Not Quite Winter White

Sometimes, I look at my recent clothing choices, and see how much my tastes have evolved. And then, such as in the case of this shirt, I can see how some things you like never change. Banded hem: check. Love a banded hem. Am I the only one? I've said it before and I'll say it again, the banded hem is a wonderful thing. It cleans up the hem of a non-tucked shirt, so it doesn't look schlubby! Best of both worlds, I tells ya. Also, the crossover front here, I have been in love with forever. This is quite a bit of an evolution from the original crossover fronts that I used to love so much, and actually, I probably wouldn't choose to wear a style like that anymore, but this I like. It's the best of the old, made fresh, shiny and new again! I originally bought this in the striped version, but I thought that the white would have more applications. I mean, I could really dress this up quite a bit, I think, with the right skirt...
So, here's my take.

I eschewed, and I do mean eschewed, yellow gold for soooooo long. I mean, I HATED it, and now, I am finding that I don't have enough in my repertoire. Darn it... have to go shopping... Paired this with my beloved leopard print shoes (which I got last year from Target), and thought the gold pieces would look nice in the mix.

Oh, and the nailpolish... I know I am going to rue the day I put it on, once it comes down to worrying it off my nails (damn glitter polish) but I was in the mood for something different, and dark (ish).

AND… let’s not forget that I need your votes for the AdditionElle contest. You don’t have to register, or even look for my entry. It takes 2 clicks. Click here to get to my entry page, and then click vote there, and you’re done-zo. Easy peasy. 

Don't make me beg...

On me: Top Ricki's (as per below); Jeans Torrid (as per below); Shoes Target (comparable below); Bracelet Reitmans (as per below); Necklace Unknown (comparable below); Earrings Reitmans (comparable below); Nails OPI Mariah Carey Collection "Can't Let Go"

Casual Friday by awholelottafbs featuring a multiple chain necklace

Top
41 CAD - rickis.com

Medium wash jeans
43 CAD - torrid.com

Leopard print platform shoes
25 CAD - newlook.com

Panacea multiple chain necklace
47 CAD - neimanmarcus.com

Earrings
72 CAD - macys.com

Chain Bracelet | Shop Online at Reitmans
10 CAD - reitmans.com

My Top 5 (+1) Fall 2013 Trends

Fall is pretty much upon us, more or less, well, sort of. In the mornings...
Anywhere, here are my top 5 trending elements of the Fall 2013 season that I am going to try and incorporate into my wardrobe!

1. Menswear fabrics: Houndstooth, plaids; those patterns are going to be prominent this season. I've already seen red highland plaid leggings out and about, and while I probably won't be brave enough to try those, there are more subtle plaid leggings like the ones from Reitmans, I have already picked up the houndstooth dress from Target.

2. Winter White: It's long past Labour Day, but we don't have to hiss at white like a vampire shrinking at the sun. Provided you wear your whites in a way that doesn't scream Summer (like, say, a pair of capris), you should be good. I have a cable knit off-the-shoulder sweater from Torrid that I can't wait to wear this winter, and I have a crisp white blazer from Addition-Elle that will be making an appearance also. Or, heavens to betsy, this to-die-for moto jacket from City Chic...

3. Peplum: Yes! Still alive and kicking. One of my pieces that I bought last year from Forever 21+ is back in stock this year! Glad to be able to be getting better cost-per-wear out of those peplum pieces that I thought might have been a one-season wonder.

4. Leather: A lot of the leather I've seen has been as an accent to a piece. I've seen a lot of leather arms on fabric jackets, like the Ricki's one, below. Or, how about the pleather accents on the leggings from Ricki's? Or, knit arms and leather bodice? Or, go full leather. The options are endless. The leather waist dress is... just...

5. Military: This is a harder one for me, because I feel like military lends itself more often to casual option, but this jacquard jacket from Ricki's might find itself in my closet.

