Holiday Wish List

Pictured:  Fruiteria Base Lamp; Old Navy Women's Faux-Shearling Moto Jackets; Zara Fashion Heeled Boot; 
iPad 2; Rachel Stewart Adinkra Symbol Earrings; Madewell Rainbow Reflections Scarf; J Crew No. 2 Pencil Skirt; My Life by Mary J. Blige Fragrance; Urban Ears Headphones

Here are a few items I'm currently wishing for this holiday season. While I'd be perfectly happy to receive anything on my wish list, they are clearly "wants" rather than "needs." There are so many people that have real needs (food, shelter, etc.) this holiday season and I feel truly blessed that I am not one of them.

Basic Black (and Brown)

Shirt: Old Navy (exactly); Skirt: UO; Belt: UO; Shoes: Payless; Earrings: H&M

I love the shape and color of this skirt, but am at a loss for how to style it other than wearing it with a black shirt and tights which is a combo that I actually like but it would be nice to remix it another way...suggestions are welcome!

Here's to a positive and productive week!

Black Friday

Shirt: Old Navy (similar); Skirt: H&M; Sweater Vest: Old Navy (similar); Boots: Target (similar); 

Earrings: H&M; Watch: Francesca's Collections; Sunglasses: Target

Hope those that are in the U.S. had a Happy Thanksgiving and that those that live outside of the U.S. had an awesome Thursday!  Just because it's Black Friday doesn't mean that you have to actually wear black! 

I might pop into a store or two today, but I don't plan on doing much shopping this Black Friday.  For the most part, I plan to support local businesses this year when buying my holiday gifts.  I say this every year, but I'm really committed to shopping local this year. I figure that I shop at big box retailers and chain stores enough during the rest of the year.

What are your Black Friday shopping plans? 

Or are you sitting out the start of the holiday shopping rush this year?

Fair Isle and Denim

Sweater: Nordstrom's juniors dept. (exactly); Shirt: Loft (old); Jeans: Gap (similar); Shoes: Nine West; Sunglasses: 

Target; Earrings: H&M

A recent cold snap a few days ago called for a simple outfit that consisted of a cozy jacket and jeans.  I will definitely get a lot of wear out of this jacket when the chillier weather inevitably revisits again.

Happy Monday!

Currently reading: Divergent by Veronica Roth
Currently listening to Drake's Take Care album
Currently (re)watching: Awkward Black Girl

Style Profile: StyleLust Pages

Images courtesty of Cortnie of Style Lust Pages

This month's style profile is from Cortnie of the StyleLust Pages. Cortnie has a great sense of style and designs lovely clutches.  Now let's get the the questions!

Shen Dove: What inspired you to start your blog and how did you come up with the title? 

Cortnie: Well I had originally started a styling and personal shopping business (StyleLust, LLC) in September 2009 and immediately knew that I should blog about the things I was doing. The blog was named StyleLust Pages because when you're online, the screen you're viewing is considered a page. So it was kind of like you were viewing the pages of StyleLust's diary. Only it didn't turn out to be a blog of what the business was doing, but more of the personal style blog it is today. Good question!

Shen Dove: How would you describe your personal style? Have you seen your style evolve since you started your blog? 

Cortnie: I always say my personal style is casual chic. I love my heels, but I love ballet flats just as much. My favorite thing to wear is a slouchy sweater and skinny jeans which happens to look great with heels or flats. My style has definitely evolved since I started blogging just over 2 years ago. I wouldn't have put on a pair of corduroys then, but a lot of the things I was wearing I would wear again today. I'd maybe change a small thing or two about a couple of looks though. Nothing major.

Shen Dove: What inspired you to start your Etsy shop with your fab clutches? 

