Ostrich Obsession

1. Milly Ostrich Feather-Trim Mini Skirt 2. J.Crew Victoria feather-skirt linen dress 3. Alexander McQueen Feather Peplum Top 4. Badgley Mischka Nina Topper Coat 5. Maison Martin Margiela Feather Scarf 6. Kate Spade Evening Belles Elliana

While searching for a reasonably-priced feather mini skirt online, I came across a number of enviable items embellished with ostrich feathers. I did not find said affordable skirt, but these items got me thinking of endless possibilities for DIY projects. I'm thinking of picking up some feather trim (available online) and adding it to a sweater or skirt (or mostly hoping I can find that budget-friendly skirt)!

Gold & Girly

1. Mossimo Glitter Jewelry Case 2. Kate Spade 'TaDa' Necklace 3. Nordstrom Tasha Bib Necklace 4. DKNY Sparkle Strap Watch 5. J.Crew Bow Coat 6. Madewell Frankie Glitter Pump 7. Kate Spade Brightspot Avenue Sally

I've been on a girly kick recently and been craving all things hot pink, glittery, and gold. Especially want the coat, and the heels, and the watch... ok, everything on the list.

Hot (Pink) Pants

Sweater: J.Crew, Faux Fur Stole: H&M (last year) Similar, Pants: J.Crew Cafe Capri, Belt: Target, Shoes: Wanted via DSW

Quick shot from today at work... Love faux fur season!

'Ving Style

Top: Equipment Via TJMaxx, Blazer: Michael Kors via Marshalls, Jeans: Lucky, Shoes: Coach via Nordstrom Rack, Bracelets: J.Crew and Forever 21, Watch: Timex, Lipstick: Maybelline 'Deepest Cherry'

Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving ('Ving was coined by one of our guests)! I spent the day with my family and our friends, all while dressed in this outfit. Sometimes I love putting classic pieces together for a simple but polished look. I cannot afford to buy designer/luxury brand items full price, so that's why I love shopping at TJ Maxx, Marshall's, and Nordstrom Rack (I found this Equipment blouse on sale for $39!!). I have also found that it's nice to splurge on a good investment piece, such as these Coach wedges ($90) that are sooo comfortable and I know will have forever.

On a side note, I tried the Sally Hansen Salon Effects nail polish strips (I know, a little late on the trend) but was wonderfully surprised at how well they work. Pretty easy to apply, and lasted for a week! Thanks to my sister Erin for knowing me so well as to buy them in leopard print and glitter for me. I can't wait to use them again. 

photos by my little sister bridget

Sequin Central

1.Topshop Sequin Peplum Top 2.Forever 21 Sequined Heart Minaudiere 3.ASOS Blue Sequin Dress 4.Alice + Olivia Sequined Leopard Dress (via Nordstrom) 5.J.Crew Collection Etta Sequin Pumps 6.Free People Sequin Party Pants (their words, not mine!) 7.ASOS Jigsaw Sequin Top 8.Jimmy Choo Sequined Leather Pumps 9.Ban.Do Sequined Heart

I'm currently obsessed with all things sequined. You can't go wrong with head-to-toe sequins for a holiday party or night out. I also think it's a fabulous idea to wear sequins during the day, paired with more casual pieces such as jeans, a chambray button-down, or graphic tee. While many of the items above are serious splurges that I can only dream about, I am thinking of picking up the ban.do heart (you can wear it as a hair clip or brooch and it's only $15!). I am on the hunt for an affordable pair of sequined pants or a sequined skirt and have been keeping my eye out while flipping through the racks at T.J. Maxx, Marshalls, H&M, and Forever 21. In the meantime, it's been fun admiring (and pinning!) all the sparkly goodies from afar.

This.

Image: J.Crew

This monochromatic look from the J.Crew Collection is everything...

Oh.

Etsy "Oh." Sweatshirt, J.Crew leopard print pants, Zara shoes, ASOS metallic clutch, Forever 21 necklace, Estée Lauder lipstick

Here's an outfit I put together based off these party-worthy J.Crew pants. I particularly love this "Book Club" clutch from ASOS. It reminds me of the Kate Spade "book clutch" only at a fraction of the price. I would probably never be able to last a half hour wearing these shoes, but they would look oh so lovely with the emerald pants. I've also been drawn lately to casual graphic T's and sweatshirts paired with sparkly jewelry. I highly recommend scouring the jewelry section of Forever 21 for great statement pieces at a low cost. It is definitely my go-to spot for finding jewelry (next to Bauble Bar). Smack on some fuchsia lipstick and you are trend-tastically ready to hit the town!

