A Little Sparkle

This month’s Marionberry Style “Trend Challenge” is colorful blazers and even though I wore the same colorful blazer last month in the “Yellow Challenge”,  I wanted to participate so I simply added a sparkling top and paired it with neutral white pants for a perfect work outfit.  

I really love how these sparkles looked with the bright blazer and figured that switching the white pants for nice trouser jeans and a little clutch purse would be the perfect recipe for a date night outfit.

 

1st Photo - Occasion: Work

Top: Express $15.00 (coupon & Short Pump Mall Gift Card from 103.7 The River)

Jacket: Nordstrom Rack $26.00 (20% employee discount-Yaeliz (sister)

Pants: New York & Company $5.00 (clearance/old)

Shoes: Seychelles via DSW $17.00 - original price $70.00 (clearance,coupon,gift card)

2nd Photo - Occasion: Date Night

Top: Express $15.00 (coupon& Short Pump Mall Gift Card from 103.7 The River)

Jacket: Nordstrom Rack $26.00 (20% employee discount-Yaeliz (sister)

Trouser Jeans: Old Navy $7.99 (clearance & additional 30% off promo)

Clutch: Banana Republic (gift/very old)

Shoes: Seychelles via DSW $17.00 - original price $70.00 (clearance,coupon,gift card)

When in Doubt

 Wear a dress...



A few simple accesories and Wala! A simple chic outfit.



Occasion: Work

Dress: Calvin Klein via Ross $20.00 (clearance/summer 2011)

Belt: Target (old)

Purse: Hand me down (not borrowed anymore ;-) from my sister Yaeliz

Cocktail Ring: JCPenney $3.00 (clearance)

 

Shoes: Bandolino via Stein Mart (clearance/old)

 

“Dog Days of Summer”

Summer has officially begun and boy has the temperature changed drastically on our neck of the woods. On Wednesday and Thursday the temperature index read over 100 degrees and even though it can get quite chilly in my office, I still felt the need to wear something sleeveless, especially for the drive home. When you live in a state where every season comes with temperature change you seem to forget how hot summer can really get.



Occasion: Work


Blouse: The Limited via MJRSales $9.99

Skirt: Forever21 via Plato's Closet $8.00

Bracelets: JCPenney (clearance)

Watch: Anne Klein Birthday gift

Shoes: Kohls - Candies $26 (after 15% off coupon)

Starting Late

Since I started my new work schedule Mondays are my usually my day off.  I love the extra day off because it gives me time to finish my weekend chores that get put on the back burner like laundry, ironing, cleaning...you know the usual super mom stuff.  But I noticed that when Tuesday morning comes around and it’s time to get ready for work I feel like its Monday instead. So even though my work week starts a day late compared to most, I still feel tired, like I could use a little more time off.

 

Occasion: Work

Shirt: New York & Company $7.99 (clearance)

Skirt: The Limited $36 (40% off promo & Free Shipping)

Necklace: The Limited $8.99 (clearance/summer 2011)

Belt: F21 (old) 

Shoes: Stein Mart - Liz Claiborne - $20 (clearance)

Family Date Night

This past week was my partner in crime's birthday and we celebrated the whole weekend by doing fun family stuff.  Here’s a picture of what I wore to the movies on Thursday evening to celebrate his actual birthday.  On Saturday we spent most of the day at Water Country USA, and sorry but no pictures of that since I still need to build up enough courage to post a bathing suit picture (but really who’s to say I ever will…lol).

We also, celebrated Father’s Day on Sunday by visiting and having dinner with my father in law at an all you can eat Chinese buffet restaurant in Maryland.  This weekend was very special and I can’t wait to spend more of these hot summer ones with my lovely family.

Occasion: Family Date Night

Blouse: The Limited $14.99 (clearance & additional 40% promo/recent)

Trouser Jeans: Old Navy $7.99 (clearance & additional 30% off promo)

Belt: Merona via Target (Christmas gift from mami)

Bracelets: JCPenney $1.00 (clearance)

Purse: Borrowed from my sister Yaeliz

 

Shoes: Dillard's $15.00 (clearance/old)

EBEW - NEON

This month's EBEW challenge is one of the year's most popular summer trends, NEON. I'm not a huge fan of neon since I find it to be more suitable for the younger crowd. But I did fall in love right away with this neon, starts pattern t-shirt while shopping with my mother in law at Marshall's. It was on clearance for $5.00 and my sweet mother in law even purchased it for me. I know it's a bit youthful and while I found it in the Junior's section, I really had nothing to loose. I didn't get a chance to properly try it on at the store since we were with the little girls, but as soon as I got home I did and was very happy with how it looked. The front of the t-shirt is shorter so I opted to add an under layer cami to make me feel comfortable.







Occasion: Work

T-Shirt: Junior's Brand ? via Marshall's $5.00 (clearance/recent/gift)
Jeans: The Limited via MJRSales $11.99
Belt: Ebay $1.35
Bracelet: JCPenney $1.00 (clearance)
Watch: Anne Klein Birthday gift

Shoes: Nine & Co. via JCPenney $16.00 (display/2011 summer)

* I actually didn't wear these shoes the whole day, but instead my comfy Merona Target sandals*

Pleats

Here's another outfit creation from Pinterest. 

