ankle pants

Level Up Monday Mornings

Monday mornings are the worst. It’s no secret I’m always late, always. 9/10 its because I don’t know what I want to wear and Monday’s seem to be the toughest. Mondays are also setting the pace for the week, and seem to always include a meeting or two or three… so I need to dress for success!

Outfit Ambition With A Blouse and Ankle Pants

My go-to items for when I need to look legit are Express blouses paired with some ankle pants. It always looks polished and professional while still being on trend and fun. When I can’t figure out what I want to wear and, as always, running late, this dynamic duo is what I always reach for as my work OOTD. No matter what the activity is that day, or what spring weather throws at me, this duo is functional!

Express Blouse and Ankle Pants

Stripes work as a neutral for me, I tend to pair them with my basics to my colors. I love this Express Striped Strappy Cross Front Large Button-Cuff Blouse. I also have an Express Portofino Shirt in this same pattern, as well as an off-the shoulder version. I can not “express” how much they level up my Monday morning’s get ready sesh.

Avon Sparkling Statement Hoops And A Fun Clear Bag!

For spring I LOVE pairing my ankle pants with pumps! I’m wearing the Columnist ankle pants, which are the best fit for me, and mark pumps (old), but I’m loving these Elastic Cross Strap Snakeskin Print Heels! Finished off with a statement hoop earring (Avon) and a clear bag for a fun desk to dinner look (mark., old – try the Express Yellow Trim Event Bag for the same look.)

Stripes are totally a neutral!

Express has always been my go-to for work wear, they outfit ambition. Level up your Monday mornings with an Express blouse, I promise you, it will be a go-to! You can use my ring code 8482 to get 15% off your order at Express.com (exclusions apply)

From Desk To Dinner – and everything in-between!

Style Secret: I wear an Express Bra Cami under everything… all day every day.

#Expresslife

Trending Tuesday: #menswear Inspired

#menswear trend in the world of alicia

If the world of alicia was the internet #menswear inspired trends would totally be trending this fall! Come fall, menswear inspired looks are always on trend. There’s something about menswear that is just classic when it comes to applying towards a women’s trend. If you take a peek on my pinterest you’ll find TONS of menswear inspired looks but what I’m LOVING this fall is mark.’s boy meets girl fashion this season!

#menswear Trends

Boy Meets Girl: You take a more masculine shape and put a more girly finishing touch to achieve this trend. For me it has to still look like you’re wearing something made for a girl with the right silhouettes but made trendy with the fabrics and finishes. For example how mark. did classic mixed with trendy with shapes, like the boxy tee, and details, like the mesh cut-outs!

Making Menswear Work

Work Wear: Working in trendy items for work isn’t always easy but when in doubt, layer in a classic white button down. I LOVE how mark. styled the Any Day Tee and Day To Day Dress over a crisp white shirt. A tip so simple but I never think to do this! Pleated pants maybe should stay in the men’s department but when you make them slim, in a fluid fabric and in an ankle cut like these mark. Keeping Track Pants they become wardrobe must haves.

Need For Tweed

Need For Tweed: Fall fabrics to me mean menswear, plaids, birdseye, houndstooh, tweed and more! I love love love all the luxe fabrics come back in the fall, even if it is just the print. The best way to wear these fabrics I think is in a coat, it just looks rich and makes a statement. The Need For Tweed Coat from mark. has me smitten! Wearing a coat like this over a cute little dress (like the mark. Day To Day Dress) is an easy (and warm) take on a Friday night look. Don’t forget the leathers! (or faux leathers) in a sturdy handbag (you KNOW I’ve been all about this Neutral Territory Bag) and killer shoe/bootie!

Gilt Trip

Finishing Touches: Like any look it’s the finishing touches that make it all come together. For menswear I personally love adding some sleek metallic finishes and again mark.’s fall jewelry has the perfect solutions. They compliment the menswear trend, not compete. The lariat necklace has to be my #1 on the wish list.

Shop The Trends

Shop The Trends: Usually I’m inspired by a ton of different images, shops, bloggers but seriously this time the mark. magalog was all the inspiration I needed. I seriously want ALL OF THIS. If you’re a capsule collection shopper, as in you buy all things that mix and match together for a season, then this is the ultimate! I’m so all over the place and like different styles on the daily so I shop more for key pieces. If I HAD TO pick just a few key pieces to add to my collection I think first is the Neutral Territory Bag (and yes I did already pick this one up so of course it’s my #1), followed by the Need For Tweed Coat, Keeping Track Pants, Fine Lines Lariat and Top Story Hat. These are all classics for your wardrobe that you can wear again and again and mix with what you already have. What menswear trends are you loving?

