Green Pencil Skirt Four Ways

I saw this color combo in a magazine and decided to try it. I've worn this green skirt many times and decided to feature it for my link up with Audrey. Pencil skirts are sort of tricky for my body shape. I usually go with ones with thicker materials to add a little bulk and shape to my smaller lower body.

Here are other ways I've worn the green pencil skirt. I also wore it with a black peplum top once but didn't feature it because the picture didn't come out nice....a lot of my pictures don't come out nice :(

Skirt - Target (similar) (similar) (Purple option)
Top 1- The Limited (similar), Top 2 - Target (similar) (similar) (love this), Top 3 - Old Navy (similar), (option)Top 4 - Old Navy
Animal Print Pumps - TJ Maxx (Gift)
Leopard Belt - Target (similar)
Cognac Belt - Target (similar) (similar) (similar)

Link ups: Visible Monday, Monday Mingle, Style Elixir, Real Girl Glam

Enter to Win $25 to Old Navy/GAP/Banana Republic  and Avon Mega Effects Mascara at Putting Me Together

 

Floral Peplum and a Business Bag

Off to work I go in my floral top and flared jeans. The top camouflages my heavy top and I love the peplum shape which defines my waist a little.  This is a versatile top that can be worn with black or white capris or cropped pants, or it can be worn belted with a navy blue pencil skirt.
I tend to splurge on bags like this - business bags from Franklin Covey. You usually don't see me carrying a bag in my posts because during the week I mostly carry my big business bag which on many occasions don't match what I'm wearing. I need my bags big and with various compartments to hold my planner, iPad, paper work, Avon catalogs, samples, business cards, church papers (did I mention that I'm a church clerk too) and more papers. If you are looking for a big organized bag, Franklin Covey has it. Now if only they would pay me for this post ;)

Top - Alfani via Macy's (option), (option) 
Jeans - The Limited (similar)
 Sandals - Target  ($9)(similar)
Bag - FranklinCoveyBusiness Lucca iPad Tote

Link ups: The Tiny Heart, Faith and Fashion, The Pleated Poppy

floral peplum top

White Pants and Sleeveless Blouse

I've been living in sleeveless blouses all week due to the really hot weather. They are stylish enough for work, the sleeves are modest and of course they hide my muffin top.
I got the pants from Old Navy last year and they made their debut here in my 7X7 Remix. I actually had the bottom part altered by taking them in because they were really flared. I realized from wearing them that short and really flared don't mix. I do love the fit and the fact that it's not 100% linen. It has some linen and cotton I believe, which makes them more sturdy and less wrinkly. Have you worn your white pants yet this summer? It'll be labor day before you know it and then you'll feel weird wearing them.

Sleeveless Blouse - Cynthia Rowley via TJ Max (Similar) (option), (option), (option) (love this)
White Pants - Old Navy (similar) (similar) (similar) (similar)
Sandals - Coach, (option)

Link ups: Sunday Style, Visible Monday, Lip Gloss and Crayons, Monday mingle, Monday Bloom

Blue Lace and Burgundy

I'm wearing another boxy top today (see yesterday's post).  This is another top that minimizes my bust and big mid section.  This one is a smaller cut that doesn't throw my shape off balance even though I'm wearing skinnies. Still loving the burgundy skinnies, my first ever colored skinny jeans; and I love pairing burgundy with navy.

p.s picture was taken after a long long day. I forgot to smile :)

Lace top - Target, Jeans - Target (other colors), Sandals - Coach, Chain Link Bracelet - Jewel IQ

Related Post: How to wear skinny jeans if you are....

Enter to win a $25 TJ Maxx Gift Card and Avon Makeup Bundle at 

The Serena Saga

Link ups: Style Elixir, Tuesday Blog Hop, Monday Bloom

The Boxy Top and my Favorite Flares

Happy Monday everyone. It was a busy end of the week/weekend for me. I was just in California and didn't have time to blog.  Again I'm thankful for safe travels, pilots and all the nice people I meet on the plane and at the airport. There are a lot if nice and lovely people in this world.

I opened up and shared my blog with a few more friends this past week and the response has been really encouraging especially with the posts about dressing my shape. Apparently, a lot of us find it challenging dressing our body types or keep away from some outfits because we are not sure they could be worn because of one problem area or the other. A friend at church on Sunday was wearing a really nice dress which she said she bought as a result of reading one of my posts. It was a dress she would never have tried on or bought. The dress fit her so nicely and flattered her shape and hid what needed to be hidden. So I hope I will have time to keep this up and inspire you.
Today, we'll be talking about boxy tops. I've started buying boxy tops as an alternative to tees and wearing them on days I feel bloated and can't hide that muffin top when wearing a tee. The day I wore this, I started out with a tee shirt but changed to this top instead. Boxy tops, although shapeless help to hide a big mid section. Here, it was a trade off between a little shapelessness and hiding that tummy. If you have bigger hips, this would be perfect because the outfit would be more balanced. They are also great for layering and tucking in into pencil skirts.

