May 2013 TOTM Challenge: YELLOW

Today is the Trend of the Month Challenge Link-Up and May’s Trend link-up is Yellow! Hop on over the Marion’s blog to link-up!

I talked a few times about being afraid to wear yellow most of my life but since changing my hair color to red, I’ve attempted to embrace the color. A few years ago while at Target (where else?) I saw their $7 Tees and I decided to get one in yellow, hopping it would work with my red hair. I’ve worn this tee loads of different ways on the weekends throughout the summer and spring, but I’ve never really dressed it up for the office.

White Blazer & Tee – Target, Navy Cropped Pants & Bag – Thrifted, Jade Statement Necklace – Grandmother, Bracelets – Julep, Sandals – Payless

This white blazer is the perfect way to dress up a tee in any color really, it instantly takes a casual outfit to classic! It’s has gotten loads of wear this season too. A white or colored blazer is the perfect staple in a spring/summer business wardrobe and yet can be worn casually as well.

Originally when I thought about how I could dress up my yellow tee for work, I wanted to pair it with a navy blazer and white pants, but it just didn’t work with the navy blazer I have so I reversed the colors with white on top and navy on the bottom. To help tie everything together I added my white purse and sandals, oh and a red lip!

I have found that the simplest outfits have the most impact. I love that about this look! I got lots of compliments from Caveman and a few women at work too!

Although you can’t really see it unless you’re in direct sunlight, my necklace is made of Jade. I’ve been looking for a way to wear it for a while now, but just never could seem to get it right. Wearing it brings me closer to my late grandmother and reminds me that she was a hard working mother too!

Late Grandmother’s Necklace

Linking up with these lovely ladies: Trend of the Month Link-up  / WIWW @ Transaltantic Blonde / Keeping It Casual / Whatever Whenever Wednesday / WIWW @ Pleated Poppy / Random Wednesday / Get Your Pretty On / Weekly Wednesday Blog Hop / Wardrobe Wednesday / Dress For the Day / My Whims Wednesday / Doing You Well / Diaries of a Bargainista / Wildcard Wednesday / Whatever Works Wednesday / What We Wore, Read & Made Wednesdays / Look What I Got! / #ThrifterThrusday / Trending Pretty Wednesday / All Things Pretty Thursday!

Wishing for Sping in Animal Print

I know everyone is wishing for spring, especially with all the great spring fashions hitting the stores and blogs everywhere! I’m not immune to these beautiful spring designs either, but my budget is, LOL! So I’m shopping to my closet to remix what I’ve got!

Blazer – JCP (old), Leopard Tank – Target, Pants – Thrifted, Boots – Easy Spirit

I thought I’d remix my animal print tank with these pink pants and black blazer! I kept the makeup fairly simple too but added a red lip and last night I did my nails in red again. Red nails are so classic, so I thought I’d keep them beyond Valentine’s Day.

This polish is from Wet N Wild (via Walgreen’s), but it doesn’t stink that bad and it lasts for days! I saw a trick to making your nail polish last longer, paint the tips with a different color. I’m thinking silver tips or maybe pale pink in a few days, what do you think?

I’m also linking up with these lovely ladies again today too!

   

Trend of the Month: Black & White

It’s time for another Trend of the Month Challenge with Marionberry Style!! Go on over and check her out, she just gave birth 3 weeks ago and she looks amazing!!!

I recently wore a Black & White outfit that I loved and would have loved to link up. It was extremely simple but sometimes simplicity is best, so it’s no surprise that I struggled with putting together another Black & White outfit. This time I thought I’d try my hand at pattern mixing again.

Blazer – JCP (old), Sweater – Thrifted, Skirt – made by me, Bracelet, Tights & Wedge Loafers – Target

Now I know I’m cheating a little with the pink and tan on my skirt, but overall the theme is black and white. The floral paired with stripes is a bit stark by itself, so I added the blazer for unity. Not sure if this is a winner, but it made for a nice business casual look today.

I’m also linking up with these lovely ladies again today too!

   

Valentine’s Day Heart DIY

Valentine’s Day is the perfect day to show off my DIY skills, LOL! I am in love with all the graphic print sweaters, sweatshirts and Tees. Every store has them and just about every fashion/style blogger has worn them.

While at Tar’jey the other day I found long-sleeve knit tops on clearance for $3, I scooped up two and instantly the DIY wheels started churning. This shirt is lilac, but can almost pass for a shade of pink. I knew a red heart on the front would be perfect!

Valentine’s Day Heart DIY

Let’s get started… here’s what you will need for this DIY:
1. Long-Sleeve Knit Top or Sweater
2. Red Knit material cut out in the shape of a heart!
3. Scissors – to cut said material
4. Straight pins – to hold the heart in place
5. Needle and Black embroidery thread – I used 4 strands

The heart is hand-sewn onto to the shirt. Here’s how I did it…

1. Long-sleeve Knit Top; 2. Place Heart on Top
3. Pin in Place; 4. Hand Sew with Black Embroidery Thread

In the photos above, I laid out my tee, placed the heart wear I wanted, pinned in place and then used a running stitch and every so often, a back stitch to sew the heart onto the shirt.  I stitched approximately a quarter of an inch away from the edge all the way around the heart! When you get to the end, knot your thread – taking care not to pull the fabric too tightly, and your done! Here’s the finished tee…

I had another meeting today so I dressed up the basic tee with a black blazer and red pants. Since it’s Valentine’s Day I kept the red lip for my Valentine’s Day business casual look.

I’m linking up with these lovely ladies again today!

 

Business Casual Pink & Grey

I had a really important meeting this week so I knew I needed to look my best. This grey blazer I thrifted recently was a perfect choice, definitely business casual enough but with feminine touches. To keep the outfit from looking too dull and drab with all the black and gray, I added this hot pink silk blouse. I also kept the red lip and red nails making this a very Valentine’s worthy business casual look.

I try to remember even though I may need to look professional, I can remain true to myself and style by incorporating color and feminine touches to my wardrobe.

I’m linking up with these lovely ladies again today!