LoveBrownSugar Chic: One Dress From Work to Play

For the fashionista who lives a professional lifestyle from 9-5, and an active social life after hours, finding the perfect piece to make the transition from work to happy hour seamless is no easy feat. If this sounds like you, a tailored dress in a a great color and a figure-flattering shape will do the trick. Check out how I take this Casey Peplum Dress ($178.00) from Ivy & Blu Maggy Boutique, from work to play:

The Work Look

Depending on how corporate your office is, a simple well-tailored peplum dress is a great option for girls with curves. What's great about a dress like this is its versatility. You can wear it under a suit jacket or just by itself. The ruffle detailing on the front makes it unique and the v-shaped neckline is flattering without being too revealing for the office.

Pair the look with simple, yet functional accessories like black pumps (Steve Madden, similar here for only $42) and a leather carryall (Zara, similar here). Makeup is minimal with a lined eye and a neutral lip!

The Play Look

To spice things up for nighttime, pack a change of shoes and your favorite statement clutch.

Adding in a bright-colored clutch and printed peep-toe heels takes the look from corporate to cocktail.

As for makeup, I added a matching pink lip - MAC's Girl About Town ($15), to complete the look.

Dress c/o Ivy & Blu Maggy Boutique ($178.00) | Shoes: Nine West (similar here) | Clutch: Nordstrom Rack (similar here) | Watch c/o Caravelle by Bulova | Cuff c/o Stella & Dot | Lips: MAC "Girl About Town"

How do YOU take your work look from day to night? Leave a style tip in the comments section.

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LoveBrownSugar Chic: Airing The Laundry

So I finally have a real winter coat. Yes, it took me until Christmas to buy a winter coat that wasn't paper thin. Though I've had some good times with my Zara cape, it doesn't keep me warm at night. No, it literally doesn't keep me warm at night. So, I hightailed it to Burlington Coat Factory and picked up this Laundry by Shelli Segal beauty.

It's warm, it's a great neutral color that matches with everything, and it has a fur collar. Three must-haves that were on my check list.  It also saves enough room for layering. Here I paired it with a polka dot top from H&M and my Suki Jeggings ($89.00) from Silver Jeans.

 It's easy for your ensemble to look drab and boring when you're piling on neutral colors. I keep it fresh by adding pops of color in with my accessories.

These sneaker wedges have been collecting dust in my shoe corner for a few months now. They've finally made their debut.

 I'm in love with them. Scored them at H&M!

I'm not usually a hat girl, but I've gotten more into them this season. It's hard getting these curls under anything honestly.

Coat: Laundry by Shelli Segal (similar) | Top: H&M (similar) | Jeans c/o Silver Jeans | Sneakers: H&M (similar) | Bag: Urban Outfitters | Bangles: Street Vendor | Watch c/o Ice Watch | Necklace c/o Stella & Dot | Ring: Yumnah Najah | Cap: Street Vendor

I'll have a beauty post up later this week highlighting the beauty products I used in this post as well so stay tuned.

LoveBrownSugar Chic: Parkside Layers

You guys probably remember this tweed cape from my Harlem Daze post last year. Yes, this winter it made a reappearance. It's probably one of my absolute favorite Zara purchases. Because it's not as thick, I end up having to do some heavy layering when I wear it.

This Urban Outfitters Deena + Ozzy handbag has been holding me down since October. I picked it up on one of my shopping sprees to Lenox Square Mall in Atlanta when I visited. It was on sale! From $79.99 to $39.99. I wanted to squeal. Y'all know I love a good steal.

I've been more into wine/plum lips for the winter months as opposed to bright red. I'll be putting together a post of my favorites soon. The one I'm wearing above is Makeup Forever Aqua Rouge in Raspberry ($24.00). It's super longwear so I can go out for dinner, drinks and more and not a smudge. It's like magic or something. Also, if you're following me on Instagram (@LoveBrownSugar), you've probably seen me posting pics of my new winter protective style. I have extensions from Indique Hair in Bounce Deep Wavy mixed with Bounce Coil Curl. I love the volume. Feeling like Auntie Diana Ross these days (*3 snaps in a Z formation*).

Cape: Zara (similar here from Macy's) | Blouse: Forever 21 | Pants: Old Navy | Boots: Nine West (similar here) | Bag: Urban Outfitters (similar here) | Cuff: c/o Stella & Dot | Necklace & Ring: Street Vendor | Watch: Michael Kors

Photos by Sharifa S. Daniels

LoveBrownSugar Chic: Back to Cool

Seeing as the weather has already started to change up here in NYC, it's about that time for me to retire these summer dresses and ease into my Fall wardrobe...

