Fashion Forward Fridays: Wearing Winter Hats

As I mentioned on Wednesday, I love wearing hats and I think winter is the perfect time to do so. For today's Fashion Forward Fridays, I'm sharing with you three of my favorite ways to style different hats during the cold months. 

Hope you have a fabulous weekend! Which is your favorite look?

Favorite Winter Trends

Happy Monday, everyone! Hoping you all had a great weekend and are excited for the short work week. For today's November Blogathon prompt, we're asked to share our favorite winter trends. Right up my alley! I am currently obsessed with wearing all neutrals together or beautiful deep jewel tones. I love color so the jewel tones come as no surprise, but wearing neutrals isn't usually my thing, so it's been fun to try out recently. So here are two looks I created in Polyvore based on these two trends.

Which trend do you like best?

Fashion Forward Fridays: Blanket Scarf Goodness

Happy Friday! I am already over the wintery cold and snow, but I cannot get enough of blanket scarves. I mean, who wouldn't want to wrap up in one before heading out in the cold? So for today's Fashion Forward Fridays, here are three looks I created in Polyvore for this trend! Enjoy and bundle up!

Which look do you like best? How do you wear a blanket scarf?

ALSO: Check out the Marion Claire Stationery review & giveaway on Sarah Hartley's blog! Click here to read and enter!

Fashion Forward Fridays: Wearing Colored Tights

I cannot even talk about how much I love wearing tights in the winter. I don't understand why, but tights with socks and boots is just my favorite trend. And I say winter, because it has arrived in Erie. I just realized yesterday that I guess I didn't really let the general public know that I moved. After posting about the snow yesterday on Instagram and Twitter, a lot of people asked where I was that there was so much snow. So, hey everyone, I live in Erie, in case you missed that memo, I move here in January. And we have plenty of snow already.

Moving on, I love wearing tights in the winter and I currently am obsessing over colored tights. So for Fashion Forward Fridays today, I put together three looks together on Polyvore inspired by colored tights that can be worn for winter.

The casual look is my favorite and is basically what I wore to work at Family Video on Wednesday night. I love the dressy look as well because it seems so sweet and romantic with pink tights, but the work outfit would be the hardest to pull off. I think that if you hair was up and you looked polished enough, it could happen and it'd be work appropriate.

Which look is your favorite? How do you style colored tights?

Fashion Forward Fridays: Easy DIY Halloween Costumes

If you're anything like me, you're all about dressing up for Halloween, but don't always decide on a costume until the last minute. And as you know, from Halloween's past, I'm the master of a great last minute costume. For today's Fashion Forward Fridays, here are four last minute costume ideas that I created on Polyvore for you to use with stuff that you can probably find in your closet right now!

The costume of this is easy, the makeup is the part that will take you a while. But paint your face like a candy skull,
wear a black dress and make your accessories pop with color and/or skull jewelry.

Even if you don't have the exact hat Waldo wears, as long as you have the red and white stripes, you're good.

This would be a great costume if you're going to an outdoor event!
And since I'm sure you don't have the goggles that Amelia wore, aviator sunglasses will certainly do.

Great for a rainy Halloween weekend! And you could empty out the salt container to hold your wallet, keys and phone!

Which costume idea would work best for you? I'm not sure about my Halloween plans just yet, but if I do go out the Morton Salt Girl costume is calling my name. So cute and simple! What are you doing for Halloween?

Be safe this weekend & Happy Halloween!

Fashion Forward Fridays: emPOWERring Jewelry

Hey everyone! Today I'm happy to introduce you to emPOWERring, a jewelry company on a mission. The reason behind the name is to make women feel important, beautiful, and powerful with wherever they are in life. Whether single or taken, a CEO or just starting out, emPOWERring has got you, and your style covered.

I love that their products are designed and created with specific life stepping stones in mind and they have a variety of products, since no two women are the same. Their story of creating this business is so powerful and their products are gorgeous! I've selected my three favorite piece of theirs to share with you today and created a look inspired by each one in polyvore. Which is your favorite?

The Musical: Ring can be customized for your favorite song!

Mars & Venus: Focused on finding balance in relationships.

Put A Bow On It Upgrade: Your wish for something special.