I couldn't decide on just one picture...



This one's my favorite but unfortunately it came out blurry, go figure...



Finally, my not so famous pose...

Occasion: Work

Blouse: Old Navy $6.75 (75% off 2011 fall sale)

Skirt: The Limited $22.00 (clearance & Christmas gift card)

Belt: Target $3.75 (clearance/2011 summer)

Bracelets: JCPenney $1.00 (clearance)

Watch: Anne Klein Birthday Gift

 

Shoes: Nine & Co. via JCPenney $16.00 (display/2011 summer)

 

Lately

I’ve been known to keep brand new items in my closet with tags for months before wearing them. The only thing I can say to that is that I like to save new articles of clothing for special occasions. But lately, most everything I’ve purchased has a meaning or has been “needed” in my closet to complete a certain look.  So of course I’ve been extremely excited to share my new items with you all.  For example, this new navy skirt I purchased this past weekend while shopping with my mother in law who was in town.  The cardigan and the button up were also 2 great pieces I found about 2 weekends ago while my sister was visiting us.

Maybe somehow having a guest over the house has given me better luck when shopping!

Inspiration Photo: JCrew
Occasion: Work

Button Up: JCrew via Ebay $5.99 (recent)
Cardigan: The Limited via The Hall Tree Consigment Store $4.00 (recent)
Skirt: Ross $16.99 (clearance/recent)
Necklace: Burlington Coat Factory $5.99

Pearl Bracelet: JCrew via Ebay $7.00

Watch: Anne Klein Birthday Gift

Shoes: Steve Madden via Ross $25.99

Bold Orange & Pink

I’ve seen the orange & pink color combination pop up everywhere and I couldn’t wait to pair these two colors together myself.  I took some days off to spend with my mother in law while she was in town and my first day back at the office was on Wednesday.  It was also Abby’s kindergarten school award ceremony and felt this was the perfect bold color combo to get back into civilization after wearing jeans, shorts and sandals most days. 

Mommy Note: Abby made the Principal's Honor Roll, and when we spoke about it at night, we congratulated her and explained the meaning of winning such a high award.  She felt relieved because all along she thought that it meant something bad since it came from the principal and “she’s never been to the principal’s office” (her words exactly).  It’s amazing how honest and sincere children are. 

Occasion: Work & Abby’s Kinder School Award Ceremony

Shirt: The Limited $12.00 (clearance)

Cardigan: New York & Company $7.99 (clearance)

Skirt: The Limited $31 (after 40% off promo/summer 2011)

Belt: New York & Company $5.00 (clearance)

Bracelets: JCPenney $1.00 (clearance)

Watch: Anne Klein Birthday Gift 

Shoes: Kohls - Candies $26 (after 15% off coupon)

Friday’s Outfit: Chambray & Floral

I’ve mentioned in the past how much I love this skirt: the flowiness, the beautiful floral print, and how extremely comfortable it is.  So I decided to pair it with this oh so trendy chambray shirt for a perfect casual Friday office look.

  
 Occasion: Work 

Shirt: Walmart $3.00 (clearance)

Layering Cami: Merona - Target 

Skirt: Jones New York $12.00 via Dillard's (clearance/summer 2011)

Bracelets: JCPenney $1.00 (clearance)

Watch: Anne Klein Birthday Gift
Nail polish: ICE "Home Run"

Sandals: Target - Merona $12.99 (sale/summer 2011)

Excuses...

I feel I owe everyone, or simply the folks that read and follow my blog (thank you for that) an apology for my absence and trust me I have a good one…

My mother in law visited us from Florida and stayed for 6 days.  We got a chance to do some great family things, a title bit of shopping, and I got to spend some much needed alone time with the hubby.  I love my mother in law and we get along extremely well.  Also, the girls totally love their grandmother and we can’t wait till our visit next year to Florida.

Occasion: Work

Shirt: Style & Co. via Macy’s $15.99 (sale & coupon/summer 2011)

Pants: Express $19.99 (clearance & additional 30% off promo/old)

Necklace: JCPenney $5.97 (clearance) 

Sandals: Target - Merona $12.99 (sale/summer 2011)

Polka Dots & Lace

I spotted this polka dot skirt a few weeks back on a few of my favorite blogs and immediately called my local H&M store to place it on hold for me.  Finally I got a chance to pick it up after work the next day, and let me just say, “This skirt is worth all the hype and the drive”.  I love polka dots and lace and somehow felt like these two would look great together. Also, the red shoes and belt gave it a vintage vibe.  What do you think?

I’m also sharing some pictures I took after work with a purse I borrowed from my sister Yaeliz.  Normally I don’t take pictures with my purse (handbag) simply because I only change them about four times a year, when the seasons change.  Hence the awkward photo positions...

Occasion: Work

Lace Top: Forever21 $12.00 (recent)
Cami: Guess (really old)
Skirt: H&M $25.00 (recent)
Belt: borrowed from another skirt
Purse: Borrowed from my sister Yaeliz

Pearl Bracelet: JCrew via Ebay $7.00

Watch: Anne Klein Birthday Gift

Shoes: JCPenney - Olsenboye $20.00 (clearance & free shipping)