/ Que Bella

This week I’m styling the Ryder Dress from Tory Burch, taking it from Late Summer to Early Winter (at least here in South Texas).

~ Ryder Dress, Tory Burch ~
~ Blossom T-Strap Flat, Tory Burch ~

These were the shoes I ordered during the Fall Event and I’m so happy that I did. I ordered the size 7 and they fit TTS. I was worried that the strap wouldn’t be long enough since that has been the case for several other Tory shoes I’ve tried on. But this time, the strap was long enough and has a few extra holes. I’ve worn them a few times already and they are pretty comfortable. The body of the shoe is leather and the toe is patent. The little flower blossoms are by the buckle. This blossom design is also offered in a ballet flat, a bootie and a tall boot.

~ Ryder Dress, Tory Burch ~
~ Cashmere Tee, J Crew (one, two, three) ~
~ Strappy Heeled Shoes, Zara (one, two, three) ~

This was probably my favorite outfit of the three. I initially chose a cashmere cardigan in the same color but loved how the tee transitioned this from a dress to skirt. I also have the idea incorporate tortoise into this outfit by adding some opaque black tights, the Gemini Link Loafers and my Tortoise Flower Necklace (one, two, three). I cannot wait until it’s cold enough to break out the cashmere. I will probably add my black Lexington Blazer over this.

~ Ryder Dress, Tory Burch ~
~ Chunky Shawl Collar Cardigan, J Crew (one, two, three) ~
~ Harper Boots, J Crew (one, two, three) ~

This last outfit will be perfect for my work-from-home attire. I’ll be able to stay nice and cozy in this chunky sweater while still looking put together for my day “at work”. The waist on this dress is elastic so I think I do need to add a black belt. This will help keep the dress from riding up at the waist.

I hope you enjoyed seeing how I styled the Ryder Dress. You can always see more items I’ve styled on my Tumblr.

/ Que Bella

During the last 20% off promo from Anthropologie I purchased several tops including the Rosewood Lace Blouse. I thought it was a little snug in the neck due to it being a high-collar and buttoning in the back but when I tried it on again, it seemed to fit fine in that area. I think I’ll get a lot of use out of this unique top and have found several ways to style it with items currently in my closet.

~ Rosewood Lace Blouse, Anthropologie ~
~ Wide-Leg Sailor Jeans, Anthropologie (one, two)~
~ Classic Wool Fedora, J.Crew Factory (Navy, Black)~
~ Dangling Disc Necklace, old J.Crew (one, two) ~
~ Magnifying Glass Necklace, gift (one, two)~
~ Anna Oxford, Frye (one, two) ~

This is the most obvious way to style this lace top with a floppy hat, layered necklaces and wide leg jeans. I had an little trouble with the shoe decision and eventually chose some oxfords from Frye. Booties would be a better choice. The Dangling Disc Necklace is from J.Crew around 2009 I believe. It is really long and able to looped twice and adjusted to different lengths. The magnifying glass necklace was a gift from my Husband around the same year.

~ Dangling Disc Necklace, old J.Crew (one, two) ~
~ Magnifying Glass Necklace, gift (one, two)~

~ Rosewood Lace Blouse, Anthropologie ~
~ Vintage Cropped Jeans, J.Crew (one, two, three)~
~ Quilted Leather Moto Jacket, Victoria’s Secret (one, two, three) ~
~ Strappy Heeled Flats, Zara (one, Splurge)~

This next outfit is probably my favorite and I can’t wait to wear it. I purchased the moto jacket a few years ago from Victoria’s Secret. I had no idea they stopped selling clothing and shoes but I never understood why they ventured into that market in the first place. At least I was able to get this great leather jacket in a gorgeous burgundy color. The jeans are from J.Crew, the Vintage Cropped Jean. I only wish I had grabbed another pair of these. I would like to eventually have these hemmed up another inch or two but they work for now. And the cute strappy flats? Those are from Zara.

~ Rosewood Lace Blouse, Anthropologie ~
~ Sammie Pant in Corduroy, J.Crew ~
~ Cashmere V-Neck Cardigan, J.Crew (one, two, three) ~
~ Printed Janey Flat, J.Crew (one, two) ~

Of course this lace blouse works with the Sammie Cords in Masala Chai. I love those pants but still have yet to wear them. The weather is changing but not enough for cords yet. I found this cardigan a few years ago on sale and it’s one of my favorites. The color is gorgeous and it’s cashmere. I have the Etta Pumps in the same print as these flats and wear the flats more. The heel height of the pump is now a little to high for me so I really need to find a new home for them. The Janey Flats aren’t the most comfortable but the print on this pair is is one of my favorites.

The Rosewood Lace Blouse is completely see-through so you do need a cami underneath. I prefer the Seamless Cami from The Limited. I have several colors, purchased years ago but the one I’m wearing is the nude color. This cami is now offered in a reversible style so you now have the option of a scoop-neck or a v-neck. I find seamless camis to be the best for layering as they are fitted but not constricting and are not bulky under the layering item. I’ll share a few ways to style the Tory Burch Ryder Dress next week.

/ StyleBella

I ordered the Collection Gazebo Pant in Austrian Lace as soon as it hit sale. I had the black colorway on my wishlist since it first arrived online but just couldn’t pull the trigger on such a high retail price. The sale price is pretty steep too, IMO, but I did use a 30% off sale promo. It runs TTS and the length is truly cropped on me. Yay! The lining is a blush color that peaks through the pretty cotton lace overlay. I wanted to share three different ways to style these pants, with items already in my closet, in case anyone is contemplating a purchase.

