winter – Page 2 – the Spiff

Fashion, sweater, sweaters, west town mall, winter

Graphic Sweaters You’ll Actually Like

February 18, 2015 No Comments

Out shopping a couple weeks ago, I kept coming across graphic sweaters with the most random objects on them.

There was one knit sweater that just had a picture of a pear. A pear. I feel as if I would have to be knee-deep in the pear business or at least have eaten a pair in the last 15 years for it to warrant space on my clothing.

That’s why I decided to seek out some cute graphic sweaters that not only make sense, but could be worn without eliciting confused looks from those around you.

All of these, by the way, can be found at West Town Mall!

1. A great way to ease into the graphic trend is with this bubble print sweater from The Limited. It’s a fun fresh take on polka dots, and the darker sleeves will help disguise larger arms for a truly flattering look.

2. JCP got into the graphic game with this happy orange and white print. Buying sweaters like this is such a smart thing to do this time of year as they’ll keep you warm in the cold, and have you looking bright and attractive as spring approaches.

3. The Limited does such a great job of turning up the volume on classic pieces. This graphic bow sweater is a perfect way to go if you’re a bow-lover. You get to sport a girly look without the hassle of keeping the bow tied or fluffed up.

4. Anyone else think of ice cream when they read this “a la mode” phrase? Banana Republic has us craving sweets with this equal parts fun and sophisticated piece. It’s just enough text to give the sweater a great look, without being too overdone. This would look so chic under a blazer.

5. Never let it be said that I’ll shy away from letting my clothes do the complimenting for me. I love a good brag sweater (as long as the brag doesn’t make me sound like a floozy). This sweater pretty much spells it all out, pick up your own at Forever21 and rock it with confidence – there’s no other way to wear something like this.

6. I threw in one more Forever21 graphic option just for fun. Since I’m pregnant with a boy I thought this one would be funny to wear once I started showing. Of course I’m certain people would still ask what I was having in which case I would just point to the sweater. Boom. Other than that I’m not sure why you would want a sweater with just the word “boy” on it, but to each his own.

Fashion, forever21, statement necklace, style, styling, west town mall, winter

A Statement Necklace and My Favorite Swacket

February 16, 2015 6 Comments

Similar necklace; swacket; skirt; shoes; undershirt came from here (believe it or not).

My favorite purchase of this fall/winter has hands down been this sweater (or jacket…maybe swacket?).

I actually took it right off the back of an unsuspecting mannequin, and I’m so glad I did (she had it coming). I love having one cool go-to piece that I can grab and consistently feel good in throughout the colder months. It’s especially nice when I’m stuck trying to figure out what to wear – I just grab this and style it differently.

This time I changed things up by buttoning it up. It works especially well with this voluminous skirt and really helps showcase this gorgeous statement necklace my Aunt Kathleen got me for my birthday this past year.

Think about any swackets you’ve got, could you get more mileage out of them by wearing them buttoned?

Maybe now that you’ve learned the word “swacket” you’re confused as to what the proper pronunciation would be, AND need help styling it differently. Well I’ve got good news!

I’m teaming up with The Limited in West Town Mall for a style event on Saturday, February 28th. So from 12-2:30pm I’ll be in the store answering questions, offering advice and helping you look and feel your best!

Come see all the great items they have to offer and bring in a sweater or jacket that you’ve had a hard time styling – we’ll even work on how to say “swacket” while you’re there. None of the cool kids are saying it! ;)

Fashion, shoes, shopping, winter

Taupe Boots

February 4, 2015 No Comments

Ten years ago when I moved to Tennessee from the warm climate of Florida, my boot collection was pretty thin. And by thin I mean it was one pair.

I remember wearing them around one of my good guy friends who would make fun of me calling them, “Gene Simmons boots.” I didn’t know who Gene Simmons was back then, so I wasn’t sure how to take it. I ended up marrying that friend, so jokes on him for marrying the girl with the crazy boots.

Flash forward to today and I have quite the collection of boots.

Three pairs of black – flats, high heeled, and short. One pair of gray flats and three pairs of UGGs (I know they often get a bad wrap, but they’re freakishly comfortable and warm so suck on that, nay-Sayers!). I thought I had a pretty well rounded collection, until I realized that I needed a boot that was in between the black and the gray so that I could wear gold accents and have a nice variety.

That’s when I started looking around at taupe boots. If the color taupe involved a pyramid scheme, I would have signed up a long time ago – I love the heck out of that color. It goes with so many things and can perfectly balance silver OR gold.

When I have a specific product in mind, I like to search for it on ShopStyle. That app is like having a personal shopper at your finger tips. And it’s how I found this great pair (they were a Christmas present, really but it helped me know what to ask for). I was also wanting boots that had a cuff at the bottom so I searched for “cuffed taupe boots” and wha-la! This fabulous pair by Fergalicious fits every requirement and has the perfect heel height.

