Going Out Attire

Last Saturday I had a fun night out with two very fun ladies!  We had all been in the mood for some serious dancing and fun, so we dolled ourselves up and set out for in out dancing shoes.  While we were out, I found myself observing what all the other women were wearing.  Some great...some horrible!  So I decided what better than to write a blog about it.

One thing I always notice is that each city has its own style.  The big thing around here is jeans and a cute top with some killer heels.  Its my usual go-to for going out.  New York is much more exciting with all the new trends.  And Vegas is all short skirts, sequins, and slutty.  However, while out in Royal Oak, I did notice a bit of the Vegas Slut look going on.  There were some way too tight dresses and way too short skirts.  I am all about taking a risk, but lets keep it classy ladies.

Here is a real quick 'What Not to Wear' - (we actually saw quite a few looks like this!)

While I was scrolling though some pictures, I found this one from 2008 when all my college roomies and I went to Chicago for the weekend.  The first night we went out, we took this picture.  Talk about a 'going out uniform!' We all ended up wearing black tops and jeans...but we all looked hot!

Here are some fun looks that I have found for going out!

I recently bought something similar to this shirt on ebay for the fall and I am so excited about it!  This tank is so cool and funky.  Its from Nordstrom for $58. You can pair it with some colored or patterned denim to really take the rock look up a notch (like in the photo below).  Or, you can pair it with some blue skinny jeans for a less intense look.  It would also be great for day time with skinny jeans, a blazer and motorcycle boots. Plus, who doesn't love a tiger!

Now if you are the more girly type and like to go out in dresses...try a LWD (little white dress) to switch it up from the usual LBD.  I love BCBG dresses, but they can get expensive.  Macy's has a great selection of the BCBGeneration line, which is more funky than the original BCBG line.  And you can almost always get them on sale and use a coupon for great deals.  Lord and Taylor always has these on their clearance racks too so you can score these at great prices.  I found this dress at Macy's for $53.99 right now.  It usually sells for $128!  Its from the BCBGeneration line.  Spice up the girly feel with some chunky heels for a total look!

Another really fun idea for going out is the jumpsuit.  A few years ago while out shopping, I picked one up to try on and all my girlfriends were like "uh no!"  But once I tried it on, everyone loved it!  They are so flattering...if you get the right fit.  They have fitted ones and flowy ones.  ASOS has a ton of different styles at a range of prices.  I have owned both the jersey jumpsuit and a fitted one.  And I love them both!  Its so easy for a night out, just throw it on and add some platforms and you are ready to go.  No coordinating necessary!  This one from ASOS is so cool and rocks a few trends all at once...wide leg pants and cutouts all in one jumpsuit.  The only accessory you need here is a cool pair of earrings.  And maybe a brightly colored clutch.

And it can't be a going out blog without some awesome shoes!  Here are just a few pairs...

Jessica Simpson on Piperlime for $89.  Love the sequins!

Kelsi Dagger on Piperlime for $79.  Cap toes are huge for the fall too.

Guess on Endless.com for $47.50.  I own these in brown snakeskin and LOVE them!

Happy dancing if you hit the clubs!

Slim-Cut Trousers

I was feeling pretty blah last week.  Everywhere I looked, I saw super cute outfits and I have been so boring.  I think I have a case of closet envy because I have been on a thrifty shopping freeze.  Its been great for the bank account, but sad for me when I see things I want!  So I decided that #1, this blog is going to be colorful and bright.  But also #2, I am going to make it something that can work for summer and easily transition into fall.  Therefore, saving money!  Well...after you shop first :-)

I saw an article recently for slim-cut pants vs wide leg trousers.  While I am all about wide leg pants, I was really drawn to the slim cut pants more.  This is the picture that really sucked me in...its from the Milly Spring 2012 Collection.

These exact pants were on sale at Neiman Marcus for $87...but it says no longer available now :-(  I found a similar pair, without the high waist, at J. Crew for $90.  They only come in aqua or black tho.

I also found a pair with the high waist, which is going to be big this fall, from ASOS.  They are bright blue (or black if you prefer) and only $36.45.  The other great thing about ASOS is that they also have ASOS CURVE for those who have some curves and don't think super skinny pants would look great.  They also have a petite line and a maternity line.

