Conservative Fun

I like to think I've done a decent enough job here at Milk and Honeeyz showing you guys clever ways to get away with some otherwise inappropriate looks up on the job, including how to rock sheer and open back pieces at work! Lol.  I really do want to be a good example and a positive influence, so I figure the least I could do is prove to you guys that I can follow the rules (some of the times). :-) So here goes....

This completely work appropriate outfit actually came together in the midst of my devising yet another otherwise scandalous look.  The temperature outside was projected to reach 100 degrees, which it most certainly did. As such, I wanted to wear shorts so bad (yes, shorts to work...lol).  So I started out with a dressy pair of Bermuda shorts that came to my knees. I reasoned that they were no different than a knee length skirt and I'd make it work with a good blazer, shoe and all the conservative bells and whistles I could find. However, I couldn't even get my rebellious self to do it.  I came to my senses and I decided to save the shorts for a Friday or Saturday and keep my job and dignity. Lol.  Despite of, I wasn't completely done with the idea of shorts which totally brought me to these cropped pants, which by the way are super old... I'd say circa 2003 or maybe older.  Anyways, cropped pants are hardly the same as shorts but sort of along the same vein, yet totally work appropriate.  BINGO!!!  This particular pair also happen to be super fun girly because of the color, cut and light weight material.  I paired them with this tie neck shirt I was dying to give a second go since I purchased it.... And this is where my rebellious side got some satisfaction.  It's a tie neck shirt, yet I refused to tie the neck and it's actually a long sleeve shirt but I cuffed the sleeves instead and most importantly, it's actually a little sheer!  My rebellious old me got my kicks totally off anyway!! :-)  I added the grey pointy shoes to add a layer of conservativeness and stick with the muted color palette. So there you have it. Conservative (at least a little) yet super fun and not so uptight. What do you guys think? Did I finally find the balance in showing a little bit of conservative while still having a lot of fun??


Tip: Play with colors, fabrics, lengths and colors to add a little fun in your wardrobe, and don't be afraid to make a piece your own.  Just because it's designed to be worn a certain way, doesn't mean you have to wear it that way.  Just because a piece comes with a certain accessory (a belt or pin for instance) doesn't mean you have to wear it that way either.  

Blouse: L.K. Bennett London; Cropped Pant: Old Navy (super old); Bag: L.A.M.B.; Pumps: Nine West (old); Leather and Metal Bracelet: H&M (old); Earrings: Urban Outfitters (old); Watch: Gucci 

 ***Click below for pics from the rest of the "shoot" and a fun fact about this outfit! Also be sure to comment and let me know what you think!! :-)

The Target Challenge Part IV: Relaxed Wear, Relaxed Budget, Good Food & Good Company

Trust me, nobody loves to be all extra with their outfit more than me but there are times that you gotta just throw it on and keep it moving. But that doesn't mean you have to look like a whole mess! There are great alternatives to sweats, tights and dowdy tee shirts, all of which are absolute M&H No Nos!  And more importantly, and relevant to this particular post, you can do the stylish relaxed look for a great price too!  I copped this maxi dress on the target clearance rack for....you guessed it, $5!  Again, this was an accidental find that turned out to be one of the best additions to my warddrobes.  As usual, I was at Target for household goods and walked past the clearance rack and glanced through it an discovered this beauty.  It's actually an old piece, I'd say about 5- years-old and right before the maxi dress trend started to take completely off.  

The thing that I love most about this piece is it's so comfy (like a jersey material) but very current, a little sexy and extremely versatile.  Here, I really kept it very minimum and relaxed, but i have worn it a little more dressed up with a great Fedora, jewelry, hair, etc.  You can also add a belt, add a blazer, and do a bunch of little things to get a totally different look each time you wear it.  On this day, I was simply trying to rush out the house with my favorite guy BFF for an impromptu dinner date in DC.  You know guys can be mad impatient with us and at the same time, have the expectation that we look decent (gosh that is such a task).  Anyways, this dress was perfect for all that... I threw it on in 2 minutes but still looked half decent.  I added the oversized cardigan, b/c as you guys should know by now, I always need a layering piece, and the weather was going from scorching hot to breezy off and on all day.  We ended up at a great DC restaurant, Circa Foggy Bottom, and the food was divine, the weather was great and the scenery was interesting!! It was perfect and so was my relaxed gear. I had a good time and didn't have to fuss with my clothes so that made it that much more perfect!! What do u guys usually grab as an easy, relaxed piece to get things done without looking undone??

