So Sophisticated.1992

Something Borrowed, Something Blue....

2015-10-06T13:43:00.000-04:00

No, I'm NOT Getting married but real soon I will have something EXTRA sophisticated and NEW to share with all of you.

Stay tuned!

When Not to Shop the Clearance Racks

2015-08-19T22:08:00.001-04:00

Four months since my last post and now, finally, I am b a c k. This whole adulting thing (i.e. having a career, going grocery shopping, buying your first car, etc.) can be pretty time consuming and in my case, had me very preoccupied / disenchanted with blogging. Yesterday however, I had a chance encounter in TJ Maxx that made me feel like I needed to log into my blogger account and share with the world.

Here's what happened...

I was dressed in my favorite boyfriend jeans (the same ones you saw here and here), scoping out furry throw pillows (my latest obsession) when I came across the prettiest plum-colored, knee-high boots, I ever did see. I rushed over to admire the bad boys and when I looked down to see that there were only two pair in the store, the display being a size 8 1/2 (my size!) I knew that I at least had to try them on....

Well, if you've ever tried on a lust worthy shoe before, you know that once you try it on, you pretty much own it. In the case of Kierra vs the pretty Kate Spade Saturday Plum Knee - High boots...well, I did something I don't normally do.

I bought the damn boots -- at full price.

The damn boots.

That's right, I forked over the whole $XXX.99 that T.J. Maxx was asking for them(which was actually a great price for the regularly $295 suckers)and saved myself 1)The hassle of going back every week to see if they had been marked down, yet & 2) The potential heartbreak of someone else buying them.

So, here's my advice to all of you out there who like me, make the clearance rack your first stop in a store. Pay full price if and when:

It's a Novel Item -- basically, you can't walk into Target or Forever21 (btw, are we still shopping there?)and find one million other items that look just like it.

It's High Quality-- You can never go wrong with investing in quality, whether it be quality pieces for your wardrobe or your home.

You Can Actually Afford It -- Hey, every now and then it's OK to ball on a budget. Full price at T.J. Maxx isn't necessarily full price at Neiman Marcus or Saks and in my case, buying the boots wasn't resulting in me eating Ramen Noodles for the rest of the month...so, why not indulge in moderation?

When in Mexico...

2015-04-20T09:08:00.000-04:00

...of course you visit a tequila factory...

Dress: c/o The Mint Julep Boutique / Sandals: Ann Taylor Factory /Crossbody: T.J.Maxx /Shades: Ross /Cuff: Thrifted

And duh you wear a cute little frock like this Down on the Beach dress from The Mint Julep Boutique! After a fun filled day of exploring the Cayman Islands our ship arrived at Port in Cozumel, Mexico and I stepped off of the ship in this tie-dyed number itching to stick my feet in some water (and maybe to get my hands on a margarita or two)! I succeeded in doing both, but not before we took a tour of the Hacienda Antigua Tequila History and Process Tour.

Though it was hot in the Cayman Islands, it was about 10x hotter in Cozumel so I was happy to be wearing something as flowy as this dress, which on this particular day also doubled as a cover up for my bikini!

The Mint Julep Boutique is full of gems like this dress at such affordable prices, which is why Ii'm super excited to share that we've partnered up to offer one lucky reader of So Sophisticated. 1992 with a $25 gift card to shop with. Entry into the giveaway is simple:

1. Follow @sophistikated92 on Instagram

2. Follow @shopthemint on Instagram

3. Leave a comment below with a link to the item from The Mint Julep that you would like to make yours!

Citron

2015-04-16T08:00:00.000-04:00

Shades: Ivanka Trump / Top: Forever21 / Shorts: Forever21 / Clutch: T.J. Maxx/ Sandals: Ann Taylor Factory

After a fun day at sea on Tuesday, our cruise ship pulled into port at the Grand Cayman Islands first thing Wednesday morning. I hoped off the boat in this completely irresistible citron colored two-piece short set from Forever21. The instant I laid my eyes on it hanging amid some sweaters, I knew that I just had to have it. Here lately, Forever21 has been hit or miss for me (mostly miss) but this outfit may have turned me back into a believer.

