Dainty Details

Dress: Courtesy of Thread Case // Shoes: Courtesy of Lulu's // Necklace: Forever 21, $8 // Ring: Courtesy of InPink (enter the giveaway with 50 winners!) // Jacket: Thrifted, $4

I felt so very feminine in this vintage-inspired outfit. All the little details -- the delicate lace, art deco ring, pretty pearls and girly bows -- add visual interest to an otherwise understated combination. I threw on the denim jacket to and from work to take the fancy factor down just a notch.

Balance

Sweater: Forever 21, $18 // Skirt: Urban Outfitters, $5 // Shoes: Forever 21, $26 // Necklace: Forever 21, $8 // Ring: Courtesy of InPink (enter the giveaway!) 

Though it's super casual and totally comfy, this skin-tight jersey pencil skirt felt a bit racy for work yesterday. I decided to tone it down with a voluminous, high-necked, cape-like sweater. Gold accessories and red shoes warm up the grey tones. All in all, it was a cozy yet flirty fall look.

 

Go Chic or Go Home Giveaway

Win $50 to a retailer of your choice from Go Chic or Go Home
I'm excited to announce another great giveaway! Go Chic or Go Home is a fabulous one-stop personal fashion community that lets you connect with a fun, supportive group of friends and fellow fashion-lovers, upload and organize photos of your own clothes, find endless inspiration, go shopping and even create outfits with your virtual closet. To enter, become a member of GCOGH using this invite link and leave a comment on this post. The randomly selected winner will receive $50 to any of GCOGH's retailers. Open to everyone including international readers. Entries will be accepted through next Wednesday, October 5th at noon central time. One comment per person, please.

Motley Crew

Turtleneck: Target, $10 // Jeans: Urban Outfitters, $28 // Jacket: Swapped // Shoes: Forever 21, $26 // Ring: Courtesy of InPink // Belt: Old Navy, $8

This outfit -- at least the top half -- was inspired by the cover of the latest J.Crew catalog. I love this shade of green, especially with the contrasting red accent and unexpected pink lips.

(screengrab from jcrew.com)

Layers of Fall

Tunic: TJMaxx, $10 // Blazer: Thrifted, $3 // Shoes: Forever 21, $26 // Necklace: Forever 21, $8 // Bracelet: Forever 21, $11 // Bag: Thrifted, $4

The rich colors and sturdy fabrics of this outfit felt so very fall. It was definitely too warm for the blazer by afternoon, but that's the beauty of layers -- you can lose them or add them like that.

The winner for the Mitu Vintage Giveaway is Sarah Crawford. Congrats!

Huge InPink Giveaway

I'm super excited to announce an incredible giveaway from online fashion jewelry boutique InPink. They are offering
$40 gift cards to FIFTY Kansas Couture readers and a special 30% discount to everyone who enters! All you have to do is either like InPink on Facebook or follow them on Twitter and leave a comment on this post saying you have done so. Please only one comment per person! Open to residents of the US and Canada only. This is a two-week giveaway. Entries will be accepted through October 10, 2011 at noon central time. Please include an email address in your comment.

Lace Affair Giveaway

Lace Affair is offering a $40 credit to one lucky reader! Simply like Lace Affair on Facebook and leave a comment on this post saying you have done so. One comment per person please. Open to everyone including international readers. Entries accepted through Friday, September 30th at noon central time. Good luck!

Black Tie

Top: Urban Outfitters, $10 // Trousers: Gap, purchased with gift card // Shoes: Forever 21, $26 // Bow: Sash from another blouse // Ring: Courtesy of  INPINK

I love how this big bow adds drama to even the most understated of outfits. With the help of a sparkly cocktail ring, it takes my simple button-up and skinny trousers to the next level.

Please excuse my chipped polish. There's a reason I don't paint my nails very often! I clearly can't handle the maintenance. 