And, as a runner up, because I always plan a top 5, and then have just one more to add,

6. The Color Grey: Will grey be the new black for Fall 2013? Too soon to tell for sure, but it seems like Emerald isn't quite ready to give up its Color of 2013 crown yet, either.

Top 5 Fall 2013 Trends by awholelottafbs featuring a camo jacket

Fancy-B*tch

I started following The Classy Cubicle, and one of the firsts posts I saw of hers was of a black sleeveless sheath dress. Which reminded me that I needed to get my a black sheath dress. I used to have a great one from Addition-Elle from many years ago, but I got rid of it when I lost a bunch of weight, so there is a hole in my wardrobe. Or, there was... Walked into Target the other day, and what did my wondrous eye behold? Perhaps the PERFECT LBD. First, its a nice material. I'm going to guess ponte-like, if not actually ponte [UPDATE: it is ponte]. So it sits nicely on. It has enough body to give structure, but not to much that its uncomfortable. Second, it has that wicked-awesome double pleat thing going on at the neckline that I really enjoy. It's the first piece I have with that. Third, speaking of the body of the dress, it make my hips look a little bigger. I know, what? I want something to look BIGGER? Well, yes, in my case, I would prefer if my straight narrow hips were a little bit rounder, because, as you can see in the photo, when hips go outtie, waist looks like it goes innie. Feelin' me?
This dress was also the perfect opportunity to wear my new Aldo heels. Also, super classic. I love that they are so matte, so that when I am wearing skirts/dresses with tights this winter, the shoes will just melt into the leg, creating an illusion of length and leanness that I am so covetous of. Wasn't sure how warm it was going to be, so topped it with a crisp white cardigan from Costco (seriously, I love their clothing section. Even though things often do go up to my size, when they do, they do so for a seriously reasonable price). And then, I had to make sure I was wearing my newest Essie polish, which is actually from a 2007 collection I think.... but, OK, bear with me here... That color, the dusty rose, I associate with a certain type of older ladies. I also associate wealth, class, and Chanel with a certain type of older ladies. Think, Lucille Bluth, but without the excessive drinking, emotional distance, and questionable mothering skills. So I just thought it was a perfect match for this ensemble. Light enough to be feminine, but dusty enough to be "Autumn". There you go, the method to my madness.
On me: Dress Target; Cardigan Kersh via Costco; Shoes Aldo; Necklace/Ring Unknown

Refined by awholelottafbs featuring pearl stud earrings

Remixing, part deux.

As its coming to the end of the season, and I have exhausted my Summer wardrobe, two things are happening: its getting slightly cooler, allowing for more layering pieces, and I am being forced (although not under duress-like) to remix the wardrobe, try wearing things in different combinations, and different ways. This dress, I originally wore as it turned to Spring, in this look. This "Fall" look isn't dramatically different, all I am doing is wearing black instead of white and neutral with it, but it does change the look, regardless. I guess the "remix" doesn't have to be dramatic to be effective. I really do want to try and wear things a little differently than I did the first time, or even differently than they were originally intended. I've been seeing a lot of button-up-the-back shirts (designed intentionally that way) but I've also seen cardigans worn backwards, as a pullover, with the buttons up the back. Clever, and just the right amount of daring if you ask me. But I like it. I might even do it...
And as I research for a picture to link you to, I see that this is hardly a new thing. I shouldn't be surprised, fashion is predictably cyclical. But, aside from seeing it mentioned last year, apparently, the kids used to do it a lot in the 50s. Cardigan backward, tweed skirt. Sounds nice. Here's a link to an interesting article about the trend's recent upswing. And here's the Tumblr post that originally piqued my interest.

