Bardot POW: Pretty Pockets and Boho Layers Date Night

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Outfit Mission Statement: For an easy date night outfit for summer theater or other dates where temperature may change, choose a pretty sundress & a denim shirt as a fun, curve-enhancing layer

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Friday Night Drinks POW outfits are for going out on a date, getting drinks, seeing a band play, going to dinner and a movie—something where you want to look good and may wear some sexier clothes and statement pieces. The POW (Piece of the Week) is the cabi Spring 2016 Bardot Shirt. My Friday plans are theater in the park, and this is a great outfit for it. A nice pretty dress, with a fun boho denim top for warmth once the sun sets. The denim shirt also give a waist and curves to an otherwise straighter dress, adding sex appeal white covering up more! This is an easy date night outfit—take a sundress, add a denim shirt, and accessorize. Done! Just grab the tickets, the picnic basket (don’t forget that corkscrew), and go!

 

Tips:

  • Thinks easy layers when date night is outside in the evening (or in a cool restaurant)
  • Add curves to a sundress without them by tying a denim or other shirt around the waist—like this (wear the shirt and tie it) or not wearing it (except tied around your waist)
  • Pockets! Find dresses with pockets! They are the best (hint, cabi has this dress and another with pockets this season!)
  • For easy style, choose the “transformer” necklaces that can be multiple pieces of jewelry as you take parts of it off—then you don’t have to find separate pieces to go with your outfit (my bracelet and necklace are the same transformer necklace)
    • Don’t be afraid to find new ways to transform the necklace either—this asymmetrical style is not one of the advertised ways of wearing it, but it is my favorite
  • Got sundress that doesn’t work for you? Try wearing it different ways, such as with a denim shirt tied at the waist—I wasn’t a big fan of this dress on me until I wore it like this

 Outfit Breakdown:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Related Posts:

  1. Margherita POW: Simple Sundress Date Night posted May 20, 2016. Go simple and easy and knock your date’s socks off!
  2. Run Around POW: Sexy & Comfortable Date Night posted April 29, 2016. Be the sexiest and most comfortable woman in the room by wearing a curve-hugging, flaw-hiding all-black outfit in a soft, comfortable fabric.
  3. Bardot POW: Ponte and Knotted Manic Monday posted June 06, 201. For a comfortable, professional Monday outfit, dress up your denim shirt with a navy ponte pencil skirt

Plus, check out the other Date Night Friday posts.

Bardot POW: Ponte and Knotted Manic Monday

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Outfit Mission Statement: For a comfortable, professional Monday outfit, dress up your denim shirt with a navy ponte pencil skirt

Manic Monday outfits are easy career clothes to throw on for manic Mondays. This Monday we focus on creating an professional, comfortable work outfit. The POW (Piece of the Week) is the cabi Spring 2016 of Bardot Shirt. The denim shirt in general, and the Bardot in particular, dress up very nicely for a casual work look. The embroidery on the Bardot gives it a special touch that works well for a casual Friday or Monday. Any casual button down shirt can be quickly and easily dressed a with a nice pencil skirt. The pencil skirt adds instant professionalism. And no one has to know if is the amazing, comfortable ponte knit (remember, I’ve suggested a ponte knit pencil skirt is a must).

 

Tips:

  • To make a casual skirt work appropriate wear it with a pencil skirt—make that pencil skirt ponte for added comfort and ease (for more see dressy ponte pencil and work ponte pencil)
  • For a casual work look, you don’t have to tuck your shirt in—consider tying it in a knot at your waist for something a bit different (and that emphasizes your waist)
    • Just make sure you are appropriately covered and are not showing belly or too much chest for work (think professional, not teen girl in the summer)
  • To up the professionalism, go for a single strong neutrals, like navy, for your skirt and cami
    • The navy works especially well with the Bardot because it matches the navy embroidery, creating consistency and looking more put together
    • Navy is also very in right now, so it makes you look on-trend
    • See more about wearing navy in general and to work
  • Consider a nice pop of color in your accessories, jewelry, or shoes, such as red wedges
  • Otherwise, go with simple neutral jewelry to keep it professional, or if your work environment favors casual or creative, add more color and pop with your accessories
  • Consider rolling your sleeves for a modern, getting-down-to-business look

Outfit Breakdown:

 

 

 

I love this picture of us!

I love this picture of us!

