The Cowl of the Wild

Happy hump day lovebugs. You're getting there. Today I thought we would look at some truly cozy and beautiful sweaters. A great cowl neck sweater has its own built in statement piece so all you need to do is create a simple outfit around it.

Express, Marl Cowl Neck Boxy Sweater, $59

Simple, relaxed, and cozy. What more could you want in a sweater?

Ann Taylor, Ribbed Cowl Neck Sweater, $49

A true classic. Beautiful navy that you can dress up or down.

The Limited, Textured Cowl Neck Sweater, $69

A great color that's a bit washed out for a more casual feel.

Nordstrom, Gibson Melange Knit Cowl Neck Top, $48

Comfort central. The look of a sweatshirt, the feel of a sweater, the style of Nordstrom.

A cowl neck sweater is a great addition to your sweater weather closet. It's super versatile and easy to mix with jeans, skirts, you name it.

Be fabulous today!

Shop this post

Oh Pleated Please

Let's talk pleats. Not your dad's four pleat khaki pants, I am talking dressed up, ladylike pleats. They give movement to a dress/skirt/top and they are a great way to add some fancy to your look without a bit of bling.

The Limited, Pleated Skater Skirt, $29 (!!) with code GIFTME

I'm obsessed with this skirt. And the price. It also comes in three other color options. This is going to be a four season skirt.

Modcloth, Exquisite on the Equinox Dress, $54

I love this dress for a holiday party, I love it for New Years, I love it for Valentine's, and I love it for date night. It's stunning without screaming look at me.

Nordstrom, Pleated A Line Skirt, $34

Tell me when you find a metallic pleated skirt under $40 at Nordstrom? Right. Please, please, just scoop this up while you have a chance. 

Topshop, Floral Pleated Vest, $58

I love this for now layered with a white bow blouse or a suit. I love this for summer as is with a long necklace.

I love pleats in the winter because its a nice contrast from the heavy, bulkier sweaters. Try it with a skirt and branch out to a flawy top!

Be fabulous today!

Shop this post

That's So Faux

Let's talk affordable leather. Ok, maybe not real leather, but let's look at some real quality brands that are pumping out affordable faux-leather options. These options are easy to wear and easy on the budget. Today let's look at some faux-leather midi skirts.

Nordstrom, Halogen Faux Leather A Line Skirt, $88

The seaming on this skirt is perfection for any shape. It is flattering and ladylike and it's a classic.

The Limited, High Waist Faux Leather Skirt, $55

Gotta love this smooth and silky look.

Bloomingdale's, Lucy Paris Perforated Faux Leather, $78

This perforated option isn't overly sexy because of the length.

Macy's, Calvin Klein Faux Leather Pleated Skirt, $84 $63!

And a great pleated option. Tuck in a sweater for a sassy hourglass look.

The faux leather midi option is a cost effective way to stay on trend. These options may be work appropriate depending on your office culture; if you're questioning, try it with a flat and crew neck top to test the waters.

Be fabulous today!

Shop this post

Stop, Tassel Time

Yesterday I mentioned a tassel belt that could be added to a maxi dress; but really, the tassel belt can do so much more than just that. I love this option because it dresses up and gives some personality to an otherwise utility piece. 

Anthropologie, Tasseled Jetty Belt, $48

Hello preppy perfection. 

Mango, Tassel Link Belt, $39

This belt reminds me of a Chanel bag. So gold and so timeless.

Shopbop, Madewell Woven Tassel Belt, $30

A great casual option to pair with a dress, chino shorts, any pretty much anything else you can think of. 

The Limited, Tassel Accent Belt, $39

A textured faux-leather makes this budget friendly belt perfect for work. I'm thinking a black pencil skirt.

Tassels are a great detail on jewelry, bags, and shoes. Now, try it with a belt.

Be fabulous today!

Pucker Up

It's Valentine's Eve and whether you have a hot date or not, everyone loves a good kiss. So pucker up lovebugs.

Net A Porter, DVF Lip Print Gold Tone Compact, $45

This ladylike compact is mature and girly. You'll find excuses to pull it out of your bag.

Pac Sun, Shine Lips Muscle Tee, $39

A little edgy but think about pairing this with a magenta cardigan and a leopard skinny belt. Yeah.

Macy's, Guess Printed Tee, $39

How adorable is this tee? I love the blush color and the scoop neck.

The Limited, Kiss Layering Blouse, $49

A sheer tiny print blouse that you can tuck into a pencil skirt, wear with a suit, or layer under a v-neck sweater.

This Valentine's Day put on some gloss or some chapstick and enjoy a good mwah.

Be fabulous today!

This Bag Was Made for Travelin'

Happy back from long weekend! Nothing like a good short week, am I right? I've been traveling the last two weekends and my go to bag pulls double duty. It's a flat oversized clutch. I love it because I can store my essentials in it and throw it in my larger purse, but I can also use it for a night out when I'm traveling. The key is the zipper top for easy access.

Banana Republic, Croc Embossed Oversized Clutch, $75

See what I mean? throw your magic waller, keys, phone and tickets in for travel and then use it later for dinner.

The Limited, Colorblock Oversized Clutch, $49

A great tassel detail makes this lush clutch look even richer but you'd never know from the price.

French Connection, Oversized Clutch, $68

Something a little more edgy.

Asos, Flip Side Two Tone Suede Clutch, $84

And now some soft suede. Perfect for stow and go or a night out.

I like to try to travel light. Please note the word try. One way to cut down on items that are bulky like a bag, is to try this oversized clutch option. Do double duty!

Be fabulous today!

