Another day; another peplum top!  What can I say, I was serious when I said this top is really flattering.  While the black version lends itself well to dressier looks, this striped version is an excellent way to infuse a little casual fun into your spring wardrobe without compromising on style.

I know some fashionistas advise against buying multiples of garment pieces, but, in my opinion, if a piece is well made, flatters you, and is at an affordable price point (the trifecta of clothing) why not buy a couple different versions you can work into your wardrobe for a variety of occasions?  I think one reason fashion intimidates so many women is because they simply don’t have the time to scour the internet or run all over town trying to assemble a wardrobe unique piece by unique piece.  So I say, save yourself the stress and the hassle and when you encounter a piece you fall totally in love with go ahead and scoop it up in a few different colors or patterns.  Trust me, on those mornings you overslept, the kids are cranky, and you simply don’t know what to wear, having some go-to pieces you know look great on you can be a real life saver.  It’s safe to say this peplum top has become just that kind of garment for me!

Never one to shy away from pattern mixing, pairing the peplum’s stripes with the dots on these skinny jeans was like second nature.  The quirkiness of the stripes, the peplum, and the dotted pants all work together because at its most basic level the outfit is based off of three colors (white,dark blue, and yellow), so even though the prints differ they compliment one another nicely instead of standing in stark contrast to one another.

I’m such a sucker for the bright yellows of spring, but because of my personal coloring I have to be really careful about wearing them or I can look completely washed out.  One of the easiest ways to get around a color that you adore, but that is particularly tricky for your personal coloring, is to incorporate the color into your look through accessories. In the case of this outfit, I just love the way the bold pops of yellow stand out against the dark navy stripes and skinny jeans.  The bits of yellow here and there help add another dimension of fun and style to the overall look!

Style Notes: Gap cardigan (ancient; like this) / Target peplum (winter 2013) / Gap jeans (winter 2012; purchased at 50% off; great for spring) / Jinny Kim heels via Last Chance (spring 2009; similar style) / Kate Spade bag via Last Chance (summer 2012; similar style) / Banana Republic bracelet (spring 2012; like this) / Michael Kors watch via Last Chance (spring 2012; similar style) / Kate Spade ring (fall 2011; love this) / Modcloth necklace (fall 2012; similar style)

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Are there pieces in your wardrobe that make you immediately feel beautiful, stylish, thinner, happier, confident, or ready to tackle the day?  These are the pieces that I would consider go-to pieces; ones you have collected over time and can trust, like an old friend, to save the day on a sleepy morning when you don’t want to think about what to wear or when a friend calls last minute to see if you are up for a girls’ night on the town or you have an important meeting at work or you are feeling a little down and need a quick, reliable pick-me-up!

This yellow sheath dress is exactly that kind of garment for me.  One reason I love sheath dresses so much is that they remind me of Jackie O., the First Lady of Style.  In fact, when I walked through the library at school today the librarians both gasped, “Oh, you look so Jackie O today!”  You can’t ask much more of a garment that draws comparisons between yourself and a woman who exuded style and grace with every fiber of her being and clothing! I swear every time I wear this dress I wonder why I don’t wear it at least once a week, especially when it elicits comparisons to a major style icon!  (Now I just need to get a pill box hat and some white gloves!)

Another reason sheath dresses rank so high on the style factor, and why every woman should have a few hanging in her closet, is that they are ultra flattering.  The silhouette is quite slimming and has the right combination of demureness and sex appeal. They are great dresses for work, special events, date night, and a fun night out with the girls.

When it comes to accessorizing a sheath dress channel Jackie O.; remember she always kept things minimal but stylish.  This particular dress is a breeze to accessorize because of the embellished collar- it’s like a built in necklace.  If you are someone who doesn’t want to think too much about what to wear and what accessories to pair with your outfit, dresses, tops, and sweaters that have special little details like this neckline are your best friend!  A great cocktail ring and a girlie pair of shoes are all that are needed to complete the look!

Style Notes: Chetta B dress via Last Chance (spring 2011; love this) / Banana Republic shoes (fall 2011; purchased at 50% off; similar style) / Kate Spade ring (fall 2011; love this)

In other news: Please vote for us in Arizona Foothills Battle of the Blogs.  Voting is UNLIMITED and ends on April 15th.  You can vote for us here!

Remember when I told you that a pencil skirt is a wardrobe must have? Even though today’s iteration is more fall and winter appropriate (timely as we head into spring, no?) it still drives home the point that owning a pencil skirt is essential to every woman’s wardrobe. They are instantly slimming, sophisticated, and sexy without being sexual, which is really an important distinction to make when dressing for any occasion.  There is nothing wrong with showcasing your femininity, but it does mean you leave some things to the imagination.

