Daily Outfit: Earth Tones

right in time for the cooler weather, i dug out my jersey scarves and extra layers so that i can look cool but not feel the cool.  as you know, i would much rather have weather in the 80's but, i realized that there are some things in my fall/winter wardrobe that i can't live without. 

1. my MF jersey scarves are life savers when the weather suddenly dips without warning.  They are also the perfect addition to complete an outfit.  this is the season that you will find one either on me or in my bag at all times.  it helps to have them in a bunch of colors but, i must admit, i live in the one above.  they are just so soft and comfy!!
2. my boots - i think i have more pairs of boots than i do flats or any other type of shoe in my collection. i love them low, high or anywhere in-between.  i would definitely miss wearing my boot collection if the weather was always warm.
3. the right coat- whether it's leather or wool, shearling or down, i can appreciate a great coat.  the cool weather makes me excited to pull out my collection.  in the colder seasons, the first thing people see are your coat so why not make a great first impression.  with all the fresh styles and colors, coats are definitely anything but boring!

... so while i am still not ecstatic about colder weather, i am glad that there are at least a few perks that i get to look forward to! xo Sesheta

( Bamboo Jersey Mobius and Chained to Copper Earrings (info on request) - MavenFresh, Copper bracelts - Tasha West, Leopard Leggings - H&M (similar), Taupe Tunic- Victoria Secrets (similar), Taupe Sweater - TJ Maxx (similar), Clog Booties - Swedish Hasbeens, Neon Peach Belt - J. Crew (similar), Bag - Linea Pelle (similar))

Daily Outfit: The Vintage Wrap Skirt

Everyone has at least one wardrobe piece that you've never worn, yet for some reason you can't let it go. You struggle with putting together an outfit that makes use of it, and end up pushing it to the back of your closet. Maybe you hold on to hope because it was such a good sale price, or it has sentimental value, or it was an on-trend impulse purchase that cost you a pretty penny. 

This vintage wrap skirt falls under the sentimental value category...it was once my grandmother's. I loved the pattern but wasn't sure about the fit and the style of it. So this simple little number kept getting taken out...and put back. I almost listed it in eBay a few times before talking myself out of it. Finally, I took the time to play around with a few different options that I already owned and poof- it was meant to be. The skirt needed a thick belt to define the waist and complement the colors within the print. Wooden wedges added to the ethnic vintage vibe of the skirt, and the most difficult choice was the most basic option- a fitted tank that offset the fullness of the skirt. My casual afternoon of leisure had me grabbing a denim jacket and hitting the road, looking laid-back and boho-chic!

(Skirt-Vintage, Tank- Shopbop, Belt- Anthropologie, Wedges- BCBG, Denim Jacket- J.Crew, Beaded Bracelet- Metal Monk, New Angle Sunglasses- Anthropologie)

P.S. What's your "questionable" wardrobe piece that has you stumped? The ladies of MavenFresh are up for the challenge...we would love to help you find a use for this piece and create outfit suggestions from your closet chaos! Ask the PFMs today!

Daily Outfit: Afro Punk

i am loving the warm weather.  i love feeling the warmth of the sun and constantly being in a freezing office, has me running outdoors for "heat breaks" so that i can warm up as well as enjoy the summer days.  considering we are in the last few days of July, i am determined to enjoy as much of the summer weather that we have left.  warm weather also means a change in our background scenery.  The grass and plants come alive and make the perfect addition to our summer fashion.  

i've dubbed this outfit Afro Punk because it is just that - a little bit Afrocentric, a little bit Punk.  my Maven ReFreshed tribal dress (it once was a pair of pants with a matching top) is funked up by my studded vest!  (i am getting so much use out of it!  recently, i rocked it over my leather jacket for warmth and it was so fresh, i can't wait to wear it that way for fall!)  i borrowed Afro Punk from the annual summer festival  and movement that bears the same name.  this year's festival takes place on August 25-26th in Brooklyn.  i love the Afro-Punk Fest because it honors those of us who don't fit into the traditional punk scene.   instead we are creating our own scene and the fest gives us a venue to hear music and see artists that are new and fresh.  i am looking forward to this year's events.  the only downside is it will mean that summer is just about over. booo!  though i'm looking forward to it, i'm still glad that festival is a whole month away which leaves a lot of time for sunshine! xo sesheta

(Hoops and Cowrie Link Necklace (worn as a bracelet) - MavenFresh, Dress and Studded Vest - Maven ReFreshed,  Gladiator sandals - Nicole, Belt - Thrifted)

PFM Obsession: J. Crew Love

i have always had a love for J.Crew clothing.  while i am far from the average J.Crew client, they have such great, timeless separates that can be incorporated into any wardrobe! 

they recently sent me their latest "Style Guide" (Becca and i love that name) and it had me drooling all the way through!! it was total eye candy from start to finish.  above are some of my favorite picks from the new season's arrivals:

1. you know how much i love bags! a little purse in this fab color would make the perfect accent for a night out.

