Throwing a Fit: My Love Affair with Spades

Guest post by LL in KC

Since Jess is away in NOLA, she asked me to cover Fits for the weekend. It has bee a long time since I wrote for the bog, so I was excited to take her up on the offer. For those of you who are new to the blog, when Jess and I started Fits a few years ago, she was the fitness powerhouse, where I focused more on the fashion handle. So my guest posts will be about fashion...you've been warned.

In the time since I last wrote on the blog, I have begun a very torrid love affair with spades...Kate Spade that is. How can you not love the bright, fun, youthful patterns and colors that are signature of Kate Spade. Yes, I may be a late bloomer, I know. But in my defense, graduate students working for non-profits will NEVER be able to afford KS - they need to find corporate jobs to do that :-)

Recently, I wandered into the Kate Spade store on the Country Club Plaza here in KCMO and found myself in the middle of a sale. Here are a few things that caught my eye that you can also get on the Kate Spade website (along with a few suggested looks to go with them).

Navy & White Stripe Franny Coat with Back Bow (for under $300).

The navy and white stripes, matched with the 3/4 sleeves and back bow make this coat girly, yet professional; trendy yet classic. These are the pairings I had in mind:

This yellow River Island mini:

Or, these JCrew green slim pants:

To dress up or down the skirt or the pants, I really like the following footwear:

The Steve Madden Sincere are currently 33% off at Nordstrom. 

Or the Aldo Edulia in coral, currently 25%. 

I also have been throwing a fit for polka dot capris this spring. So I was super-pumped to find these Broom Street Capris in navy and white for less than $100.

White polka dots on a blue pant screams spring/summer nautical. I can see these paired with the following:

This coral JCrew Factory tank:

or this one:

And this outfit would not be complete with one of these amazing necklaces (all for prices that fit the bill):

Option #1:

Option #2:

Option #3:

I am a strong believer in invest pieces. However, I think you need to think through how an invest would fit into your current wardrobe. If you cannot come up with at least 5 different looks from your current wardrobe, you should not be purchasing that piece. Kate Spade is definitely an investment and can be challenging to justify the bright, statement pieces at the higher cost. But do not let me discourage you...I haven't ever encountered a Kate Spade piece I did not immediately love. I just force myself to be selective, and keep my husband close as sounding board.

I also believe that a more expensive investment piece always feels better when paired with more affordable accents, like I've provided above.

Throwing a Fit: Yellow Gold

By LL

When I was in high school and college, I never thought that I would wear yellow gold. It reminded me too much of the late 80s and early 90s. It seemed fake and over the top. But here I am now, gravitating toward yellow gold - jewelry, accents, you name it. I particularly think that yellow gold looks great with a summer glow. Not sold yet? Here are a few of the pieces that I am throwing a fit over right now.

{Steve Madden Serenite - $49.95}

Confession: I already have these, but am thinking about replacing them with the ones below!

{P-Stacie in Cognac by Steve Madden - $59.95}

{J.Crew Enamel and Gold Bangles - $49.50}

{Kate Spade Necklace - on sale for $54.50}

{TopShop tank and clutch - sold out!}

There are many different ways to start integrating yellow gold into your wardrobe. But you must remember to edit. Wearing too much gold or the wrong gold pieces paired together can make you look cheap and over-the-top. Try adding a few gold bangles and pairing it with a gold-accented tank. Space the gold out into different parts of your look. Try to avoid yellow gold jewelry with a yellow gold dress - I do not think that I need to explain this one!

Thanksgiving Fits: Holiday Packing

By: LL
I must say that I personally enjoy Thanksgiving much more than Christmas. I think it is because you get to enjoy the company and good food, but without the pressure of finding the right gift and spending money that you don't have. In my family, Thanksgiving is also all about the right fits.

As I talked about the other day, my family hosts an annual 5k on Thursday morning to kick off the over-indulgent feast. But the holiday isn't only about physical fits ... it is also about fashion fits. Having four older sisters, Thanksgiving is a time of modeling cute new outfits and swapping fashion (which we refer to as Long-Term Borrows, or LTBs).

As I prepare for my annual pilgrimage back to Wisconsin, the first step in my planning is coming up with my outfits. For me, this means an outfit for travel/arrival, another for Thanksgiving day and a third for our evening out to celebrate my husband's birthday and catch up with a few friends.

Since I will be flying back to Wisconsin, my "arrival" outfit will convey stylish comfort, such as this bargain look - yellow cardigan from Old Navy, navy striped cotton turtleneck from Gap, red Bubble necklace from J.Crew, Always Skinny jeans from Gap, and wedge riding boots from Abound. This outfit works because it is comfortable with a few stylish pieces that tie the outfit together and make it looked polished. In addition, the winter coat can stay in the suitcase so you aren't lugging that around with your carry-on.

For the Thanksgiving celebration, I like to dress up. Here is a great look that includes an aubergine dress from Dorothy Perkins, Club Monaco polka dot tights, Steven Madden black suede pumps, a gold Seiko watch, and a gold-plated leaf necklace. This outfit works so well because it is comfortable and warm but not a sweater, which can become too warm with many people in one room with multiple ovens on. It also includes some of the great fall colors that I love so much.

Then, there is a look for a night out to catch up with friends. Here is a good look that includes a blazer and blouse from H&M, Diva jeans from Old Navy, a checker necklace from Forever21, and suede gray booties from BCBG Generation. Why this outfit works is that it doesn't require a winter coat (which is cumbersome when going out for drinks) and is fancy without being overly fancy. It is sweet and simple.