{Why it Works} Coral Kiss

Hello! I'm back around this blog after having spent one week pounding my keyboard to finish a first draft, and another week lounging about at the Taylors' therapeutic recuperation center. (Better known as their farm. :P) Tomorrow, hopefully, I will have my latest eShakti review up! Many of you know what product I chose, but I'm excited to give a whole post to the fabulous item. Anyway, I thought it had been a long time since I'd done a Why It Works post (nearly a month!) so I decided I'd do one today...sort of in celebration of Spring having arrived!

The Components:

Coral-colored polka-dot top

Wheat-colored shrug-lace thingy-do

Purple knotted chain necklace

Green crystal earrings

Dark-wash jeans

Coral/Rope wedge sandals

Amethyst Smokey-Eye makeup

Coral lipstick

Why it Works:

The coral shirt happens to have wheat colored polka-dots which happen to match the shrug, which seaside theme also happens to be repeated in my shoes. The dark-wash jeans anchor the outfit and because I wanted to keep the whole thing from being too dual-tone, I added a splash of color in with a purple chain necklace and coordinating eye-shadow, and the greenish crystal earrings which brings out the green of my eyes. This outfit speaks spring to me, without being too terribly hopeful that we won't have more frost. Frost made our daffodils look ashamed this morning...they've all been hanging their heads like blushing maids. As to why this style works on me, it's really quite simple. Dark jeans and lifted heels are always acceptable. The shrug skims my figure and the points of it serve to further elongate the silhouette without looking as if it is trying to do that.

A comfortable, warm-weather outfit perfect for a day running errands. La'ers, darlings!

{Why it Works} The End It Movement

Today is February 27.

February 27th is the day in which Christians and non-Christians all over the world are drawing red "X"s on our hands to show support for and raise awareness over the victims of modern slavery. I was made more aware of this issue over the past several weeks by my friend Charity Klicka, as well as through several other friends, and the End It Movement in general. If you want to learn more about how you can help end the heartbreaking industry enslaving 27 million humans world-wide, check out this article.

As I was planning to have a red X on my hand, and I already wanted to share this outfit with you, I decided I would combine the two things and put together a whole End It Movement outfit. This is one of the (very small) ways I can help: telling people that slavery still exists.

The Components:

Grey jeans

GenJ "Avengers" graphic tee

Faux leather jacket

Black patent leather heels

Light smoky-eye makeup

Pale pink lipgloss

Why it works:

The black and grey components are obviously within the same color scale, so they go well together. The tee is black, but it has a bright and simple graphic of red, white, and blue colors which keeps the whole thing from looking like a volcanic, rainy day. Add a shiny red bracelet (red lipgloss if I had it) and dark red nail polish, and you are all set in a sleek, sophisticated casual look. (Oh, and don't forget my red X) I like this outfit because the leather jacket and heels make me feel special. Leather and heels isn't something most people wear to Walmart...but if paired with nice jeans and a graphic tee, it certainly can be done. I'm also a fan of mixing up the usual top & jeans with some statement piece. In this case: the jacket. It's a very nice faux leather jacket bought on Black Friday at Target for 50% off at $19.99. I'm rather fond of it for the days like today when the outfit calls for something a little non-usual.

What about you? Are you wearing a red X today?

Why it Works: Spring Flirt

I wonder if all of you are having quite as wonderful a morning as I am. I don't know why it's such a good day (except that it is) and we finally have spring-like temperatures and sunshine and I feel quite alive and spunky today. Picmonkey was being a ding-bat so I wasn't able to make up an actual collage. I just cropped down the photos I had (yay selfies already) Also, Sarah's minion poster is photo-bombing. I give you:

Spring Flirt

Pardon the glazed stare. I was concentrating.

Silly shot.

Don't you love how the darned camera focused on itself? So narcissistic.