On me: Dress Xhiliration by Target (old); Cardigan Old Navy; Necklace Le Chateau (old); Shoes Franco Sarto via some show discount place in LA... VERY old)

My Newest Fall Pieces

It has begun! Slowly, but slowly, I will begin adding new pieces to my wardrobe for the new season. I expect to have a much bigger haul once I get over to the nearest Torrid, Stateside, but for the moment, allow me to introduce my new black crew neck cardigan ( I can't believe I don't have a black cardigan! Or, didn't rather...) and chiffon snakeskin print blouse. I have big plans for these pieces. They'll be remixed a lot this season. Feel free to make any suggestions, of course!

Not too much to say about this, except the funny part of this, is that throughout the day, I decided these shoes were a bust. The toe is so long and pointy, that it actually catches on the low-pile industrial carpet throughout my office. I was all ready to Value Village these suckers... until... Tumblr and Beaucoo peeps are drooling over these bad boys! So, obvs, I need to reconsider getting rid of them. If they still piss me off the next time I wear them though... they might be subject to a giveaway or something!

On me: Blouse Old Navy; Cardigan Old Navy; Pants Target (old); Shoes Frederick's of Hollywood (very old).

Buildling an outfit

Sometimes, you build an outfit around a new shirt, or article of clothing. A lot of the time, for me, I build my outfits around a pair of shoes. I was gifted these mary-jane heels, and since I don't have anything like them, I wanted to wear them asap. They aren't anything phenomenal, but they were new to me, so I had to get them out there. Really wanted to be able to see the shoe, so I wore it with these black cropped pants from Target. The fabric is phenomenal. Stretchy, but it still has a lot of body to it. Really nice. I need to go back and get more. This top was a gift from my mother-in-law, who I think I have mentioned before. I really love it when she gets me clothes because a) new clothes, duh, and b) while she picks things that I always like, they are never something that I would choose for myself. Its quite nice!

On me: Pants Target; Top Reitmans (old); Shoes gifted; Jewelry unknown.

Never ending love affair with lace...

... I think I has one...
After the complete lack of effort that went into almost all of last weeks ensemble (hence, why you didn't see them here, but can take a look on Tumblr, if you are so inclined) I was really committed to starting this week with a bang. And I think I succeeded here. Picked up this lace top over my vacation for $9 at Walmart. Didn't even try it on, just made sure that when I held it against me that the side seams, when held to my midpoint on each side, didn't pull too much. I don't want to say that ALWAYS works, but most times, yes. I knew this lace shirt would be a great layering piece, and I love the off-white aged vintage color. Even though my initial thought was "this would look great under a blazer" I wanted to wear it sooner than the weather would be condicive to that combination, so I just threw it on over a nude cami and black pencil skirt. It really needed the belt, so with the addition of that, I threw on classic pumps, and was out the door. I considered (and probably could have worn) a pearl necklace, but the pearl earrings I chose were pretty dramatic, and I didn't want to do too much up in the ear/neck area. So, I opted for stacked pearl bracelets, and off we go.
The fitted pencil skirt and thin belt really give me an hourglassy look, which I really dig.

On me: Cami Forever21+; Top Walmart; Skirt Target; Belt Reitmans; Shoes Franco Sarto via DSW; Earrings/bracelet unknown

Fruit Salad (Peach & Orange)

Love this easy little dress. The peach color is great for Spring/Summer, and its a throw on piece. Actually, all dresses are kinda easy peasy, amiright? And the neon orange cami/dress is pretty groovy too. I am trying to think of other ways that I can wear it. Any clever suggestions?

Sorry, being a little tart-y in the far right shot; see the sheer panel at the shoulder?

I was told I was looking "very much the muchly" with these jewelry selections. I like how they don't match, per se, but all complement each other.

What do you guys think about the bracelet? I wasn't sure about it, but it went so well with the other pieces that I wore it anyway, and then got lots of positive feedback on it. I am very lucky that my mother-in-law has great taste. She often gets clothes and/or jewelry for me for birthdays/mothers day/christmas, etc, and she picks the most awesome stuff. And she totally has a handle on my style, and the kinds of things that I wear. She gave me the bracelet for Mother's Day, and it seems she knows me better than me!