Citron is a color that is everywhere this Spring and for many people (myself included) can be a tricky color to pull off! On this particular day it worked for me because I had the opportunity to spend some time in the sun and was a little darker, and also because I managed to break some of the citrusey hue up with a) my exposed midriff and b)my cobalt blue cross-body/clutch.

The Grand Cayman Island is as you can see, absolutely beautiful!It seemed like everywhere we went on the island I kept running across blue backgrounds -- ironic as that was the color I chose to accessorize with. This textured short set was completely breathable in the island air and if you ask me the perfect get up for a day filled with exploring a Caribbean island.

Bon Voyage

2015-04-14T08:00:00.000-04:00

Dress: Sears / Necklace: H&M / Shades: Ivanka Trump / Sandals: Steve Madden

Oh to be back in the middle of the Caribbean sea soaking up the sun! Last week I embarked on a 5-day cruise to the Grand Cayman Islands as well as Cozumel, Mexico with my family. It's been such a long time since I was able to join them on a legitimate vacation so I was so ecstatic for the time away from work to spend with them.

For this trip, we opted to drive from NC to Port Tampa -- a 10 hour drive. I decided to wear this super comfy and sassy purple maxi from Sears for the long car ride. It was also, ideal for our sail away from the port. Purple is not a color that I wear often nor is Sears a store that I normally shop, so everything about this dress was pretty unique to me. Can't wait to share more pictures from my vacation!

Raleigh Blog Society Brunch

2015-02-13T10:20:00.001-05:00

Last Sunday I had the opportunity to do something I've wanted to do for a long time... meet up with other local bloggers! Myself and eight other fabulous ladies got a little dolled up and connected over cute finger foods, mimosas and of course, selfies (hello, we're bloggers)!

These white chocolate covered pretzels were my contribution to the brunch and I was especially proud of them because I made them for myself! I thought I'd share the fun and easy recipe here:

White Chocolate Covered Pretzels

1 bag (16 oz) of Pretzels

1 bag (16 oz) of Vanilla flavored Candiquik

Assorted sprinkles

Melt Candiquik in Microwave on high for 60 seconds. Let sit for 30 - 60 seconds so that it can cool. One a time twirl pretzels in melted chocolate until the coating is smooth. Place on wax paper to allow time to cool and for excess chocolate to drip. Remove pretzel from wax paper and sprinkle with sprinkles. Place gently on wax paper until they have cooled.

Essense // Me!// Meghan // Courtney/Sara // Natalie//Aubrey/ Andrea

A special thank you to Sara Kate of Sara Kate Styling for allowing us to use the Frill headquarters for the brunch, Maghon Walker of All She Wrote notes for the beautiful paper goods and also Meghan of Morgan Caddell Photography for the wonderful photos!

Grammy's 2015 Best Dressed

2015-02-09T07:00:00.000-05:00

Nicki Minaj in Tom Ford

Zenadaya Coleman in Vivienne Westwood

Taylor Swift in Elie Saab

Katy Perry in Zuhair Murad

The 57th annual Grammy Awards aired last night and these were my favorite red carpet looks. I was very surprised at the number of ladies wearing black and the overall simplicity of many of the dresses. What was your favorite red carpet look?

Miss Thang

2015-02-06T10:10:00.000-05:00

Jeans: Madewell / Turtleneck: OldNavy/ Fur Stole: Ivanka Trump/ Shades: Cole Haan / Pumps: Enzo Angiolini

A few weeks ago I went to a J.Crew sample sale in my hometown and lucked up on these Madewell jeans. They are probably the most flattering pair that I have in my arsenal and are of great quality. Madewell can be pricey, so I was pretty jazzed about the $20 price tag on this pair. This outfit made me think about Monica's song "Miss Thang," in which she proclaims " Now I'm fly as I can be, got responsibilities... It's alright for me to think it's all about me." After all, your 20s is the time when it's okay to be a little selfish, right?

linking up with: Style Elixir

A Few of My Favorite (Beauty) Things...