For the shirt, you can really wear a ton of different styles.  You can go simple and do a white button down dress shirt...roll the cuffs up and half tuck it in for a more relaxed, modern feel.  You can also do a tank top...plain like the above picture.  Or you can go with a patterned one like this one by Ark & Co. for $47.99.  I also love the tie neck on this blouse!  You can look for one that has the same color as your pants, or you can color block like this red blouse with the above blue pants!  This is great for summer...and then when it gets cooler out, add a matching red cardigan.  Or really dress it up with a blazer!

And for a look similar to the Milly runway look, try a printed blouse.  There are some great options on ebay, but you have to have some time to browse and know your size.  I love ebay but not everyone does.  I had alot of luck on ASOS too with the prints.  I love this paisley print and I think it goes with a few different color pants and is only $58.  The department stores had a few styles but most of them are over $100.  They have a ton to choose from if this it too loud for you!

I think the most important accessory here is the sunglasses.  My favorite place to shop for these is TJ Maxx and Marshalls.  They always have a ton of options.   Make sure you get some that are a little bit retro to complete the look.  I think its very cool that her bag matches the pants, but I don't think that is necessary.  And for shoes...the best shoe for skinny trousers is always the pointy toe pump.  Try to pick a color that is represented in your ensemble for a cohesive look.

Here is hoping that this week I am better inspired by my own clothes!  Girls night on Wed so that should be fun to pick out clothes for! Stay tuned...

Neon...Big or Small

Well, sadly the Fourth of July has passed, which means summer is in full swing.  And that means color should be a staple in your wardrobe by now.  And by color, I mean brights!  Enter...the neon trend!!!  The reason I love adding neon is how easy it is to do.  You can go full on with tops and pants, or subtle with a fun shoe or bag.  Here are a few of my favorites and some ideas on how to work em.

I have been wanting to get a pair of neon skinny jeans since spring and just have't spring for them yet.  But most of them are on sale right now so this may be the perfect time!  I love this picture of Jessica Alba in pink skinnies.  The vest and studded flats are the coolest way to tone down a neon color.

I found a great deal at Guess for only $58.80 right now.  They come in pink, yellow, and orange.

And here is another picture of her with the same vest and flats, but a more subtle way to wear neon.

Here is a fun, soft neon tee from Gap for $22.  The look above can be worked with any neon color combo.

Another perfect way to wear neon is bags. There are so many styles out there right now.  A big one this season is satchels.  I love the whole look here on Alessandra Ambrosio.  The look is so easy and laid back, but the bag adds just the right amount of funk.  (P.S. I love the braided hair and how it adds to the look.)

Her bag is by the Cambridge Satchel Company, found on shopbop.com for $155.  Here it is in pink neon.

I found this one on Lulu's for $41...and couldn't resist the color combo :-)  Go Blue (in neon) !

Last, but never least...neon shoes! This part was easy. And it might be the easiest way to wear neon.  White tee + skinny jeans + neon pumps = AMAZING! I love these pumps by BCBGeneration found at Nordstrom for $88.95.  The come in yellow, orange, and pink.

If you would rather go with a flat, try these sandals by DV by Dolce Vita from Piperlime. The neon pink are on sale for $44.99.

And just because of my recent fall getting off a boat...some neon boat shoes!  You can be on trend and save your legs from some injury all at the same time!  These Sperry's are on sale on Piperlime for $89.99.

Happy July everyone!!!

Maxi Skirts = Figure Flattering

I don't know about you all, but it is hot here in Michigan already.  Summer is in full swing and that means some adjustments to the wardrobe.  I get so uncomfortable in the summer if my clothes are too tight, but sundresses don't always feel like an appropriate choice.  And lets face it...mini skirts are not for everyone. Enter the maxi skirt.  I bought one a year ago from Bebe and it is one of my favorite pieces of clothing.  I have worn it with a tank top and belt, a t-shirt and long necklace, and a long sleeve silk top for colder days.  It is so versatile, even with the snakeskin print that I bought mine in.  So I thought, why don't I own more of these???  And the bonus here is that besides being fashionably versatile, it is also flattering to all shapes and sizes.  I found a couple examples online of really cool maxi skirt looks.  These are all printed skirts too!

