90's Vibe

Jacket: Zara girls section // dress: swapped // vintage Coach bag: thrifted // 
Ankle boots: Target // Sunglasses: Smak Parlour

Despite the fact that I am a child of the 80's and 90's, when it comes to fashion, I don't often get nostalgic for that time period. But I admit that this outfit does have a hint of the 90's to it (dark florals, denim jacket, bucket bag...).  All I need are some "Poetic Justice" waist length box braids to really take this look back to the 90's.  For today, I'll embrace the 90's, though tomorrow's outfit could be channeling an entirely different decade.

Here's to an awesome week!

Blue Farewell

 

Dress: swapped (similar) // Jacket: Zara (girls section) // 
Wedges: Target // Earrings: H&M (old) // Sunglasses: Target

I decided to wear one more summery dress to bid farewell to the season.  Goodbye summer, hello fall!  I'm going to spend some time this week storing summer clothing, making a fall wish list, setting goals for the season and creating a list of things I'd like to do in my city before winter arrives. 

How do you prepare for fall?

 

Here's to a great week!

Last Stretch

Dress: Buffalo Exchange // Shoes: Nine West (old) // 
Bag: random accessories store in Philly // Earrings: H&M

Here is a rather matchy outfit worn during Labor Day Weekend (aka the unofficial end of summer). I wanted to wear this rather summery dress before I set my mind (and wallet) to fall fashion.  Let's make the best of this last stretch of summer!

 

Pack Light

 

Dress: AA via Buffalo Exchange // Wedges: Nine West via Marshalls // Vintage Coach bag via Buffalo Exchange (similar)

I've come to the conclusion that I carry around way too much stuff in my bag on weekdays but I can't help myself.  I want to be prepared for any occasion (tired feet in need of flats, make-up retouch, desire to write down my thoughts, rain...you get the idea).   So on weekends, I now stick to cross body bags like this vintage Coach one I bought recently or clutches. See past what's in by bag posts here and here.   Now I have to just translate this less is better mentality to my weekday bag...

Happy Monday!

The short of it

Dress: Buffalo Exchange (similar: 1, 2, 3); Necklace: Beacon's Closet; Shoes: Nine West (old); 

Bag: Marshalls (similar); Earrings Sonia V Boutique

This dress is so much more wearable since I got it shortened (previously worn in this post). Now I'm inspired to search my closet to see if I have anything else in there I haven't been wearing that could use minor alterations.  Having clothing that is the proper length is key for shorties like me and for taller ladies. 

Do you get your clothing altered?

Dressy Prints

Dress: H&M; Shoes: Nine West via Buffalo Exchange (exactly); Clutch: H&M

Hot, muggy weather + an easy printed dress = a happy shen! Why can't math be as easy as picking out dresses...Have a fabulous day!

Red Accents

Dress: swapped; Jacket: Gap Kids (similar); shoes: Retrospect Vintage; 
Clutch: purchased in San Francisco; Earrings: Top Shop (old)

I'm still evaluating what wardrobe editions I want to add for the summer, but in the interim, I'm getting use out of current items I own and love like this simple dress, clutch and shoes.  I'm a big proponent of wearing what works for your body type and simple dresses or skirts with an A-line cut work for me.

What styles do you rely on wearing often? 

Currently listening to: Love Hate Thing by Wale
Book of the Moment: Kinky Gazpacho by Lori Tharps

Denim+ Floral+ Mint

Jacket; Zara, girls section (similar); Dress: Buffalo Exchange (similar); Wedges: Target; Bag: H&M; Earrings: H&M (old)

I love shopping in stores like the Buffalo Exchange because of the thrill of the hunt, you never know what you'll find.  On my last trip to the store, I got lucky and found this dress in my size.  It has been in weekend rotation for a couple of weeks, but is now making its first appearance on the blog.  

Have you had any luck shopping lately (second-hand or otherwise)?
 

Watercolored

 Blazer: thrifted (similar); Dress: Buffalo Exchange; 

Heels: Shoe Mint; Necklace: Shoxie; Earrings: H&M

I never really considered pink to be one of my favorite colors. But after looking at my clothing that has been in heavy rotation this spring, like this blazer, its seems that it is a fav, at least for now.  I see this dress becoming a "new to me" favorite.  It was purchased for $7.50 during a recent Buffalo Exchange trip.  The watercolor like print of this dress kind of inspires me to get out some paints and create some art for my walls.  Or I could just hang the dress on a wall when I'm not wearing it...

Happy Wednesday!

