Sofia Vergara Wedges: Proud and Sexy

“Hello, I’m Sofia Vergara, and I’m not afraid to work with what I’ve got. I say, if you got this, show this. You’re a woman, so dress like a woman. Be proud. Be sexy.”

Loving Me Some California

A little while ago the company I work for sent me to San Diego for a conference. I know, what a sacrifice. I absolutely love that city. The tranquil ambiance and unique culture make the city irresistible to any hardworking business woman. As soon as I stepped off the plane I couldn't help but be pulled into the relaxed California vibe. I tried my best to stay focused but by the second day of the conference I had let my hair down and left the black power suit somewhere on the the hotel room floor. Instead, I slipped into bright shorts, a breezy linen blouse, comfy leather sandals, and a cool Carlos Santana fedora hat. I had fully accepted and integrated into the San Diego laid back philosophy. Sure, there were seminars occurring and meetings I should have probably attended, but who has time for that when I'm busy strolling around the marina? Sometimes a girl has to re-evaluate her priorities and take some time to enjoy a beautiful sunny afternoon. I'm sure my employer would understand...maybe.

Springing Forward

Look around: the earth is stirring, waking up from a deep slumber. Roses are peeking out of their buds, leaves are squirming out of their stems, and birds are testing their wings against the cool breeze. Spring has sprung and brought with it transformation. 

Thrifty Thursday: A Wool Coat

I realize it’s officially Spring, I live in Florida, and I’m wearing a coat. I just couldn’t resist sharing this awesome find with you! Can you believe that I found this wool coat at a thrift store for $5?!! Yes, $5! That’s every Floridian girl’s dream. Rarely do I want to spend $100+ on a coat that I’ll wear once a year or occasionally when I travel up north for work. In fact, I’m notorious for assuming I’ll keep warm during a winter conference with just my business suit. It’s got a coat –err, jacket thing, right? Wrong. It’s really cold up north. Not Florida cold. But I don’t learn and I continue to freeze. Admittedly, I endure frost bite because I feel that nothing within my budget looks sophisticated enough for that kind of event. So, I hit a gold mine when I saw this piece at the thrift store! Besides the amazing cost, the silky lining makes me feel like I’ve splurged on a designer coat. You’ve heard of the “Power Suit”? Well, this feels like the “Power Coat”. Cold chill, blizzard, or snow storm can’t keep me from my next winter conference! Finally, I won’t be the girl shivering in the business suit while other attendees roll their eyes and go, “She must be from Florida.”

Fashion Tip: Think of creative ways to make the thrift store pieces your own. My coat had missing buttons and no belt but that didn’t stop me from taking it home! Buttons, fitting, and missing accessories can all be fixed. Just add a little patience and love!

What I’m Rockin’:

Wool coat – Thrift store

Blue silk tunic – Heritage 1981

Necklace - Beya

Black tights – Target

Boots – Charlotte Russe

Beach Neutrals

How fun are spring trends lately? Bright, bold colors, and stripes are just some of my favorite. Actually, I’ve been so crazy about these trends that the neutral clothing in my closet has been neglected. The poor things. I skip over them as I reach for my purple jeans and bright yellow shirt and they cry a little inside. As an equal opportunity fashion lover, I decided it was time to put a stop to it by taking my favorite neutrals out of the closet and into the sunlight.

Now, I didn’t pick just any neutrals, I picked neutrals that reminded me of one of my favorite places. The beach! A beach-blue ruffle skirt spices up my sand-colored cardigan. I then added an oh-so-cute owl pendant to complete the beach-inspired neutrals look!

What clothing of yours have you been ignoring lately and what will you do to add it back into your life?

Fashion Tip: Be inspired to wear your neutrals by incorporating some of your favorite accessories! Any color is fair game for your accessories so be creative with those pendants, necklaces, or fashionable earrings!

What I’m Rockin:

Ruffle skirt: Express
Cardigan: Taken from my sister

Cream colored undershirt: Charlotte Russe
Owl Pendant: c/o Mango
Assorted Bracelets: Nordstrom Rack

Wedges: Marshalls

A Pink Remix

As you might know from this post, I am absolutely in love with the brightness and spunkiness of my pink jeans and all the wonderful memories it conjures. However, when I first got them I got remarks such as, “Where will you wear that to?” and “How many outfits can you come up with that color?” and even “You think you’ll even wear that more than once?” O ye of little faith, not only do I wear my pink jeans more than once, I probably wear them too many times.

Vivid and bright colors may seem daunting at first for pairing into every day wear. The colors appear wild and untamable. They mask all the other pieces in your closet and you worry they won’t play nice with your pastel colored cardigans. Fear not, taking control of these feisty ensembles only takes a little practice and a little daring.

Fashion Tip: Treat your vibrant bottoms as neutrals to help you pick out a top. Don’t be scared to use floral patterns, prints, and stripes. These will perfectly complement your colored jeans. If you want to take it a little easier pair with solid colors and layers. Start with three colors in your outfit until you are an experienced tamer. Then go wild!  