Maxi Dress: Mossimo via Target; Cardigan: BCBGeneration; Bag: L.A.M.B.; Sunglasses: Balenciaga; Shoes: Not  Too Coy; Watch: Gucci; Bracelet: Anthropologie; Earrings: H&M

**Click below for more pics including food pics from Circa and my Restaurant Review!!

The Target Challenge Part III: Staple Item on a Budget

There is a short list of clothing pieces that every Honeey should have in her closet to make for the complete wardrobe!  I call these Staple pieces.  They are those few pieces that you can wear in a hundred different ways and make an outfit a true outfit every time you wear them.  You could have a thousand things in your closet but without these key pieces you just have stuff and you'll forever be one of those people who stand in the closet looking at all that stuff shaking your head and mumbling "I don't have anything to wear!"  A staple piece is often times referred to as a classic and timeless piece.  That's because no matter what trends are going on, they never go out of style and they always keep things together.  They compliment the flamboyance of the trends, sophisticate any look and makes getting dressed easy.  Staples are also great on the pocket because if you decide to spend a little more it's always worth the investment because they last forever and at the same time, you can always find an affordable staple piece at great places like Target on any give day because they are forever in demand.  I personally love to mix low end staple pieces with higher end designer/brand pieces, similar to like what I did with this look...can you Honeeyz guess which piece is actually the affordable Target piece? Ok, I'll spare you the suspense... it's the denim button down!! Every other piece I'm wearing in this particular outfit cost me $200 or more individually, while this perfect Target piece cost me nothing because it was a gift from my BFF (yaaayyy) but wouldn't run more than $24.99 at Target!!! 

A denim or button down chambray shirt is not only a staple that never goes out of style and is perfect for dressed down and even dressing up, it's also all the rave this season! I really, really love this shirt because it's so simple yet really diverse, comfy and chic.  I can wear it with leather, linen, other shades of denim; shorts, skirts, or pants; when I'm chilling or even at work on a Dress Down Friday, like I did here! That's a true staple! Below is a list of other staple pieces every Honeey should have in her closet:

-THE 3 WHITE TOPS: BUTTON DOWN OXFORD, WHITE TEE &WHITE TANK

-A TAILORED BLAZER, PREFERABLY IN BLACK, NAVY, GREY, OR TAN 

-A FITTED TROUSER OR BOOT CUT DARK DENIM JEAN

-A CARDIGAN

-A PENCIL SKIRT

-A SHEATH DRESS

-A BLACK PUMP

Denim Shirt: Mossimo for Target; Red Linen Pants: United Colors of Benetton; Pouch: Gucci; Metallic Sandals: BCBGMaxAzria; Sunglasses: Balenciaga; Watch: Gucci; Bracelets: BCBGeneration; Necklace: 14K White and Yellow Gold, My Own

**CLICK BELOW FOR MORE PICS AND FEEL FREE TO ADD TO OUR STAPLE LIST!!! 

The Target Challenge Part II: Trendy Pieces 4 Less

Hello my loves!! I'm sooooo sorry for the delay in this post!! Last week was another unexpectedly crazy one and before I knew it an entire week has past since I last talked to you Honeeyz.  Forgive me? Please! Anyways, I'm picking up where we last left off and that's with my Target Style Challenge!! Yaayy!! You guys gave such good feedback on the last post so I hope we can keep it going!  Now let's get right to it, shall we!?! As you know, this series will include inexpensive pieces from my fav place, Target, as a way to show all my honeeyz that style is not dependent upon the cost or the brand but more so on the eye and the attitude.  In this post, I decided to grab what would be considered a trendy piece and build an outfit around it.  No matter how many of us try to pretend we don't follow trends, we do... even when we don't think we do or want to admit it.  Trends are just an integral part of fashion... sometimes they are great and stay, and other times we can't wait for them to go and to never ever come back! For that reason, I think acquiring trendy pieces or testing them out for less is a great way to go! It's a win win people!! 

As most of my honeeyz and fly guyz know, pastels and bright pieces are a big deal this season (for the record, they have always been a fav of mine but whatevs).  I happened to luck up on this perfect silk and nylon blend blouse from the Isaac Mizrahi for Target line in a pretty lilac/pinky pastel several years ago. Like many of my other fab Target pieces, I found this top on a clearance rack for $4 and some change! Yup....Isaac Mizrahi, silk, trendy, classic piece...$4!!!! Digest alllll of that!!! I originally bought it for the purpose of wearing under my conservative suits and spicing things up with a pop of color and it worked perfectly that way! But I really haven't worn it outside of that until being forced to examine all my Target pieces for this challenge and put together some outfits. It turns out this piece is so versatile, so pretty, and so on trend despite being about 5 years old. For this challenge, I paired the top with another trendy item of the season...polka dots and b/c I wore this to work (on a Saturday but work even still), I added a blazer to keep things a little more tailored and sophisticated.  What do you honeeyz think of this piece and look? 

