Clothing Craving: The Sequin Pencil Skirt Revisited

I mentioned in an earlier post about how I am totally sweating the sequin pencil skirt, which I had first seen in the J. Crew catalog months ago.  Except that skirt was about $700!  Sheesh!  That's about the price of some of their wedding dresses!

Anyhoo, that was back in April and now it's almost July, and yes, I am still craving one of these skirts!  J. Crew has even put out a sequin color-blocked skirt at $695 and a sequin print skirt at $795.  Wholly moley! That's a lotta money!  Do they do the dishes as well?

Despite the ridiculously high price tag from that store where regular pencil skirts range around $160 and other fancy pencil skirts go for closer to $400 (both are still pricey but more like J. Crew prices), I still fell for these skirts!  I guess I'm just a hopeless clothing romantic...  "I just can't get them out of my head... La, La, La.  La-La, La-La, La!" (Kylie Minogue anyone?)

But luckily, I was able to find some great colorful, color blocked and printed sequin skirts.  Check out these finds from Polyvore below.  Okay I might have to give in soon and grab one of these fab skirts.  I am putting together a great outfit in my head as I'm typing this up!

Enjoy!

Clothing Craving: The Sequin Pencil Skirt Revisited by sspicknall featuring short skirts

Elastic waist skirt
$50 - modcloth.com

Karen Kane pencil skirt
$108 - karenkane.com

Jane Norman short skirt
£15 - janenorman.co.uk

Mint Velvet sequin skirt
£149 - johnlewis.com

Pencil skirt
£195 - youngbritishdesigners.com

Pencil skirt
$50 - asos.com

J Crew pencil skirt
$795 - jcrew.com

J Crew pencil skirt
$695 - jcrew.com

Working Red Pants

When I say "Working Red Pants" in the title of this post, I really mean working as in, "work it girl!" and not necessarily pants for work, although that is another great option.  A friend of mine recently told me of some red pants she purchased from Ann Taylor and mentioned that she had some trouble figuring out what to wear with them.  I think adding color, rather than changing a shape or fit, is just another great way to play with your own personal style.  Once a person gets used to the idea of the color, the possibilities can be as numerous as with a neutral piece.  Honestly, I didn't even think she needed my help to suggest looks, she already had some great ideas including pairing these with a navy blouse!  Brilliant!  My initial instinct with incorporating bright, colorful pieces is to start by pairing them with black and white garments as a base and experimenting from there.  A person's style is very much their own expression of themselves so I always say stick with whatever style you like but have fun with it!

These are the pants she bought.

Based on the above picture, I put together a few combinations of tops, bags and shoes I thought would put together some great outfits.  Taking into consideration my friend's navy suggestion, I included some navy and dark blues as well as my fall back black and white styles and worked in a polka dot print, a floral tee, stripes and taupe!  This was a great project.  I'd usually suggest pairing wide leg pants with a more fitted top but a few of these looser blouse-y tops would look great tucked into pants rather than kept loose.  With that last white prana butterfly style top on the right-middle,  I pictured those more with red cropped pants since they would better balance out a skinny bottom.

How cute is that black lace top with those pants for a night out?  Or that adorable polka dot blouse with the pants, those black peep toe pumps and that adorable straw tote bag?  We've got polka dots, bright color and a straw bag which are all calling out "summer!"  Even that sweet floral tee with the pants the nude patent leather heels and white bag are such a chic weekend outfit for going out to brunch with the girls.  How about that white blouse with the black collar, the pants, those black/white peep toe pumps and any of those three bags?  Amazing!  One of my favorite looks that's fashion forward but still keeps it classic is the fitted white button down, red pants, nude patent leather pumps and white bag.  LOVE!!! Also that striped top with the pants, nude patent leather pumps and white bag is adorably nautical.  I love all the possibilities!  I could go on and on and these are only a handful of color and print combinations that could be put together.  There is a world full of tops, shoes and bags I couldn't even fit in here.  But sticking to the basics (black, white, other neutrals) is always a great way to begin working in a colorful piece into your wardrobe.

I hope this helps my friend create her own vision of how she wanted to work these pants!  Go on girl!

