Friday, March 29, 2013

Work Outfit: Need for Tweed



Suit: Ann Taylor Factory | Sunglasses: Prada | Shoes: Nine West (similar style here) | Bag: 3.1 Phillip Lim (currently available at Barney's and Otte) (read my review) | Bracelets: Tiffany, Swarovski | Earrings: F21 | Watch: Fossil

Confession: I'm terrible about going to the tailor. My strategy is usually to buy the best fit I can off-the-rack and have my mom do a hem or shorten shoulder straps if need be (thanks, Mom!).

With suits, however, tailoring is almost always required. In the professional world, being competent and professional is not enough--one has to also look competent, confident, and professional. This is especially true for petite women.

This suit was a Christmas gift from my parents, and while it looked passable off-the-rack, I knew it could look great with a slimmer, more fitted silhouette. I had the jacket's sides slimmed, sleeves shortened, and armholes brought up. I had the skirt taken in at the waist, which made the length more flattering since it now sits higher on my waist, plus it has the added benefit of more reliably keeping a tucked-in blouse or shell where it's supposed to be. These seemingly minor tweaks changed the look of this suit so much, and I felt very confident and put-together when I wore it for an exceptionally challenging day at work yesterday.

For anyone who might be looking for a tailor in Denver, the one I've been seeing for the past year or so has done a marvelous job with every piece I've left with him and his lovely wife. Erol and Filiz of Erol's Tailoring are so kind and talented, and they work quickly while still making sure that you are getting exactly what you're hoping and expecting. I've sent some friends with wedding dresses his way in the last few months, and it seems they have been very satisfied.

P.S. Don't forget to enter here to win my hot pink Cambridge Satchel! This giveaway runs through April 3, 2013.

       

Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Cambridge Satchel Giveaway

As a token of my appreciation for your readership and support, I am giving away an authentic, like-new pink fluoro Cambridge Satchel this week!

After wearing this pretty satchel only twice since I got it (see it styled here and here), I decided it was time to find it a new home where it might get a little more love and wear. I considered selling it, but then I thought one of my readers might like to have it instead. It is in "new without tags" condition, ready to be a bright and fun pop of color in your spring/summer wardrobe!

This giveaway is open to residents of the United States and Canada over 13 years of age and will run through midnight on April 4, 2013 (EST). Approximate retail value of the satchel is $190 (new per the company website), and it is provided solely by me.

To participate, all you have to do is enter your email so that I can contact you if you win! If you'd like to get extra entries, you can follow the additional instructions below and like, tweet, or follow this blog (don't worry--you'll get credit for following on other platforms if you already do!). You can be sure that I will never share your information with anyone, and I won't retain it for any other purposes, commercial or otherwise. Full terms and conditions are available below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

       

Monday, March 25, 2013

Winter's Encore

hunter regent savoy boots

karen walker perfect day sunglasses

j.crew peacoat
Coat: J.Crew (similar here) | Sweater: Urban Outfitters (last seen here) | Pants: [Blank]NYC | Scarf: J.Crew (last seen here) | Sunglasses: Karen Walker | Boots: Hunter (review here) | Bag: 3.1 Phillip Lim (read my review) (pre-order here)

Early spring was derailed a bit in Denver this weekend when we got nearly a foot of snow on Saturday! It seems like winter decided to make a final appearance--hopefully this current cold spell will be short-lived. Hope you are having a great Monday and that it's warmer wherever you might be!

     

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Spring Mint

Sweater: J.Crew (similar here) (last seen here) | Skirt: Urban Outfitters | Belt: Abercrombie (pinched from this dress) (last seen here) | Sunglasses: Chloe | Shoes: MICHAEL (similar here) (last seen here) | Bag: Coach | Necklace: Ann Taylor | Watch: Michael Kors | Nails: Essie "Mint Candy Apple"

     

Monday, March 18, 2013

Green Day



Sweater: J.Crew (similar here on sale) | Tank: J.Crew | Pants: H&M (similar here) | Scarf: F21 (similar here) | Belt: H&M | Sunglasses: Karen Walker | Shoes: BCBG | Bag: Tory Burch (similar style here) | Earrings: Kendra Scott | Bracelets: F21, Saks, Boutique | Watch: Vintage Dior

Hope you all had a great time celebrating St. Patrick's Day yesterday! I had a sick puppy at home, so I didn't get to take part in the festivities, but I wore a festive outfit nonetheless. The weather in Denver was warm enough for sandals (although high winds made that a bit of a stretch), and it was great to get out of the house and enjoy the spring weather for a bit while taking these photos.

       

Friday, March 15, 2013

Sunny Stripes

Jacket: Aeropostale (last seen here) | Dress: ASOS (currently out of stock, but similar here) (last seen here) | Belt: Madewell | Sunglasses: Chloe | Shoes: ALDO | Bag: Coach | Necklace: JenniJewel | Earrings: bought in Turkey (almost identical here) | Bracelets: INPINK c/o, Ann Taylor, F21, Vintage

 

Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Review: 3.1 Phillip Lim Pashli Medium Satchel

Bag: 3.1 Phillip Lim Pashli Medium Satchel (currently available at Barney's, Saks, and Otte NY)
Outfit: details here

I've been admiring the Pashli since I first noticed photos of it popping up at various Fashion Weeks about a year ago (although it was introduced in 2011). The original Pashli stole my heart, but with dimensions of 11"H x 15"L x 4"D, it wasn't meant to be for this petite lady. After seeing a great review from Elle, I decided the weight, size, and lack of a shoulder strap would ultimately discourage me from making it an everyday bag, which I what I wanted. The mini size, albeit adorable, also didn't fit with the "everyday bag" objective, so that was ruled out, too.