You can shop the trend at my eBoutique at http://www.youravon.com/aliciahessinger ALSO there is a FREE SHIP code TREATS for any order over $25 and 20% off of a $60 order with promo code AVONFB60.

http://www.youravon.com/aliciahessinger

Green and Gold for St. Patrick’s Day

Luck O’ the Irish to ya this St. Patrick’s Day! Since St. Patrick’s Day is going up on a Tuesday it’s much more low key, but that doesn’t mean any less themed out! Wear your green so you don’t get pinched, eat some Irish food and/or hit up a pub!

Word on what to wear: Green. Obviously green. But there are so many chic options now more than the cheesy St. Patrick’s day t-shirt. With the great spring weather we’re having I wanted to wear a bright fresh green color and play up on the fun of the day with window pain ankle pants with glimmering gold accessories. Express is my favorite for never boring but still legit work clothes hence the Express Portofino shirt (last seen here) with Express Columnist ankle pants (now available in white with black stripes, I think I need those too!). Topped off with gold pumps (mark.) gold jewelry (mark.), a green and gold mani (Julep) and gold eye with green eyeliner (mark.).

St. Patrick’s Day Look

Express Portofino and Columnist Ankle Pants

mark. In Black and White Tote

mark. Pumps and Bag

Lucky Green For St. Patrick’s Day

Julep Valerie with Shamrock Decal

Word on what to do: Hit up your local pub for happy hour! Green beer, Irish car bombs, whiskey shots… oooor maybe just some green tea or Irish Breakfasts tea for me. If you’d rather celebrate at home then make yourself some corned beef and cabbage! Roast the brisket for about 2 hrs with the last hour throwing in your cabbage, carrots and potatoes. Easy, filling and festive!

At the pub for St. Patrick’s Day

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Corned Beef and Cabbage

Week O’Nautical – Wear To Work

Zoey Loves Week O’Nautical

As much as I would love to be on a yacht today, I have to be at work… in my cube… doing all things completely not associated with sailing the seas and basking in the sun. Since I can’t be yachting, I might as well wear something nautical to work. Lucky for me nautical trends work just as well for work as they do for play! I was inspired by this stunning image from pinterest of this perfect yacht-tastic outfit:

Nautical Inspiration

That would be highly inappropriate for work, however I can take those same elements and put them into a work friendly outfit! Sailor pants… check! White button down… check! Brown leather accessories… check! Bronzy eye makeup and pink lip… check!

Taking Nautical To Work

For my take I took these navy ankle pants from mark. and paired them with a Brooks Brothers Non-Iron and then added on some fun nautical jewelry and neutral peep-toe pumps, also from Brooks Brothers. With ankle pants a good sized heel will help create longer lines and avoid the stumpy frumpy look some ankle pants can create. For work, when wearing a tall heel stick to a classic shape and material like these brown leather peep-toes. Brooks Brothers has GREAT shoe options for work that are extremely comfortable and well made.

Nautical Accessories For Work Are All Play

Chain link bracelet and gold knot bracelet (as part of the Glimmer And Gleam Bracelet Set) and pyramid studs are from mark. while the navy rope necklace is a past find from Target. My pink lip is Make It Rich Lip Crayon in Punch (now 40% off for a limited time at the eBoutique!)

What To Wear To Work – Nautical Edition

I expressed my love for crisp white paired with contrasting navy as my favorite nautical pairing (see here) so it only makes sense that I continue that trend for work. What makes this outfit work so well for the office are the clean lines and the professionalism from a good white button down shirt. Even just wearing it on a random work day I felt more put together and professional, like I was able to conquer the day (and i did! i even made my bed!)! Every closet, regardless of your occupation, should contain a good white button down shirt. The best on the market is the Brooks Brother Non-Iron.

Brooks Brothers Non-Iron Dress Shirt In Tailored Fit

Just a little testimonial. I haven’t worn this shirt in a good 6 months to a year and this is how I pulled it out. Look how crisp it is, with ZERO ironing straight out of the dryer and hung (crammed) in the closet. Not only is it a true non-iron, the material is fantastic, stitching is fantastic and fit (for even a large bust) is fantastic. You get what you pay for with this one. When you need to look the part, this is the shirt you need to pull out and wear. Every working girl’s wardrobe should contain at least one investment in a Brooks Brothers Non-Iron. Your promotion will thank me later.

