winter – Page 3 – the Spiff

Fashion, forever21, styling, sweater, sweaters, winter

Playing With Volume

January 21, 2015 4 Comments

I’ll tell you what helps motivate you to get out of a comfortable warm bed in the morning – a big cozy sweater that’s actually cute.

But when you’re going with something that’s got a lot of volume, you’ve got to balance it out with something that’s not so voluminous. Like a black skirt and tights!

This combination is especially perfect if you’re rounder in the middle. The volume of the sweater will drape over your mid-section and help draw all the attention to the smaller spaces on your body.

I picked up this sweater at the fantasy factory that is the Dillard’s outlet in Asheville, NC. That place is a shoppers paradise. Well, let me rephrase that – it’s a deal-hunters paradise. If you don’t like picking through rack after rack in a sea of sale clothing then it’s not for you. Party pooper.

And since I can’t provide a link to that, there are two similarly shaped sweaters…here and here.

A black skirt like this is invaluable in the winter. I picked this one up at Forever21 years and years ago. I’ve yet to find a substitute, but I’m going to need to fast as I’ve really worn this one out. One like this is great with black tights which I will never stop wearing no matter how old I get. They make your legs look so skinny!!

Think about the balance of volume with the next outfit you put together and see how great it makes you look!

Fashion, necklaces, old navy, Why this works, winter

Styling a Swingy Necklace

January 19, 2015 No Comments

I love a good craving. I can go through long bouts of indecisiveness, so when a craving pops up I’m all about it. Lately I’ve had a craving for long swingy necklaces. I love how they make you feel sexy and carefree. Like you just threw it on (because you did) and yet it looks so polished.

Lately I’ve had a craving for long swingy necklaces. I love how they make you feel sexy and carefree. Like you just threw it on (because you did) and yet it looks so polished.

This necklace was the basis for this whole outfit and I’ll tell you how it came about…

I didn’t want to wear it with just a simple sweater because it still needed some sort of background beyond just one color. That’s when I decided to go shopping and I found this number. The wide army green and black stripes are the perfect backdrop for the gold, and the sheerness of the blouse meant it would work well into spring (something I start to think about this time of year).

The fact that it was only $12 at JCP was a win. I immediately knew I could always throw a scarf on over it or wear it with my leather jacket…two more ways to get use out of it and therefore solidifying my decision.

These skinny black trousers from Old Navy were a perfect fit especially when I paired them with my colored leopard heels (I love me a good pattern mix).

For the rest of my jewelry, I liked doing a black watch and then a pile of bracelets because it meant nothing got more attention than the necklace. A bold bracelet would have taken some of the spotlight.

Note: I hope you enjoyed today’s post! It was a throwback to a post I wrote last January. I’ve got big things a-brewin’ that’s taking up a lot of my time (more on that later). So I’m scaling back the blog (for just a little bit) to 3 day a week posts. This will help me refine my material and be better at bringing you the absolute spiffiest fashion and beauty finds out there! Thanks for continuing to read and have a wonderful day! :)

2015, Beauty, Fashion, west town mall, winter

And the Color of the Year Goes to…

January 5, 2015 No Comments

Marsala!

That just makes me hungry for Italian food.

As a dustier version of maroon, Marsala has been given that prestigious position of being the color to represent all other colors in the year 2015! What does this mean? Well, it means Marsala will travel the United States speaking at schools and communi…I don’t know what it means.

Orchid was the color of 2014 and I didn’t see it much past January.

But if you’re a fan of it, I’ve gathered some ways for you to incorporate it into your looks this winter, all of which can be found at West Town Mall.

(I will say that it’s hard to find the exact shade of “Marsala” around, it looks a little dustier than maroon, but I did my best to find colors close enough. And I don’t think the Pantone police will pull you over if you wear any of this).

First up, is this MNG top from JCP. The back has got a great lace detail, and I think the color would look great with grays or blacks or both. What’s great is it could also support either gold or silver jewelry.

This little bag should’ve gone on my Christmas list. I’m a huge fan of clutch purses, and this color would be a great yet subtle pop with so many neutral outfits. Grab this Coach clutch at Dillard’s and take it with you on shopping days or date nights!

The easiest possible way (besides nail polish) to introduce a color to your look is through lip stick. This is Heirloom Mix Lipstick in Salon Rouge from MAC (which is in both Dillard’s and Belk now) would probably look just as great layered as it would in one coat.

Converse Chuck Taylor’s from Rack Room Shoes – what a modern color spin on such a classic shoe! I’m all about shoes that allow me to wear full on socks. These would do that, and look great with my navy, black and gray t-shirt collection. Wait. I just realized I need these.

Whether we see it around the whole year or not, Pantone’s color of the year is a great excuse to try something new!

Happy 2015!

Fashion, new year, outfit planning, style, styling, Why this works, winter

Get More Money Out of Your Sequins

December 29, 2014 2 Comments

Let’s save ourselves some money this New Year’s Eve and recycle some of that Christmas attire!

So this sparkly dress is from Ross. I bought it for less than $20. But it’s sleeveless, so I don’t want to always wear it by itself. I also like sparkly skirts. So by adding a few layers on top – I’ve re purposed it into just that!

I started with a tight black tank because the dress has a cowl neck and that volume needs to be hidden. Then I added a black collared shirt. I liked doing this just because it gave the neckline a little more interest and it helps hide the bumpiness on top.

Finally, I layered on a simple gray long sleeve top. I like the gray because it’s different and I feel like it adds more depth to the outfit rather than just doing more black.

There was one time when I stuffed the bottom half of this dress down into a skirt and just let the top part show. But that was just a one time thing and I think using it as a skirt is way better.

Think about re-purposing something you own this New Year’s Eve!

Fashion, west town mall, what to wear, winter

Oh the Places a White Long Sleeve Top Will Go

December 18, 2014 No Comments

This winter I’ve determined to give my closet an overhaul. There are pieces in there that I haven’t touched in many, many seasons. So as soon as I get the chance, I’m going to clean it out.

What I want to fill it back up with are easy tops like this one. It’s comfortable, versatile and (most importantly of all) really cute.

I was happy to first grab it in white because to me a white kind of slouchy top like this totally reads off-duty super model. Does it read that to any one else? Probably not, but I carry myself a little more like Miranda Kerr when I’m wearing it so whatever helps. Ha.

It’s a great transitional top, especially for this time of year when quick transitions from work to family/friend Christmas parties is a constant thing.

At work I can wear it with nice jeans, patterned shoes and some earrings. Then after leaving there, I can throw on a sparkly scarf over top and be warm and festive in seconds. I’ve said before that wearing white to a winter evening event is totally unexpected, so burst through those expectations and try something like this.

It will also work well as a layering piece since the arms are so tight and it drapes nicely in the front.

Get your own at the great new-ish store in West Town Mall called Fiore. It’s right across from Charming Charlies!

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