#Team Twistout, #Team Braidout...or #Team Both?

It is no secret that I love a good twistout--specifically, a flat twist out. Twisting is quick and easy (for me) to do, and while it may come out looking different every time, the results are almost always great.

Twistouts

On the other hand, braidouts work better for stretching my hair to give my style length and also produce a pretty crinkly texture.

Swap It Out!

Style Swaps by carmeme 

Sick of the same old, same old when it comes to your style? Try these fashion swaps on for size!

Swap the little black dress (LBD) for the little black jumpsuit (LBJ). Every woman has heard the rule that you need to have a LBD in your closet, but whatchu know about that LBJ? A LBJ can pack just as much heat (see what I did there?) as a sexy little black dress, and a jumpsuit in a classic cut like the one above can serve as a nice alternative in your work wardrobe for the days when you want more coverage than a dress but are not in the mood to style a pair of dress pants.

Floral Skater Girl OOTD

trying to work on my poses...and failed lol

top: Bisou Bisou / Skirt: Mossimo / Shoes: BCBGeneration (similar, pump version) / Earrings: BCBGeneration (love these) / Bag: Asos

Happy Memorial Day! I am so happy to have a much needed day off of work. I did the whole cookout thing yesterday so I will spend today relaxing, checking out Netflix, and (over)indulging on leftovers.  

What are your Memorial Day plans? Enjoy the day! 

Back To The 90s (Fashion)

Back To The 90s by carmeme 

There is a saying that goes, "what's old is new again." This statement definitely rings true in the fashion world.  Celebrities like Rihanna and brands such as DKNY have ushered in a resurgence in the popularity of items that many of us remember from yesteryear--chunky chains, overalls, oversized logos, and sweatshirts...basically everything from the 90s short of  boomboxes and fanny packs (which I pray never return lol).  As a child, I hated overalls (and never thought it was cool to just have one buckle unfastened) for functional reasons--what twisted individual would come up with clothing that makes it so hard for a child to get undressed to go to the bathroom?--but now I realize that with the correct fit and style, a pair of overalls can be just as stylish (gasp!)  and flattering as a fly jumpsuit.  Oh, and that DKNY t-shirt shown above--guess who has had that very same shirt (minus the signature and 2013 price tag) for about 15 years now? This girl!

What do you think? Are you pulling out your old 90's favorites, or waiting for this trend to pass? 

Style Rut? Swap It Out!

For me, getting dressed is more than just an act, it is a process that usually ends up with my closet looking like the aftermath of a natural disaster with shirts, shoes, and belts strewn about and several empty clothes hangers stacked on the floor. I hate to wear the same outfit the exact same way, so I'm always trying out new pairings to see what works. Sometimes simple swaps can change your drab, go-to outfit into something fab.   Don't believe me? Just watch:

Simple Wardrobe Swaps by carmeme 

A nude shoe always works, but a pop of color can breathe new life into a classic, simple look.  

I'm always preaching the gospel of the chambray/denim shirt, but I love the juxtaposition of the casual top with a classic piece such as a black and white houndstooth pencil skirt. The chambray shirt allows you to get more miles out of your wardrobe by pairing with seemingly work-only items and taking them from work-to-play.  

Sequins are usually reserved for evening wear, New Year's Eve, and other glam occasions, but pairing an ornate, embellished piece with a pair of distressed boyfriend jeans creates an unexpected yet fun look--perfect for date night!

The next time you are having an "I have nothing to wear!" moment, pull two items from your closet that you have never worn together and TRY IT ON, you may fall in love with the look! Be sure to bookmark this page to keep these outfit ideas handy! 

Sheer Maxi & RiRi Woo

I don't own very many maxi dresses and skirts because they are not the most flattering for my short frame and often feel like a ton of fabric, but this one solves both of those problems. This skirt is pleated without being too bulky, and because it is sheer with a short opaque lining, I can still show off a little leg while still being covered up! 