Components:

Pale pink floral blouse

Medium wash jeans

Butterfly earrings

Pink/orange eye-do

Revlon matte lipstick in "Stormy Pink"

Bare feet with toenails painted Areo's "Tis the Season" (purplish pink)

Why it Works:

This was an outfit I threw together for going to my grandparents' for dinner last night and I liked it enough then that I wore it again today to show you. The floofiness of the blouse is playful, chic, and springy without being childish. I think the black floral pattern and the band around the bottom retrieves it from that fate. (Unlike those tulle skirts everyone is wearing) The pink makeup brings out the pale pink in the blouse and the jewelry (which is silver) sets off the coolness of the shade of lipstick. These sleeves are fabulous because they obscure the pudgiest parts of my arm while managing to look sweet and romantic. The jeans aren't anything spectacular except to say that I now fit in them (and will soon fit out of them) because of having been getting up each morning to exercise since the second week of January. Yay for shrinkage! The jeans also serve the purpose of adding a little structure to the outfit because if I went with (say) a skirt, this would soon look a little too fluffy for my figure's good. 

In Conclusion:

A comfortable, casual outfit with a touch of feminine charm that leaves on-lookers knowing they've just seen a person proud to be a woman and loving the spring weather. It's confident, sassy, and sweet all rolled into one. I rather love it, actually.

{Why it Works} Eeyore Sass

"Cuz there's no blue Monday in your Sunday clothes!"

I've had a massive {and good} weekend and stayed up far past midnight every night. The Olympics, fund-raising concerts, and friends in town will do that to ya. This is Monday. I received two files full of edits to be made in The Windy Side of Care, (my Cinderella novella to be published in a collection by Rooglewood Press in June) and while I know it's all true, today is far too much of a Monday for me to attack them. I am hiding with my new book by A.A. Milne and Anon, Sir, Anon, and nice bracelets and Pomegranate lip balm that tastes good. Waaaaaaaaaaaa. Talk to me tomorrow. But despite all this, I managed to make myself look nice today and that is worth something, I suppose.

Tea. I need more tea.

Anyway. Today's outfit is Eeyore Sass. I hope you like it.

The components:

Black cashmere t-shirt style top

Grey jeans

Silver sandals

Black/grey accessories

Fuchsia pashminka scarf

Green eye-makeup

"Tis the Season" fuchsia nail polish from Aeropostale

Why it Works:

When I dragged myself out of bed this morning, I reached into my drawer and felt this kitten-soft cashmere shirt. I knew that this was Monday and that I'd want to wear something this soft by the end of the day. I pulled on the shirt. I pulled on the grey jeans. I felt just about as lively as Eeyore on a rainy day. I pulled a fuschia scarf off my rack and tied it in something that looks elaborate. Then I got some glitzy jewelry, painted my toenails with Aero's "Tis the Season" and strapped on some glamorous sandals. Finished? Yep. The black and grey together are calm and sensible but the fuschia scarf livens things up. It's a big enough statement that the eye is drawn to the upper half of my body which (considering my botto) is rather a good thing. The silver sandals have a bit of a heel and elongate my leg just a bit in case anyone is adventurous enough to look that far down on a Monday. Also, they are comfortable and I love having my toe-nails painted randomly in the bleak midwinter. It makes me feel like I have a secret super-power. I wanted to avoid a pink or purple eye color so I went with green which is kind of interesting if anyone notices and definitely makes my eyes look quite disquieting. My eyes are green but wearing green turns them an uncanny shade of silver-green which looks like a spitting ocean which I find fun. I told you it's a Monday.

Happy Unofficial Celebrating Eeyore Day, everyone! I hope you have a lovely, sleepy, slightly sassy-when-you-think-of-it Monday. 

