black tights

American Apparel top, Lucca Couture skirt, Hue tights, unknown jewelry

In the Fall & Winter black tights are a serious wardrobe staple for me. I wear them to work at least once or twice a week, so needless to say I have several solid & patterned pairs. I love how opaque tights really expand my wardrobe (like this outfit I wore last week, shown above). Bare-legged I wouldn't quite feel comfortable wearing this skirt to work (I might worry that it is a little too short), but with tights it pulls together a more modest ensemble that I feel just fine wearing during 8 to 5. And even more so, the tights give a little extra edge to an otherwise ho-hum outfit.

xox,

Bre

Boy Meets Girl

wearing: thrifted sweater, bcbg maxazria skirt, anthropologie belt, nine west heels, vintage lace top & jewelry (the necklace was inherited from my grams).

When I go to flea markets I peruse BOTH the women's and little boys' clothing racks. Maybe I should be semi-ashamed to admit this, but hey, if the clothes fit and I like them then isn't that what vintage shopping/thrifting is all about? I'm just a unique kind of girl :)

This past weekend I found a fun little boys yellow sweater at the Melrose Trading Post and I fell in love with the buttons on it. I swooped it up (for a STEAL) and wore it to work yesterday, giving new life to my old duds. I loved the way the structured cable-knits contrast with this fun girly (and flouncy - something I hardly ever wear) skirt.

xox,

Bre

A little dark sparkle

I got this beautiful ASOS top as an Xmas gift from one of my sisters-in-law. At first sight I instantly imagined myself wearing it with dark skinny pants (cropped right above the ankle), sky-high platforms, and my regular load of vintage jewelry. Now, I still think this would be a great look (if you see something and put an outfit together in your head in five seconds, you KNOW it’s good) - but I thought that look might be a little too va-va-voom for a regular work day. So as a more work-friendly option, I paired it yesterday with my high-waisted Theory pants and funky Isabella Fiore snakeskin pumps for a more sophisticated vibe.

xox,

Bre

Casual Friday

Last Friday a miracle happened, for the first time in a LONG time I had a Friday where I didn't have to go see clients, which meant (WAIT FOR IT)...I could hide out at my desk and wear jeans. :) Simply Lovely. I was elated to show up in my comfy jeans (well, denim leggings) and the minute I showed up one of my cube-farm buddies really loved my outfit and told me I should put it on my blog. Well...OK. So here it is (sorry not the best photos after a long day of work and happy hour). And today is kind of the perfect day for a red, white, & blue post with Independence Day right around the corner.

This vintage clutch is my daily reminder of my momma. I can so remember you momma as a fashionable working woman sporting this clutch when I was a little girl. I found a receipt inside from 1993, which means you probably didn't use it much after that, and this clutch is SOOOO early 90's. It puts visions of super tight body con dresses in my head, which makes me adore this even more.

outfit credit:

Blouse - I don't know who made my blouse. I bought it a few years back at Nordstrom and took the tag off because it was too itchy. Sorry.

Denim Leggings - BDG (I'm really loving these bad boys)

Shoes - Christian Lacroix (so delicate and fun!)

vintage clutch - inherited from momma

Ring - vintage find. I wish I had taken a better close up of this one, will have to use it in another post. I've been wearing it A LOT lately so I don't think that will be a problem :)

Have a wonderful weekend! And if you're here in the States, then Happy 4th of July to you too! Have any great plans?

xox,

Bre

Blazers + Bling!

Keira Knightley in Elle, March 2010.

I apologize this is two work wear posts in a row, but I’m all about blazers & bling right now! I love love boyfriend blazers and I just couldn't stop myself from doing this post. Keira Knightley wore a really great blazer on the cover of Elle this past month (as shown above) and she glammed it up with a lot of sparkle!

I really love blazers either paired with extra feminine pieces (like ruffles, florals, or sparkles & bling like Keira) or with casual wear (white tees, jeans, oversized tees). I think these options keep the structured business-blazer from being too stuffy, and help make the transition from work time to fun time a little bit easier. I found a couple here I’m drooling over (and by a couple, I mean A LOT).

Aqua French Terry 3/4 Blazer, $98(the brass buttons are a cute touch)

Aqua Fitted Girlfriend Blazer, $88(this seems like a very close look alike to Keira's blazer from Elle)

Free People Long Seam-Detailed Linen Blazer, $128(some more glammed up options)

Free People Oversized Knit Blazer, $118(even more glammed up! love it!)

Theory "Chateau Blinn" Tailored Blazer, $415(great casual chic vibe)

All this research has given me a bit of a shopping bug that needs to be cured with some purchases. :)

xox,

Bre

Photos courtesy of Elle & Bloomingdale's

Skinnies for work

Catherine Malandrino cigarette pants, $365

Ok. I love my skinny jeans, but jeans are a no-no at my job (unless it’s a casual Friday and I just happen to be in my office, which never happens since I’m always working out at my clients’ sites). But I figure I can make skinnies work wear as long as they are trousers not jeans, right? So I did a little search for some great cigarette pants that I can sport 9 to 5 (or 8 to 5....or 8 to 10 for that matter, lol. We accountants work some long hours!).

First up to bat: I’m dying over these Catherine Malandrino cigarette pants shown above. Gorgeous! But just in case those aren't quite perfect for you, I’ve come up with a few alternatives here.

Diane von Furstenberg

Elie Tahari Trudy Pants, $134 @ Zappos

And drum roll for one of my favorite options (I think these are the perfect length!):

Ports 1961 cigarette trouser, $370

Oh and PS. Please wear these with some sky-high heels or booties!! Reserve your flats for Friday ladies; these cigarette pants need the extra oomph for a killer look! But beware, this is the fashionable alternative to a “power suit” so you may feel the desire to do some serious butt-kicking in this outfit. :)

xox,

Bre

Photos courtesy of Bloomingdales & Zappos