Dressed Up and Down

(Click picture to shop)

In my post yesterday, I took a single blouse and styled it two different ways. In addition to that, I mentioned that I liked taking a dressy look and pairing an edgy jacket with it and doing the opposite with a casual look. I seem to be drawn to black and white a lot lately but I couldn't resist throwing in a bright red pump and slightly over-the-top red earrings for the dressed up look.

(Click here to shop)

These two looks may not share the same blouse but they are both great examples of how to add a polished vibe to a relaxed look, and take a dressy look down a level with a cargo-style jacket. Instead of wearing a sweatshirt with jeans (my frequent go-to option), try a pair of leather shorts. The studs on the loafers take this relaxed look up a few notches and the black blazer polishes the look off perfectly.

The dressed up version to the right can easily feel too girly so throwing on a parka with faux leather sleeves instantly takes this glam version down a bit. 

Of course, not everything has to be in opposition. There are plenty of times when I want to wear a blazer with my dressy look, and my leather jacket with my ripped jeans. It all depends on my mood.

Have a great day!

Date Night

As most of you might know, I am a mom of two little boys so I cherish any date night that I can get with my husband. I love to get dressed up for our dates. In fact, I think I dress up more for our dates now than I did when we were dating!

I put together two date night looks that I would wear on a dinner date. The look on the left is a little bit more casual, but the bow flats and the metallic bag keep it feminine and sweet. The look on the right is a little more glitzy, thanks to the sequins. Not many accessories are needed for such a vibrant piece.

Do you dress up for dates, or do you like to keep it casual? I would love to know!