An LBD for the office

The nice thing about a little black dress is that you only need one. That’s the whole point. You’ve got one simple dress and by pairing it with different shoes and accessories, you’re able to create an entirely new look.

This LBD is a great option for the office since most of us go to work every day of the week. But be weary, knowing how to change it up every time you wear it is the difference between being a savvy fashionista and an outfit repeater.

This dress, made by Zara, is tailored perfectly for the office. Resting above the knees, it’s conservative enough while still letting you show off those legs you’ve been working so hard on. And the bust tailoring gives it a formal edge that we often look for in work attire.

It’s much more appropriate for the office than this LBD, so be careful when choosing an office dress and make sure it’s right for the occasion.

But enough about the dress. The real heroes in this outfit are the shoes. Block heels made a comeback last fall and it doesn’t look like it’s slowing down anytime soon. I like the retro style because they’re mod, different and easy to walk in. I’ve worn these shoes on a night out and was able to dance with my friends, run from the creeps and not have to sit down every five minutes. These are shoes worth buying.

Outfit Destinations:

Office

Gala

Networking event

Dress: Zara | Heels: Chie Mahara | 

{ Photography: Natalie Craig }

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Dare I say simple?

Sometimes a great outfit is all about versatility. Staple pieces, neutral colors and appropriately fitting clothes have much to do with how many occasions your outfit will work for.

The outfit I’m wearing below is simple, but it works for casual Fridays at work, dinner afterwards and bar hopping later that night. And there’s nothing wrong with simplistic outfits. In fact, you’ll end up wearing them more and getting more bang for your buck out of pieces you’ve invested in.

Step #1: Find a neutral color you like.

Neutral colors aren’t always black and white, people. These clay-colored jeans from Anthropologie are great for pairing with, and though they have a purple undertone, they’re still neutral. Having colorful undertones keeps you from looking monochromatic. Other colors like this include shades of beige and grey. 

Outfit destinations:

Dinner

Concert

Gallery opening

Step #2: Choose pieces with subtle details.

The satin top, also manufactured by Anthropologie (literally my favorite store lately), is tailored perfectly. There’s nothing worse than trying on a cute tank or a blouse just to find that it hasn’t been cut and tailored properly to give you a flattering shape. 

Though the tank is—dare I say simple—the draw strings on the side give it an elegant edge. It’s not too much, but not too little, either.

Step #3: Give those shoes another chance:

The leather Michael Kors wedges on my feet haven’t gotten much love lately. Last time I wore them was in March 2015, but since I paired them with this outfit, they’ve been making more appearances in my everyday outfits.

Maybe you’ve thrown something to the back of your closet to be forgotten forever or lost among the millions of other shoes you have? Well, go look for them! Maybe you didn't like them before, but as styles continue to change, so do your own personal tastes. 

Pants & Tank: Anthropologie | Wedges: Michael Kors

{ Photography: Natalie Craig }

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Welcome to my Crib

For the past two months I’ve taken a break from fashion blogging to work on something a bit more long-term—furnishing my new apartment.

Since I last posted about graduation, I’ve gotten a new job, a new boyfriend and a cozy one-bedroom apartment in Chicago’s Lakeview neighborhood. And I am loving it so far.

As this is my first apartment all to myself, I got to decorate it just the way I wanted to. I went for a simplistic chic vibe, choosing black wood furniture with little trim or embellishments while sticking to earth tones and shades of white.

My favorite room is the living area, mostly because of the couch, which is manufactured by Ikea.  It’s comfy, spacious and great for lounging on for hours.

So check out the photos below and take a virtual step into my personal sanctuary.

Sofa: Ikea; Throw blanket: Target; Coffee table: Ikea

Coaster: Anthropologie 

Television & DVD player: Sony; Shelving unit: Ikea; Lamp: Ikea; Candles: Anthropologie

Bar & stools: Ikea

Flower vase: Anthropologie

Shower curtain: Target; Bath mat: T.J Maxx

Bath towels: Anthropologie

Bed frame: Ikea; Purple Comforter: Anthropologie; White comforter: QVC; Decorative pillows: Anthropologie

Nightstand: Ikea; Lamp; Ikea

Dresser: Ikea; Mirror: Ikea; Rug: T.J. Maxx