn't feeling extra bracelets today.

Continuing the simple trend, I pulled my hair back into a low ballerina bun.  I just didn't feel like having it in my face and pulling it into a clean bun is a great trick!  Pull it back into a ponytail, twist it around, and secure with elastic - easy! 

Tip: No matter what store you're in, always keep your eyes peeled for the jewelry.  You want to have a variety to choose from so costume stuff is great!  

Star burst Stripes - Marshalls Find

You never know what you'll find in the clearance racks at Marshalls.  The last time I was there, I flipped through the rack and found this really cute sleeveless top - only $15.00.  I love the striped pattern, but most of all I love how the fabric is gathered across the waist, creating what I describe as a star burst.  The color isn't too exciting but the design is really neat and that's where accessories come into play.  I paired a chunkier style necklace, but stuck with the subtle colors.  This piece is from one of my favorite spots in Providence - Domain!  Of course I wore my gold watch and a bangle set.  I didn't go with anything special for bottoms, just simple black legging jeans from Gap - pretty comfortable I must add!  I added a short sleeve sweater from The Loft to cover my shoulders.  I just went with black sandals with a touch of gold to accent the rest of the outfit.  Just in case its not obvious, I wanted the shirt to be the focus so I kept everything else pretty basic.  

Tip: Don't underestimate the clearance racks at Marshalls!

Simplicity

I loved how this look pulled together, wide leg pale blue and a ruffly white top.  The pants are from Gap and are one of my favorites, I have them in navy blue too.  They're a great alternative to jeans, made out of a khaki material.  This shirt works well because of its simple design, yet stylish because of the ruffle detail.  I find it goes with a lot of different looks and adds just the right pop.  I found this shirt at Ann Taylor Loft.  With the clothes being pretty simple, I wanted to wear jewelry that had some life.  

I went with my normal gold bracelets and watch but spruced it up with these intricate dangle earrings - straight from Puerto Rico!  I LOVE the detail and soft look when you're wearing them.  I'd share where you can get a pair too but they came back from PR as a gift :)

Tip: Go BOLD with the accessories when your clothes are simple - keep it in proportion, but you can really make a statement with a piece when it is the focus.  

Cute summer wear!

The humidity is killing me... its a must to go with a dress or skirt in this weather.  Today I went with one of my favorites, a ruffle layered skirt from Ann Taylor Loft.  I've worn it in the past but this time I paired light colors for more of a summer look.  Wanting the skirt to be the focus, I wore a simple heather gray T (Marshalls). I like to wear fitted plain t's with skirts, easy to tuck in and doesn't get all bunched in the waist.


My accent color for the look was gold.  I wore my chunky gold watch (Speidel), gold ruffle sandals (Madden Girl), gold wire headband (the LOFT) and lastly, my new find - long gold layered necklace! I love this new piece, well first I must explain... I'm pretty sure I accidentally threw out my favorite layered gold necklace, you'll see it in posts below.  It was simple with two strands, and had small knots on each layer - I LOVED it!  I'm still pretty devastated about it but in the mean time I had to try and find a replacement.


What do you think?  I think its pretty cute!  I like the layered strands and think the flower and diamond piece are great details!  Guess where its from... believe it or not I was in Kohl's this weekend with my mom and noticed it on the clearance rack... thanks Lauren Conrad :)

Tip: Keep the colors light to stay cool

T-shirt with some style!

Today was another dreary day so it was time to pull the boots back out.  In rainy weather, I like to wear skirts and boots so I don't have to deal with wet pants that never dry.  Today I went with a a t-shirt I got at Ann Taylor Loft, white with lace and rhinestones around the collar.  Its not pictured, but it also has a black ribbon tie around the neck.  With this top I wore a black pencil skirt with a belted waist (Banana Republic).  I wore my go to black leather slouch boots but added gray knee high socks.

Tip: Add a twist - knee high socks give the boots a different look.

Layered necklace from embroidery thread

I'm back!  What a change from last weeks weather, I'd like the sunny and beautiful days back please!  I woke up this morning and wanted to wear something cozy but obviously had to be professional for the office.  I ended up choosing this basic cotton gray sweater.  I picked it up at Ann Taylor Loft and love how light weight it is.  While its a pretty simple design, I really like the satin strip on the back over the shoulders - just enough to make it a little different!

On to the best part of my look today - the Necklace!  This was a Jersey Shore find, yes the same one you'll find snooky at :)  If you're ever that way, make sure to stop at the B&B Department Store - great finds at great prices!  I saw this necklace and had to have it, simple but so different!  You could probably make it yourself, just embroidery thread and silver o rings.  I knew I would never sit down and do it and I think it was around $9.99.  

Tip:  Add a funky/different necklace to something basic to finish the look.  It also allows the piece to be the focus point.   

Casual blues and grays

Today I went with blues and grays.  I love this blue button up, the two chest pockets are my favorite details.  This was an Ann Taylor Loft find - of course on the sale wall!  To add some kick to it, I wore one of my favorite silver necklaces, its on the chunkier side but goes well because the shirt is so plain.  For bottoms I went with a pair of skinny gray pants and cute flats!  This outfit was on the plain side, but all worked well together!

  

Teal with a splash of purple!

Today was a teal day, with a splash of purple!  I love this dress, best part is I picked it up off the sale wall at Ann Taylor Loft!  Its just a simple dress with a synched waist, but add some accessories and its perfect!  To finish the look I added a wide brown belt and a shiny layered necklace.  With it being sleeveless, I added a thin sweater - everyone should have these types of sweaters in their closet!  

My look is a mix of several stores - dress for The Loft, belt from Nordstrom, Necklace from Domain and sweater from TJ Maxx.  When you're out shopping, don't be afraid to pickup different pieces... it all comes together when you have different options in the closet!

The Whole Look.