So I went searching for the coolest maxi shirts I could find!  I am a little behind on the summer shopping, so if you can get your size, you might get it on sale too.  I found this really pretty blue print skirt from Asos for $85.85.  That might seem like a lot, but you can get year round use out of this item.  Look above at how Olivia (far right) pairs hers with a leather jacket.  Add some booties instead of sandals, viola!  Colder weather outfit!  This blue skirt can be worn with a plain white tee or tank for an easy summer outfit (like Malin has in the middle photo).  If you feel like pushing the envelope, try a colored tank like the pink in the picture.  And belts are always a welcome addition to maxi skirts!

After much searching, I found this skirt at Bloomingdales that looks a bit like my snakeskin one.  This one is by Michael Kors for $120.  Yes, snakeskin prints are not for everyone, but this one is subtle enough for most.  And I like that its a neutral color print so you don't feel quite as 'check out my new skirt' like the brighter blue print above.  You can wear this one higher, like at your real waistline, belted or not.  You can also pull it down closer to your hips and have it graze the floor for a more relaxed feel.  For a curvier frame, I would recommend the higher waist to give you that hourglass shape.  Only those straight up and down folks should try the lower option.

If you like the idea of a maxi, but can't quite get on board with the prints, try this plain black one from Nordstrom by Halogen.  It is simple, but the material is dressy enough that you can still take it from day to night, flats to heels.  And you can always try a bold colored top with it for more fun!  And black and white together is always very chic...you can never go wrong there.

Now...for one last look...the really dressed up maxi skirt!  I found this picture of Cat Deeley and had to post it!  How amazing does she look???  I know...this is not the easiest look to pull off.  But if you can find the pieces and have the guts, this is awesome!  And if you do...the red lips are a must!

I found a similar style skirt on Bluefly.com for $105 by Love Sam.

I found the perfect top on ebay...but they say there are multiple sizes available.  Either way, ebay is a great place to go for outfits like this because you can always find something unique.  Here is the top I found.

Happy Summer Shopping!!!

Tulip Skirt with a Sporty Twist

Well hello there peeps!  I know...its been awhile again.  Life in the Franklin household has been crazy busy and I have not had any free time.  But I have been storing up inspirations and I am so excited to share!!!

I saw this picture of Zoe Saldana awhile back in one of my many magazines and instantly fell in love with it.  And then I found the perfect skirt so I bought it!!!  And I am working on the rest so I thought I would share with all of you :-)

Isn't this just the perfect mix of sexy and laid back? Its casual, yet unexpected and I so love it.  I found a very similar skirt on Victoria's Secret...clearance too for only $9.99!  And also comes in more colors than just this brown shown so you can play with the color palette, just make sure you keep in neutral or you will lose the easiness of it.

Now for the top.  It looks like hers is linen, but a cotton button down would work too.  The key to the look is the loose fit so it can't be fitted.  I found this one on Piperlime by Tinley Road for $30.  Also on SALE! It isn't linen but it looks loose fitting like Zoe's, and you can roll the sleeves up or down for weather.  P.S. How cute does this look with colored jeans?  Another perfect summer outfit idea!

And the sandals...another part I am so excited about because I found a great pair at DSW last week with my mom.  They were by Crown Vintage...but of course I didn't buy them because I didn't have the skirt yet and I cannot find a picture of them online to show you now.  So I found this pair by Matiko Aria on Piperlime for $110.  That seems like a lot for sandals...the Crown Vintage ones from DSW were $80, which I thought was a lot at the time but now I wish I had bought them.  I love that Zoe's match her skirt so perfectly so if you play with the neutral colors, make sure the shoes match too.

For some who don't share in Zoe's mile long legs, these ankle straps might not do you any favors but instead cut you off and make your legs look shorter.  If this is the case, try a wedge sandal with a lower strap that hits your below the ankle.  This one by Bandolino is really cute and gives off the same cool and sexy vibe as the others.