Why it Works: Sailor Lace

Helllllllo everyone! Guess what? I told you the next fashion post would not be selfies taken with my tablet. Well, I avoided using my tablet but these are selfies. So sorry. I could not post with any semblance of naturalness while one of my sisters was staring down the lens at me and I didn't have a tripod with which to flee their presence. Right. I call this thing "Sailor Lace" for obvious reasons. It is comprised of:

Brown flannel-lined pants

Navy ruffle-necked tank

Orchid cardigan

Brown ballet flats

Nautical-themed bracelet and earrings

Why it works:

The orchid and navy (while coordinating) are quite a unique combination. People are accustomed to seeing pink and navy but by adding a purplish hue (and bringing in Panetone's color of 2014--*pats herself on the back*) I give it a new spin. The cardigan and tank hit me at the top of my hips which is ideal for a pear-shaped body and makes my legs looks longer. I would love to have been able to find a cool pair of shoes to wear with it, but my winter stock is smaller than my summer stock so the brown flats work. I picked out and strengthened the nautical theme of the navy tank by adding the lovely bracelet given to me by a friend who knows my taste and sail-boat earrings given by Abigail who also knows my taste. I picked up the brown theme in my eye-makeup and the orchid/pink theme in my lipstick. Incidentally, I'm using a new sort of mascara by Rimmel that has two different brushes: volume and length. Combining the two is quite satisfactory so far. But back to colors: I chose to continue the blue in the jewelry which worked out rather well. White lace on the cardigan coordinated nicely with the white dots on the tank and the silver aspects of the jewelry. I personally love this outfit: the pants and shoes are no-fuss and the outfit is comfortable and practical, yet with the addition of the orchid cardi I was able to bring it up a level to my satisfaction. A little lace, a little seaside charm and you've got a lovely, feminine look for the everyday. :)

Anchors Aweigh, darlings!

Why it Works: Cable Car

Time for another fashion-related post! I apologize again for the terrible photo-quality of these pictures. These are selfies. Again. But hey, if that is all a girl can manage and she can't figure out how to work her sister's camera so it will focus (true story) what can I say? Today's outfit I called Cable-Car. Probably because it combines a modern cable-knit sweater and jeans with some vintage glam. Yes, yes I know. I'm a goose. But a darling goose. You know you love me.

Why it works:

The sweater and jeans together would make a cute but slightly lumpy outfit. I have yet to buy a pair of skinny jeans but someday I would love to own one. All the same, well-fitting dark wash jeans are cute and flattering. Adding a pair of shiny black heels (yay for patent leather. I call them my beetle shoes) and the glitzy jewelry brings a touch of delicacy that the outfit alone would lack. Some people might say this outfit has a touch of affectation but hey: I specialize in bringing glamour to the everyday and if heels and crystal works, I swear by it. It's definitely a statement: when I commit to something that usually makes people think, "evening dress" and wear it with a chunky sweater, I'm essentially telling everyone who cares that you can work the glam 24-7, not just after 5.

I get the privilege, challenge, task, what-have-you of working with a curvaceous figure. Jeans and heels is a way to instantly lengthen the look of my legs and the sweater with the big cable down the front continues the line, making for a nice, smooth silhouette. It's a pretty sweater that begins pinkish orange at the bottom and by the time it reaches my throat, has become raspberry. The sweater already has this color scheme going on so I opted for the white touch of crystal/silver jewelry. I'm wearing chandelier earrings, a choker that just peeps out beneath the turtle neck of my sweater, and a silver wrap-around ring from Icing. You can't see terribly well, but I'm also wearing Essie nail polish in "Ballet Slipper". I picked up the raspberry theme in my lipstain which is something by Loreal that looks like a marker and bleeds if you don't wear something beneath it.

***

I hope to be able to do some shopping soon (having discovered I have little but campaign t-shirts and jeans), so I ought to have more outfit posts in the future, hopefully with some fresh items! Jenny from Adonis Ephemeral helped me choose an outfit for the Romania fundraising concert by Paid in Full and it was rather fun, knowing I had the Why It Works originator condoning my choices. Well, toodle-loo! Here's to adding glamour to the everyday!