How I Met Your Mother: Suit Up!

Custom Suits -- always in style

“Suits are full of joy. They're the sartorial equivalent of a baby's smile.”

“It's gonna be legend-... wait for it... and I hope you're not lactose intolerant because the
second half of that word is DAIRY!”

G looking fly in the black on black.

"Nothing suits me like a suit." 

Check out my friend Derek! He recently acquired an awesome custom suit with a sleek, modern fit. Derek didn't mess around with this gray ensemble. He went all out with the four button sleeve, beautiful striped lining and several secret pockets in his jacket.

To celebrate, we grabbed our finest in a nod to How I Met Your Mother & the new custom suit. I think Barney would be proud...

Fashion Fundamental:  Suit Jacket

Jacket:  Express | similar

Corset:  Charlotte Russe | similar

Pants:  Drew Bootcut Pant, The Limited | shop

Shoes:  Flax, Nine West | shop

Earrings: Forever Audrey, Jewelmint | similar

Lips: Revlon Lip Butter in Lollipop | shop

LBD + Pink Shoes

Fashion Fundamental:  Little Black Dress (LBD)

I love those nights when you get to slip on a great black dress. Nothing is more classic. LBD sometimes need a pop of color to help make the look sing. Cue:  hot pink shoes. I found these pink shoes at Macy's last season and think they are so much fun. 

More LBDs here:   1, 2, 3, & 4.

How many LBDs live in your closet?

Dress:  H&M | similar

Shoes:  Lilly pumps in Neon Magenta Snake, INC | similar

Bracelets:  Thrifted

Earrings: Forever Audrey, Jewelmint ($30 $12) | similar

Clutch:  Thrifted | similar

Linked up at the Monday Mingle.

Black on Black

My wedding season is finally drawing near a close! This year's final bachelorette party was celebrated with this black on black ensemble. LBDs are timeless, and I wanted to keep it simple and accomplished this through a variety of black accessories to finish the look.

Also, I'm finding it harder and harder to find chic pieces at the very trendy stores like F21. However, F21 surprised me with this pretty lace number. I love black dresses and this is the lighter-weight version to the similar Betsey Johnson piece featured last winter.

Dress: F21 (recent) | shop
Jacket: Old Navy | shop
Necklace: Thrifted | similar
Earrings: Jewelmint | similar
Purse: Kate Spade | similar
Shoes: Nine West | similar
Ring: H&M | similar

Linked up at the Monday Mingle & The Pleated Poppy.

Layering Green and Black

I work in an air conditioned office and temperature can be a major issue. Wearing versatile pieces allow you to be comfortable in the cooler office spaces and you can remove a layer when you are out for a quick lunch in the heat.

I've been slowly building up stand alone pieces like this great jacket from Ann Taylor or this sassy green skirt from Crew. You'll find these signature pieces are easy to swap in and out of any look. What are your signature pieces?

Jacket:  Triacetate Jacket, Ann Taylor | shop
Shirt:  Loft | shop similar
Skirt:  No. 2 Pencil Skirt, JCrew | shop
Shoes: Perfect Pump, Ann Taylor | shop
Earrings: Forever Audrey, Jewelmint ($30 $12) | similar

Linked up to Two Thirty-Five Designs.

Best Part of Summer: Ravinia

Camoflauged into our picnic mats.  

Outdoor concerts and a venue as beautiful as Ravinia, are some of the best things about  summer.  Add in the great company and great food, and you've got a perfect summer day!

Also, anyone else bummed that the Olympics are over?


Aili's outfit details here.

Jacket: Gap | similar
Dress: Dee&Ray Mona Dress | shop
Sandals: Target | shop
Earrings: Jewelmint | similar
Nails: Lollipop, Essie | shop

Linked up at the Monday Mingle.

Polos on the Prairie - Round 2

More after the jump!

Remixed: LWD

I love shopping and seeing what's new in stores, but I firmly believe that it's best to shop your closet.  Blogging at Jane Squared has definitely helped me look at my wardrobe--especially my accessories--more critically and creatively.

The Basics
Dress: Sears (old) | similar
Sunnies: Prada | shop
Lips: Be Legendary Lipstick in Mandarin, Smashbox | shop

Shoes: Hand-Woven Laredo Banana Republic | similar
Necklace: Vintage | similar
Bag: Besherse, Aldo | shop
Scarf: Vintage | similar
Wedges: Pay-Less | similar

Linked up at Watch Out for the Woestmans.

BSB Black & Blue

Remember the Backstreet Boy's album Black & Blue? That was a ridiculous album... oh 2000s!


Anyway, one can never go wrong with an LBD (or a little BSB) -- especially when you're itching for the weekend. Paired with a piercing cobalt cardi, this dress can take me from for work and happy hour post 5 p.m.


Have a wonderful Thursday!


