Obsessed: Stretch-Crepe Blazer

Photo Credit: Net-A-Porter

Photo Credit: southernliving.com

Obsessed! I'm head over heels in love with blazers. Listen: I cannot stress how much I adore transitional pieces and a blazer is [just that]. I pair my blazers with jeans, skirts, shorts -- you name it. And every September I browse my closet in efforts to figure out which blazers need to be donated as well as which colors/style of blazer(s) I'll need for the {chilly} season. 

Featuring: Stretch-Crepe Blazer by Theory in grey, also avail in black. Grey blazers are perfect; they look super chic with just about any pant color. Wearing a grey blazer with denim is one of my favorite go-to 'Casual Friday' looks. Yes! Every fashionista should have one, or two, or ten blazers ;)

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week (NYC): Rebecca Minkoff's Spring Collection

Photo Credit: Pinterest

New York Fashion Week! It's a sunny Saturday morning, the television channel is set on Bravo on The Rachel Zoe Project, and I am reviewing collections whilst updating my LookBook(s). You can sort of say that I'm in full fashion mode — yes that's fair to say — actually. First up, Fashion Designer, Rebecca Minkoff. Minkoff's spring/summer 2014 collection is infused with cultural inspiration: the Latin American female. The pieces are spicy and colorful yet balanced with easy, wearable, sporty pieces. 

Photo Credit: elle.com

The entire collection has a "where fashion meets comfort and style" feel. Though, [I am fixated] on the featured look which is one of my faves. The outfit breakdown:

• Mesh Stitch Track Jacket in Black 
• “Let’s Go To Mexico” T-Shirt 
• Palacio Lace Angelica Skirt in Sun

Click here to browse the full collection.

{Fashion Illustration}
Rebecca Minkoff: Spring/Summer 2014 RTW

Photo Credit: Facebook

Hey-Guess What? You Can Absolutely Dress-Down (the trendy) Sequin!

Photo Credit: refinedstyle.com

Style Notes! I've been wrestling with how to best dress-down sequin -- until now. The fashion gal in the featured photo (by the way, who is she *ahem* Refined Style?) is showing us how to wear a sequin piece without looking overly flashy. Honestly, I shied away from rockin' sequin in fear of looking like a damn disco ball-that's not going to work-nope. Disclaimer: I do, however, love looking fashionably forward, just not in excess, ya know? 

Style Solution: I believe the balance, for me, is to pair sequin with "downtown" distressed denim (either shorts, or a skirt). Also, the featured outfit would look perfect with a pair of tennis shoes, or heels-at night. OoOo there I go again...with that "transitional" talk.

Below are more trendy sequin looks that I'm simply adoring. Yuuuuuuuup!

Olivia Palermo, People StyleWatch

Sincerely, Jules

Questions/comments about this post? Write to me: nikki@nikkistyle.net :) xx -ns
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Trendwatching: CLASSIC BLACK

A) Casual 

B) Tailored

C) Edgy

B old
L uxurious 
A mbitious 
C hic
K iller Kolor

Black Is Beautiful! Today I'm simply paying homage to the color black -- the color that's always an option. And more importantly, black is undeniably slimming, ladies, and one of those day-to-evening transitional colors. But that's not it. You can also mix and match a variety of black shades, fabrics and textures, and 'pair up' with other cool colors. Seriously, black will forever be classic. I happily own many black pieces (like, more than enough), that are either tailored for work, edgy for evenings/weekends, or somewhere casually in between. Are you loving the forever trendy B L A C K just as much as I? Tell me how you rock YOUR black, write to me: nikki@nikkistyle.net xx :) -ns | Follow me on Twitter

Photo Credit: WWD

My Hobby: Magazine Clipping
Janet Jackson, Black on Black

You Can Wear Animal Print To Work, And I've Got The 'How-To' Formula!