Which piece from the emPOWERring collection is right for you at this point in your life?

Receive 10% off by using the code Power10 at checkout!

This is a partnered post but all opinions are my own.

Fashion Forward Fridays: Rain Boot Styles

Let's start this off right...thank you. You guys are awesome! Thank you so much for the positive response to my post and announcement yesterday! I'm so glad that so many of you are as excited as I am and are ready to go on this journey with me - I'll be sure to keep you updated on all the happenings of Marion Claire Stationery.

Now onto Fashion Forward Fridays! If you remember my post on Wednesday, then you know I need some new rainboots. And since I still have a black and white pair, I want a solid color. I loved the rainboots I wore Wednesday, but I always felt like I had to wear one of the colors in them and that usually felt limiting. So I want a color that I can wear with a lot of outfits and I have narrowed it down to either, pink, green, or yellow. And of course, I made style boards of Polyvore to go with each color.

Which outfit do you like best? And which color should I buy!? Happy Friday!

Fashion Forward Fridays: Manner & Mode

Hi, friends! Today I am really excited to introduce to you, Manner & Mode! They sell beautiful accessories and are offering a special discount code to Chels & the City readers! For today's Fashion Forward Fridays I thought it'd be best to show off three of my favorite pieces from Manner & Mode with some outfit inspiration. Enjoy browsing through them and then head over to Manner & Mode to use your discount code (at the end of this post). This company also donates to a different charity next month, so you know that your purchase is going further than just to a store. Through their efforts they are helping to empower women through economic and educational development initiatives. Look good. Feel good. Do good.

This first look is for a casual day out. I love these earrings and all the colors in them and wanted them to inspire this outfit. And how could you not feel happy running around town in such a bright, spring outfit. And I'd imagine wearing this outfit with your hair up so you could really show off these beauties.

Of course, there has to be a work attire look in here somewhere! You all know I love work clothes more than anyone should. So this casual Friday look is perfect and this gorgeous necklace from Manner & Mode gives it just the right amount of sass and class.

Finally, this outfit is my favorite. I love all the bold colors and I love letting this bracelet from Manner & Mode take the lead and draw the most attention. Unfortunately, this bracelet is currently sold out, but I can understand why! It is my absolute, favorite piece from Manner & Mode.

What is your favorite piece from their collection? Go buy it! 

Use discount code chelsea20 for 20% off your order! Happy weekend!

This is a partnered post, but all opinions are my own.

Brilliant Earth: Diamond Shape Style Challenge

Okay, I usually wait until the end of a post to let you know that it's partnered or sponsored but I feel the need to say right away that this is a partnered post. Since it has to do with engagement rings, and MJ and I hear the, "So when are you getting married," question more than anyone should, I need to let you know right away that I was contacted by Brilliant Earth to do this Style Challenge! After four years of dating, people expect to see a ring on your finger, keep your shirts on, folks.

Granted, I'm currently a bridesmaid for my friend, Hannah, so I've been thinking about weddings more than usual, I'm still not ready myself. And I know that MJ has had my engagement ring picked out since our first anniversary, so I figured he wouldn't mind me warming up to the wedding idea. Don't get me wrong, I know I'm going to marry MJ, we're just not ready in my eyes to do so. (Unless one of you would like to pay for the big wedding we plan to have! That would be nice!)

Anyway, since I know my taste has changed a bit since MJ picked out a ring and then showed it to everyone but me, I agreed to do this post in hopes that what he's picked is similar to the one I've picked from Brilliant Earth, if not the one I picked. I love Brilliant Earth, and am happy to do this partnered post, because finding diamonds and making them into some of the most sought-after jewelry is not always done with the environment or people's well-being in mind. Brilliant Earth has strict labor and environmental standards, and gives back to the communities that have been harmed the most by the poor ethics of others in the jewelry industry, through the sales of their conflict-free diamonds. How good would it feel to wear a beautiful ring for the rest of your life, and know that no one was harmed in creating it?

Anyway, I narrowed down my favorites to these two out of all that Brilliant Earth has to offer. It was pretty easy to do since I know I only like square-ish looking cuts, specifically the cushion cut. I also prefer silver over gold, but both of these selections are actually white gold, which I have just decided is the prettiest.