 

Related Posts:

  1. Plaid POW: Manic Flannel Monday posted February 22, 2016. For a cozy yet professional look, take one casual flannel and add lots of professional pieces.
  2. Plaid POW: Sparkling & Flannel Sunday Best posted February 28, 2016. Turn flannel elegant by adding a dressy skirt and accessories.
  3. Go-To POW: Denim on Top Saturday posted April 02, 2016. Wear your denim on top with classic black pants for a casual, fun, and modern outfit with a touch of class.

Margherita POW: Lace & Lockets Sunday Best

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Outfit Mission Statement: To dress your sundress up for a special occasion look, add pretty lace, a classy mixed media jacket, and vintage accessories

Sunday Best POW outfits are special occasion clothes for dinning, theater, opera, holiday parties, church, and other such occasions that need something special. The POW (Piece of the Week) is the cabi Spring 2016 Margherita Dress. This is our last of the Margherita Dress looks, and it follows some of the themes you have seen with the other styles: adding a neutrals from the dress (white in this case) and working with layers. Both allow us to add some elegance to this fun, boho dress. Some sundresses may be on the fancy side and not require much work to be special occasion ready. But if your sundress requires some work, look for fancier, pretty, and/or more elegant pieces in your wardrobe that match your dress and can be layered over or under it. You may be amazed by what you can do with that normally casual sundress.

 

Tips:

  • Layer pretty, fancier, and/or elegant pieces over your more casual sundress for a special occasion look
    • For more formal situations, consider layering neutrals that match the dress, as this comes across as more sophisticated
  • Wear vintage/vintage-inspired jewelry and accessories to give your special occasion outfit a classic touch, which may add to the sophistication and dressiness of the outfit
  • Layer a lace top over your sundress for pretty way to dress it up
    • Add a jacket for warmth or just stick to this
    • A higher quality lace with texture come across classier and dressier—be care with cheap laces as they can make the look cheap
  • Choose a jacket with rich textures, mixed media, and special touches to further make your look special for your special occasion
  • Consider if under or over works best for some of your layers—for instance the lace may also work under the sundress

 

Outfit Breakdown:

the skirt is so flowy is blows in the breeze!

the skirt is so flowy is blows in the breeze!

 
 

Related Posts:

  1. Run Around POW: Simple Elegance Sunday Best posted April 24, 2016. For an elegant, sophisticated outfit that is easy and comfortable, pair your black skirt with a neutral silk and similar accessories.
  2. Margherita POW: White Out Over Navy Saturday Posted May 14, 2016. Be put together and carefree in your sundress by adding layers and accessories in a variety of whites.
  3. Margherita POW: Easy Professionalism Manic Monday posted May 16, 2016. For an easy-to-throw on Monday outfit, grab your favorite sundress and then add a jacket, simple matching jewelry, and comfy shoes.

Margherita POW: Simple Sundress Date Night

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Margherita POW: Simple Sundress Date Night

Outfit Mission Statement: Go simple and easy and knock your date’s socks off!

 

Friday Night Drinks POW outfits are for going out on a date, getting drinks, seeing a band play, going to dinner and a movie—something where you want to look good and may wear some sexier clothes and statement pieces. The POW (Piece of the Week) is the cabi Spring 2016 Margherita Dress. I’m showing you seven ways to style a sundress. This naturally should include the styling the sundress itself. And as many a date will tell you, a sundress is perfect for date night (or date day—any date time). This is as simple at it gets for a date—sundress, shoes, jewelry, maybe some makeup, with your hair down and flowing if it is long. Running late? Trying to juggle getting ready, keeping the kids calm, and instructing the babysitter? This is perfect! Going from work to night out? Choose of on the work styles with this sundress (Working It Buttoned-Down Flowy Wednesday or Easy Professionalism Manic Monday) and you can make a quick transition from day to night!

Tips:

 

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POW 8: The Swingy Summer Staple Sundress

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Until fairly recently, I did not have many sundresses. Then my husband pointed this out, so I tried to add more sundresses to my life. Now, I’m not sure why I did not have them! Sundresses are a prefect easy answer to nearly any outfit choice in the summer. Dinning al fresco? Sundress. Summer fair? Sundress. Errands on a hot day? Sundress. Work? Sundress with a cardi or jacket. Cook out? Sundress. Hot date? Sundress. Really anything? Sundress. A sundress is another wardrobe staple we should all have. And you probably were smarter than I and have several already!

