Holiday Dress Remix: Office Appropriate

Faux Leather Panel Red Skater Dress | Zara
Thick Jersey Circle Skirt | Asos

Cat Eye Sunglasses | Kate Spade

Ruby MC Mini | Strathberry

     Ok, I’ve been binging Galavant. I downloaded the first season for free on iTunes, after seeing one of my favorite actors in its commercials (freaking love Timothy Omundson and his singing). Since then, I’ve played the soundtrack on repeat! (the songs are ridiculously catchy and get stuck in your head, beware!!!)

      So in between binge watching and the frigid cold, I’ve been gearing towards fun outfits that don’t freeze me to death and still wear to work (aka no jeans L) I decided to get more wear out of the dresses I bought this holiday season. Best part? To make them office appropriate, I layered the heck out of them!

     Do you know what a button down under a dress looks like? Awesome. That’s what XD I paired a button down with my sleeveless red dress and added a thick grey skirt to make the redness of the dress an accent color rather than the grounding piece of the outfit. Add some statement accessories, and it goes from office to date night. Awesome x2.

 ☑ Office appropriate
 ☑ After-work happy hour
 ☑ Dinner date

How do you wear your party dresses after the holidays?

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Linking up Shanna, Lauren, Lindsey, Jen, Zarouhi, & Sarah :)

Holiday Look: Seeing Red (Dress)

Red Skater Dress | Zara

Beige Peacoat | Old

Ruby MC Mini | Strathberry

     Holidays are upon us so time to get ready for holiday parties!

     I bought this dress a few years ago, but at the time, I was hesitant to ever wear such bright vibrant colors, but I just couldn't pass it up. I loved how the red could pass for festive during the holiday season and romantic the rest of the year. Fast forward 4 years and one blog later, I now wear bright lip colors, bright pops of color, and a ton of prints.

     This dress is perfect for a holiday party at a friend's! In my opinion, it's a bit short for an office party, but then again I work for an old fashioned petrochemical company.

     The thing I love most about this dress is the thickness of the fabric. I can tell it'll keep me warm on those frosty December nights. And the faux leather panels at my waist give it a cinching effect so I can eat through the night ;)

 ☒ Office appropriate
 ☑ After-work happy hour
 ☑ Dinner date

Have a lot of holiday parties this year?

Let's stay in touch!

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Linking up Shanna, Lauren, Lindsey, Jen, Zarouhi, & Sarah :)

Jailbird

     I love button downs. I love stripes. So it was no surprise I grabbed this little number when I saw it on Asos. Unfortunately for me, I have a witty manfriend who pokes fun at my outfits. Normally I ignore him, but this time, his comment stuck and I can't unstick it!

     What's a girl to do? Go with the flow! He calls them 'prison stripes' because prison uniforms were black and white horizontally striped. I decided to give them a chicer name so they are now known as my 'jailhouse striped' top.

     These photos were taken a day after my haircut so I was still rocking my blowout. I've been eyeing lobs for a bit, and asked my stylist, Bendy, what he thought. He warned me it was a lot of work, especially for someone who asks to be able to wake up and go. I am super lazy, but I love love love all these lobs and bobs I see! What should I do??

Office appropriate? ✓✓
After-work drinks fun? ✓
Dinner date good? ✓

Jailhouse Striped Top  | Asos
Fluted Skirt | Zara
Two-tone pumps | Schutz
(leopard version here)
Sunglasses | Kate Spade
Jewelry | Shashi, Gorjana, Michael Kors

Would you get a lob haircut?

Let's stay in touch!

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Linking up Shanna, Lauren, Lindsey, Jen, Zarouhi, & Sarah :)

Office to Off-Hours: Chambray

Last week, I introduced the piece that started it all. A maxi. I wore a chambray shirt over it tied at the waist for some definition. It was a super easy outfit to wear out to a fun filled day in Montclair, NJ

(where we played this thing called an escape room, more on that later).

     As I was getting ready for work one day, I wanted to wear this simple black dress, but found it a bit too revealing (aka not enough coverage for our AC'd office). I found myself hesitant to pair the simple black dress with a white button down. As I held it in my hand, I thought, 'I'm going to look like a little Catholic Asian nun from the movie Sister Act who has lost her habit.' Not that I wouldn't mind being an extra on that set, because I freaking LOVE that movie, but it wasn't going to happen, and I've come to terms with that, sort of.

