Work Day to Date Night the Easy Way

Long commutes and a long work day, usually mean that if I have plans after work, I won't have time to go home and change. I like to create outfits that are work appropriate but also easy to transition to an evening out. I've managed to score us tickets to a movie screening of the upcoming release, Hit & Run with Kristen Bell and Bradley Cooper. It will be a fun date night and I want to look great. So too my closet I went. Most of the time all you need to transition from day to night is an evening bag, some amped up make-up and a little shift in your outfit.

I'm fortunate to work in a relaxed office where many styles of dress are accepted. I love my trouser jeans because the dark wash gives them a dress pants look. In many offices, jeans aren't acceptable on any day but Friday. If jeans don't fit at your office, you could go for a pair of trousers or ankle pants. I like the idea of pairing them with a sequin tank. I'll cover it with a draped, cropped, blazer for the office and take it off after work. I grabbed some of my favorite jewelry that works day or night and my new favorite leopard heels. A studded top handle bag is perfect for day but I'll switch to a smaller clutch for evening. The studs will toughen up the pretty sequin tank. I'll change my lipstick from a subtle nude for day to a deep fuchsia for night and I'll add a bit more dark eyeliner for a smokey look. Those simple changes will take me from office to evening. So easy!

Just Simple

There are many times that I get dressed and ask myself, "Do I want to take pictures of this outfit for the blog?"  I don't want to bore all of you with jeans and a t-shirt or a skirt and cardigan.  There are mornings when I get up and don't feel like putting lots of thought into my outfit so I go for the easy options. I gravitate toward those old standbys.  I love getting dressed up but sometimes jeans and a top make the perfect outfit.  This outfit is one of those. It's a simple t-shirt style top with some oomph paired with my fave pair of straight leg jeans.  I wasn't wearing any jewelry when I originally put this outfit together.  Well, except for the jewelry I wear every day (my engagement ring, the bracelet that was gift from {msL} and earrings).  Then I received an amazing package in the mail, from Kristin, my friend and Stella & Dot stylist. Of course I had to add more jewelry.

Top - Calvin Klein (similar here), Jeans - Lane Bryant, Sandals - Simply Vera Wang Kohl's (no longer available), Bag - Fendi (gift), Sunglasses - D&G via Loehmann's (also here), Bracelets (on right)- c/o Stella & Dot, Ring - c/o Stella & Dot, Bracelets (on left) - gift and vintage, Watch - Timex via Target, Earrings - Target (no longer available), Toes - Wet n' Wild Spoiled in Tip Your Waitress, Nails - Revlon ColorStay in Bare Bones, Lips - Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Lovesick

I received these lovely gifts from Stella & Dot stylist Kristin.  I'm in love!  They are the perfect combo of tough and pretty (Soiree Trio Ring, Renegade Cluster Bracelet, Revival Bracelet, and Toujours Bracelet) .  If you own some Stella & Dot bracelets yourself or want to grab a few, Stella & Dot is holding a contest right now.  If you snap a photo of your arm party via Instagram and upload it with the hashtag #SDarmparty, you could win a $500 Stella & Dot shopping spree!! (Details here)

Search for your own gold sequin top via Shop Style.com

gold sequin top

Frugal Fashion Friday - Casual Sparkles

Fridays always make me think of versatile outfits that I can wear while I'm out doing errands and then go out to dinner and drinks later.  This outfit is just that. It combines casual day time elements with night time sparkle. You don't have to limit your sparkly pieces to evening.  My favorite way to wear sequins during the day is by dressing them down with tough and casual pieces.  Today I'm also doing another link up with Friday's Fancies on {long distance loving}. The challenge today was chambray and it fits perfectly with the casual sparkle of today's outfit.

The tunic style and roll up sleeves on this chambray shirt from Target, give it versatility.

I love the rose gold color of this sequin skirt by Lela Rose for HSN. 

Frye 8R Engineer boots are a classic. I love how they lend a casual rocker vibe to the sparkly skirt. They are a bit on the pricey side but these boots will last for many years and you know I value quality and cost per wear.

Mixing metals, sparkles, and adding tough spikes and a snake are a compliment to the boots.

Stella & Dot Renegade Cluster Necklace

Stella & Dot Sidewinder Ring

Stella & Dot Revival Bracelet

A lady like bag with motorcycle boots is fun and this Twist Lock Crossbody bag from Forever 21 will make running errands or standing at the bar easier.

I'm loving Revlon ColorBurst Lip Butter. Sweet Tart is my favorite color.

With temps in the mid 70's lately in DC, this outfit will be perfect from day to night. I can't wait to wear it!   How do you wear chambray?

I'm sure you noticed that all of the jewelry I picked for this outfit is from Stella & Dot.  They have great jewelry and the quality is fantastic. I've just partnered with stylist Kristin Biggs of Stella & Dot to bring you some great new jewelry and some surprises.  I can't wait to share them with you.  Check out my instagram feed followgram to see the Femme Fatale necklace and Nouvelle ring I was sporting yesterday.  I'll be featuring them in an outfit post soon.

