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!

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!  

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.

Life is short. Buy the shoes.

I went all out today, I knew it was going to be one of the last days to pretend it was summer. I decided last night that I was going to wear one of my new fashion finds - amazing leopard wedge heels, have to mention they were another $22 find! When I wear shoes that are this busy I always go with solids on the top. I want your eye to go straight to the shoes.

For clothes, I chose a high waisted tan pencil skirt and another fashion find from yesterday, a sleeveless black slit neck blouse.  It also has 2 cute pockets on the chest.  It's a little too early to wear sleeveless so I added one of my cotton black blazers that has gathered sleeves. I didn't want to fight with the shoes so I went with a necklace that blended in and my gold watch and bangles to go with the look.  I have to mention the picture below is curiosity of Bridget Reilly - great photographer!

What a nice Friday night, check out my view from above the East Greenwich, RI harbor!