Update

It's been a while so I thought I would do a quick update here:

1. I created a Facebook page for this blog, my Burlington Mall blog, and other fashion, beauty, or random things I want to share with the world.
2. Remember I said I was training for a half marathon? Ran it!
3. Spring is in full swing here in Boston and I've been getting back into lacrosse.

Happy Wednesday

Guest Blogger: Katrina from Sparkle is a Color

Today I’m mixing it up a bit here with a guest post/ swap with Katrina of Sparkle is a Color.

Katrina and I met about a year ago at a Boston Blogger meet and greet. We pretty much instantly hit it off and made immediate plans to meet up again. Since then we have met up a few times and probably will again soon (although maybe we should see how this guest posting goes… kidding!).

We bonded over many things including the obvious: fashion, personal style, #bloggerproblems, getting the cocktail waitress' attention, etc. And a few other things including the fact that neither of us had ever had macaroons before we planned a macaroon date, Katrina is actually the one who convinced me to read the Hunger Games (thanks girl!), the single life, and crazy landlords (ok, that’s mostly Katrina).

I love keeping up with Katrina’s lifestyle blog. Her writing is very entertaining and we have very similar style when it comes to outfit posts, so I always enjoy seeing what items she has picked up recently…

As you will see, she has a knack for styling sequins in a way that is oh-so-casual yet polished and glam at the same time (my favorite combination). I would say her closet staples are blazers and a really cute collection of heels, so be sure to add Katrina to your reading materials list! 

Blazer: The Limited // Shirt: J.Crew // Jeans: Old Navy

Shoes: Target // Necklace: Express

Hello Poodle Shoe Girl readers! Katrina from Sparkle is a Color here! It might be a little obvious, but I am a fan of all things glittery. Sequins, glitter, rhinestones - you name it, I love it. For a long time all my sparkly, fabulous pieces sat in my closet waiting for an opportunity to go out. And since I am a super homebody, those occasions were few and far between.

So I said screw it and started wearing all my fancies out during the day. And I didn’t melt and people didn’t look at me weird. Instead I got a lot of “I love that shirt!” and “I never would have thought to put those together!” I haven’t looked back since.

This particular outfit was worn on my birthday, because if there is any occasion where sparkle is appropriate during the day it’s on your birthday. This is basically just a variation of my uniform of a blazer, skinny jeans, and heels. I am obsessed with this J.Crew shirt, which I snagged on sale before Christmas. Casey has the same one and when I saw her wearing it and she told me it was on sale I ran right out and snagged it. Stripes and sequins? How could I resist?

And I threw on some leopard heels for good measure. A little pattern mixing never hurt. ;) The necklace is my new favorite thing. It’s kind of a simple statement necklace, if that makes sense? I’ve been wearing it with everything. Though one of my guy friends did ask me if I stole it from Flava Flav when he saw me wearing it. But everyone knows Flava Flav’s chain has a clock hanging off of it, and my necklace clearly does not, duh.

Basically, the lesson here is not to relegate your sparkly, glittery, fancy things for nighttime and special occasions only. Mix it up! Throw a cardigan over that sequin cami, pair those glitter heels with a cargo jacket! There are no rules.

Animal Print Top on Top

Top: J. Crew Factory // Cardigan: Ann Taylor // Pant: Pilcro

Boots: Stuart Weitzman // Bracelet: J. Crew // Earrings: J. Crew Factory

Lips: "Rebel" - MAC

• First thing I notice in this pic is how clean my room is compared to what it looks like now (imagine a bomb full of clothes exploding everywhere as I was packing for Colorado). 
• Wore this outfit around for a day of shopping on Newbury St. in Boston. Did a little damage at H&M in particular… Don't know what got into me!
• It's hard to tell but the boots that I'm wearing are called the "mezzamezza" boot, which is essentially a shorter version of the over-the-knee 50/50. Works better for us petite gals (although I'm secretly hoping that I win the giveaway Stuart Weitzman is currently running via Facebook) and they have an elastic back and suede front so they fit very snug on my leg, which I love.

Happy Thursday :)

Style Your T Contest - via Simon Style Setter

See how to dress up a tee in my Simon Style Setter contest entry below. I went the work appropriate route with my entry and loved the challenge of basing an entire outfit around a plain white tee (though let's be honest, the flower brooch is what really makes it). I love seeing what everyone else has come up with too by checking up on the #StyleYourT hashtag on Instagram.

