Fashion Friday: 5 Best Memorial Day Sales!

How are you all doing, is everyone ready for a relaxing long weekend? I know I am but I'll be working for most of it but I hope you have something fun planned to celebrate the unofficial start of the summer. This weekend is a time to reflect on the freedom we have living here in the U.S. because of the brave men and women all over the country who risk their lives daily. It also happens to be when a lot of really great sales take place if you're in a shopping kind of mood.

I thought for this Fashion Friday post, I'd share the best deals that I know about in case anyone is looking for just the right swimsuit, cute pair of sandals, maxi dress, new handbag or the perfect fitting pair of white jeans for summer. :)

Memorial Day Deals

1. Nordstrom Half Yearly Sale- Save up to 40% on clothes, shoes, bags and much more!
2. J. Crew- Up to $75 off your purchase, use code: SHOPNOW
3. Banana Republic- Save 35% off your entire purchase, use code: BRDIVEIN and free shipping on all orders over $50.
4. Piperlime- Up to 40% off all dresses & sandals!
5. Shoe Dazzle- 20% off full priced styles as well as up to 35% off all other shoes and handbags.


I plan to take advantage of these sales for a few items that I've had my eye on lately....

These Gucci 58mm oversized sunglasses at Nordstrom

This Banana Republic Glamour Link Bracelet

This Banana Republic Evan Convertible Leather Cross Body Bag in Cognac.

I have Monday off so hubby and I plan to either enjoy a picnic in the park nearby or head to the closest beach less than an hour away-the weather is supposed to be beautiful. What do you all have planned for this long weekend?

Thanks for reading and have a safe, happy and memorable Memorial Day Weekend!

XO

Fashion Friday: Spring Favorites from Asos

It's no secret that I prefer shopping for clothing online. No traffic, no parking lots to circle, no lines to stand in to try items on or to pay and of course it helps keep our gas budget down too when I'm not driving all over town trying to find some new staples for my wardrobe.

ASOS is no exception, I love this online retailer for many reasons, one big one being that they offer FREE shipping both ways and their return policy makes things a breeze if something isn't for you. They have a large selection of regular, petite, curve (plus size) and even maternity for women as well as accessories too and they have so many great styles at affordable prices. They show each item from multiple angles and even have a 10 second runway video of the model walking in each item so you get a much better idea of how an item hangs, how long it is and overall what you're ordering.

Come take a peek below at what some of my favorites are for Spring and also for you expecting mamas like myself, I have an additional collection of my personal maternity picks too because a gal has to look stylish and classy for Springtime-bump or not. :)

{Find it here}:   1. Blazer  // 2. Ruffle Tank  // 3. Red flowy skirt //  4. Black Dress 
  5. Bonjour Top  //  6. Green Pleated Skirt  //  7. White Dress  //  8. Feather Clutch 

{Find items here}:   9. Nude Blouse  //  10. Lace Dress  //  11. Navy & White Maxi    
12. Black Dress  //  13. Green Striped Top  //  14. Navy Striped Dress  
  15. Baroque Print Dress  //  16. Black Maxi Dress

Spring has so many wonderful options-bold prints, flowing skirts, the classic stripe, bright colors, ruffles, lace, satin and soft textures just to name a few.

I'd love to hear from you! Which are YOUR favorite ASOS styles shown above? What's on your list of items to add to your spring wardrobe?

Thanks for reading!

XO




*Please note that this is not a sponsored post nor was I was not compensated for writing this post about ASOS clothing, all opinions are my own.

Credits: All clothing images by ASOS, all text images belong to me. 

Fashion Friday: Outerwear with Flare (Guest Post)

{source}

We're switching things up here for today's Fashion Friday with a guest post from a celebrity stylist! Let me introduce you to Anya Sarre who is one of Hollywood's most influential trendsetters. A nationally recognized celebrity Stylist, Sarre is known for her impeccable eye and ability to tie any look together with the perfect accessory. Named "Best Television Fashion Stylist" for her appearances on Entertainment Tonight, The Insider and countless other media outlets, Anya is the go-to fashion expert for Hollywood's biggest celebrities.

Here are Anya's tips on Outwear for the Fall and Winter Seasons:

Outerwear Offers Fashion Flare

Fashion trends this season offer variety and volume: velvet, fur, leather, and print! Whatever items you choose to elevate your wardrobe, you are not done shopping until you have invested in the perfect outerwear and shoes. Consider retro chic, modified trench coats with an eye to accessorizing for a feminine finish.

