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We’ve been invited to a New Year’s Eve party and the dress requested is “Black and White”. You might as well have told me to wear a potato sack. I know it’s classy and can be chic but for someone who likes color and who already had her outfit picked out I am in a bit of a dilemma.

Here’s what I’ve put together on my Stylebook app of items I already own. I have some dressy wool black J Crew shorts but Husband nixed those so pants it is.

1) J Crew Schoolboy Blazer in Black, J Crew Stretch Perfect Shirt, Talbots Satin Pants, Sloane Velvet Crisscross Pumps, Grande Crystal Drops Necklace

2) J Crew Schoolboy Blazer in Black, J Crew Tipped Silk Tee in Windowpane, Talbots Satin Pants, Sloane Velvet Crisscross Pumps

3) J Crew Sequin Shawl Collar Sweater, J Crew Ruffled Rhinestone Top, Talbots Satin Pants, Sloane Velvet Crisscross Pumps

4) J Crew Schoolboy Blazer in Black, Kate Spade Shannon Top, Talbots Satin Pants, Sloane Velvet Crisscross Pumps

So I need your help. Which outfit should I wear? I haven’t put any of these on together so the Schoolboy Blazer may not work with the Satin Pants or the Satin Pants not go with the Sloane Velvet Pumps. 
Do you have any other ideas for Black and White outfits? I have the Scalloped Dress in Black and the Fluted Skirt in Double Crepe in Black but would definitely wear tights with either of them. Of course, my original outfit was built around the Gold Stripe Mini Skirt. 

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Is everyone shopped out from all the Black Friday deals? Ready for today, Cyber Monday? I have two C/M deals I’m waiting on, as the times for roll-out for what I’m looking for are staggered all day. Crazy but it creates hype. I hope I get what I’m looking for as it’s a gift for The Boy. I’ll share if I get it.

Here are a few more items from the Holiday roll-out that I tried on a week or so ago. First is the Gold Stripe Mini Skirt. The first two images are a Size 8 and it ran a little big, surprisingly. I always take an 8 in the Mini skirt but this ran big on me around the waist and hips. I think it’s the pleats, (Not an Anchorman reference…haha.)

My VPS paired it with the Tippi Sweater in Vintage Cabernet and the Stretch Perfect Shirt in White. I love the work-appropriateness of this outfit. Add black tights and tall boots and it’s perfect.

These next two images are the size 6 of the skirt and I felt much better in it. My VPS had another outfit for this making it super casual with the Hugo Guinness Linen Tee and the Schoolboy Blazer in Black. I’d pair this outfit with some booties instead of tall boots.

The Minnie Pant in Medallion Print, size 8, felt very comfortable on. This was a little saggy in the front but just fit in the waist so maybe an 8 Petite would be the best fit. I ended up passing on these as I didn’t feel like I would wear them enough with such a bold/bright bottom.

Lastly, is the Tweed Flare Dress, size 6, which just fit through the chest and waist. I think I’d try sizing to an 8 to see if the fit was just a touch looser on top. Or just Spanx it. I do like the fit and flare of this dress and added it to my Wishlist.

I did purchase the skirt so look for it in some upcoming Que Bellas! 
Happy shopping today!

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Shirts, Sweaters and my new favorite Jeans…Oh My!

My PS certainly has an eye for mixing prints and pairing button down shirts with pullover sweaters. Here’s what she pulled for this first Fall roll-out.
Confession – I actually did this pairing. I wanted to treat this color-way, Carbon Neutral, of the Tippi Sweater in Polka Dot, Sz M, as a neutral and put a pop of color underneath. What do you think? Now, I know Old Navy also has some polka dot sweaters and I purchased the White/Black. I’m happy with it and will Pass on this color-way.
Perfect Shirt in Medium Gingham, Timeless Turquoise, Sz 8 – This shirt is not on sale in the B&M but is online ($75 $49.99). This fit TTS for me.
Matchstick Jean in Old Glory Wash, aka “My new favorite jeans”, Sz 29S – These fit amazing! I love the wash, the fit, the feel of these jeans. I’d need to get these hemmed but that’s a minor issue. 
Collection Cashmere Polka Dot Sweater, Green Atlantic, Sz S – I usually take a Medium in tops/sweaters but this fit well in a Small. It is a lovely, vibrant shade of green. Again, Old Navy is hitting it out of the park and has a similar colored sweater, in a cotton, and much more affordable (Cotton vs Cashmere, $24.94 vs $268). See Gigi’s review of the sweater here. The JC cashmere sweater is nice and soft and has a cute three-button detail in the back. Pass
Liberty Perfect Shirt in Floral, Blue White Floral, Sz 6 – I would not have paired this shirt and sweater together but I love it. IRL, the blue of the shirt looks more vibrant with the green of the sweater. I will try to re-create this look with a blue-checked shirt and the ON green polka dot sweater. Pass
Boy Shirt in Snowcat, Black, Sz 6 – The shirt was a little snug but the print and color is a good solid black and not faded. I think it will be a great layering piece. Wishlisted
Bow Sweater, Ivory, #95623, WBL (? Black), Sz S – This is such a cute sweater with all the tiny bows on it. I think a little too cutesy for me. Pass
This color-way, Navy Burgandy, of the Tippi Polka Dot sweater is a favorite of mine. I wasn’t sure what colors ON had but I will go back and purchase this one. Will purchase
Stretch Perfect Shirt in End on End, Light Blue, Sz M – This fits TTS and looks like a men’s oxford shirt. It goes well with the Tippi in the Navy Burgandy color-way. Pass
One option I didn’t try on but it looks lovely. It’s the Blythe Blouse in Retro Jade. That seems to be the main Fall color for J Crew. It’s paired with the Rugby Stripe Boatneck Top, Retro Jade Navy, Sz S. I did try on this top and it is a size down for me. It fits well and you’ll see an IRL in the next few days. It comes in several different colors and though it’s only $65 it is a Rayon/Linen blend and Dry Clean only.  
What do you think of the shirts and sweater combos?
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There is just something wonderful about a crisp white button-down shirt. It has so many possibilities sitting in the closet and can dress up or down any piece of clothing. Thursday was another office visit and I paired it with my new Mint A-Line Skirt and loved the whole outfit. And though the skirt is a mini, pairing it with the white shirt and jewelry made it appropriate office wear, at least where I work (think mostly call center employees wearing shorts, tees and flip-flops).

I kept the shoes very neutral with my Tory Burch Tevray sandals. I am wearing an older J Crew belt and the Knotted Twist Necklace and matching bracelet. Rolling the sleeves added to the polished but casual look.
I can’t wait to wear this skirt again!
Have a Great Day!