A Straw Bag for Summer

There's no denying that the straw bag is BIG when it comes to summer.  Whether you tote it to the beach or find a cute straw clutch; the straw bag is the bag for when summertime hits.  My latest straw bag has a story and one that makes me cherish it all the more. Not my latest straw bag but a cute one all the same. Last month my Mom visited and as she was getting ready to leave she handed me this butterfly straw bag.  I told her how cute I thought it was and she told me how she wanted me to have it.  It was the last birthday present my grandmother, her mother, had given her.  I knew instantly that I would keep it forever and use it with care. For every day I think the butterfly straw bag looks cute with a simple set of shorts and a tank.  Add a delicate pendant with a set of … [Read more...]

How to Style White Pants

The days of waiting until Memorial Day to break out the white pants are O-V-E-R, over. Now we can wear white pants all year round.  That means figuring out more ways on how to style white pants. I bought this super lightweight and snuggly soft gray sleeveless turtleneck last summer and wore it only once.  That made me sad.  I love it, but once June hits in Virginia it is straight up straps and tanks. This year I was determined to break it out early and find new ways to style it.  Enter my new white ankle pants from Old Navy. With white pants, both pieces can shine. It is basic but it works for a variety of occasions depending on what shoes or accessories you pair them with.  I wanted to play down the shoes but add a small amount of color and the necklace I received at Christmas … [Read more...]

How to Dress Up a Flannel Shirt

On Saturday I was out to lunch with my family, when a friend and blog reader came up to me and said that she loved my 'Holiday Plaid' post but when she tried to replicate the look at home it just didn't work out. How many times has that happened to you?  You see an outfit that you absolutely adore on a blogger and even if you buy the exact same pieces it just didn't look right for you.  What happened? I spotted this casual look from A Thoughtful Place through my link up and decided to replicate it at home. I added my own spin with a darker wash denim and was happy with it.  That's not always the case. It is usually one of two things. You are not that blogger.  Your body type is different. You are taller, shorter or a hourglass where she has a totally different build.  Trust … [Read more...]

Real Mom Style with Momma in Flip Flops

Real Mom Style. Someone recently told me that was my focus when I mentioned the lingerie post I was doing. I guess that's me but Real Mom Style belongs to Andrea from Momma in Flip Flops. If you don't know, now you know, right? I love Andrea and not just because her smile is infectious and she offers practical, everyday style that won't break the bank, but because she lays down some serious knowledge when it comes to the reality of being a mom of five who is likes to stay fit (she's back on running!) and is the most stylish nursing mom I know. Exhibit A: Her styling of items from instyledress is perfection. This leopard print top is also a maternity item but you wouldn't necessarily know that right away. I love that about how Andrea works her wardrobe. Exhibit B: This … [Read more...]

What I Wore: Instagram Style

What I wore: Instagram version because I am F-O-C-U-S-E-D. Focused.  Goals mapped out.  Vision board created (yes, really), accomplishment notebook and pages are being written.  I'm busier and quieter than ever, social media-wise, but I'm feeling good.  I'm excited again and that in and of itself is motivating! Lunch with a friend and a side of networking.  Practiced my staging skills for flips too. It ended up being too warm for even the trench coat but I was overjoyed that I could drag it out of the closet. I adore this trench.  I have bought a few in the past and while I like them they don't have the liner, the shape and perfect khaki color that this one from Uniqlo possesses. Work out and get to work.  Those are my days now.  5-6 days a week I'm sweating to feel better … [Read more...]

But First, Gangster Rap & Some Activewear

But first, gangster rap.  Yup, that's me. When I'm feeling down. Gangster rap. When I'm feeling angry and like the world is full of injustice. Gangster rap. When I'm having a kick ass day and full of hustle?  Gangster rap, please. To be truthful, I'm just a hip hop fan all around.  Throw in some disco and funk and that's pretty much what makes my little musical world go round. So when I saw this shirt on Facebook I knew it had to be mine.  H gave it to me for Christmas and while I know I'll wear it under a blazer or hanging around the house or WHEREVER because I LOVE IT, it also makes a great activewear piece.  And really?  What's better to workout to?  Pop music? Not for this girl. I picked up these 3/4 leggings at Shopbop in December. I was feeling the red color hard.  They … [Read more...]

Cozy Post-Holiday Style

We are in that interim between Christmas and New Years.  Life slows down, we chill out with loved ones and we have a tendency to get cozy.  I know I'm totally feeling a cozy post-holiday style in this look. I picked up this sweater on a Target run. It's pale pink color and thick weave beckoned me and once I felt how soft it is I tossed it into the cart.  The OTK boots are me succumbing to a trend I was so resistant to until I tried these babies on.  Wow.  I love them.  Warm, comfy and a let's be honest, hot.  I'm SOLD. Paired with my BB Dakota Jack by Roddy leggings from Shopbop the 'Gisela' OTK boots are super fun to wear. I have rocked them with a sweater dress for an Ugly Sweater Christmas party, jeans and more leggings. I decided on these 'Gisela' OTK boots because I … [Read more...]

Black Lace and Winter White

The Mazda holiday party also known as my work party for this year was held on a gorgeous twinkly night by the water. I couldn't resist the urge to pair my black knee-high boots with a black lace bell sleeve top and my high-waisted nautical flare pants in a chic winter white. Mazda MX-5 Miata. Source: Victoria Mason Instagram. I wore this Vince black lace top last spring for a St. Patrick's day gala. Back then I wore it with a full green midi-skirt.  Here in the holiday season I knew I wanted understated chic that made me think of winter. The buttons on these nautical flare pants make me so happy.  I always feel like I need to be in some 1930s musical when I wear them. Cold temps and walking city blocks made me keep my pumps at home and opt for the warmth of my knee high … [Read more...]

2 Ways to Wear Stone Wedge Booties

I have been wanting a pair of gray wedge booties all fall.  I needed them to be gray or stone wedge booties.  I just like the way the heel feels when I'm walking better than a regular stacked or chunky heel.  Camtrade sent me a pair of their Secret Celebrity's Keyport Stone Wedge Booties and I had to share how I styled them. Look One- Stone Wedge Booties with Pants Spending the day hanging out at home and doing a little bit of an early Christmas with H's family.  The boots gave me comfort and height at I hosted an early dinner and we exchanged gifts.  It totally got me into the holiday spirit. I could have gone with basic black boots but I like to mix it up a bit.  The stone color adds some depth to the look and means I can play with any jewelry I add to it. It may be cold outside … [Read more...]

Holiday Style with Garnet Hill

Winter is settling in here in the DC Metro area and that means it is time for more holiday style.  This time courtesy of Garnet Hill and special group of ladies creating some gorgeous looks called- It's a fun collaboration with some incredibly stylish mamas who have loads of seriously fabulous holiday style ideas for you. Get ready for everything from holiday party looks to comfy chic holiday shopping outfits, we’ve got your holiday style covered. Take a look at Julie from Mom Fabulous and her take on 'Moms Do Holiday Style'. Now, let’s talk about how I worked with Garnet Hill on my own version of Moms Do Holiday Style. I created three looks based on two pieces from their Holiday Dressing collection. Look One This outfit combines both items the Cashmere Turtleneck … [Read more...]