Sunday, March 3, 2013
Sunday, October 28, 2012
Monday, September 17, 2012
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Happy Thanksgiving
Wishing you a safe, scrumptious and family filled Thanksgiving.
Magpie Style has moved to http://magpiestyle.net.
Please bookmark my new site, thanks!
Magpie Style has moved to http://magpiestyle.net.
Please bookmark my new site, thanks!
Monday, November 22, 2010
Holiday Outfit Ideas: Rose Red
Personally, I never find it difficult to dress for the holidays--one advantage of my attraction to all things shiny, velvet and jeweled! I put together several outfits for the holidays and will post each one separately.
Magpie Styling Tip: Layer several bling-y necklaces together to give an otherwise plain outfit some pop.
This outfit is perfect for a work event. Simple and elegant.
Take off the necklaces and switch out the jeweled sandals for black pumps
and you can wear it during the day.
Top: Ann Taylor Classic Wrap Top, no longer available in red
Pants: Paris Gordon Crepe-back Silk Katherine Pants. I've had these for six years and have worn them with a million different outfits. They have a slight sheen but not so shiny that you
can't wear them to work.
Necklaces: Shorter one: Banana Republic Garland Necklace from last season. Similar here.
Longer one: Ann Taylor Estate Petite Medallion Necklace
Shoes: Ann Taylor Jeweled Heels from last season
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Holiday Casual
Holiday Casual by FLWritergirl featuring a wrap sandal
I'm on a tear this weekend! This is my first polyvore set. Several of you have asked for holiday outfits so I took some photos and am going to put together some sets. This outfit is so simple and it shows how you can layer a sequin tank top over a plain white button down. It add polish and is perfect for a casual holiday get together. I like to add a little bit of color to outfits. So, I added the red sandal. I might add a red bracelet as well.
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Outfit Copy Cat
I love Jessica Quirk's blog What I Wore. I saw the outfit she posted on her site and realized I had all the elements to copy it! I added a little twist of my own with a caramel-colored belt and booties.
Top: JCrew Navy and White Gingham Blouse (bought last year)
Cardigan: Gap Olive Cardigan, bought in-store with 30% off!
Belt: Ann Taylor Loft
Jeans: Seven for All Mankind Zoe Flare Jeans, Similar Here
Booties: J Crew Cadogan Bootie in Toffee, bought on eBay
Top: JCrew Navy and White Gingham Blouse (bought last year)
Cardigan: Gap Olive Cardigan, bought in-store with 30% off!
Belt: Ann Taylor Loft
Jeans: Seven for All Mankind Zoe Flare Jeans, Similar Here
Booties: J Crew Cadogan Bootie in Toffee, bought on eBay
Weekly Loves! Anthropologie
When it was time to decorate my office, I went straight to Anthropologie (and Renningers!) for unique, vintage items. I know I'll find a treasure, whether clothing, jewelry or decorative items.
Here are my current favorites!
Here are my current favorites!
I love the color and the unique suede pom poms.
I'd wear these with tights, a cute denim skirt and a slouchy sweater.
The next is the Haute Skirt.
Simple, classic and hip. This skirt would look awesome with a black turtleneck and a camel belt.
Love that you can wear this with velvet pants for the holidays or jeans for a night out.
Again, love this color. It's a great way to wear color but it's very neutral.
I love that this Mantle Dynamics dress is very Angelina Jolie.
And, of course, Anthro always have some kitchy, odd items.
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| A doily on necklace? |
And, this necklace is just plain spooky!
Friday, November 19, 2010
Pop of Color
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| All photos by Michelle Stromberg |
My advice: Rather than wear colors that don't feel comfortable to you, add little pops of color to your outfits with accessories. Ann Taylor Loft has a super cute fuchsia flower belt right now. Wear it with a black skirt and chambray button down.
And, I love these Amrita bangles (only $68 for 30 bangles). Add a colorful vintage brooch to the neck of a halter as I did in this post; or to the pocket or breast of a blazer. Another way to add color: Wear a patterned scarf or carry a colored purse.
If you're intent on incorporating color, experiment with a darker palette of navy, plum and deep red. I love the look of navy with black, now a fashion do! Also, consider grey instead of black and camel instead of brown. Both look fresh but are still neutral.
