November Budget

I thought I might make it through November without shopping, but a few things were to tempting to resist. I started off the month by replacing my black gloves since I 1. Couldn't remember where I put my old ones at the end of last winter and 2. Did remember that the thumb had busted open at the seam, so perhaps I'd had the good sense to throw them out? Either way they needed replacing and I decided to give Glove.ly a try. What drew me to them was that they are leather touch gloves without the unsightly silver fingertips, every part of the glove can interact with the phone, and they have a cashmere lining. Plus I got them for under $40. I also love they have a magnetic 'clasp' to keep the gloves together when I toss them in my purse.

I also found myself in Banana Republic to finally exchange the dress I got in September for a smaller size. Thankfully there was still one left! Naturally I crossed paths with a rust colored blazer in a thick satin fabric, and since between the sale and my credit card rewards I could walk out the door with it for under $20, it didn't take much to convince myself. I keep saying I should save up my rewards and put them towards one big expensive thing, but that hasn't happened yet.

Twitter is accountable for my next purchase of the month. Here is what happened: a couple years ago I was watching the show Suits on USA. One of the characters was wearing this necklace I was instantly smitten with. Naturally I tweeted a screen capture of the necklace hoping that someone might know the designer. I never managed to trace it's origins, but then I got a message from LuxbyUK saying they'd made a replica of the necklace, and I agreed to purchase it at a discounted price in exchange for a blog post when their new site is up and running.

Lastly, there were a few gifted items. Dressbarn provided me with a $50 gift card to help promote their re-branding as Roz and Ali. I ended up with two pieces and spent $12 over the gift card. Next was a dress from eShakti, who I've worked with in the past and I believe they provide a good value for their customization service. Following that I was provided with some fun pieces from Tobi to style holiday looks, and lastly I ordered a pair of customized shoes from Shoes of Prey with a gift code I'd won in a blog giveaway.

A cyber monday purchase may have went through as well, but I'll wait and see how it works out...

Banana Republic Boyfriend Fit Shiny Blazer, $20
Glove.ly Leather Touch Gloves, $30
Roz & Ali Floral Maxi Skirt, $6 after gift card
Roz & Ali Faux Suede Jacket, $6 after gift card
LuxbyUK Custom "Scottie" Necklace, $60
Shoes of Prey Custom Pumps, won in giveaway
eShakti Graphic Print Wrap Dress, gifted

Holiday Style with Tobi

December is arriving appropriately on a weekend, and starting in full force with events. Party on Friday night, wedding on Saturday, the handful of remaining weekends set to fill up, and let's not forget New Years!

While I could argue the merits of taking just one little black dress from soirée to shindig, there is always that little desire to exploit the holiday affairs and add some fun new pieces to my closet.

Today I'm collaborating with Tobi, the online fast fashion realtor where endless, party-ready, wallet friendly styles can be found. While I try not to make fast fashion a habit, there are certainly occasions when it can be a lot of fun.

First up is this wine colored lace skater dress. It would be perfect for an evening cocktail affair. It has a very open back, and partly unlined front. I thought I might be able to layer cami under it, but it was not going to happen, hence the jacket. I love the color, the shape, and the pretty lace, but I would not recommend this dress to anyone who isn't comfortable going sans bra. For size reference I'm wearing a large.

   

The Rundown

Lady Capulet Skater Dress c/o Tobi

Leather Jacket Express similar

Studded Pumps c/o OASAP similar

Tilly Scalloped Clutch Matine

Ojai Cage Ring Gorjana  similar

Nail Color "Caviar Bar" Essie

There is nothing quite like a little black dress for any occasion, though I do feel like this one would be great for going from office to office party. Again, I love a long sleeve on a dress, somehow bare legs are infinitely more tolerable when I've got long sleeves. Small details like the tulip hemline make this piece stand out from the other sheaths. For size reference I'm wearing a large.