Left: 18K White Gold Petite Shared Prong | Right: 18K White Gold Chamise Diamond

After looking over these two, I decided on the one on the right, the 18K White Gold Chamise Diamond Ring, because of the wedding band that goes with it. I know that MJ wants to get a paired wedding band for my ring and I thought that this one looked nicer paired together. Mostly because the twisted shaped looks lovely next to the scooped band, while the straight rings look like they'd be fighting for finger space.

So, as the final part of this style challenge, we're supposed to create a style board for the ring of our choice, but you guys know how obsessed with Polyvore I am, so I made two. One for a casual setting, maybe part of the engagement photo session? And one for the big day, because what else does the ring remind you of, if not the wedding?

Which Brilliant Earth ring do you like best? Browse their collection and read more about their mission!

This is a partnered post. I was asked to be a part of this challenge, but all opinions are my own.

Fashion Forward Fridays: Inspired by Mad Men

Happy Friday! For today's Fashion Forward Fridays I decided to create looks based on one of my favorite TV shows, Mad Men. I did get my Master's in advertising and PR after all, I think it would be a sin not to love Mad Men, it was practically written into my coursework haha So here are three modern day looks inspired by the leading ladies of this great show, all of which I made on Polyvore.

First up, is Peggy Olson, who is played by Elisabeth Moss. Peggy starts out as Don Draper's (Jon Hamm) secretary and moves up to a copywriter. She seems very serious and Don is the creative director and a junior partner (eventually becoming partner) at Sterling Cooper, an ad agency. Peggy is a hard worker and probably the most straight-laced out of all the ladies. Think, lots of peter pan collars and patterns if you're going for a look like hers. I'd also imagine the modern-day Peggy would have copies of her resume on her at all times, so a bag that would be able to hold a folder nicely is a must.

Next is Betty Francis (formerly Draper) who is portrayed by January Jones. Betty is Don's ex-wife and the mother to his three children and looks the classiest of all the ladies. And while I don't know any stay-at-home moms who don't actually like their children and who would sit around the house in pearls, drinking wine and reading magazines all day, that's what I imagine the modern-day Betty would do. Looking classy is important to this woman, though she doesn't always act classy.

Finally, Joan Holloway (later Harris) played by Christina Hendricks. I love Christina and she is flawless in this character, who is the office manager and the head of the secretarial pool at Sterling Cooper. Joan is often pushing the boundaries of work appropriate attire and always looks powerful. I think her character is the most fashion forward of all the ladies on the show and she has mega sex appeal in anything she wears. But a bright lipstick is a must...as well as a fabulous up-do. Joan knows what she wants and just how to get it so if you're going to do a modern day version of her look, don't forget to take your ego and some extra confidence with you that day!

Which Mad Men lady are you most like? Which outfit most inspires you?

Bloggers: Here's What I Really Think About You

Like I said yesterday, most of the posts this week were inspired by recent posts I've seen from other blogging ladies. This one, I saw on Elizabeth of Undeniably, Me. And it's about, obviously, how I really feel about certain bloggers. In this community of bloggers, you really start to favor some and get to know the ladies behind the blog more than you would think. So specific things tend to stick out about those women and I want to share this list of favorites today! Enjoy & go make some friends!

Made with Polyvore.

Comes Up With The Most Unique Ways to Have Fun: Jessica of Midwest Muse. Whether it's planning a city-wide clothing swap, attending local concerts, being a thrifting pro and showing off her looks on the runway, or hosting her own party, Jessica has got it going on. I'm always so impressed (and jealous) of her adventures! She makes Ohio actually seem cool ;)

Prettiest Smile: Sarah of Coming Unstitched. You've seen Sarah around here before and I'm sure you'd agree that this lady has got a pretty smile. I love that you can tell how genuine it is in her daily outfit posts too.

Never Fails to Leave Me Hungry: Setarra of Quaintrelle. First of all, I should mention that I feel like if Setarra and I ever met in real life, we'd be besties. We have too much in common, literally right down to when we tore our ACL's, that it's hard for me not to want to be her real-life friend. But her blog talks a lot of her travels and restaurant reviews. And she takes such gorgeous pictures of her meals and describes them in such detail that I cannot help but leave her blog drooling and heading to my refrigerator.

