My Boyfriend's Blazer

Blazer: The Main Attraction | Top: Forever 21 | Bottoms: Gap | Shoes: Sam & Libby for Target | Necklace:: Lane Bryant|  Watch: Target | Bracelet: Five and Two | Rings: ASOS

The title of this post is misleading. This is not my boyfriend's blazer and I do not have a boyfriend. That's really neither here nor there. I've actually had this snazzy little blazer for a few years and because I'm kind of a hoarder, this was my first time donning it. I picked it up at The Main Attraction in Downtown Memphis, a cute little boutique with unique finds. The cold and rainy day thought that it could keep me from looking like a person but I stood my ground. My sister and I even braved the wind and rain to snap these pictures, we weren't quite brave enough to go past the porch to get the picture but I think the blog-world will forgive me for the dismal surroundings.   

--LaRondezvous 

Invested

Vest: Made by my mom | Top: Old Navy | Pants: Gap | Bracelet: BCBG | Rings: ASOS | Bag: Kate Spade | Shoes: Calvin Klein 

Last week I tried on a faux fur vest and the store only had extra smalls left. That obviously wasn't going to work. As I lamented over the vest, my mom suggested that she might be able to make one. Since she's a super talented seamstress, she crafted this beauty and I love it! I'm excited to see what I can pair this animal-friendly and budget-friendly piece of clothing with. I am currently trying to coax her into starting up a little business, so if you're interested in purchasing one of these babies, let me know. 

--LaRondezvous 

Rebel

Vest: Target | T-shirt: Target | Jeans: Gap | Boots: Target kids | Necklace: Lane Bryant 

Every now and then I'll wear an outfit where all of the pieces we a super steal. This is one of those looks, I didn't pay over $10 for a single item, excluding the boots but those were only $13. This is just a reminder that you can find great pieces at any price point, you just have to know what you're looking for. It also means that you don't necessarily buy something because it has a "cheap" price because sometimes that means less than great quality. But if you're shopping at the right places you can find good deals and equally good quality. To most people Gap seems like a pricey place but I've been shopping there for years and I've NEVER paid full price for any major clothing item, they always have a sale or a coupon. And some people might not think that Target clothes are any good because they're mass produced but I can say that I've never had an issue with their clothes, in fact some of the clothes I've had the longest came from Target. I guess it's really all about preference, don't get me wrong, I love the rush of buying something luxurious and fancy but let's be real, ain't nobody's bank account got time for that. At least not mine. 

Hello There

Top: Old Navy | Bottoms: Gap | Shoes: MIA | Bag: Kate Spade | Necklace: Lane Bryant | Bracelet: Kate Spade | Lips: Candy Yum Yum by MAC

Thanks to the cold weather, a pinched nerve in my lower back, and an overall hectic schedule I've been pretty lazy when it comes to getting dressed. I've really just been putting on whatever is the easiest and the warmest, and then hoping it's not awful looking. While I'm still battling the pinched never and therefore banned from wearing heels and my schedule is still a hot mess, it was slightly warmer out so I decided I'd make a slight effort. Like most items that end up in my closet, I just HAD to have this cute and cozy sweatshirt from Old Navy, and of course it didn't hurt that I got it on sale.

P.S. I very much miss warm weather, this cold business makes me miserable. Praying for sunshine. 

--LaRondezvous 

Sunday Brights

 Top: Prabal Gurung for Target | Bottoms: Gap | Bag: Kate Spade | Shoes: Calvin Klein 

Every year when it starts to get cold I fall into a bit of a rut. I have mentioned ad nauseum how much I love Spring and Summer and I just don't love Fall and Winter. I always struggle to find a balance between staying warm and looking like a real person, the former usually wins and I end up looking questionable. I'm making a valiant effort to look more like a real person this Winter, we'll see how that plays out. I still love this Prabal Gurung for Target sweatshirt and I'm so happy that I got my hands on it last year!

