Look of the Week: Date Night

Andrew and I took a much needed date night this weekend. We tried out a great Italian restaurant in Southington. I dug out a great skirt that I am absolutely obsessed with but hadn't worn yet! This is one of those skirts that I could really dress up or keep it on the casual side. I decided to keep it casual sexy for this outing. 

Skirt: Forever 21

Tank: Paper Doll

Shoes: Christian Louboutin

Necklace: Charming Charlie

I could easily change this to work in the office by pairing a great black blazer with it. The high waist of the skirt also really accents the smallest part of the waist. Having blue with the red really is a fun color combination and a different neutral other than black or white.

Fashion for the Home: Pintrest Got Me Again

This post is going to be a little distraction from the fashion for your body and move into a little fashion for the home.
I love Pintrest. Some say that it has had it's time and it's time to move on, but I would disagree. I don't go into the office on Mondays or Fridays, so to fill my time, I craft. And it usually involves something for the home.
It's probably going to just end up collecting dust some day, but I don't care.
So, yesterday it was raining and completely gross but I headed to our local consignment store to see if I could find any cute outfits that might seem outdated to some but that I could snazz up with a new pair of shoes and a statement necklace.
No such luck.
But I did find this cool print framed of Piccadilly Road in London.
It was $4.
There is this Pin that I have always wanted to try, so I thought, "why not with this picture?"
So here it is...
Step 1:

Get a picture or make one of your own with magazine pictures and a stretched canvas. Think of a saying or phrase that you love and use stickers or adhesive letters to spell it out on the picture.


Step 2:

Take any color of paint and paint over the whole thing. I only did one coat because I liked seeing some of the picture through the paint. 


Step 3: 

When the paint is dry, gently remove the stickers. The picture underneath will show through! It's so cool. 


What do you guys think of a little change from the fashion to the home fashion?

Dressing for Your Shape: Pear Shaped

Pear Shaped: People with a Pear Body Shape have hips wider than their shoulders because their bodies store fat there and on the thighs. 


I had an exciting opportunity this weekend to help one of my coworkers pick out a couple of different outfits for her daughter's "Connecticut's Outstanding Teen" pageant this coming weekend. She is a shy woman so I didn't want to make her feel uncomfortable by taking pictures, so I am going to give some examples of things that we picked out for her. 


She is a pear-shaped woman so I wanted to slim-line the lower part of her body and really focus on the upper part with some great colors! Now, in this set, the top and the shoes are actually the ones we bought for her. 

 by sarahkeck86 featuring a cashmere cardigan

The key to this outfit is the wide-leg slacks with the light-weight blouse tucked in. This looked absolutely stunning on her! 

The next outfit we we picked out for her was a little more on the casual side with the cropped pants and the wedge. We still kept the bottoms black and then brought in a very interesting top. Pairing another cardigan with it made it transferable from outside to inside so easily!

by sarahkeck86 featuring flared pants

We got a fantastic deal on the top as well which made the experience all that more awesome! Tucking in the blouse in the pant really accented her tiny waist!

The last outfit was the fanciest to wear on the final night of the pageant. I wasn't able to find the blouse online but like the one here in the picture, it was ruffled along the neckline and was cinched in at the waist giving her a great hourglass figure! Reusing the accessories each night kept the cost down on all the outfits. And they were too beautiful to use only one night. 

 by sarahkeck86 featuring zebra print shoes

I can't wait to see all the pictures from the whole event next weekend! I know she will look fantastic, maybe even outshine all the contestants!

Look of the Week

It's that time of the week again, the Look of the Week! This is one of my all-time favorite outfits. I love the structure but with an unexpected twist. These tights are fabulous. I received them from one of my dearest friends for my birthday and knew exactly what to put them with. This dress from Zara was a must-have and fits like a glove. I love wearing it with a belt, it just defines the waist that much more. Having the belt the same color as the dress keeps the upper look uniform and then bringing the pop of color to the legs. 

Dress: Zara

Necklace: Baked Beads

Belt: Paper Doll

Tights: Muse Boutique 

Shoes: Aldo

I wish I had more opportunities to wear this out and about but it's a great outfit to have in my closet. It's one of those dresses where the cut will never go out of style. Having pieces like that in your closet will keep your closet and your wallet full.

Bringing Back the 80s!

This past weekend, Rock of Ages hit the big screen! Andrew and I saw it on Friday and wrote our review on the blog, Two Tickets For.... This movie reminded me why I love rock music of the 80s! It got me to thinking about fashion, of course. I was thinking that there was some crazy looks from the 1980s! So how can I make them a little more tame but still hold that 80s essence? So let's see what 80s in the 21st century looks like...

