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Grey Cardi & Cropped White Denim

October 4, 2016

Welcome another perfect summer-to-fall transitional outfit. This grey cardi & white cropped denim look would have been the perfect thing to wear on a summer day with sandals and minus the sweater. Adding another layer on top and swapping out the sandals for ankle booties makes it ideal for wearing as the temperatures start to drop, also proving another way that you can wear white after Labor Day (check out my other post on the subject here).
I think transitional dressing really revolves around layering. A cropped jacket or knit cardigan are great for throwing on over a dress or tank top. Tights and ankle or knee-high boots can add coverage so you can keep wearing skirts and dresses towards the end of the year. Throwing on a crew-neck knit sweater over a button-down shirt adds warmth and an adorable preppy vibe. It’s also another great chance to accessorize with knit beanies, chunky scarves and textured tights. Sorry, I just love fall dressing so much, sometimes I start to ramble! Anyway, I really adore this outfit for how comfortable it is and how it takes some typically summer items that you might normally think to store away after September, and gives them longevity throughout the year.

Cardigan / Stitch Fix // Tank / Forever 21 // Cropped jeans / Old Navy // Booties / Target // Bracelet /Kendra Scott from Rocksbox (use code dressedfortimexoxo for your first month free) // Clutch / Scarlet Threads Consignment

Shot by Holli Zenko Photography.

I’d love to hear your thoughts on subscription services like Stitch Fix. Do you think they really get your style? Do you trust someone to pick pieces for you? Or do you like the idea of having a personal stylist?

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12 Ways to Style an LBD

October 1, 2016

Hi loves,
I’m back with another fun post sponsored by London Times, showing 12 ways to style an LBD! I’m sharing how to take a little black dress from day to night, or from work to play. With everyone’s schedules jam-packed and getting increasingly more hectic as the holidays approach, it makes sense to have a couple of go-to pieces that can easily transition from work meetings to a movie date, or from shopping to a night out on the town. We all have accessories lying around that can make an outfit pop, like statement necklaces or a pair of bright heels, and also ones that can tone a more formal dress down, like a knit scarf, denim jacket and ballet flats. Having a basic foundation piece like a great-fitting little black dress makes it so easy to transition between events and occasions throughout the day (or the week). Here are a couple of outfit formulas I love:

Fall Layers – throw on a pair of black tights (patterned or solid), ankle booties and a knit scarf.

Brunch Perfect – Top an LBD with an olive military-style jacket, layers of gold necklaces and beige lace-up heels.

Edgy – With a shorter LBD, rock some OTK boots and a little biker jacket.

Chic & Simple – Layer on a camel knit cardigan, nude pumps, and a tan satchel or bucket bag.

Sunday Casual – Wear shiny black leather booties and a light denim jacket for the perfect weekend shopping outfit.

Classy Night Out – Choose a black belt with a metal hardware accent, pointy-toe pumps and a little clutch. This outfit also looks gorgeous with all of the accessories in white.

Transitional Layers – Pair a tan or olive cardigan with a leopard scarf, tan bag, and lace-up flats or sandals.

Pop of Bright (or Leopard) – Take a basic black dress and throw on some bright (I love fuchsia and cobalt for this) or leopard-print heels, and keep the rest of the look simple.

Relaxed Trench – Top an LBD with a grey or camel trench coat, a black leather bucket bag and white sneakers.

I know this classic lace-embellished dress is black and white, but I still feel like it can be classified as an LBD because it has versatility and elegance. I also love the little shimmer in the skirt fabric. See the three ways I styled it below.

Dress c/o London Times // Bag / Nordstrom // Heels / Ivanka Trump // Bracelet / J. Crew
Paired with a classic wool trench, rich (faux) leather bag, and ankle-strap heels, this look could easily transition from a work meeting to a night out if you carry a smaller clutch inside the tote!

Dress c/o London Times // Boots / Alfani // Tights / Hue // Sunnies / Amazon
For a cozier look, I combined this knit cape with knee-high boots and tights. I was so sad that the statement necklace I wanted to wear with this outfit BROKE as I was putting it on, because I definitely think this look could use a little sparkle, but that didn’t stop me from twirling around!

Dress c/o London Times // Jacket / JcPenney // Bag / Poshmark // Necklace / The Crowned Crane // Tights / Hue // Bracelet / Ronnie M // Sunnies / Amazon
This might have been my favorite look, and I think that it’s perfection for brunch or a casual date. The wedge booties are comfortable but still give a little height, and the military-inspired jacket and crossbody bag lend a casual vibe.