Here's how I worked color into a plain black dress (albeit a leather dress, see below for the story of the dress--there's always a story.) By the way, neons and bright color accessories like these were shown on the Spring runways.
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| My Diva Pose:) |
Dress: OK, the dress is the DVF Della dress in leather. I first wrote about it here. But, it was just a tad (actually more like 5 tads) out of my price range. So, I stalked it and when I finally got a coupon for the DVF Friends and Family sale, I combined the discount with a store credit that I've been holding onto for a year, and pounced. I'm glad I did. It's a classic wrap style, not too short and even though it's leather it's not crazy leather--meaning it's subtle, not slutty. I know I will wear this dress for years.
My Fashion Rule.
Not only that, but one of my fashion rules is that if I can't stop thinking about an item after a couple weeks, then it was truly meant to be mine! Trust me, this really works. I've saved must-have items in my virtual shopping cart and forgotten about them the next day only to go back and think, "Why did I even like that?"
On the flip side, there are items that I just can't get off my mind, and I'll plan endless variations of how I'll wear those items. And, that happens less frequently than you'd think.
Shoes: DVF Eva Suede with Silk Ankle Wraps in Citron. I know this seems like an impractical color but it really isn't. I will wear these shoes like I would a neutral shoe, with both blacks and browns.
Bangles: Luc Kieffer Paris Bangles bought on eBay. I love that they are chunky and bright.
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Necklaces: 5 Favorites
I've been getting a lot of requests to see some accessories. I have literally tons of jewelry because, like the Magpie bird, I'm attracted to shiny objects! Here, I picked the five most versatile pieces I own. I'm am partial to silver although I've been wearing more and more gold lately.
In the picture above, the silver chain (left) is from Banana Republic (years ago). I wear this with anything that I want to add a little "toughness" to, such as a button down shirt or even a black tee shirt. When I'm at a loss for a necklace, this is my go-to. It's amazingly versatile for casual wear.
Middle: My little middle necklace is an Etsy purchase. It is a charm necklace with a silver peace sign, silver pine cone and gold owl (because I LOVE owls.) I like this one because it's perfect layered with my shorter cross necklace that I always wear (a gift from my hubby!) It's perfect with tee shirts when I need something super casual and not bulky.
The clear stone necklaces (right) are a birthday gift from my mother-in-law. We picked them out at Target (here) and (here). I like to layer these necklaces together. However the long one can be doubled or even worn wrapped as a bracelet. Because of the clear stone, they go with tons of outfits.
Above Left: This Target necklace (again from Target, $14.99, don't see it online) is both silver and gold so you can easily mix it with either metal. I wore it the other day with a white tee shirt and brown wool cardigan. It looks equally nice with a dress.
Right: The PERFECT statement necklace. This is from 2009 Banana Republic holiday collection but there are similar ones everywhere. In fact, when I first saw this, I thought it was so unique and I had to have it. But, it was very expensive. So, I bought an old silver chain that I found in a bin of jewelry at Renninger's Antique Flea Market and pinned my grandmother's old brooches to it. The problem I found was that the brooches were so heavy they wanted to turn all the time. But, it looked darn good! Then, I found one of these beauties on eBay. I still do the DIY necklace if I need a pop of color as a red brooch looks super for the holidays.
I've worn this necklace to dress up a black sheath and to add interest to my red silk shantung dress. I've also worn it with a white tee shirt, navy velvet blazer and jeans.
Do you have a necklace you just can't figure out how to wear? Email me and I'll try to help.
Middle: My little middle necklace is an Etsy purchase. It is a charm necklace with a silver peace sign, silver pine cone and gold owl (because I LOVE owls.) I like this one because it's perfect layered with my shorter cross necklace that I always wear (a gift from my hubby!) It's perfect with tee shirts when I need something super casual and not bulky.
The clear stone necklaces (right) are a birthday gift from my mother-in-law. We picked them out at Target (here) and (here). I like to layer these necklaces together. However the long one can be doubled or even worn wrapped as a bracelet. Because of the clear stone, they go with tons of outfits.