 --LaRondezvous 

World's Easiest Outfit

Top: JCP | Jeans: Gap | Shoes: Nine West, similar | Bracelet: BCBG | Watch: Target

I never wake up on time, I'm notorious for hitting that snooze button. So I usually try to pick out my clothes the night before, so I don't spend my very limited time scrambling for clothes. Unfortunately, I woke up unprepared and couldn't think of anything to wear. As I peered into my closet I found this chambray top that I had yet to wear and these jeans that happened to be fresh out the wash. I was glad to find something that was comfortable but also didn't make me look as if I were going to dance rehearsal instead of the office (definitely did that this week, whoops). I would just like to salute the inventor of the button down shirt, specifically the chambray button down.  What's your go-to outfit when you're hard pressed for time?
--LaRondezvous

Out To Sea

Top: J. Crew, similar | Jeans: Gap | Shoes: Zara | Bag: Kate Spade | Watch: Target | Bracelets: J. Crew

I'm fairly sure that printed sweatshirts and skinny jeans are going to be my favorite items this fall and winter, it's such an easy combo to pull off and requires little effort. I picked up this beauty at J. Crew during one of their amazing sales, it was a little big but there's nothing wrong with a slightly larger sweatshirt. The print inside the anchor is lovely and the material is super soft and comfy.

--LaRondezvous 

Weekend Warrior

A little nighttime photo shoot 

Top: Old Navy, ON SALE | Dress: F21 | Necklace: WISH (Memphis) | Shoes: Gap, similar | Watch: Target | Bracelets: Five and Two, J.Crew 

I was fortunate enough to spend this past weekend in Conway, Arkansas. Conway is home to only the greatest school ever, Hendrix College. I love going back to visit friends and it's nice to know that I'll always have a place I can call home, or my second home. We spent the weekend lounging, hanging out, eating, you know, all the good stuff. Saturday I got to see the Dance Ensemble perform, and it was wonderful to see the people I danced with and my dance professor. We also went to a Hendrix football game which was crazy for me because before this season, we haven't had football in about 50 years and it was fun to see how the cheer squad has grown since my day. And I almost forgot that we celebrated the Brick House's 10th Birthday this weekend with a Middle School-themed party, with all the best tunes. All in all it was a great time, I just wanted to stay and lounge but the real world was waiting for me. 

Senior Gift

It's a great day to be a Warrior

--LaRondezvous 

For The Love of Leather

Top: Marshall's | Sweater: Gap | Skirt: Target | Shoes: Tahari | Watch: Target

I have always loved leather, always. Even as a child I appreciated its luxuriousness as I often donned my favorite purple leather skirt with matching purple leather shoes. And I even sported it as a tween, I think leather had another comeback in the late 90's/early 2000's and I was an avid supporter back then. Things are no different these days and although leather never goes out of style, it seems that every few years, EVERYTHING is made out of leather. I'm pretty sure that's happening right now and so far I'm okay with it, ask me again at the beginning of 2014.  Since the leather resurgence, I have purchased two leather skirts, a leather t-shirt, and the t-shirt featured in this post that has leather trimmings. It's safe to say, I'm loving leather right now. The thing with these leather pieces is, it's easy for them to look trashy in 0 to 60, especially if you're working with faux leather. So how can you try the trend without looking like Julia Roberts before Richard Gere took her shopping? I say be picky about your leather, whether it's faux, vegan, or real; it's important to know what you like. It's okay to say something looks tacky, everything's not made to be leatherized, you'll know when it works.

Since our office dress code is business casual, I figured full on leather would be inappropriate for the office, but sleeves and a frocket (front t-shirt pocket) are acceptable. I also like the contrast of the slightly edgy top with the frilly skirt, I mean I wouldn't want people to be intimidated by my edginess.

Here are a few leather pieces that you might like!

For The Love of Leather by mitchelllp 

                          

Borrowed and Blue

Top: J.Crew | Jeans: Gap | Shoes: Zara | Bag: Steve Madden | Necklace: Gigglosophy

Bracelets: J.Crew, Kate Spade, Five and Two

I always knew I would find the perfect boyfriend jeans before the actual boyfriend.  Go figure.  I'm a big fan of these jeans so I think I'll be alright for the time being.  I spotted this shirt in the Men's department of J.Crew and I knew it would be the beginning of a long relationship.  Remember when you never would have imagined shopping for boy clothes?  I know my 12 year old self would have scoffed at the thought, but now I love finding pieces like this shirt.  It's so easy to add some feminine flair by putting on some lipstick and strappy heels, it's really a no-brianer when it comes to getting dressed.

