Casual Chic Kiki

Red Sweater #1

2012-02-15T06:00:00.000-08:00

Cardigan: INC. Tee: Kohl's. Jeans: White House Black Market. Shoes: Naot. Coat: Candies.

Another cozy piece. I just couldn't pass up this sweater as it was calling my name this week. Warm. Cozy. Bright. The perfect comfort piece, kind of like comfort food, you know? And I picked up this coat with a gift card I'd been holding onto. I spotted it when coats first came out in say, October. I've found that many times patience is really in my favor when I spot a piece I love, but know I don't need it or can't afford it at regular price...if I wait and then go back just for fun, I usually spot something I'd been wanting all these months for a fraction of the price!

Are you a patient shopper?

Black Maxi and Winner!

2012-02-14T06:00:00.000-08:00

Maxi: maurices. Tee, Cardigan: Target. Boots: Bass Outlet. Coat: Victoria's Secret. Scarf: San Fransisco.

So, comfy! SO, comfy! All cozied up in my knit maxi and cardigan. What a great outfit for a sicky-poo day. Last week was tough. So this week's posts will be short and sweet. I have been keeping up with your posts via Google reader when I have the time and my eyes have rested enough to warrant computer time outside of work. I sure wish you could leave comments from the reader boards.

Anyway, after our long over long fashion challenge I wanted to try to winterize my black maxi and this is what I came up with. I love this dress for it's comfiness. I love that I don't have to accessorize it. I love that it defines my waist but you wouldn't know it on the hanger. It's just love. And I'll show you a couple of my coats this week too!

What piece in your closet do you just love?

Congratulations Callie! You've won my fun-filled package of beauty products! I'll be emailing you today.

Fashion Challenge Round Up

2012-02-13T06:00:00.000-08:00

Thank you to all the lovelies who joined us on this round of the Fashion Challenge: Layer Up! We all had lots of fun playing with layers, even if the weather was a tough contender. Click on the pictures to visit these fine ladies' blogs. You can find links to all the fellow fashion challengers here, until next time.

Keep your eyes peeled for another Fashion Challenge come March 2012!

Saturday Mani

2012-02-11T18:15:00.001-08:00

How to brighten a dreary Saturday? Colorful mani of course!

Re-mix It

2012-02-09T06:00:00.000-08:00

Dress: LOFT. Cardigan, Jacket and Leggings: INC. Boots: Target. Handbag: ShoeDazzle. Neclace: Christopher Straub for maurices.

I love. LOVE this sweater dress! So, I'm always trying to find new ways to style it. On these chilly winter days, layering is best and my swingy black cardigan was perfect. For a more structured look I went for my cropped blazer. I still have a few more black cardigans and jackets to try out, but what about color? What color would you pair with black and taupe/mushroom?

More Mustard

2012-02-08T06:00:00.000-08:00

Vest: c/o maurices. Tunic and Leggings: INC. Tee, Scarf, Socks, Necklace: Target. Under Vest: Macy's. Handbag: Vera Wang for Kohl's. Boots: Justin (15 years old!).

I spotted animal print pattern mixing over at Fab Finds Under $50 about a week ago. (Check out her February Inspiration Calendar too. I'm on February 28!) So, I decided to give it a try, very subtly. I found it to be a bit more fun than the usual black tee I usually layer under this tunic. And these boots? I wore them a ton my junior and senior year of high school and then they got boxed up for a long, long time. And what do you know, they're back in style! I'm sure some day I'll look back on my outfits with scrunched socks and ankle boots and think, "Why?" but I'll know it was on-trend for the time. I feel like we've made it back through every decade and now style is just a hodge-podge of whatever you prefer.

Does anything really go out of style anymore?

Mustard and Orange

2012-02-07T06:00:00.000-08:00

Tee: INC. Cami: Maurices. Cardigan: F21. Jeans: Vigoss. Booties: BC Footwear.

