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1.31.2013

Thursday's Insta-Threads

I've had so many questions lately on what I wear to work each day. I know it can be tricky trying to balance the corporate work attire/Idon'twanttolooklikeanoldfuddydutty feeling. I work in a corporate building and struggle with the same thing from time to time. Everyone tends to look like a million bucks around here, but the repeating the typical black on black combo each day is a snoozefest.

So, to give you guys a glimpse into my work attire, I decided to start Thursday's Insta-Threads to show you what I wear to work on the average weekday. Yes, these are quick iPhone snaps, bear with me. Hopefully this will help alot of you that may or may not struggle with this decision each morning have a little inspiration and ideas as to how you can dress at work each morning and not feel too much like a corporate robot! Unless you want to feel that way, then that's fine.

So here's a little bit about what I'm wearing today. It's chilly out for the first time in a few weeks, so I had to layer it up a little bit. One of my favorite skirts is a camel wool mini I got from Gap years ago, but it's definitely seasonal and is a winter item...so I like to get as many reps in of this bad boy as I can before spring rolls around! I paired it with my favorite denim button down, some pearls (because I'm a lady that's why) aaaaand then I decided to throw a fleece vest over it because it's cold outside. And I like vests. And maybe I spilled my morning smoothie on my shirt right before I walked out the door and need a quick cover-up.

An easy way to wear a mid-thigh skirt around the office is to wear some opague tights underneath so you don't feel like your legs are too revealed. And because I can walk better in prefer the ankle boot to the stiletto pump, I slipped on a chunky grey suede bootie to keep the tootsies warm.

A side note about those of you that like to wear a bold lip color now and then. Sometimes it can seem too much for the office, so if you want to rock a bold color, then keep the rest of the makeup to a minimum. Today I just did a slight cateye with my eyeliner, no eyeshadow, a swipe of mascara and then my red lips. You don't want to look like you're going to prom walking into quarterly meetings.

Tune in each Thursday for my corporate threads!









Top: H&M; Vest: Old Navy; Skirt: Gap; Tights: Hue; Boots: Target; Watch: Michael Kors; Bag: Rebecca Minkoff; Lips: NARS 'Heat Wave'



1.25.2013

Way-to-Wear Series: The White Tee {At Work}


If you guys are anything like me, you find yourself hoping and wishing for a bigger closet and more options in your day-to-day wardrobe. It's nice to feel like you're changing things up and not cycling through the same outfits each week! For many of us, money is tight and we're on a strict budget, so we have to work with items we have. This week, I'm going to focus in on quite arguably THE most important wardrobe staple to have (at least in my opinion): THE WHITE TEE.

Having a go-to white tshirt is like, a lifeline. When all else fails you can throw it on for any occasion, and, with my help, I'll show you how you can style it for all occasions!

It can be tough finding that perfect white tee - the one that feels slouchy and worn but fits perfectly in all the areas you want it to. I found a great one at BCBG last month, and it was on sale. I was totally on Cloud 9. Then I decided to wear it out on New Year's Eve. Crowded bars + people dancing + me drinking cranberry drinks all night = ruined white tee. I literally laughed out loud when I looked at my shirt the next morning. What a dummy I am.

Anyway - for the first installment of this series I'll show you how you can dress up that white tee for an option at work. Who knew a white tee could be so versatile!? You're probably thinking umm..a white cotton t-shirt at work!? Yeah right. Well, my sweet friends, it can be done. And it can be done oh so perfectly.

Though many corporate offices require business professional attire, there are ways to look trendy around the workplace without feeling like an old lady. Incorporate color, accessories and pattern into your daily looks for a chance to personalize otherwise bland attire. There's no reason to not show a little bit of who you are and glam up the office a little bit!


White Tee at Work


You can pair your favorite white tee with a great pair of tailored, cropped pants. The white tee will dress down the slick pants, and vice versa. If the work place allows it, wear some colored pants. Many retailers make great options for the office in gorgeous jewel tones and shades. If not, then use the chance to wear a great statement necklace or scarf over your white tee and slacks or skirt to spruce it up a little. Fun shoes are also a a great way to make a statement!

Your casual cotton white tee can be so appropriate around the work place if you dress it up and disguise it with some fab accessories. No one will even notice your comfy staple of a top when your whole outfit is making a presence!

