black pumps Archives - Fashion Fairy Dust

Plaid Slip Dress & Striped Tee: Best Marketing Strategy Ever

04.30.2015

On my way to work this morning I saw what has to be the best marketing strategy ever. Seriously, ever. I was behind this tank truck with large hoses attached and it was painted the most beautiful shade of blue. I realized from the hoses that it was a septic system cleaning truck. It took a minute for the words painted on the back to sink in. It said “Stool Bus” and in smaller lettering, “Hauling Yesterday’s Meals Today”. I completely busted out laughing. While driving down the road. Alone in my jeep. I prayed for a red light so that I could get a picture. Fate was on my side and I did get a sweet shot of it. If you follow me on Instagram, watch for it today. You really have to see it to believe it. Trust me, it’s fabulous.

So here is my much loved plaid slip dress styled accordingly for the beautiful spring weather. I last wore it here, styled with over the knee boots and a turtleneck and three feet of snow for a background. I gotta say I much prefer it without the three feet of snow. I could have gone the subtle route and layered it over a white tee, but that just wouldn’t be me now would it? It wasn’t quite warm enough for the short sleeve striped tee, so 3/4 sleeves it was. As I’ve said before, if you’re going to mix prints, keep them in the same color families so that they play well together (see here and here for more examples).

Linking up with: Thursday Fashion Files, Throwback Thursday, Spotlight Weekly Link Up, What I Wore To Work, A Labour Of Fashion, Style Elixir’s Friday Fab Favorites, Welcome To The Weekend Blog Hop, Favorite Fashion Friday, Fun Fashion Friday, Passion For Fashion, Fashion Friday At Mummy’s Got Style.

Slip dress: Target (No longer available); Tee: Walmart (In-store purchase); Pumps: Kohl’s (Old)

Frog Graphic Tee & Lace Skirt: Chaos NY Collaboration & Discount Code

03.6.2015

I was approached a while back by a fabulously cool little boutique in New York called Chaos NY which I had first discovered on Instagram. They carry a cool eclectic mix of items from all over the world. Their mission is to provide colorful chic looks to women everywhere. One of the things that I love about them (aside from the one of a kind gorgeous items) is the fact that they support artists from all over the globe as well as women’s cooperatives in South Africa, India, and South America. They believe in women supporting women and I am all for that.

They offered me a choice of several items and believe me, it was hard to choose. But of course, being me, I went for a graphic tee. And not just any graphic tee…a frog graphic tee. I’ve mentioned before my love of poison dart frogs,and while this wasn’t a poison dart frog it was close enough to make me happy. I couldn’t have been more pleased when it arrived. It’s super soft and loose fitting. It will be perfect even when the temperatures warm up because it’s so lightweight.

I couldn’t wait any longer to wear it, so I had to winterize it by layering it over a chambray button down. And of course I had to pair it with items you wouldn’t expect; a lace skirt and blinged out necklace. I got tons of compliments on it at work. I mean seriously, who wouldn’t love a giant frog on a t-shirt? It will look super cute with my denim boyfriend shorts (ya, I know you all can’t wait for the return of the ever-present summer boyfriend shorts) and Converse once the temperatures reach a level that human beings are able to be outside in without losing body parts to frostbite.

Because I love and appreciate you all so much (and you know that I do), I have a discount code so generously offered by the fine ladies at Chaos NY. From now until March 23rd, enter code FAIRYDUST30 at checkout and receive 30% off. Yes, you read that right…30% off!! So, what are you waiting for? Head over there right now and pick up a unique, hand-crafted item for yourself!

Linking up with: Style Elixir’s Friday Fab Favorites, Welcome To The Weekend Blog Hop, Favorite Fashion Friday, Fun Fashion Friday, Passion For Fashion, Fashion Friday at Mummy’s Got Style.

Tee: c/o Chaos NY; Skirt: Target (Old); Pumps: Kohl’s (Old) Coat: JCPenney

Faux Leather Pencil Skirt, Plaid Sweatshirt & Black Pumps: Stealth Professional

02.13.2015

At first glance you might be thinking, “Um, Debbie, what are you doing dressing all professional-like for work?” Never fear my friends, it’s not as it first appears. I called this outfit “stealth professional” on Instagram the other day because at first glance it appears that way, but upon closer inspection, maybe not. The pencil skirt is faux leather. And the plaid top is a sweatshirt. See, no need to worry. I haven’t been taken over by an alien being who is controlling my mind and forcing me to dress like a grown up with a job. Ain’t no mind control gonna make that happen. I like to have fun with my clothes and that includes my work wear. I never ever dress provocatively or in poor taste for work, but what most people consider professional is just too restrictive for me. Trust me, I can throw together a smokin’ professional look just as well as anyone (Exhibit A), but even then, I have to throw in something to make it unique and maybe a bit rebellious. If I don’t, it’s just not me. And that, in my opinion, is what personal style is all about. It tells the world a little something about who you are without speaking a word.

My lovely friend Alice at Happiness At Midlife posted a link to this outrageously cool faux leather pencil skirt from Ann Taylor on her Facebook page and the rest is history. I scored it for under $35 and I’ve gotta say, it’s pretty great. It looks and feels like the real deal, and it’s so comfortable. The skirt I originally ordered was too large and the return process was super easy and quick. I’m so happy I found it…thanks Alice! I haven’t given the plaid sweatshirt a spin for awhile so I decided it was time. I layered the red chiffon blouse underneath for the visual interest it provided and since I just wasn’t feeling boots that day I went with the black pumps. No, I wasn’t running around in all of this snow and ice in pumps…my trusty Bearpaws were waiting patiently in the car.

Linking up with: Throwback Thursday, What Wives Wear, Spotlight Weekly Link Up, What I Wore To Work, A Labour Of Fashion, Fashion Item Friday, Style Elixir’s Friday Fab Favorites, Welcome To The Weekend Blog Hop, Fashionomics Friday, Favorite Fashion Friday, Fun Fashion Friday, Passion For Fashion Link Up, Fashion Friday.

Skirt: Ann Taylor; Sweatshirt: Forever 21 (Old); Pumps: Kohl’s (Old); Blouse: JCPenney (Old)

Party Pants Part Two: Blue Sequin Leggings, Plaid Button Down, Black Pumps

12.22.2014

If there were ever a pair of pants that could claim the title “Party Pants” it’s these. Although I do have a pair of black joggers, seen here, that are equally worthy. I mean seriously, you cannot cover a pair of pants in sequins and not have them become party pants. And I don’t mean you have to wear them to an actual party. I mean that just wearing them makes it a party.
The key for me is both pairs are covered in a more matte sequin as opposed to a super sparkly sequin. That would be the difference between “party pants” and “I partied way too much and am hung over for three days filled with regrets pants”. Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for sparkly sequins. It’s just for me personally I don’t want my ass looking like a disco ball.
I actually did wear these for a Christmas party, although you all know that I will absolutely wear them to work. I’m thinking when I do, I’ll pair them with a sweater or blazer, my Converses and a less blingy necklace to tone them down a bit. With a statement piece like these pants, it really comes down to the extras that you add to make them workable for different situations.

Linking up with: Creative Mondays Blog Hop, Style To Inspire Link Up, Let It Shine Link Up, Personal Style Mondays, How I Fall, Share-In-Style.

Blouse: JCPenney (No longer available); Pants: An Instagram boutique that no longer exists; Pumps: Kohl’s (No longer available)