I realize that last part PROBABLY doesn’t sound like news, but honestly, I have NO time to shop anymore. It’s a sad state of affairs, I know. BUT. Melissa and I have been working with Mainline Parent Magazine to pull looks for their spring publication so I have been forced to go shopping. (Tough life, right??) And I discovered some really cute new boutiques because they want all the looks to be from local shops.

I’ve been tiring of shopping at the same three stores over and over so this was the perfect opportunity to broaden my horizons. For you local yokels, my two favorite new shops are Skirtin Around at Spread Eagle Village in Wayne and Jennifer on the Avenue in Berwyn. Skirtin Around is a little more upscale. I didn’t purchase anything there (yet!), but I do have my eye on a blouse and a handbag (no surprise there, right??).

Jennifer on the Avenue has a great price point, and they were having some awesome sales to boot! That is where I did my shopping. In 30 minutes, I managed to accumulate 6 items — 2 pair of colored jeans (YAY! I have been wanting a pair for months), 2 sweaters, a tank and a really cute faux leather skirt! My husband likes to say I have the most expensive job in town. Ha!

This time of year tends to feel ho-hum so it was so nice to have some new clothes to pull from when I packed to go to the Family Travel Conference in NYC last weekend, and now I’m all set for Blissdom too!

Okay, so let’s get down to bidness.

What I Wore This Week

WEDNESDAY: This is the outfit I wore the day I went shopping. I am STILL trying to figure out what works with this sweater. I thought the teal was a nice color with it, and I put them with black jeans rather than regular denim. When I laid out the combination on my bed, I was excited to wear it. But looking at this picture, I’m not sure I LOVE it. Maybe it needs boots? Or maybe I need to give up on that sweater.

long cardi: Nordstrom (last winter)

teal ruffle-neck tee: Ann Taylor LOFT

black skinny cords: Bloomies (on sale last winter)

black ballet flats: Nine West (years ago)

long necklace: can’t remember

THURSDAY: On Thursday I had lunch at the mall with two gentlemen from Cradles to Crayons to discuss ways we can work together. They are doing an incredible work. PLEASE check them out.

striped sweater by M. Rena from Jennifer on the Avenue

high waist skinny jeans . . . be still my heart!! from Jennifer on the Avenue (on sale!!)
(also at Zappos: Joe’s Jeans – Visionaire Skinny in Raisin Deep Purple)

Dansko Brinkley boots

silver bold link bracelet and chunky hoop earrings

FRIDAY: This is the day I took the train to NYC and Day One of the Family Travel Conference so I wanted to be comfortable but chic.

asymmetrical cardi: Theme

black tank: M. Rena

red jeans: DL1961

black ballet flats: Nine West (years ago)

necklace: Stella & Dot

This outfit is entirely from Jennifer on the Avenue. The red jeans were an impulse buy. I’ve been wanting colored jeans, but I never intended to go with anything so bold. But when I saw these, and they were on sale to boot, I decided to try them on for the fun of it. I love them. I like the ankle-length, I love how they feel on, and the color makes me smile. I’d never heard of DL1961, but evidently they are known for their 4-way stretch fit, and I can attest. They feel divine! I have worn them twice now, and they stretch with you but don’t fall down. They are truly THE most comfortable jeans I’ve ever worn. I’m going to try to find a pair in regular denim.

The sweater is kind of funky. While I love the color and fabric, I can’t say I’m in love with the asymmetrical action. I tried it both buttoned up half-way and open like the photo, and either way it’s sort of annoying. I looked and looked until I found the sweater on Theme’s website, and they picture it buttoned all the way up with the top in a bit of a cowl. Lemme find it . . .

Maybe I’ll try it that way next time.

SATURDAY: I was at the travel conference, and I wore this old stand-by outfit. Actually, I’ve never worn it with flats before. I think I’ve always worn this outfit with boots.

purple drapey sweater: Nordstrom (years ago)

black tank: Banana

gray skinny cords: Paige from Bloomies

same black flats from Nine West (the most comfortable ballet flats EVER)

Speaking of boots, I changed for the train ride home because I couldn’t fit my boots into my suitcase. Ha!