2015-02-04T11:09:00.000-05:00

Here lately I've been pretty obsessed with my beauty regimen and as a result have developed quite the fondness for a a few products that make my mornings smoother, face prettier and hair more neatly coiffed.

Lancome Grandiose Mascara - $32

This is by far the priciest tube of mascara I have ever bought, but I'd be lying if I said it wasn't worth it. With a few swoops of it's one of a kind swan neck wand and my lashes look super long and super thick. Literally, you can put on this makeup and a dab of lip gloss and be as fab as ever.

MAC Mineralize Blush "Love Thing" - $27

I'm not much of a foundation or powder wearer, but I do love a flushed cheek. I ordered this blush back in early December and I have worn it religiously everyday since. It's a warm cranberry color with metallic flecks and looks great paired with both dark and light lips.

Dirty Works Coconut Cares Body Butter - $12

This works just as great as coco butte but it has an even better smell and doesn't leave you feeling as greasy as coco butter in the raw does. You can order it online, but I found it on clearance for about $5 at my local T.J. Maxx. It moisturizes my skin wonderfully and I went a little longer than a month without running out of product.

MAC Heirloom Mix "Rebel" Lipstick - $17.50

This was a Christmas treat to myself that quickly turned into a favorite beauty product. I got very lucky with this shade, in that I ordered it online late one night without ever seeing it in person. It's a purply shade that looks great with a nightmoth liner (also by MAC) and just so happens to look great on me. I also purchased a tube of Rebel for my mother who fell in love with mine.

Hairfinity Healthy Hair Complex - $25

I started taking Hairfinity, a dietary supplement that promotes hair growth and thickness and at first was skeptical about the results I would see from this product. Within a month's time I could tell that my hair was thicker and after two months could tell that it had grown. Though Hairfinty alone will not make your hair longer and healthier, I can say that it has contributed to the overall improvement of my hair's wellness and I highly recommend it.

Holy Chic!

2015-01-21T09:10:00.001-05:00

T-shirt: Old Navy / Skirt: New York & Co / Belt: The Limited / Pumps: Enzo Angiolini/ Gloves: TJ Maxx / Fur: The Loft (old) /Shades: TJ Maxx (similar)

If you follow me on Instagram you know that I spent the past few days in New York City catching up with my best friend. We spent 70 percent of our time shopping, 20 percent of it singing, dancing ~~and posting snapchat videos~~ to Beyonce's 7/11 and the other 10 percent eating. It's literally been a year since I last saw my best friend but what stood out the most to me during our time together was how much we have both matured. I know that I have matured stylistically and confidence wise based solely on the fact that 1-2 years ago I would have been crawling out of my skin and super uncomfortable to wear something as gaudy and boisterous as this.

I felt like such a diva as I posed for these pictures though and can't wait for an excuse to slip back into this outfit. I've done the whole screen print tee + pencil skirt look several times before on the blog (ie. Flawless, Love in the Equation), but what adds more dimension to this particular look are the many different textures of my accessories. The faux-fur around my neck is actually a collar that I removed from a sweater I purchased a few years back. Since it was so so cold there, it was just as much for warmth as for looks. The leather gloves were also another part of the look that doubled for practicality and style. Also, in the past I would have probably needed a good excuse to justify wearing something like this but now the only excuse I need is that I'm a grown woman and I can do whatever I want! Lol

The Most Sophisticated of 2014

2015-01-04T09:53:00.000-05:00

2014 proved to be one heck of a year-- I graduated from college, started my first real job and did my fair share of traveling (twice to Atlanta, three times to Miami, Greenville,SC and a few beach trips in between)! Perhaps my favorite part of any New Year however is taking a moment to look back at the progression of my style in the last 365 days. On that note, here are what I consider to be my Most Sophisticated(ie. my favorite)looks of 2014!

The Perfect Boyfriend

Land of the Snakes

Life is a Beach

If anything, I'd say that my style wavered between minimalist and total boss chick throughout 2014....maybe in 2015 I'll find the happy medium between the two.

