Blazing Away

When the weather is mild but I still need another layer, I to turn to a light jacket or blazer. A fitted blazer can instantly polish almost any outfit. Today I'm wearing one with black dress pants for work, but I've been able to pair this same piece with jeans and skinny cords for casual yet put-together looks.


Me in an H&M blazer


I've been eyeing this navy blue Aqua blazer, as the color is a great alternative to basic black. This striped blazer is a playful take on the traditional piece and would look cute with skinny jeans and flats.

Left: Aqua
Right: Loft

The blazers below incorporate one of my favorite trends- peplum. I would love to have this red one to wear to work with dress pants and this black leather one to wear with jeans and pumps for a night out.

Left: The Limited
Right: ASOS

Below, two of my style icons demonstrate how to pull off a blazer.  Miranda Kerr is airport chic in her blazer and skinny jeans.  Olivia Palermo shows off her impeccable street style by pairing her blazer with leather jeggings.



Left: Miranda Kerr
Right: Olivia Palermo



SAG Awards- Best & Worst Dressed

It's awards season and last night the Screen Actors Guild Awards were given out in LA. Honestly I haven't seen many of the films nominated for awards but I still tuned in just to see what the actors were wearing. I know these awards are less formal than the Golden Globes and the Oscars, but I was still a little underwhelmed by what I saw on the red carpet. I didn't feel that anyone really made a huge fashion statement last night.  There was a serious lack of 'wow' moments.

There were definitely some great looks though. My best dressed goes to Jennifer Garner in Oscar de la Renta. She wasn't a nominee but she was lucky enough to be there to support her husband, nominee and winner, Ben Affleck.  I love the bronzy-gold color of this dress.  She looks effortlessly beautiful in this column gown and minimal jewelry.

Jennifer Garner in Oscar de la Renta

My other top picks are seen below.  These ladies all dazzled in form-fitting standout dresses.

Sarah Hyland in Dolce & Gabbana
Naomi Watts in Marchesa
Helen Hunt in Romona Keveza

Tina Fey in Oscar de la Renta
Viola Davis in Monique Lhuillier
Jessica Chastain in Alexander McQueen

I was looking forward to seeing what Jennifer Lawrence and Amanda Seyfried would wear, and they showed up in two of the biggest snoozes of the night.  And they also happen to look like twinsies in their navy gowns...oops!  Amanda's hair and makeup was so beautiful and I like her Zac Posen gown more than Jennifer's Dior.  Also in the mix- Lea Michele in Valentino.  This was a little too boring and prom-ish for me.

Jennifer Lawrence in Dior Haute Couture
Lea Michele in Valentino
Amanda Seyfried in Zac Posen

The biggest trend I noticed on the red carpet was black and white dresses. None of them topped the black and white Tom Ford gown that Julianne Moore wore to the Golden Globes a few weeks ago. I was surprised she chose to wear black and white again. I didn't like the dress she wore last night at first in pictures, but the shape did look beautiful as she walked onstage to accept her award.

January Jones in Prabal Gurung
Julianna Marguilies in Chado Ralph Rucci
Claire Danes in Givenchy

Left: Julianne Moore in Chanel
Right: Julianne Moore in Tom Ford

I really really hate to put Anne Hathaway on my Worst Dressed list, but I had to do it. I don't think her Giambattista Valli Couture dress was completely hideous, I just expect so much from her and this disappointed me.  Marion Cotillard's Dior gown went a little bridesmaid, while Alfre Woodard is Mother of the Bride in this unflattering green number.

Marion Cotillard in Dior Haute Couture
Anne Hathaway in Giambattista Valli Couture
Alfre Woodard 

Sofia Vergara in Donna Karan Atelier
Kaley Cuoco in Romona Keveza
Freida Pinto in Roland Mouret

Sofia Vergara makes the worst dressed list for this awful fabric choice.  The proportions of Kaley Cuoco's dress are way off.  And Frieda Pinto is one of the most gorgeous girls in Hollywood, she could be wearing anything she wanted...why did she choose this unflattering, boring pink dress and matronly hair style?
I can't wait to watch Fashion Police on E! tonite to see if they agree with my choices. What do you think? Who were your picks for best and worst dressed?

Ice Ice Baby

We had some freezing rain over overnight. Schools are closed and there are lots of other cancellations, but I was able to brave this treacherous weather and make it to work today. Okay, it turned out that it wasn't so bad outside but I still had to dress in my most capable slush-trekking outfit. My go-to shoes for this weather are rubber rain boots with fleece inserts. I love these boots because they are stylish yet still highly functional and practical for wet conditions. I've had these boots for awhile, maybe it is time for a new pair? Some of my favorites are shown below.
What are your favorite cold-weather shoes?

