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Working Girl Wednesdays: Office Chic Handbag

Hi Ladies!

Every week I’m going to bring you one office inspired piece.  This week, I want to discuss this handbag from Macy’s.

Normally $78.00, it is currently on sale for $45.99.  I like this bag because it is versatile, large enough to pack your lunch in, and still has some stylish details….all for under $50.  It’s a good synthetic (aka not leather) alternative to an expensive handbag.  If you are looking for a seasonless bag, try it in the black…but they also have it available in white which would be great for the spring and summer months!

Shop the Trend: One Shoulder Tops

This past weekend I went out Salsa Dancing (more on that soon) and out to a few bars.  There is one trend out there right now that is impossible to miss: one shoulder tops! I’ve scoured the shops to find the best ones to fit your budget, and your body type!

1. Perfect for slender or athletic body types, try this top from Macy’s, currently on sale for $23.99.  It accentuates both shoulders and also comes in black!

2. If you have a small bust, try adding ruffles! This top is actually the least expensive, from Kmart on sale for $7.49.  It comes in three other colors!

3. If you are busty or plus sized, try this one shoulder number from Fashion Bug, currently on sale for $14.05!  What I like about this one (besides the fact that it goes up to 3x) is that it has a small strap on the other side, so that you can still wear a regular bra with it.

4. Another top for small busts or just “average” sized girls, try this hot pink ruffled top from Forever 21 for $19.80.

5. Good for ALL body types, try this printed one shoulder top from JCPenney, on sale for $24.99.  The print and rouching details will hide any flaws you are self conscious about.  Add a wide belt to define a waist!

As for how to wear these tops, try them with dress pants and a cardigan or blazer for the office, dark jeans for a night out, or denim shorts for the weekend!

Do you have any one shoulder tops? Send pics and be featured on the SmartStyleTips blog as a smart stylin’ reader!

Leave your thoughts in the comments and be sure to follow me on Twitter!

Sale alert!

I went walking the mall for you know, blog research, and discovered that Charolotte Russe has a ton of tanks, both novelty and basic, on sale 2 for $10! If you liked my post about tanks, def go check it out!

Spurge, Deal, or Steal and Wear it 3 Ways!

If you are looking for a fun and versatile pair of wedge sandals, look no further! I’ve found the look for less right here for you, with these black patent t-strap wedges!

Where to buy it:

1. Enzo Angiolini, $98.95, Zappos.com. This sandal sports a 4.5 inch heel with a 1 inch platform on the front.  It has a true patent leather upper, and also comes in red and yellow.  Available in sizes 5.5-10.5.

2. Gabriella Rocha Longs, $63.95, Zappos.com. Similar in style and color, this sandal has a 4 inch heel with 1 inch platform on the front.  However, it has a man-made upper (not true patent leather) and is available in size 5.5-12.  Also, this sandal comes in navy, plum, and white patent.

3. Audrey Brooke Getaway Wedge Sandal, $39.95, DSW. Extra $10 thru June 28th using code TAKE10 (online only!) makes this shoe only $29.95! 4.5 inch wedge with 1 inch platform on the front, man-made upper.  Available in sizes 5-12 in regular width and 7-12 in wide width, it comes in the largest size range of the three of these pairs.  Great deal on these! It also comes in purple and red!

I’ll be honest with you….I’m trying to save money and not spend, but this blog is making it very hard…I LOVE these wedges, especially in the purple.  I totally need them, right?! Perhaps after I make that car payment…

How to wear it:

These sandals transition great from office, to weekend, to date night.  Here’s how!

Office: You may recognize the cardigan wrap (1) from this post, it’s currently on sale at Macy’s for $20.00.  Pair it with a printed top, like this keyhole top from Old Navy(2) for $19.50 (or if you buy it online this weekend, you can get it for 30% off!) and a pair of black capris (3), like these, also from Old Navy, currently $26.50.

Weekend: Pair the printed top(2) with a pair of shorts(4).  These black cotton shorts also from Old Navy, $19.50.  A pair of denim shorts would work well here too.

Night Out: Cardigan wrap (1), printed top (2) and a pair of dark, skinny jeans (5).  These jeans again, from Old Navy, $29.50  (Diva Skinny Jeans in the “Rinse” wash, comes in short and long lengths as well!).

Hope this helps open your mind up to how easy it is to take a basic wedge sandal from day to night to weekend, giving you more BANG for your buck!  Also, if you fall in love with an item, it pays to shop around a bit to see if you can find something similar for less. You may notice here that there are a lot of basic items listed…be sure to check out my post about building your “inventory” of basic items that helps you transition from day to night!

Leave your love in the comments, and be sure to follow me on Twitter!

Work Must Have: Flowy Cardigan

I’ve gotten requests for work attire that is affordable, versatile, and trendy.  Here is my first must-have piece, a flowy cardigan, like this one from Macy’s, currently on sale for $20.00.