2. belts, belts, belts! these simple accents are a great way to add a pop of color, especially neon, to an otherwise drab outfit! the problem is choosing only one!

3. *gasp, i looooooove this skirt!!  mixing sequins with colorblocking - totally hard to go wrong!

4. this is a great blazer - perfect for chilly nights or another layer at work.  i would wear this with a white tee and some printed denim.

5. how exciting that it's the time of year to think about being at the beach!! i adore the color and shape of this maillot but is this a swimsuit or a leotard?!  either way, look fabulous on the beach then throw on some shorts and sandals for dinner with friends!

6. the utility pant is so comfortable and the perfect staple in any wardrobe.  make it hot pink and you've just stepped up the game!

7. i love this pair of bright colored skinnies! i have so many ideas for how to wear these...

8. sigh, yes, another bag, but, it's the color that makes this bag droolable (is that a word?? lol).

9. i've been having so much fun wearing shorts.  paired with tights or leggings or bare-legged, this printed pair would be the starting point for great outfits.

10. this is a super cute maxi skirt.  i would want to add both this pretty deep blue or the turquoise version to my collection.

alas, my list could have gone on forever!! this is just a taste of some of my faves.  Becca and i drool over J. Crew items all the time.  if only we could have them all!! hey, a girl could dream! :)

Have a great holiday weekend!!

Daily Outfit: Sun Spots

this weekend, my sister dubbed me the leggings queen.  when she said it, i thought it was the perfect title lol!  though i don't have tons of leggings, i do have quite a few and they are, by far, the most comfortable thing you can put on for any activity.  while my usual choice has been leggings in bright colors, printed leggings have recently won over my heart!  they bring a bit of the unexpected to any outfit!

i was seeing spots when i chose to wear this pair.  i usually love to style them with a bright tunic top but today i chose to bring in color by wearing my sunshine-inspired lightcatchers and bright pink lips!  how fun!  

whether you wear printed leggings or denim, this trend is right on target! love it!

(Blazer - Vintage Tahari, Tunic - Victoria Secret, Glitter skinny belt - similar J. Crew , Printed leggings - H&M (similar), Biker booties - MIA, Lightcatchers in Mango - MavenFresh)

PFM Obsession: $esheta's Spring Fresh Five - #1 Rose Gold Hardware

...and the #1 spot goes to...drumroll please... rose gold hardware!!! i am officially in lust with  this trend.  rose gold hardware has been showing up on all the accessories and it has truly struck a chord with me.  i love copper and this is a close sister to copper.  all our fave designers are doing combos of leather and/or metal and rose gold.  i truly believe this may be a unique trend that hasn't come back around.  either way i am hooked.  the below sample pics of rose gold accessories are just the tip of the iceberg, but i definitely find myself wanting more... 

Alexander Wang is right on trend and who can resist the Rocco bag?!

soooo cute! this Linea Pelle belt is the perfect finisher for your favorite outfit!

I love these Michael Kors rose gold sneaks!!

Michael Kors got this combo of gray and rose gold  perfect!

hope you enjoyed my Fresh Five.  stay tuned for our Fall/Winter installment featuring hot picks for the season!! xo

Daily Outfit: Layer Cake

there are so many things that i find fun about dressing every day.  i love putting on glittery, blingy things as well as bright colored things.  Also high up on my list are things with ruffles.  this skirt, which is a staple in my wardrobe, satisfies the last category.  not only is it ruffle-y, it has layers of ruffles!  this comfy sweater also added some layers to my ruffles.  just to make sure that i didn't get lost in all the layers, i added my skinny belt to accentuate my waist.  i enjoyed wearing this because of how comfortable it was, especially with my jersey mobius and Uggs!   i even got to have fun coordinating my make-up with my fancy feather earrings.  ahh, every outfit should be this easy... :)

(Coral Ruffle skirt - can't remember lol - i'll double check, Grey leggings - BP by Nordstrom's, White tank  and Grey heather sweater - Old Navy, Bow leather belt - Anthropologie, Grey Boots - Uggs, Thai Rose Headband, Jersey Mobius and Fancy Feather Earrings - MavenFresh)

PFMs on the Town: IFB Con, Take 2

at this year's IFB Con, we were far from the only fashionistas in the house.  it was truly inspiring to be amongst other talented artists - including designers, social media execs, and tons of fashion and style bloggers - all gathered to learn the top tips for achieving a successful blog.  it felt right on to be networking with others, like us, who share a love of fashion.  we have already incorporated a few things that we've learned (have you noticed any thing new?) and plan to make even more changes in the near future.  so stay tuned!  

btw - if you like our blog, please feel free to let us know!  is there something you'd like to see more or less of or something you'd like us to add?  we really love to hear from our readers (you have to become a subscriber to comment on our blog).  also, if you like what you see, share it with a friend!!

