Closet Lust...June

So yeah, I'm cutting it a bit close this month but Closet Lust...June is here!! I've selected four really great items for you guys that are versatile for summer days and corporate office environments.

$525 - ShopBop Zero + Maria Carnejo Oni Cardigan

I don't know about you, but before I choose an outfit for the day, I always check the weather on my phone. And on many occasions when I've dressed for a hot day, the A/C of my office makes me really regret the fact that I didn't bring a jacket to work. I think this cardigan is the perfect solution, with the material and the knitting providing light weight comfort and classic style. It's refined and polished with its light blue color and flattering lines and I'd personally love to have this cardigan hanging in my closet.

$98 - Nordstrom Wool & Cashmere Scarf

I found this scarf on Nordstrom and I love it's juicy color. It's a fun shade between red and orange and it's also a lightweight accessory. When you're going out to the grocery store and you have on a casual T-shirt and jeans, this scarf can add a pop of color to brighten your look. And if you're in the office and the temperature begins to drop, you can wrap yourself in it like the women in my office that wrap themselves in their beautiful pashminas. It's a really versatile piece.

$350 - ShopBop Oliveve Zoe Tote

I wanted to feature this bag because I am in love with it. I've been looking around for a new and interesting brown bag and this is it. What I find most fascinating about it is the shape and the material. It's made from cowhide and the exterior cut of it is really beautiful in the fact that it has a bit of a geometric influence. Either way, it's a really stunning tote from Oliveve.

$69.99 - Banana Republic Talia Leather Sandal

Everyone needs a nice sandal and I really like the cobalt blue color of this Banana Republic sandal. I love wearing outfits with one bright colored item to provide a statement to the whole look and this shoe is something that I'd would buy for myself. It's a simple flat shoe with great construction and it's something I would definitely wear on the weekends.

Thanks for reading!!

~Renee Brown

A Midsummer Night Out

Hi everyone! Hope your summer is going well and you're keeping cool in these hot temps. It's been so hot these last few weeks that I've just been staying indoors and devouring a number of romance novels and RomComs and it got me thinking about creating fun date night outfits. One is for a nice, casual dinner and drinks in the city, and the other is for a night clubbing and living it up. I wanted both looks to be affordable but there are expensive pieces to serve as inspiration. Let me know what you think!

Look 1

$54.50 - LOFT Floral Tie Neck Top

$59.95 - GAP Twill Strip Girlfriend Chinos

$49.95 - DSW Nadia Sandal

$29.99 - Amazon ILISHOP Evening Clutch

 $32 - Baublebar Champagne Ear Jackets

$48 - BaubleBar Yacht Bracelet Trio

Look 2

 $19 On Sale! - Old Navy Embroidered Sub-Knit Top

$268 - Neiman Marcus Elie Tahari Pencil Skirt

 $89 - Steve Madden Women's Stecy Sandals

$95 - Nordstrom Rebecca Minkoff Leo Clutch

 $48 - Alex and Ani Endless Knot Studs

 $11.47 On Sale! - NY&Co. 4-Row Beaded Pendant Necklace 

$48 - Baublebar Barbados Bracelet Trio

~Renee Brown

Closet Lust... May

Summer is basically here but it seems to come and go in Pittsburgh. I've been so chilly in between the warm rays of sunshine that manage to peak behind the clouds. The heat just needs to come already and thaw us out, I swear. But I've found four new items that I think will be very useful for the summer, items I would be consistently pulling from out of my closet.

$44.98 - Aldo SMILE Bag

Aldo is a shoe and accessory company that is really providing an interesting perspective to the fashion industry and this handbag is the perfect example of this. The architecture is so well done that it looks expensive and I wouldn't be surprised if it gets marked up by another $100. The biggest strength I see of this bag is its versatility because I could see anyone using it to go to the supermarket or meet up with friends for lunch.

$99 - Nine West Farfalla Caged Wedge

Summer is sandal season and this wedge is a beautiful addition to any shoe collection. There are a few colors on the Nine West website but I'm quite partial to the blue shown above. This is something that personally I would wear with jeans and a nice t-shirt. It's casual, flirty, and perfect for the season.

$59.95 - NYandCo. Floral Maxi Skirt

A maxi skirt is great to have as they can be worn on many different occasions. One day at work, I saw three different women sporting beautiful maxi skirts and I thought I was out of the loop somehow. I've been searching for a yellow maxi skirt ever since and I'm really happy to have found this one from New York and Company. The floral pattern is summery and bright and from the pics from other users on the website, it looks like a great buy.


So that's it for May. I've been kinda stressed out these past two weeks but I'm glad I came across the items I found. Not sure if I'll have more to say this month, but I'll keep you posted.

