The minute I saw this sleeveless top with the roll neck it reminded me of something Jackie Kennedy Onassis would have worn. As one of the most undeniably great style icons in history, I had a picture of her in my minds eye wearing this top with big over-sized sunglasses. This vision firmly transferred itself in my head as me, minus the Manhatten penthouse and the 325 ft yacht!

​The fabric is a woven polyester/spandex mix providing a crepe texture and a super comfortable fit with  just enough stretch. The fabric weight is such that the wide neckline with fold over collar sits perfectly without collapsing and the straight cut of the body hangs flawlessly covering a multitude of dinner and cocktail sins!

​Tried and tested, I washed this top on a cold gentle cycle with like colors, dried it on a very low heat for a short time and it came out like new. It may require a light press, which I did on the reverse, a habit I have so as not to create shine on the garment face.

This is a top that will ease it's way into fall simply by pairing it with a blazer or a long cardigan. I love not having the bulk that sleeves add when wearing cardigans or slim fitting jackets over a top.  It also comes in black and it's inexpensive enough to buy both color ways at only $24.99 each!  ​

Paired with ankle length skinny jeans the overall look is balanced. The extra leg length, rather than a capri or cropped style creates the illusion of being taller especially when the top is longer as in this case. Sky high stilettos help with the altitude too! These AG jeans are my absolute favorite brand by far for skinny jeans. They are still selling like hot cakes and they're definitely worth the investment from both a comfort and style perspective. Consider also wearing this top with long flared pants or a mid length pencil skirt for a smarter formal look.

Pearl earrings and bracelet are my preferred choice of accessories to heighten the sophisticated feel and to temper the distressed jeans. Plus the silk scarf tied around the handbag throwing a little pattern and French chic in honor of Jackie's descent on the side of her father!  

Jackie proves that classic never goes out of style!

​Thank you for stopping by lovelies!
Karen xox

Keeping up with the fast pace of fashion on a modest budget is a challenge to say the least. Just when you think you're covered with an outfit for every occasion, at the sight of an invitation to something you suddenly find yourself  with nothing to wear! Have you ever pondered your closet and wondered if you hadn't bought so many clothes you could have purchased the Louis Vuitton purse or the Gucci shoes, probably yes! Well you still can, at a fraction of the cost. With a few extra pennies from heaven to help keep your closet current, consignment may keep the fashionista in you afloat!

A floral wrap dress is the ultimate favorite for comfort, effortless style and summer chic. The simplicity of a one piece garment begs only the question of what accessories to add.  Easy to pack and lightweight, so no worries on exceeding the weight limit for checked baggage if you're travelling, plus they need little or no ironing when you get to your destination.  Cosy it up with a scarf in the evening, a denim jacket or even a leather jacket during the cooler seasons.  Plus, a wrap dress accommodates both our fat and thin days with ease, and who doesn't need clothes that do that?

There are some things in fashion that I've loved since I can remember despite the coming and going of current trends. Whether considered by those in the know as "in" or "out" I couldn't have cared less, I've been wearing pink since I was able to buy my own clothes, and animal prints have never really been out of fashion. I've undoubtedly made adjustments over the course of time yielding to a particular hue of pink or a varying print of leopard in order to stay on top of my game, but never have the two favorites waned.

There are very few clothes that are comfortable to wear during the middle of the summer in Arizona, and very few clothes is about all that is humanly possible to handle when the temperature soars from anywhere between 105 to 120 degrees with the addition of humidity which increases during the monsoon months of August and September.

Pants are the last thing we normally contemplate during this season, but here's a pair that can happily take you from day to night without feeling that you're wearing pants or anything at all for that matter.  They're light and airy, loose fitting, comfortable, don't crease, don't stick or show perspiration.  Another great find from H&M at only $19.99 and they're bound to hold their own through a couple of seasons if not a couple of years.

Here's a romper that transcends age.  I officially name it the "wide leg romper". The style is misleading, looking more like a dress, the perfect sundress that's mini but not minuscule. This little cutie, the Palma Romper from Anthropologie allows you to go romper all you like without the fear of losing your dignity and it has more than it's fair share of stylish details.  But best of all it's currently on sale at 50% off and is still available on-line as well as in some stores.

There's something summery about clothes that billow in the breeze, loose fitting yet drape the body just enough to float airily and swing effortlessly as we walk. This Valerie Stevens blouse, courtesy of Stage Stores has it all, plus it's perfect for the soaring Arizona temperatures, and the best part - it's currently on sale for $9.99.  Click on any of the pictures below to take you right to the store whilst it's still available.

White jeans are the go to when all else fails no matter the time of year.  If it's cold outside they're  considered winter whites and a wardrobe staple during the warmer months - the essential summer whites. Easy to wear, easy to pair with any color, can be dressed up or down and look glamorous, chic and cool. 

Going in search of jeans can be a daunting task, not least of all the "great white" jeans. Here are my favorites, some that I own and some that I'd like to own! I hope you'll found some ideas worth trying.

When a dress works in a casual setting, a smart setting and a few more in between you've got a pretty good deal. This Zara dress is the perfect style to turn into a host of different looks effortlessly and effectively and it's less than $50.  But, you can just as easily take a  plain dress you may already own and turn it into a stylish chameleon with a few tricks and inexpensive accessories.

Living in a warm climate generally lends itself to casual attire, Arizona is no exception. It ranks high on the list of flip flop wearers despite there being no beach!  However, there comes a time when a closet full of casual clothes isn't going to suffice.  A pair of tailored pants is all you need to take you from meeting with your accountant to dinner with the girls!

French women have long been known for wearing silk scarves in the most stylish manner.  Today the scarf seems to have regained popularity especially the little neck ties.  I've recently found myself enjoying some silk scarves I've had in my closet for thirty years or so, as well as new ones more recently purchased. So here I share some of those looks and how I've used the scarf to change up an outfit.

A casual spring, summer and fall ensemble made up of two perfectly easy to wear items that are so on point not just from a trend perspective but also on price.   A flat buttery soft slide shoe with decorative bow detail and a cold shoulder flow easy tee shirt.  If you're not a pink fan, no worries, this tee shirt also comes in six other colors, and the shoes are also available in black.

This latest trend of high low hem jeans, also known as the step hem is not something I saw coming!  Initially it seemed bizarre, but as with all things fashion if seen often enough, it inevitably catches on.  The drawback is how expensive this style is to purchase, I've seen prices ranging  from $150 to well over $200.  So, I decided to take a very old pair of jeans and risk the alteration experiment.  I'm glad I did, it was easy, they turned out well and pretty authentic looking.   

My obsession with the kimono began a few years back, when I saw one of the "Real Beverley Hills Housewives" wearing a brightly colored sheer floaty cardigan on the show and I knew I had to find something similar.  It took a year to find one I really loved, and this is it. 

Here's a simple outfit that works for a casual get together, lunch or dinner.  It has a rustic feel to it with the black and tan color scheme. The saddle bag and tan suede shoes add to the somewhat "country" theme, but the leopard print sends it "down town" along with the ballet style lace up sandals.