Shopping Spree

So sorry for the blogging hiatus. Life has gotten too busy these days! Lucky me though, I got to do a fun girls’ weekend with my sister and my best friend and her sister! We did a ton of shopping and I’m using this blog to share a few of my favorite finds.

Navy Blouse from H&M

This navy top (similar) is flattering, lightweight, sheer but not see-through and perfect for dressing up an outfit this summer. I have already worn it with a bold pinkypurple pencil skirt to work and plan on pairing with some white shorts, mint pants and other fun bottoms this summer. I found this top at H&M.

Maxi Dress for The Loft Outlet

Also this weekend I bought some fun summer dresses. One my best finds was a great maxi dress. Theses are often hard for me to find, but The Loft Outlet had a great one on sale in the petites section. I love the fun pattern and the flowing material.

Coach purse

A big purchase this weekend was my new coach bag. While I have to say I was disappointed in the RUDE service my sister and I put up with at the Coach Factory Store in Albertville, I do love the bag. But I’m thinking Coach may not be getting anymore of my hard earned money.

LBD from The Banana Republic Factory Story. Petite item only!

I got a great new LBD (similar), to add to my growing collection. This one is from Banana Republic Factory Store and has a great v-neck in the front and back, a full swinging skit and some excellent pleating. Being a petite-cut it fits exactly like you would want it. It can easily be dressed up or made a little more casual.

This is just a small sample of the many things I bought this weekend. I look forward to sharing more as I write. I did buy some excellent work outfits, that I plan on sharing in the weeks to come. Enjoy!

 

 

 

 

Chania, Crete: The Ideal Port Town

Chania was the city we flew in and out of during our stay on the island of Crete. It is a beautiful town, very Venetian in history and architecture. Since we were just walking around town for a while before heading off to Athens, I chose this day to wear heels and a super comfy maxi skirt (see previous post). It was a great outfit for looking around town and for flying in.

Skirt – Lillian
Mint Top – Forever 21 (old)
White Cardi – Target
Purse – Target
Shoes – Bohme Necklace – The LImited

The port of Chania

A little Bit of Crete

So I recently returned from a wonderful vacation in Crete and Athens. It was warm, sunny, peaceful and relaxing. Let’s just say I did not want to come home. And on top of all the wonderful sites to see and the great time I had with my boyfriend and his family, I got to pull out some of my summer clothes! YAY! I have never been more excited for sandals, maxi skirts and bare arms in my whole life! We all know it has been a very long winter so this was an excellent reward. I will do a post on how I packed for this trip as well because I managed to pack for a 12 day vacation in a carry-on suitcase that included an extra bag inside of it.

But today I am going to share an outfit I wore around the city Rethymnon, which was near our villa we stayed in. I’ll also through in some picture of the ocean and beach, just cause I can!

This outfit is a mint maxi skirt that I had hemmed to wear with my flat sandals. I paired it with a plain white t from Banana Republic (classic) and a white cardigan as it was a little breezy that day. You can also see my awesome Colombia raincoat I was toting around with me. It came in handy when the sprinkles started that afternoon. I also have a great cross-body bag from target in a fun coral color. Perfect size bag for travel!

Maxi skirt – Charlotte Russe
T-Shirt – Banana Republic
Cardi – Target
Sandals – Target
Bag – Target
Jacket – Gander Mountain

 

I will share more of my adventures and fun in other posts!

 

Wishing For Spring

So it is coming to the end of February and spring may finally be in sight. Around here, we have had a cold, cold winter. I have never been so sick of winter in my life, and I grew up in Minnesota. I apologize for not being very active on my blog these last few weeks, but I hope to change that. I just bought myself a handy little iPad mini with a cute pink keyboard case, I hope things means I can blog in my down time a little easier.

I recently discovered a great blog called The Extra Petite Blog. Great fashion on there and tips for making clothes fit an extra petite frame. Any great tips I find there I will pass along.

For the outfit in this post, I am wishing for spring. These were taken this summer and show a great outfit for a warm but not too warm spring day. Let the count down begin.

The blazer is from H&M and the pants from Kohls, the awesome shoes are from Zara.

Ode to the Little Black Dress

Hello! I am so sorry I have negleted my blog for a while! It has been a very busy last couple of months, doubling up on classes while working makes for very little free-time. But now I’m here and ready to share my favortie LBD. I have a few black dresses, some casual, some business and some formal but this dress is my absolute FAVORITE. I found it in Chicago at H&M on Michigan Avenue and instantly fell in love. The fit is wonderful, it is appropriate for work events, dinner dates, weddings or other occations. I love that it shows my figure without being too revealing, has a nice key-hole on the back and has sleeves!! My sister took these photos this summer and it makes me long for warmer weather. We have lots of cold and snow here! Perfect weather for staying inside! Well I will post again soon with some fun fashion finds from Christmas! Happy Holidays!!

It’s is Getting Cold Out!