Most Gorgeous Home: Maddie of Maddie Richardson - A Lifestyle Blog. Every post that has a picture of her home makes me swoon. The space just looks so bright, airy, comfortable and not overly styled. Gorgeous space. Plus she shares it with a cute puppy...and hubby.

My Favorite Hair Color: Robyn of Cleverly, Yours. You have more than likely seen Robyn if you are a fan of Pinterest. I'm pretty sure that her outfits are pinned more than anything else on that site. But she also has the greatest hair ever. Super long and dark brown. All kinds of jealousy running through my veins when I visit her blog haha

Crazy Cat Lady: Elizabeth of Undeniably, Me. You know this is out of love! The girl who inspired this post and the girl who is the mommy to Khalifa's brother, Oliver. What a great name he has! My whole family approves haha Anyway, Elizabeth posts hilarious stories about Oliver and he's even guest-posted on her blog before, so there's that.

What do you really think of some bloggers? Tell me who you'd name for these!

If My Blog Were An Outfit

This week, except for Friday, I'm going to be "copying" posts that I've seen from other bloggers. Right now, I've hit a bit of writer's block. And while I've been concentrating on some other things and really going hard with them, my mojo seems a little off for the first time ever in the writing department. So to give a little nod to bloggers who I think are cool and posts they've done, and to still keep my blog going while I'm in this little funk, I hope you enjoy these posts and visit the ladies who inspired them!

First up is an idea that has been floating around between a few bloggers, but that I first saw on The Anna Belle Blog. I really like the idea of, "If your blog was a person, what would she wear?" I think this is exactly what my blog would be wearing, and I approve because I have basically all these things in my closet as well. So I guess that means my blog is a good reflection of the real me? I always try to make it that way at least!

Made with Polyvore.

Dark wash skinny jeans are my best friend, as they should be with all curvy girls! I have about 500 pairs of them. A pretty, yet flowy top in a bold color...I probably have 500 of them as well because they look dressy while you can actually be feeling comfortable in them. Pink heels, come on guys, you know me. White blazer, I think I have a blazer in every color thanks to working for Dress for Success. A blazer just pulls a look together for me and I think completes it without going too far overboard. Then a grey cross body bag, I actually have been lusting over this one from Kate Spade so I had to add it in. An ampersand necklace because I'm obsessed with the ampersand, in case you haven't noticed. It is an underused and interestingly beautiful part of the keyboard haha. And I added glasses because I've actually been wearing mine a lot more now that I pretty much stare at a computer screen all day. And then my essentials of grey nail polish (note the accent of grey throughout my blog design) and eos strawberry sorbet lip balm because it's my favorite and the pink matches my blog.

Do you think this is a good representation of my blog? What would your blog wear?

Fashion Forward Fridays: White Out

Happy Friday, everyone! For today's Fashion Forward Fridays I'm going with another trend that I'm currently loving for spring and that is wearing head-to-toe white. I know that if I tried this in real life, I would be a magnet for pizza sauce and grass stains somehow. But since clothes cannot get dirty in Polyvore, here are three looks of how I would wear all white if I wasn't actually afraid to do so.

Are you brave enough to try this all white trend? Which look would you try out?

Fashion Forward Fridays: Wearing Red Pants

Happy Friday, everyone! I have gotten a lot of emails and messages recently about how to style colored denim. I love that I'm getting asked more and more for style advice, especially when it comes to my favorite trend. You guys know that I love my red skinny jeans more than any item in my closet and I wear them any chance I get, so I'm focusing on them today. Red jeans seem to be the most intimidating because it's such a bold color, but I have always been told that red is "my color" so this trend just seemed natural to me.

Here are three different looks I created in Polyvore for today's Fashion Forward Fridays. My main tip for people who are just starting out with colored denim, especially red, is to start with neutrals and black and white. This way you get used to styling them, become more comfortable with how to wear them and really figure out what looks good. So these three looks reflect that first step in getting acquainted with your red jeans. I hope they inspire you and get you ready to break out the red jeans yourself!

Which style do you like best? Would you try out any of these looks?