How to Rescue a Dress from the Donate Pile

 Blazer: Tulle; Dress: swapped and Dyed; Heels: Zappos (similar); 

Earrings: Buffalo Exchange; Belt: Target (similar)

Happy Friday! I wore this dress which I found at a clothing swap last summer.   As a simple dress, I got a little bored with the color and was thinking about tossing it in the to-donate pile for my next thrifting trip.  But I decided to get a box of RIT Dye and see if I could give it a fresh look with color.  I'm happy with the results.  For a person who doesn't have sewing skills (yet), a box of dye is my favorite way to give clothing a new look.  If you have one, what's your favorite way to rescue items from the donate pile?

I've decided to move my links of the week post to Saturday, so expect to see it tomorrow!  

Have a lovely weekend.

Festive Dash of Floral

Dress: Target: Blazer: F21; Heels: Target; Necklace: Eastern Market vendor in DC; Earrings: Buffalo Exchange

Happy Monday! Hope your weekend was filled with fun, relaxation and family. Here is my Easter Sunday look featuring the dress I wore casually in this post.  

This isn't the brick wall I grew so accustomed to using as backdrops for outfit photos in DC,
but it will do.

Here's to a great week!

Denim + Teal

Jacket: Zara Girls section (similar)//Dress: Target (similar)//Necklace: Shoxie

Happy Monday!  Though I missed that hour we lost over the weekend, I'll gladly give up the hour for more sunlight in the evenings.  Daylight savings is definitely a win-win for a style blogger.  Spring (closely followed by fall) is my favorite season so I'm happy that it's nearly here.  This dress will easily transition to spring weather and the next time I wear it, I hope it's warm enough to go without a bulky winter coat . Despite the lack of heavy outerwear in these photos, a winter coat is still very much a necessity until spring weather decides to stick around.

Enjoy this last stretch of winter and have a great week!

Review: ASOS PETITE Swing Dress in Baroque Print

I recently added the first ASOS item to my wardrobe.  I'm still on my black and white kick, so I chose this dress from the ASOS PETITE Collection because it looked versatile and I could easily see it fitting in with my existing wardrobe items.  So to really test out the dress, I did what I mentally do every time I add something new to my wardrobe: I remixed it.  Here is the ASOS PETITE Swing Dress in Baroque Print styled three ways:

Pops of Orange 

 

Blazer: H&M/Necklace: Claire's/Clutch: ???/Shoes: ShoeMint  

Shades of Gray

Earrings: H&M/Clutch: The Career Wardrobe (Philly)/

Shoes: c/o Burlington Coat Factory (purchased with gift card)/Tights: Target 

Dash of Denim

Earrings: Old/Denim Vest: Forever 21/Clutch: Francesca's Collections/

Boots: It's Vintage Darling (DC)

Size: I ordered a size 6 in the dress because I didn't want it to have a clingy fit.
Price: $47.47
Material: 96% Vicose, 4% Elastane
Likes: The crisp black and white graphic print.  The dress is comfortable and the length works for my short, curvy frame so I can easily style it for a variety of occasions.
Dislikes: I don't have any dislikes other than the sleeves being a tad too long.
Verdict: I like the dress and definitely plan to get a lot of wear out of it for the remainder of the season.  I've already worn this dress to a cultural event and to the office.  Next time, I may add a scarf or layer the dress over a skirt for a different look.  My order also came pretty quickly.  The ASOS PETITE Collection has an array of stylish items for petite ladies that fit my price point and style aesthetic. 

Note: I was given an ASOS store credit to order an ASOS item and chose this dress.  As always, all opinions in this review are my own.

Simple

Dress: swapped; Belt: H&M; Shoes: The Loft; Necklace: Eastern Market vendor

Hot summer days call for simple outfits...I almost left this dress on the rack at a recent swap because it looked kind of plain on the hanger but now I'm happy that I didn't. All the dress needed was a belt and a (brightly colored) necklace. I love simple outfits especially during the summer months. I will definitely remix this dress soon with different accessories.  

Happy Wednesday!

Pink, Black and White

Cardigan: H&Dress: Vintage; Necklace: Eastern Market vendor; Shoes: Zappos

Hi friends! I hope folks that live in the DC area weren't affected by the storm and have power. I feel so grateful that I didn't lose power in Friday's storm.

Cardigans are still necessary even in 90+ degree heat because of arctic air conditioning...but I'm just happy being a bit chilly while indoors is the only issue I'll have to deal with today. Stay well hydrated and wear your sunscreen!

Add a (Red) Blazer

Blazer: thrifted; Dress: Mod Cloth; Bag: H&M; Necklace: Target

It's been hot and humid for the last few days in DC, but arctic air conditioning allows for my lighter blazers to be worn even in high temperatures.

Hope your week is going well!