Inspiration - Kimono Styling

About a month ago I snagged two great kimonos from Forever 21.  They were inexpensive and a great way to fuel my obsession without spending tons of money. The different styles of the two kimonos give me lots of options. The black embroidered kimono is my favorite. The embroidery makes it look like a much more expensive piece.

Forever 21: Down to Earth Woven Kimono / Tropical Floral Chiffon Kimono (no longer available)

I have worn them a few times already but I'm stuck in a styling rut. I paired them with a thin, solid color t-shirt and jeans (white and blue). There are tons of other ways to wear them and I went in search of inspiration. I found some great new ideas that I will be trying soon.

photo credits: Life with Emily / Macarena Gea / Jag Lever / Free People Blog / The Sartorialist / International Street Style / Song of Style / Hello Fashion

Styling the Basics - Weekend Edition

I feel like it's been a long week already, which is very sad, since it's only Tuesday. I'm already longing for the weekend. I decided to appease my weekend desire and style some of the basic foundation pieces I told you about last week. As I told you these foundation pieces are like a blank canvas for accessories. Just by adding different touches you can change an entire look.

Click the items for buying information.

For me, weekends call for easy walking shoes and layers. I'm usually doing lots of things, activities for organizations, errands, and maybe lunch out with friends. I don't always have time to run home to change, so my outfit has to work for everything. This one works because it's comfortable and stylish but casual enough for the weekend. The bag is great for errands and the standout jacket gives it punch for lunch out with friends. I snagged this jacket, over the weekend at Target (with a left over Christmas gift card). I can't stop wearing it.

 

Just by changing up the shoes, bag and jewelry, this versatile black dress goes from rock show to a date night dinner. The leather jacket and booties give the dress a rocker vibe. The cross body bag works to keep my hands free at a show, where I may be standing the whole night. Swap out the booties for heels and the cross body bag for a clutch. Add some sparkly jewelry and I'm ready for a fancy dinner with {msL}.

Accessories can be the least expensive items in your wardrobe. Starting with basic pieces, you can use them to totally change your look.

Inspiration - Leopard Print Coat

Last year, I got my birthday wish and my mom gave me the leopard coat I'd been coveting. I love it so much and wear it often, during cold weather.

ASOS - my Leopard Coat (no longer available, similar here)

Leopard is sophisticated and statement making. It's easy to style with a dressy outfit like an LBD or a leather skirt. For me it's not as easy to style it when I'm going casual. It should be easy because a casual outfit can be a blank canvas. But on casual weekends I usually amp up my simple look with rhinestones or over the top shoes. My thinking has always been that I need to keep the rest of my outfit simple and let the coat be the star. I went in search of some inspiration in the form of other bloggers.





Click the photos above to go to their great blogs.



 

As you can see there are some very simple outfits but others begin simple and amp up the style with shoes and accessories. Now it's my turn. This is how I think I will style my coat this weekend. Casual but still a standout.

 

 ASOS leopard fur coat, / Old Navy chunky cable sweater / NYDJ jeans / ASOS black leather booties / Coach Willis handbag / Stella Dot Portia / Stella Dot silver Renegade / Stella Dot gold Renegade

Now my styling brain is on turbo and I can't wait to come up with tons of casual outfits for my leopard coat.

Frugal Fashion Friday - Styling Your Sale Buys

End of season sale purchases are only bargains if you can get some wear out of them in the current season and transition them to the next season. I believe that most wardrobe pieces should be multi-seasonal. All of the pieces I chose for the post last Friday can do multi-season duty. Here is how I would style some of those pieces.



Click on the items above for buying information.

 

By combining the shorts with a leather trim blouse, you give them edge. Add some heels, statement jewelry and a bright bag for a fun outfit for going out.

Click on the items above for buying information.

Your cropped pants get some polish with a buttoned denim shirt, a jacket and a lady like bag. Add a statement necklace, designer shades and some sneakers to top off the outfit for weekend errands.

Click on the items above for buying information.

 

A short sleeve cashmere sweater and a jacket add warmth to the summer skirt. A few accessories, including some versatile nude pumps make this outfit work for the office.

All of the jewelry and the fun coral bag styled with these outfits are by Stella and Dot.

Enter to win the $50 Stella and Dot gift card that I'm giving away!  Just click here to enter!

Rainy Shopping - The Essentials

I'm taking some time off this week to visit my Mom and have time with my sister and my Honey.  I love after Christmas shopping but today it's raining and I think that takes a little strategy.  Hauling packages and running from store to store can be a bummer in the rain. With a little wardrobe planning you can brave the day, still look great and get in some power shopping!

Clockwise from top left: Chooka Serpentis Rain Boots, Goody Double Duty Hair Ties, KDNY Kelsi Dagger bag,
Chooka Preakness Rain Boots, ISAACMIZRAHILIVE! by QVC Snake Print Jacket,
Forever 21 Houndstooth Stitch Cross Body Bag

I think that rainy day shopping calls for four essential items; a coat or jacket with a hood, stylish rain boots, a cross body bag (preferrably water resistant) and hair ties.

1. Rain Coat or Hacket with a Hood - When I hauling packages, I don't want to have to juggle an umbrella.  A hood keeps your "do" looking great and keeps your hands free. If you aren't a hat person or don't want to wear a hat all day, a hood is your go to. The Water Resistant Snake Print Jacket from ISAACMIZRAHILIVE! by QVC is a great option. It comes in four colors, has a hood, looks stylish and comes in all sizes for $77.34.
2. Stylish Rain Boots - These two pairs by Chooka are great. They don't scream rainboot, which I love. They can also double as a cold weather boot. The metallic print of the Serpentis boots are stylish and affordable at only $34.31.  The Preakness boots are a bit more expensive at $80 but they are so stylish you could get away with wearing them when there is nary a cloud in the sky.
3. Cross Body Bag - You need your hands free for a day of shopping but also for lugging your purchases to the car.  You don't want to worry about your bag and these are faux leather so they won't be ruined by the rain. The KDNY Kelsi Dagger bag is fun with the blue trim and chain strap for $75.  The Houndstooth Stitch bag in mustard is a bright color on a cloudy day and is very affordable at $22.81 from Forever 21.
4. Hair Ties - If you are like me your hair hates the rain.  I usually go for a pony tail on days like this one or I start out with my hair down and relent later in the day. These hair ties by Goody are genius. They look like bracelets but are the same dependable Goody hair ties you've used for years. They are called Double Duty for a reason. You get three ties for about $4.99.

Happy Rainy Day Shopping

Real Girls!

Take it to the Max

I'm thrilled because all of the Spring magazine issues are heralding that the maxi is here to stay.  I love a great maxi dress or skirt because the styling options are endless.  I have several favorite maxis and here are some ways I've styled them.

There is a great site that coordinates a fun activity every month.  Fashion bloggers style the same piece of clothing in different ways.

I can't wait to style this skirt and dress for Spring and Summer. They are so soft and flowly and will make a great base for exciting warm wearther outfits. 

Quick Style: Just a Cluster

I love quick and easy ways to make an outfit special, different or fun. I can't take credit for this trick (I read it in a magazine at some point). However, I employed this trick during my teen years in the 80s. Back then I used my denim jacket and concert buttons but it's the same idea.

Just take a few different pins and cluster them on the shoulder of your cardigan or the lapel of your jacket.

Isn't that simple?  The beauty is that you don't even have to give thought to the size or color. It's brainless. Mismatching is the key. That's what makes it interesting. If you'd like to try this and don't have any pins or brooches, you can pick some up at the thrift or vintage store. I love the grab bins where you can get them for $1. Mix it up, to your hearts content.