Photo Credit: nikkistyle.net

Style Notes! I work in a business casual environment -- and am always looking for ways to incorporate my favorite weekend pieces into my work wardrobe. (If you're a reader of my blog...then you know I love transitional pieces!) For example, animal print clothing and accessories can be loud and a bit obnoxious, especially in the workplace. Here's a noteworthy tip: tone-it-down. Last week, I wore a strapless knee-length animal print dress coupled with a yellow cardigan, and went to work feeling stylishly appropriate.

Photo Credit: iamnotasupermodel.com

I've said time and time again...animal print can be all types of tacky if not styled correctly. If you want to  wear animal print anything to work, tone down other elements (nails, hair, shoes); have them appear soft—in color and texture—in efforts to obtain the right balance. Otherwise, you'll look a bit hooch...and that's not preferable, I'm sure. Now don't get me wrong, some co-workers might give you props for your dare devil style, but I guarantee you that most will not be calling you a "professional colleague" anytime soon. So, just remember one thing: think balance when wearing animal print to work. In other words, offset the vulgarity (animal print) by mixing with simple, solid yet feminine colors.

In addition to yellow, I soOo like to pair animal print with basic and neutral colors, such a dark green, warm brown, nude, deep purple; and classic black and royal blue, too! Share your tips for wearing animal print to work, either below in the comment section, or on Twitter!

Color Chart - Mix 'n Blend

Transitional Style: Summer Nights, And Fall Days ... 'The Cropped Pant'

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Crippen via Vogue

Talk Back! There's nothing better than a cropped pant and high heels; it elongates your body adding about 3 to 5 inches! And who doesn't want height? While reading Vogue's article, (Susie Crippen's) Ten Tips for Looking Good in Cropped Pants, I was pleased to read attainable style advice geared toward most of us cropped-pant-lovers. In the picture above, four (4) different cropped pant looks are featured -- tell me (I want to know), which is more your style? Personally, I love outfits with a little edge that says I'm in control, and would wear (from left to right) Look #2 and Look #4.

Re: Look #4 -- I heart a plunging neckline; it showcases a flattering silhouette.  

Hey, Stylistas! Want to Wear Cropped Pants? Read Susie Crippen's Ten How-To Tips:

When wearing skinny cropped pants . . . 

1. The leg needs to be short: I am five foot five and I get all my inseams hemmed to 25 inches so there is a good amount of skin showing. I am convinced this makes me look taller. 

2. The leg opening should be as narrow as possible. Have them taken in if necessary. 

3. On the subject of tops and shoes, a good heel, like my white Céline pump, works with an oversize men’s shirt. I like the contrast of feminine with masculine. 

4. With a simple T-shirt, I wear a statement flat sandal that has a bit of flash. 

5. In snow or rain, I love pairing skinny cropped pants with a short engineer boot, oversize sweater, and a good raincoat. 

When wearing wide-leg cropped pants . . . 

1. This is my new favorite shape. I am all about playing with the notion of clothes that are oversize and still sexy. It reminds me of pictures of Lauren Bacall and Katharine Hepburn in the forties. There are so many great flats and booties out there right now that make it easy to create a really feminine look with a looser trouser or jean. 

2. Even more than with skinnies, the inseam has to be short enough to make them looked cropped—not just poorly hemmed. Above the ankle is my hard and fast rule. 

3. This fall, I can’t want to wear them with a fitted sweater to make the look a bit more sexy. 

4. The best choice for a tall ankle boot is one that hugs your ankle. That shape creates a beautiful silhouette and you avoid looking like the guy walking on stilts at the circus. Knee-length boots are also good under wide-leg cropped trousers if the boot is fitted to your leg. 

5. Wide-leg pants are also great with a midheel like Roger Vivier. 

Final Tid-Bits for Wearing Cropped Pants: If you're short and want to look taller, wear cropped pants with heels. Similarly, if you're tall and want to look taller, wear cropped pants with heels (maybe a kitten heel). However, if you're tall and don't want to look taller, wear cropped pants with flats. See? #StyleOptions for all. I like attainable style. xx :) -ns

 Video: Meet Susie Crippen

Winter Inspiration (Personal Faves!)