{on sale}

Style and Attitude

High-waisted trousers with wide legs in a range of earthy tweeds are cozy basics this season. Accentuate this androgynous piece with a tailored Oxford shirt, a necktie, and even a vest or sweater thrown over the top for added warmth. Choose a brown plaid wool trench coat with cuffs and detailed buttons to ward off the chill; for the fashion bold, don a bowler-inspired hat in a coordinating color to draw attention to your feminine features. A metallic or leather briefcase in lieu of your handbag with elegant short booties finishes the look.

{on sale!}

Tempting Textures

The winter runways are teeming with a melody of fabrics and textures. If the luxury of velvet, leather, and fur elicits a soft sigh from you, consider adding pieces to your closet that will keep you purring through the dark, cold months to come. Choose black or basic gray for the bottom. Skinny leather pants, a leather pencil skirt, or even tone-on-tone patterned coated leggings pair well with a simple tunic or a silk blouse in a jewel tone—like burgundy or jade. When bracing for the cold wind, look for a plaid trench coat with a wrap closure. An asymmetrical fur collar adds visual interest and a touch of elegance. Black leather handbag and matching pumps are the final touches.

{source}

Sixties Style Updated

This season the sixties are hitting the scene. Top a playful pink mini-skirt with white tights and a fitted white turtleneck. Accessorize with round white sunglasses—for a Jackie O inspiration—a silver vintage chain, and black leather knee-high boots. For venturing in the outdoors, choose a shorter fitted trench with a side button closure. Look for a trench with a scalloped collar and pair it with a fun black beret and elbow-length leather gloves.

Whatever your personal style, there is a fun trench coat that will add warmth and pizzazz to your wardrobe. Be adventurous and try on something unexpected! You may find the love of your winter.


Thank you so much Anya for your fabulous tips, it was my pleasure to have you guest post here on The Classy Woman blog today!

If you'd like to read more of Anya's fashion advice, here is her website.

As a Canadian gal who has braved many cold winters and knows the importance of keeping warm and dry, if you live in a really cold climate and warmth is your number one factor along with a pretty fur-lined hood, I highly recommend looking into Canada Goose Jackets. You don't have to live north of the U.S. border to appreciate them, I know many of you around the globe cannot wait until spring but until this long and crazy winter weather comes to an end, this will be your warmest option!

Thanks for reading!

XO

Fashion Friday: Stylish + Affordable Jewelry

We're back with another Fashion Friday post, the series that you inspired after hearing from many of you that you'd like to see more classy fashion pieces and learn what to wear, how to wear it and more. For me, no outfit is complete without jewelry. I feel naked without a pair of earrings, my wedding rings and either a watch or bracelet. I wanted to share two of my favorite online shops for jewelry that are stylish, affordable and are pieces you'd own for years to come. I like pieces that last and by trial and error I've discovered which shops sell pieces that hold up in the long run vs. those that don't. I'm a huge fan of Stella & Dot and so are many celebrities, their pieces are worn regularly by all of your favorite stars and showcased in all the top fashion magazines. All of their pieces arrive in the most beautiful boxes too (just scroll down to the end of this post to see what I mean). The Kirra Tate collection found via the Layla Grayce shop is also another great line, I am continually amazed by the reasonable prices they offer for such gorgeous pieces! Layla Grayce just redesigned their whole website and it looks more fresh than ever, adding customer reviews so now it's easier than ever to shop for everyone on your list!

Between the two companies, here's a breakdown of what you can find at the following price points: Under $30, Under $40 and Under $50. While $50 may seem steep to some, I believe you get what you pay for. Like my wardrobe, I want to invest in accessory pieces that won't break, chip or fall apart months down the road. Through wearing different jewelry you can change the look of current outfits. I love all of these because they provide a pretty pop of color and/or fun design. These are all perfect as we move into the festive season with holiday parties and events just around the corner. Maybe you'll also get some gift ideas too for the special women in your life!

{clockwise} : turquoise stone earrings  /  clover earrings  /  chevron bangle set  /  gold necklace

{clockwise}:  gold chandelier earrings /  bubble bangle set  / turquoise stone necklace  /  gold bead bracelet

{clockwise}: clear sparkle drop earrings  /  silver ring (set of 3)  /  gold ornate earrings  /  cocktail ring

On My Wish List....