Not too long after, I saw this blog post that indicated there would be a new, intermediate-sized Pashli Medium introduced for S/S 2013. When Saks had one in black available for pre-order earlier this year, I immediately jumped on it.

The first thing that caught my eye when opening the box was the gorgeous texture on the leather. It's embossed with a sharkskin pattern, which makes it both visually interesting and fairly scratch-resistant (big pluses in my book). The dimensions are 10"H x 12"L x 4"D; with the front zippers unzipped, the length increases to about 13.5-14" at the top. There is one big inner compartment and one flat zippered pocket that's 6" long and about 7" high. At 2.6 pounds, it's substantial but not too weighty for extended wear.

The shoulder strap is long, but it's adjustable, and I'm wearing it cross-body on the shortest setting (about 20") in the photo above. I am planning to put a few more holes in it so I can carry it on one shoulder when I feel like it.

I was pleasantly surprised when my laptop fit nicely inside and still left room for all my daily necessities. While I use a Longchamp Planetes for work most days, the Pashli can do double duty on days when I don't have as many files to lug around. I've included a photo below of it on work bag detail.


     

Monday, March 11, 2013

A Little Trend Salad

Sweater: J.Crew (similar here) | Tank: Urban Outfitters (last seen here) | Skirt: H&M | Leggings: F21 | Sunglasses: Karen Walker | Belt: Vintage | Boots: Hunter (review here) | Bag: 3.1 Phillip Lim | Necklace: JenniJewel | Bracelets: J.Crew, ALDO, Boutique

As I finished getting dressed for a casual Sunday working at home and running errands, I realized I had thrown a whole bunch of different trends into my outfit.

I started with the comfy leggings I was wearing around the house in the morning and this cozy pink sweater, but since leggings < pants, I thought I should add a little length. Out came this skirt, which I had bought with New Year's Eve in mind, forgetting that NYE in Denver is always freezing, and therefore, a teeny skirt wouldn't really cut it. When I grabbed the skirt from my drawer, I saw this neon yellow lace tank I hadn't worn since last summer and thought it'd be perfect under my cozy cardigan. Since it had snowed on Saturday, warmer temperatures Sunday meant wet, slushy streets, so my galoshes seemed like a practical choice. My new Pashli has been going everywhere with me since it arrived last week (review coming soon), so that was added to the mix. And then what outfit isn't complete without lots of bracelets and trendy sunglasses? On they went, too.

In the end, I had to smile in spite of myself as I ultimately decided to throw Coco Chanel's advice (take one thing off before you leave the house) to the wind and wear a little trend salad. (Because why be a fashion blogger if you can't do that on occasion?)


Wednesday, March 6, 2013

Spring Trends: Pastel, Floral, and a Bow on Top




Shirt: Gap (similar here) (last seen here) | Skirt: F21 (similar here) (last seen here) | Bow Belt: Abercrombie (originally came with this dress) (adore this Kate Spade version, too!) | Pumps: MICHAEL (similar here) (last seen here) | Bag: Rebecca Minkoff (similar here) (last seen here) | Necklace: JenniJewel (last seen here) | Earrings: bought in Turkey (similar here) (last seen here) | Bracelets: INPINK c/o, F21, Vintage | Watch: Michael Kors (last seen here)

The gorgeously warm weather last weekend let me put together a few trends for a fun, springy brunch outfit on Saturday.

As I was assembling this post, I realized every one of the pieces in this outfit has been styled in previous blog posts, reminding me that it's not always necessary to purchase new items to have an of-the-moment look (something I often struggle to remember). A busy work and travel schedule has left me with less time for shopping and bargain-hunting lately, so I'm trying to put together new looks with what's in my closet already--"trying" being the operative word there, of course. Click on "last seen here" in the item details above if you'd like to see how I've previously styled each of these pieces.

       

Monday, March 4, 2013

LBD


Jacket: Zara (review here) (similar from this season here) | Dress: Zara (last seen here) (similar here) | Pumps: MICHAEL (similar here) | Bag: Rebecca Minkoff (similar here) | Cuff: Gifted | Earrings: bought in Turkey (similar here) | Watch: Vintage Dior

     

Friday, March 1, 2013

Flurry

chloe star sunglasses


Striped Shirt: J.Crew (last seen here) | Button-Down: Abercrombie | Skirt: F21 (last seen here) (similar style here) | Belt: Madewell | Sunglasses: Chloe | Boots: Frye "Melissa Button" (on sale!) (review here) | Bag: Rebecca Minkoff (similar here)

As I was getting ready to take these photos, the few flurries of snow coming down outside suddenly turned into big, pretty flakes--guess winter decided it was better late than never in the mountains this year!