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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Spring has sprung and I find myself gravitating more and more to uber-feminine pieces in classic colors, so when I spotted this skirt at Anthropologie I was instantly smitten by the exaggerated silhouette, eye-catching graphic stripes, and classic vibe of the skirt.  Once I tried it on my suspicions were confirmed; it is quite possibly the best skirt ever!   (It’s currently a toss up between this skirt and the Loft pencil skirt I urged you to drop everything to buy during the fall.)  Even though the skirt is a bit pricey, and definitely more than I would typically spend on a single piece, I know I will get a lot of wear out of it, so it was easy to skip over some other wishlist items in order to purchase this skirt.  And while I would never encourage someone to spend beyond their means, sometimes it is important to revise your spending plan and adjust for well made, classic pieces that will play an integral role in your wardrobe for years to come.

When it came time to style this skirt for work, I chose to keep it simple since the skirt’s shape is enough of an attention getter. The simple black tee with feminine cut shoulders, the statement necklace that doesn’t make too much of a statement but adds just enough color, and the simple black shoe with a heel that is just the right height to help lengthen the legs without going overboard or compromising comfort all work together to play off of and compliment the skirt.  And, even better, this is a look that will keep you looking stylish during the day and later in the evening when you meet some friends for drinks.

Style Notes: Loft cardigan (summer 2013; similar style) / Gap t-shirt (fall 2011; similar style) / Anthropologie skirt (winter 2013; budget friendly version) / BC shoes via Last Chance (winter 2013; similar style) / Kate Spade bracelet (summer 2012; love this) / Dillards necklace (spring 2012; similar style) / Michael Kors watch via Last Chance (spring 2012; similar style) / Marc by Marc Jacobs bag via Last Chance (summer 2012; similar style)

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!

Each year, color authority Pantone chooses its color of the year. Citing its sense of “clarity, renewal and rejuvenation,” the company has chosen Emerald to be the official color of 2013. We can’t argue with that, so we’ve decided to also make it Style Tutor’s color of the month. Emerald is a bold and sophisticated color, which some may find a bit overpowering as a dominant color in an outfit. This makes it particularly fetching as an accent color to use in accessories — and you don’t have to be able to afford authentic emerald jewelry, as options abound at a more affordable price point. And while jewel tones are often associated with the winter months, several of our picks can work throughout the year.

Style Notes: Gap Printed Flare Dress $59.95 / Timex Weekender Watch $50 / Kendra Scott Viola Chandelier Earrings via Nordstrom $95 / Kate Spade South Kensington Dunn Bag $211 (sale price) / Madewell Silk Charmeuse Shirt in Dotdash $94 / Kate Spade Bauble Dot Necklace via Neiman Marcus $57 (sale price) / Kate Spade Garnet Sunglasses (similar style) / Steven by Steve Madden Ravesh Pump via Nordstrom $148.95   Kate Spade Neena Pant $179 (sale price) / Leslie Danzis Glass Stone Bib Necklace $49 

So the holidays are over and 2013 is here. I don’t know about you, but this year really seemed to fly by for us here at Style Tutor. And while you’re probably back to business as usual, it’s still somewhat easy to stay in that holiday spirit, thanks to all the winter sales going on at various retailers like J. Crew, Madewell, LOFT and Kate Spade. Since I’m not quite ready to look at all those spring fashion hitting the stores (it’s only been winter in Arizona for about a month), I’ve selected some pieces that work now but that can transition into those warmer months to come. Best of all, they are all on sale (or just incredibly affordable)!

Style Notes: Banana Republic Stripe Skirt $89.50 (take 25% off until January 6) / [BlankNYC] Thunder Floral Printed Skinny Jeans via Madewell $79.95 / Tory Burch Perez Bead Necklace via Nordstrom rack $119.97 / Warehouse Animal Print Fit & Flare Dress via ASOS $57.17 / Ruche Book Lover Peplum Top $28.99 / Banana Republic Piped Blazer $150 (take 25% off until January 6) / Madewell Sidewalk Skimmer in Suede $69.99 / Ruche Brighter Day Cap Toe Flats $45.99 / Alexis Bittar Long Leaf Statement Earrings via Nordstrom $77.05

Christmas is just a few days away, so today we’re bringing you sparkly gems for your holiday celebration that will have you looking as pretty as one of the presents under the tree. If you are shopping online and want your goodies to arrive by Christmas Day, be sure to place your order at Nordstrom and Anthropologie today, and by noon tomorrow at J. Crew and Madewell (there’s no word on holiday shipping on the websites of ASOS, Forever 21 and H&M, so I would hit up the stores instead).

Style Notes: Sole Society Peony Flat via Nordstrom $49.95 / Stylestalker Richie Rich Skirt via ASOS $119.61 (sale price)/ H&M Top $24.95 / J. Crew No. 2 Pencil Skirt in Metallic Floral $99.99 (sale price) / J. Crew Glitter Round-Buckle Skinny Belt $19.99 (sale price) / J. Crew Polka-Dot Sequin Top  $79.99 (sale price) / Forever 21 Glitter Minaudiere $24.80 /  Anthropologie Crystalline Bug Brooch Set  $29.95 (sale price) / Madewell Lily Lace Dress $168 (everything online currently 30% off)  / Madewell Frankie Pump in Suede $198 (everything online currently 30% off)

This week’s Friday Finds features basic staples for your fall wardrobe, as well as a few quirky pieces. I chose these items from some of my favorite places to shop online — stores like Everlane, which produces high-quality basics at a very reasonable price. They’ve only just recently begun offering women’s pieces in silk and cashmere at prices that can’t be beat. And while I do often shop at Nordstrom and LOFT in the “real world,” subscribing to their email newsletters is a great way to stay informed of all their special offers and sales. Lately it seems not  a week goes by that LOFT doesn’t offer some sort of fantastic deal, and Nordstrom is currently on the tail-end of its Half-Yearly sale for women and kids. So act fast on these deals because they won’t last long!

Style Notes: Nixon Time Teller Watch via Nordstrom $89.98 (half-yearly sale price) / Marc by Marc Jacobs L’Amour Fou Stud via Piperlime $37.99 (take an extra 15% off through Saturday) / Everlane Women’s Cashmere Crew $120 / LOFT Animal Jacquard Shift Skirt $59.50 (take 40% off through Sunday) / C. Wonder Starstruck Intarsia Sweater $88 (25% off with a purchase of $100 through Monday) / Hobo Lauren Double Frame Clutch via Nordstrom $66 (half-yearly sale price) / Fossil Crossbody Bag via Nordstrom $76.80 (half-yearly sale price) / Of a Kind K/ller Collection Lateral Brass Quill Necklace $119 / Everlane Women’s Silk Blouse $80