I also threw on the scarf because it was a chilly day in NYC. The scarf I can go either way on, but I definitely like it best with boots.

For more fashion fun, check out The Pleated Poppy and Momma Go Round.

Yesterday was unseasonably warm in Philly, and it’s expected to be much the same today. The temps reached 60 according to the thermometer in my car!!!

I have one question. WHERE WAS THIS WEATHER WHEN I WAS HAVING MY WORKSHOP??? Oh well. Clearly it was not meant to be.

I used the opportunity to shuck the boots and galavant around town without my coat. (I also went on my first run since my infirmities.) It. was. glorious.

Here’s what I wore running errands. Nothing too exciting, but I do love this embellished tee (that seems to be shrinking in the dryer. It’s getting too short. Drat. Hate it when that happens.)

embellished tee from LOFT Outlet

black hooded drapey sweater from Nordstrom

gray skinny cords from Bloomies on sale end of last winter

black flats by Nine West (years ago)

long silver necklace (not sure where it’s from)

And on Monday, my first day off the couch for three days, I wore my cream Athleta sweater, but instead of pairing it with jeans, I tried it with these tan cords.

I like the color combo, because it allows the blue tank to pop more, but I had no idea what shoes to wear with it. I went with my brown suede boots, but they really aren’t working for me. The sweater has an athletic vibe going on, and the boots . . . well, don’t. But I didn’t want to wear sneakers. Thoughts??

I just had to put those pictures together. Doesn’t it look like I’m looking at myself?

I think I’m saying, Dang girl. You look skinny. You must have had the stomach flu last week. 

Heehee. I crack myself up sometimes.

(I lost 8 pounds last week. Which might sound glorious, but trust me, I wouldn’t advise it — not by this method, anyway. And before you yell at me, I’ve already gained 3 back. My muffin top will be alive and well in short order, I’m sure.)

Oh yeah, here’s what I’m wearing:

Athleta Rib Zip Hoodie

blue tank from Banana

tan cords on sale at Bloomies last winter

brown suede boots from Nine West Outlet last fall

necklace by Grace Tags

And also please note my new necklace!

My good friend Janelle is making jewelry stamped with Christian messages and scripture verses. Mine says By Grace Alone. I love it.

Stick around, as there just may be a Grace Tags giveaway in the near future!!

Meanwhile, head on over to The Pleated Poppy and Momma Go Round for some more fashion inspiration!

Jeans by jolynneshane

I get a lot of Fashion Friday requests for a post on finding the perfect jeans. I’ve addressed it before, but I thought it might be time to revisit the topic.

Finding the perfect jeans is a challenge for sure, but I think you are up for it! It requires a lot of patience and a lot of trying on. Yeah, I know. No one wants to spend a day trying stuff on, but there is no other way to find the perfect pair of jeans.

Like most issues of style, it all comes down to fit and proportion. And of course, we are all proportioned differently so everyone has to figure out what works for them.

You can find good fitting jeans at all price points, but I am slightly addicted to designer denim. It just generally fits better than the rest. But never fear!! You don’t have to shell out your month’s grocery budget on them either. With off-price shopping like TJMaxx and Nordstrom Rack and daily deal sites like Gilt, there is plenty of designer denim to be had at reasonable prices. And don’t rule out thrift stores. If you find a good thrift store in a wealthy area, you can find designer denim at rock bottom prices.

And you can definitely find jeans that fit well at Target or Old Navy or the Gap, but frankly, those prices are getting awfully full of themselves these days. I’d rather shop for designer at off-price stores; I think it’s a much better deal. I’ve done well for myself at Nordstrom Rack.

There are a few rules of thumb to keep in mind when shopping for (and trying on) jeans.

Size

It’s tough, I won’t lie. There are no easy numbers to go by like men’s pants.