(Sequin Black Tank - Simply Vera, Vera Wang. Black Boyfriend Cardigan - H&M, Printed Leggings - Rachel Pally, Studded belt - J. Crew, Knee-High Grey Boots - Fergie, Elliptical earrings in Sunshine and Thai Rose Headband in Taupe - MavenFresh) 

Daily Outfit: Hats off to 2012

A hat is a fun way to make an outfit timeless!

just like many of you, i am in denial that we have entered another new year.  the thing is, this isn't just any new year - it's 2012.  for my fellow conspiracy theorists out there, this year could be the end.  the question is  - the end of what?  this is the subject of many debates.  whether you buy into the doomsday prophecies or not, we can't deny that 2012 is a special year.  if you look at it through numerology, 2011 was a "4" year (2+0+1+1) which is about foundations (building and destroying them), patience, responsibility, hard work and practicality.  2012 adds up to be a "5"year (2+0+1+2) which symbolizes change, freedom, exploration, knowledge (seeking and teaching).  Regardless of how major or how final, you should expect some type of change coming - on both a personal and on a world level.   while i do believe that change is coming, i also believe we have the power to create what we want soooo i am hoping to create changes like more abundance for MavenFresh and for my family!  What changes are you hoping for in the new year?

oh yeah, what better way to ring in the new year than to post an outfit with sparkle!  as usual, this was just a regular day but, by now, you should know that that is the only reason you need to shine!! lol :)  i stole this hat (Becca -  is this a fedora or a trilby? lol) from the hubby after i realized it was the perfect completion to my attire!  shh, i won't tell if you don't :)

Happy New Year and Happy New You!

(Taupe sequin tunic - INC International Concepts, Beige boyfriend sweater - H&M, Teal Leggings - American Apparel, Patent Taupe flats - Calvin Klein, Hat - UBI , Feather Fancy earrings and Taupe Leather Belt - MavenFresh)

Daily Outfit: Lemon Lime

wellies are the best!!

although it was a particularly dreary and wet day, you wouldn't be able to tell by my super sunny outfit lol.  i really love the color combo; shading is just sooo cool!! i can't say what prompted me to put this on but, subconsciously, it must have been because i was going to battle torrential rain pour on my way to work.  never fear - that's what an awesome pair of wellies are for!! i can't help but feel invincible as i step in - not around - puddles!  i'm just like my youngest, who always asks me if it's ok to jump in the puddles.  (if you haven't tried it, you must!)  ...so i guess with my internal sunshine going and my invincible rain boots, it didn't matter what was going on outside; i was bright and dry! :)

(Lemon yellow cardigan - H&M, Lime Tee - TJ Maxx, Lemon yellow ruffle tank - Urban Outfitters, Black skinnies - J Brand, Aubergine Wellies - Hunter, Amazon Light As a Feather earrings and Crochet Flower Wraps (worn as a belt) - MavenFresh)

Daily Outfit: Vintage Glam

these boots were made for walking!

Becca and i were both feeling vintage-y.  it's uncanny how many times we come to work to find that we have done something similar or worn exactly the same thing (almost an entire outfit once!!).  i guess that's why one of our co-workers calls us the bobbsey twins lol.

like u may have read before, i have been having fun re-discovering things in my wardrobe.  this dress is another one of my infamous vintage finds and it is still going strong.  it's so true that the little black dress is timeless; with it's retro pleating, this dress is a hit for every decade!  i glammed up the look with my gold shoulder sweeper chandeliers and fire red lips. then, just in case you thought i had gone soft, i threw on my killer biker boots to remind you who's boss lol.  they are the perfect addition to make this outfit contemporary.

another one of my co-workers asked me where the party was but, sometimes all you need is a party of one to give you a reason to dress up and feel pretty!

(Vintage pleated black dress and leather chain belt- Maven ReFreshed, Black leggings - Tarik NuClothes, Charcoal Grey boots -  Fergie (Nordstrom's Rack), Copper bracelets - Tasha West,, Watch - Toy Watch, Shoulder Sweeper Chandeliers in 24kt - MavenFresh)