Loop Looks

Blazer – Express (similar) | Tank – Banana Republic Outlet (similar) | White shirt – The Limited (similar) | Skirt – The Limited (similar) | Shoes – Gabriella Rocha via 6pm.com (similar) | Necklace – JF&A Show (similar)

Did you know that my very first You Pick Wednesday post was helping Jen figure out fun ways to wear her striped blazer? She’s gone on to create some fun outfits with hers so I thought I would give a nod to history for today’s Mutually Inspired Series post and showcase a way that she created to wear her striped blazer.

I kept the same silhouette with the pencil skirt and blazer and also stuck to the same color palate with gray and magenta. At first I was struggling a bit to figure out how I was going to recreate this outfit because while I have similarly colored tops I didn’t know how to make any of them work. But then it struck me: wear a tank top over a collared shirt! So, that’s what I did.

Yes, this is a tank-top that has almost gone to the donation pile a few times.  In this case, though, I’m glad I held into it because it was fun to give it new life as a vest!  Sure, I could have worn the tank top by itself but I thought that layering it over the white shirt gave it more visual interest and dressed it up a bit more just like Jen did by adding that little bit of white to her original outfit.

What do you think? Would you ever turn a tank top into a vest?

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Blazer – The Limited (similar under $20) | Sweater – Old Navy (similar under $30) | Collared Shirt – TJ Maxx (similar under $30) | Pants – Ann Taylor (similar under $30) | Booties – Liz Claiborne via DSW (similar) | Necklace – Macy’s (similar under $30)

Today’s Inspiration Monday photo should have been easy.  Skinny pants and a polka dot sweater?  Polka dot sweaters have been everywhere this past season so of course I have one in my closet.

 Source

 Of course, Hilary Duff’s is ADORABLE while mine required a bit of finagling.  See, mine is actually short sleeved. So in order to give it some more interest under the blazer I added the collared button-up white shirt. I like that the sweater gives is a slightly casual vibe while the button-up and the blazer make it definitely office appropriate. And I incorporated the black and gray color scheme which promptly drove my photograph-taking husband nuts. “Can’t you wear something with color? Now we need to find a colorful background!” Mission? Accomplished.

Do you own a polka dot sweater? Don’t you love the one in the inspiration photo?

P.S. If you bought all the items linked to above (minus the shoes), your total outfit cost would be $122.41 (excluding tax and shipping). And the blazer, black pants, and collared shirt would become closet staples so you’d definitely get your money’s worth!

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Sweater – Kohl’s (similar) | Shirt – The Limited (similar) | Pants – The Limited | Shoes – Eric Michael | Bracelet – House of Gemmes

There was an entirely different outfit on the docket for today.  One involving a sequined skirt and a cardigan.  But here’s what happened.

My husband is in college getting his bachelor’s degree in chemistry.  And, as some of you may recall,  when you’re an undergraduate you have to take elective courses.  One of his courses this semester?  Digital photography for non-majors.

Now, I am super excited about him taking this course.  Why?  Because either this means I can rope him into being my photographer and using his new skills or he can teach me what he’s learned and I can apply those same skills myself.

The downside to this class?  We only have one camera.  Which means that in addition to scheduling things like who’s taking the car when and who’s using the washer and dryer when (yes, we do our own laundry) we now have to schedule who’s taking the camera when.  And he needed it this morning.  So, this outfit is actually from yesterday when I still had the camera and the chance to take a photo on my lunch break.

This outfit isn’t that different from the last time I wore this sweater but, hey, that’s how it goes when you’re trying to wear what you’ve got in your closet.  Still, swapping out the skirt and booties for pants and flats does a new outfit make!

But I still owe you a sequined skirt.

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White shirt – The Limited | Sweater – Gap (similar)| Skirt – NY & Co (similar)| Necklace – The Limited (similar)| Booties – Liz Claiborne via DSW (similar)

Just because it’s cold and dreary outside doesn’t mean you have to put your bright colors in the back of your closet.  Pairing a bright skirt with black and gray tones down the look and keeps it from shouting “SPRING”!

Also, here’s a hint:  wearing a cotton pencil skirt with tights is not the best idea.  I had to purchase my very first slip to wear with this skirt and these tights to keep the skirt from riding up like crazy.

When you play around in your closet you’re bound to discover that the right undergarments are key to making certain pieces work together.  And in this case if a $9 slip from Target can help me keep wearing this skirt into the winter then I’m all for it.

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Peplum top – The Limited (similar)| Blouse – The Limited | Skirt – Banana Republic Outlet | Shoes – Via Spiga via Loehman’s | Necklace – JF&A Trade Show | Earrings – c/o Anjolee

Today’s Inspiration Monday from Two Birds is yet another “celebrity” that I’ve never heard of.

Ashley Madekwe

I’m not a huge fan of her peplum top with the jeans.  It’s making her look disproportionate.  Which is why I tend to pair my peplum top with a pencil skirt.  It just seems to flow better to my eye.

