One Item + Three Ways {Antonio Melani Lace Top}

First Outfit | Antonio Melani Lace Top | Dorothy Perkins Black Leather Look and Ponte Wrap Skirt | Chelsea Crew Maxin Leather Pumps | Pearl Earrings (Gifted) 

Second Outfit | Antonio Melani Lace Top | Old Navy The Rockstar Jeggings | Clarks Ingalls Dealaware Boots | Asian Floral Clay Earrings, theshagbag via Etsy 

Third Outfit | Antonio Melani Lace Top | AB Studios A-line LBD with Skinny Belt | Clarks Ingalls Dealaware Boots | Charter Club Diamond Earrings (Gifted) 

I decided I would be ironic and wear my favorite blue shirt to work this past Monday for having the Monday Blues. I thought, "I can make a witty yet refreshing post and everyone will go crazy over it and I'll rule the world!", but when I saw the pictures from my mini photo shoot with Mr. BD at the end of the day, I was not impressed with the quality of the pictures. I was, however, impressed with my ability to create a completely new look from items I wear separately very often. It's not a new concept to blog about One Item, Three Ways but I sure haven't tried it so I thought I'd give it a shot. 

This top is classic, good quality, and on-trend for fall with the cobalt blue. It truly suits my fashion personality with the lace fringe trim along the sleeves and tiny, delicate buttons down the front. It is the kind of piece that needs no accessories, but is hard to pair with anything other than white or black. Any blouse can be utilized as the central item of a series of outfits with very little effort. My suggestion is, find a blouse in a color that compliments your complexion (for me, it is any jewel toned color) with unique elements (texture, cut, and embellishments) that can be layered or tucked for versatility. 

Do you have a versatile item that always completes an outfit?

Style It My Way Challenge {Stripes}

Pink Rose Mesh Striped Sweater via TJ Maxx | Dorothy Perkins Black Peplum Skirt (similar here and here) | ASOS CURVE Heart and Bow Tights | Levity Suede Ankle Booties (similar here) | Wooden Bead Neckalce (gifted) | Brighton Gold & Silver Hoops (gifted)

Happy Wednesday! Today was quite a long day. Not only is the weather making me tired, Mr. BD and I become tremendously busy during the fall. Our busiest fundraising months at work are October thru December, so I have meetings as early as 7:00 AM some days and as late as 11:00 PM. Fall is for football (in case you've grown up anywhere other than the SEC and have no concept) so Mr. BD has a football game almost every Friday night and a band competition all-day on Saturdays. Not to mention his rehearsals, and if I haven't mentioned, I teach flute lessons at a non-profit school once a week. 

Anyway. I have bags under my eyes. And slightly dirty hair. Not to mention, my winter wardrobe consists of nothing but jewel tones and black. A limited variety of blog posts does this make. When I realized the Style It My Way Challenge for this week was stripes, I went into panic mode. I'd purchased a striped sweater dress from Old Navy, but would not be getting it in time to make this deadline. What is a girl to do when she has already spent her entire clothing budget for the month and featured her one traditionally striped item at LEAST three times on her blog? Dig out an underutilized sweater and don't sweat the small stuff. This sweater has mesh peek-a-boo stripes and gold buttons down the back. Unique and cute with a pair of skinny jeans and boots. 

By the way, I hope you appreciated the random pictures of Mr. BD. I left the apartment this morning before he was awake and was floored when I saw him for the first time this afternoon. He's quite a looker and I think he has the cutest style. Amrite?

Come view these other wonderful ladies who are also participating in challenges, or check us out at  #styleitmyway on Twitter.

Felicity at Felicity HartBecky Brown at Does My Blog Make Me Look FatNatalie at A Wheel Barrow Full of StyleNikki at Natty NikkiHannah at Nounzilicious

Style It My Way Challenge {Mixed Prints}

Mossimo Tie-Neck Peasant Top via Goodwill ($4.00) | Dorothy Perkins Striped Prom Skirt (similar here) | Chelsea Crew Maxin Leather Pumps | Wooden Bead Necklace (gifted) | Pear Earrings (gifted)

Mixed prints are a little intimidating for someone as matchy-matchy and minimalist as me. My first time trying the trend involved just two colors and two patterns. You can see it here. When I found this blouse at Goodwill, I knew it was perfect for taking this trend to the next level for me. If you are hoping to test the waters with a similar look, I suggest sticking to as few colors and least contrasting patterns as you can with an accent piece such as a necklace or bag to make it pop. 

Do you mix your patterns? What is your favorite mixed look?

Come view these other wonderful ladies who are also participating in challenges, or check us out at  #styleitmyway on Twitter.