80s Update by sarahkeck86 featuring silk tops

Leather was big in the rock scene, so instead of doing a full-on leather skirt try one with leather paneling. It will be more up-to-date and will be more forgiving than an all-leather skirt. Neon was also huge in the 80s, but instead of going with the bright concert tank, go with a solid neon blouse that's flowy so that the whole outfit isn't too tight. Keep the shoes neutral so that the attention stays focused on bright shirts and accessories. Pairing this outfit with bright bangles and a skeleton ring really finishes off the 80s look.  


The 80s are over, it's true, so don't go putting crazy 80s hair with this outfit. Keeping it simple. No crimping. This really was a fun movie, by the way, so if you love musicals with a great cast be sure to see Rock of Ages while it's in theaters!

Summer Weekend Escapes

Hello dear readers! It has been a little bit since I have written but it's been one crazy week for work. Between working in the office and working events I was checking Facebook, and I really enjoyed seeing all the pictures from mini-vacations that friends took. That got me to thinking about what to pack for different destinations.


One of my dear friends, Kay over at Life After... goes to her parent's lake house several times during the summer. For being at the lake or really anywhere near a body of water, you want to be comfortable. Besides packing the usual 10 bathing suits, here are a couple of other ideas...

Lake House Love by sarahkeck86 featuring sun dresses

Keeping things cool and loose is the way to go. With the lack of airconditioning in many cases, the last thing you want is tight clothes trapping in heat. Stick with cottons. They breathe and there are so many beautiful clothes in cotton.

Another friend recently went to one of my all-time favorite places, New York City! This city is right around the corner from us here in CT, so when we get out there it's usually just for the day. Dressing right is very important. One would think that just because there is a lot of shade from all the large buildings, that it would be cooler. Not so. It can really get hot with all that concrete and glass. Keeping it flowy is the way to go...

Weekend in the City by sarahkeck86 featuring metallic handbags

The great thing about the city is that there are so many different styles. I love to go with a very feminine look. The City can make you feel a little grimy, so keeping the look fresh can make you feel fresh for longer. New York is also notorious for people wearing a lot of black. Let's break that habit! Bringing in pasteles and whites is a great alternative. Pairing with a statement necklace and a great hat is the way to go.

Last but not least is the country retreat. Heading out to the country road trip style is so much fun! There again, it's best to be comfortable. You don't necessarily need to be as structured in the country as you do in the city. I love flowy tank-tops, they are easy to roll up and fit into small spaces so you can pack several. A great maxi-dress and jean jacket can easily transfer from day to night. 

Country Escape by sarahkeck86 featuring antique gold jewelry

This is one of my favorite collections. I'm loving all the bright colors! 


The moral of this post is to keep in mind your surroundings and plan for several weather scenarios. Weekend trips are the best so remember to dress fabulously!

Tailor, Tailor, Tailor

Unless you can morph your body whenever you feel like it, you're going to run across clothes that fit you perfectly in some places and leave other parts much to be desired. Don't you hate it when that happens?! You love those jeans but they are just too big in the waist and with a belt they tend to bunch up. I have one word for you...Tailor! Tailoring is so simple and easy and can fix clothes in a jiffy.


Now I know what you may be thinking, "where would I get the money to have several pieces altered to fit better?" That really can be a problem. Alterations can get a little pricy especially if you are having more than one thing altered. So, here's my solution, ask around! Most of the time, all it takes is a person with a sewing machine who has at least a little bit of knowledge on how to use it. Ask the sweet little old lady next door if she knows or even ask your mother or grandmother.


For some of the more extensive things, resizing dresses or structured pieces like blazers, you might want to invest in someone who knows more of what they're doing. But there again, do your research. You may be able to find someplace that is running a special or a discount on your first visit.


Once you have your clothes tailored you really will notice such a huge difference! It's worth the effort to make those clothes fit just right.


No pictures for this post, but don't worry! There will be in the next time!

Look of the Week

Hello readers! I hope that you have all had an amazing weekend. It's been quite a busy one for us here in Connecticut with all the work for our other blog, the movie review site Two Tickets For..., as well as juggling work. 

I did, however, get a text from a very dear girlfriend of mine, Alicia, that she had some ideas for blog articles. One of them was to start a "Look of the Week" post. I loved the idea, so here is my first one!

To many people who know me it may seem that I have a TON of clothes. I really don't, not as much as I would like anyway. Ahh the life of a newlywed. What I like to do with those clothes is mix and match! So here we go, my first "look."

Blue Striped Shirt: L8ter
Red Shorts:Tommy Hilfiger
Gladiator Sandals: Old Glory

Please ignore the eau naturale hair and light make-up, it was the weekend. 

Remember that oversized button-up shirt in your closet that you usually reserve for leggings or if you're confidant enough, by itself? Try tucking it in to a nice pair of structured shorts. Pair with a great sandal and you have a fun, relaxed weekend outfit.

Styling Kay for a Day

I have a very dear friend back home in Michigan. She and I went to high school together and have really "grown-up" together. She is actually the one who got me started on this whole blogging thing. She is very supportive and is rocking it out over on Life After... Blog!