While my look is mainly black and white, I added a pop of color with my new Riri Woo lipstick! If you are a beauty addict or Rihanna stan, you know that Rihanna has an upcoming collection with MAC cosmetics and the first release was the Riri Woo lipstick, a retro matte red shade inspired by the popular MAC Ruby Woo lipstick. I am probably one of the few people who has never tried Ruby Woo so I can't compare the two shades, but I do love the Riri Woo! It is a gorgeous, flattering red shade with a matte finish, which I prefer to a gloss finish. As a warning, matte lipsticks show off every crack and peel in your lips, so make sure to exfoliate and moisturize your lips before wearing and you should be good to go! 

Vest: Old Navy (I cut off the fraying at the sleeves) / Shirt: Dorothy Perkins (similar) / Skirt: JCPenney (similar)  / Bag: Asos

Casual Jumpsuit OOTD

Lately I have been obsessed with jumpsuits and rompers. I love the ease of throwing on one piece of clothing and ta-da...you have an outfit! This one is perfect for casual days, and days when I know I'm going to be eating a lot. I know I'm not the only one that has grubbing clothes! LOL! 

Jumpsuit: Casual Couture (similar) / Shoes: Steve Madden "Hilite" 

What Would Kourtney Kardashian Wear?

On the 15th of each month, I play the role of stylist and showcase celebrity-inspired outfits based on my interpretation of their style. 

Kim may be the Kardashian that put the family on the map, but when it comes to style, Kourtney Kardashian is the star in my eyes. Kourtney is always chic, and not even pregnancy or being a busy mother of two seems to adversely affect her style. She pulls off the flowy, comfortable-yet-stylish mom-on-the-go look like a pro, and when she switches to mogul mode she oozes sophistication in classic, smartly tailored pieces with feminine details.

What Would Kourtney Kardashian Wear? by carmeme 

Can you picture Kourtney K rocking any of these looks?  In your opinion, which Kardashian has the best style? 

Peplum Talk (+ OOTD)

I was a little late jumping on the peplum bandwagon but now I am a believer. The peplum is a curvy girl's best friend, hiding your tummy while accentuating the smallest part of your waist.  For the not-so-curvy, an appropriately placed peplum can create an hourglass look by flaring out at the hip.  The only enemy of the peplum is the wind...just like with a skater skirt, a sudden gust of wind can have you almost naked before you know it. There were many times throughout the day where I felt a draft on my back where the wind had raised my top.

Blouse: Philosophy (similar) /  Jeans: Old Navy / Shoes: Old Navy (old) (similar)  / Clutch: Asos / Necklace: unknown 

Have you rocked the peplum trend yet? 

Finally Rocking Prabal Gurung For Target + Style Me Friday Link-up

Top: Prabal Gurung for Target / Pants: Apt 9 (Kohl's) / Clutch: The Limited / Shoes: The Limited 

This blouse is one of the two items I bought from the Prabal Gurung for Target collection. Until this week, I have never worn either of my PGforT items. At first I wanted to let the hype die down...then whenever I thought about wearing this top (or the dress I got) I always found something else to wear that I liked better.  I do like this shirt, but sometimes the pattern looks too summery, like a Hawaiian shirt. I can definitely see myself wearing this top with some cutoff shorts in the summer, but for now I paired it with a pair of red slacks. Now these pants...perfection, honey! Perfect fit, perfect length, and best of all, a size 10!!!

*I'm linking up with The Fashionista Next Door's Style Me Friday link-up! The inspiration this week was slacks!

Leopard & Lime OOTD

Cardigan: Old Navy / Tank: Old / Jeans: Old Navy / Flats: Red Camel (similar-lo) (similar-high) / Bag: London Fog

Sweats + Bodycon (OOTD)

Sweatshirt: JCP / Skirt: Old Navy (similar) / Sneakers: Aldo (love these!)

If I don't have any plans, or if I am traveling, I am usually dressed down.  A couple of weeks ago I traveled with my fiance' to visit his family so of course, I kept it casual with a sweatshirt, a stretchy skirt (to account for all the food I was planning to eat!), and some sneakers. That day I also ended up at a youth basketball game so my semi-sporty outfit was a cute option for that as well!

Black & White Bold Stripes OOTD