Right now is a FANTASTIC time to buy boots because they’re on sale everywhere. Take inventory of what you have, and go out and score you a deal on some!

Fashion, west town mall, winter

Sucker Punch the Winter Blues

February 2, 2015 No Comments

It’s right about this time of year when conversations start including the phrase, “I’m so ready for spring.” These are not conversations I participate in, but I’ll nod and be cordial. For me, it’s about this time of year that I truly settle into appreciating all the little things about winter.

Like the fact that I don’t have to paint my toenails, or worry about my tan. Also I’m settling back into my love of hot drinks. My first trimester had me nauseous at the thought of them!

Regardless of where you fall on the winter love/hate scale, I’ve put together a list of things that will help power surge you through the rest of the season looking cute. All of which can be found at West Town Mall!

First up is this plaid vest from GAP. I like that it includes softer gray colors which means it won’t look so “winter harsh” on those colder spring days. It’s also going to go with a lot and add a great pop of pattern if you like to wear a lot of solid colors.

A mesh panel infinity scarf from Aero (formerly known as Aeropostale) is just the thing to cozy into when it’s cold outside. But I love how soft and airy it is. It makes me feel like I’ve clicked on a “glow filter” around my face. And who wouldn’t want that?!

This is the first time I’ve written about these Piko tops from Fiore, but it’s not going to be the last! These tops are AH-MAZING. So soft, so drapey, so wonderful. I can’t wait for my baby bump to show just so I can hide it with one of these (ha, that sounds so counter-intuitive, but it’s where I’m at).

Gosh these gorgeous Nine West Boots from Belk have me re-thinking my resolve to not buy and more boots for a while. I’m so in love with the fold-over look this year. I feel like it makes your legs look teeny tiny in comparison. These bad boys are on sale AND would totally work when paired with lighter spring tops, so you may have to fight me for them.

Garage calls this the Essential Parka for a reason – it will keep you warm in the winter, and this army green color plays so well with bold spring colors!

Finally, what’s a list of things to perk up your winter wardrobe without a silver sweater from Banana Republic? It’s a list that lacks pizzazz that’s what. A great metallic thread like this is such a fun departure from the wools and knits we’ve been wearing. Try one out and pair it with other fun textures like corduroy!

Fashion, west town mall, what to wear, winter

Wear Now & Later

January 23, 2015 No Comments

We’ve hit one of the sweet spots in the year where retailers are practically shoving merchandise into our bags and asking for mere pennies in return.

But as you can remember, one of my goals this year is to not purchase things just because they’re on sale.

Here’s a list of items that can we worn in the dead of winter and well into spring, and they all happen to be super cheap.

Even if you can’t find these exact items in the store (that’s the risk you take when writing about things that are on sale), you’ll at least have guidelines so you know what to spend your money on.

All of these pieces, by the way, can be found at different retailers in West Town Mall…

1. Palazzo Knit Pants from New York & Co. – Remember that post I did about volume? Well, these pants are a great example of putting volume on the bottom. Balance them out with a form fitting turtleneck or v-neck sweater, and warm up your toes in the winter by pairing them with your chunkiest boot. With the pant leg being so wide, no one will be able to tell! Then keep rocking them into the spring with high heels, a fitted tank, a patterned cardigan and a long swingy necklace. They’re on sale for $10 so the cost-per-wear ratio is un. real.

2. Sequin Sweater from GAP – A chunky sweater like this is going to really keep you warm and cute, especially if you layer a crisp white button down underneath it and pair it with jeans and boots. But the shiny polka-dots and gray color is happy enough to transition well into spring where you could rock it with cuffed boyfriend jeans and some bright pink heels. Gosh, I think I’ve talked MYSELF into buying this one!

3. Kiera Leather Booties from Ann Taylor – This is a classic shoe, so regardless of the season, if you see these puppies on sale snatch them up. They’re especially great to have now because you can wear them with sheer or opaque black tights, and later with cuffed boyfriend jeans. Badda bing. Badda boom.

4. Teardrop Treasure Earrings from Charming Charlie – This past year I fell in LOVE with colored drop earrings. Especially as an owner of a lot of black and a whole lotta gray, simple earrings with color like these really jazz up a neutral outfit. Grab them for $8 and use them to punch up some of your drab winter sweaters, then break them out again in the spring when you buy a floral patterned dress that incorporates this same gorgeous turquoise.

5. Kennedy Solid Tote from Francesca’s – I apologize, I thought this bag was on sale but it’s not. But before you go crossing it off your list, lets think of how attention grabbing this color would be on a cold, overcast winter day… Now let’s imagine how beautifully it would transition into spring with it’s unexpected shade of yellow that would surprisingly go with everything in your closet. See? It works.

Hey! You know what’s always fun? A good fashion show! Thursday, February 5th, My friend Claire Queisser is putting on a Rouge Fashion show at the Relix Variety Theater. Stop by from 7-8pm for hors d’ oeuvres then stick around because at 8:30 the fashion show begins!! For more info, click here!

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