Cobalt and Stripes Two Ways

Today I'm going to show you a dressy and casual take on a similar look.  I've really been enjoying dressing up jeans lately, but I really only get to them one day a week at work, that leaves four other work days where I need to dress up. This winter has really make me dress more casually, but I really do love a good skirt, so  I love how easily this outfit can transition from casual to dressy by simply switching the the jeans out for the pencil skirt. I'm not going to lie, after taking these pictures I added tights, it was too cold. The jeans look I wore when it was pretty nice a few weeks ago....maybe I should have worn the skirt then. ;) Speaking of jeans, I'm on the hunt for some new ones, I'm wondering if I should give these a try, being I love everything else from there. What jeans do you love and recommend?  

Next Wednesday I'm going to be co-hosting a "Many Days, Many Ways" link-up with Danielle at Goodwillista and and Nicole at Writes Like a Girl.  It will similar to today's post.  Pick an item and create as many looks at you would like with it, then link up with us next Wednesday, the 19th starting at 7:00 A.M.  Here's the button to grab, I'll looking forward to seeing your looks!

 <center><a href="http://mynewfavoriteoutfit.blogspot.com/"/"><img border="0" src="http://i1264.photobucket.com/albums/jj497/goodwillista/manydaysmanyways_zps9482a2ad.jpg"/></a></center>

I loved seeing everyone's Style Swaps last Friday! I'd love to have you all join me this Friday, details on how to link up here.

The casual look:

 Now the dressy look:

 Blazer: Loft similar

Top: Forever 21 similar

Jeans: Old Navy

Skirt: Express

Necklace: Stella and Dot same

Bracelets:  Chimera, Moxie , Renegade Stella and Dot

Heels: Fergalicious similar

Bag: Coach

Linking up with:

What I Wore Wednesday

Tre-Chic Fashion Thursdays

What I Wore to Work Link-up

Building A Wardrobe: Jeans and Dress Pants

I'm excited to be continuing my Building a Wardrobe series with you today! One the first day of the series I shared Essential Blazers and Jackets, one day two I shared Essential Cardigans, and on day three I shared Essential Skirts. and today I'll be sharing essential jeans and dress pants with you. Here are my thoughts on essential jeans and dress pants:

• I think it is essential to have good pair of skinny jeans, boyfriend jeans, and black, gray, and tan dress pants. I realized today that these are much more essentials for fall and winter, for spring and summer I'd definitely add white jeans.
• Although skinny jeans and boyfriend jeans are kind of a trend right now, they are definitely to key to making a casual look look great.  I also love the trend of cuffing skinny jeans to show your ankle; I think this is much more flattering then wearing them long.  I also love wearing skinny jeans with boots for the sleekest, most put together look.
• With dress pants, black, gray, and tan will be the most versatile.  Now, when I say tan, I don't mean khakis.  I'm a teacher, so I still see these everywhere, but I don't suggest spending money on them right now, as they are seeming dated at this point (we'll see when they come back, I'm sure they will).
• As for dress pants and jeans, fit is key. I'm not going to lie, I think finding great jeans and pants is pretty difficult. I also don't think buying because the price is right is the right way to tackle purchasing pants.  In the past I tended to focus on if pants fit my waist and I stopped there.  I didn't check how it fit in the thighs or check out the pants/jeans from the back either.  Bad idea.  This summer I took the time to try on all my jeans and pants and check them out from every angle.  They all fit in the waist, but if the thighs were too baggy it made me look much bigger than I was, and if the back didn't fit right, I looked very...well saggy.  I kid you not, I got rid of nearly a dozen pair of pants and jeans.
• I'm the most happy with a style I found at The Limited, they were not cheap (about $45 a piece) but the fit is perfection and I know the classic feel will mean I can wear them for years to come.

Now that I've shared my essentials thoughts on jeans and pants, here are some additional options to consider:

• I suggest investing in one pair of colored jeans, I love red. 
•  I also think a good pair of boot cut is a great go-to option for the weekend, I wear mine a lot for errands.
• I also love trouser jeans and depending on where you work, you might be able to wear them at work too.  The fact that they have the structure of dress pants makes them dressier and can give a casual outfit a more polished look.
• I'm also seeing a lot of black denim now and I love it. They haven't been cool since the early 90s, but they're back!

skinny leg jeans / boyfriend jeans / gray dress pants / black dress pants /  tan dress pants / red jeans / black jeans / boot cut jeans / trouser jeans 

Today I'm wearing black skinny pants, which I wear like crazy, they are great with a boot, heel or flat; a must have for every closet!

On Valentine's Day Brian and I had the day to ourselves, which was great. Prior to going out to dinner we stopped by the mall, as Brian had a giftcard to Scheels and I had one to J.Crew.  I found this striped sweater on super sale and was pretty excited because my other one needed to be thrown away. Black and white stripes are so great, but it seems like I need to replace mine each year. I got the inspiration for this outfit from this pin and love how it came together.

Cobalt and Orange

Last year I was ecstatic when I found this Loft skirt at Goodwill and decided to pair it with my cobalt blazer and lace top today.  The first time I wore this skirt I wore it like this, and I was so pleased with myself.  Yipes, that was pretty bad. Today, on the other hand, I really like this. I really like the texture and color mix and definitely think it's an outfit I'll wear again, although I think I might wear it with my cobalt  Portfolio Shirt first.  What do you think, how would you style this skirt? 

Blazer: Loft $30 c/o Chippmuck from contest I won

Blouse: Loft $16 super pretty option

Skirt: Loft $5 pretty option

Necklace: Stella and Dot same

Bracelets: Stella and Dot  Chimera, Moxie , Renegade

Shoes: Fergalicous $30 similar

Chelsea and Ginny Take On: Cocktail Hour

This week  Chelsea and I are taking on "Cocktail Hour." Gone are the days of weekends at the bar, but getting invited to a cocktail hour or Girls' Night and home can be great.  I'm going to cover how to dress and Chelsea has the best idea for a "Mix Your Own Beer" Bar.  Say what?  Look for the link down below to go check Chelsea's post out!

As I've gotten older I feel like I've done a pretty good job of perfecting work wear, weekend wear, my casual style, and church clothes. However, I feel getting dressed for a girls' night or cocktail hour is tricky.  My 20-something's self was a pro at this...my 30-something self is not.  Today's look is one that I think is perfect for a cocktail hour after work or night with the girls.  I really like the polished look a blazer gives, but the sequined top takes this out of the normal realm of work wear. I also love the contrast of the black top with the fitted white jeans. Add a heel and some jewelry with bling and you've got a great cocktail hour look.

Blazer: Loft $30 (gift card from Chippmuck.com) same

Top: Express cute option

Jeans: CAbi $5 (thrifted) similar

Necklace: Stella and Dot Sutton

Bracelets: Stella and Dot Renegade, Peacock, Urbane

Heels: Bandalino $30 similar

I've decided to start showing you some options for similar pieces and take some of the work out of shopping for you. Here are some great cobalt blazer options; I'm loving the second one. 

                                    Wallis Blazers · Anne Klein Blazers · Macy's Blazers


Now, go stop by  Whatcha Makin' Now to see all the details for how to recreate Chelsea's awesome "Mix Your Own Beer" Bar.  If this idea isn't amazing, I don't know what is!