The finishing touches are the accessories.  I found this scarf on Amazon for only $10, but I am sure that a neutral color scarf can be found just about anywhere.  The same goes for a pair of aviators and chunky earrings.  Anywhere you shop for clothes and shoes will most likely have all these accessories.  Target, Forever 21, Aldo, etc.

Happy shopping!!!

Perfect Early Summer Outfit

Hello again fashion lovers!  I have the coolest outfit for us to try!  And its perfect for this time of year.  While I was surfing my favorite fashion sites, I came across this picture of Olivia Palermo on In Style's 'Outfit of the Day' site.  I am so in love with this look that I am determined to locate pieces that I can afford and wear it asap!  And I thought you all might like to try it too :-)

The main piece here is the tuxedo blazer.  I found a great version by Jennifer Lopez at Kohls and it was only $20 on the sale rack!  But in case they don't still have that available everywhere, try ebay.  I found some very similar styles to this one.  Here is the blazer I found at Kohls.

The next piece of this outfit is the striped tee under the blazer.  There are tons of options for this style tee.  I found three options at the Gap, such as this one.  And they are very affordable, like this one for $22.95.  Another place to look is Target or J Crew.  And if the fit is too tight to get the drapey look, just go up a size.

The shorts were a little more tricky for me to find.  The key to this look is that the shorts are loose and not too short.  I think silk shorts are the best bet, but they tend to be a bit more expensive, so if you can find a pair that fit loose like silk, that will work too.  I love these KRISA silk shorts that I found on Revolve Clothing.  They are $158, which I know is a lot for shorts, but they are cute and sexy all at the same time.  That's hard to find!

The last, and possibly best part of this outfit is the shoes!  The shoes Olivia is wearing are Manolos...the wedding ones from Sex and the City.  Until I can buy me a pair of those...I had to find another option.  And finding an option that is as cool as the Manolos...impossible.  But a close option is these blue pumps by Guess found on Endless.com.  They are on sale right now for $76.61 and there are still a lot of sizes available.

I am so going to be trying this outfit as soon as I can get shorts and shoes to complete the look.  Stay tuned for pics and send me yours if you try it too!

Summer Wedding Attire

First...sorry for the major lapse in blog entries.  I know you have all been dying for a new one!  May was absolutely insanely busy and just flew by.  We just got home last night from a week in Boston for my sister-in-laws wedding.  It was so beautiful and we had a blast!  And it got me inspired for a new blog.  Between the rehearsal and the wedding, there were so many dresses to admire.  I LOVED my bridesmaid dress and think I can even get a few more uses out of it.  But the rest of the summer, we get to just be guests and I found myself thinking what to wear when you aren't in the wedding party.  So as I am prone to do, I hit the stores and the web in search of new dresses!

If you are headed to an outdoor wedding, like a beach or park, this would be a fun twist on the usual cocktail dress.  Its a maxi dress, but it doesn't go all the way to the floor so that makes it perfect for an outdoor occasion.  It is printed, but the grey color keeps it muted enough that you wouldn't stand out.  And I like this one because you can wear it with heels or flats, depending on how dressy the wedding is.  Is is by Daniel Rainn  and right now it is only $70 on Piperlime.

Now, if you are invited to a fancier wedding, a LBD is always a safe bet.  But I wanted to look for one with a little excitement thrown in.  This Jessica Simpson dress is perfect.  It will flatter most body types because the blouson top will hide larger top halves as well as any tummy issues.  That keeps you free to eat and drink the night away with no worries about what I like to call my "food baby."  This dress is a bit more expensive at $188, but it can easily be worn for many different occasions.  

And if you are in the mood to be bold, try some color.  As long as you keep the style and length modest, wearing a bright color would be perfect for a summer wedding.  There are tons of styles out right now with summer just starting.  I love this one by Milly.  Its a little more expensive, but you can get it right now for $177 on sale.  This is another dress that can multi-task...just add black tights, pumps, and a blazer and you can wear it all winter long as well.  Keep your accessories simple with this dress so the print can be the focus.  If you wanted, you could also belt this at your waist for some more definition.  

Happy shopping!!!!