What I’m Rockin:

Jeans – Celebrity Pink Jeans via Macy’s

Outfit 1

Shirt: Old Navy

Shoes: Charlotte Russe

Necklace: Beya

Watch: Bijoux Terner

Belt: Forever 21

Sunnies: D&G

Outfit 2

Safari jacket – Old Navy

Blue Blouse – Marshalls

Cocktail ring – Forever21

Nude pumps – Target

Necklace – Beya

Outfit 3

Floral Blouse – Forever21

Scarf – Bijoux Terner

Pastel pink pumps – Qupid

Cross bracelet – Charyli, Winter Park

Bracelets (assorted) –Forever21


Thanks for stopping by and don’t forget to follow on Google Friend Connect (Click on “Join” on the right), “Like” on Facebook, Tweet me on Twitter, follow on Bloglovin, and even see my random photos on Instagram (@StyleOfIris)!  

Last Minute Valentine's Day Inspiration

Need some last minute inspiration for tonight? Don’t have time to go out shopping for a new outfit? Reinvent your Little Black Dress (LBD) for a sure hit on Valentine’s Day!

Romantic Evening

You are ready to be swept off your feet like a true fairy-tale princess. It will be a romantic evening with the love of your life (or the flavor of the month, whichever you prefer). 

Fashion Tip: Blend sweet, classy, and sexy.  Remind him why he loves to brag about you to his boys but also why he wants to take you home to mom. Slip a satin or silk shirt over that LBD and pair with sparkly shoes for some sex appeal that’s not over the top. Add an air kiss and a wink and he will be yours all night long.

Girl’s Night Out

You have no plans to sit at home sulking over a tub of ice cream. You and your girlfriends find Valentine’s the perfect opportunity to let loose, show your spunk, and maybe even run into the future hubby.


Fashion Tip: Time to try out your favorite trends! Your friends will truly appreciate your fabulous outfit. Express your style and fierceness by complementing the LBD with eye-popping accessories. Leopard print, chains and big cocktail rings are all fair game. This is not the time to hold back. Celebrate love, even if it’s love between you and your best girlfriends!

What I'm Rockin':

Dress - Express 

Romantic Evening:

Gray belt - Forever21

Purple blouse - A'gaci

Black Glitter Pumps - Love Culture

Purple necklaces (assorted) - vintage

Cocktail Ring - Forever21

Girl's Night Out:

Gold chain necklace - Filthy Magic

Leopard Pumps - Charlotte Russe

Cocktail Ring - Forever21

Assorted bracelets - Nordstrom Rack

Happy Valentine’s Day!! Don’t forget to follow me on Google Friend Connect and “Like” me on Facebook!

A Little Bit of Rock and Roll

Can you believe I found this lively shirt abandoned on a clearance rack? I saw ladies pass over it time and time again. The poor thing. Sure it’s a little strange, a little loud, and a little too big. But who of us doesn’t have a few flaws? It’s what makes us irreplaceable and fun.

Instead of banishing this shirt to a lifetime of markdowns, I took it home with a plan to bring out all its glorious funkiness. In fact, I made its funkiness center stage because this shirt makes me feel like a rock star. It’s the shirt I would throw on for a crazy, sweaty show, to meet frenzied fans, to shred a guitar.

The colors, the sequins, the graphics – they satisfy my rock star altar ego. It’s the perfect costume for the rock star life I live in my dreams and when I win that Grammy, my acceptance speech will begin with: “It all started with an amazing shirt…”

Fashion Tip: Can your shirt light up a room with its bevy of bedazzling? Don’t let that scare you. If you have a superstar article of clothing, keep the rest of your outfit simple and sleek. I paired my top with basic black jeans, booties, and a classic jean jacket, then finished it off with a bright red lip color. I am a rock star, after all.

What I’m Rockin’:

Shirt – Bella Carra by Biz via Katie Lynn’s Boutique

Jeans – Celebrity Pink Jeans via Macy’s

Shoes – Charlotte Russe

Bracelets – Assorted

Jean Jacket – American Eagle

Seasonal Transitions

One of the major challenges of being a Florida Fashionista comes around the Winter season. I yearn for the super fabulous fur boots, cozy sweaters, and silky scarves (let me clarify that I don't yearn for the weather just the fashion!). But should I really spend money on an entirely new winter wardrobe? Unfortunately, the answer is no. A cold front for a week in January makes it difficult for me to justify winter purchases. Admittedly, I've had the same sweaters for about 8 years now..sad..I know. To overcome this challenge, I've figured out a few tricks to make my summer and spring outfits more wintery. For this ensemble I exchanged my summer sandals and floppy hat for a long-sleeved shirt, scarf, tights, boots and voila! It’s like I’m not even a Floridian…okay, that might be a stretch.

