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! 

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!

My FAVORITE summer color!

I love wearing white, but I really LOVE wearing teal (also known as aqua maybe? :)) - so what better than to pair them together!  The colors in this outfit really complimented each other, as the teal was subtle yet still bright for a contrast.  This shirt is perfect for summer, the bright color, detail, and light material, I think it has a delicate look.  I knew white pants would pair well color wise but I chose the skinny jeans because of the cinched waist and flowy bottom of the shirt.  You wouldn't want to wear a bottom that was wide leg, it would not accent the design and cut of the shirt.  

I kept the jewelry light with my favorite necklace - silver initial - A - from Ross Simons, simple piece but always works!  The watch is where I added some style - a Curli Q Wrap Watch from Speidel!  My boyfriend just so happens to work there so get to check out the new designs - pretty cool isn't it?? I love how it wraps around your wrist! 

Aside from the rhinestone studded watch, I went with some flare on the shoes too.  They are a neutral color so they go with a lot but the flower puff on the side is a really cute detail!  You should get a pair - $12.99 at Marshalls - can't go wrong!

Tip: Don't be afraid to wear white - especially with a splash of teal! 

PS. Besides the accessories - my whole look is Marshalls :)

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!

Does it pass the like or LOVE test?

My color pallet was pretty plain today, a lot of tan with a pop of PINK.  Lets start with the shirt, this sleeveless top is always a big hit, it must be the detail of ruffled flowers.  I also love the color scheme of the fabric, the pink and tan go nicely with each other, a very soft look.  Today it was a business casual day for me, I pulled out a tan pencil skirt.  Although you couldn't tell today, its pretty versatile because its high waisted, wearing a top tucked in is a very different look!  To cover my shoulders I added this rose petal sweater.  Its something I pull out of my closet all of the time, it goes with everything!  All three of these pieces were Marshalls finds - I LOVE that place.  

For accessories I went with my gold jewelry, my goto chunky watch and bangles from Alex and Ani.  I wore one of my favorites today - Pursue Happiness.  Short and sweet but so true.  

Now to my favorite part of the outfit - the SHOES.  I saw these shoes at Gap few weeks ago, but I ended up putting them back.  This weekend I was back in the store and just couldn't pass them up, I LOVE them.  I originally wanted a teal colored pair they had but I knew I would get more use out of the tan.  The wooden heel is definitely in, get yourself a pair!   

The just like or LOVE rule - If you're not sure if you should buy something, put it back and leave the store.  If you keep thinking about it a few days later then you actually do LOVE it and not just like - GO BACK AND GET IT!  This was the case for my new wooden wedges.  Do I really need them? Probably not, but I realized I did really love them because I kept wishing I had them to wear.  Most of the time I leave something at the store and forget about it as quick as I walk into the next store.  Try this test next time your out shopping, I swear it works!  

Crochet details gave the look!

I wasn't sure what I wanted to wear today so as I flipped through my closet I found this cute top.  Navy blue with a crochet detail around the edges and neck.  The winged sleeves and elastic waist give the shirt a really cute style (TJ Maxx).  To accent the cream crochet I wore off white jeans (GAP) and simple sandals.  I'm not sure if you'd call it nautical but I thought gold jewelry went well!  Besides the shirt having crochet detail, I kept the rest pretty simple.  Just my chunky gold (Speidel) watch and a simple diamond necklace (Forever 21).

Key: Let the shirt be the focus.