Christmas Wishlist 2014

2014-12-08T12:15:00.000-05:00

Every year now it seems like My Christmas Wishlist gets shorter, and this year was no exception.

iPad Air 2- The number one item on my wishlist this year is an iPad. I've never been too enthused about the iPad but now that I belong to the workforce it's an almost critical tool.

Misguided Carrie Feather Strappy Heel - How fab are these shoes!? They are super feminine and currently sold out in the nude color, though I'm hoping another shipment will arrive before the Holiday Season comes to an end. Update: This shoe is now available in a Size 9, which just so happens to be the size that this girl needs it in... ;)

Michael Kors Fur Pom Pom Key chain- I'm not sure what's sparked my new found fascination with fur but, I think we can all agree on how cute this little pompom is.

Frends Layla Headphones - My sister and dad both have a pair of beats and while I can appreciate the quality of sound from beats, I can't get into them because of how clunky they are. The Layla headphones from Frends provide the feminine and stylish alternative.

Hijacking the Runway by Teri Agins - This past summer I read "The End of Fashion: How Marketing Changed the Clothing Business Forever" by Teri Agins and gained so much knowledge that I have been able to apply on my job, so you can understand why I'm itching to get my hands on her latest book.

A Sophisticated Traveler's Guide to Atlanta

2014-11-26T10:33:00.001-05:00

It's no secret, Atlanta is probably my favorite city in the South Eastern United States. I love the culture, I love the landscape, the food...to make it plain and simple, I love it all! A couple weeks ago I made use of a few vacation days and took another short road trip to the ATL. This time the occasion was for some relaxing, a little shopping and believe it or not two birthday celebrations. So, let me break down my trip.

How'd I get there?: Me and a friend gassed up the car and drove. Depending on what city your in, the trip from North Carolina to Atlanta is between 5-6 hours. Plus, once you hit 85 it is literally a straight shot!

Where'd I Stay?: Our hotel of choice for this trip was the W- Midtown Atlanta. Every other time I've been to Atlanta, I've always stayed downtown. This time I thought it would be cool to experience another borough of the city. As for the W-Midtown, my friend and I were initially attracted to the hotel for its modern and swanky decor-- it just seemed like the place where hip young people stay (There is a club inside the hotel). We had a great time here, but I will say that perhaps it is time for some sprucing up in some of the rooms. There was definitely some noticeable wear on some of the furniture in our room. One plus about the hotel though was valet. In the past I've stayed at places where it takes FOREVER for valet to bring your car around... this was never the case at the W-Midtown!

Where'd I Eat?: The real question is where didn't I eat!? On our first full day in the city we went to ZinBurger at Lennox Mall. There I tried "The Ringer" which is a hamburger complete with applewood smoked bacon, hot sauce and onion rings. I ate the entire thing plus my friend and I split a side of sweet potato fries. I also ordered a Pumpkin Pie Milkshake, which I didn't end up loving...but, it was pretty and made for a cute prop in my picture.

Other spots we dined at included Thrive, an upscale Southern food restuarant/ lounge in downtown Atlanta and the Sun Dial at the Westin. Funny story about when we went to this restaurant. When we walked in I was so focused on finding my friend Jamilla who was celebrating her 23rd birthday here, that I didn't notice Kandi Burris and Todd Tucker who ended up being seated RIGHT smack dab behind me, filming for the reality show, Real Housewives of Atlanta. It wasn't until I was seated with my back to them that I heard Kandi's voice and turned around and saw them!

Southern Fried Springer Mountain Chicken

The experience of dining at the Sun Dial was a tad scary at first, but once I got my barrings about me, absolutely amazing. Once you arrive at the Westin you take a glass elevator up 72 stories to the restuarant. Once you arrive you are seated at a table and as you dine, the floor beneath you rotates giving you a birds eye view of the entire city of Atlanta. I do not like heights, so the ride up I was literally terrified with my eyes glued shut, but on the ride down I managed to get myself together enough to admire the beauty of it all. I ordered lobster tail for the first time and overall was satisfied with my meal.

My view from the elevator

Lobster, Shrimp and Grits

Where'd I Shop?: I spent some time at Lennox Mall mostly window shopping....$1200 Chanel sneakers anyone?