Some brands work better for some people than others. If you’re a curvy girl, your challenge is to find a style where the waist isn’t gaping. If you have more of a straight figure, try to find a pair that doesn’t cut in at the waist and give you the dreaded muffin top.

I always buy my jeans on the smaller side. I’ve learned this lesson the hard way, and I’ve learned to listen to the salesgirls at Nordstrom. They usually know what they are talking about. They do stretch out as you wear them, and if you don’t put them in the dryer (I said it already but it stands to be repeated: NEVER PUT YOUR JEANS IN THE DRYER) they will fit perfectly when you buy them just a bit too snug.

This is simply a matter of trial and error. If you’re at a department or specialty store, the sales associate should be able to give you some guidance. Even if you plan to shop for your jeans at a discount, it’s a good idea to go to a full service store to try them on and determine which brand and styles work best for you.

Length

It’s very important to consider the length of your jeans. YOU MAY NEED TO HAVE YOUR JEANS HEMMED. Don’t rule out that possibility. There is nothing worse than jeans that are the wrong length. If they are too long, you look sloppy. If they are too short, you look frumpy. Sorry, them’s the facts. Very few of us are the exact right height for jeans off the rack. Of course, they vary by style and brand.

When having your jeans hemmed, make sure to ask for jean hem. They should retain the original hem. If they don’t know what you mean, run far, far away and find another tailor. It’s safest to have them hemmed at a department store. It costs about $20.

Your jeans should just barely skim the floor — no more than a half-inch off the ground (and that’s after they’ve been washed — leave 1/2 – 3/4 inch for shrinkage and NEVER put your jeans in the dryer.) Take a look at your view from behind, and make sure they are not dragging, but that they are JUST touching the floor (because they will shrink 1/2 -inch when you wash them).

The exception to this rule is the skinny jean. It should end right below the ankle bone. And they can be scrunched if they’re a bit too long, so they are more forgiving when it comes to length.

Did you know that I’m a mind reader? Right now you’re thinking that you have high heels and you have flats and how are you supposed to know what length your jeans are supposed to be???

I know. You will have to have more than one pair of the perfect jeans. Sorry. It’s just the way it is.

I have some jeans hemmed for flats and some hemmed to wear with heels. Of course the one exception is when you tuck your jeans into your boots. Then the length doesn’t matter. WOO! (But other there are other issues with those jeans . . .  stay tuned for a future post.)

Pocket Placement (and size and style)

Please pay attention to the pockets, ladies. If they are too high, they scream MOM JEAN! If they are too low, well, you might look droopy. If they are too wide apart or too close together, they can add unwanted pounds. Some of this depends on your shape, so try on a bunch and determine which works best. Ask a saleslady for assistance, or bring along an honest friend.

You also want to pay attention to the size of the pocket. If you have a smaller derriere, you probably want to go for smaller pockets. If you have a little more back there, then go a bit larger. If you try on a lot of jeans, you will start to notice smaller details like this and which ones look best on you.

Beware of the flap pocket. It can be a hard look to pull off. I like the flap pocket on me because I feel it helps give me a bit more volume back there (I need it!) but if you have a rounder tushy, you may want to steer clear of the flap pockets, or choose wisely.

The pocket placement on these is about right. The length is too short. Never judge appropriate pant length from the stores online. Models are almost always way too tall for the jeans you buy in stores, and so the photos online are rarely the right length.

Color

A dark wash is dressier. A lighter wash is more casual. White jeans are a nice crisp look for summer, and you can even pull them off for winter if you wear them with the right pieces. Black jeans are nice to have for an evening look, and colored jeans are trendy right now. If you are going to have only one or two pair of jeans, go for one dressier dark wash and one medium wash for everyday wear.

Style

If you’re trying to decide whether to buy skinny jeans, straight-leg, bootcut, wide leg or something in between, consider your lifestyle and where you are planning to wear them. Your body shape may come into play here as well, but I do believe with the proper top and accessories, almost any woman can wear almost any style of jean.

You may be more comfortable in a bootcut because you feel it balances out your wide hips.