~ Short-Sleeve Popover Shirt in Irish Linen, Warm Emerald, size 8 ~
~ Collection Gazebo Pant in Austrian Lace, Black, size 8 ~
~ Elsie Pumps in Mixed Plaid, size 6 1/2 ~

The first look is for Summer, pairing the lace pants with a linen shirt and fun heels. When I first make a purchase I add it to my Stylebook and try to come up with at least three ways to wear it. Sometimes that doesn’t always happen but the pieces are too special to return and other times the items are returned. There are also times when the outfit looks good on Stylebook but not so much IRL. I think this outfit turned out well considering I was not sure if the shoes would work. It would probably look better with the Ivory pants but I was challenging myself to style black pants around lighter colors on top and bottom (shoes).

gazebooutfit_2

~ Short-Sleeve Popover, Olive, size 6 ~
~ Collection Gazebo Pant in Austrian Lace, Black, size 8 ~
~ Collection Lillian Calf-Hair Low Wedges, size 6 1/2 (one, two, Splurge) ~
~ Tortoise Flower Necklace (one, two, three) ~

I wore this next outfit to dinner while in Vegas last weekend. I was very comfortable and the wedge sandals are from a few years ago. I always forget I have these but they were perfect for this outfit. The short-sleeve popover is really flattering but this olive color is the only one I’ve purchased. I felt really chic in this outfit and can’t wait to wear it again.

gazebooutfit_1

~ Tippi Sweater in Embellished Bee, Medium ~
~ Collection Gazebo Pant in Austrian Lace, Black, size 8 ~
~ Simple 70 Pumps, Cranberry, Christian Louboutin (one, two, Splurge) ~

The last look is a “Winter” option with the lovely Tippi Sweater in Embellished Bee. I still have not been able to wear it but hope to do so as soon as there’s a chill in the air. Since we have so many mild days in Winter I know I can get away with wearing these pants through the season, albeit with heels or maybe booties instead of sandals. I am sure I can wear it with a sparkly top for a fun Christmas party too.

gazebooutfit_3

The Gazebo Pant in general has been one of my favorite items from Summer. I wish J.Crew would keep the style for Winter but it looks like they are just adding pleats to wide-leg crops instead. There’s also the Collection Sequin Gazebo Pant in a pretty mauve color. I would be afraid to sit down wearing those though. It was fun to style these pants for you and I hope you get some great ideas. I’ll be styling the Rosewood Lace Blouse for you next week!

/ Uncategorized

I wanted to wait for the Mixed Plaid Tunic to go on sale before purchasing it but once I saw it in the store I knew I had to bring it home with me. Anthropologie sent out an email about the tunic and various ways to style it which made me want it even more. Once I got home I decided to try my hand at styling this tunic at least three different ways. 

First, I knew I wanted to see how the tunic looked with my Frye Boots. I like the look of this styling better without the belt, which is an old J Crew belt. 

 
Next, I decided to try it with skinny jeans, using my Pilcro Ankle Stet. This time the belt works, probably because it is closer in color to my Terah Heels. I tied the dress in the front, like one of the styling images. I also tried this with leggings and a cardigan. It looked good but my navy cardigan didn’t match the blue leggings I had on so no pics for that. 
Lastly, I had to throw on some shoes to chase my pups who had snuck out of the yard and Husband made a comment that he liked the Converse Shoreline with the dress. 
The Mixed Plaid Tunic is such a versatile dress/tunic. I have on a size Small and it was a good fit. There is a navy slip underneath that I may swap out since it just fits my hips. Also, there’s a small button in the back to help with shaping. This is going to see a lot of wear this Spring and Summer. It can probably be a cute little cover-up around the pool too. 
Can you think of any other styling ideas for this tunic? 

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/ Uncategorized

Banana Republic currently has a 40% off, online only, promo through tomorrow 11/20. Use code BRSMILE40 for the discount. Exclusions apply, including BR Picks, BR Monogram, Cashmere, Leather, and blazers, to name a few.

This is the same style, but in a pattern, as the Gray Flannel Fit-and-Flare Skirt I reviewed in late October. This plaid option showed up online just after my review and I knew I wanted it. I decided to order the 8 Tall to have a little more length in the skirt. At the time, this skirt was a BR Pick, and excluded from online promos, and it was on back-order. The skirt finally shipped last week but not before I also found it in one of the stores here in town.

The store did not have a size 8 for me to try so I grabbed the last size 10 on the rack. The size is perfect. The Gray Flannel Skirt was a little snug at the “fit” area, though not uncomfortable. But the 10 leaves me room to tuck in shirts and still not look like it’s too small or tight on me. I’m not necessarily saying to size up. I still think this skirt runs TTS but right now, the size 10 in this style is good for me.

It looks good with the Noir Sweatshirt I bought on sale last week but I think just ok with the Fringe Tank. I think a little pop of red on top will look great and bring this into the Holiday season.

  
Here are two other styling options I’ll try with this skirt. Both J Crew, the Masquerade Tee is from 2009 and the Harper Boots are from 2012, . They are so sleek and thankfully came in Extended Calf sizing. This tee is one of my all-time favorites.  

My booties are the Christian Louboutin Melisa that I splurged on last year. I have worn them quite a bit and will be wearing them frequently again soon. I’m normally a 37 in the CL Simple Pumps but sized to a 38 since these ran a little narrow. The necklace is the Radial Necklace from J Crew about a year ago. This may be my Christmas Eve or Day outfit. 

Being able to style this 3 different ways immediately is a good sign I’ll be keeping this skirt. As soon as I receive the 8 Tall I’ll be returning it. Especially since I paid full-price for it. Since it’s no longer a BR Pick you can get this skirt with the 40% off, BRSMILE40, promo.

Have a Great Evening!

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