Kendi's 30 for 30

In an effort to help curb my shopping--for at least the next 30 days--I'm participating in Kendi Everyday's 30 for 30 challenge. Today is the last day to enter, so get in on it. I really enjoy Kendi's style and she is very funny, check her out if you haven't already.

I'm really excited, watch for my selections post this weekend. Mixing starts on Monday.

How long is too long? Or too short?

I love the show What Not to Wear on TLC. I'll confess though, I usually only watch if the featured person is about the same body type as me. I have gained a lot of tips from that show and it is definitely reflected in my wardrobe and style.

The other day they were talking about how shorter women, and women with shorter legs should not wear longer tops because it makes their legs look stumpy. I'm really not sure how I feel about that comment. I like my tops to come to mid-hip at their shortest, really. I feel like anything shorter makes me look boxy up top. And I'm not sure if I agree with the comment about longer shirts making the legs look stumpy. I think I have pretty average length legs at about a 30" inseam.

I've lined up these pictures of myself from shortest shirt length to longest. That does not include the over layering piece, just the shirt underneath. I think my legs look the longest in the crappy camera phone pic in the middle. But I'm not convinced that the shirt length did that, I think the cropped jacket gave that illusion. I think my legs look the next longest in the picture second from left with the long red sweater. But again, I don't think the shirt length caused the effect, I think the heals did. Maybe the heals and the shirt length worked together on that one, I guess. I think my favorite length after looking at these photos is the one second from right. It's not too long, it's not too short. And I think if I had worn heals there, it would have been the winner.

Maybe the thing is that I know I'm not tall and I know I have average length legs, so maybe I just don't care how long or short my legs look. Ha! This was probably the most unscientific post, ever.

What do you think about making your legs look long? How do you do it? And do you really care at all?

Dress it up, Dress it down

Temps are dropping here in Michigan and I've really been wanting to do a dress with tights and boots. It's finally chilly enough today. I paired the dress with a simple off-white bolero. I went simple because the pattern of the dress is so busy. I got this dress for a steal--$4.98--at Fashion Bug a few weeks ago. It's nice because it can go with both blacks and browns and I love the hints of purple. The shape is nice, the collar is a bit higher than I normally go. With a larger bust, a high collar can look a little frumpy, but I don't think this one does. Plus, it's nice to have a few items that have a nice modest collar.

The bolero is from NY&Co. and the boots are from Avenue. You have seen them before.

I'd like to take a minute to talk about Fashion Bug and Lane Bryant. I didn't realize they are connected until I went to the Fashion Bug website to grab their URL just now. I have to say that I never really use to be a fan of the clothing in both of those stores. My mom always loved Fashion Bug, so we shopped there a lot when I was younger and I could never find anything--even in their "Juniors" department--at the time. I would say within about the last year or so, though, I've been finding all kinds of things in both stores that I just love. I don't really think that my style has changed all that much. So I think it means these stores are really kicking it up in the style departments. Fashion Bug is particularly nice for me, because they carry both plus and straight sizes and I tend to fall right in the middle. It's nice when I find that something is too small in the straight size, to be able to walk right over to the plus size and try that on and vice verse. I see posts all the time from bloggers like Kimberly at Fab Finds Under $50 on this very topic. She was just recently posting about JMS/Just My Size, a brand I would not have thought twice about, but now see that they are putting out some really stylish things.

Clearance Shopping

I was going through my closet the other day and realized I was seriously lacking in the layering tank department. I use to rely heavily on the AE Boyfriend Tank for layering and I still do wear them, like I did with my red sweater, but they can skew a bit to casual sometimes. I have some nice tanks like the one I was wearing yesterday, but I didn't seem to have any that were plain enough to truly be versatile. So I did a little shopping. Some in person at Target while the husband was trying on jeans, you know at his twice-a-year shopping outing. I'm not even kidding, the man shops for himself twice a year, at most. Usually a new pair of jeans, a pair of work pants, a few casual shirts, a few work shirts and a few crossover shirts. That's it! I would never make it.

Sale Shopping by Sara 2579

Back to my shopping, because let's be honest, it's much more interesting. I think it's clear from the polyvore set that I needed some neutrals. I snagged the black lace layering tank and the skinny jeans at Target for $10 each. The other tanks are all from Forever 21 online; four tanks and the embellished tunic for under $40. So I got everything in this set for under $50! I call that shopping success.

Now, I'm challenging myself to not buy any more clothes until the new year. We'll see if I make it.

Casual Chic.

Honestly, what does that mean? A friend of mine told me last night that an event she is going to says "Casual Chic" on the invitation for the dress code. It got me thinking, what exactly does that mean? I feel like everyone is using it as the dress code for their events lately. The first thing that pops into my mind is a funky, somewhat dressy top, fitted jeans and hot shoes. But, I imagine there are some people that do not think jeans, fitted or not, are acceptable at events.

For instance, I feel like my outfit for work today almost fits the Casual Chic bill. I would probably dress up the jewelry a little more and add a fun clutch, but otherwise, I feel pretty casual, yet chic in this outfit.

**Pretty please, pay no attention to my hair and face in this photo. I had not yet straightened my hair or put on make up. I was going to take a new picture after I was finished, but my batteries died, so you are stuck with the frumpy head.**

Lace cardi, Target. I think it's got just the right amount of funky-prettiness to it. The tank is actually a little sparkly, this picture does not capture that. The skinny jeans have studs down the legs for a little flair and the shoes, I think, speak for themselves. A nice heal, a little point and patent leather.

What does Casual Chic mean to you?

Scarf Weather

It's nice and chilly today. Sweaters, boots and scarves! Could a girl be happier?

I finally pulled out my more fall/winter items out of my upstairs closet and one of those items was this long gold sweater. I've had it for a couple years, it's from Macy's. I really love it. Only draw back is that I wish the zipper was a double zipper so that I could bring it together just at my waist.

The tank is from Target, clearance for $4. Leggings from NY&Co. Not sure I love the color based on how it's photographing here. Boots are from Avenue. Current. Love them.

For going outside, I added this fabulous long wrap/scarf. It's a beautiful floral print and it's oh-so-warm. Here's a tight shot of the boots, too.

My Review of Leslie Studded Wedge Boot (Wide Width)

Originally submitted at Avenue.com

Studded details add wow factor to these tall wedge boots.

• Man made materials. Side zip closure. Stud trim. Wedge heel. Imported.
• Cloudwalkers by Avenue. ...

Leslie Studded Wedge Boot (Wide Width)

Fabulous Boot

By SaraS from Detroit, MI on 10/27/2010

 

5out of 5

Sizing: Feels true to size

Width: Feels too narrow

Pros: Versatile, Great with Jeans, Comfortable, Stylish, Durable

Best Uses: Work, Wet Weather, Travel, Casual Wear, Date Night, School

Describe Yourself: Style Driven

I love this boot. It's very stylish and can be dressed up or down, which is always nice. I've worn it somewhat dressy with a dress and tights and casual with leggings and a tunic. I checked feels too narrow, but for me, that is a good thing. The great thing with this boot is that it fits my calf in the shalf without being too big and isn't too wide on my foot. Regular tall boots are often too tight in the shaft, but fit in the shoe and then plus sized tall boots are often too big in the shaft and too wide in the foot for me. So, if you are in between when it comes to tall boot, this boot will be perfect for you.

(legalese)