Every now and again I like to wear something I’ve worn, but in a different way. I like to mix things up a bit. It really is what keeps my wardrobe from getting stale.

I wore this dress on my birthday and again this week. I found it on clearance for $9.98 at Fashion Bug. I paired it with a denim jacket, Coach sandals and jewelry. For work I work a hot pink jacket, boots and jewelry.

As you can see by wearing my hair differently and changing up a few pieces the outfit looks different. I like both.

The first pictures were taken outside of Jeni J’s in Grafton. If you’ve never been you should go. Not only does she got some great glam for fashionistas, but some really good wine too. Of course the second look was in my apartment and I’m still trying to find the right spot.

What do you do to give an item a second look?

The worst thing that can happen is when you get stuck in a style rut. Fortunately for me that doesn’t happen too often, but when it does I  like to be prepared.

As the weather changes over and it’s time to swap out the sandals for closed toed shoes I start to get bummed. Not that I enjoy the extreme heat, I just like the footwear. Plus, I haven’t pulled out my boots from storage. (I have one pair I kept out and I plan on wearing then this week.)

So as I wait for the weekend so I can get what I need out of boxes I’ve instead opted for colored hosiery instead.

No. 1 — My whole outfit (minus the necklace) cost $15. I thrifted the dress for $2, the booties and tights were clearance items, $8 and $3, and the long sweater was a yard sale find for $2, plus it was NWT. The lariat style necklace I purchased Fashion Bug for $14 (I also got the pair of earrings I’m wearing in outfit No. 2 for $5)

No. 2 — Skirt and top previously owned. I purchased the tights on clearance, $3, and paired them with my newly thrifted $2.15 fuchsia colored shoes. I accessorized with earrings, bracelets and a large floral ring.

As most of you know I have a passion for fashion. I don’t know when it started, but one of the reasons I believe I enjoy putting together outfits is that it gives for me its self esteem booster.

I want to look good whenever I go out. So as the seasons change and I’m not prepared I have to do something to “make it work,” as Tim Gunn would say. I believe that by wearing tights with my open-toe booties and fuchsia sandals I’m able to transition my style for fall.

I think it’s a “tight” look. What do you think? Do you wear colored tights and if so what looks do you like to put with them?

This past weekend I celebrated my birthday and it was a good time spent with family and friends. One of the gifts I received inspired my outfit today.

My friend Jen gave me a bottle of wine with a really cool label of a pin up girl. She also gave me a wine cork holder too. The colors and curves sparked my imagination on what to wear.

Real pin up style starts next to the skin with waist cinching girdles, bullet bras and garters. Not something you may not be able to wear to work, but totally sexy for a night out.

The style is about being tailored to fit too. No matter what your size, you can work it. Bright and bold pattern such as animal prints, cherries and polka dots go great. Also high heels are a must. The hair style is soft waves and curls.

Pin up style is all about enhancing what you’ve got. If you’ve got the curves, then by gosh show ‘em off.

Remember to dress like a woman, always smile and work what you’ve got. Confidence is sexy and this is a look that requires it with coming across as arrogant.

For the office I didn’t go all out with the look, but I do believe my outfit is reminiscent of the 1940s style. What do you think?

I think red is and always will be the cool color to wear. It gives a retro vibe and paired with my leopard print cardigan (thrifted, $3) and Vera Wang peep-toe pumps (clearance Kohl’s, $5) I pulled of this vintage inspired style.

Are you someone who would wear the look? If so, what is it about the style do you like?

It only happens every four years. No it’s not leap year, but rather the fact that I can get a new license by my birthday. This year it only took me 10 minutes to renew my license, which included a  photo.

Since I knew I would be getting my photo taken I prepared myself. I made sure I had a good hair day and well for the first time in years I actually like my photo on my license.

I wanted something fun and cheery. I like this geometric print top with red shrug. I goes great with the dark denim capris and and black peep-toe booties.

So thank you Illinois Secretary of State for starting my birthday off right this year. Today is the big day and I plan to celebrate. I guess you could say I’ve got my license for style!

I’ve been sort of a fashion slump lately. It’s not really been my clothes, more so my coif. I need a new “do,” or rather I need to get my hair professionally straightened again.

I like my long locks and it’s taken me awhile to grow them out, but the frizz that is starting to appear is driving me crazy. Since I had my first treatment more than a year ago I’ve found something that’s forever transformed the way I feel.

I may call it a Brazilian blowout, but it’s not the one that’s been making recent beauty headlines. It’s a keratin treatment and it doesn’t contain the formaldehyde.  Even if it did, I would still want the treatment because it really has transformed the way I feel about my look.

The treatment, the one thay reportedly contains the potent carcinogen, is most harmful to the stylists applying the product because they do it day after day.

Anyway I wore my hair back because it was just one of those days.

I picked orange and black because it felt appropriately fall.  I found these Apt. 9 carpis last fall at Kohl’s on clearance  for less than $5. I picked up the orange Michael Kors top at Macy’s for less than $15 and the denim jacket was a yard sale find for $2. I recently thrifted the Mary-Jane wing tipped Franco Sarto shoes for $3 (they retail for $79.)  I accessorized with gold jewelry.

What do you wear when you’re feeling a “bad hair day?” How often do you change your hair style?

This past weekend I splurged on the latest InStyle magazine. It’s probably one of my favorites, especially the pages Instant Style and Your Look pages.

I often get inspired by some of the outfits I see and usually these are the ones that I transfer into my “Look Book.” Of course I saw one I liked and really would likely never though of putting it together if I hadn’t seen the photo.

