ABC's

I love looking at fashion spreads, campaigns, and blogs and seeing the way someone wears something in a way I would have never thought to. When you look at a brand and see the attitude and lifestyle that they portray, it is only natural to mimic them and wear it in the same way. Something as simple as reversing a dress so the zipper in the front can totally change up a look and bring a little more interest.

The last time I went to LA, the Generation girls were sweet enough to gift me the pictured affirmation (letter) denim cropped jacket. I absolutely loved it and wanted to wear it to work but when I first saw it I figured it would only be able to work for a casual Friday outfit or a relaxed weekend outfit, instead of what I have to wear on a typical work day. But I decided to force it and wear it with a high waisted black pencil skirt and Brian Atwood metallic python heels (similar) - Both of which don't exactly scream Generation girl but it ended up looking cute and a great bonus that I could wear Generation during market appointments when I was showing their accessory lines to customers.

 

 

 

Worn & Torn on Purpose

I've been dying for warm Spring weather and a wardrobe change-up. We're still in that awkward limbo weather stage where it's so tough to pick outfits in the morning and I feel somewhat seasonally challenged. Here is an outfit that I wore to work where I tried to embrace Spring with color and a peep toe, but still wore a light knit sweater with colored denim.

This sweater looks soft and sweet due to the rose buds and the flecks of golden lurex sewn throughout it, but I love the twist of the random tears and holes in it to give it some added interest. I bought the sweater from a website that no longer exists but I found the similar tear on a polka dot sweater I found on Tobi and a star cut off for warmer weather on Tobi also

I sported a big arm party with this outfit.  The orange "S" initial bracelet is a cute enamel cuff from C Wonder. The second bracelet is my Jennifer Zeuner evil eye which I wear every day. The third is a BCBGeneration "ToughLove" Affirmation bracelet. The fourth bracelet is a gold spike bangle from C Wonder. Lastly, my lime stud earrings are also from C Wonder. Here are bright aqua circle studs.

 

The buttercup colored denim pants are from Piperlime.com and they are by Blank Denim. Once again they came a lot more vivid when I first got them but I like them so much more now that they have been washed and faded. Here is a pair of blank denim in coral and here is a yellow pair of True Religion jeans on sale

Currently Coveting

Although other people have told me that I should start a blog the person responsible for making me take the plunge is one of my best friend's Erin. She started her own blog in DC called "Erin's Currently Coveting" a year and a half ago and it has really taken off. She works at Carlye but she has a real knack for throwing theme parties and giving them that extra bit of sparkle. Her blog started off sharing these fun party ideas- Red Carpet themes with triple decks, Beach Bachelorettes, "Favorite Things" Goodie bag themed party and the list goes on an on. The blog then evolved to incorporate her baking abilities. Thank GOD I don't have the baking skills that Erin does because I would be the size of a barn. Name a cupcake flavor, and this girl has mastered it- from Strawberry Champagne cupcakes to 3 layer Mint Oreo cake she's covered it all. Once she got into the full swing of things, she started doing Work Wear and Weekend Outfit Posts. She is definitely pushing the limits for Carlye (love it) but she finds a way to make formal work wear bright, fashionable, and affordable. Her homespun blog has really taken off and she has since been featured in the Washingtonian, Refinery29, LuckyMag, and the list goes on. I'm so proud of her and definitely recommend that you check out her adorably cute and full of personality blog. Here are some of my favorite snipits of her blog, but be sure to follow her blog as well

 

Winter Neon Weekend OOTD

 

Heart Chocolate Cherry Cream Cheese Cupcakes & Christmas Wreath Cupcakes 

 

 

Shoemint

 

 

...Getting Nail-Artsy 

The Jump Around

I've always thought that jumpsuits looked really chic but I assumed that you had to be "model skinny" in order to wear them. About a year ago my company was working on a project with Sears so I was on the website familiarizing myself with the product and came across this Kardashian Kollection for Sears jumpsuit. It was half off and I figured that this would be my best bet for a jumpsuit since the Kardashians are known for their curves and it was by no means breaking my budget. Although I NEVER pictured myself ever buying clothes from a place where you can also buy tires, it ended up being a good purchase. Just goes to show you that hidden gems are found in the most unexpected places. Although the jumpsuit is no longer available, here are some other options: Asos, Asos2, Lulus

 

 

I kept it simple with a couple gold bracelets: the Evil Eye bracelet is Jennifer Zeuner from South Moon Under and the Cuff is RJ Graziano from Neiman Marcus Last Call 

 

 

 

Military Inspired

Military Camouflage is back for its 5468th round on the trend hot list. At this point it's safe to say that it's a trend that will continue to circle back around again and again. The point of difference this time is that although there definitely is a presence of literal camo- a lot of it is the interpretation of military influence. So here is my interpretation - or Zara's - that I wore to work:

 

The red pants that are wax-coated/leather-like/painted-on are from Zara. Similar found here.

 The top with the military detail shoulders is also from Zara

The white watch is a Michael Kors Mens Watch from Amazon

The necklace is from BaubleBar (as a Xmas gift from my Mom's best friend) which is an amazing accessory website that you can be on for hours. Similar option found here



Finally the pumps are my staples. They are Kelsi Dagger and I live in them at work

Polka Dotty

 

I know I look like an overgrown child but this outfit definitely shows one side of my personality. Keep in mind this is my first photo session and by no means would I ever claim to be a model HA... I'm really going to have to learn my angles better so I don't look so awkward. The best part about this look is that it is totally affordable, however all the items are also old so they are no longer available :(

 

These pants are from NastyGal.com and originally they were stark black but after 1 wash they became this gradient gray. At first I hated them and asked for a return label but now I've grown to love them and every time I wear them at work, I always get a million compliments from the girls in design so that has to mean something.

 

This sweater has a gray lace bow with pearls outlining the bow from H&M years ago. I love baby pink paired with gray

 

The gray suede pumps are Boutique9 and there is actually a good story behind them. They were purchased with an $100 Bloomingdales gift card I won for dancing with an old man wearing a fanny pack and a muscle T at noon down the Nautical Mile. My friends were trying to bribe me to dance with the laughing stock of the bar and as soon as they pulled out the giftcard and I saw a trip to Bloomies in my future with a rent payment around the corner, I was up and dancing. For a 2 minute dance and an embarrassing iPhone video, I think I faired pretty well because I wear these shoes all the time! P.S. I swear I'm not as serious as this picture looks