Working Red Pants by sspicknall featuring sheer tops

Long sleeve shirt
$63 - coggles.com

Bow top
$50 - coast-stores.com

Warehouse sheer top
$75 - warehouse.co.uk

Margit Brandt knit top
€70 - welikefashion.com

PrAna top
$60 - altrec.com

Bellatrix printed shirt
$58 - nordstrom.com

Sheer top
$40 - modcloth.com

Mango tailored shirt
£28 - johnlewis.com

Paprika sleeveless top
£27 - very.co.uk

Polka dot top
$26 - maurices.com

Black top
$22 - pacificplex.com

Milly straight leg pants
$176 - piperlime.gap.com

Steve madden heels
$100 - stevemadden.com

Franco Sarto high heel pumps
$74 - endless.com

ALDO high heels
$80 - aldoshoes.com

2 Lips Too platform pumps
$70 - heels.com

Valentino black leather handbag
£100 - debenhams.com

Steve Madden straw tote bag
$69 - dillards.com

Big Buddha tote handbag
$67 - dillards.com

Summer Polka Dots

Polka dots have been quite prevalent this summer and I could not help falling for this skirt from  J. Crew!  I put together a dressed up look and accentuated the skirt with a black, illusion neckline, sleeveless, peplum top which really dresses up the outfit and looks great with the skirt!  I know peplum is always paired with slim skirts which makes a ton of sense but I love the idea of experimenting with pairing peplum with a flared skirt.  If you're self-conscious about overemphasizing the middle area of your body, add in a skinny belt across the waist just above the peplum part of the top to emphasize your slim waist.   Adding in a pop of color through the red shoes and topping it off with a cool black and white bowler bag gives it just the right touch!  The earrings add in some fun and the circles subtly enhance the polka dot effect!

Polka Dots Galore by sspicknall featuring chandelier earrings

Miso mesh shirt
£20 - republic.co.uk

J Crew long full skirt
$138 - jcrew.com

Pelle Moda platform pumps
$107 - cusp.com

Wallis zip bag
$49 - wallisfashion.com

Chandelier earrings
$20 - piperlime.gap.com

Amazon.com: #2 Sometimes the smallest things take up the most room in...
$500 - amazon.com

Parchment Books | Pieces
$35 - piecesinc.com

Virginia Vineyard Tour Bachelorette Party

As I mentioned before, back in early May I went to a bachelorette party/bridal shower in Northern Virginia.  It was really unique to combine both events into one.  First we did a limo tour to a few of Virginia's vineyards in the Leesburg area and then came back to one of the bridesmaid's homes for dinner and the bridal shower.

I loved the idea of doing something during the day for a bachelorette party.  Perhaps it my age or the amount of bachelorette parties I've been to before, but doing something different is always a plus and something relaxing is a nice alternative to the going out to party norm of many bachelorette parties.  Don't get me wrong!  I love doing that stuff too!  In fact, that was what my bachelorette party in Vegas was all about and it was fabulous!  But this was a really nice change of pace!

The organizer of the whole shebang actually picked out the places we were heading to and made appointments for us to pass through them during the day.  She also made some delicious snacks for the limo ride.  Great idea!  There were mini sandwiches, cookies, fruit with cheese and crackers, popcorn, etc.  All great choices for eight girls who were going to be hungry during the ride!

Here are some photos I took of these rustic and gorgeous vineyard properties.  They had great views and fabulous weather.  All in all it was a great time!

First we dropped by Dry Mill, which was quaint, rustic and cozy.

I love how happily situated Dry Mill was.  It looked like a great place to picnic!


Then it was off to Tarara, which had amazing views from the top of a hill overlooking a valley and several places to sit outside.

Love that purple bag with that blue dress!

Love all the distinctive decor unique to each place!

Great summer dresses worn by the patrons.  I love the pop of yellow with a black, white and blue summer dress!

Then it was off to Loudoun Valley Vineyards.  Gorgeous property!  They also had a restaurant which smelled like some amazing Italian food was being made while we were there.

The day was a great success and everyone had a blast!  It's nice to know there are some gorgeous and fun places just 45 minutes to an hour outside DC to check out.  If you were looking for a unique way to spend the day with friends, maybe even a laid back bachelorette party, this may be the thing for you!