Birthday Outfit At A Glance

I celebrated another birthday yesterday... and I have to say this year's celebration was awesome! Saturday, I headed out with some of my dearest friends for dinner and drinks... And I finally answered the question: What am I going to wear?

I have to say... I'm one lucky girl to have such great friends and family who went out of their way to make my birthday special. And, Mike even cooked dinner for me!

Here's my Birthday outfit at a glance...

Queen of Hearts Blouse - SpottedMoth.com

Spike The Punch Crystal Necklace

Pleather Tights - Zara

Evade Oxfords - Jeffrey Campbell

Pave Hinged Bow Bangle (from the best husband ever!)

Rivet Wrap Bracelet 

(both from Henri Bendel)

Ripe For The Picking

I needed a dress pronto for something that a.) made me nervous and b.) I can't tell you about... yet. When I can tell you, I will - and I'm uber excited about it!!!

Outfit:

Striped Bandage Dress - Robert Rodriquez

Spiked Bag - Zara

Shoes - Mandee

Necklace - Forever 21

Jade Bangle - Chinatown NYC

But back to the dress... I had gone to a couple of stores in search of something that was my style, but yet, put a twist on the kinda of stuff I normally wear. Something fresh for my wardrobe. Of course, nothing in my closet was working, and I went shopping. I feel like that happens a lot - you have something you're going to, and end up buying something new for it. 

Regardless, this Robert Rodriquez dress caught my eye due to the asymmetrical hem. And there's never been a striped dress I didn't like. 

Secret Garden

My return back into retail bliss really hasn't been that exciting. I ended up only spending $40 on clothes on my trip to the mall last Wednesday... but I did get an iPhone so that's really where my money went. If you want a reality check on your money, dump $250 bucks on a phone and acessories... I think I'm good for the rest of the money spending wise... Unless something else tempts me.

The weather last week in NJ was horrible - dreary and at times, cold. The only salvageable day for outdoor shots was Saturday, so I nagged my husband into helping me with some blog-related stuff in Brookdale Park's Rose Garden. Although the flowers haven't all sprung yet, I felt I blended in well with the flora in this dress I scored from Forever 21. I'm definitely a fan of floral prints... and now that I've recently gotten some feather extensions, I'm loving the whole nature vibe in fashion. I think I loved it a little too much as I pricked my finger trying to smell one of the flowers. I'm sure you can tell what photo I'm referring too by the reaction on my face.

Outfit:

Floral Dress - Forever 21

Turquoise Necklace - Forever 21

Leather satchel - Zara

Gladiator Sandals - Nine West

Rings - Assorted finds and gifts

I had to wear my cross for the apocalypse that didn't happen.

This ain't no rodeo

I had planned on writing about spring and summer fashion trends, but then New Jersey got hit by a snow storm.... I figured it didn't make much sense putting up photos of girls in shorts and tees when it's 32 degrees outside, and I'm wearing a parka...

Luckily, I had taken some photos outside in February, when there was still snow on the ground from the snowpocalypse. This makes my segway into pleather and liquid leggings much easier.

I love the chine of leather, but not looking like a motorcycle enthusiast (but hey, if that's your bag, I dig, I dig... ) or the cost of real leather. It's no surprise that I like things with a slightly vinyl-esque shine to them, as I own multiple pairs of liquid leggings. To me, they elevate chunky sweaters into nighttime looks, but paired with a blazer and some stems, they're a great alternative to jeans... and I'm always trying not to wear denim as often as I do.

This look from Balmain's Spring/Summer 2011 is what I've dreamed of - but cropped? Never crossed my mind. Homegirl pulls this off perfectly.

Photo via http://theshows.blogspot.com/

There's a couple of rules to pleather leggings:

1. Don't pair them with dresses  -  You already have something quite noticeable going on, and throwing a dress on top of it tends to look a bit silly. Tunics are okay. I usually wear mine with plaid, my other wintertime weakness. 

2. Fit is key - I will say that you have to find the right liquid/pleather legging for you. If they aren't ass-tight, they'll look baggy - which is the problem I run into with trying to find pants that give off the impression that I painted them on myself.

3. Cost - You know me, I'm always on the hunt for a bargain. I've priced out this leggings at numerous stores - they go as high as $70, and for me, I don't feel right buying pants that are synthetic for that price. I got mine for a steal - $34!

Outfit:

Plaid shirt - Delia*s

Vest - Mandees

Pleather leggings - Zara

Boots - Steve Madden

Necklace - Urban Outfitters

Uncharted Territory

When it comes to shopping, there are stores I'm loyal to as I've spent years and time building my wardrobe with their apparel. H&M, Forever21, Zara, Urban Outfitters to name a few.

It's a comfort thing - familiar grounds, in a place you know like the back of your hand... and you're rarely disappointed because you have a general idea of what you'll encounter.

During a trip to the mall this weekend with a friend, I entered uncharted territory. Stores that in my eyes have a different style aesthetic than myself such as Banana Republic, Club Monaco and Loft.

I've been in these stores before, but never really put an effort into finding clothes in them. I usually walk through just to get a general idea of what they carry or just for accessories. I was shopping with blinders on as I had pigeonholed these stores as not being "me".  However, I was proven wrong.

"Oh gee, you don't carry black velvet leggings? Gotta go."  

I gotta stop doing that as I've evidently been missing out on floor displays that really inspire you to take a closer look at the clothes and perhaps try something different. And besides, displays are gearing up for summer - with warmer colors - which happens to be my favorite wardrobe season.

A display in Banana Republic. Loved the hourglasses... and this color scheme.

Admittingly, I felt a little foolish about my outfit in some of the stores, but I take it all in stride. Not everyone dresses like they are ready for battle or a motorcycle run.

Outfit:

Leather jacket - Zara

Scarf - H&M

Plaid tunic - Forever21

Knit tights - Mandee

Boots - Mandee

Best of Both Worlds

One of my newest obsessions is the paneled legging. A staple of my wardrobe for quite some time, I've found that leggings go beyond just jersey. Ponte leggings are thicker, hence, better for fall weather - and I feel they give a look a little more dress-ability. The color of velvet leggings look rich. Jersey leggings tend to be very stretchy while ponte retain their shape for a snugger look.

And while I can't deny a good legging, I recently stumbled upon the paneled legging. Most of which I've seen are some type of shiny, stretch material, leather or mesh paired with a jersey knit. Recently, I purchased a pair of pleather and knit leggings at Zara. They have a shiny front, and knit back with elastic waist, and I think they're fab! A little bit of badass a la the look of leather without having to actually wear leather. I never liked leather pants, honestly. They remind me of biker dudes and assless chaps.

Ohne Titel - photo via www.style.com 

Ohne Titel - photo via www.style.com

More than just a trend, I think the legging has come a long way. It used to be that the choices were solids, fishnets and some florals. Now, more designers are experiment with tights and leggings in ways that make them more versatile.

Yesterday, I found a pair of jersey tights with shiny, liquid legging panels. Ridiculously obsessed with these. I consider them the best of both worlds - comfy, yet stylish enough to pair with a long sweater, or wear under a skirt. Heck, I like these better than liquid leggings.

 

I foresee these leggings been worn a bit much during the fall and  well into the winter. They are dressy enough to wear to for a night out, can be paired with pretty much any sweater and cardigan, and make button-front plaid shirts a bit more dressy. I can't wait to see what outfit combos I come up with.

• Top - Forever 21
• Leggings - Mandee
• Shoes - Mandee
• Bracelet - Recycled leather belt bracelet purchased at NYC Craftacular