Shorty

I've finally made friends in Memphis, thank goodness, I was so bored and always missing Hendrix.  And although I still miss it dearly, my new work friends and I have been going to do Karaoke on Thursday nights, now it can't beat the nights at ZaZa but I'm not sure anything ever could.  Since I can't wear shorts to work, how lame, I pretty much always wear them on my off days.  I love shorts, maybe because I love my legs thanks to all that dancing and cheering I grew up doing!  I love these shorts, they're rather dressy, I got them from Gap a few years ago for under $20, which is basically free, I love the little bow purse which is also from Gap and under $20  The top is from Target of course and I bought it for under $10, the shoes are from Target as well and I got them for $16.  BOOM! I'm a deal machine and I can't be stopped!  The red lipstick I'm wearing is one of my absolute favorites, it's made by NYX and I wish I could think of the name but I have recently lost it and I'm going through terrible separation anxiety, if I don't find it soon I will be at the nearest Ulta dropping some dough.  Now I'm all sad thinking about the missing lipstick, I have a suspicion that my 2 year old best friend at church stole it, she did have her tiny hands in my purse on Sunday and did get out/put on her favorite lip gloss.  I'm launching a full blown investigation.

--LaRondezvous 

Sparkle and Shine

My photographer decided I had to do a plié

Top: The Main Attraction Boutique | Bottoms: Gap | Shoes: Ann Taylor 

I decided to basically go big or go home with this look, I mean what else do you expect from me?  I got this sparkly top from a boutique in Downtown Memphis called The Main Attraction, I discovered it about a month ago and Alley Cat and I hit it up on our day-date downtown.  There was no way I was going to be able to resist this shirt, it has sequins, and tasteful sequins at that! I also love the color and the exposed zipper in the back, all the great trends without being a train wreck.  It was a major plus that it was on sale and I also got it for an additional something off, so I only paid like $26 for it.  That is what you call a steal.  The pants are the black pants that I wear way too much, just like that skirt, I just can't help it.  Everyone was rather shocked that I was wearing pants, they are every time I come in sans dress or skirt.  Let's take a moment to gaze at the shoes...I got them from Ann Taylor on one of my many shopping trips with Alley Cat (we do some serious damage together).  Kudos to her for spotting these for me, they were on sale and then there was an extra 40% off when you signed up for the emails! Hello!  I paid a little over $20 for these masterpieces that were originally $158, go ahead comment and tell me how much you hate me. I'll forgive you.  I felt like a unicorn that day, you couldn't miss me if you tried.

--LaRondezvous 

Wild Thanggg

These shoes also have superb toe cleavage

Top: Old Navy | Bottoms: Gap | Shoes: Sam Edelman | Bracelets: Five and Two

Of course this is another work outfit, where else am I every day of the week? This was a very interesting day, I got growled at quite a few times this day, I also got a lot of non-animalistic  compliments.  So, I pretty much love every part of this outfit, everything worked together so nicely.  I got this top from Old Navy months and months ago when I was still in Conway, it was one of those random shopping trips that Hannah and I took way too often.  I had a coupon, of course, so I ended up getting the top for like $11 or something like that.  The slacks are the ones I've been wearing all the time now, they're just so comfy, which is must since I HATE wearing pants.  Now to the best part of the ensemble, THE SHOES.  They're absolutely delicious, I often describe clothes using adjectives normally reserved for food.  They're Sam Edelman, I got them a few months ago from DSW, I think I got them for around $50 which is a steal for Sam Edelman.  The platform is perfect, these shoes are unbelievably comfortable, the only downfall is that the 7 1/2 was too small and the 8 is a tad big, but that's nothing that those clever little heel guard things (or whatever they're called) can't fix.  I felt so foxy that day, and everyone at work confirmed my feelings. Oh, can't forget the jewels from FIVEANDTWO.  Not much to say about this look, the pieces say it for themselves.

What a wild day for LaRondezvous