Top left: Tory Burch
Bottom Left: Chooka
Right: Chooka

Left: Michael Kors
Right: Hunter

Left: Me in Burberry Boots
Center: Rachel Bilson in Hunter boots
Right: Hilary Duff in Burberry boots

Today I'm wearing:
Top: Zara
Pants: Articles of Society
Boots: Burberry
Necklace: H&M

A Little Leopard

I can't say I own an abundance of animal print clothing but I do enjoy a splash of leopard print here and there. Fortunately, there are several subtle ways to wear this trend without looking like Snooki.

A few leopard print items I would love to have in my closet are a clutch, flats and a skinny belt. These are versatile pieces that could go with tons of different outfits. And how cute is this vintage-looking watch? Just a touch of leopard on the wrist would liven up any ensemble.

Watch: Betsey Johson
Flats: J.Crew
Belt: J.Crew Factory
Clutch: The Limited

Another easy piece to wear is a leopard print scarf. I put a Louis Vuitton stole on my wishlist when I saw Kyle Richards wearing one on Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. It is shown below on Bar Rafaeli and Miranda Kerr. I'm rocking a knock off version from Forever21.


Today I'm wearing:
Dress- Banana Republic
Cardigan-Forever21

Boots- Steve Madden (props to my husband for shining these babies up for me the other day)

Bangles- Henri Bendel

Such a Stud

I've been seeing studs everywhere lately! No I'm not talking about good looking guys, I'm talking about another trend. Studded purses, boots, tops...I've even seen my mom wearing some studded loafers. Some of you might associate studs with rock stars decked out in tight leather pants and lots of chest hair. However, you don't have to own a motorcycle to rock this look. The studded sweater I'm wearing today shows how you can casually work this look into your wardrobe.
Today I'm wearing:
Sweater- Rock & Republic
Cords- Gap
Boots- Style & Co

I have been wanting these brown studded boots since I saw them a couple of months ago online (Delia's-shown on the top right of the pic below). I also found a similar style from Zara.

This denim shirt from Asos has studded details on the back and would be cute with red jeans. The gray knit shirt (also Asos) has studs on the shoulder and could be dressed up or down. The black Michael Kors studded tee would also be a relaxed way to try this trend without looking like you need a microphone or a Harley-Davidson.

Furry Little Accessories

If you know me at all whatsoever you know I am completely obsessed with my 'baby' four year old Yorkshire terrier, Monaco Frederick Aikins. He's just so presh and happens to make everything cuter! Just ask Miranda Kerr, Gisele Bundchen or Hilary Duff. I think the whole carrying your dog in your Louis Vuitton bag is over. It is for me anyway, as it embarrasses my husband when he is with me, but I'm all for letting your pup tag along wherever it can. Where do you take your furry friends?

Day 1

I work in a corporate office but dress code is business casual. I have to say I do dress for comfort during the week, and a lot more so as I get older. You won't see me teetering around the office in 6 inch platforms.. Unless someone out there wants to buy me some louboutins, then I would happily sacrifice my comfort for the love of shoes. Did I mention my office is freezing? I also have to factor that in my wardrobe choice so on a day like today I layered.
Button down shirt- Gap
Striped knit shirt- Gap
Pants- Gap
Booties- Madden Girl
Belt- Dorothy Perkins



Ok I promise not everything I own is from the gap! I just happen to live in a town with a limited selection of stores so I actually count the gap as a blessing. I looked 10 pounds heavier than normal due to the bulk of the layered button down and sweater, so I added this belt to create a waist.

This look is sort of menswear inspired, which is a hot trend right now. What do you all think about menswear inspired pieces for women?

Welcome

Ok, so working in a cubicle all day staring at excel spreadsheets for the last five years has left me with a desperate need for a creative outlet.. So ta-da here I am writing my first blog. There's some quote about where your thoughts go when you are dreaming- that's your true passion. I guess that is what fashion is for me. My profession has nothing to do with fashion or style. When I wake up in the morning, it is much easier to get out of bed if I have something cute to wear. I dont have the most expensive or exclusive items hanging in my closet (not by choice, def would be carrying a different color Birkin bag every day if I could). But I do what I can with what I have, on a reasonable budget. This blog can maybe show you that you don't have to have things fresh off the runway to look good, it's all about how you put it together. On this blog I will post some of my outfits along with some of my inspirations, my never-ending wish list items (sorry husband) and also showcase some of my stylish friends.