I also took sometime to check out the Men's store at the Macy's in Lenox.

#ReailProblems

The following day I went to Perimeter mall. I wanted to make it to the new outlet stores in Atlanta, but didn't have the chance.

What'd I Wear?: I did't get too many pictures of my casual looks but I made sure to capture my night time looks. Yall know I love to unleash Flyy Kiki!

It was extremely cold and windy while I was in Atlanta, so as much as I wanted to be cute, my main focus when getting dressed was warmth. This is what I wore to dinner at the Sun Dial. A gold sequined dress that I threw in my suitcase at the last minute, my new favorite Ivanka Trump faux fur coat and Enzo Angiolii suede zipper back heels.

My favorite look from the trip however was this my Parker New York beaded jumpsuit. I splurged on this beauty months ago and was waiting for the perfect opportunity to bring her out of the closet. A night out with my cousin to celebrate his girlfriend's birthday seemed like the perfect occasion to me, though I'm sure I will be showing this beauty off again for the Holiday season!

Life is a Beach

2014-10-29T07:54:00.000-04:00

Romper: Maison Jules / Flats: Steve Madden / Jacket: Old Navy / Purse: Zac Zac Posen / Sunglasses: The Limited

Four days shy of November and some how I managed to find myself in a sleeveless romper splashing around in the ocean. I purchased this romper by Maison Jules for $12 bucks and thought I was going to have to wait until next summer to wear it, but the 80 degree weather at Myrtle Beach made for the perfect opportunity to show a little skin in these Carolina blue and cream stripes. I played around with a little pattern mixing pairing stripes with my favorite leopard print flats. I also threw on my denim jacket and over-sized shades to complete the look.

Transitioning to Fall with Julep

2014-10-13T07:54:00.001-04:00

Dress: Express / Jacket: MICHAEL Michael Kors/ Shades: House of Harlow / Sneakers: MICHAEL Michael Kors

All Summer long I stalked this asymmetrical jersey knit dress from Express but was never quite willing to pay full price for it. As fate would have it, I was in Express a few days ago and happened to stumble across it on the clearance rack for $29.99 plus an additional 30% off the clearance price...so of course I bought it! Though it is clearly a dress made for the summer, I am super excited to spruce it up and transition it into Fall. Though this leather MICHAEL Michael Kors jacket and camo print slip on sneakers will help, it's these three shades of Julep nail polish that will really add the finishing touch.

So many people think that transitioning a summer look into fall involves actual articles of clothing, but in reality your beauty regimen has a significant impact as well. Weekly manicures are my guilty pleasure and these new fall colors from Julep only give me more of a reason to indulge.Check out more fall polishes from Julep here!

Bare Naked Fall

2014-10-08T10:39:00.000-04:00

Coat: Ann Taylor / Shirt: Haute Society / Jeans: American Eagle / Flats: Steve Madden

Fall is in full force here in the Carolinas and I must say that I'm loving the fact that it's finally cool enough outside for me to wear my new trench coat. I searched high and low for the perfect trench and finally settled on this leather accented one from Ann Taylor. Though I typically think of a trench as something to be worn with dressy attire on this particular day my appearance was casual to say the least. As much as I love a bold lip, on this particular day a splash of Mac Oh Baby lip gloss on my lips, slouchy boyfriend jeans and cheetah print flats was the winning combination for a day filled with errands and relaxing. I have a feeling that I'll be embracing a bare naked face a bit more this fall too.

Land of the Snakes

2014-09-25T07:30:00.000-04:00

Blouse: Old Navy / Pants: Jones New York / Pumps: Rainbow / Shades: House of Harlow / Wallet: Zac by Zac Posen

Labor Day has come and gone but I still have no problem rocking white, especially these fantastic winter white Jones New York pants.What I love about these pants, besides their color is that they are fitted without being too tight. Nothing is cute or classy about skin tight slacks! I've talked plenty before about the frustrations of being a pear shape, among them finding pants that fit your smaller waistline and larger hips. These pants do just that for me!