Or you may feel more comfortable in skinnies because you plan to tuck them into boots every day.

A wide leg jean is dressier and may be appropriate for church or the workplace.

If you’re afraid of trying skinnies, give a nice slender straight-leg jean a try. Sometimes they read as skinnies on certain people.

Bootcut and wide leg jeans look best with a heel. If you’re a flats sorta girl, you probably want to stick with a straight leg or skinnies. Of course these rules vary based on your height. If you are tall and leggy, you can probably get away with bootcut jeans and flats.

Tell me. What are your favorite jeans?? Tell us your best tips for finding the perfect jeans.

SATURDAY:

It hasn’t snowed here in Philly since my last PSMM Workshop back in October — yes, snow in October!! So it’s only fitting that it chose to dump on us again between the hours of midnight and noon the morning of my Workshop last Saturday. (Oh, and do you remember the hurricaine that postponed my August workshop? I. AM. DOOMED, people. DOOMED.)

So I woke up Saturday morning to a blanket of snow covering the earth and immediately came downstairs and turned on the news, where I proceeded to sit for the next hour as Cecily and I Skyped back and forth, debating the merits of postponing versus carrying on as planned. We eventually decided to make a go of it — a decision I regretted once I found myself halfway to my destination, but at that point, I had no choice but to continue on. Eleven hardy ladies joined me, and 7 or 8 more tuned in on Skype. We had a great time, and the smaller-than-normal group was actually quite conducive to the hands-on writing exercises Cecily had planned. We were each able to read our work and receive feedback. It was awesome!

This is what I wore. I wanted to be cozy and comfortable, and that was about all that I had on my mind. I was delighted to have an opportunity to carry my new Kelly Moore Camera/Laptop Bag*!!!!

I have been wanting this for MONTHS, a YEAR in fact — ever since last January when I attended the Blissdom Conference and SWORE I’d never attend another conference without a bag that holds both my dSLR camera and its appendages as well as my laptop bag. Well, I grudgingly attended two more that way, and then I ordered this for myself with Christmas money. It’s the Libby, in case you want to check it out. I signed up to be an affiliate because I love her products so much, and you can get to her site through the button on my sidebar at any time!

The sweater is from Banana Republic. I couldn’t find my cream tank so I wore white (not the best color choice, huh?)

Skinny jeans, gray UGGs* (now on sale!!) and boot socks and I was cozy and good to go!

SUNDAY:

This is the only other photo I have this week. It was still cold and snowy so once again, I was all about the comfort factor. I picked up this scarf at Charming Charlie’s the other night, and for some reason it looked a lot cuter in the store than it did at home. I wore it all morning, feeling like I was wrapped in confetti, and as soon as I got home I took it off and gave it to my daughter, who was delighted. That should tell you something right there, I suppose. When your 9-year-old daughter wants your accessories, you may just want to reconsider your choices.

And can I just SAY that I am so tired of seeing that guitar in the corner behind my photos? Oh and also too. Does anyone want to come and take down the rest of my Christmas decorations? Otherwise I have a feeling they’ll be up until Easter.

I did the boot sock thing again — thinking that it might be nice to break up the black boots and black pants. And you’ve seen that gray drapey sweater and magenta top underneath probably at least 42 times. It’s warm and comfortable, and I love the color combination. Nuff said.

Oooooh! LOOK what I just found. I almost forgot about this. Last week I went out  for drinks and shopping with a friend, and I decided to go for it and wear the “bat sweater”.

Look, Ma! I WORE IT!

I tried to jazz it up with the purple tank and boot socks. And the necklace and chunky bracelet. Tell me whatcha think!

And just pay no nevermind to those paint swatches on the all back there. They will be gone TOMORROW!!

Now for some real fashion inspiration (’cause you’re not getting much here today) be sure to check out Momma Go Round and The Pleated Poppy.

*affiliate links

Having Fun with Polyvore

I love leather. For years I had a black leather jacket that I wore all the time. It eventually wore out, and I never replaced it. Now my obsession is with caramel-colored leather. Isn’t this outfit divine?