Dress:  Gap | similar; also styled here
Cadigan:  JCrew | shop
Belt:  Thrifted
Earrings: Forever Audrey, Jewelmint | similar
Shoes: Perfect Pump, Ann Taylor | shop
Nail Polish: Mint Candy Apple, Essie | shop

Linked up at All Things Chic & Two Thirty-Five Designs.

COPE Linen Sightseer Dress

For some reason, I really like this type of dress since I own two of them, and I even convinced Aili to buy one (see how she styled it here).

Do you find yourself buying multiples of the same item in different colors?  I'm definitely guilty when it comes to cardigans.


Shades: LOFT | similar
Belt: JCrew | similar
Earrings: Forever Audrey, Jewelmint | similar
Dress: COPE Linen Sightseer Dress, Urban Outfitters ($59 $39, but is likely cheaper in stores) | shop
Blazer: Gibson | shop
Shoes: Perfect Pump, Ann Taylor | shop

Linked up at the Monday Mingle.

'85 Bears: Orange & Blue

When I need some color inspiration, I think of complimentary colors. Take for instance, your favorite sports team - you can visualize how colors look together when you are planning your color combinations. One of my favorite teams is the Chicago Bears. Orange & blue is a winning combination (well, just the '85 Bears). 

Other Orange & Blue looks:  Blue Poppy/Orange Cardi, Orange Loft/Blue Necklace, & Old Navy Blue Rockstars/Orange Sweater.

Also check out our amiga at the Economy of Style in her own version of orange & blue.

What are some of your go-to, never-fail, color combos?

Cardigan: Jackie Cardigan, JCrew | shop

Top:  silk, JCrew | similar

Earrings: Forever Audrey, Jewelmint ($30 $12) | similar

Skirt:  Thrifted | similar

Shoes: Versie Pump, Target | shop

Linked up at Watch out for the Woestmans

Uniqlo V-Neck UV Cut Cardigan Review

I am a cardigan junkie; so far my favorite cardigans are from JCrew--the Jackie and Jenna Cardigans are my personal favorites. On our trip to NYC, Aili and I picked up some essentials and and we also developed a love for Uniqlo's affordable prices.  

One of my favorite items from our Uniqlo haul was the Uniqlo V-Neck UV Cut Cardigan, which is composed of 60% acrylic, 40% cotton.  Made in China.  

I would say that these cardigans fit true to size, are simple in design, and well-made, and very soft. Plus, they feature some UV protection. According to the tag, UV Cut "offers UV filtration features that have been added during fabric processing.  A UPF rating of 15 indicates it will take 15 times longer to get sunburned than with bare skin."  I think that is pretty cool.  No sunscreen necessary when you're rocking a Uniqlo cardi.


Happy July!

Earrings: Forever Audrey, Jewelmint | similar

Cardigan: V-Neck UV Cut Cardigan in 12 Pink, Uniqlo | similar

Top: JCrew | similar - last styled here.

Bracelets: Taiwan | similar

Shorts: Nordstrom | similar

Shoes: Target | shop

Nail: Calypso Blue (440), Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure | shop

Linked up at the Monday Mingle.

PFC #16: Summer Wedding

This month's PFC is hosted by Lauren of Petite on a Penny. PFC 16: Summer Wedding--Create an outfit for a summer wedding (the dress code is up to you). For bonus points (and this is what I'll be doing!) try to make your whole outfit, head to toe, come in under $100! (Or, exclude shoes and accessories to meet the $100 mark.)

I mentioned earlier that I'm attending 5 weddings this summer.  Yes.  That's right.  It's wedding season. 

   

Ramen Noodle Budget via Put This On

My look rings up to a grand total of $97--shoes, accessories, and a few makeup items included. Admittedly, I stalked that Banana Republic dress, and for me, it definitely takes patience and numerous trips to the mall to get a great deal.  When it comes to clothes, I sometimes operate on the Ramen Noodle Budget.  

The Ramen Noodle Budget, you ask?   Check out the gentlemen of Put This On for an explanation of the concept (and see their illustration below) that it can be difficult to score quality pieces at an ideal price.  I confess to shopping on the Ramen Noodle Budget, and I try to keep to the Good Quality &; Cheap side of the budget, though it can be hard to resist the fast and trendy fashion of Forever 21 and H&M.

To avoid buying items that I won't wear frequently nor won't have an occasion to wear, I ask my trusty fashion consultant --- Ailyn to help. She proceeds to ask me, "Where am I going?" or "Name 5 specific and separate occasions I would wear this piece." This really helps me avoid purchasing clothing and accessories that don't add value to my wardrobe.


Don't forget to check out what the other ladies put together for this PFC at Petite on a Penny.

Headband: JCrew ($14 $4)

Earrings: Forever Audrey, Jewelmint ($30 $12) | similar

Dress: Banana Republic ($128? $38) | similar

Shoes: Talbots ($139 $30) | similar

Lip Color: Convertible Color in Petunia (07), Stila ($25 $13)| shop

Linked up at Watch What I'm Wearing.