{Left to Right Row 1}:  feather drop earrings  /  green drop earrings  /  chevron drop earrings

{Left to Right Row 2}: blue & gold bangle  /  feather cuff  /  black & gold bangle

{Left to Right Row 3}: gold bracelet  /  multi-color statement necklace  /  gold & gray snakeskin bracelet

I really adore each and every one of these 21 pieces I've compiled here and many of them are on my immediate wish list and a few are on my Christmas shopping list for others too. :)

Which piece is your favorite? Have you shopped Layla Grayce or Stella & Dot before and own a piece you love? Leave us a comment and gush about it! :)

Psst...If you missed the previous installments of the Fashion Friday Series, you can read them in order {here}:  1, 2, 3, 4.

Thanks for reading!!

 XO






*All images from Layla Grayce & Stella & Dot website-image boards created by me.

Fashion Friday: A Perfect Ten

Are you ready for the weekend? It's such a beautiful time of year and I'm excited that it's finally begun to cool down a smidgen here in Florida. Perfect for weekends outdoors! Today's Fashion Friday post is about showing you how to maximize your Monday to Friday wardrobe (whether you work from the office, work from home or are a stay-at-home mom who wants to look classy and a bit more dressed up during the week), using 10 key pieces.

Many women, while excited about shopping for the new season, feel excited but at the same time a bit panicked thinking they need to spend a fortune to look good. That is just not the case. Today's examples all come from one of my favorite stores, Banana Republic. I've loved them since I first graduated from college and began a career in corporate sales-it was a must in our office to be well put together and polished, but not necessary to wear a suit everyday thankfully. The pieces Banana Republic offers are always classic, timeless, on trend and elegant and will live in your closet for years to come not to mention their sizes are available in petite, regular and tall. Cheers to them for helping this tall gal find pants & jeans that are long enough!

I'm going to show you 10 pieces from their collection and how you can mix and match to create 12 great outfits for the workweek-that's over 2 weeks worth of outfits and the best part is that it will make getting dressed in the morning a breeze.  Let's have some fun, shall we?

You can find these items above here (available in more colors also): 

1  /  2  /  3  /  4  /  5  / 6  /  7  /  8  /  9  / 10

What makes these pieces work is you have just the right staple items and mix of solids and patterns. If you don't own a trench-buy one! They will never go out of style. A well-fitting skirt suit is a must, a fun heel to add interest for the season adds just the right amount of pop and a great fitting straight-leg jean in dark rinse provides a more dressy look. Add a colorful handbag to a more neutral palette for some wow factor.

If you're not a fan of mustard yellow, this royal blue belted ribbon print dress is a great substitute and you'll still achieve the same overall look in a color that's very of-the-moment but not so trendy that you won't want it in your closet a few years from now.

If you like the red tassel handbag shown in the neutral outfits, here's a close-up.

Here are the black leather booties shown in the outfits but not the perfect 10 board.

No outfit is complete without jewelry, here are some pieces I just adore.

You can find these jewelry pieces here (first two available in other great colors too):

1  /  2  /  3  /  4  

I'm kind of obsessed with this stretch skinny belt right now-how about you?

So, there you have it, 10 core pieces to build a fall wardrobe on. Don't stop at 12 outfits, the combinations and options are endless. One of the best ways to change an existing dress or top that comes with a matching wrap fabric belt or actual belt is to swap it for something totally different. Who says you have to wear it the way you purchased it? This has been one of the single best things I've done to update my wardrobe-add a handful of new belts in different colors, patterns and widths. 

Speaking of belts, you might remember this photo of me if you follow along on Facebook. I was playing around one Saturday morning as my hubby lovingly refers to as 'the fashion show' when I start brainstorming, pulling clothes out of my closet and trying new combinations. This black blouse came with a matching wrap belt in the same fabric to tie into a bow. I switched it up for a wide brown and black snakeskin double buckle belt with gold hardware for a new look.

Banana Republic has a sale going-Save 25% off your entire purchase (or 30% if you use your Banana Card, Gap Card or Old Navy Card). They are trying to raise $500,000 to help create jobs for the USA-isn't that great?! Hurry though, the sale is for just 2 days and ends 10/21/12. Use promo code : BRCREATE at checkout!

What's your favorite outfit or piece show here? Did you find this helpful in seeing your own existing wardrobe in a new way? Did you see some possibilities or creations you hadn't thought of before? I'd love to hear from you!

