Black Kat

Happy Friday the 13th!! No need to be supersticious today! Just go with it and have fun!

Going out for drinks with friends. Quick outfit. Leather jacket. Done.

Decided to pair up some edgy leather with some pink, fun, floral print. And in case you're wondering what shoes I ended up going with, I wore my red DV by Dolce Vita pumps.

As seen from 'Gondolier' post

 :: Outfit Details ::

 Moto Leather Jacket (old) :: Express, similar here and here

Floral Tank :: H&M, similar here

Skinny Jeans :: Gap

Red Pumps :: DV Dolce Vita

Gold Chain Necklace :: Kohls, similar here

Patent Leather Clutch :: J.Crew, similar (nicer one) here

Gondolier

 
Let first start off by saying how happy I am to now own a new Rebecca Minkoff Brynn tote! I had heard about the online sale (which ended last Friday) and was hoping to find the Brynn as part of their sale. Of course it wasn't. They had introduced new colors for the season and were full price.  I was quite sad. Then, I read a post  by The Budget Babe that mentioned the sale AND that they had just released quite a few bags at TJ Maxx! I thought well, there's one nearby, I'll stop by and take a gander. To my surprise, and luck, I found the Brynn! And I found it in this gorgeous charcoal color (a good classic color that will go with most outfits).

Every time I put on a combination of black and white stripes and some red accents, I think of a Gondolier. You know, the guys that row the gondolas around the canals of Venice? Yeah, you could say that's where I got my outfit inspiration?

:: Outfit Details ::

Black & White Striped 3/4 Top (old) :: H&M, this one would be cool, but similar here

Black Cotton Pencil Skirt :: Express, similar here

Brynn Tote :: Rebecca Minkoff, also in purple, and in peach!

Red Pumps :: Dolce Vita

Croisette Eyeglasses :: Dior, also seen here, here, here & here 

Red Floral Scarf :: H&M, similar here

Thick Red Leather Belt (old) :: Anne Klein, skinny version here (which is what I originally wanted for this outfit)

Yes, I have these shoes in three colors. I love them! And they were on sale... I'm a sales shopper.

How perfect was it that I also have matching black and white striped glasses?! By the way, speaking of glasses, if you are a glasses wearer, the optician side of me will ALWAYS recommend anti-glare for your lenses. I cannot tell you how much it helps with glare from TVs, computer screens, night time driving, and asphalt glare! People don't always realize that there is still light rays bouncing off all surfaces, causing eye strain! And it also helps cosmetically. You don't see WHITE when you take photos! I also recommend iZon lenses for ALL these things.

Some close ups of the accessories!

And I thought I'd share a close up of the accessories and a random photo bomber! Peepers... what is it about you cats and your curiosity?? You sniff that scarf!

Pumped Up (Purple) Kicks

There's no room for Mundane Mondays here. Which is what led me to putting some color on. My goal as of well, 4-5 months ago, was to live outside of my black and gray wardrobe a little and explore colors more often. Luckily, I work in a place where people need my fashion expertise so if I can look the part, they'd be more willing to entrust me with their optical fashion choices. I'm always capable of looking the part but there's always 1. Do I feel like trying? or 2. Do I have anything besides black and gray or anything outside that monochromatic scheme?

Long story short, I've started to add small doses of color into the wardrobe. Luckily, most everything goes with black... And luckily, I've ventured out of the "black heels only" phase.

Hachi, sneaking into the picture...

Sometimes you've just got to stop and *sniff* the flowers

Still couldn't resist some grays in this post. Gotta compromise, right? Like I said, "small doses".

And, of course Hachi wanted in on the shoot.. hence his lil cameo in the first photo. I decided to scrap the original picture I chose and use the one with him in it. He tried so hard to make it in... why not give the diva him some photo love? Let this post be a twist to his old "Hachi Monday" posts (where he can be seen here, unforgettably here, not to mention here, annnnd finally here).

:: Outfit Details ::

Chiffon Floral Blouse :: Francesca's, similar here

Gray Pencil Skirt :: J.Crew, black version here

Purple Pumps :: DV by Dolce Vita, black version here

Flashing Our Brights :: Highlighter Yellow

Neon and fluorescent seem to be in this season! I was able to pick up this gingham button up shirt at Ann Taylor LOFT for 30% off, a few weeks ago and love that it goes with basic blacks and also can be dressed down in denim too.

I'm a sucker for good sales. I also think that I don't have any one type of style. I buy what I like and my dress depends on what I'm feeling. Sometimes I like to be more casual, sometimes I'll dress it up some. Sometimes I like wearing more accessories, sometimes not. One of my friends says that I mix and match my items well. Sometimes I feel like I can... some days, I have the hardest time with that. I think some of my best outfits come from last minute decisions... if only I had time to photograph THOSE outfits... maybe one of these days...

:: Outfit Details ::

Fluorescent Gingham Button-Up :: Ann Taylor LOFT, similar here

Black Pencil Skirt :: Banana Republic, similar here

Croissette Glasses :: Dior, sunglass version here

Pink Squares Bracelet :: J. Crew, I like this version here

White Beaded Layered Necklace :: Francesca's, similar here

Light Gold & Lavender Bangles :: Forever 21, similar here

Hot Coral Envelope Clutch :: J. Crew, similar here

Black Cork Wedges :: Dolce Vita for Target, similar here, here, and here

Cruisin' for a Bruisin'

No. No one got hurt in the making of this post. The colors black and blue just remind me of bruises (even though they're sometimes more purple than black or blue) and also the ol' Backstreet Boys album. But of course I'm not talking about either of those things.

Hope everyone had a good weekend!

:: Outfit Details ::

Black Basic Tee :: Forever 21

Cobalt Skirt :: H&M

Black Cork Wedges :: Dolce Vita for Target, as seen here, similar here

Blue & Brown Leather Hobo (old) :: Deena and Ozzy, Urban Outfitters, similar here

Black and White Stripe Glasses :: Dior Croisette line

Silver & Swarovski Crystal Necklace (gifted) :: Brighton, similar here

Scallops: The Non-Edible Kind

Oh how I love the scallops on the TOP of the waistline and in that bright and sunny color! Pair this with a cute and bright ocean blue top and some black cork wedges and we're set!

Burberry skirt (see more burberry skirts)

Dolce Vita for Target $29.99 (got my pair!!)

Taken from an older post from In Their Closet

Then... top it all off with a cute bag! And don't forget the glasses...

Marc Jacobs "Quilted Stam"

Dior 3179