Polka Dots on Polka Dots

top: Asos, pants: Ann Taylor, shoes: Dollhouse via DSW, blazer: Gap, necklace: Bauble Bar

My mom told me I looked like Minnie Mouse in this top. Hope everyone has a great start to the week!

(Garden Party) Pants

Pants: Ann Taylor, Shirt: Madewell (similar), Vest: Old Navy, Shoes: Dollhouse via DSW (old), Sparkly Earrings and Bracelet: Forever 21 (obsessed with their jewelry!) 

I LOVE these floral pants from Ann Taylor, I actually own them in multiple prints and wear them A LOT. I highly suggest checking out their pants (and wait for sales, they come often!) I am also a big fan of mixing tomboy and feminine pieces together. I have gotten a lot of mileage out of this chambray top from Madewell because I'm pretty sure it goes with everything. I am a firm believer in the notion that everyone should own a chambray shirt (I already converted one of my skeptical sisters!) and you can find them everywhere from Target to Forever 21 to Urban Outfitters. I promise you won't be disappointed.

Thanks to Casey for taking my pics!

I'll Take a Loaf

Top Row (Left to Right): DV by Dolce Vita Metallic Cap Toe Loafers, Aerosoles Leopard Loafers 

Middle Row: Avec Modération Pink Loafers, Charlotte Olympia Kitten Loafer, MIA Spotted Loafers

Bottom Row: Nine West Crest Loafer, Joie Daydreaming Flat

As much as I try to wear heels, in reality I'm much more of a "flats" girl (my mother always taught me the importance of buying comfortable shoes). I love the menswear inspired look of the loafer or "smoking slipper" and each option above would perfectly complete a fall look of skinny jeans, a button-up blouse, and a blazer. I particularly have my eye on the affordable DV by Dolce Vita metallic cap toe version and Aerosoles leopard version (I saw them up close in Lord & Taylor and boy do they look comfortable!!). I am so glad this trend is back again for fall and hope to add a new pair of loafers to my shoe collection ASAP.

Apple Pants Remix

Blazer: Gap (Old), Top: H&M, Pants: J.Crew, Shoes: via Nordstrom Rack; Rhinestone Necklace: Forever 21 (Recent!)

"You know those colors don't match" is what my little sister said to me when she first saw me wearing this outfit. I explained to her my philosophy on matching, that not everything has to be "matchy-matchy."In fact, in most cases the less the outfit matches perfectly, the better. Yes, the blues don't exactly match up and the reds don't either, but who really cares? (besides my sister, obviously). 

On a side note, it's finally BLAZER season (yay!!). I once got made fun of on a first (and only) date for saying that one of my interests is shopping, and in particular shopping for blazers (he asked, ok?!). I'm still obsessed with them to this day, despite the embarrassment. #bLaZeRs4LyFe

Party Pants Flashback

I found these babies while I was cleaning stuff out of my parents' attic - party pants (more like capris) circa 1997. Clearly I've been a fan of the party pant for many years and they have a spooky resemblance to these pants I bought earlier this year. And if I still could fit into a girls' size 16 in abercrombie (you know, with a lower case "A"), I would totally still rock them.

Orange Bow

Top: Ann Taylor, Skirt: J.Crew Outlet (Old), Shoes: Arturo Chiang, Necklace: Tiffany's, Leopard Watch: Timex, Bracelets: Forever 21 and J.Crew, Lipstick: Revlon 'Orange Flip'

Simple outfit with a small detail. 

(please ignore wrinkles from wearing the skirt all day and note that my shoes are actually a wedge, despite looking flat in the pictures!) 