I'd like to note that I super love this photo. If you've met me in person, then you know how uncool I am. I am a HUGE dork so the fact that I look so suave, so cool, so legit is making me squeal like a little kid!

     So what was a girl to do? Well, I guess the photos give it away. I went with this chambray shirt again! It was a nice way to make the outfit a little different, by bringing in a different fabric and color to the ensemble.


     I loved the ensemble so much, I ended up photographing it before a dinner date with the manfriend! I chose a random little alley way in the town that looked so much cuter and romantic in photos. I'm not complaining though (;


     Anywho, I realized this chambray was a perfect staple for office wear AND off hours. It's versatile due to its classic shape and cut, but the texture and material lends a casual feel to any outfit. It literally is the embodiment of dressed up and dressed down at the same exact time. Mind. Blown.


     I love how I've found more uses for this purchase in the 5 years I've owned it. And to think, I originally bought this to wear to classes when a T-shirt just wasn't cutting it.


Office appropriate? ✓

After-work drinks fun? ✓
Dinner date good? ✓

Black Dress  | No Name
Chambray Shirt | Zara (old)
Black Satin Heels | Caparros
Sunglasses | Kate Spade
Tan Belt | Thrifted
Pearl Necklace | DIY

Would you like to see more of the "Office to Off-Hours" series?

Let's stay in touch!

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Linking up Shanna, Lauren, Lindsey, Jen, Zarouhi, & Sarah :)

Blue Me Away

Two weeks ago, I wrote of my fashion "a-ha" moment when I thrifted a J. Crew maxi skirt from "Second Time Around". I remember it was ugly. It was ill fitting. It was this exact skirt.

     I wanted to show you the exact piece that got me hooked on thrifting. Nope, it's not some beautiful Dior silk top I happened across for $1.99. It's not sartorially relevant or unique. It's a simple maxi skirt (before they were even popular)!

     Back in 2008, I pulled up this maxi skirt into a one piece dress and paired it with a tan belt at the smallest point of my waist. It made me feel good about myself, and best of all, it fit my lazy college girl routine. Just pull up, belt, and go! 8AM classes? No problem for this chick ;)

     I'm surprised it's survived my closet purges these past few years. I guess I'm the sentimental type, plus I seem to always find a new way to wear it every few years. This addition of the chambray top tied around the waist plays into the 90s revival. Yes, I updated this outfit by dating it back an additional 10 years. Haha.

Office appropriate? ✖

After-work drinks fun? ✓
Dinner date good? ✓

Chambray Top  | Zara
Floral Dress | Thrifted (worn as skirt)
Two-tone Heeled Sandals | Charles David
Sunglasses | Kate Spade
Arm Party | Heirloom, Handmade

What's survived your recent closet purge?

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Linking up Shanna, Lauren, Lindsey, Jen, Zarouhi, & Sarah :)

Team Jenny Mermaid Nails & LWD

I wasn't joking! Anything lace inspired, and I'm there with credit card in hand. This eyelet shift is from J. Crew last year. If you've been reading from the beginning then you know I've worn it once. But last time was a bit more classic: standalone shift paired with vibrant neon colors in the Kate Spade yellow clutch, green and blue thin strap heeled sandals, and wavy hair.

     This time, I went for a boyish look accompanied with delicate, dainty jewelry for a touch of femininity. I love wearing shifts for their functionality, but as a short, curvy girl it's easy to look like an oompa loompa from Willy Wonka's chocolate factory. 

     A lot of streetstyle stars tie shirts around their waist for added dimension. I decided to use this trend to create some definition in my figure! The results? I definitely find shift dresses more appropriate for my small stature now, even for blog photos! Maybe you'll see more in the future :)

     And can I point out the amazing nail job? My friends at Team Jenny Nails painted my nails over the weekend, and it reminded me of the beach! The colors of the sea surrounded by bits of gold glitter like the sun reflecting off the water as sea foam washes up a starfish! Ahhhh! Makes me motivated to try and paint my nails all the time now to match my outfits. We shall see....

Eyelet dress | J. Crew
(similar here, like this one)
Chambray shirt | Zara
Platform sandals | L.A.M.B.
Sunglasses | Kate Spade
Accessories | Shashi, Handmade, Gorjana, Jules Smith

Are you shift dress averse too?

Let's stay in touch!

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Linking up Shanna, Lauren, Lindsey, Jen, Zarouhi, & Sarah :)