London Times has been KILLING IT in the LBD realm, and I’m loving so many of the dresses they’re offering right now. I also am thrilled that they offer their dresses in a wide range of sizes, so everyone can find something beautiful that works for their body type. Check out their new arrivals here.

Shot by Holli Zenko Photography.

This post is sponsored by London Times. Items in this post were provided to me for reviewing purposes. Any thoughts/opinions are my own. By clicking on the links in this post, I may be compensated. This is part of what helps me continue doing what I love to do, sharing styling tips and trends with you! ?

Off-Shoulder for Fall with BohoCheri

September 28, 2016

What a beautiful time of the year, and one of my favorites, the first time the temperature drops and there’s a whisper of fall in the air. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, I don’t care how much people talk about summer as the greatest season, I don’t buy it! I thrive in the fall and winter (albeit a mild winter, as I live in Southern California), and can’t wait for the sweaty days of summer to be over. I think it also has something to do with the senses of fall. The texture of velvet or a knit scarf or sweater, seasonal flavors like pumpkin spice (duh!) and apple cider, and the heavier, luxurious scents we find ourselves wearing instead of the breezy floral and citrus fragrances of warmer times.
Until the chillier days of fall are officially here, I’m looking for transitional pieces to work in to my wardrobe, like this off-the-shoulder top from BohoCheri. It’s tunic-length so it can be worn with jeans or leggings, has a autumnal-hued floral print, and can be easily layered with a denim jacket for warmth. The looks from NYFW are still rolling in, and off-shoulder styles were so prevalent; this is a trend that isn’t going away any time soon! I love that florals were still on-trend as well, because I could literally wear the feminine print all year round.
Both the beaded necklace and the metallic-accented clutch are handmade by local artisans, and selected by BohoCheri‘s owner. I was lucky to have met the creator and designer of Gaia Bags, Joanna, at one of BohoCheri‘s recent events, and I loved the passion that she emanated when talking about her craft. She sources as much of the materials as she can for her bags from local businesses as well, and comes up with just a few new designs each season to keep the collection small and cohesive. Take a look at these gorgeous clutches she’s created for fall.

Off-shoulder top / Bohocheri // Jeans / StitchFix // Necklace / BohoCheri // Clutch / Gaia Bags at BohoCheri // Lace-up flats / Mossimo

Shots by Holli Zenko Photography.

The Versatility of an LBD

September 24, 2016

Hi loves!
I’d like to talk about something I think that everyone, and I mean everyone, should have in their closet, the little black dress! They can be worn for pretty much any occasion, from work to play, to a wedding or a funeral, to cocktail parties or for date night. With the addition (or sometimes subtraction) of accessories, shoes, and jewelry, almost every LBD can be worn to multiple events, on the same day if necessary!
When looking for versatility in an LBD, I search for one with a few key factors…
Length – at my work, nothing shorter than knee-length will fly. If you’re in a more casual work environment, or your day doesn’t consist of heading in to an office, a shorter hemline is fine, just keep the taste level in check.
Neckline – the same goes in this respect for keeping it classy. You can always add on sparkly accessories and sky-high heels for after-hours, but a plunging V isn’t usually going to work for at the office, limiting it’s versatility.
Fabric – I shy away from anything particularly delicate if it’s a piece I want to get tons of use out of. Also, less sturdy fabrics have a tendency to wrinkle more easily, and it kind of takes away from the day-to-night appeal if you have to steam your dress in-between!
Embellishments – I love a beaded neckline or fun trim, just picture which accessories will pair well with a dress that already has a bit of it’s own personality.
Waistline – It may sound like a funny thing to take in to consideration, but I generally search for dresses that will look great when worn with a belt. A drop-waist or empire-waist dress wouldn’t work with a belt, so I avoid those styles.

Here, I’m wearing a gorgeous dress from the new London Times Curve Fall Collection. This style and other great LBD’s are now available online. This one was love at first sight, because I adore the mixed textures, the high neckline (to truly highlight a statement necklace), and you all know lace is pretty much my favorite thing. I could easily pair it with a bright cardigan and flats for work, layered under a trench coat with tights and booties in cooler weather, or with metallic accessories and a bold red lip. Perfection!

What’s your favorite way to style an LBD?
I’d love to hear in the comments below.

Dress c/o London Times // Heels / Ivanka Trump // Belt / Steve Madden // Earrings / vintage // Cocktail ring / Alexis Bittar // Gold rings / Forever 21

Shot by Holli Zenko Photography.