Fashion Tip: Toss a long-sleeved shirt and sweater over that light summer dress to transform your look into a new winter outfit. Don’t be shy about using your floral dresses either!

What I’m Rockin’:

Sandals – Purchased in Puerto Rico

Floppy hat – Bijoux Terner

Shirt – Target

Scarf  - Bijoux Terner

Tights – Target

Boots – Charlotte Russe

Necklace – Tiffany’s

Dress – Heavenly Couture

Keepin' it Warm and Cozy

Happy Holidays everyone! I hope you’ve all managed to stay toasty this holiday season. This month has been unusually warm for Florida but luckily I got a chance to throw on this “winter” outfit on a recent “cold” day.

I am obsessed with this oversized cotton sweater. I’ve worn it in a million ways! I simply can’t resist the luxurious feeling of the soft cotton gently wrapping my body. A silky pashmina shawl draped around my neck, adds a rich color to the outfit. And comfy black boots keep me warm in the cool evening air. How am I to deny an outfit that makes me feel pampered and fashionable all at once? I can’t. So, I will continue to wear this sweater in any Florida weather.

 What’s the winter piece you can’t live without?

Fashion Tip:  Worried about looking too big or slouchy in your oversized sweater? Well, stop worrying. Rock your oversized sweater with a long statement necklace. It’ll elongate your figure!

What I'm Rockin':
Oversized sweater - The Limited
Shawl - Gift from my mom 
Boots - Charlotte Russe
Jeans - American Eagle
Black undershirt - Wet Seal
Statement necklace - Hand-made by BeautyTease
Bracelets - Forever 21
Clutch - Bijoux Terner

Lady Blogger Meet Up

Is that... could it be… a chill in the air? Yes, it’s true!It’s cold in O-town, home to a blazing hot sun and scorching temperatures! Finally, winter is here! I couldn’t resist dusting off my (not often used) favorites:closed toe booties, toasty tights, and a cozy blazer. Luckily, the perfect event was already on the calendar forthis warmer-than-usual outfit, the Central Florida Lady Blogger Meet Up! (You can read about my experience here: Central Florida Top 5)

This layered combo is one of my favorite outfits to pair with this bi-polar weather. The cotton blazer keeps me warm in the crisp morning air but it’s light enough to stowaway once the day warms up. And the blouse and tweed shorts are a stand-alone outfit - if the temperature rises, I can sneak away and remove the tights too. It’s a truly versatile ensemble … and colorful too! The blue blazer gives the usual fall colors a boost and takes them from dreary to dramatic. It’s amazing how a pop of color can change the spirit of an outfit!

Fashion tip: If you are short in stature (like moi), consider pairing short shorts (but not so short that they are hot pants) with dark colored tights. It tricks the eye into thinking your legs are long and lean. Pair it with some heels and voila! You are now practically a runway model…okay, maybe a stretch but you’ll look a little longer than usual!

What I’m rockin:

Blazer: Forever 21

Blouse: A’gaci

Shorts: Forever 21

Tights: Target

Booties: Charlotte Russe

Bracelet: Miami Merchandise Mart (Best place to buyaccessories!)

Watch: Burberry

Fall into Pink

The air is getting crisp and the leaves are floating off the Palm trees. Fall has arrived! But instead of turning to the muddled browns, mossy greens, and somber blacks, I’ve noticed I’m turning to another go-to color: delicious, fun, flirty hot pink. Proof? You can see my penchant for incorporating pink into my outfits here and here. Finally I can say, “Take THAT fall. I’ll wear all the bright colors I want!!”

This bright pink is an automatic pick-me-up, reminding me of carnival cotton candy, every single one of my Barbie’s accessories, and sweet bubblegum. It’s my fashionable rebellion against dull and dreary fall and a natural addition to my wardrobe. Work it into yours too!

Fashion Tip: Fight the instinct to neutralize your brightly colored jeans with a staple black or white tee. Instead, welcome the color into your life! Bust out a color wheel (you can check one out here: Basic Color Theory) and choose complimentary tones to finish out and brighten up your look. Most importantly, don’t forget to "rock it out" because fashion is all about confidence.

What I’m Rockin:

Pink jeans: Celebrity Pink by Macy’s

Shirt: Old Navy

Shoes: Charlotte Russe

Necklace: Beya

Watch: Bijoux Terner

Belt: Forever 21

Sunnies: D&G

CFL Blog Con Meet Up: Networking in Hot Pink Heels

(Photo Courtesy of Bess Auer. This is me ---------------------->)

On Tuesday, I had the great pleasure of attending the Central Florida Bloggers Conference Tweet Up. The tweet up is a meet and mingle for bloggers in the Central Florida area. Bloggers can meet up with old friends and newbies get to learn from the pros.  More importantly, it's an excuse for me to meet the fabulous fashionistas behind some of my favorite blogs.