Cortnie: Do you have a favorite? Omg. So I always wanted to learn how to sew and this summer I found myself with more time on my hands than usual. My grandmother can do pretty much anything so of course I had her teach me. I told her I had an interest in making bags and she was more than happy to show me how to make them. About two weeks after learning how to sew I had my Etsy shop up and running. It's been about three months since I first learned everything. A lot of people think I've been sewing for a while. So not the case. It's kind of hard to pick a favorite clutch. I love the 'Genevieve' because of the taupe and white print, the fabric is AMAZING on the 'Britnie' clutch and I like the 'Patsy' clutch because it has a real vintage vibe to it. I think the new sequin clutch is perfect for the holidays too.

Shen Dove: How has the city/town you live in influenced your style?

Cortnie: It's very laid back where I live. Fashion isn't a big thing. You would easily stand out by wearing 4-5 inch heels anywhere you went. I guess that's why I own a lot of flats.

Shen Dove: Do you have any personal style rules you live by? If so what are they? Rules? 

Cortnie: There are no rules! Just be yourself. The more confident you are in what you're wearing, the better you look!

Shen Dove: Thanks for the interview Cortnie! Check out Cortie's blog, her Etsy shop and follow her on Twitter: @stylelustpages

Neutrals and Florals

Jacket: Nordstrom's Junior's dept (similar); Shirt: Charlotte Russe (similar); 
Skirt: Nordstrom's Junior's dept (similar); Shoes: Go Jane (exactly); Bag: gift: Sunglasses: 
Nordstrom's junior's dept; Jewelry: Modcloth;/vendor @ Eastern Market

The skirt and jacket in this outfit reminds me how much I enjoy the Junior's department of Nordstrom.  I think my wallet will silently thank me if I stay far away from Nordstrom this holiday season; there's far too much temptation to spend money there.

Here's to a positive and productive week!

Blue Friday

Shirt: Express (old); Jeans: H&M; Trench: H&M; Bag: H&M; Shoes: Nine West; 

Earrings: H&M; Necklace: H&M; Glasses: UO

I was looking at website designs and colors for work research earlier this week and came across a few websites that combined orange and blue.  This combo isn't new to me, I just felt re-inspired after my research.  Anyway, I liked the colors together so much that I decided to pair the colors in an outfit. I'll definitely pair these cheerful colors again in the near future perhaps in an outfit or maybe accent pillows for my apartment.  I've got plenty more orange and blue inspiration after doing a search of the colors on Pinterest.  Think I'll start pinning some of this inspiration on my boards.

Happy Veteran's Day!

Red Black and Leopard

Blazer: Gap (old); Shirt: H&M; Skirt: UO; Scarf: Express; Shoes: Go Jane;
Clutch: Francesca's Collections; Jewelry: H&M

I'm sure other outfit bloggers have said this already, but as much as I love fall weather, taking pictures this time of year is really a challenge because it gets dark so early...oh well. Adjustments will be made but I don't see myself hitting the daily mark for outfit posts until the spring, but it's not the end of the world.


On another note, it has been kind of weird seeing so many holiday commercials and ads BEFORE Thanksgiving...guess stores want us to go out and spend to stimulate the economy pretty badly. I don't see myself doing much non-gift shopping between now and the end of the year, so I'll be sticking to older pieces of clothing from my closet like this blazer, scarf and skirt.

I'm super behind on comments and hope to catch in the next day or so.

Here's to a positive and productive week!

Suede and denim

Blazer: H&aM (old); Jeans: Gap (also old); Shoes: Zappos; Top: Banana Republic; Bag: F21; 
Necklace: vendor at Eastern Market; Earrings: gift

Some days call for uncomplicated outfits like jeans a t-shirt and a blazer. I almost forgot I
owned this blazer because I so rarely wear it...whoops.

Have a lovely weekend!

Cozy

Top: H&M; Vest: F21; Skirt: F21; Infinity Scarf: Modcloth; Booties: Go Jane; Sunnies: Target; 
Bracelet: H&M; Earrings: purchased in Mexico

I wore this outfit over the weekend after we got that weird early snow fall.  But it looks like we are back on an even keel with the fall weather thank goodness.  I'm hoping the snow doesn't come back to visit again for a while.

Here's to a positive and productive week!