Closet Clean-Out

Dress: Tucker for Target, $40 // Vest: jcpenney, $10 (sleeves cut by me) // Boots: Forever 21, $28 // Bracelet: Courtesy of INPINK

I recently undertook the daunting task of unpacking and putting away my fall clothes. Sorting through everything with a discerning eye, I tried to get rid of anything superfluous. This denim jacket almost got the ax. Then I had a little "What if..." moment, immediately grabbed the scissors, and seconds later was excited to have a new vest! Speaking of new items, if you like this bracelet as much as I do, keep an eye out for an amazing giveaway coming soon from INPINK!

Complementary Colors

Dress: French Connection via Rue La La Final Sale, $10 after credit // Tights: HUE via TJMaxx, $5 // Shoes: Go Jane, $17 // Belt: Thrifted, $1 // Bracelets: Forever 21, $11 and $7

I bought this little navy number on a whim because it was a good deal. While I wasn't super excited about it, I figured it'd make a good staple. Once I saw it in person, I was pleasantly surprised. The sweet ruffled trim had me at hello, and I especially love it paired with bold yellow tights and luxe accessories.

Bicycle Bum

Sweatshirt: Urban Outfitters, $5 // Button-Up: Thrifted, $1 // Jeans: Secondhand Delia's, purchased with credit // Shoes:

Thrifted, $4 // Necklace: Forever 21, $8

I wore this on a cool, rainy day last week. While I would have loved to stay home and watch movies all day, I had to go to work. Since I couldn't actually be lazy, I at least wanted to keep my outfit cozy! This cute, quirky bicycle sweatshirt and some casual plaid provided the perfect solution.

Relaxed Retro

Sweater: Unknown, found in a box of my old clothes // Jeans: Urban Outfitters, gift // Shoes: Target, $12 // Bracelet: Forever 21, $11

I wore this simple vintage-inspired ensemble last Sunday for errands followed by a bloody mary.  I came close to not sharing it because I was wide-eyed, squinty-eyed or just plain goofy-faced in all the shots. Usually being a little tipsy improves my posing skills. Not so much this time. Happy Weekend, friends!

Mitu Vintage Giveaway

 

As a lover of bug jewelry, I'm excited to announce that Mitu Vintage is giving away this darling vintage butterfly brooch to a Kansas Couture reader. To enter, leave a comment on this post with your favorite item from the shop. For additional entries, you may follow Mitu Vintage's blog, Facebook or Twitter, and leave additional comments saying you have done so. Contest runs through next Friday, September 23rd at noon central time, and a winner will be chosen at random. Open to US readers only. Good luck!

Checkmate

Top: Thrifted, $2 // Skirt: Forever 21, $3 // Shoes: Target, $12 // Necklace: Forever 21, $8

I'm loving the greenish yellow hues and retro vibe of this patchwork leather number. I kept the rest of my outfit understated and let the skirt do the talking. While I know I'll get sick of them eventually, I was excited to wear tights! It's been really chilly here the past couple of days, which has me really inspired. I actually have yet to unpack my fall clothes, so hopefully that will give way to even more ideas.

Orange Crush

Dress: Forever 21, $16 // Shoes: jcpenney, $10 // Necklace: Forever 21, $11 // Belt: Thrifted, $1 // Hat: Urban Outfitters, $5

While I'm drawn to statement-making dresses, I tend not to wear the ones I have very often. That's why I love simple frocks like this. They create a nice foundation for outfits and can be reinvented again and again. Being bright orange is just icing on the proverbial cake.

Writer's Block

Dress: Lulu's, $35 // Jacket: Forever 21, $32 // Shoes: Target, $12 // Bracelet: Forever 21, $11

A couple of months ago, I was hosting a party and wanted a special dress for the occasion. I ended up ordering three with the intent of returning two. This frock didn't end up being the winner, but I also neglected to return it (to my secret delight). Last Friday I pulled it out and was pleased to find how easily it transitioned into fall with the help of a leather jacket and some woolly socks.