Outfit: Margherita Dress and Villa Necklace (as necklace and bracelet), and Dolce Charm Earrings from cabi Spring 2016. Unisa Eavvi Sandal sold at DSW

Outfit: Margherita Dress and Villa Necklace (as necklace and bracelet), and Dolce Charm Earrings from cabi Spring 2016. Unisa Eavvi Sandal sold at DSW

For this Piece of the Week, I’m featuring a particular sundress—the cabi Spring 2016 Margherita Dress. This fun, boho-styled dress has a few features that make it not your typical sundress. First, pockets! I love me a dress with pockets! And it doesn’t get much more carefree and fun than a sundress with pockets. It has a longer length, not a true maxi, but longer than what I’d consider a midi length, which is perfect for, say... playing with your toddler. It has a handkerchief hem and is quite fun to twirl in. The straps are not spaghetti straps, but are a bit wider. Some of us may be able to get them to cover our bra straps. The waist is an easy elastic waist—forgiving when you have that extra burger at the cookout. Also, this dress comes in two colors. I’m featuring the classic navy and white one, which is cabi’s regular season dress, but also have a “limited addition” dress in white, yellow, and green geometric pattern. I’ve only seen the latter online, but it looks great too.

Like the other POWs, you can follow the styling tips with something you already have in your closet or something similar you purchase. Look for a longer length sundress, with a full skirt to best match the lovely Margherita Dress.

Do join us for the eight POW and discover seven ways, from the playground, to the boardroom, to the special occasion, to wonderful date night, to style this fun, swingy, summer staple Margherita Dress!

 

 

If you want to buy, please contact me in the comments or via email or my stylist (Joni Allen via email or phone: 770 502-5243 [call or text]) and we can get you set up.  It is possible any order you make will be included in a show total for me. If that is the case, for each $250 spent in my show, I get one half priced item. So, I’d be quite grateful of any orders! I promise to blog about what I buy!

 

 

Fall into Spring 2: Mediating Your Fall Media Jacket in the Spring

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This is part two of my Fall into Spring adventure (check out Rocking Your Fall Moto in the Spring, if you missed part one). I’m highlighting six great pieces from the fall collection that you may have in your wardrobe and showing how you can wear them with the spring cabi collection or your own spring pieces. If you don’t have these pieces or if you are not a cabi fan, I’ll discuss how you can take similar pieces and rock the more traditional fall pieces this spring and summer!

Our second fall piece is the Media Jacket! Mixed media was a popular fall & winter trend. In fact, I featured this very same Media Jacket as my first POW! But the media trend is not one you need to throw away come spring. Pull out that jacket of different mediums and rock it with a flowing spring blouse and white jeans! If you did not purchase the, no longer available, Media Jacket from cabi Fall 2105, look in your own closet for a cropped jacket with mixed materials. If you don’t have anything that works, consider:

This cropped Media Jacket has a few cool features that let it slide right into your frequently worn spring list! The cropped style allows those print spring blouses to flow right down under it, creating a pretty layered look. The cropped length also cuts at a problem spot for many, masking any issues. Plus the metallic green plays nicely with popular spring colors. I love it as shown here with the Gelato Top—the greens are perfect together!  This Media Jacket could work with several other cabi spring collection blouses such as the Bella Top,  Linea Cami, Luisa Tank, Plume Top, Positano Top, and the Tivoli Top. Or, those pretty blouses in your spring wardrobe!

Style Tips:

  • Pair your media jacket with flowing longer blouses for a pretty, fluttery outfit
  • Mix your media jacket with white jeans for a trendy jolt of spring
  • Pull out soft colors in the jacket by matching them to colors in the rest of your outfit
  • Lighten your dark fall media jacket with a light blouse and white or light jeans
  • Create a long lean line by choosing one light color as the main color in your blouse, pants, and shoes
  • Brighten the fall jacket further by adding light flowy jewelry
  • Dress the jacket down with some destructed jeans

 

 

 

Outfit Breakdown:

 

 

 

 

 

Photography by Bill Ruhsam of The Evil Eyebrow. Check out more of his photography.

Fall into Spring: Rocking Your Fall Moto in the Spring

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In any good wardrobe you can mix fall pieces into your spring looks. One of the many great things about the cabi collections is the pieces work across seasons. I’m going to highlight six great pieces from the fall collection that you may have in your wardrobe and show how you can wear them with the spring cabi collection. But if you don’t have these pieces or if you are not a cabi fan, I’ll discuss how you can take similar pieces and rock the more traditional fall pieces this spring and summer!