~Renee Brown

Closet Lust....January

So tomorrow is February and I almost forgot to do a Closet Lust for this month. Shame on me, because this month I've stumbled upon some amazing clothes. I recently discovered an amazing store by the name of Eloquii. It's a plus-sized apparel store, and as a plus-sized girl, seeing such high quality merchandise for women like me really makes me happy. I added two pieces from their online store and they give you just a glimpse of their high quality merchandise. I highly recommend checking out their site. 

For this January edition, I was looking around for quality work attire and the choices I saw below are the apparel and accessories that caught my eye.

$89.90 - Eloquii Studio Midi Skirt

The Studio Midi Skirt come in an irresistible array of colorful hues. The pink and blue are the most striking of the bunch in my opinion but there is an emerald green that is just as beautiful. I think going to work in one of these skirts would make a woman feel more confident and secure in who they are.

 $495 - Coach Designer Nomad Hobo

This Coach bag comes in many different colors as well, but I chose the midnight blue color in particular because of how well it can contrast to any casual outfit. Whether in jeans or a dress, the Nomad Hobo can complement any outfit.

$110.90 - Eloquii V Neck Peplum Flare Dress

I adore simple, white dresses. When they are beautifully designed, you get the end result of elegance. This particular dress from Eloquii is very versatile which is what I love most. A work event, a brunch, a date night, and even a city hall wedding, this dress can function in many settings. I really love it.

$990 - Bergdorf Goodman Proenza Schouler Clutch

The flame red Proenza Schouler clutch is so well done and so beautiful that I had to add it to this month's Closet Lust. What struck me the most about this bag is the color and the craftsmanship. The mesh look is intriguing and overall is a nice, sophisticated touch. *Sigh* If only I could afford Bergdorf.

~Renee Brown

Halloween Hype

Halloween is only a couple days away!!! It's been a while since I went trick or treating, but I've seen some really gorgeous costumes during this season, and the most beautiful ones are the ones created from clothes and items that people already had in their possession. So with that in mind, I wanted to create two looks for the festivities. The first is a focus on 'Where's Waldo' but with a more hipster edge. And while the original doesn't wear jewelry, I figured as a frequent world traveler Waldo would have accumulated some really cool bracelets. The second is 'The Unicorn' because who doesn't love unicorns? The horns are from Etsy and are really the only essential item of the costume itself. With the clothes from Charlotte Russe, and of course Mad Maiden, the bad ass 'Unicorn' will definitely turn heads at any Halloween party. 

Look 1- Where's Waldo?

 

$26.64 - Fomas Knitted Striped Pom-Pom Beanie Hat

 

$5.21 - Amazon Large Nerdy Glasses

$27 - Overstock Stanzino V-neck Striped Sweater

$35 - Old Navy Mid-Rise Rockstar Skinny Jeans

 

$40 - DSW Kelly & Katie Bonita Pump

$10 - Target 2 Piece Bangle Bracelets with Charms

$10 - Target 3 Piece Bangle Bracelets with Charms

$15 - Target Natasha Imitation Geo Earring

Look 2 - The Unicorn

$14.54 - Etsy Pink and Purple Unicorn Headband 

 

$25 - Mad Maiden Black Heart Angel Hoodie

$18 - Charlotte Russe Ribbed Mock Neck Wrap Top

$20 - Party City Adult Hot Pink Organza Tutu

$35 - Nordstrom 'Estella' Floral Lace Tights

$60 - DSW Blowfish Venus Bootie

$20 - Target Natasha Imitation Metal Cuff

$20 - Target Natasha Imitation Ear Crawler with Crystal

$30 - Target GOLD Zinc Necklace

~Renee Brown

A Closetful of Sunshine

Found a few items online that I really liked and so I created two looks for the casual summer days. I think they are both very versatile in the sense that the pieces from the first look could translate very easily into a work outfit such as the red tank and khakis. As for the second look, the mint green dress works well for a casual night out. My favorite look has to be the second one however. It's fun and young and is great for college girls. And if paired with a cardigan, I think the mint green dress could also work for early fall. The bag is strictly a Spring/Summer piece but a simple satchel is always good to have in your closet. I think my favorite thing from the look, however, has to be the glasses. They're made by this company called Proof. They're really cool, they're made from wood, and they can customized for your prescription if you have one.

Look 1

$45.99 Ecrater.com- 2 Tone Hobo Handbag

$28 Macy's- Jessica Simpson African Princess Hoop Earrings

$14.41 Sunglass Warehouse- Classic Gold Aviators

$109.95 Nordstrom- Jeffrey Campbell Cast Wedge

$16 Polyvore- Liz Claiborne Tank Top

$49.95 Gap- Broken in Khakis

$14.99 Target- Cara Watchband Bracelet

Look 2

$98 Amazon- Marcia Moran Glamour Gold Pendant Necklace

$115 Proof- Provo Prescription

$12.95 H&M- Mint Green Dress

$58.99 On Sale!! Macy's- Tignanello Handbag

$62.32 On Sale!! Nordstrom- DV by Dolce Vita Dania Sandal

Nordstrom- Ariella Collection Bird Studs