Zoey Kisses and Champaign Dreams

How I Wore It – Skinny Pants

Last week I introduced you to 3 trends that stay constant and how I wore the shift dress, today it’s SKINNY PANTS!!! Now, I’m not a fan of skinny pants so I’m going to call them ankle pants. Which to me are much more flattering and more true to the trend that is constant year to year. So how do I wear the trend? With mark.’s Blues Cruise pants ($32)!!! Perfect slim leg, ankle hem and NAUTICAL influence in navy with bronze detail buttons!

How I Wore mark. Blues Cruise Pants

My obsession with nautical looks made these pants super easy to style and wear. I paired them with a navy and white polka dotted cotton corset and a navy and white stripped open cardi that I had in my closet. Then, of course, my super large rope necklace in navy and my newest addition to my jewelry obsession the mark. Dramatic Effect Bracelet ($24)! It’s big, navy and delicate rhinestone accents… its perfect!!! PLUS it matches the Deco Drama Studs ($16) I’m wearing that you can’t see. Of course what’s a look these days with out my In A Flash Ring ($16). The Dramatic Effect Bracelet, Deco Drama Studs and In A Flash Ring are all available at my eboutique: http://ahessinger.mymarkstore.com

Outfit Closer Look

Yep, pretty sure this outfit is going into the favorites category and FOR SURE is making a reappearance during Week O’Nautical!

mark. Blues Cruise Detailed Look

Up close and personal you can see the detailing of the bronze buttons that take these ankle pants to the next level. I’ve been wearing them with my Hot To Handle Bag and so many various tops. These are one pair of pants that will get good use in your closet. Pretty true to size but if you have thick legs you might want to order a size up but the waist is very forgiving and the amount of stretch in the pants will make any girl happy.

You can shop the Blues Cruise Pants $32 at my eBoutique: http://ahessinger.mymarkstore.com How would you wear the skinny pants/ankle pants trend?

Put Some Spring In Your Step – with pastels, gold and PG + T Nolita pumps!

Who else has spring fever!?! I’m ready for all things spring… everything fresh, blooming flowers and most of all warmer weather. I usually miss out on spring fashion because I jump from winter to summer and forget that window inbetween because I’m usually just cold or hot… or at least I dress like its hot then put on a winter sweater because its not. This year however I’m NOT doing that! Thanks to all the inspiration on Pinterest, wearing spring fashion is as easy as adding a few key pieces into your wardrobe.

Pastel Perfection

First step… adding color! All things pastels are hitting high notes this season so starting with this aqua color top pretty much sets the stage for a good spring fever outfit! Since it is still a little chilly the long chiffon sleeves help keep off the chill but as temps warm up this would look equally as chic with shorts. This one is from Buckle but you can find a pastel top with sheer detailing pretty much at any store these days.

Second step… finding a good pair of ankle pants. They’re just enough of a break at the hem to say hello spring! but still keep you warm like pants do. Since its “technically” still winter anchoring your pastels with black keeps the look of the season. These Great Details Pants from mark. have been in and out of sale so check back at my eBoutique or direct message me.

Ankle Pants and Baubles

Third Step… it’s all in the details! Your accessories will take you further than you think. Try switching to gold, rose gold, brass to warm things up. I’ve been OBSESSED with these new JUST LAUNCHED jewelry pieces from mark. The Styles and Stones Bracelet ($24) is such a lady like piece with fresh blush colored faux pearls and clear stones making it my spring must have pick! Pair it with the In A Flash Ring ($16) and you got yourself some serious charm going on. Also from mark. the Moonlighting Necklace ($18 – worn extended) is a more dainty piece to pair with the larger pieces. Shop all the new arrivals at my eBoutique: http://ahessinger.mymarkstore.com

All In the Details – a fun back

Prabal Gurung for Target Nolita Pump

Final step… a super fun patterned shoe! When I saw these Parbal Gurung for Target Nolita pumps at the store I KNEW they were my spring patterned shoe of choice! They have tons of colors in them, a pattern that will go with a lot and super comfy to boot! There are a ton of killer options for a fun spring patterned shoe at Shoedazzle too and at great prices!

Since my spring fever has officially hit be prepared for a crap load of more spring inspired posts heading your way! What have you done to put a little spring in your step?

word of alicia

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