I was really determined to find a fashion fix for this button down shirt because I love the striped pattern of it, despite the fact that it gives my hips no type of definition.  Cue the patent leather belt (yes, again!) and I’m back in business!  You can see my hips and the shirt no longer looks like I’m wearing a parachute! LOL This time I chose my hot pink cami, I guess because I’m anxious to wear my spring gear, despite the fact the weather is gorgeous down here!  I guess the New Yorker in me still holds on to staying true to the seasons…sometimes!

Button Down Shirt:  EdTv

Cami – Charlotte Russe

Trousers: New York and Co

Shoes: Payless

Heart Necklace: Rainbow

This past Sunday I was finally able to hook up with one of the most extraordinary women in my life, who I call Momma Donna!  She has supported my writing and blogging from Day One and even before then, she was always a source of constant inspiration and positivity.  I’m telling you she is the strongest person I know, whose words can always get me out of funk (no matter how funky it is!  On Sunday she hosted a wonderful Family and Friend’s Brunch.   I was surrounded by awesome women, hearing their stories of success, tough times, and stories that were just plain funny!  It’s so easy to get caught up in the daily grind, not taking the time out for yourself or the other important people in your life.   But when you get a chance to step out of your bubble and truly reconnect with those important in your life, as well as really click with people you just met, it’s refreshing.  It’s inspiring.  It’s that breath of fresh air that keeps you moving and keeps you pushing for the better things in life.  I learned a lot and I laughed a lot and moments like that are absolutely priceless!  I made a promise to myself to get back to regularly hanging out with the girls in my life because everyone needs that break to not only enjoy great company, but to also enjoy the moment.

I had such a good time, I didn’t even get a chance to snap formal pictures, but that’s quite all right!  Momma Donna and I really worked it out!

And you know we had to get a close up of the shoes!  Shoes are important yah know!

Belted Blouse – Bisou Bisou

Jeans – Old Navy

Pink Pumps - Nine West

Earrings – CitiTrends

This outfit was from Saturday and when I woke up that morning it was such a beautiful day!  The sun was out, the sky was clear, and it was a gorgeous 81 degrees out!  Days like this one was one of the reasons why I love living in South Florida.  I love the sun and the great weather we get most days out of the year.  I had fun taking photos outside last week, so I took advantage of the little bit of courage I woke up with that day and headed out to this big nature park not too far from my house.  This place is huge and despite the numerious birthday parties, soccer games, baseball games, and outdoor fitness classes going on, I was able to find a nice, secluded spot around the large lake in the park’s middle.  It was gorgeous out there with just me, my tripod, and the squacking ducks that were swimming nearby.  I could’ve stayed out there all day!  I wore the plaid tunic from my first outfit post with my comfy black leggings and flats.  A chilled outfit for a very chilled day!

Plaid Tunic – Rainbow

Leggings – New York and Company

Ballet Flats – Rack Room Shoes

I didn’t even realize I wore purple two days in a row until going through my photos.  But like I said in my Friend Friday post on color, purple is one of the dominant colors in my closet.  I don’t know how I ended buying so much purple but my girl Veshoevius tells me that the color purple is the color of creative people, so we’ll just go with that!

The first time I wore this sweater, it was just sooo….blah!  So I jazzed i up with this sequined scarf I found in my closet that I really don’t wear often.  Definitely gave the sweater pizzazz…too much though for the day job so it didn’t take long for me to ditch it and return back to a blah sweater!

Sweater – JCPenny

Trousers – JCPenny

Sequined Scarf – Charlotte Russe

Ballet Flats – Rack Room Shoes

I wore this outfit on Friday and I was feeling really lazy!  I didn’t even feel like bothering with my hair, slicking it back with some gel and throwing on a headbands (Thank goodness for headbands!) Like I said yesterday, we don’t have formal casual Fridays at the day job, so I make my own, getting as casual as I can get without wearing jeans and sneakers.  So the Old Navy shirt made it’s appearance again wearing it with my grey pants this time, and throwing on this necklace to at least make it look like I tried to dress up!

Purple striped shirt – Old Navy

Grey Trousers – JCPenny

Silver charm necklace - Kohls

Ballet Flats – Rack Room

I finally got around to wearing this black pencil skirt for this challenge.  A black pencil skirt is definitely a wardrobe basic and when working in a corporate environment, it’s a must!  You can’t help but feel like a diva professional in it and if I could last all day at work in stilletto heels, you couldn’t tell me anything! 

The skirt itself is high waisted and I never tucked any of my tops in because it would bring more attention to my midsection.  But wearing a black cami along with the long cardigan didn’t give me that issue and you can’t even tell I’m wearing a cami and a skirt unless you’re up close.  The black proved to be slimming and the length of the cardi gave more attention to my curves than the roundess in the middle.  It also gave my casual cardi a more professional look, because I usually wear it over a white or black tee shirt and my trousers on Friday’s to work (unfortunately we don’t have casual Fridays so I kinda make up my own version!).  This cardigan is my favorite and I’m excited to find a new (and more professional way) to wear it!

Cardigan – Charlotte Russe

Pencil Skirt – JCPenny

Cami – Gifted

Shoes: Payless

Pearl Necklace – Aldo

Pearl Flower Stud Earrings – Charlotte Russe