So, she is going to a wedding for an elderly family member. She has two dresses that fit her perfectly but didn't quite know what to put with them. When I told her about my new blog she thought this would be a great way for some cross promotion! She has given me a budget of $40 to accessorize her two dresses.


Here's where you come in. I had put together the two outfits with accessories. It is up to you, dear readers, to help her choose which one to wear. You can vote by commenting on either one of our blogs to let us know which one you like the best! Here they are:

Kay's Wedding Look #1 by sarahkeck86 featuring stone jewelry

Wedding Look #2 for Kay by sarahkeck86 featuring bangle jewelry

I love Polyvore! It's such a cool website. If you haven't checked it out, you really should. It can really get creative! 

Now it's up to you! Which one do you like the best? Be sure to go visit Kayla's blog too! She happens to have this ridiculously cute son that she posts a bunch of pictures of. If that doesn't entice you I don't know what will!

Look One: Green Dress: JC Penny Shoes: Old Navy Bracelet: Forever 21 Earrings: Pret A Portobello.com

Look Two: Cream/White Eyelet Dress: Loft Shoes, Bracelets, Earrings: Forever 21

Fascinating Fascinators!

Hello readers! I am still trying to get in the swing of things with this new blog and would love for any and all input. What you would like to see. Any questions that you may have about wardrobe. I love fashion, researching the latest trends and putting things together to see what works!


I have a couple of things in the works for this blog and that includes styling my dear friend Kayla. I have started to put together outfits for her and I am really excited for you all to see them on Friday!


I will leave you all with a favorite trend of mine that comes from across the pond. This past weekend was Queen Elizabeth's Diamond Jubilee. I am a huge fan of the royal family. Ever since last year's Royal Wedding, fascinators have become a hot ticket item for fashion. I love this accessory and wish it could be worn more often than just special occasions!

See what I mean?! How fabulous are these hats! 

Photos: hatsandfascinators.com, lifeisreallybeautiful.com, modcloth.com, lifeisreallybeautiful.com, googleimages

Accessories Galore

Hello readers! I am starting something new for this week with my dear friend Kay over at Life After...Blog. She is going to a family member's wedding this month and she wants to look fabulous, of course! She has two different dresses to choose from but would like some help with accessories. She is giving me a budget and I will style both outfits. Both her readers and my readers will have a chance to vote on which one you like the best! Whichever one you all like the best will be the one that she picks!


This leads me to today's post. Accessories! We all have them. But when we're deciding what to put on in the morning, what is too much and what is just right?


I'm going to show three different possibilities for three different scenarios. As with everything I post, I would love to hear what you have to say and ideas that you have!


Look 1: Business

Demure by sarahkeck86 featuring leather strap watches

A lot of women dress pretty conservative for their jobs, but there is a difference between conservative and bland. While keeping with the demure look, throw in a pop of color! Keep the other accessories low key and simple.

Look 2: Weekend

Weekend Time by sarahkeck86 featuring drop earrings

Don't be afraid to put bright colors together! Colors are perfect for the summer. They make you feel fantastic and you will stand out in a crowd!

Look 3: Date Night 

Date Night by sarahkeck86 featuring stainless steel jewelry

Date night accessories can really dress-up an otherwise casual outfit. It is also a way to really let your personality show through, like with the mustache necklace, but try not to go overboard. Just keep it to one piece. 

So what do you like to put on for the day to spice up the outfit?

Back to Basics

The basis of a great closet starts with the basics. Those few key pieces that you can pull out in a pinch, pair them with some great accessories and shoes and head out the door.


The first would definitely have to be a white blouse. Pick one that fits your shape the best and above all, that you love! Also keep in mind your climate when purchasing your blouse. You could buy a couple if you have the means, but if you don't be sure to pick one that you can wear the most throughout the year.


These are just a couple of examples:

Basic White by sarahkeck86 featuring a button shirt

Another staple to have in your closet is a great pair of jeans. The kind that you put on and your confidence is immediately boosted. Finding the perfect pair of jeans can take some trial and error but it will totally be worth it. Whatever size you are, jeans look great on any shape. Thin women with narrow hips can tend to look best in a straight-leg jean. Women who have more of an hour-glass figure can look fantastic rocking a pair of bootcut jeans. Women who tend to be a little more apple-shaped look super sexy in a wide-leg jean.  

Basic Jeans by sarahkeck86 featuring sailor jeans

SInce I have promised to keep this short I will leave you with one more staple that can really tie an outfit together. Scarves. This accessory is not only great for the winter but can also be great for throwing around your neck with a tank-top. It's all about the weight of the fabric. A lightweight knit can even work on a warm summer day. Either in a print or a solid, this is a great way to add a  pop of color to any outfit.

Scarves by sarahkeck86 featuring summer scarves

Well, readers, I hope you enjoyed my very first post on this blog! What are some of your closet staples?