So the temp is going to drop around here this weekend and for once, I’m really looking forward to it. I didn’t use to love Fall so much but it is really growing on me. It doesn’t hurt that I love pumpkin flavored things and this is the time of the year that those abound. Since we are rounding out the warm weather I thought I’d post one last transitional outfit. As you may now know,  I love blazers. This is a slighlty different take on a blazer. A military style jacket. I love jackets as a petite person because they help show off my shape while keeping me warm. It is really easy to “drown” in bulky sweaters and hoodies in the winter, but their is no need to! Finding fitted items first off makes you a little bit sexier and two doesn’t make look like a tiny girl in mommy’s clothes. I have said before and I’ll say it again, having properly fitting clothes makes all the world in how you look. And properly fitting is different for each body-type and style.  Just remember ladies, you are a woman, it is okay to show your curves. For petite women, it is important to emphasis your slim shape, it helps elongate your figure.

Black Military Jacket: JC Penney
Jeans: JC Penney
Shoes: Gift from my sister!

 

In other news, I may be a little behind the curve here (been a bit busy between work and school), but H&M is now delivering all over the United States. So for those of us (aka me) who loves that store but the closest one is 3.5 hours away, I can now order! YAY!!!

A New Favorite Sweater

A few months back I bought a great cardigan towards the end of the summer and it has become a favorite of mine. It is considered a boyfriend style cardigan, similar to the old style varsity sweaters of the 1950s. I love the color and the style and fit. It is a bold color statement and just a easy choice for an outfit, It can be worn with jeans or leggings. I got this fine little sweater at target!!!

Jeans: JcPenney, Sweater: Target, Shoes: Bohme, Belt: Forever 21

When you are a small girl, the longer sweaters can make you look out of proportion but you can still pull them off. It helps to define your waist like I did with my belt and to make sure they aren’t too long. If a sweater is too long I wear it as a tunic with leggings to tights.

Have a good week!

Time For Sweaters?

Okay, that may be jumping the gun a little, but at least in my neck of the woods, things have definitely cooled down. But it might not be time for full on winter gear. I think of this is the time of year for light-weight sweaters, cardigans, skirts with tights and maybe pumps instead of boots.

This outfit is a great transition into fall. Keeps you warm but if the temp rises to the 50s, you won’t be hot in this thin sweater.

Sweater: Victoria’s Secret
Jeans: JC Penney
Shoes: DSW (Envy Brand)

My sister is such a great photographer!!

If you aren’t a big sweater person, there are other options for layering up. Try a blazer or a jacket.

To those petite ladies out there, a slim fitting pant can make your legs look longer, just remember to get them hemmed. If you aren’t a fan of “skinny” jeans, try straight leg or trouser cuts. A slim boot cut is also a good look. The key to a good pair of jeans is the fit. Tight enough to lift your tush, loose enough to move around in.

Have a good week!!

Last Days of Summer

So summer is winding down. Kids are back in school and fall is coming. In light of that, I’d like to share a couple favorites from this summer. A big shopping high for me came when I found a maxi skirt that actually worked on my body! Being a shorty I never thought that would happen.

In August I came across the perfect lace dress. It was a little long but a quick hem job by my seamstress made it perfect!

And I’ve mentioned before that I am in love with blazers so here is a great navy blazer outfit!

Enjoy the last days of summer. I got to go to a great wedding last weekend in Okoboji, Iowa! It was a fun and wonderful weekend for two of my best friends to get married. I was so happy to be there and celebrate with them. Here are couple peeks at the ceremony. The bride was so happy being walked down the isle by her dad.

Me and my man celebrating!!!

Five Shopping Tips for the Petite Lady

Shopping at the Mall of America.

As I have mentioned in previous blogs, I am a rather small person. Being small and 26 isn’t always easy, I want to dress and look like an adult but finding clothes that fit can be tricky. Being an avid shopper I have found some ways to find success in my endeavors to find fun, fashionable clothes that are also age appropriate.

1. Be willing to alter. You have to be willing to see the potential in some clothes. Found a great pair of dress pants that fit but need to be hemmed or taken in a tiny bit? Go for it. On the flip side, if you have alter them so much that they won’t even look the like the same pants, then pass. If you don’t sew (which I fall into that category), find a great seamstress and become friends. You will probably see them often.

2. I have found a few retailers that carry lots in my size. Banana Republic, The Loft and New York and Company all have good sized petites sections that go down to small sizes. Many petite sections don’t size down to extra-small or smaller like these stores do. I know that Banana Republic and The Loft can get a little pricey but they have great sales and if you are buying staple classic pieces, it is okay to invest. Also stores that have small sizes in tops and dresses include Express, H&M. I also find things at the Limited in tops and find fun pieces at Forever 21.

3. Shop juniors. I know that juniors clothing isn’t always mature enough for the adult world but don’t be afraid to look. My tiny self fits into juniors the best. I have found many great buys in many juniors sections at JCPenny, Kohls and Macy’s. The trick is to look deeper than just a glance. On the surface you may only see the tennie-bopper apparel but if you dig a little deeper you can find some great dresses and other fun items. I also buy all my basics such as t-shirts, jeans, tank tops and shorts in the junior’s department.

4. Order online. Many stores do not carry petites in store. Shops like the Gap, Old Navy and others offer extended sizes online, usually with free return shipping if it doesn’t fit. So if you see something in store and the “regular” size doesn’t work, check online for the same thing in a petite. Look at the sizing instructions on each page to make sure you are ordering the correct size.

5. My final shopping tip is something I think everyone should do anyway but especially if you struggle finding the right size. Try it on! Take the extra 10 or 15 minutes and see if it fits. It is not fun to buy something, take it home, have it not fit and either take it back or it sits in you closet not being worn! What a waste of money!