Felicity Hart

Becky Brown at Does My Blog Make Me Look Fat

Natalie at A Wheel Barrow Full of Style

Nikki at Natty Nikki

Hannah at Nounzilicious

Sweater Weather

Every blogger must go MIA every once in a while. I have had a lot of after-hour work commitments and family visits these past few weeks and it's hard to find time to get a picture or post in, especially when I am just recycling some of my already featured but well-loved outfits. I apologize.

I wanted to start this Monday morning off with a short post featuring my first cardigan of the year! I have always considered myself a cardigan person, but y'know, that versatile piece rarely makes it into my closet. I always think I'll buy a million at the start of fall, but inevitably talk myself out of purchasing one each and every time. Luckily, Old Navy has been having a few start-of-season sales and I have snagged several.  

It's one of those Monday mornings where everything seems to be plotting against you. I feel bloated and tired from a busy weekend visiting with Mr. BD's family. He and I both have late evenings so pictures needed to happen in the morning if they were to happen today which meant my hair didn't get dry before. Sometimes you just have to accept that things aren't picture perfect and make the best of it.

 

Old Navy Cardigan in Light Heather Grey | Dorothy Perkins Black Peplum Skirt (sold out) | Levity Caden Ankle Booties | Necklace (gifted)

Are you a cardigan gal?

Eye of the Tiger {Mixed Prints}

"I got the eye of the tiger, a fighter, dancing through the fire. 'Cause I am a champion and you’re gonna hear me ROAR. Louder, louder than a lion. 'Cause I am a champion and you’re gonna hear me ROAR" - Katy Perry

I heard this song for the first time this morning and I looked down at my skirt and thought, "Huh, I kind of feel like a tiger with my stripes." It's one of those songs where you think it's silly at first, but then you listen to the words and you feel slightly more confident and empowered for having heard it. 

Picture from pre-teen fashion site. Oh, google.

Mixed prints have been all over the blogosphere this summer. There is something so rebellious about pairing two pieces that have no business being together by conventional fashion standards. It is ironic, then, that this outfit just works.

The white polka dots look multi-colored, but they are not.

I am a matchy-matchy person. I like solid colors with few accents. It took a lot to find the confidence to wear this. Once I put it together, I fell in love. Maybe it's how girly the two pieces are, or that I kept it limited to only two colors, but I believe this outfit turned out beautifully.

Old Navy Polka Dot Top (similar here)| Dorothy Perkins Prom Skirt (similar here) | 1930's Vintage Gold Arrow Necklace (gifted) | Gold and Diamond Twist Bracelet (gifted) | Pearl Earrings (gifted) | Steve Madden Heaven Leather Flat 

For other examples of mixed patterns check out Danimezza and GirlWithCurves. 

Trendy Tuesday {Leather}

Open any fashion magazine or turn on E! and you will see that leather is in for the summer months. It seems a little bizarre that such an unbreathable material is rampant during the hottest part of the year, but with all of the leather alternatives out there it isn't hard to find a way to make this trend fit your own needs. This Dorothy Perkins skirt was a birthday gift. It makes me feel edgy without being too far removed from my usual style. 

Croft & Barrow Long-Sleeve Tee | Dorothy Perkins Black Leather Look and Ponte Wrap Skirt | Pearl Earrings (Gifted) | Dana Buchman Bangle | Steve Madden Heaven Leather Flats

Have you considered how you will embrace leather this summer?

{Model} Monday

The weekend was a long one for Mr. BD and I. We had several commitments and his school year is gearing up soon so we needed to get the apartment in order. I am well-rested, but Monday came too quickly for my taste. I wanted to spruce up my 'tude with a semi-professional outfit, and of course took the opportunity to model my new Dorothy Perkins peplum skirt.

 

Apt. 9 Crepe Blouse | Dorothy Perkins Peplum Skirt | Franco Sarto Heels | Charter Club Earrings & Necklace (gifted) | Brighton Love and Peace Bangles | Dana Buchman Bangle 

I have been thinking a lot about brand loyalty lately, or rather, brands that meet my expectations for a piece of clothing. The first time I realized I was plus-size was when I went into a Banana Republic store and wanted to buy a new pair of shorts. I hadn't bought a pair in a year or so and I wanted to treat myself to something nice before spring fully set in. I went to try on the second to largest size, and then the largest size. Neither of them even came close to fitting me. It was a terrible feeling, but even worse was realizing that Banana Republic is just one of many stores that don't carry my size in store. At first I was miserable and full of self-hate, and then I decided to put my big girl breeches on (pun intended) and find a way to dress myself the way I wanted to. Over time, I have discovered many online retailers that carry my size and go upwards of size 28. I have slowly been sampling their merchandise, and there are a few I am feeling, and a few I have yet to invest in. Dorothy Perkins is one of those retailers I am thoroughly impressed with. I have a hard time getting my size right, as is the case with this skirt, but I find their selection fashionable, flattering, and well-made.

If you have a favorite plus-size brand, I would love to hear about it! I want to know what your experiences have been like.