Tee: Banana Republic // Cardigan: Ann Taylor // Pant: Gap

Shoes: Steve Madden (via TJMaxx!) // Brooch: Ebay // Bag: Zara

How to enter the Style Your T contest:

1. You must be wearing either a black or white plain t

2. Snap a pic of how you've styled your t-shirt and put it on Instagram with the hashtag #StyleYourT and mention @simonstylesetter

3. You are entered to win a $2,500 gift card!

Also, feel free to tag me @PoodleShoeGirl on instagram and I'll like your photo!!

What to Wear to Work on St. Patrick's Day

Wondering what to wear to work on St. Patrick's day? Green of course! With emerald green as the pantone of 2013, it shouldn't be too hard to find something festive and fashionable... if you don't own anything green run to your local mall stat!

Cue the debut of my emerald green leopard print pants I got as a Christmas gift:

Top: Ann Taylor // Pant: J.Crew // Shoes: J.Crew

(I wore the same top in black the other day)

 

That gold Moroccan pouf just would not get out of the way.. Just kidding. If you follow me on Twitter you may know that I have been on QUITE the interior design kick as of late (I blame the new job... and Home Goods, damn those goods are good.). I will be doing a couple posts about that in the near future, just wanted to let you know where my head has been at lately. Moving onward...

Happy green leopard print pants day! I've had these bad boys in mind for what to wear to work on St. Patrick's day for longer than I care to admit (ok since Christmas).

As I'm writing this now I realize that TODAY is not actually St. Patrick's day... but work hosted a themed breakfast so being festive today was all I was thinking about. It didn't occur to me that the actual holiday is still 2 days away...

Whatever you do, wear green.

What are you wearing for Patty's Day?

Pink blazer

A pink blazer goes a long way in terms of stepping up your workwear attire. It adds a pop of color, polish, and coordinates with the poodle shoes of course.

Without the pink blazer my outfit of slim black pants and a loose black top felt a little artsy and boring to me. I scored this gem way on sale a few weeks ago and love the black detail around the collar.

Blazer: Talbots // Top: Ann Taylor // Pant: J.Crew

Shoes: Beverly Feldman // Necklace: Target // Bracelet: J.Crew

Do you have any pieces in your wardrobe that you rely on to instantly add polish and make an otherwise boring outfit work ready?

Spring 2013 is Almost Here: Scallop Hem Top

When I got home on Sunday after a weekend chock full of skiing and adventure, it felt like springtime which inspired Tuesday's work outfit: a buttercup yellow top with a girly scallop hem (I have this same shirt in navy too… it's one of those shirts that fits perfectly so I'm hoping Ann Taylor makes it in more colors).

Top: Ann Taylor // Pant: J. Crew // Shoes: Me Too (via TJ Maxx)

iPhone Case: Kate Spade // Gold Monogrammed Necklace: Initial Reaction

Earrings: J. Crew (outlet) // Lips: NARS "Schiap"

I previously believed that yellow is a color I should avoid at all costs because in case you haven't noticed, I have a very fair complexion, but I think the shocking pink lip helps direct the clash elsewhere… at least that's my excuse for buying a bright yellow scallop hem top.

Mini updates:

• Half marathon update: I need to run more… the race is less than 2 weeks away… EEK! I have not done a 10 miler yet… I blame it on the snow.

• Also, I just signed up for a casual French class in Boston… it was a living social coupon so I couldn't pass it up and I cannot wait! Check it out here if you're interested or curious…

Do you have any colors you think are unflattering but you wear them anyway?? Leave a comment below or tweet me @PoodleShoeGirl  which also happens to be my instagram and vine name too :)

Stud Muffins and Neon Muffins

Top: J. Crew (outlet) // Blazer: Gap (old) // Pant: J. Crew  

Shoes: Ivanka Trump (via Nordstrom Rack) // Bag: Zara //Necklace: J. Crew (outlet)

iPhone Case: Kate Spade // Earrings: Kate Spade

I was a little daring at work today. My workplace calls for a“step above” business casual so whenever I try something a little more bold ordaring like say… neon, studs, or animal print, or all of the above… I try to bestrict about the rest of what I put on. And by that I mean I throw on a blazer.Instant business attire. I also feel inclined to tell you that I put Nars “Schiap”lipstick on after snapping this quick pic.

To get a closer look at my metallic striped nails, check outmy nail polish trend for spring 2013 post on the Simon Mall blog!

As I have a dinner date tonight, I have been thinking in myhead all day how I will take this look from desk to dinner. As of now the planis to run home, throw on skinny jeans, ditch the blazer and opt for a leopardcardigan, and swap the heels for more manageable boots. In my mind this isreally cute but we’ll see.

A girl definitely needs a few quick swap tricks up hersleeve, what are your fast and easy desk to dinner swaps?