One Dress, Two Ways

Dress: Target | Bag: Target | Shoes: Calvin Klein | Watch: Target | Necklace: River Island

Over the last few years I've really learned to love a good maxi dress.  While I once feared that they would consume my short stature, I now know that the right one can actually elongate my less than statuesque frame.  While roaming around the aisles at Target, I happened upon this lovely dress which also happened to be on clearance.  It was really a no-brainer.  I was pleased to find that it wasn't terribly long, nothing a pair of heels wouldn't fix.  I sported a pair of my favorite pumps to church but decided to throw on a pair of kicks for an evening of hanging out with my friends.  I've gone through a few periods in my life when I thought wearing tennis shoes just wasn't fashionable and wouldn't be caught dead in them, and there have been other times when it seems I have an abundance of the comfortable alternative.  I am currently in the latter phase and honestly, I love giving my feet a break from time to time.  Don't get me wrong, of course I still love my platforms and stilettos but sometimes I have to show my feet some love.

--LaRondezvous

Weather-Limbo

Top: Madewell | Bottoms: Target | Shoes: Shoedazzle | Bag: Steve Madden | Watch: ASOS |

I've had this top for a while now and like most of my clothes, it got a little lost in the shuffle.  But since the weather is going through that painfully annoying transition phase, the timing seemed just right.  I was concerned that I would need a lot of assistance getting into this top but much to my surprise, I managed.  That is not to say that I did not get a little wild from time to time and loosen a snap, but I also recovered.  Also, let's take a moment to talk about these gorgeous booties!!  I've recently developed a Shoedazzle problem, and these shoes are one of my many recent purchases.  When I ordered them I knew I would like them but I had no idea that I would LOVE them.  They are gorgeous and actually really comfortable, they'll also be a nice transitional piece while we're stuck in weather-limbo.  Since they're pretty edgy, I loved pairing them with this super girly top for a nice contrast.  Oh and did I mention that I only got them for $9.95?  Sorry friends, I checked and the beautiful beauties are no longer on the website.

Full Sequin Jacket

Shoes: Target | Pants: Target  | Jacket: Ann Taylor (Only a couple of sizes left online) | Bag: Kate Spade

If there are two things that I love in this world, it's sequins and a good sale.  I'm even more elated if the two are joined in a beautiful matrimony.  I probably shouldn't have been in Ann Taylor but if we're being honest, I should never be anywhere where anything is sold but that's another story.  As soon as I saw this jacket I knew we would be friends, it was just one of those pieces that drew me in instantly.  I was just sure that it was going to be way out of my budget but I was pleasantly surprised to see a $69.99 price tag and take an extra 60% off that.  After I found my size and tried it on, I was officially on a shopping high.  I was so pleased that I decided to ignore J. Crew's siren call from across the shopping center, I guess there's a first time for everything.   

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 

Back to Black

Top: Target | Skirt: DVF via Marshall's | Shoes: Jeffrey Campbell | Necklace: WISH 

This skirt may be my new favorite. I love everything about this beauty that I scooped up at Marshall's for a super steal! I wish I had it in other colors and prints because it's just the perfect piece and I know I'll be able to dress it up or down in the blink of an eye. So I'm officially on the hunt for skirts similar to this one or maybe I'll try to convince my mom to sew a few. I was without my camera so please excuse the picture quality.  

Post Scriptum: Yes, the title of this post is a nod to the late Amy Winehouse, Back to Black is still one of my favorite songs. Enjoy. 

--LaRondezvous 

Blossom

Dress: 3.1 Phillip Lim for Target | Boots: Urban Outfitters | Bag: Target 

I have to brag a little about this major steal! I didn't get anything from the Phillip Lim for Target collection when it debuted, I always wait it out and I'm usually pretty successful.  I must admit that I wish I had gotten one of the lovely bags but you win some you lose some.  I was roaming through Target as per usual and I spotted this beauty for a whopping $11 and some change, talk about a winner. It was a little big so I figured I could add a belt to cinch the waist, but my mom also ran a couple of seams up the sides to take it in a little. Major win.  I also have to brag a bit on these boots. I've had them for about three years now and they're still my favorites. I scooped them up at Urban Outfitters for $20! Yup, I paid $20 for real leather boots that were once $150.  Thanks to a sales' price of $40 and an extra 50% off discount, I got one of the world's greatest deals.  I just loves sales.  Don't you?

--LaRondezvous   

Eleven

Top: Urban Outfitters | Skirt: Urban Outfitters | Boots: Target (kids) 

Happy Saturday! Hope you're all having a wonderful weekend and enjoying this lovely weather.  I was wearing something else but my mom said I looked as if I were going to the office, she told me I needed to look more "funky." So this is me being funky, not the smelly kind. This kind.  Also, I don't really like odd numbers, I actually hate them, but my old roommate encouraged me to get this sweatshirt anyway. I guess it's a nod to November since it is the greatest month of the 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

Oh My Chic

Top: ILY Couture | Skirt: Target  Shoes: Antonio Melani | Bag: Kate Spade | Watch: Target

 As I've said before, I'm a sucker for printed t-shirts and sweatshirts. And when I saw this beauty online I just had to get it, and luckily I got it on super sale! I was also lucky enough to catch this super adorable skirt at Target, it was hard to pass it up considering its price and the fact that I'm lacking in blue skirts. The air is getting crisper as we speak so this will probably be my last time sporting bare legs for a while, goodbye dear legs, see you in a few months. 

                                                                    --LaRondezvous 

Luxe Be A Lady

Top: Old Navy | Skirt: JCP | Shoes: Target | Bag: Kate Spade | Necklace: Bauble Bar | Watch: Target | Bracelets: J. Crew, BCBG

If you read this post on my current love affair with leather, then you know how much I'm digging the luxurious material these days. I really can't get enough, it might be an issue. This skirt was just too darling to pass up and I can see myself finding a million reasons to wear it this season. I was also super excited to snag these pumps from Target, I got them for even less than the online price! They remind me of this J. Crew pump with that delicious chunky heel, but I didn't have to save my pennies to buy them, which is always a plus.