Here is why I love this:

1.  Super lightweight fabric makes it okay in the summer (especially if your office blasts the AC).

2. Comes in three colors (all neutrals) and even petite sizes.

3. A top layering piece like this one helps pull together your outfit.

4. You can wear just about anything under it–cami, tank, short sleeve tee, blouse, and in the winter even a long sleeve knit top.  This is a big reason I like this–versatile pieces like this one really help you stretch your wardrobe and dollars.

5. So comfy and flowy you will feel like you are wrapping a blanket around you!

6.  Flattering on just about all body types,  even those of us who are more endowed than others (not me).

7.  Works great from day to night, office to the weekend….

There are a lot of similar styles out right now in the stores, so anything similar to this will work.  I have a few and I live in them!

What do you think? Would something like this work in your office? Let me know in the comments or tweet me!

SALE ALERT!

You’ve probably seen the commercials alerting you of the 30% off the entire store at Old Navy this weekend….but starting today, you can get the deal online!  What’s great about the Old Navy Website is that they have a lot of extended sizes and exclusive online-only styles.  It’s a great time to stock up on some tanks like the ones I talked about here!

Smart Buy: Novelty Tanks

First of all, I know it’s been awhile since I have been on here. I apologize! I just started a new job and I’ve been a little nuts with that.  However, my co-worker is starting a fashion blog (as soon as it’s up and running I’ll let you know!) and it inspired me to get back on here.  Look for more posts in the coming weeks!

Okay, on to the important stuff.

It’s mid summer and it’s hot as hell out there.  How do you look good while staying cool? Try some novelty tanks! What I love about tank tops is that you can so easily transition them into fall and winter by layering them with wraps, blazers, or cardigans.  But for now, try to find inexpensive tanks that have a little detailing on it to jazz it up.  The solid ones will still be versatile, but not boring.  Look for things like buttons, ruffles, and crochet trim to name a few.  Wear it by itself, or layer a basic tank in a contrasting color underneath to add some pop to the tank!

Here are some examples of inexpensive novelty (and one basic) tanks I found online for you all:

1. Pintuck Tank Top–$12.99, Target. Comes in several other colors as well.  This tank would be really cute under a blazer in the fall or to the office, the detailing makes it look similar to a tuxedo type top, plus the straps are wide enough where you could probably get away with this as a “sleeveless” top versus a tank if you work in an office that has a strict dress code.

2. Crochet trim racer back tank–$10.00, Old Navy. Comes in other stripes as well as some solids.  Love the neck detailing here, really jazzes this up!

3. Layered Look Henley tank–$6.99-$8.99, JCPenney. Comes in petite, misses, and plus sizes, in several colors. Also, this is a “2-fer” tank, as in, the white cami piece is part of the tank, so you get the layered look without all the extra fabric! (Really good if you live somewhere especially hot.) And at this price, you can’t beat it!

4. Triangle Studs Top–$5.99-$7.99, JCPenney. Also comes in petite, misses, and plus sizes in several colors.

5. Skinny Strap Stretch Cotton Tank–$10.00, Victoria’s Secret Online. Remember how we talked about basics? This is your basic! You can wear it by itself or layered under just about anything.  The blend of cotton with a touch of spandex will help these tops retain their shape, and the thin fabric and form fitting silhouette is ideal for layering.  This comes in 11 colors in sizes XS-XL.

6. Henley Tank–$4.99-$7.99, Old Navy. I actually own this tank in 2 colors.  It’s on clearance so it won’t last long.  The tank is a looser fit and the material is fantasticly thin and cool.  It looks really good layered and again, you can’t beat this price!

Have you been stocking up on tanks? Where did you get yours? Do you wear your tanks year round? Leave your thoughts in the comments!

Also–I’m looking for suggestions for upcoming posts.  What do you want to see?

Dreaming of warmer weather

If  you live anywhere in the mid-atlantic, you probably are really wishing it was summer about now (like I am).  Well here come the sandals! Check out these cute ones from Target for $24.99.  They have great ratings and this color will go with a lot this spring and summer.  Once the warm weather hits, wear them with jeans and a lightweight knit top.    What do you think? Are you ready for spring weather??

Splurge!

Ok, so you’ve been good right? You deserve a little treat.  Maybe you’ve gotten a tax refund and you don’t want to put it ALL in savings.  If you are looking for a great splurge,  think about investing in a nice handbag.  Check out this gorgeous leather handbag by MICHAEL Michael Kors, $348 from Nordstrom.  It comes in 4 colors, but I think this Luggage color is great for a year round bag–it matches everything!

What have you splurged on recently?  Will you spend part of your tax refund on part of your new Spring wardrobe? Leave your thoughts in the comments!