The "Back to School" season used to be my absolute favorite time of the year. New teachers, new classes, new clothes. I would get SO excited. And every year, my Mom bought me a new backpack. Fall just didn't feel real without a new backpack.

I wore this one on the first day of NYFW and through Fashion's Night Out. Best decision I ever made. It's okay to pull from retro classics every once in a while to update your look.

Another thing I love about the season's changing is how nature responds. Obsessed with leaves and trees - can you tell?

Dress: Zara | Backpack: Forever 21 | Shoes: Steve Madden | Cuff & Ring: c/o Stella & Dot | Necklace: Street Vendor | Watch: Michael Kors

What were your Fall staples as a child? Would you ever bring them back?

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LoveBrownSugar Chic: NYFW Spring 2013 Day 2

For Day 2 at NYFW, I had less running around to do so I opted for a dressier look. 

I've had this leather dress from H&M for a few season now but I barely bring it out. So I decided to give it another debut this season.

On the right are my new favorite pieces c/o Stella & Dot jewelry. I wore these at my 3 Year Anniversary Celebration as well. They just go with everything!  

And these MIA Shoes I wore in my Rainbows Dreams outfit post. I love them - they're statement pieces but still comfortable to trek the NYC streets in.

Dress: H&M | Shoes: MIA Shoes | Necklace: Joe Fresh | Cuff & Ring: Stella & Dot | Bangles: Street Vendors & Ann Taylor LOFT | Watch: Michael Kors

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LoveBrownSugar Chic: NYFW S/S 2013 Day 1

Sigh. This week has been so busy I haven't even had a chance to take outfit photos. The horror! Here's a quick glimpse of my outfit if choice for Day 1 of NYFW:

I rocked this outfit because A) It was functional (chunky wedges are NECESSARY during NYFW and especially during Fashion's Night Out) and b) I don't normally mix prints. So instead of playing it safe, I thought I would set the bar high for day one and try something new. At the prodding of my buddy Jessica of Glamazons Blog, I decided to pair polka dots, lace, leopard and quilted leather "at the same damn time." C) I LOVE this backpack. I live in it. Shoutout to my school days!

Top: Forever 21 (only $20!) | Shorts: H&M (similar here) | Shoes: Forever 21 | Bag: Forever 21 | Necklace c/o Stella & Dot | Snake Cuff: H&M | Ring: Street Vendor

Thoughts? Would you try mixing prints?

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My Insta-Week 9.3.2012

Happy Labor Day folks! Can you believe it's the last hurrah of summer already? I can't. I truly lived it up this summer. Hope you did too. Here's a glimpse of my last week & weekend of summer.

- My Whole 30 is officially over! Phew, what a journey. If you're thinking about doing a detox or body reset before the seasons change, I totally recommend Whole 30. Check out my post about it here - it's life changing! Even though it's over, I'm finding myself making much smarter health choices when it comes to food. That's something no "fad diet" can do. It's truly a mental reset. I know you guys are all like "Twitpic or didn't happen" so here's the proof below - before & after pics.

About 2 Weeks into Whole 30 (couldn't fit this dress before Whole 30 started)

This is 4 Weeks after Whole 30! The dress fits slimmer through the chest, waist & hips

-  I celebrated my blog's 3 Year Anniversary on Thursday! HUGE thanks to everyone who came out. Check out what a blast we had in this post or the Facebook Album. Also big up to Stella & Dot for giving me the perfect jewels to compliment my 'fit. The Renegade cluster ring on the top right is one of the pieces they gave me. I now wear it with everything.

- Made In America Festival this weekend was the perfect sweet ending to an awesome summer. I sang, I shimmied, I snapped Street Style. Twas good times. Check out the Kickin' It post for more on that.

What are you most looking forward to this fall? Soundoff below!

LoveBrownSugar Chic: Parkside Polka

This is another summer oldie that I pulled out of hiding. I normally shy away from polka dots because they've been rumored to draw attraction to curves (kind of like stripes) but with a figure flattering silhouette and a great heel, they really work!

You guys know I adore anything with Navajo print. I picked up this amazing little sack on my trip to Ecuador last October.

Invited my favorite snake charmer from Stella & Dot to my arm party. 

Dress: H&M (similar here) | Shoes: Nine West (similar here) | Bag: Ecuador Street Vendor (similar here) | Chain: Joe Fresh (similar here) | Watch: Michael Kors | Bangles: Various 

Photos by Sharifa S. Daniels

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