Thirsty for a Citrus Blazer

This is a thrifted blazer I bought recently for...drumroll please...2 dollars ($2.70 to be exact)
My lunch today cost more than that! I am not gonna lie, it has some serious shoulder pad action, which I considered removing, but they are growing on me...literally. I paired it with some ripped jeans and my snakeskin purse.

Blazer: Sag Harbor
Jeans 2Bebe
Tee: Old Navy
Bag: Dooney and Bourke
Boots: Kohl's

More Asos...

These are my jeans. The first jeans I ever ordered by mail without having to try on and they fit perfectly. 

Jovovick-Hawk for Target

It looks like I'm falling in the first picture, but that's just me revisiting my dancing days. This is the other Go International dress I spoke about (and ran to get) the same day I featured the Thakoon dress. It's Jovovich-Hawk for Target. The dress has no definite shape, so it needs to be belted. I was going to wear a brown one like the picture below, but the flowers are so sweet I wanted to toughen it up with the black belt. Target still has many left of this style, but the Thakoon has since sold out. So maybe it was good that I put my running shoes on to get these babies after all!

Dark, Lovely Haul

It's close to spring, so why do I keep buying dark clothes? I don't know, maybe it's a NY thing or maybe I'm just extreme. I'm a Scorpio. I either like bright colors or lots of black and gray.  

From left to right:

Affliction tee

F21 dotted top

F21 leopard tunic

Longchamps tote (just arrived today, yay!)

Worthington puff shoulder jacket

I'll probably wear this with my leather jacket and some black jeans
to look like the rock star I wish I was.

This is the tote I wrote about. My little Longchamps! Came today. 

It was folded and buttoned up, so it's a little wrinkled but that'll smooth out.

This is a slouchy off the shoulder tunic that I had to have!
More leopard I know, I'm crazy.
This has a banded waistband that I liked.

The puff shoulder blazer was purchased at JCPenny's. It was marked down from 72 dollars to 15 so it was quite a deal. And the Affliction tee was from Marshall's for 20 dollars. There were a few other Affliction styles so those tees are probably available at your local Marshall's and I think they're cute for layering under a leather jacket or black vest.

Also, here are exact links for the tunic...

And the polka dot top I bought...

Inspired by Color Blocking

Color blocking is big for spring. It's basically the idea of wearing big blocks of color together.
For example, a bright pair of pants with an equally bright top or a even a dress with different blocks of color.
To ease into this trend, I started by applying it to accessories. For more fun, I added patterns and belted a blazer.

Blazer: Benetton
Belt: Another Line Inc. for Lord and Taylor
Skirt: Merona for Target
Shoes: Carlos Santana
Bag: B. Makowsky

More Steve Madden...

Harajuku Girl and Tote

I bought a few cute things recently. First this Harajuku Girls perfume in Snow Bunnies. I am crazy about that bottle. It's so adorable.

I also bought this straw tote bag. I've seen bags like this by Michael Kors and Coach for a lot more. And I like the built-in ribbon detail .

More Straw Studios...

Longchamps Le Pliage

Like Fiona Apple once said, "I've been a bad, bad girl."
This time, I'm the bad girl.
I ordered this bag from Bloomingdale's today (in black though). While it's not what you would call an "it" bag, I have seen a lot of women carrying this bag and there's something about its simplicity that I just can't resist. I am trying to streamline my crazy purse collection, so a few will have to go to make room for this one. From what the reviews say, it's lightweight, but very durable. I'll let you know if I really love it once I start using it, but I'm thinking it's a keeper.

Turn up the B.A.S.E.

 Did I just buy the right items? 

My two best friends...Stacy London and Clinton Kelley, came out with this amazing system for shopping for clothes, shoes and anything fashion-related. It was featured on the last episode of What Not to Wear.
In case you missed it, here it is...


B is for body. Make sure that whatever I am trying on looks good on my body.
A is for age. Am I too old for this item or too young? (I wish).
S is for situation. That ballgown is amazing but am I going to ball soon? Maybe I should buy some jeans instead!
E is for expense. Will this item pay for itself in its "cost per use" value?

I am going to start to ask myself these questions when I shop.
Maybe I will buy less impulsive items (sorry ballgown)

Are there additional guidelines you follow when shopping?

French Dressing Via Scarves

Katie's not French, but she's still chic

I envy French women and their style. I started reading about how they look so effortlessly chic to get ideas. They focus on a wardrobe of investment pieces and then they embellish them with accessories. I always try to do that, but then I end up shopping for new things. I'm bad like that. But one thing I can take from the French is their love of scarves. Just like a "statement necklace", a silk scarf with a fun pattern can serve as jewelry and a focal point. I'm still learning to tie one perfectly, but for now here is my Jones New York scarf...

More Kate Landry...

What tips do you steal from those fab French ladies?

RIP Elizabeth Taylor

Was there ever a star more beautiful, glamorous and fashionable than Elizabeth Taylor?

 A true Hollywood star, you will be missed.

Lady Who Lunches

I don't think I would describe myself as a lady who lunches per se. Those are the wealthy Park Avenue types and I'm just a simple girl on a budget.  But I like the look.

Sweater: Cable & Gauge
Skirt: Alfani
Bracelets: Burlington Coat Factory
Earrings: Target
Purse: Forever 21
Shoes: Nine West

More Alfani...

Jackie O's White Jeans

I went to visit my mom today and when she saw these white jeans, she really liked them. For spring I like to get jeans with this "ankle" length to wear with ballet flats. But these can be so hard to find. Sometimes the simplest looks are the hardest to get just right! 

Jackie O was my inspiration for this kind of look (Wasn't she gorgeous? The epitome of style and later lived in NY too? Love her)  White jeans can work for any body shape, just need a good fit, so rock those white jeans ladies and bring out your inner Jackie O!

Jacket: Bitten by Sarah Jessica Parker

Blouse: Elle for Kohl's

Braided Belt: Forever 21

Jeans: Ralph Lauren

Earrings: Walmart

Flats: Aerosoles
Bag: Louis Vuitton

More Lauren Ralph Lauren...

Spring Awakening in Leopard

The first real day where I can be outside without a jacket and not freeze to death? Oh yeah! I should be wearing spring colors, but I have been wanting to wear this dress since purchasing it this winter sans a winter coat! So I paired it with some leggings and my mom's scrunchy suede boots from the 80's (more vintage anyone?)  And that's the necklace I bought in Mexico recently.  Dress is from Forever 21.

A Vintage Roundup

I love What Not to Wear, I have probably watched every episode, I even met Stacy London once, I am just beyond obsessed with that show! 

So on the latest episode of What Not to Wear, a cute lady in her 40's was chastised by Stacy and Clinton for dressing all vintage, all the time! Her look was a bit costumey and even though the fashion duo were correct in their assessment, I kind of liked her style and bravado. Of course, she later learned how to incorporate vintage into her wardrobe while still looking modern. I have a few go to vintage gems in my own wardrobe and I was looking over old blog posts to see where I pulled them out. Here's a round-up of those I remember...

Vintage Diane Von Furstenberg wrap dress (70's) 

 Vintage Sequin Jacket (80's)
Worn for a dinner out 
I like this jacket over current sequin blazers because it is thicker, has a nice lining and doesn't itch!
Ever notice that older pieces are sometimes better made?

Here's that same jacket as part of my Michael Jackson costume,
so you see vintage pieces can double for costumes, if you let them! This jacket is putting in work! 

What are your favorite vintage pieces and how do you make them 2011 ready?