I really love mustard. The color. Not the condiment. I've got a scarf and two cardigans and a t-shirt. I keep putting off purchasing a long sleeve tee. I should just buck up and pay the 10 bucks for it! I know I'd wear it. But I haven't worn my solid tees much this fall and winter so I hesitate to buy more. I'm gravitating toward tees with pattern or embellishment. Hence, this ruffled, orange beauty. This is a pretty simple outfit, but I think the color makes it interesting.

How often do you purchase basics, like a solid tee?

Review and Giveaway!

2012-02-06T06:00:00.000-08:00

I was thrilled when I received an email from Misikko with a request to review one of their styling tools! My hairstylists over the years have always told me to invest in such a thing. But I've only dreamed of owning professional styling tools, until now.

I've been using the Hanaair hair dryer for about a week and from the very first blow dry it has been amazing! My hair is softer, shinier and has more volume. Just like I walked out of the salon. And it professes to dry your hair quicker, which is so true. It cuts my blow dry time in half! The only downfall of the Hanaair is that it's heavier than any hair dryer I've ever had, but it's easy to get used to after a one or two uses. After using this professional tool, I'd be willing to invest in it myself and consider other professional styling tools.

And Misikko really goes above and beyond when they send out a package. Take a look at all the goodies they sent me! What an amazing package!

Thank you Misikko! I'm in love!

So, since Misikko was so generous, I'd like to share some of the product with you! (Hair dryer not included in this giveaway.) I've put together a little package for you using some of the products from Misikko, as well as, a few fashion-beauty related items I picked up recently.

How to enter:

Leave a comment letting me know how you follow Casual Chic Kiki with a current email address so I can let you know you're the winner!

It's that easy!
*US Residents only please. I just can't afford international shipping. Sorry.

Giveaway ends Friday, February 10, 2012.

Layer Up! Dress over Pants

2012-02-04T06:00:00.000-08:00

Tee, Dress and Necklace: Target. Cardigan: F21. Jeggings: Gap. Boots: Bass Outlet. Handbag: Coach Outlet.

I think this is my favorite look of the week! I find that funny because when I was planning my outfits I was very unsure of this one. I've seen the dress over pants combination in magazines and on many blogs and was never really drawn to them. I really don't care for the dresses over boot cut or wide pants, so I thought I would have to cheat and call "leggings" "pants". But then I realized that any of my skinny jeans or jeggings would work well for this challenge day. I also really love all the color going on here. It's so bright and cheery, but grounded with the gray and black. I might have to dig out another colorful dress and try this again.

Although I'm fairly adept at layering, I learned quite a bit during this challenge. It was tough to think outside the box of my usual layering. Having to layer specific types of pieces together made me re-think my clothes and sort of give them a label that I don't usually do. I also learned I don't like too many layers. It feel very constricting and I hate that feeling. (Hence, why I rarely wear belts or vests.) I prefer stretchy, comfy pieces.

What did you learn form this challenge?

Even if you didn't participate, did you get any new styling ideas?

If you are Layer Up! participant, email me your favorite look of the week: kkmkreations(at)live(dot)com

Layer Up! Jacket over Cardigan

2012-02-03T06:00:00.000-08:00

Jacket: Thrifted. Cardigan: Target (gift). Tee and Necklace: Target. Jeans: TJ Maxx. Boots: Boutique 9. Socks: Fred Meyer. Sunnies: Shopko.

Pile it on with today's challenge: Jacket over Cardigan.I had tons of layers on today. Good thing it's chilly out! I knew I wanted to pair a printed cardigan with my denim blazer. One of my girlfriends gave me this cardigan and when I saw it next to these skinnies I loved the look. Add oatmeal layering tee, scrunchy socks and favorite boots eaquals fun, funky, layered look! I really had fun playing with all this color!

If you are a Fashion Challenge participant: Remember to email me at kkmkreations(at)live(dot)com with your favorite Layer Up! look.