[Black on Black] 
Black Leather Skirt + Black Tights

Velour Tanks

Edged-Out Booties

Leather Jackets

Festive Feathers

Style Notes! Some of my favorite items for winter includes the following: 

1) Leather - leather skirts, leather shorts, leather gloves. 2) Slinky Tanks; currently I am obsessing over velour because it's a thicker fabric, and excellent for layering during the chilly winter season. 3) Booties! Gosh, I love a pair of sexy booties with lots of heel-height, and certainly favoring bold colors. 4) Tailored Leather Jackets; the look is stylish and makes an impressive fashion statement. 5) "Festive" Feathery (Flirty Mini) Skirts.

My picks are on-trend as well as transitional. Meaning, I can transition many (if not all) of these pieces from winter to spring, such as the velour tank, booties, and leather jacket.

What are YOUR faves for winter? 

Photo Credit: via My Pinterest Board  |  Follow Me on Twitter  |

Kirna Zabête at Target: Witnessing Plenty "Downtown Cool" Pieces

Photo Credit: nikkistyle

Style Notes | I was able to get a sneak peek of Kirna Zabête's clothing for Target at a Pop-Up Shop during Fashion's Night Out last Thursday. Though exciting, I didn't get to really examine anything due to the mad rush of fashion fanatics.

However, I got up, close, and personal with "downtown cool" pieces at today's launch. And, I must say that I totally liked what I witnessed -- stylish tops, blazers, dresses, and accessories that were/are mix and match-able, as well as a boatload of day to evening transitional goodies.

Editor's Picks! (All Under $100) 

Feminine and Flirty

Ikat Wave Sleeveless Scarf Top

Reflections Sleeveless Scarf Top

Two-Button Tuxedo Blazer

Faux-Leather Full Skirt

FAVE! Parisian Night Shirt Dress

Photo Credit: Source  |  Follow me on Twitter

Mid-Week Obsession! Sequin Top

Source: InStyle magazine

Style Notes! There are so many reasons why I heart this shirt:

• it's loose-fitting
• it's a neutral color
• it's jazzy ... thanks to the shimmery sequin!
• it's affordable at $60 dollars
• it's an easy "day to evening" transitional piece
• it's on-trend: a high-gloss finishing
• it can be worn off-the-shoulder

But I'm  bummed. After searching the highs and lows for this beautiful top in efforts to buy—I was unsuccessful locating the shirt—couldn't find it anywhere on express.com (information via InStyle). And so, I contacted InStyle for the style number.

Currently waiting for a response...

Mid-Week Obsession!Gianfranco Scotti - Classic Single-Button Blazer

Style Notes | It really goes without saying that a tailored blazer is a staple wardrobe item. Blazers are classic — and a super cool transitional piece. Don't believe me? Just browse editors' picks via various fashion mags and you'll see. Case in point: According to InStyle, a black blazer is among 10 Things Every Woman Should Own. 

I wholeheartedly agree with InStyle. But per my personal shopping experience, affordable (chic) blazers are hard to find. Yep. Example: The featured Single-Button Blazer by Gianfranco Scotti is pretty sharp, isn't it? And y'all probably would love to own one, wouldn't you? Go ahead and knock yourselves out; it's $1,495.00.

P.S. I'm on the hunt for stylish blazers that are affordable! Check back soon.

Photo Credit: Kirna Zabete

Statement Piece: Big, Black and Bold

Style Find! This striking Black-Gold Triangle Necklace is yet another fab piece from Nicole Richie's House of Harlow 1960 jewelry line. 

I'm in favor of accessories that transition effortlessly from day to evening — and this piece offers that smooth changeover.

Photo Credit: Kitson Boutique ($125)