I’ve had this dress, which is a summer sleeveless one,  for years. I love the length of it. I grabbed a T-shirt from my drawer that I purchased several years ago at Old Navy and a cropped jacket from Target from the closet to complete the look

I’m also wearing peep-toe booties I purchased at Kohl’s last fall on clearance .

The whole concept of The Look is to pair the long with the short. It’s not something I would have normally thought about, but the whole thing works.

For my look I didn’t wear black tights, but once it cools off I will be wearing them. I also added a black, silver studded belt, which adds a rocker vibe.

What do you think of the look? Did I pull it off?

This past week Target launched its Missoni for Target line. It was so popular with fashionistas that many of the items sold out as soon as they became available on Tuesday.

Missoni is an Italian fashion house based in Varese. It is famous for its unique knitwear, made from a variety of fabrics in colourful patterns. The company was founded by Ottavio (“Tai”) and Rosita Missoni in 1953.

I don’t like all of the patterns by Missoni, but there are some I do. This week I went to Target to look at the collection, however there was nothing I wanted. Why? It was all sold out.

Anyway I wore this sweater on Friday and I think it’s Missoni inspired.

I purchased it on clearance at Macy’s. It was less than $20. The top sweater is an actual Missoni and retails for around $800 and the bottom is Missoni for Target and retails for $44.

I think I got the Missoni look and spent way less than I would have if there had been in sweaters in the store.  I also wanted the black and white rug and it was sold out and out of stock online. I still want the rug and if they get some more I will likely get one.

Anyway what do you think of my Missoni statement in style?

There is something about wearing a cocktail dress that’s exciting. You know when you put one on that you’re attending a formal (or semi-formal) social event.

Christian Dior was the first designer to use the term “cocktail dress,” and referred to is as early evening wear in the late 1940s. The along came Coco Chanel and introduced the LBD, which became the staple of cocktail attire.

This past week I got to wear a cocktail dress to an event I attended with my friend and co-worker, Jill Moon. We attended the 40^th anniversary gala of the St. Louis Journalism Review.

I wore my new navy dress, which I thrifted NWT for $4.50. The original ticket was $135. I also thrifted a new pair of navy kitten heels for $4.97 (original, $35.)

I received quite a few compliments on this dress. My inspiration came year ago when I saw a picture of a navy cocktail dress in Marie Claire. This page is in my “look book.”

I think I did a decent job of putting the whole look together for less too. I paired it with a faux pearl necklace and bracelet (clearance, Kohl’s,) and rhinestone hoops (www.nomorerack.com), rhinestone cocktail ring (Jewels by Park Lane) and a sliver Coach wristlet (clearance, Dillards)

I really like the navy color of the dress too. I already have a few black dresses, so this broke the mold. Also blue symbolizes the purity in beauty and it really is a beautiful dress.

Women will spend quite a bit of time and money on a cocktail dress. Why? Because it makes them feel an look great, plus it really is an investment in a woman’s wardrobe. I feel I lucked out when I found this dress. I wasn’t looking for cocktail attire when I came across it, but I didn’t want to pass it up either.

When was the last time you wore a cocktail dress? Do you have a favorite?

It’s been a little crazy this week, but I managed to pull together a few looks to show you.

The common elements in both looks are black and belted.

The first look is a pin stripe skirt (thrifted, $3) a white top and black top. I’m also wearing a new pair of shoes. I actually spent more money than I normally would, but I couldn’t pass up these Coach heels for $62 (originally $180.) Don’t you love them though?

The second look is a white blouse (Macy’s, clearance) black skirt (Lane Bryant, clearance) and crocodile cardigan (Value City) and Anne Klein pumps (thrifted new, $8)

The common accessory between both looks is the skinny, black faux crocodile print belt.

I don’t know what it is about belts, but I love them. I have wide ones, skinny ones and of course a few medium size ones too. I don’t think it matters what size you wear a belt can pull any outfit together. It also defines your waste and shows off your curves.

Many women love to accessorize with jewelry, shoes and handbags. But belts can add such sophistication and style to an otherwise plain outfit.  All you need to upgrade your look sometimes is nothing more than a belt.

I always follow the rule by looking at my outfits and if it’s lacking something I add a belt.  It’s a great way to add a pop of color or print too. Think bright colored or animal print belts for some added panache.

How do you wear your belt? Do you accessorize an outfit or simply wear one as support?

I receive dozens of emails a week promoting fashion and its accessories. I enjoy getting them and often times I store the ideas for flaire FOR WOMEN, but for the most part I don’t have the time to write about all the great stuff that’s out there.

I thought I would start something new on my blog and once a week I will share with you an item that is on the market. Something I think is fashionable and I would want.

I’m showing you the Envirosax. For all of you who like to go “green” it’s the perfect solution to being eco-friendly and stylish.

After checking out the company’s website, I already plan on purchasing one. Here’s the one I picked.

I like the bags, not only because they’re reusable, but since I live in a walk up with 78 steps, I need bag I can throw over my shoulder to carry all my  items.

One of the things I like about this bag is that it rolls up and will fit in your  handbag. That way you’ll always have a shopping bag when you need it. That’s the problem I face most of the time. I will bring my groceries in or other items and then forget to take my bags back down.

I have a bag that I currently carry in my purse and it fold up for simple storage. It’s not as big as the Envirosax, so I’m looking forward to when my new purchase arrives and I’ll be able to carry more goods.

The company also sells bags in organic fabrics such as cotton, linen, hemp and bamboo.

There really is beauty in the bag! Here are just few more of their stylish choices:

How many of you carry recyclable/reusable bags? Do you prefer one type more than another? Would you want one of these?