Thrifty Thursday: The War for the Crossbody Bag

I don’t know about you guys but Thrifty Thursdays are my favorite posts. I get way more excited from finding a diamond in the ruff than grabbing clothing from an already styled mannequin. Don’t get me wrong, there is also a special joy that comes with getting a spankin’ new piece but right now I’m talking about a different type of joy.

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.

Taking Care of Business (with my Christian Louboutin)

You might remember from this post that I was surprised on my birthday with a pair of Christian Louboutin Rolando pumps. Since then, I’ve been debating when and where to debut these beauties. After all, you can never have a “first time” again, so it had to be special. I wanted it to be an event where it would really stand out among the crowd. After much debate, I decided the perfect occasion was my profession’s annual conference. It is typically known as a conservative and professional gathering, but why not spice it up with some unexpected red soles? When I slipped the pumps on, I felt an instant burst of excitement and energy running from my toes to the top of my head. It was official, I was ready to network, discuss research ideas, and negotiate contracts. I was unstoppable. When I crossed my legs during seminars there weren’t eyes in the room that didn’t gravitate towards those red soles. Who can blame them? It’s definitely not a pair of shoes for the shy at heart. And I definitely was not feeling shy. I was equipped with my power suit and my Loubis. I was ready to stand out and use that confidence to my advantage. In the end, it turned out to be a great conference with new contacts and potential clients. Was it because of the Louboutins? Or my confidence? Or a little bit of both? I guess I'll never know!

My Blog’s Six Monthiversary!

Can you believe it? Iris Focused on Fashion turns six months old today. Wow, how time flies! Reflecting back on those early days, I’m struck by how much this baby blog misbehaved – refusing to follow the simplest of instructions, acting out by posting in outrageous fonts, refusing to stay on deadline. Alas, this blog has grown up and I’m no longer an intrepid new momma, we’ve grown up together.

Chantilly Lace: Not just your grandma’s lace

My grandmother’s table doilies and her Sunday church dress are the first things that come to mind when I think of Chantilly lace. Gentle, soft, and feminine – just like my grandmother. But it’s time for a new outlook on this traditional lace. I’ve been determined to step out of my comfort zone and re-evaluate my preconceived notions. With this new approach in mind, I decided to reinvent how I wear lace. In fact, this time lace would not be so delicate. This time there would be a twist.  Lace will now have a tougher look. Now it’s Chantilly lace with an edge. Probably not grandma approved but sometimes a girl has to break out of her obedient role and introduce a little bit of mischievousness and defiance into her life.

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