In The Fashionista's Closet: Mad Men with a Twist

I call this look my Mad Men look after the AMC show that's set in the 60's, I've recently begun watching it this season and I adore the fashions on that show for both the men and the women. With the sheath dresses, nipped in waists with full skirts for the women and slim cut suits and pocket squares for the men I am over the moon.

I paired this flowered Danny & Nicole dress with my flowered Nine West pumps that I've had forever in an effort to create a little contrast.

I promise I do have more than thrifted dresses in my closet but I have really hit my stride in finding great items for next to nothing.

I have already begun to look forward to fall and I have already drafted my Fall Fashion Wishlist to update my wardrobe. Now there's only one little teeny tiny thing stopping me from shopping. I'ts insignificant really. It's called....wait for it....Disposable Income. But sooner rather than later I will be back and better than ever!

I cringe when I hear people saying that they like to be "in style" and that they have all of the "latest" trends. Style is more than looking trendy, it is about finding what works for you, your lifestyle and feeling comfortable in your own skin. I feel that anyone who is fiscally able can go to the mall and buy all the latest looks but that's not smart or imaginative in my opinion. I will not participate in a trend once it's been done to death, and for me to buy a trend I have to love it and be able to find it for less. You do not want to have to replace your wardrobe year after year because you only follow trends, you want to shop smarter not harder. You want to incorporate things into your wardrobe that work with what you already have to update your existing look and don't be afraid to shop everywhere! It is far more intoxicating to see someone wearing a vintage multi-print full skirt, a men's v-neck tee and killer platforms. (I do believe that your shoes should be current and killer.) That being said, no one gets it right 100 percent of the time but don't be afraid to try!

In The Fashionista's Closet: Summer Stripes

Confession: I was late to my training this morning because I was watching the Good Times episode when T.C., a tomboy, had a crush on J.J. and got a makeover so that J.J. would notice her. Reiko over at God's Favorite Shoes and I were just discussing this very episode so I had to see the "new" T.C. to check out what she was wearing. Loved her dress and Willona's kimono top in this ep but I wonder if this would be considered an excused absence for the sake of fashion? *I did make a promise to be early tomorrow to offset my tardiness today.


What I wore:

Blue and white striped shirtdress: Thrifted
Belt: Cannot remember
Handbag: Prada
Brown sandals: Dillards can't remember the brand

Wore my hair in a side puff for something different, I liked it!

1 ENSEMBLE 5 WAYS

The clock alarmed at 515 and when I looked out the window I could barely catch a glimpse of the sky. It was so dark! Begrudgingly, I dragged myself out of bed and into the shower and it dawned onto me, Summer is really over.

Yellow is perhaps the antithesis of Autumn/Winter... hmm well, maybe when its mustard yellow it can pass for an Autumn Colour, so, what better way to say farewell to the season of sundresses and flipflops, than to wear the colour that says SUMMER.... YELLOW.

I picked my yellowest dress courtesy of The Cabinet Room and paired it with a Black Cardi from Zara. So, while I was putting it all together, another bright idea came to mind. This ensemble can actually be worn in 5 different ways.

1. Tying the cardi high up on your waist ala empire cut.
2. Wearing the cardi backwards (provided the label's stitching is not seen) gives you a boatneck chanelling Jackie O.
3. Backward Cardi with a huge belts gives it an 80's feel
4. And of course doing away with the cardi
5. But the last option was how I actually wore it to work :)

Black and Gold belt from Dragon Mart, Black Peep Toe Sling Backs from Michele Lopriore, Bag from Dolce and Gabbana and Glasses from Prada

So, why dont you try and see how you can maximise an ensemble. You'd be suprised :)

Splurge vs. Steal

Can you guess which shoe is the splurge vs. the steal?