Okay, let’s be real now. I would wear this outfit any day of the week.

I could spend hours on Polyvore. But I better get off this here computer and feed my kids.

Did you write about fashion this week?

Join Our Fashion Friday Carnival!

With that said, we now bring you the next installment of  . . .

What I Wore This Week

Once again, I’m joining moms around the blogosphere as we share some of our outfits from this past week in order to hold each other accountable to getting dressed every day.

It may sound silly to some, but when you work from home or stay at home with kids, it is so tempting to stay in your jammies all day. As I’ve been participating in this little exercise, I’ve found myself not only challenging myself to get dressed, but also making an effort to add interest with layers and accessories.

I still have a long way to go, I know. I’m always in awe of those ladies who seem to have this innate ability to accessorize and layer it up so that they never wear the same outfit twice. But there’s something to be said for at least getting dressed and making oneself presentable. So here are a few of my outfits from this week.

Have you noticed the new trend in these What I Wore pictures is to feign looking natural — like looking off into the distance, or more often, looking down at your feet. The most popular pose that I notice is the nonchalant look-down pose. Bonus points if you’re running your hand through your hair. Like we don’t all know that you know there is a camera staring at you. 

I decided I’d give it a try, solely with the intent of joking about it, but I actually really like it, lol!! I like how it gives you a different angle of my hair and makeup, and it does look more natural in a way, except, we all know that I have a camera propped on the counter with the timer set. But here you go, anyway.

Next week maybe I’ll try the hand in the hair. Ha!

So that plum sweater (similar) is an oldie-but-goodie from Nordstrom, and I only pulled it out because I was tired of the same What I Wore This Week photos. See, this little weekly column DOES force us to get out of our ruts! I wore this outfit out to lunch with some girlfriends and then on a couple of shopping errands. There’s nothing really special about it but I like the proportions and the colors, and the long necklace keeps it on trend.

This next picture is hideous. It’s something about the way I’m standing, {I hope} but I swear I look about 10 lbs heavier than normal. And the outfit isn’t exciting me.

At any rate, that is my black hooded open cardi from Nordstrom and a teal ruffle-neck tee from Loft with my tan cropped cords and black ballet flats to balance out the black on top. I think the heavy sweater is asking for boots, though. And this is totally random, but I feel like it is missing something plum!! Maybe I’ll try my plum scarf next time. And boots. Or maybe a longer necklace with some color to it?

This next outfit is a variation of my Christmas Sunday Outfit that everyone commented on a few weeks ago. (I was running REALLY late for church, thus the watch picture! HA!)

It’s the same skirt (Banana Republic) and tights (Spanx) with boots rather than pumps and a different sweater (Banana Republic).

I’m not nearly as fond of this outfit as the other one, though. I didn’t realize it until I looked at these pictures. I chose boots rather than pumps ecause it was SO VERY COLD outside, and I felt like the boots make the outfit more casual. (We do not attend a very formal church. The worship style is traditional, but the surroundings {a school gymnasium} are not.)

The sweater is similar to the other one, but something about the band around the waist and an inch of additional length makes it look a bit bulky. And the boots aren’t nearly as slimming as the pumps. Live and learn, I guess!

It was FREEEEZING on Sunday so I wore my cozy new winter coat (similar and also) that I picked up on a 50% off sale at the mall last week.

When I bought it, I wasn’t sure I’d really get my money’s worth out of it; but I’ve already worn it three times, and I am here to tell you, it is worth every penny! We have had a mild winter, but it suddenly turned bitter cold and windy last Thursday, and I have been so glad I had this. Not only does it break the wind when I’m outside, but it keeps my legs warm when I slide into my car and sit down into those frosty-cold leather seats.

So that’s the best I’ve got from this week! I’m linking up to What I Wore Wednesday and Real Momma Real Style and Monday Mingle.

If you aren’t familiar with Athleta, they are owned by the Gap and are known for stylish activewear. Like this!