One reason I love pencil skirts so much is that they harken back to an era when women took more care in how they dressed so the back seam stockings seemed like a nice nod to that time.  I am a firm believer that all the details of an outfit matter and if you are trying to achieve a certain look or feel with your outfit it is important to get those details right.  Black tights would look equally as classy with the skirt, but it wouldn’t lend such a ’40s feel.

I love the way the sequined bow on the sweater helps to add some interest to the monochromatic look.  A plain black sweater would look equally as nice, but a great thing about looking for sweaters with special details is that you no longer have to fret over which accessories to add to the outfit.  Let the added features do the work!

Wearing a great pair of colored shoes is another easy way to add some visual interest, and fun, to a solid colored look.

Style Notes: The Limited sweater (several years old; similar style) / Banana Republic skirt (fall 2010; purchased at 50% off; perfect for spring) / Victoria’s Secret stockings (fall 2012) / Paul Green shoes via Last Chance (fall 2012; similar style) / Kate Spade bag via Last Chance (summer 2012) / Forever 21 bracelet (fall 2011; similar style) / Michael Kors watch via Last Chance (spring 2012; similar style) / Banana Republic statement ring (fall 2011; love this)

I’ve been feeling under the weather for the last week or so with the dreaded sinus, flu junk that everyone seems to have right now.  It’s been a whole lot of pajama wearing and sniffling into Kleenuxes rather than wearing pretty clothes and cute accessories over here.   So today, I am dragging myself out of this funk by obsessing over beautiful things!

Style Notes: Pim + Larkin Ponte Bow Dress $89 / Kate Spade Kissing Canaries Ring $68 / Pim + Larkin Jacquard Metallic Skirt $79 /Anthropologie Crystal Collision Posts $29.95 / Anthropologie Open Bloom Top $68  / Madewell Sequin Jacket $124.99 (currently and extra 40% off) / Anne Klein Wrenn $89 / Anthropologie Bonhomie Bobby Set $28 / Banana Republic Floral Bouquet Brooch Necklace $98

Winter in Phoenix really is the envy of all states that have to endure true winter weather, but it isn’t without its own set of problems…especially when it comes to dressing.  The overnight temps are rather chilly, which makes the early morning work commute quite cold, but by mid-afternoon it’s not uncommon for the high to be in the low 70s.

On top of that, it’s rather common to have several days of high 40s-low 50s (cold by valley standards) followed by several days of mid 70s.  One call feel very erratic when trying to don the appropriate clothes and accessories.

After our return from IN the valley experienced a few days of 70s, which after nine days in 20 degrees seemed rather summery.  It just seemed silly to wear winter attire, so I pulled out one of my favorite pair of my pants from this summer.

To help tone down the summery feel of the pants I paired them with a sweater I bought earlier this fall.  I also stuck to a monochromatic look by playing off the navy in the pants rather than adding a bright pop of color like I did during the summer.

Granted not all climates make it possible to maximize your closet by wearing summer clothes during the winter months, but for those of us who live through moderate winter weather some summer clothes make the transition quite nicely.  Just remember to mix and match summery pieces with those that have a bit more of a fall or winter feel/weight to them and avoid bright colors that are typical of summer.  Instead, stick to colors and accessories that transcend seasons to help the overall look appear timeless.

Style Notes: J.Crew sweater (fall 2012; purchased w/ a gift card; similar style) / Loft pants (summer 2012; purchased at an extra 40% off) / Banana Republic shoes (fall 2011; purchased at 50% off; similar style) / Marc Jacobs bag via Last Chance (spring 2012; similar style) / Kate Spade necklace (fall 2011; sample sale find; similar style) / Kate Spade  (spring 2012; love this) / Michael Kors watch via Last Chance (spring 2012; similar style) / Kate Spade ring (fall 2011; similar style)

This week’s Friday Finds take a cue from Marc Jacob’s genius spring 2013 collection.  If you haven’t seen the images or watched footage of the collection take a moment and let Jacob’s knack for reinvention season after season carry you away with its graphic prints and nod to mod: Marc Jacobs Spring 2013

Since first watching the video in September, and then obsessing over the collection for months, I’ve had to talk myself down from wearing black and white every day.  I love the bold crispness of a black and white combo, which can be easily dressed down or up, making it both appropriate for work and play.  And while I long to own one (or all) of the pieces from the collection, my wallet, and my children’s tummies, are thankful that there are plenty of more affordable options to satisfy my want for a little fashion fun!

Style Notes: Gap Ponte Academy Blazer $88 / Kelsi Dagger Eliza $84.99 / Madewell Stripeplay Tee $52/ Banana Republic Stripe Knit Skirt $89.50 (30% off until 1/14)/ Gap Dot Calf Hair Belt $29.95 / Kate Spade Checker Place Georgie $78 / J.Crew Factory Pencil Skirt in Colorblock $39.99 (currently 30% off) / H &M Dress $29.95 / Ella Moss Mazzy Top $88