Prints & Bow Toes

Blouse: Gianni Bini via Dillards / Shorts: Rachel Roy (Old) / Pumps: Steven by
Steve Madden / Watch: Michael Kors/ Purse: c/o Deb / Shades: Rue21 

When it comes to adding class to a pair of shorts, my rule of thumb is to always balance out the leg being shown on the bottom with a less revealing blouse on top. I know pattern mixing is all the rage right now, but if you haven't quite worked up the courage to pair multiple bold patterns, a simple and stylish way to gather your gumption is by balancing a bold print with a solid. For me, a white button-down blouse is a staple that can make the transition to every season. When I purchased these Rachel Roy shorts last year in Hawaii, I wasn't sure what I would wear with them, but this simple white blouse and my Steven by Steve Madden pumps that I can't seem to get enough of was the perfect combination. 

24K

Top: The Limited / Pants: TJ Maxx / Hat: Marshalls  / Shoes: Jessica Simpson / Purse: c/o Deb / Shades: Rue21

I invested in my first baseball cap this past fall as a way to remedy bad hair days but never did I think I would develop a new obsession. I love throwing on a baseball cap with a polished look like this one to make it a tad more casual. This look in particular could be described as sporty luxe because even though the cap is casual, the black and gold color palette is fancy, schmancy. To really make this look more casual, I would ditch my fab Jessica Simpson pumps for my black chucks. 

P.S. If you're in the RDU area, head to Southpoint Mall tonight to see Clinton Kelly! 

Get Fancy Girl

Dress: T.J. Maxx / Shoes: c/o Deb / Purse: c/o Deb/ Sunglasses: Rue21/ Bracelet: Rue21 / Watch: Michael Kors

As much as I enjoy blogging certain aspects of being a personal style blogger can be quite, well...awkward. Take for instance when at 7:30 a.m. on a Wednesday morning you wake up, do your hair, makeup, throw on a midriff bearing dress, and a dainty pair of heels to go take pictures on the sidewalk behind your house and your neighbor who is on the way to work, sees you posing for pictures and looks bewilderingly at you. When this happened to me yesterday, I wanted to be like, "Hey neighbor, I'm promise I'm not crazy, or incredibly vain, these are for my blog," but instead I just kept smiling for the camera and waved. 

Awkward stories aside, with my birthday and graduation both being less than a month a way, I feel like I have a lot of reasons to want to get fancy. This cute dress that's been hiding out in my closet all winter is just one of them. I have been waiting for the weather to warm up to wear it. I didn't think of pairing black accessories with it until just recently, but the pumps and quilted bag added a touch of class to the trendy look. 

Also inspiring my desire to get fancy are the ladies of the  Jessica Simpson Collection who got in touch with me recently regarding the launch of Jessica's latest fragrance, Fancy Girl. A huge fan of the I Fancy You fragrance she released a few years ago, I was excited when they sent me a bottle to try out!

 I've had Fancy Girl for about a week, and already I am obsessed with it. It is a very light scent that won't overpower you, or give you a headache like some perfumes. It is perfect for the spring and can best be described as fruity and floral. Fancy Girl is a limited edition scent and is being sold with three gorgeous nail polishes. 

Keep a check on the blog because details of a So Sophisticated. 1992 Fancy Girl giveaway are coming soon! 

The Orange Coat

Coat: Plenty by Tracy Reese / Boots: Jessica Simpson  (similar) / Dress: Rue21 (similar)

A slightly better look at my dress

I remember the day I first laid eyes on it. It was a brisk day in October and I had reluctantly followed my mother into Anthroplogie. Hanging in the back corner of the store was this beautiful orange coat with a fur collar and peplum waist, in my size. When I put it on it was as if it was made for me. I told my mother then, "I have to have this coat!" Yesterday morning I woke up to find the beautiful Plenty by Tracy Reese coat waiting for me underneath the Christmas Tree! Unable to resist it, I decided to wear it on Christmas Day. It's such a lovely coat and makes a bold statement. 

Hope everyone had a great Christmas! 

 

p.s. Don't forget to enter my SammyDress.com Giveaway here! 

Heels in the Outfield

Skirt: Forver21/ Sweater: c/o Deb/ Blazer: Thrifted/ Shoes: c/o Deb/ Clutch: Charlotte Russe/ Tights: Gap/ Necklace: Rue21 (similar)

Let me start out by saying I would never really wear heels and a short skirt to a baseball game. In fact, an outfit like this would be appropriate for a trip to your favorite restaurant, a  slightly casual dinner/ holiday party or, if you're just fabulous, a day of shopping. 