After the holidays, while they had their winter sale items marked an additional 20% off, I took some Christmas money and went shopping. I was delighted with my entire order, and I’m already making a wish list for my next one.

You’ve already seen my cream Rib Zip Hoodie, which I love for casual days working at home and running errands.

I also treated myself to these Relay Capris. They are the only item I bought that weren’t on sale but I’ve wanted them for a long time, and I absolutely love them — both for running and the gym. They look awesome with the Trailhead Tank.

I have a hard time finding cute tops that aren’t racer-back or otherwise too bare for my sensibilities, and for $19.99, that’s a steal! (It was $34.99 plus 20% off when I ordered it. So the prices are much better now, even without the additional 20% off sale. Kind of kicking myself right now, but hey. If you’re in the market for some workout attire, here’s your chance to get some really cute stuff for an awesome bargain!!)

And I bought their Organic Cotton Salamba Pant which I wore in this post. I got these for working out at the gym as well as for wearing around. The days I go to the gym, I sometimes run errands afterwards, so I like having workout clothes that are nice enough for wearing around too.

I usually wear them with the red Nike sweatshirt my husband got me for Christmas, but I have my eye on the Athleta Spice It Up Hoodie. I love the longer length and the thumb hole detail on the sleeves. The longer lengths are particularly nice when wearing running tights or the Relay Capris ’cause they cover the tushy.

The only question is, magenta?

Or pacific?

Speaking of longer lengths, I also have my eye on this Sphinx Hoodie. In fact, I might have just ordered that with the $20 in Gap Rewards I just earned. Sbhhh…

The Tranquility Tank is a must for both running and gym workouts. I adore this hibiscus color.

And isn’t this Hatha Hoodie positively YUMMY? They picture worn over workout gear, but I would totally wear that around town with jeans and boots.

Now I just have to wait till it all goes on sale.

Do you buy from Athleta? What are your favorite pieces?

Join Our Fashion Friday Blog Carnival!

Disclosure: this post is ripe with affiliate links. Because I always sign up to be an affiliate for brands I love!

First of all, I have to let you in on a little secret. I am becoming addicted to activewear. Cute activewear, mind you, but activewear nonetheless. This is my go-to outfit as of late.

My husband picked out that sweatshirt. Didn’t he do a good job? He gave it to me for Christmas because I wanted something to throw on over my gym clothes, and he liked the fact that I can be seen from a mile away when I’m running on the road. I like how it’s longer than most and it is shaped through the waist area but not tight.

The pants are new too. I got them at Athleta on their after Christmas sale. I will be singing my Ode to Athleta on Friday so you’ll have to wait and see all the cute activewear I picked up on sale, but truly, I could live in their stuff forever and be perfectly happy. These pants are their Organic Cotton Salamba Pant, and they are absolutely fantastic, as well as ON SALE!

Okay, so the point of these posts is to encourage us stay-at-home mom types to get OUT of our pajamas and yoga pants, so let’s move on.

I wore this outfit to a casual neighborhood holiday gathering. (Yes, it was just last weekend; we were late fitting in our holiday soirée this year, but we fit it in, we did!)

(Pardon the shadows. And the strange camera angle.) I picked up this top at Banana Republic because I thought it was the perfect mix of casual and festive. (The stripes aren’t gray, they are a silver metallic thread. Very fun.) And also? IT’S A PATTERN, Y’ALL! Banging out my New Years Goals, yes I am. The lighting doesn’t really show the outfit very well, but those are my black velvety soft cords and my Dansko Brinkley boots, and the jewelry is Stella & Dot.

Movingrightalong. 

This outfit is my attempt at adding color AND pattern into my wardrobe. When I saw this tank, I ordered it immediately. I’m a huge fan of the Banana Republic Timeless Tanks, and I love coral so this purchase was a no-brainer. I threw it on to meet a friend at the mall and put it with my favorite skinny jeans and my gray drapey sweater. I was sure it was a great little pop of color and pattern in one of my ordinary outfits . . . until I uploaded these pictures and saw the outfit all put together.

