Work Wardrobe: Pleats Please

I love this clearance find of mine.  I found this dress at Kohls (of course) from the fantastic Catherine Malandrino line that I gave rave reviews to last year.  See the full review here.

This dress gives a hint of sexy in the length, a pinch of interest in the offset and over-sized buttons, and a Fall/Winter vibe in the fabric and color.  Most importantly, its the pleats.  (Anchorman fans, I will give you a minute to quote the movie.  "It's the pleats...in the pants...I am taking the back to the pants store."  You're welcome.)

I got away with wearing this to work with tights but I was cutting it close!  See my tips here on how to add some extra length to your favorite skirts & dresses!  ~B

Pleated Grey Dress - Catherine Malandrino for Kohls - $12.00 on clearance
Black Tights - Assets by Spanx - $24.00
Black Knee-high Boots - Fergalicious from Famous Footwear

Try these other pleated options!

Apt. 9 Geometric Fit & Flare Dress
$42.00 at Kohls 

Studio Pleated Faux Leather Midi

$110.90 on eloquii.com (it is a splurge but look for sales like 50% off!)

Faux-Suede Pleated Mini Skirt

$32.00 at Old Navy

Weekend Wardrobe: Bordeaux Date Night

It is date night in the middle of November.  I refuse to believe Winter is upon us.  So how do you put together a look that is sexy enough for date night but won't give you frostbite?  It's all in the colors!  

Oxblood, burgundy, bordeaux or whatever pretentious name you can find (I mean really) is the perfect Fall/Winter color.  I paired a "leather" a-line skirt with black tights and form fitting top to keep things dressy .  Finish up with a little ankle boot to remind yourself it is only Fall and you don't have to yet wear long underwear underneath every outfit.  

I kept with the pretentious color scheme on the make-up too.  I layered a mauve eyeshadow over top of a champagne base.  I also found a great bronze-y brown lip color to bring it home.  I definitely felt femininely Fall!  ~ B  

Try these options!

Ponte Circle Skirt in Wine Tasting (haha) - LC Lauren Conrad for Kohls - $32.99

Short Sleeved Bodysuit in Black - H&M - $34.95

Paris Wyno Wedge Bootie - BCBG - $69.95

B's Favorite Things: Return of the Shirtdress

A shirt dress can make you feel like a million bucks.  There are no two ways around it.  It is such an effortless and feminine style, and requires zero thought which bodes well for the type of morning person I am.   I love a pattern shirt dress, especially one that has a pop of color like this red.  Also, the mesh detail adds that little extra hint of skin without acting crazy.  The shirt dress is back and should be a staple in your closet this Fall! ~B

Pictured: Floral High-Low Hem Dress by Simply Vera by Vera Wang - $27.20 on clearance!!!!
Knee High Boots - Fergalicuous at Famous Footwear - last year

Try these other options!

The Casual - Old Navy Printed Pullover Shirt Dress - $32.94

Perfect for that Fall transition with the help of navy tights, tan boots and a scarf!

The Effortless Chic - Monki Sleeveless Shirt Dress - $66.33

For a night out, maybe a date!  Try it with some killer statement heels but keep the jewelry simple and hair in loose waves.

The Bold - Printed Ashton Shirt Dress - $53.97

Hello Monday morning!  This will brighten up your work day along with a great red lip.

The Minimalist - Striped Sleeveless Shirt Dress by Altuzarra for Target - $27.98

This is a piece that shows sophistication and style without shouting.  Keep your hair straight and clean just like the dress.  A slick ponytail and strappy heels would make this a fashion forward moment. If you are feeling like a style star, pair this with a high top sneaker to really suprise and wow.

Work Wardrobe: Black on Black

Black.  It is simple.  It is classic.  It is easy.  I love an outfit that doesn't scream but still can catch an eye.  You can also have fun playing with textures which is what I did.  The pattern on the left is my skirt, and it has pockets.  Boom.  Then I threw on a long-sleeved turtleneck and a sparkly bib necklace keeping in the black family.  Top it off with black tights and boots for a sleek look.  I wouldn't mind a great fuchsia lip with this look just for a pop, but au natural is great too!  ~B

Black l/s turtleneck - $17.99 Apt. 9 for Kohls (available in other colors, maybe red?)
Black snakeskin skirt - Jennifer Lopez for Kohls
Black crystal bib necklace - $40 Vera by Vera Wang for Kohls
Black tights - $9.99 Apt. 9 for Kohls
Black Barbara boots - Now $50 on sale Fergalicious from Famous Footwear

Dinner and a Show

Friday night I had dinner and went to a show with a few of my girlfriends.  Such a great time called for a fun ensemble.  I wanted something classic with a funky twist.  What would be better than a Derek Lam skirt!?  I also had some fun with my hair and put it in a faux-bob.  The tutorial on that is coming soon!