I pulled together a mix of  super old and new items from my closet to make this look work. The entire outfit is styled around the baby pink skater skirt from Forever21. It was a steal at only $15.80 and can be styled in many different ways. Originally sticking to a neutral color palette I threw on my brown tights from Gap, nude ankle strap pumps from deb along with this chunky tan sweater. The babule necklace is one that  I have for nearly four years now and was on super sale at Rue21. To add a little depth to the outfit I put on my suede cranberry blazer and my look was complete. 

What do you think?

Classy and Sassy

Top: c/o deb/ Pants: Marshall's/ Shoes: c/o deb/ Purse: Michael Kors/ Bracelet: Rue21

Maybe it was my glasses, but in this outfit I felt like a classy and sassy little nerd...with puffy hair (The wind was not cooperating with me!) You can never go wrong with cheetah print or black which were the bread and butter for this look. Though often times black pants can be boring and bland, these ones from Marshall's were anything but, mostly because they are super fitted and figure enhancing. I cuffed them on this particular day but un-cuffed they fall right above my ankles and are just as cute. I paired them with this cheetah printed peplum top from Deb along with these delicious nude pumps. Despite the wind and my puffy hair I still say that this outfit was a success. 

Going Green To A Cocktail Party

                 

Dress: Belk / Earrings: Francesca's Collection/ Shoes: c/o deb / Clutch: Victoria Secret via Goodwill 

So a few weeks ago I got invited to attend a Blogger Cocktail Party at Saks 5th Avenue and leading up to the event, I had no idea what to wear. I just turned 21 in May and had never been (invited) to a cocktail party before. I've been crazy busy with school here lately so I didn't have a chance to go shopping for anything until the night before. I strolled into Belk at 8:43 p.m. and in 17 minutes flat lucked up on this gorgeous jewel tone stunner. 

The moment I saw it hanging on the rack, I knew that it would go perfectly with the emerald earrings  I purchased earlier this summer at Francesca's. They were on clearance for $5! For a little fun, I added my new cheetah print pumps from Deb and my glittery Victoria Secret clutch. I felt so glamorous! 

I think part of the reason I was so attracted to this dress is because Emerald is my birth stone. I can't wear to it again, perhaps for a more casual occasion. Check back in tomorrow for a recap of the Saks Beauty Event and insider tips on Fall Beauty Trends! 

I Didn't Get Invited To The White House, But....

Top: Express via Marshall's / Pants: Express via Marshall's / Shoes: Steve Madden/ Bracelet: Rue21 / Bag: Michael Kors 

My Invite! 

I did get an invite to my Chancellor's House for a Student Leader Reception! Never would I have imagined four years ago as a freshman at N.C. State that I would eat dinner with my Chancellor, but last night it happened. As the editor-in-chief of the Nubian Message, a weekly African American newspaper at my university,  myself as well as several other Student Leaders were presented with this cool opportunity. 

I know how difficult it is to get in touch with Chancellor Woodson, (the Nubian has attempted before without luck for quotes) so to receive this invite, was a big deal! When I got it, I had no idea what I was going to wear, but I knew it needed to be polished, classy and most importantly, professional. I eventually decided on this printed peplum top from Express (via Marshall's) and these cropped black slacks (on sale for $15!). I really wanted to wear my Jessica Simpson Cheetah print heels, but ultimately decided that my black pumps with the lower heel were more appropriate for the occasion. 

We had a nice dinner of Spaghetti with cheesecake for dessert, and while the food was good, I was most impressed with the "mature" nature of the conversation my fellow peers and I had with our Chancellor. We discussed everything from the North Carolina Legislature passing a law that allows concealed weapons on UNC-Campuses (check out this article in the Nubian's sister publication, Technician) to Women's Safety on campus, and a Tweet sent by a student at App State that was among other things, racially insensitive and bigoted. 

It made for a fun evening and is just another awesome opportunity that life at N.C. State has presented me. I won't get sentimental, well...at least I'll try not to, but I must say that my school has treated me well and that I will definitely miss it come this May when I graduate! Shout out to the Class of 2014! 

 

p.s. - how bazaar is it that guests at the Chancellor's home park on the grass? o_O haha, check out Miss B chilling on his front lawn!