For a business chic look I paired with these slacks a sheer snakeskin blouse from Old Navy with pumps I found on clearance at Rainbow. My MAC Lipstick in Hangup and over-sized shades really polished the look off.

From Pinterest to Reality

2014-09-22T07:32:00.000-04:00

As much as I would like to take credit for this grey and nude number, I have to admit that inspiration for this look came from a picture of Kim Kardashian that I pinned to my Pinterest board, "My Style" several months ago.

This was one of Kim's first public looks, post the birth of North West and I unabashedly loved everything about it. So much so that I just had to recreate it myself.

Dress: MOSSIQUE, Shoes: Rainbow/ Purse: Zac by Zac Posen, / Necklace: c/o 9th&Elm / Bangle: Thrited

While Kim is decked out in Donna Karan my dress is MOSSIQUE, a line designed exclusively for the boutique, Bevello. I decided Thursday was the perfect day to pull this dress out of my closet as I attended a Fall Fashion show at Bevello in Cameron Village. I had a great time at the event and aside from seeing some beautiful pieces on display, I got to meet Anna of Flawlessly Flawed... how fab is her haircut!?

Anna of Flawlessly Flawed and I.

To see what other outfit inspiration I've got hanging in my Pinterest closet, be sure to follow my Pinterest boards here!

Carmen Lilly the #NCSUAlum

2014-09-16T09:14:00.000-04:00

Via @StyleCarmen Instagram

North Carolina State University is a campus most commonly recognized for producing cows and engineers (we've got world renown agriculture and engineering programs). Though its obviously not the first thing that comes to mind when one thinks N.C. State, the Wolfpack is home to some fashionistas with impeccable home grown style. As an alumnus of the university this isn't something that I just realized but, last night did seem to make the fact more clear. You see, I searched the hashtag #NCSUAlum and found a post from Carmen Lilly, the creative genius behind many of Rihanna and Rocsi Diaz's looks. Intrigued, I clicked on it (a post from the Harbison SS15 showcase) and learned that not only was Charles Elliot Harbison a NCSU alum but, so too was Carmen Lilly. I've adored her styling for so long, yet I had no idea that she was a fellow Wolfpack sistah!

That's what you call #CRAY.

In an interview with the Fashion Bomb Daily, Lilly described how she launched her personal shopping/ styling career saying," When I left college, I was making jewelry, but I was doing it on the side. I wanted to get experience from the retail end, so that I could get my jewelry in stores..." She began working at Intermix, a boutique in New York City and it was there that she met Rihanna and the rest-- well, its history. She told FBD, "Rihanna would have all these high end designer pieces,but she wouldn't have anything to complete the outfits. So, I would get them for her, but I would also put together looks and give outfit suggestions." Lilly's work with Rihanna eventually led to other celebrity clients.

Rihanna in Balmain Leather Skirt and Silk Blouse picked by Carmen Lilly.

Rocsi Diaz at the 86th Academy Awards styled by Carmen Lilly in a Dennis Basso gown and Jimmy Choo Sandals.

Rihanna in Tom Ford Gladiator Boots and Mary Katrantzou top picked by Carmen Lilly.

Rocsi styled by Carmen Lilly in Haute Hippie Tuxedo Dress and Christian Louboutin
Impera Pumps

Carmen graduated from NCSU with a degree in Art and Design. She spent time as an intern for Donna Karan as well as another smaller scale designer. Though many people recognize her now for the work she has done with celebrity clients, I admire the advice she gave to those aspiring to break into the highly competitive fashion world. "Gain as much industry knowledge as possible, so you will be better equipped to compete with those who have a natural network and connection within the industry. Do your research...don't focus on celebrities- focus on your craft."

It's incredibly encouraging and inspiring to see young {black} people from my Alma Mater doing big things in the fashion industry. Carmen Lilly and Charles Elliot Harbison are both living proof that 1)It doesn't matter where you get your start, if you've got the drive and are smart you can achieve anything and 2) N.C. State grooms some of the best talent in every field!

For more information about Carmen Lilly check out her website or connect with her on Instagram and Twitter.

Go Pack!