   

The Rundown

There She Goes Bodycon Dress c/o Tobi

Nude Pumps "Natalie" Naturalizer

Tilly Scalloped Clutch Matine

Gold Bon Bon Earrings The Dressing Room Boutique

Stacked Rings Gorjana via TJMaxx similar

Nail Color "Caviar Bar" Essie

Scandalous. That is all I have to say about these split leg pants, and it's worth noting that the slit goes all the way up to the top. I felt like they would be great for NYE paired with a sequined top as well. For size reference I'm wearing a medium, and I had to hem them about three inches so my 5'-2" frame wasn't dragging them behind me.

   

The Rundown

Lace Top TJMaxx

Imogen Wide Leg Pant c/o Tobi

Black Pumps "Natalie" Naturalizer

Tilly Scalloped Clutch Matine

Bracelets The Cavernous Jewelry Box

Nail Color "Caviar Bar" Essie

Tobi provided me with these pieces for the purpose of this post. My views and opinions are my own.

Linking up with Walking in Memphis in High Heels

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Classy Yet Trendy's Trendy Wednesday

Customized with a Click

I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday weekend, and start to the holiday season. I was so happy when eShakti reached out to me a few weeks ago to customize and style another piece with them. Every piece I've gotten in the past has always been very well made and this dress was no exception.

As soon I spotted this great rust and navy print, I knew right away I'd want to create a dress for Thanksgiving. With eShakti's customization options, I chose to have the dress hemmed to knee length and the sleeves changed from short to long. Those are just a couple of the numerous options available to make sure the garment fits and flatters the actual customer, not just the model in the photo.

Being 5'-2" with a curvy figure has always meant fit challenges, from simple things like hem lengths, to more difficult things like necklines being too low or having a piece which fits my hips being far too loose at the waist. With eShakti, custom measurements can be used to create a perfectly fitting piece.

eShakti challenged me to create a piece that would allow me to 'look as good as I feel, and feel as good as I look', so with that in mind, I chose a wrap dress, the perfect cut to flatter my hourglass figure. By bringing up the hem to knee length I can show off my legs without worrying about anything else being shown off, changing the neckline for a bit more coverage, and having pockets in a dress is always a game changer! The pockets allowed me to keep my phone at hand during Thanksgiving, so I was always ready to snap cute photos of my Nephew and Niece, and my Nephew especially enjoyed leading me around the house by the ties of the dress and pretending I was his doggy.

I'm really excited that eShakti now allows even further customization by offering styles which can be done in a number of different fabrics - and the price points for their custom garments are almost all under $100!

       

The Rundown
Graphic Print Wrap Dress c/o eShakti
Pumps "Gennie" Coach thrifted similar
Springbok Clutch Oliveve c/o Shopbop similar
Stacked Rings Gorjana via TJMaxx similar
Nail Color "Caviar Bar" Essie

Linking up with Pink Sole's How I Fall

and

Oh To Be A Muse's Lookbook Linkup
and
By Lauren M's Mix it Monday

eShakti provided me with this dress for the purpose of this post and partaking in their "Look As Good As You Feel, Feel As Good As You Look" campaign. My views and opinions are my own.

Instant Crush: Yellow Gold

I was initially feeling the yellows, but then what is better than yellow, but a deep, rich, mustardy gold?
It's autumnal and party perfect, maybe even a touch ostentatious, but when used just right, couldn't it be the perfect standout piece?

Shoulder Bag, $28 at H&M
Satin Block Heels, $83 at Ann Taylor
Bermuda Shorts, $40 at Zara
Vanessa Mooney Earrings, $22 at Shopbop
Satin Loafer, $108 at Banana Republic
Velvet Skirt, $90 at J.Crew

Over the Knee Boots with Jeans

What a change in temperature from my last post to this one! Things you aren't seeing as I try to preserve the notion of a fall outfit: gloves, hat, and heavy winter coat. But at least I've got my over the knee boots to keep me warm, and I'm collaborating again with J's Touch of Style, this time we are styling our over the knee boots with jeans.

I can't believe we are basically a week away from Thanksgiving already! I think mentally I'm still two months behind, and I've not even come close to adjusting to the time change. When it's dark at 5 p.m. I feel like I just want to be in for the night at 6! I think I'm probably one of the few people who dislikes the arrival of fall, but looks forward for the first day of winter, because I know that after December 21st the days will be getting longer again, and I'll take every minute I can get.