We went to Frazer's in Soulard for dinner and I tried some pretty amazing food.  The stuffed dates were wrapped in bacon, yeah I tried stuffed dates so you know they had to be delicious!  I ordered the swordfish with a rosemary cream sauce and the mashed potatoes were interspersed with feta cheese.  Everything is made in-house.  And then they rolled me out of the restaurant...  This is a great spot for a fancy date night!  ~B

Geometric Skirt - Derek Lam for Kohls 
Black Shirt with ruffle on shoulder - Narciso Rodriguez for Kohls
Brown Booties - TJ Maxx clearance find

Work Wardrobe: Layering for Fall

I am always throwing a cardigan over my short sleeve or sleeveless dresses for Fall and Winter.  It gets a little old so I decided to layer from underneath this time!  I loved it!  To keep it from going too "nun in a library" I used the fuschia blouse, an extra sparkly necklace and grey booties!  I loved the finished product.  ~B

Black Cap Sleeve Dress - The Limited
Fuschia Crepe Blouse - Apt. 9 for Kohls featured here as one of B's Favorite Things!
White Crystal Necklace - Our World Boutique via Jane.com
Black Opaque Tights - Apt. 9 for Kohls (available in lots of Fall colors here)
Grey and Black Wedge Booties - Mudd for Kohls featured in my Bootie Boot Camp

Work Wardrobe: Burnt Orange

I love love love this dress!  I found it online, then waited patiently for it to go on sale.  It paid off!  The burnt orange color is great for Fall and Winter.  It's also a great silhouette for work, but is still interesting.  I kept it simple with brown and ivory accents to make the color the star of this look. ~B

Orange Sheath Dress - Apt. 9 for Kohls
Brown Heathered Tights - Spanx
Brown Booties - clearance at TJ Maxx
Ivory Sweater - Daisy Fuentes for Kohls

Part 1 Leggings: The Tales of Misunderstood Tights

Leggings...don't get me started.  Leggings are misused every darn day.  It is so easy to fall into this trap and I have been there too, but we have to stop.  Leggings do NOT equal pants.  Bottom line, panty line, and camel toe.  Let's go over my #1 rule and then check out part 2!

The Most Important and Imperative Legging Rule: Leggings are Tights, not Pants (Say it with me now)   
Ladies, even if you are a size 0, leggings are not pants.  My #1 styling rule for leggings is that your crotch and buttocks must be covered by the shirt/dress you are wearing!  Over-sized sweaters, tunics, dresses are all great partners to a legging and length is everything.

***The one place I don't strictly apply this rule is when someone is working out.  But maybe don't run to the grocery store right after?***

YOU ARE BETTER THAN THIS.

I don't really have any other rules...that solves all other "legging" related issues such as see-through leggings.  If they are that tight that I can see the stripes on your underwear you should probably find a bigger size or better quality legging.  I don't care to see your privates at the Zoo but thanks anyway! (True story)

Work Wardrobe: Neon!

Okay this may be a little much for some people but I love color!  Sometimes you have to take risks, but know how to balance things out.  For instance, I have two pretty bright colors, so I made everything else black.  Also, I have my blouse buttoned all the way up and would not pair it with a short skirt.  The silhouette is more conservative so that I can be more bold with my color choices.

Neon Yellow Pencil Skirt - Target (clearance)
Teal Sleeveless Crepe Blouse - Apt. 9 for Kohls (One of B's Favorite Things!)
Black Sweater - Target (everyone needs a good basic black cardigan)
Black Opaque Tights - Apt. 9 for Kohls
Black Eyelet Boots - Liz Claiborne for JC Penney (these are my favorite boots!)

Work Wardrobe: Falling for Floral

Fun with Florals!  (If you watch The League you know where I got that, haha)  I am still obsessed with Oxblood or it's more casual synonym, maroon.  Plus oxblood makes me think of playing the Oregon Trail in grade school but I digress (of dysentery).  I really love reinventing a classic combination and this time I played with the fool-proof and flattering combination of the button-up shirt and pencil skirt. 

Instead of a button up I chose a v-neck, ruffled, and floral blouse.  There is a lot going on up top so everything else really needed to remain simple and coordinated.  I chose a navy pencil skirt instead of the classic black.  Top (or bottom) that off with oxblood tights and brown booties for an unexpected ensemble.  The floral print and softer color combos create a more feminine Fall look.  ~B

Maroon Floral Top - Elle for Kohls
Navy Pencil Skirt - The Limited (I have had this staple for at least 6 years and still get good use out of it!)
Oxblood Tights - Simply Very by Vera Wang for Kohls
Brown Booties - a TJ Maxx clearance purchase

Work Wardrobe: Breaking All of the Rules

I was feeling rebellious today.  Breaking one of the most basic fashion rules...I wore navy and black together...and I liked it!  When it is done right, it can make for a seriously chic outfit.  ~B

Navy textured dress - $ 44.80 Daisy Fuentes at Kohls
Black eyelet boots - $40 at JC Penney (last year purchase)
Black opaque tights - $10.99 Simply Vera by Vera Wang at Kohls
Black suit jacket - Cheap? New York and Company, got this bad boy on clearance!