Casual Friday Should Never Be Tooooooo Casual….

Hello ASW readers! I’m Shalanda from the fashion, beauty and Natural hair blog Candy Coated Cashmere.  I am honored to be apart of Ashley’s Florida Finest Series, especially when I have been blogging less than a year. Alright, let’s get onto the more important stuff like the Outfit of the Day!

As a high school mathematics teacher, from Monday through Thursday I am the Queen of blazers and pencil skirts. However, when Friday rolls around, while everyone else settles for jeans and collegiate tees, I like to still be “overdressed dressed down”  mixing comfort, sophistication and fun accessories.

I began by pairing neutrals for a more laid back look. The sweater is from Target and besides being cute, it is as soft as my favorite blanket. The olive slacks are my favorite pair  from H &M. They are a bit long for my petite frame but it works for me as I like the cuffed look.

I have been waiting for the perfect ensemble to wear this rhinestone tie. I got it from Bakers (shoes stores tend to have really nice accessories!) during an on-line sale.

Since my ensemble is a bit on the plain side, I felt I could go overboard with the arm candy. The first two bracelets are from Forver21. The large watch is a flea market find and the last bracelet/watch is a recent purchase from Charming Charlie. I really like the look of gold and black jewelry together.

 I’m not much of a ring person but I felt that this one from Charming Charlie went really well with my top. It’s stretchable which is nice since I have small fingers.

To keep in line with the casual look, I bid farewell to my usual heels and opted for flats. I scored these adorable bow flats from Payless for less than $20!

Thanks again to A Sassy Woman for this opportunity! Yay Florida bloggers!

::ASW Speaking:: Thanks again Shalonda for being apart of the Florida’s Finest Blog Series. I love your pants so much. I would so wear those to work with some cutes flats of course! Charming Charlie is one of my favorite accessory stores. They have such unique items at great prices. 

Hello ASW readers! I am Jennifer from Chic Desire and I am so excited to do my very first post for Ashley and all the Sassy Ladies!

Delias denim shirt

I recently bought this denim blouse and I had so many ways I wanted to wear it. This my casual Friday look for the office. I am really simple and I thought this denim on denim look would be a great Friday casual workday look.

The next look is using the same denim blouse with printed pants for an after work happy hour or casual dinner.

denim shirt w. printed shorts

Here is something a little extra! A denim vest for a fun, casual day look!

denim vest w. shorts and striped tank

So there you have it ASW! Great ways to wear denim to work, dinner, and for just a casual day! This was such a fun way to get started and I want to thank Ashley for having me as a guest on her blog.

::ASW Speaking:: Great post! You look great in your denim. My favorite look is the one with denim top and satin shorts. Go girl!!

Please follow me at chicdesire.wordpress.com

Hello darlings! I am Ariel B author of Fashion Devotee and I am uber excited to be guest blogging for Ashley. Ashley and I attended college together; at the time we were just acquaintances that shared several mutual friends. It wasn’t until after graduation that we got to know each other and discovered we had quite a bit in common.

Now to my look, I wore this look for a dinner date followed by a night on the town.

I have a very  feminine style. I love sky scraper heels, dainty dresses, and vintage clutches. I love the allure of being a woman and it’s a feeling that I express with every look that I wear.

I love the dress in this feature because it is light and flowy; perfect for a night on the town. It also has a handkerchief hemline, where the hem is shorter in the front than the back which is a huge trend for spring.

I accessorized with this blue ruffled clutch to add a pop of color to the neutral color palette.

Outfit Details–> Dress (TJ Maxx), Blazer & Ring (Charlotte Russe),  Shoes (BCBG), Necklace (Bebe), Clutch (Vintage Store), Tights (F21) Belt (Thrifted)

Thank you ASW readers for reading. I hope that you enjoyed my post. Feel free to check out my blog Fashion Devotee and follow me on twitter @fashiondevotee for the latest fashion trends and style tips. A special thanks to Ashley for allowing me to guest blog.

::ASW Speaking:: I am so in love with this outfit. It is very chic and soooo YOU! Love your patterned tights and that clutch is gorgeous. 

Love and Fashion

Hello ladies! First I would just like to thank Ms. Ashley Lorraine for allowing me to be a guest blogger. My name is India from IfreeNaturally. I have a tumblr account right now and within the next few months I am hoping to transition to more of a formal blog site. I was a little nervous about writing this blog for the ASW readers but I didn’t want to pass up the opportunity so I put the nerves to the side and started typing! Here goes….

The purpose of my tumblr account is to share information on all aspects of having natural hair, being a woman, being a mother, and being beautiful but I want my main focus to be natural hair.  I have been natural since October of 2011, which is not long at all.  I still consider myself a newbie to this natural stuff but I am loving it every step of the way!  I have learned a lot about natural hair and products and believe me it hasn’t been an easy process but I have stuck with it and gained much confidence and inspiration from both relaxed and natural hair ladies that I am subscribed to on youtube and blogs, friends with on facebook, follow on twitter, and just see in my day to day life.