Altuzarra X Target Review

2014-09-14T14:12:00.001-04:00

So, this morning I was up by 7:25 a.m. and headed out the door by 7:40 a.m. so that I could be among the first to enter the doors of my local Target and score all the pieces from the Altuzarrra for Target collection that I've been salivating over for the past two weeks. First up on my list of must buys was the red velvet Ruby Hill blazer and matching tuxedo pant. The first Target I went to didn't have it so I drove to another Target location twenty minutes away only to be underwhelmed.

Exscuse my N.C. State hat and undone hair...it was 8 a.m. on a Sunday morning!

I am a true to size 4 (27 waist) but my hips were begging for a size 6 as you can see by the gathering of the pants around the crotch. The jacket concerned me in that it was very wrinkly and didn't appear to be the type of clothing article to hold its shape for very long. I will say that the black tuxedo pant was more forgiving than the red velvet and that the peplum jacket had a better structure.

I also tried on the satin orchid print oxford shirt with the jacquard print black skirt. Again, in theory, I loved the shirt but it was very thin and in my opinion, one wash away from being stretched out of shape.I especially loved the angled split of the skirt and just maybe will go back for it.

Dress in size 2

Of all the things that I tried on, it was this piece that left me the most torn largely in part due to sizing. I tried the dress in both a two and a four. The two cinched at my waist very nicely and also fit well across the bust but, being the pear shape that I am made me look like I was busting at the seams on the bottom. In the four I didn't have the same definition at the waist and bust, but it was definitely more forgiving to my hips and thighs. Homecoming is coming up soon and I could easily imagine wearing this stunner (with a few alterations) to one of the social Young Alumni events. My plan is to keep and eye out for it and if it looks like it'll be around long enough for me to purchase it at clearance price it will likely be mine. Otherwise, I will be inclined to believe that it just wasn't meant for me.

Overall, I still think the designs are beautiful, but just wish the the quality of some of the pieces was a little better. I've come to expect a lot from Target and had every intention of walking out of there this morning with my shopping bags full. Did any of you have better luck than me?

The Perfect Boyfriend

2014-09-12T07:55:00.000-04:00

Lace Cami: Express / Jeans: American Eagle/ Pumps: Steven / Purse: Z by Zac Posen/ Shades: House of Harlow

I thought all hope was lost when I parted ways with my favorite boyfriend jeans from GAP earlier this summer but, had I known an equally wonderful boyfriend was waiting for me on the clearance rack of American Eagle, I wouldn't have. In a two week time frame, I've worn these jeans a total of three times and have already been scheming up new ways to incorporate them into my fall wardrobe.

Paired with my slouchy lace cami from Express and Steven by Steve Madden Ravesh pumps, this look is ideal for a casual dinner date night. I'm also happy to debut on the blog my Z by Zac Posen Hayden Crossboy Wallet. Though it was a bit of a splurge, it was well worth the cost because it pulls double duty as both a wallet and purse! How's that for versatility?

Fall Essentials

2014-09-08T08:09:00.000-04:00

1. Aryn K Coat of Arms Royal Blue // 2. Altuzarra for Target Red Velvet Tuxedo// 3. Michael Kors Kiera Ballet Flat// 4. Kate Spade Delsie Flat // 5. House of Harlow Jordana Shades // 6. Christian Louboutin So Kate Nude Pumps // 7.Quilted Faux- Leather Mini // 8. Altuzarra for Target Over-the-Knee Boot

I don't know what's gotten into me lately, but I am craving cooler temperatures. Well, if I'm being 100 percent honest, I think it may have a lot to do with these eight items that I want to see added to my fall wardrobe. I'm absolutely loving the rich colors and variety of textures!

Shirley

2014-08-22T14:51:00.000-04:00

Dress: Theory (similar) / Sandals : G by Guess / Necklace: c/o 9th & Elm / Bag: Zac Posen

Rarely do I love every piece of an outfit as much as I do the pieces in this one. I wore this yesterday for a busy day of running errands and I will be the first to say that it was the perfect pairing to flounce around the city in. The star of the show was of course my new Zac Posen Shirley Bow Satchel. I've been coveting this bag since early summer but until recently, remained reluctant to cough up the bucks to buy it. I finally decided to indulge a little and treated myself to this classic stunner. My white Theory dress was an awesome Goodwill score that found last winter. I took it to the cleaners and once it was all pressed and starched it looked as good as new.