First off—the Twilight Jacket! This is a motorcycle-inspired jacket in a dark steel color. If you don’t have this piece, any dark neutral moto jacket can be styled similarly. I bought this jacket in the fall, but am finding that I am wearing it a lot more this spring. I tend to wear it in two ways—one as an inside layer jacket (think blazer) and the other is as an outside jacket/layer (think motorcycle jacket). In either case it provides a nice edge with the moto styling. I find the dark grey softens the edge somewhat, making it work even better for office wear. The asymmetrical zip and cropped style are slimming, creating a lovely waist right at where we may have a problem area (masking it wonderfully.

If you are looking for a moto jacket in dark colors, checkout:

For moto jackets in spring colors, try:

The moto styling is a fabulous contrast to the bright, feminine colors and lace of the spring, adding an edge to the sweet. You may find this is a nice balance for you if the more feminine styles this spring are not your cup of tea (or snifter of whiskey). I especially love how the grey of the moto goes with the bright colors of the Plume Top (styled in seven other ways here). Other cabi spring 2016 tops that work wonderfully with the Twilight jacket or other motos include the Bella Top (a lovely combo), Gelato Top,  Linea Cami, Luisa Tank, Positano Top, and the Vita Blouse. From your own spring wardrobe, look for pretty and ideally colorful short or sleeveless blouses.

Style Tips:

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  • Use your fall moto jacket to add some edge to your spring florals and laces
  • For a comfortable yet edgy business casual outfit for work, wear the moto as a jacket with your bring blouse and some comfortable ponte pants, such as the Capote Trouser (as shown)
  • For a fun date outfit, consider the same type of outfit, just replace the pants with skinny jeans, perhaps the Destructed Skinny (regular or curvy)
  • Roll the sleeves of the moto up for a fresh, on-trend look that may make you more comfortable on these warming days
 

Outfit Breakdown:

Michelle POW: Analogous Color Fun Saturday

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Outfit Mission Statement: Combine analogous colors to create a fun, easy, and harmonious outfit

 

Play Day Saturday are clothes for taking your kids to the park, running errands, talking your dog for a walk, shopping, picnicking, travel, going to a museum or a zoo—out and about or home having fun clothes. These are the clothes you often live the best parts of your life in! The POW (Piece of the Week) the cabi Spring 2016 Michelle Cardigan. This outfit may look familiar. I loved it so much for the “The Transitional cabi Cardigan You Need Now: The Michelle” that I had to repeat it here. This outfit is worth a second look. This outfit I created playing around with cabi Spring 2016 collection. I had the blouse and cardigan on and thought I’d try the denim. I loved the result. This outfit is a mix of colors that go beautifully, but, possibly surprisingly if you don't know your color theory. The combination of yellow, green, cobalt, and navy in an analogous color scheme. These are harmonious color scheme often found and nature and that is pleasing to the eye. When applied correctly, analogous colors can create a striking and harmonious outfit that is easy to put together.

 

When putting together an outfit with an analogous colors scheme:

  • Choose a dominate color, ideally the brightest of the colors you are using (here I choose the bright yellow denim).
  • Choose a secondary color to support this dominate—this will work best if it is a darker color or lighter color than the dominate color (here I choose the navy in the blouse and cardigan).
  • Choose a tertiary color as an accent color. If you have more than three colors in your color scheme, make the remaining colors tertiary (The green in the shirt and the cobalt trim on the cardigan are my tertiary colors).
  • Make any black or white colors used accent colors.

 

Tips:

  • Don’t be afraid to experiment with colors, you may be surprised with what works.
  • Go to the color wheel for color inspiration when planning outs. Here are a few good visuals: about web design but can be applied to style too, basic color theory, and a style-based discussion.
  • When wearing a bright outfits with a lot of saturated color, keep accessories and jewelry more neutral, such as gold, silver, or cream
  • Consider leaving a flowy top untucked under a cardigan for an graceful layer over your bottoms
  • Do roll those jeans to show off funky shoes (repeated tip but a good one)

 

Outfit Breakdown:

 

The Transitional cabi Jacket & Jeans You Need Now: The Neo & Destructed

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Continuing with the Seven Transitional cabi Spring 2016 Pieces That You Need Now, I bring you the Neo Jacket and Destructed Skinny in Regular or Curvy. They go well together, but also work great separately. Let’s discuss them separately.

Note: I am modeling samples and the Neo Jacket, Destructed Skinny, and Rita Top are all a size bigger than I would purchase. So, know a proper fit would be tighter.