Pssst...Did you miss our past Fashion Friday posts? You can find them here: (1), (2), (3)

XO

*all images (except for the last one of me) and perfect 10 styled outfits via Banana Republic website

Fashion Friday: Target Under $20

After hearing the same request from many of you about fashion posts and what to wear in blog comments, via e-mails, Facebook messages and of course the poll running in the sidebar, we will have regular posts all about classy fashion and how to dress classy. What does this mean? First of all, the items I select in my posts are items I would wear myself and might even have on my wish list, am inspired by or already own. The fashion posts each week will link to the item sources and will share why I've selected them and how they contribute to the overall look and appeal of a classy woman. To kick off the first post of the Fashion Friday series, I thought what better way than to share some fall budget-friendly picks from Target.

While a classy woman invests in key apparel pieces such as denim, black dress pants, trench coats and skirts that are of good quality and built to last, she knows that she can play around a little more with accessories. While she might find a great scarf, watch or sunglasses she'll own for years or even decades, smaller items like bangles, a sleek evening bag or a chic pair of earrings need not break the bank. Even a stylish watch at a desirable price can be a fun way of incorporating a current trend.

Once you've built a solid wardrobe filled with classics (which we'll go into greater detail in weeks to come), a great way to keep your wardrobe fresh and ever-changing is to add new accessories every season. It's the quickest and least expensive way to create new outfits and add versatility. Below are my selections so help you do just that....

31 Fall Fashion Accessories Under $20 from Target

Clockwise from top left: gold dangling earrings / zig-zag bracelets / black filigree earrings /
gold bracelet / black & gold hinge bracelet / Pewter & gold hoops / brown & gold bracelet /
burgundy snakeskin hinge bracelet 

Not wearing accessories is like having a house full of furniture and no artwork, flowers, pillows or rugs! Earrings help draw attention to your face and neckline and are something I wear every day. Bracelets and statement rings help add to the layering of an outfit. I own the black and gold filigree earrings-I adore them with dressier tops! I have my eye on the burgundy and gold clasp bracelet. This season is filled with bordeaux tones and this hinge bracelet is the perfect accessory!

Clockwise from top left: glitter skinny belt / wide brown buckles belt / leopard skinny belt/ brown braid belt /white snakeskin belt / black & silver belt / purple snakeskin belt / 
calf hair leopard belt / red skinny belt

Define your waist with a skinny belt in an unexpected pattern or color. I recently added the gold glitter belt, leopard print belt, brown braided belt and calf hair belt to my wardrobe. You can buy these in a smaller size to fit around your natural waist area to define the smallest point of your body or buy the belt a size or two larger and it can be worn through your belt loops. Wider belts are great for dresses and pulling a skirt and top together without a line of separation.

  Clockwise from top left: White watch / gold round watch /

brown tortoise watch / rectangular gold watch

Grow your collection of watches and include a variety of colors and materials that will go with a variety of outfits. My favorites are the brown tortoise with gold as well as the white resin with crystals and mother of pearl face-I own this Fossil watch which looks very similar. I invested more into it because Fossil watches last forever and I knew it was a classic design I'd have for years to come. Gold tones are quite popular right now and these Michael Kors knock-offs are a great price.

Clockwise from top left:  plaid cross-body / wine cross-body / chocolate croc clutch /

black small cross-body / blue cross-body / snakeskin envelope clutch / 

hunter green croc clutch /burgundy buckle cross-body /

Large handbags are in for fall (and I'll cover those in future posts) but for a night on the town, leave the over-sized bag at home and opt for a cute clutch in a crocodile or snakeskin texture for evening. Pull out the strap and use it for daytime use. Cross-body bags are stylish and easy too-perfect for everyday wear especially for busy women on the go or those traveling by foot who don't want to carry excess weight. Grab a bright or fun color-this year bright, happy colors are in style for clothing and accessories so enjoy!

Kirna Zabete for Target Floral multi-color scarf / Purple solid pashmina

Scarfs are not only chic but they're practical too as the weather cools down. Wearing a lot of neutrals? Break it up with a great pop of fall color! The solid pashmina comes in lots of colors but I just loved purple.

I had a lot of fun putting today's post together and I'm already excited for next week's post which features great fall staples for your wardrobe from a classic brand which happens to be one of my favorites. Now, I'd love to know...what are your favorite ways to freshen up your fall wardrobe with accessories?

XO




*all image collages with text and header created by me, accessory items all from Target