Coming in a close second for my favorite piece of this look is my gorgeous gold nameplate necklace. Gifted to my by the folks over at 9th & Elm, a website that carries handmade and independent designs, this particular necklace can be customized in silver, gold and rose gold. I chose gold because most of my jewelry falls in this category. My younger sister doesn't know it yet, but I also ordered a nameplate for her from the site in silver. As summer begins to fade I know my Shirley satchel and nameplate will make a smooth transition into fall.

In the Know

2014-08-13T08:00:00.000-04:00

Among the things that are important to me is having an extensive knowledge of things I am passionate about. So, when it comes to fashion and style that to me means knowing more than what colors work well together or the the cost of a pair of shoes. I'm interested in knowing information like who holds top positions within a company, emerging business trends and the history of brands. Books have been a great resource for reading up on a lot of these different things (check out my summer sophisticated reads list here) but on a day to day basis, there are a few sources I rely on to really stay in the know about things going on in the fashion industry.

In the Know - Video Maker

Women's Wear Daily

Women's Wear Daily or WWD as it commonly referred to has been around for more than 100 years now, and is a daily publication that covers every aspect of the fashion industry. Within its pages you can find information about how your favorite brands/retailers are performing in the stock market, the latest in fashion and beauty trends and pretty much any other important news as it relates to fashion. WWD does require a subscription. I personally have the $12.99 per month iPhone/ iPad subscription for my own convenience. They also offer daily print and web versions as well.

The Fashion Bomb Daily

I literally have learned so much from this site. Thanks to Claire Summers and her team, I have become familiar with countless brands that I would have never known of and had all my questions about what some of my favorite celebrities are wearing, answered. Perhaps the thing that I like most about The Fashion Bomb Daily is its emphasis on urban and African- American style influencers. Unlike WWD, the content on The Fashion Bomb Daily is completely free and they post frequently throughout the day to Facebook and Instagram, which is how I primarily follow the site.

Independent Fashion Bloggers

Anytime I'm asked for blogging advice, the first thing I do is shout to the rafters about heartifb.com. IFB is in my opinion one of the greatest free resources available to bloggers on the web. I use it to stay up to date on new trends in the blogging arena and as a way to find new blogs.

BOF

Much like WWD, the Business of Fashion is a daily web publication that truly focuses on-- you guessed it-- the business of fashion. BOF also offers an interesting array of Op-Eds as well as profiles of CEOs of some of the top brands and various fashion bloggers. Founded in 2007, BOF covers the fashion industry from an international standpoint and is a great source for anyone interested in really knowing the ins and outs of fashion.

Werk.

2014-08-11T08:00:00.000-04:00

If you follow me on Instagram, you've known for about a month now that I'm officially a member of Corporate America. The transition to 9-5 life has been an interesting one but I think I'm finally starting to figure out the work/life balance and am glad to be back from my [unanticipated] blogging hiatus!

My current position is as an executive for one of the nation's premier retailers. That being said my work wardrobe is 95 percent black but, because I work in such a fashion oriented business and will forever be a fashionista at heart, I've made a point to create a work wardrobe that includes more than black suit separates.

These past five weeks I've had lots of fun experimenting with different textures and fabrics and maybe a bit too much fun buying funky accessories to add some flair to my professional looks.This is a typical work outfit for me - polished, sleek and stylish. I'm particularly smitten with this faux-leather dress because it can easily be transitioned into the fall with boots and tights. These color block wedges are also my latest obsession. Not only are they comfortable but look great with nearly everything.

Dress: Gianni Bini (similar) / Wedges: Express / Bag: Michael Kors / Bracelets: Charming Charlie / Rings: Express

Even though this outfit is for work, something about it screams "Werk." -- and that's exactly how I like it. Who says professional attire has to lack pizzazz?