Travelin'

I've become quite the traveler this past year. My work now includes it on at least a monthly basis. It's necessary to be comfortable when flying; however, I usually have to go into work before or after my flight, therefore, it's still necessary to be business casual. I always dress in light layers like a chambray shirt, utility jacket, and fur vest. No matter the temperature in the cabin, you'll be ready for it. I also wear a loose fitting or stretchy dress/skirt rather than pants that will wrinkle or a tight waistband that will dig in while you're sitting. And to ensure that I'm not walking around barefoot through security, tights in the winter or ankle socks in the summer with booties are my pick. Lastly, this tote has completely changed my traveling experience since it expands to the size of a carry on, thereby still making it acceptable with my Samsonite to not require any checked baggage!

MNG for Mango dress, Bisou Bisou faux fur vest, H&M jacket, Target chambray shirt, Hue sweater tights, Steve Madden booties, Charming Charlie purse (similar here and here), Limited chandelier earrings (similar)

Erranding

Errands is a noun meaning a short journey undertaken in order to deliver or collect something on someone else's behalf. The "errands" I did yesterday were all on my own behalf...DSW, Marshall's, Ulta, Target, and Kohl's. So, that would make what I did on Sunday a..."mision?" Yeah, we'll go with that. A mission for sales and deals on spring shoes and apartment stuff.

XXI stripe tee and bomber jacket, a.n.a leather jeans, Steve Madden wedge sneakers, Charming Charlie purse (similar here and here) and earrings (similar), New York & Co necklace (similar), Stella & Dot bracelet, Tory Burch sunglasses

Smells Like Teen Spirit

Graphic tee with a few (intentional) holes. Flannel shirt untucked and unbuttoned. Slightly worn leather accessories. At face value, these items combined could be considered grunge, but after closer inspection, you'll notice I added some glam with sparkle, a red lip, and snakeskin.

H&M jacket (similar), J.Crew plaid shirt, XXI graphic tee, JC Penney belt (similar), Gap legging jeans, Clarks boots, Charming Charlie clutch (similar), Stella & Dot necklace, Nars Heat Wave lipstick

Stoplight

Old Navy shirt, vintage leather skirt, LOFT tights, Nine West booties, United Colors of Benetton purse, J.Crew overcoat, Charming Charlie necklace, Stella & Dot Petra bracelet, Nars Heat Wave lipstick

Doble Ve

Despite four years of Spanish in high school and two trips to Espana, I am inept with the language and often can't remember if a word is Spanglish or really Spanish. Sure, there are words that I can pick out of a conversation, like "jugar," "amor"," and, "cerveza," but ask me to conjugate a verb or count beyond nueve and I'm lost. However, when I thought my necklace resembled a "W," I immediately started singing the alphabet - u, ve, doble ve, equis!

American Apparel blouse, Charming Charlie necklace, XXI sweater, Target skirt, Assets tights, Old Navy oxfords

The More the Merrier

Layers, layers, layers. This time of year, I try to stay away from wearing a winter coat (unless its the best option with my ensemble). Therefore, I often rely on layers to keep me toasty in the Windy City. A tee, sweater, and a snood? Thigh high socks over tights? The more the merrier as far as I'm concerned. 

Akira sweater and skirt, Gap snood, American Apparel thigh high socks, Hue sweater tights, Nine West boots, Halogen purse, LOFT tee and ring, Charming Charlie shades

Canadian Tuxedo

I love a Canadian tuxedo, and worn with the right pieces, it can be chic. I can see some of you scoffing at this very idea and I understand. We all remember the denim catastrophe that was JT and Britney at the AMAs in 2001, right? As far as rules to live by when wearing denim on denim, here they are: 1. Pick jean pieces different in color - light for one and dark for the other; 2. Wear a tweed, tuxedo, or black blazer, or even a fur vest to top off the shirt and incorporate another texture; 3. Toss on some jewelry since the last thing you want is a minimalistic look; and, 4. Keep one (or both) of your jean pieces loose. Even though today of all days is a day to be American, try it out and bring a lil bit of our northern neighbors into your street style at some point this season.

Have you guys been to Kohl's lately? I definitely have and man, oh man, you should go! I have an exclusive 10% for my readers on their website using code TENBLOG until December 23rd (can be used with other coupons & promotions). Might I suggest purchasing these, this, or this? 

Jack BB Dakota fur vest, Jennifer Lopez for Kohl's blazer, I Heart Ronson chambray shirt, Mavi Serena jeans, Sam Edelman pumps, Stella & Dot necklace, Indigenous beanie, Charming Charlie clutch, Revlon's Blackberry lipstick

Furry, But Friendly

Despite the fact that I despise anything that sheds, I cannot get enough of anything faux fur. I'd imagine that this is how my mother felt upon welcoming home a yellow lab after years of Maltese pups. You love 'em so much that you don't mind cleaning up the hair. Therefore, I'll just put a lint roller in my purse and call it a day. 

Kohl's blouse, XXI skirt, Steve Madden tights, MRKT shoes, NY & Co fur stole and cape, JC Penney belt, Charming Charlie and Stella & Dot bracelets, Marinette monogrammed necklace

Sequin Your Day (Part I)

 I love wearing sequins; however, when I looked at my stock, I didn't have nearly enough. Still don't...I'm talking to you, you, or you  - get in my closet! When it comes to sequins, we so often delegate it for cocktail parties or date nights - why is that? They can be business and weekend appropriate too! While I've been on the "sequins for day" soap box before, we all need many examples before we make the jump into a new trend or make a change in our daily outfit choices. 

Check back tomorrow for my next "Sequin Your Day" post.

Loft trousers, Joe Fresh blouse, Jennifer Lopez for Kohl's tank, NY & Co jacket, Charming Charlie necklace, Nine West pumps

Rock of Ages

After watching "Rock of Ages" last night, I am thankful to have this outfit post on the docket since it felt very 80's and right now, I'm feelin' the 80's. If you haven't seen the movie, it's a bit like "Hairspray," "Footloose," "Dirty Dancing," or "Cry Baby" (some of my all time favorites). The premise? Boy and girl fall in love, then uppity, righteous, or selfish people try to break up the relationship and stifle rock 'n' roll, but despite the efforts, love and rock 'n' roll prevail. The lesson? Don't stop believin' in either...ever.

Elle jacket, Akira skirt & sweater, Jessica Simpson heels, vintage necklace & earrings, Charming Charlie bracelets, Revlon Cherries in the Snow lipstick, Foster Grant sunnies

Cherry Garcia

When it comes to cool treats, I have a few favorites that I don't stray far from: vanilla soft serve with sprinkles, pistachio gelato, and Ben & Jerry's Cherry Garcia frozen yogurt. I have a strong aversion to melted ice cream, so unless it's frozen almost solid, texture is necessary. These options have the chunky additions of sprinkles, nuts, cherries & chocolate chunks help to make it feel less...soft, smooth, and liquidy. While most recently I've had more of the pistachio variety, I can remember many a night spent studying physics during my junior year of high school indulging in a pint of Cherry Garcia. I should do that again soon...without the physics. 

American Apparel tee, NY & Co skirt, Jessica Simpson heels, Charming Charlie purse & bracelets, Target necklace

Bejeweled

In college, it was Snood, now it's Bejeweled. Who's with me?

American Apparel blouse & skirt, vintage scarf, Aldo heels, J.Crew purse, Charming Charlie bracelets & earrings, Target belt