(Brown Bag) Lunch

[Clockwise starting at top left and ending center:] Coach Legacy Leather Rory Satchel, Zara Shopper Basket, Zara Plaited Shopper, Classic Suitcase Bag, Coach Legacy Leather Candace Carryall, Barneys Classic Tote, Madewell Transport Tote, Coach Legacy Leather Tanner Tote

My lack of posting recently has been due to alternating between working and moving into my new apartment (which involved some last minute painting!). While I haven't been able to take outfit photos (my painting attire is so not chic), I have been able to think about the fact that I desperately need want a new brown leather bag for fall. I am overdue for a new bag, and I am lusting after structured styles, tassels, and totes (I need my everyday bag to have LOTS of room!). I am particularly enamored with the Coach Legacy Collection (the tassels!!) and love the affordability and look of Zara bags. I keep combing the aisles of TJMaxx as well to see if anything affordable pops up... I know my brown leather bag is out there somewhere waiting for me :) Happy September!

collage via polyvore

Colored Stripes & Chambray

Dress: Zara (Old), Chambray Shirt: Madewell, Sparkle Necklace: Bauble Bar, Pink Necklace: Kate Spade via Lord&Taylor Sale, Gold Link Bracelet: j.crew, Shoes: Maria Sharapova for Cole Haan

I wore this outfit to check out the Institute of Contemporary Art in Boston (let's just say it was "interesting") followed by dinner at the Legal Seafood Test Kitchen down by the Seaport with my boyfriend (swordfish on top of shrimp pad thai and white chocolate raspberry bread pudding for dessert, YUM). I love the colors of this Zara dress and I hate to admit this was the first time I actually wore it out of the house (bought it over a year ago). Sometimes I save favorite pieces in my closet for the "perfect" time to wear them, and then that time never seems to come. I need to work on just wearing my clothes no matter what the occasion! I decided that I didn't want to feel too dressy so I topped the dress with a chambray shirt and wore a pair sparkly flats. 

Pink & Spotted

Top & Sparkly Sunglasses: H&M, Skirt: J.Crew Sale, Shoes: Me Too via TJMaxx, Watch: Target, Bracelets: Jcrew and Zinnia

Even though I have a penchant for "party pants," I do love to wear skirts and dresses (usually in a fun color or print too). I love the bright pink color of this skirt and I'm OBSESSED with the dalmatian/leopardish print of this H&M top. I may or may not own the dress and pants in this print as well... and they just happen to go with my favorite shoes which I picked up at TJMaxx this summer. Note to self, grass is not an optimal setting to show off fabulous shoes.

(Pining for) Party Pants

Image via j.crew

J.Crew Collection Sequin Bow Pant

If I could bring myself to spend $495 on a pair of pants, these sequin bow pants would be added to my closet. The combination of a cropped leg, feminine print, neutral color, and silver sequins is just too perfect. Sigh.

(Yes, I daydream about pants.)

Purple Peplum & Printed Pants

Peplum Top: H&M, Pants: J.Crew, Shoes: Franco Sarto via TJMaxx, Bag: Deux Lux via TJMaxx, Necklace: Bauble Bar, Bracelets: J.Crew, Watch: Timex, Sunglasses: Anthropologie

As you can see, I'm quite obsessed with printed cafe capris from J.Crew. I love the waffled texture of both the pants and this peplum top. While I often pair my printed pants with a casual T-shirt, sometimes it's more fun to mix it up with a feminine top and sparkly necklace.

(Apple Bottom) Pants Party

Shirt: TEXTILE Elizabeth and James via TJMaxx Clearance ($25!) Party Pants: J.Crew (love any style cafe capri)
Bag: deux lux via TJMaxx, Shoes: Gap (summer sale), Lipstick: Revlon "Hot Coral"

 

I had my eye on these apple print cafe capris from J.Crew ever since I first saw them on their website. As usual, I stalked and stalked them until they went on sale, and then stalked again until they went on super sale (extra 30% off!). Gifted to me, from me, back in June for my birthday (along with a few other j.crew sale items), they were finally mine. I paired them with two of my other great loves (chambray and bright lipstick) to complete the look.

***Side note, back when the song "Low" by Flo Rida was popular (in 2007-08!!) my mom would sing it everywhere she went. For someone who "hates" hip-hop/rap music, she was quite taken (read: obsessed) with the song. I can hear it now: "apple bottom jeans, boots with the fur..."

(Leopard) Pants Party

Welcome to the Party Pants Blog! Here I will be exploring my obsession with party pants, over-the-top statement necklaces, leopard print, sequins/glitter, bright lipstick, chambray, and other things that may strike my fancy. My name is Kelly and my family often makes fun of me for my fashion choices, but I still love them.

Love these Zara pants! Definitely a good party.