Right: The PERFECT statement necklace. This is from 2009 Banana Republic holiday collection but there are similar ones everywhere. In fact, when I first saw this, I thought it was so unique and I had to have it. But, it was very expensive. So, I bought an old silver chain that I found in a bin of jewelry at Renninger's Antique Flea Market and pinned my grandmother's old brooches to it. The problem I found was that the brooches were so heavy they wanted to turn all the time. But, it looked darn good! Then, I found one of these beauties on eBay. I still do the DIY necklace if I need a pop of color as a red brooch looks super for the holidays.
I've worn this necklace to dress up a black sheath and to add interest to my red silk shantung dress. I've also worn it with a white tee shirt, navy velvet blazer and jeans.
Do you have a necklace you just can't figure out how to wear? Email me and I'll try to help.
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Scarf Tying Guide
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| Illustrations from Texere Silk |
Some of these styles are meant for smaller square scarves while others, like the CASUAL and the SHOULDER WRAP will work for larger scarves.
To get step-by-step instructions, Click on SCARF TYING GUIDE
Friday, November 12, 2010
How to Wear Over-the-knee Boots
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| Image from CollegeFashion.net |
The good thing: you don't have to be in your 20s to wear this style, really! And, even petite women can pull it off. Hilary Duff is only 5'2" and she's been spotted rocking this style.
Here's what I learned:
1. Don't buy over-the-knee boots that go up to the middle of your thigh. If you wanted to wear hip waders, you'd just buy hip waders, right? The most flattering tall boot hits either right below your knee or right above (like RIGHT above, not two inches above.) And, if you love the style but feel a little timid wearing them out, consider some that can be worn folded down below the knee.
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| Shiny, spiked and high--ICK! |
2. Watch the heel. As I mentioned in THIS POST, the quickest way to stripper territory is to buy spiked heel, thigh-high boots. No matter how sexy you think this style is, run away! If you're going to try an over-the-knee boot, go with a flat or wedge heel. It's much classier and easier to wear.
3. Fitted or loose? For me, the more fitted the better. Many of the over-the-knee have an over-sized shaft. Personally, I think that just makes your legs look bigger than they are. A more fitted look slims the leg and elongates it. If you're petite and want to wear this style, go fitted. Otherwise, the boot will wear you.
4. It's all about proportion. Like all trends, you have to kiss a lot of frogs before you find your prince. I tried the Ann Taylor Loft Peter OTK boot and thought they swallowed up my leg. I could fit another person in there with me! I ended up with the Ann Taylor Loft Shiri Brown Suede boot. Here are a few styles I like.
 ASOS Dune Bingo Suede Over Knee Wedge Boots |
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OVERRPAS OVER THE KNEE BOOT BROWN SUEDESTEVE MADDEN |
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| Ann Taylor Loft Shiri Suede Over the Knee Boots |
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| Tory Burch Jack Boot 20% off at Bloomies right now! |
Skirts and dresses are trickier to wear with these boots. First of all, if you wear a mini-skirt with them, don't go too mini. No matter how many celebrities wear super minis and tall boots (and look awesome!) there aren't many people who can really pull off that style. Not to mention, said celebs are in their teens and early 20s. For anyone older than 25, a super mini and OTK boots gets you horrifyingly close to tramp territory. If your skirt is short (you can wear a mini, just not a SUPER mini), wear tights and tall boots.
Also, there should always be some skin showing between your skirt/dress and the boots. This is the most flattering look. Typically, a fuller, shorter skirt looks best, although you can get away with a sweater dress and tights pretty easily.
Got a question about whether or not an outfit works with OTK boots? Email me!
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Today's Outfit: Casual Comfort
I think the hardest outfits to put together are the comfy, casual ones! This one just came together and I really felt great in it. It was perfect for a day working from home and running errands.
Why it works: The over-sized sweatshirt balances out the chunky boots and the long necklace breaks up an otherwise blah neutral oatmeal color.
Sweatshirt: Bought at Lake Mary boutique 4th and Ocean
Jeans: AG Adriano Goldschmied The Premier Skinny Straight (bought on ebay)
Necklace: Brighton (gift)
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| Boots: Target Katherine Engineer |
Why it works: The over-sized sweatshirt balances out the chunky boots and the long necklace breaks up an otherwise blah neutral oatmeal color.
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