Outfit: Neo Jacket, Destructed Skinny in Regular or Curvy, Rita Top, Dolce Charm Earrings, and Villa Necklace (worn as a necklace and bracelet) from cabi Spring 2016. Shoes are the Restricted Newport Flat from DSW.

Outfit: Neo Jacket, Destructed Skinny in Regular or Curvy, Rita Top, Dolce Charm Earrings, and Villa Necklace (worn as a necklace and bracelet) from cabi Spring 2016. Shoes are the Restricted Newport Flat from DSW.

 

The Neo Jacket:

This jacket is the best of both worlds. It is in an amazing soft French terry and feels better than even a sweatshirt. The lines and styling make it work well as a more casual career jacket. Rock it casual. Rock it career—either way, you are great!

 

Styling Tips:

Outfit: Neo Jacket, Destructed Skinny in Regular or Curvy, Rita Top, Dolce Charm Earrings, and Villa Necklace (worn as a necklace and bracelet) from cabi Spring 2016. Shoes are the Restricted Newport Flat from DSW.

Outfit: Neo Jacket, Destructed Skinny in Regular or Curvy, Rita Top, Dolce Charm Earrings, and Villa Necklace (worn as a necklace and bracelet) from cabi Spring 2016. Shoes are the Restricted Newport Flat from DSW.

  • The soft heather gray & white color works well as a neutral, so you can wear it over neural tops, solid colors, stripes, prints, or bright patterns—such as the amazing Rita Top shown here. There great choices from the spring collection, including
  •  Roll the sleeves up for a more modern take—the darker color on the inside makes a wonderful contrast
  • For a casual comfy outfit, consider the M’leggings and a tee (like the  U-Neck Tee)
  • For a classic work outfits, wear it with the Lido Skirt and Sleeveless Double Drape Tee
  • Pair it with jeans for another casual look—it will work with blue jeans, patterned jeans, bright jeans, and even white jeans
  • Chilly day? Throw this on as an outside jacket for additional comfort and style
 

Destructed Skinny

You can get the destructed Skinny in Regular or Curvy. I tend towards curvy, because it fits my larger hips, covers my belly, and doesn’t decide to show off my undergarments. These jeans are on trend—in fact, they are on two trends: skinny and destructed. The medium blue color should add some length and be more slimming than a lighter wash. The jeans are soft and comfortable. They will go great with the remnants of your winter wardrobe and your forthcoming spring wardrobe! I see these as a must have item from the spring collection!

Styling Tips:

Outfit: Neo Jacket, Destructed Skinny in Regular or Curvy, Rita Top, Dolce Charm Earrings, and Villa Necklace (worn as a necklace and bracelet) from cabi Spring 2016. Shoes are the Restricted Newport Flat from DSW.

Outfit: Neo Jacket, Destructed Skinny in Regular or Curvy, Rita Top, Dolce Charm Earrings, and Villa Necklace (worn as a necklace and bracelet) from cabi Spring 2016. Shoes are the Restricted Newport Flat from DSW.

  • The deconstructed look contrasts nicely with fancy or pretty pieces for an edgy and sweet overall outfit (See post for more details)—so consider it with the Bella Top or Vita Blouse
  • Roll the hems for a trendy look and to show off cute shoes or sandals
  • With skinny jeans, you can wear larger, looser, flowy, and even baggier tops and still look lean—for example try the Lounge Sweater or Sorrento Cardigan
  • Don’t think you have to be skinny to wear skinny jeans—they are flattering on all sizes!
  • For a sexy look that shows off all your curves, but is still fairly modest and comfortable, consider wearing with a crop top, such as the aptly named Crop Top
  • A neutral blue denim gives your shoes a chance to pop—so pair these jeans with bright, fun shoes you want to show off (as shown)
  • Rock the denim on denim trend by adding a denim shirt in a lighter or darker denim, such as the boutique-styled denim Bardot Shirt
 

Inspired Outfits:

Outfit: Destructed Skinny in Regular orBardot Shirt, Layer Tank in Heather Tiger Lily, and Helios Necklaces all from cabi Spring 2016. Shoes are Bird Cage by Aerosoles. Earrings are White Sea Glass Wire Wrapped Earrings by Shine Chaser Jewelry.

Outfit: Destructed Skinny in Regular orBardot Shirt, Layer Tank in Heather Tiger Lily, and Helios Necklaces all from cabi Spring 2016. Shoes are Bird Cage by Aerosoles. Earrings are White Sea Glass Wire Wrapped Earrings by Shine Chaser Jewelry.