I did, however, continue to incorporate the sparkle of her top with my jewelry.  I just purchased this necklace and it turns out that it goes perfectly with the earrings that I recently received from Anjolee.

You may have heard of whoever Ashley Madekwe is, but have you heard of Anjolee?  They sell custom made diamond jewelry.  You can choose what type of jewelry you want, whether it’s a bracelet or an engagement ring.  From there you choose what metal you want (yellow, white gold or platinum), the diamond size and quality, and, if applicable, the size of the piece.

Even if you’re not in the market for some new bling, it’s still fun to play around on their website or use their free iPhone app to design your dream item.

Note #1: Anjolee provided me with these sample earrings free of charge in exchange for a post.  Me wearing them and loving them is of my own accord.

Note #2: I apologize for the photo quality for the next few weeks.  My camera took another header onto the concrete and I can’t justify spending another $145 on a new one less than 5 weeks after the last one. 

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Blouse – TJ Maxx | Cardigan – Lucky Brand (similar) | Pants – Target | Shoes – Bandolino | Necklace – Overstock.com

Years ago I had a pair of burgundy/oxblood/wine colored pants from The Limited.  I wore those things like crazy. But, I almost always wore them with a black top.  I got rid of them when that color went out of style and because they no longer fit.

Funny how things come back around, isn’t it?  When I realized burgundy was going to be one of the trendy colors this fall I went out and bought a burgundy skirt and then decided I need a new pair of burgundy pants.  When I saw these at Target I decided they fit the bill perfectly.  And for less than $30?  Sold!

This time, though, I’m planning to wear them with more than just black.  I have lots of ideas on my Pinterest inspiration board that I’m looking forward to trying.

Are you planning to wear burgundy this fall?

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Shirt – The Limited | Skirt – New York & Co | Belt – The Limited | Shoes – Nine West

Welcome to the first day of a whole week of Open to Interpretation!

Erica, Kayla, and Grace are hosting a whole week of Open to Interpretation challenges.  Not sure what this is?  Well last week they posted photos that they thought would make good inspiration photos.  The idea isn’t to copy the look exactly but to let it inspire you to put together an outfit you might not have otherwise thought of.

Monday’s OTI pic?

I have been craving a pink skirt and finally found the perfect one at New York and Company on Friday.  And since I love to wear my new items ASAP, this was the perfect opportunity to put it on.  A skirt is much more work appropriate than shorts!

I took the bright bottoms and paired them with the white button down that has a little sass in the form of the silver threads.  Boat shoes instead of heels give a nod to the casual footwear in the inspiration photo.  An animal print belt gives the look a bit more dimension than just a bottom and a top (and goes with my Three Things rule).  No hat, though.  I look ridiculous in hats.

What do you think?  <b>How would you have interpreted this look?</b>

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Top – Moda via MJRsales | Jeans – Old Navy | Shoes – Karen Scott via Macy’s | Necklace – Jeans and a Cute Top Shop (boutique) | Belt – Gift from Italy

Something about this outfit just screams 1950s to me.  Especially when I had it on with my leopard ballet flats for my commute.

Speaking of commute, I rode my bike to work today.  In this outfit.

Sans heels and with a helmet, of course.  It actually worked really well.

I’m doing a short presentation this afternoon and then I’m off work early to run some errands.  Changing the address on my drivers license and checking out Macy’s for some white jeans.  Which do you think will be more fun?

P.S. Check out the Loop Looks Facebook page for a tip on what to do when you want to keep a belt in place without belt loops!

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White shirt – The Limited

Sweater – Kohl’s

Skirt – Banana Republic Outlet

Tights – Walgreens

Boots – Liz Claiborne/DSW

Necklace – NY&Co

I have grand plans for this sweater.   It looks great with black, it looks good with jeans….and it’s going to look amazing with red!  I’m just waiting a little bit longer to bust out my red pants.  Come on Spring, get here faster!

I think this outfit would look better with a more streamlined shoe, but I’m actually living out of a suitcase this week so my shoe choices are limited.   I tried not to bring my entire shoe collection.  Funny story:  when my husband and I went on a week-long cruise for our five year wedding anniversary I had an entire carry-on suitcase full of shoes.   The TSA agent at the airport even commented on it!

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Vest – Express

Shirt & Pants – The Limited

Shoes – Nine West/DSW

Sorry for the disappearing act!  I wasn’t in my office last Friday so I didn’t post a photo.  I was taking part 5 of my six part professional certification exam (I passed!) and then picking my mom up from the train station and hanging out.

Not too sure how I feel about this outfit.  I think, once again, it highlights just how short my torso really is.  What you can’t see is the shirt has very fine silver pinstripes on it.  I’m never really sure what to wear with it.  I guess I should look up some inspiration photos for white collared shirts, huh?

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