Top - Tommy Hilfiger via Macy's, (sleeveless option) (Love this) (more options)

Jeans - The Limited (slimmer)

Wedges - Piperlime (similar) (option)

Necklace - Avon (mark)

 Handbag - Avon (sold out)

Enter to win a $25 TJ Maxx Gift Card and Avon Makeup Bundle at 

The Serena Saga

Link ups: Plane Pretty, Visible Monday, Monday Mingle, Still Being Molly

Orange Dress and a Macy's Confession

I'm almost head to toe in Macy's with this outfit. I got this dress during one of my Macy's shopping haul. I mentioned in this post about choosing dresses with a banded waist if you are apple shaped. The band helps define my waist and the pleats conceals my big mid section and adds fullness to my small hips. The dress comes with a belt which I decided not to wear. It made things worse. 

Now back to shopping at Macy's, am I the only one who shops there? Once in a while I browse through all the clearance items and end up filling my cart with about 6 to 10 items. They get you with free shipping at $99 so my orders, I'm so ashamed to say are always over $100 (5 to 6 items for $100 is not bad I guess). I do end up returning some of the stuff and I make sure I buy something for kids. 

Dress - Alfani via Macy's (option) (option), (love this)

Necklace - Macy's

Bangles- Avon (mark on the double bangles)

Earrings - The Limited

Pumps - Marc Fisher via Macy's, (similar), (love this)

Watch - Anne Klein via Macy's

Enter to win a $25 TJ Maxx Gift Card and Avon Makeup Bundle at 

The Serena Saga

Link ups: Real Girl Glam, Style Elixir, Tuesday Blog Hop, The Pleated Poppy

Pink Sheath from Gap

I wore this to a wedding this past weekend. I really wanted to keep things simple because it was so so hot. This A line sheath dress from Gap was my perfect choice. You know sheath dresses don't go well with my shape but the A line cut makes it work. I'm beginning to love Gap. I rarely shop there because of their prices but I realize that they have mark downs and they occasionally have 40% off sales. I bought another dress which I can't wait to wear. Gap dresses are pretty short. I bought this in tall even though I'm petite.

Dress - Gap (similar) (option) (option), Necklace - Macy's, Clutch - Nine West (option), Sandals - Style and Co via Macy's

Enter to win a $25 TJ Maxx Gift Card and Avon Makeup Bundle at 

The Serena Saga

Link ups: Visible Monday, Still Being Molly, Monday Mingle, Monday Bloom

Another Maxi

This is what I wore to the dinner/awards night during our trip to Hawaii (this is the last of my posts on Hawaii, I think). I decided to go simple by wearing this dress. It's from Avon (the mark line). It's sold out I believe. I always end up wearing and posting these clothes after they are sold out. Over the past few years, I've been buying stuff I like or that are on sale just in case. In the past I've ended up spending a lot of money and not getting what I really like to wear to events due to buying them at the last minute. 

 Dress - Avon (mark) (similar), Heels - Nine West, (option), Clutch - Style and Co via Macy's (option) (option), Earrings - Aldo

P.s the pink bracelet looking thing was our wrist band to identify us Avon reps.

Link ups: Style Me Friday, Favorite Fashion Friday

Rust and Navy Pleats

Rust is a color I'm always drawn to and love pairing with many colors. I love it paired with navy. I also love me some pleats. People tend to shy away from pleats because it could make you look wide. I embrace wide on the bottom any day. I think pleats help conceal a big mid section contrary to the belief that it adds bulk. The fullness of the skirt hides everything. Just go for one that is not too full. I should probably have gone a size smaller with this one but I got the medium to fit my waist.

I'm wearing Rust with Teal here, Rust with Mustard here and Rust with Olive here.

Skirt - Target, Shirt - TJ Maxx, Sandals - Coach, Necklace - The Limited (similar), Cocktail ring - Avon (old)

Link ups: The Pleated Poppy, I feel Pretty, Because Shanna Said So, What we Wore
Fashion and Faith, Tres Chic Link up

Geometric Print and Ankle Straps

I wore this dress to the welcome dinner during our Avon trip to Hawaii (Don't worry, I will stop talking about Hawaii soon ;)). I found the dress at TJ Maxx and fell in love with it. I usually shy away from sheath dresses because of my body shape (small hip to bust ratio) but this dress blousons out a little at the waist and has a slight A line shape, so it works. This is the second Nine West dress I own and love. See the other one here.

Dress - Nine West via TJ Maxx, Sandals - Target (Love this), Belt - Target (similar)

I'm loving Ankle Strap Sandals. They are all over the place now and hot for this season. I just try to keep myself from buying more. They go with everything.

Ankle Strap Sandals heels

Link ups: Tuesday Blog Hop, Style Elixir