Don't underestimate shopping in your daughters' favorite stores. Whilst they're not likely to become our be-all and end-all shopping euphoria, the prices are ridiculously cheap, and if you seek out the right fit, fabrics and styles, you can snag yourself a wardrobe gem that doesn't look cheap or Forever 21! 

Can you guess which part of this outfit is from Forever 21? It's the cute navy tweed top with metallic gold thread, finished off with super trendy crisscross lace-up ties and gold polished grommet accents at the back.  It was a whopping $22.90, looks way grown up (is it too old for me?) and puts the trendy right back into tweed!

No, I didn't have to unlace the back and lace it back up again to get into this! It has an invisible zipper in one of the side seams. It also has a satin lining which makes it really comfortable to wear.

Tweed is of course timeless, brought to the forefront of fame by Chanel in 1924. It's had it's waning moments since then but along with tartans, the heritage trend has sprung a new shoot this fall developing into styles no longer associated with old librarians and female morticians!

Bonus - the top also looks great with another pleated skirt I have in a gold metallic fabric. Now I'm spoiled for choice. 

Tweed has always looked good with jeans and this top is no exception. Since the top is slightly cropped I prefer it with high waist jeans to eliminate the baring of midriff!

So you're probably thinking " Yikes, I'm not shopping at Forever 21, it's for teeny little teenagers who will think I've lost my mind or  left my specs at home!" You'll be surprised how many forever 51's frequent Forever 21. I've seen occasions when there hasn't been a soul under forty in the store except the girls working there! If it makes you feel any better go with your daughter, use her as the excuse as to why you're in there, "Oh, I'm with her", sounds plausible enough! If you don't have a daughter borrow someone else's, or if all else fails just brave it!

The one thing to be aware of is the sizes run small. Don't be disappointed when you find yourself slipping comfortably into a LARGE! You can always take the label out when you get home and from then on in deny all knowledge or recollection of what size it is!

I had been looking for something the same color to pair with the navy pleated skirt for a while and it was by luck I found this tweed navy top. Even more luck that it works so well with other things in my closet like the gold pleated skirt, and looks super cute with jeans too. 

For basic wardrobe pieces these types of stores are great, whether it be a simple tee-shirt that you need to wear under something or a cozy sweatshirt with some trendy detailing that you don't want to pay an arm and a leg for.  Given how rapidly the fashions come and go, if you enjoy the latest styles even if they are fleeting, these prices will definitely keep the fashionista in you afloat!

Finally, don't forget your tailor. If something really grabs you and the only way you can make it work is with a larger size that sits well in one area but is too big in another, a good tailor can make it look like it was custom made for you.  With the savings you made on the purchase price the chances are you'll still come out ahead even after alterations!
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Thank you for stopping by and have a wonderful weekend!

Karen xox

What could be easier than jumpsuit dressing? One piece only, doesn't require much thought to the coordination of other items with the exception of shoes and accessories. Not only does it offer effortless style, but the jumpsuit trend is still holding steady this season, almost to the point of encroaching on the classic evening attire of dresses. A jumpsuit strikes a pose with it's long line and fluid silhouette.  It's created a class entirely of it's own, a sort of "sophistichic"!

This is a silk jumpsuit by Parker.  I've worn it mostly for evening events, my own birthday party one year, someone else's birthday party and various other shindigs that required a certain level of sophisticated dress code.  It has to be one of my all time favorite purchases. It wasn't cheap, but it has been so worth it. It's classy, luxurious, and stand out stylish!

It also looks good with pumps. Even though we're in October our weather has been warm and balmy here in Arizona so sandals are still in the running.  Since the hubby and I were on our way to a nice dinner with friends I added a statement necklace for some drama. 

A leather Moto jacket takes the chill off the shoulders when the sun goes down, but still compliments the polished style adding a touch of edginess!

In my efforts to extend the longevity of this jumpsuit, I've begun a new concept for me, wearing it with a tee shirt underneath, taking the idea from those I've seen wearing a tee underneath a slip dress.  This worked out really well,  it allowed me to totally dress it down by pairing it with sneakers, not to mention stretching it across seasons by adding more coverage and therefore making it fall appropriate.

What was once a jumpsuit reserved totally for a good ole knees up in the evening with friends has now become a multi-functional  wardrobe asset. Despite the laid back vibe it still maintains a classy look due to the rich silk fabric and fine styling.