Reader Request: Snakeskin Flats

Today's post is from a lovely reader who is looking for snakeskin flats. She loves her flats and she walks all over the city, so they'll need to stand up in the quality department. Let's see here.

Lord and Taylor, Lori Ballet Flats, $79

I really like this shoe because the ballet flat softens the sometimes harsh snake pattern.

Bloomingdale's, Steven by Steve Madden Ella, $89

I love this shoe because of the classy cap toe. It is a four season shoe.

The Limited, Pointed Toe Flat, $19

A sassy lipstick red snakeskin is something unexpected!

Shopbop, Vera Wang Lara Ballet Flats, $89

A great leather sole goes a long way if you take care of it. It also is very easy to replace after you've worn through it. No need to buy another pair of shoes, just invest in a good cobbler.

Snakeskin is a pattern that isn't going out of style any time soon. It can truly morph into any style depending on the outfit; sweet, bad ass, sexy, or cute.

Be fabulous today!

Striking Stripes

Alright, we've focused on accessories this week, so let's bring it back to the clothes. I love a great cardigan, especially this time of year when layering is key in between seasons. We've looked at sheer cardis, patterned cardis, today let's look at striped cardigans.

J Crew, Stripe Gauze Sweater, $59

I love the pops of lime in this sweater. You can also choose from red/navy or pink/white.

The Limited, Striped Pocket Cardigan, $24

This is just waiting for some colorful accessories. Maybe a tangerine lip?! 

Loft, Striped Sheer Open Cardigan, $49

This is great for weekends or for travel. I love the pops of yellow.

Madewell, Striped Poppy Cardigan, $72

Madewell got it right here, leave this cardi open to show the pop of pink. A great vneck is great to leave a cardigan open as well.

Striped cardigans are a great and easy way to mix pattern into your outfit, and they're never going out of style. You can also layer these cardigans on top of a solid dress.

Be fabulous today!

Flowers, for Me?

Floral is so easy for spring, we looked at some just a little while ago. Today we're searching for floral pumps. I love this trend because it combines the sometimes severe stiletto with the soft pattern and colors of a floral.

Loft, Petra Mutlicolored Floral Printed Pumps, $79

Look at how the patten continues down the heel. This is perfect with jeans or a sundress.

The Limited, Patterned Mid-Heel Pumps, $69

I LOVE these colors. Tan legs or pale legs, it works with them all.

Macy's, Betsy Johnson Bonnie Pumps, $57

A little Grease sock hop but in a Cha Cha DiGrergorio kind of way. Hot.

DSW, Nine West Elise Floral Pump, $59

This pattern should be stretched onto a canvas. Just lovely.

Floral pumps, a little sexy, a little girly, a lot easy for any style. Pick a hue, pastel, purples, reds, you name it, you will find something in your taste for this trend.

Be fabulous today!

Shifting Gears

Shift dresses are the epitome of simple. They can be boxy, which is a great look paired with some stacked heels, or you can belt the dress to accentuate the waist. So many of these dresses are sleeveless though, and that's not always work appropriate. Today let's look at some shift dresses with short sleeves.

Loft, Placed Floral Print Dress, $79
I love this cascading floral pattern, I would dress it down with a denim jacket.

Express, Short Sleeve Colorblock Shift, $29
These peachy colors are perfect for spring. It also comes in a navy hue!

Modcloth, Camp Get Enough, $89
Check out this adorable graphic landscape! This is just asking for a skinny braided belt and some flat sandals.

The Limited, Colorblock Dress, $79
A work appropriate shift that is needing some red pumps. I love placement of the black band.

Shift dresses can be styled to fit any shape or size. The short sleeve adds just a bit of class vs the sleeveless option.

Be fabulous today!

Go Ahead, Touch Me

You know what's cozy but also sexy this time of year? Velvet. A few weeks ago we looked at velvet purses but today let's look at some clothing.

Anthropologie, Tailored Velvet Blazer, $99

The tuxedo feel to this blazer truly makes it something special.

Lands End Canvas, Velvet Market Dress, $99

This fully lined dress it just perfect for a holiday party. I love the richness of this green!

The Limited, Drew Welt Pocket Velvet Slim Pants, $69

Let's talk about these pants. A wide band waist, a slim cut, an ankle length, flat front pockets. Ah, they're divine.

Nordstrom Rack, Ella Moss Marlowe Velvet Dress, $89

A little bit mod and a little bit flapper, a lot a bit perfect for holiday.

So you see velvet is decadent in all the best ways, and it's perfect for this month of parties and holiday gatherings.

Be fabulous today!

Animal Crackers

Next week I'll do some gift guides for the holidays, but I'm asking for your help! Leave a comment or shoot me an email requesting who you need a gift for; example: the nerdy secretary, the fashionable coworker, the boss, you name it, I will do my best to deliver!

Alright, back to business, today we're looking at animal print. Not the usual leopard or snakeskin, but rather an image of an animal. Let me explain.

Asos, Elizabeth Lau Dog and Bone Sweater, $92

How adorable is this sweater? It's quirky and cozy in all the best ways.

Madewell, Fox Print Sweatshirt, $59

You may be thinking, sweatshirt? Come on. But layer a white oxford under this and add a collar necklace. Instant chic!

Modcloth, The Greatest Skirt of Owl, $74

A stunning skirt, perfect for work, I'd pair it with some flat boots and tights.

The Limited, Bird Print Peasant Blouse, $34

I love this print, but you know what I love more? The dot cuffs. That's right, how sweet is that?

So give the leopard print a break this season and try animal graphic that is big and centered or a smaller repetitive print.

Be fabulous today!