Here's how I'd style my white tee with items from my own closet for a day at the office!

Stay tuned for more ways to wear that tee!


What I'm Wearing: Tee: Gap; Pants: Express; Scarf: F21; Clutch: Target; Shoes: Aldo

1.23.2013

Greenie


Something about a monochromatic look is so attractive to me. I love the idea of wearing all one color - whether it's all the same shade or more of an ombre style like I've done here...

Green is the color of the season, guys. Lucky for me, I like the shade and have no problem pulling it out as much as possible! I love that mint is still in, and I decided to change up my usual pairings and throw another shade of mint on top of my favorite mint denim. For some reason I have Brittany Murphy singing the "Mentos" song in the movie Clueless in my head....too many "mints" in one sentence.

What do you guys think? 50 shades of green not your thing? I'm a big advocate of comfy, slouchy looks, as long as they look somewhat polished. This was a grab-lunch-on-a-Saturday kind of look, but I could have just thrown some nude or leopard (because leopard is a neutral these days) pumps on and I could have been ready for a night on the town!





Sweater: Old Navy (old); Denim: Zara; Boots: Dolce Vita; Clutch: Target (recently on clearance); Necklace: Chloe + Isabel

1.22.2013

Camoflage & Pearls

I grew up with a dad who owns a hunting business. Camo was never in short supply around our house and it certainly was no stranger in our closets. While it typically was limited to Saturdays out at the ranch (at least for me), I so love that the fatigues are now on designer and department store shelves as apart of everyday wear. I grabbed this top on a whim to wear as a jacket over a white tank for a casual tomboy look, but I love the unexpected look it creates when it's buttoned and a little more polished with girly accessories. My dad is either going to applaud my unexpected use of his favorite print or spit on me for disgracing the hunting gods. 

Also...with the 70 degree weather we've had in Austin, I've been tempted to bust out the shorts. However, seeing my pasty white legs that have been covered up for a couple of months is disgusting and alarming. Where's the sunshine and summer heat!? I'm ready.







Top: Cotton On (available in-store); Trench: BCBGeneration; Shorts: Guess (similar); Bag: Marc by Marc Jacobs (old - color out of stock, but available here); Booties: Steve Madden (old); Necklaces: Express, Francesca's; Watch: Michael Kors; Sunglasses: Ray-ban

1.10.2013

Simple Denim Boho


Top: H&M; Jeans: Express; Booties: Target; Bag: GiGi Hill; Fedora: F21




1.08.2013

Snapshots of Favorites


A few of my favorite things in life lately via some snapshots on my Instagram...


My sweet border collie mix puppy, Parker.

Some homemade art for my walls.

New kicks.

My sweet sister's engagement to the love of her life!

Christmas with loved ones out at the ranch.

Ringing in 2013 in Dallas with some of my favorite people!

Who doesn't love a brand new Rebecca Minkoff bag and some new bling?!

Boxing & Kickboxing workouts. I'm seriously, seriously obsessed!


For more pics, follow me on Instagram: @blaineashley

1.07.2013

Dressed Down Sparkle


I wore this little sequin number out on NYE - cliche, I know. But I HAD to wear something with sequins! I dressed it up a little more that night, but I definitely decided that it wasn't going to be the last time this season I wore that thing.

I kind of love the aesthetic of dressing down otherwise glammed up pieces. It's fun to add a little pop of fancy to our lives, even on the average Monday dinner date. Or Sunday afternoon lunch. I say there's nothing wrong with it. Am I right or am I right?

So, because I'm all about comfort when it's chilly outside, I swapped out my torn up skinny jeans and I threw on this mini with my slouchy tank, cozy sweater and my favorite sneaks to spice up the casual look. It's so fun to wear pieces in an unexpected way for an effortless style!

Who said you have to save the sequins for fancy heels, dressy tops and special occasions? 
Not I said the fly.






Tank: F21; Sweater: Old Navy; Skirt: MM Couture; Sneakers: F21 (old, similar here); Lips: NARS 'Heat Wave'

1.02.2013

2012 Rewind

A look back at some of my favorite looks from the past year.

Thank you all for your support and love! I've had some great experiences and opportunities through my blog and I'm looking forward to the future and seeing where it takes me!

Cheers to 2013 :) We made it! Nice try, Mayans.