I added a bold statement cuff bracelet which would have been enough jewelry in itself, but I couldn't resist the delicate filigree choker. Rules are to be broken right?

Throw on a leather jacket and you're good to go... almost anywhere!
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Let me share a little secret with you. I bought this tee shirt specifically to go under the jumpsuit, it was only $5.99 from H&M and is actually a cropped tee. I wouldn't normally wear a cropped tee, but it's perfect for underneath the jumpsuit because it doesn't get caught up with the elasticated waist, ride up or create bulk as it sits just above the waistline.

The minute I tried on this jumpsuit I knew it was the one. It's 100% silk and feels luxurious. It has an elasticated waist which I could wear a belt over but I prefer not to as I don't actually have a waist to accentuate, so less is more for me! It has a cross over top with spaghetti straps and super cute ruching at the ankle.
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Not convinced yet. Try this for size, jumpsuits are flattering for most body types, including plus size girls.  Whether you choose a body skimming style or prefer a looser fit, there are certainly enough to choose from in styles that can provide folds and draping to camouflage any of our midlife wiggly bits.

Whether you prefer the form fitting or free flowing look throughout, you can always belt it if you want a slimmer pinched in waist. Either way you get a polished look that is sexy for day or night and ultimately required very little effort. The best styles are always the effortless ones!

I can't think of a jacket or coat that doesn't look good with a jumpsuit. I've worn mine with a Moto jacket and a denim jacket. They also look good with bomber jackets, a utility jacket, a cozy cardigan, a kimono (which I've also worn this jumpsuit with) and even a mid-length or long coat. 

For me, this has to be one of the seasons top picks taking you from couch to cocktail party with just a change of shoes.  This exact jumpsuit is still available in all sizes and is the first thumbnail linked below. I've also linked a gorgeous red one piece also by Parker as well as a couple of other brands.

Thank you for stopping by this week, and I hope you have a great weekend to look forward to!

Karen xox
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Previously limited to the grunge department unless actually wearing them for exercise, jogger pants were only a small step up from lounging in PJ's all day.  Hardly surprising, since they are athleisure wear.  Not the case anymore... enter the fashion trending jogger pants, the new wave entering the playing field are carving a re-launch of this old informal favorite!
 
Joggers have been re-invented in a variety of hybrid crossovers. A sort of trouser, if you will, made to look like joggers with a cuffed or ruched ankle. Even those with no ankle cuffs have the addition of side stripes creating the illusion of track pants. Still in high demand are the classics we all know and love in a variety of cozy cottons, comfortable loose fitting form, elasticated waist and ankles.  Fabric options are no longer limited to the old norms. This season's coveted options of satin, silk and velvet are among the choices available, as well as classic cotton twill for a more formal interpretation.

Fall tentatively flutters it's way back into our lives for those of us in Arizona at the end of a long hot summer and  the excitement of wearing a jacket looms ahead like a chocolate fudge sundae after a four month diet!  It's not cold enough for a coat, but a jacket is the perfect transitional piece to take you from summer into fall and beyond.

Here is my pick of five jacket styles that are still carrying a major torch on the fashion scene of hot trends this season. I've linked several cute finds beneath each style that you can shop directly from the thumbnail.

Palazzo pants, also known as wide leg pants, generally fit around the body, flaring into fullness as they gain distance from the hips such that when standing still, they take on the effect of wearing a mid length or long skirt.  

Until now I've never had my "Lady in Red" moment! This is the first red dress I've owned since a red pinafore dress my grandmother made me when I was five years old. Why has it taken me fifty years to do this? I've had all out pink dresses, the brightest of floral dresses, all of which I could have been seen from outer space in, but why not red?

With the beginning of September upon us, most people across the US are starting to think about fall, whether it be the upcoming holiday plans, when they will have their first taste of pumpkin anything, or what they will need for their fall wardrobe. Even here in Arizona, we're thinking about fall in a drooling sort of way -  for us it means only four more weeks at the mercy of the desert's relentless heat, hooray!

A number of styles are playing a huge role this coming fall / winter season and plaid is one of them. Plaid prints and bold checks from seasons past are not going anywhere.  It is my theory that the buffalo check is the continuation and grown up version if you will, of gingham!

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!

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.