Happy Friday Real Girls!

Changing the World, One Sequin at a Time

When I read this quote by Lady Gaga it was the perfect inspiration for the title of this post.  So appropriate!

"And now I'm just tying to change the world, one sequin at a time." - Lady Gaga

It's kind of a running joke with my friends and family that I'm hopelessly attracted to almost anything with sparkle or sequins.  My friends, I have to admit, it's almost impossible for me to pass anything by that sparkles.  I have to think twice and look three times.  They just make me happy.  On my birthday this year it was cold and rainy.  I decided that didn't matter. I put on my sequin skirt, added tights and moto boots and I was ready to go.  My Honey asked me why I was so dressed up. I said, "Well I'm not really that dressed up." I was wearing a white button down with the skirt and moto boots.  No silk or heels in sight.  That kind of sums up my philosophy. I think that sequins and sparkles shouldn't just be for special occasions.  They can make you feel great every day.

I spied this skirt on a fellow blogger and when I found it on sale, it had to be mine. I've worn it often in the past year, to events, daytime, and my birthday dinner. 

Clockwise from top left:  Sequin skirt - Avenue (no longer available), DIY necklace with glitter safety pins,
same sequin skirt and thrifted Goodwill top, DIY bracelet, Sequin top - Macy's (no longer available), Birthday oufit , same sequin skirt and Moto Boots - Nine West

This post is for this month's Everybody Everywear item, Sequins and Sparkles.  Click on the link to check out all of the other blogger outfits.

Do you love sequins and sparkle as much as I do?

Haven't Lost that Loving Feeling

I thought I might get tired of this skirt but I can't wait to wear it and everytime I do, it makes me smile.  I know I've worn a similar outfit but I styled this one up for the JewelMint Style Challenge.  Using my favorite silver JewelMint bracelets and stacking them, I pulled on this skirt, a tank and a blousy shirt.  To toughen it a little I added a studded belt.

Shirt - Talbots via Goodwill, Tank - Target, Skirt - Avenue, Belt - Torrid, Sandals - Kohl's
Bracelets - JewelMint, Ring - JewelMint, Watch - Target

I realized as I was wearing this outfit that the clothing (just the clothing, no accessories) only cost $17!!!  The skirt was $10 on the sale rack from Avenue. The tank cost $3, Target sale rack and the shirt was $4 at Goodwill.  I was even amazed at myself.

I tweeted a photo of my outfit for the JewelMint Style Challenge and I found out today that I was selected as one of the winners!  It was a great surprise.  I've seen so many stylish JewelMint lovers that I couldn't believe I'd been selected.  This was a fun last minute entry.

L to R:  JewelMint West End bracelet, Sienna bracelet, Coda cuff

If you like the JewelMint bracelets you see or would like to see more, just click here and go to the JewelMint site.  They have so many great pieces, be careful or you'll end up going on a shopping spree.

Every Girl Needs Some Sparkle

I got this skirt in the spring. I was thrilled to find it because I thought it was no longer available. One of my favorite bloggers, Sarah of StyleIT was wearing it in a post and I thought it was fantastic. It was no longer available on the website and I thought it wouldn't be mine.  Luckily, during a shopping trip with my mom I found it on the sale rack at Avenue for only $9! I wore it a few months ago to a fundraising dinner, all dressed up with a tuxedo jacket and heels. I love the skirt so much that I had to wear it for day. I couldn't let it collect dust in the closet waiting for a special occasion. Sparkle always brightens my day.

Shirt - Converse One Star for Target, Skirt - Avenue, Shoes - Simply Vera Vera Wang for Kohl's,
Belt - Target, Earrings - Gift, Bracelets - JewelMint and Saks off 5th, Ring - JewelMint

I caused a bit of s stir in this outfit. During the day I had someone comment on my sparkly skirt, everywhere I went. It definitely makes you feel good to get positive comments about an outfit or part of an outfit. When I got home, it had started to rain and I rushed to get photos before the downpour started. I just couldn't let this outfit go by without sharing it with all of you.

L to R: Sienna Bracelet - JewelMint, Stud Cuff - Saks off 5th, New Wave Ring - JewelMint

I wanted to toughen up the sparkle with some hard jewelry. I've had the studded cuff for a while and love to stack it with other bracelets.  The Sienna bracelet is one of my favorite JewelMint pieces and the New Wave ring is one of my latest JewelMint acquisitions.

How do you spice up your every day outfits? 

Do you want your own New Wave ring or Sienna bracelet?  Or would you like to see some other great JewelMint pieces? If you have never ordered from JewelMint before you can get 50% off of your first piece from JewelMint with the special link and code below.

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