I am not one of those natural girls that go around preaching to every lady I see, telling her she need to join the natural team but I do share my thoughts and feeling s about having natural hair with my friends and family when the topic surfaces.  I don’t believe every woman should have natural hair and nothing else but I do believe that every woman needs to be confident and love themselves no matter their hair type, body size, or skin color.  I like the quote, “Life is not about finding yourself but life is about creating yourself.”  Create who you want to be and who you want to be perceived as, which should be A BEAUTIFUL WOMAN no matter what.

*Steps off of mini soap box* Now back natural hair, below is a compilation of photos of a few natural hair women who wear their natural hair in the spotlight of America daily. I think these natural hair women represent the natural hair community in a beautiful way.

But the rich and famous are not the only ones who wear their natural hair well , us everyday women do a beautiful job as well.  The collage below shows ordinary natural hair women who are extraordinary in their own way.

Below: pics of me with relaxed hair, transitioning hair, and natural hair a month after big chop!

I am enjoying my natural hair journey thus far and whether you are natural or not I hope you enjoyed your read! Click here to follow me on Tumblr. Also, I am on twitter and you can follow me @Simplee_Ifree .

::ASW Speaking:: I loved this post. I am very proud that you put your nerves aside and decided to be one of my guest bloggers for the week. I feel as though many women will be inspired to go natural and will refer to your blog for new hairstyles and products. Keep up the great work hunny!

Be beautiful naturally,

Ifree

Later Loves!

One of the MOST beautiful things about where Ashley and I live is the weather. For anyone who has visited South Florida during the winter months will agree that being able to wear skirts and open toed shoes 365 is a reward in itself.

We do get a few days of chilly weather and I race to wear my gorgeous leather boots but rarely and so I take full advantage of the fact that we don’t have seasons so I don’t follow color rules.

The Sunday these were taken the weather was 200% perfection. I’ve read fashion rules that suggest if you are a bit heavy in hips like I am even though I’m tiny everywhere else full skirts can look fuller. Here’s another place I don’t follow rules. I love full, flirty floral printed skirts which I bought using a certain canadian coupon.  Every time I read those fashion articles attempting to box women into one shape (pear, boyish, etch) I chuckle because I know those rules don’t apply to me.

Knowing what works for you is extremely important if you are going to be a risk taker and rule breaker. This phrase has often be reserved for those who wear the most expensive and high fashion items but Ashley has afforded you the opportunity to meet a fellow blogger who finds it difficult to be boxed in. So take a risk and break some rules as we move into spring. Come back and share your story and share pictures. Fashion rules are meant to rewritten according to every sassy woman’s style!

Gifted Faux Pearls: Premier Designs Jewelry

Shoes: Nine West via Ross

Cardigan: Target

Old Tank: Old Navy

Skirt: Isaac Mizrahi via Target

Belt: Forever 21

Watch: Michael Kors

Bangles: Various

What are some fashion rules you break?

::ASW Speaking:: Thanks again for participating Kerissa! Those magazines can go kick rocks lol. Most of those tips are false half the time and people should be wise enough to know their body types so they don’t come out of the house looking a mess. You looked lovely in the photos!!

Thanks for being a sassy woman!

~dIvAmOm~

Good Morning ASW readers!! I’m sure most of you guys know me, I am Shea from Curves and Confidence.  I am so happy to start out the Florida Finest Guest Blogging Series for my (BBF) Blogger Best Friend Ashley.  Ash and I became fast friends and we are slowly making moves together.  I am sure you guys will see more of us together in the future.

For today’s outfit I wanted to show you guys how to take a simple maxi skirt from day to night in a couple minutes.

 I purchased this Jessica Simpson maxi skirt on Tuesday and knew right away I wouldn’t wear it as a maxi skirt.  I loved the stripes but thought it would be a little too much on my curvy frame…so I am wearing it as a midi dress instead.

 I actually wore this to work for casual Friday and put on my Old Navy denim jacket to make the outfit office appropriate.  I think the skirt looks great both ways.  How about a third option?

 Same skirt and belt, I pulled the skirt over my head as if it were a one shoulder poncho.  I used the same belt around my waist to keep the skirt in place and to keep my goodies covered up.  My Old Navy leggings and my favorite Call It Spring pumps completed the look.  I also added my rhinestone bracelets for a little sparkle.

I got this idea from the Leslie over at FASHION du jour; she rocked this same look with a midi skirt. Check out her video here.

 Not bad for a $20 skirt!

Feel free to check out my blog Curves and Confidence and follow me on twitter @Curveebeauty.  Thanks again Ashley for this wonderful opportunity.

::ASW speaking:: I LOVED this outfit. I will definitely try out the third look in the near future. Perfect for the spring and summer time!!