WOWZAS! That’s a lot of color and pattern in an otherwise very monotone outfit. I think I can do better . . . but I’m not sure what else to wear with it. Or perhaps I should just put it away for spring. Thoughts???

Finally, this is a sweater I picked up at Nordstrom Rack a few months ago without trying it on. I got it home and gave it a test drive and immediately put it back in the bag to return it. Well, it sat and sat and I finally looked at the receipt and realized it was beyond its return date so I put it in my dresser. It’s been sitting there until Saturday when I tried it on again. And I rather liked it. I think. Or maybe not. I’m not sure.

My husband says I look like a bat.

My 12-year-old son just looked at me and shook his head and snickered.

My 6-year-old daughter said I looked beautiful.

WHO to believe??

What say you, oh wise internets?

I am {CLEARLY} undecided.

Meanwhile, head on over to The Pleated Poppy and BonBon Rose Girls for more What I Wore Wednesday fun.

I thought it might be fun to show you my quick 5-minute face makeup routine, and then in another post I’ll give you the whole shebang, for those occasions when I have the time to do it up right.

Here is my current stash of make-up.

Yep! All that! And I can do it in 5 minutes. I even timed myself! The secret is the eye shadow applied as eye liner. It’s so fast, and it really defines the eyes.

If I were highly motivated, I’d do a video, but this will have to suffice. Here I am, wearing my 5-minute face. With circles under my eyes. What’s up with that? Bad lighting, I think. Any-who.

And here’s what I’m wearing (full disclosure – almost all of these links are affiliate links):

• PurePressed Base - it’s a mineral powder makeup that I apply with a big brush, very fast, but not as good coverage as a cream foundation
• Concealer - if I’m in a really big rush, I skip this step
• Laura Mercier powder blush in Persian Rose (it came in a palette that I bought when I had a makeover last year)
• Illusion D’Ombre in 82 EMERVEILLÉ by Chanel – a cream eye shadow that I adore. You just sweep it on with one finger – DONE!
• Laura Mercier Regal Violet eye shadow (also came in the palette) used as eye liner with the Laura Mercier smudge brush (worth its weight IN GOLD) – so easy to apply quickly
• Hypnose Drama mascara (I’ve been wearing Lancome mascara since high school!!)
• lipgloss
• eyebrow pencil (because my eyebrows are slowly disappearing… ah aging, ain’t it grand!?)

What is your makeup routine like these days??

For example, cap sleeves are a fashion do when you have narrow or sloped shoulders.

Also, boat-necklines and off-the-shoulder styles are great.

I shared in that post on How to Downplay Broad Shoulders that halter tops are not a great look on someone with broad shoulders, so it stands to reason that halter tops would be a good look for someone with narrow or sloped shoulders. Besides the fact that it gives the illusion of a broader upper body, the straps tie behind your neck so you don’t have to worry about them sliding down. I realize a halter isn’t practical for every day (and certainly not for every season) but it’s a great look and if you can pull it off, you should wear one occasionally!

I mean, seriously. How cute is this!?? (Okay, this is not really a classic halter, I realize. But I like the outfit too much not to use it.)

Okay, I had WAY too much fun putting those outfits together. Just sayin’. Also? I did not pick these items with price in mind. Some are way out of my league. Still, it’s fun to dream, yes??

And if you like any of these looks, feel free to PIN IT! Here is my Style Pinboard for some more fashion inspiration. It’s getting full; I think I might need to divide it into subcategories this weekend.

A few more general tips for narrow shoulders:

1. Wear tops that fit your shoulders — the shoulder seams should be snug and lay right across the widest point of your shoulder.

2. Puffy sleeves give the illusion of broader shoulders, as do wide lapels or collars.

3. Raglan sleeves are flattering, and you don’t have to worry abou the seam of the shoulder laying in the right place.

4. Trade spaghetti straps for wide straps; they give the illusion of wider shoulders and are more likely to stay in place.

Do you have narrow shoulders? What are your best tips and tricks?

Join Our Fashion Friday Blog Hop!