Check out how Jodie, Nancy, and Charlotte styled their boots here:      

The Rundown
Lace Cami H&M similar
Black Cardigan Gap similar
Yoga Jeans Second Denim via Coco & Vera's Giveaway
Grey Over the Knee Boots Ivanka Trump similar
Huntley Tote c/o Joie similar
Modern Rings Pendant Necklace Banana Republic
Sunglasses "Meteor" Ray-Ban c/o TJMaxx

Linking up with Walking in Memphis in High Heels

and

Classy Yet Trendy's Trendy Wednesday

Over the Knee Boots with a Skirt

This week I'm collaborating with the fabulous trio of J's Touch of Style, Jodie, her mother Charlotte, and step mother Nancy. Today we are showing four different ways to style over the knee boots with skirts.

Since temps have been steadily dropping, I've finally had to pull out all my boots, and I must say that I love my over the knee boots paired with a skirt. They are like having a secret weapon in my mission to avoid wearing tights. The extra few inches of leather do make a difference in overall warmth, plus tall, thick socks can be worn underneath.

While the combo isn't something I'd wear for the office, it's perfect for my weekend wandering.

Check out how Jodie, Nancy, and Charlotte styled their boots here:       

The Rundown
White Sweater 89th & Madison via Marshalls similar
 Suede Mini Skirt Thrifted similar
Over the Knee Boots Marc Fisher similar
Suede Accordion Bag Banana Republic similar
Hexagon Threader Earrings c/o Metrix Jewelry
Gold Hammered Ring Thrifted
Stacked Rings Gorjana via TJMaxx similar
Sunglasses "Meteor" Ray-Ban c/o TJMaxx

Linking up with Pink Sole's How I Fall

and

Oh To Be A Muse's Lookbook Linkup
and
By Lauren M's Mix it Monday

Instant Crush: Velvet Shoes

As prevalent as velvet has been these past couple years, velvet shoes haven't really been on my radar. Then I was scrolling through my Pinterest feed and saw a pair of pink velvet pumps. And I was smitten. Suddenly everything velvet was calling to me. I still haven't found the perfect pink velvet heels that aren't by a designer and thus far too out of my budget, especially for something as impractical as pink velvet, however I have found some fun, budget friendly shoes to tempt myself with all the same.

Velvet Pom Pom Flats, $25 at Old Navy
Pink Velvet Booties, $56 at Aldo
Jewel Badgley Mischka Velvet Mules, $55 at DSW
Teal Velvet Pointed Toe Pumps, $35 at Macy's
Velvet Bow Mules, $34 at Kohl's
Velvet Block Heels, $54 at Loft
Betsy Johnson Velvet Sandal, $45 at DSW
Teal Velvet Ankle Booties, $48 at ASOS
Velvet Ballerina Flats, $40 at Zara

Japanese Floral

For having been the warmest October on record, I don't think I took too much advantage of it. I will say this happened to be a particularly gorgeous afternoon though. The kind which requires a dress for no other reason than it's too nice out not to.

Big plans for the day were dropping off donations and coffee with my mom. Not a scenario which requires a dress, heels, or the world's most impractical handbag. But I wanted to feel good, and I really wanted to wear this dress, which is actually my mom's. She wore it only once and it's been languishing in her closet ever since. Recently I was contemplating getting a kimono when I thought of this dress. It's a shirt dress so it can be worn open, and the Japanese inspired print easily makes the jump to kimono. I simply had to borrow it!

         

The Rundown

Classic Knee Length Dress Tucker via Coco's
Pumps "Gennie" Coach thrifted similar
Vintage Japanese Bamboo Bag via eBay similar vintage, only $60!
Earrings Susan Roberts
Cloudy Agate Bracelet J.Crew
Stacked Rings Gorjana via TJMaxx similar
Sunglasses "Meteor" Ray-Ban c/o TJMaxx

Linking up with I Do deClaire's Confident Twosday

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Sandy a la Mode's On Trend Tuesday