Silk blend Blouse: Isaac Mizrahi for Target (old); Polka Dot Skinny Jeans: BDG; Patent Leather Platform Pumps: Kelsi Dagger; White Blazer: ASOS Black Collection; Black Leather Bag: Juicy Couture (circa 2004); Watch: Gucci; Bracelets: BCBGeneration; Earrings: Siglo Jewelry

 **Click below for the rest of the pics and be sure to comment!!! I love to hear from you guys!! :-)

The Target Challenge Part I: Affordably Chic

I’m so excited to announce that Milk and Honeeyz has accepted a challenge to do a series of posts featuring affordable, yet awesome, fashion pieces from none other than my all time favorite, Target (prounced Tar’che, if you really want to get fly and fancy…which we do)!! This post is the first feature in what we are dubbing as "The Target Challenge!!!"

Let me be a little more accurate and take some of the drama out of it just for the sake of giving you guys some background.  I really wasn’t challenged or dared or given an ultimatum or anything remotely close (I'm just real extra).  What got my little brain to churning about this concept and pretending like I was being challenged to do something I welcomingly do on a day to day basis (rock fly pieces from Target), was a friendly (non-challenging) conversation with one of my fav coworkers, fellow fab bloggers, and consistent M&H fans, Jas of IAMMOMS (shameless plug for you to check out her awesome blog where real life issues effecting the ethnic community and minority cultures are discussed and dissected)! She was complimenting a certain post on M&H and mentioned she liked some of the fashions featured from Anthropologie but she didn’t like the prices (you got that right honeey!).  In addition to advising her to never buy anything full price from Anthro since everything goes on sale, I mentioned there are so many affordable alternatives with Target being one of my favorite options.  She then suggested I do a feature showing some of my fab Target finds (hence the thought of a challenge on my part) so that my readers/honeeyz can see how stylish affordable can look! I happily accepted! 

Skirt: Go International via Target; Sweater(see after the break): Merona via Target; Sheer Blouse: Forever 21: Oxford Cutout Heels: Marc Fisher; Watch: Gucci; Bracelets: Anthropologie, BCBG; Necklaces: BCBG, 14K white/yellow gold, my own; Bag: L.A.M.B..

Stay tuned for the rest of this 5-part challenge where I will post outfits built around a Target piece(s) as a way of proving to you honeeyz that fashion and style is not about designer brands and prices, but about confidence, creativity, and personality.  I can assure you of 2 things to prove up that point: 1) there are a lot of fools with designer and brand digs from head to toe that are running around looking like a darn controversy! 2) and there are a lot of pricey designer pieces that aren’t worth the paper tag put on them.  With that said, I hope you guys (and honeeyz) enjoy this series and get a little inspiration, knowing that being fashionable doesn’t require you to go hungry or in debt!  Happy reading and getting deep into this challenge honeeyz! Also, be sure to like us on FB, follow us on bloglovin, comment or check a comment box (too easy not to do) and tell your fellow honeeyz about us!  In the meantime what do you guys think of this affordable outfit, which features this fabulous statement skirt from Target??!!! I loves it and you'd never know I got it on sale for $5.50!! 

**Click below for the rest of the shoot with an additional key piece from Target!!!!!

Simply Not

I'll be the first to admit that as much as I love art and fashion I can be very much a classic girl with some spunk here and there....I'd say 70% Joan Clayton (Girlfriends) and 30% Carrie Bradshaw (Sex and the City) would describe it! This outfit is a perfect example. It's really simple and uncomplicated but actually not! The classic white cotton button up, which is a Milk and Honeeyz staple piece (hint, hint), paired with a simple cut skirt seems so simple and easy except for the shirt has a trendy hi-low silhouette with huge cut outs in the back and the skirt is a leather flesh tone mini! Those little elements take it from being very classic and simple to modern, sexy, fun, trendy and unexpected chic.

If you are looking for ways to balance the conservative, simple or formal aspects of your life with the fun, youthful, exciting parts of your life, I say look for classic pieces but with the unexpected surprise whether that's in terms of color, patterns, texture, cuts, length, etc.  And remember the accessories (jewelry, shoes, bags), makeup, and hairstyles also are part of the styling process that can take an otherwise simple look to a fun look.  Layer on some confidence and comfort and you are good to go!!! :-)

Shirt: BCBG; Leather Mini Skirt: Gap; Sunglasses: Christian Dior; Bracelet/Earrings/Necklace: H&M; Watch: Gucci

Click Below for More Pics!!  

Independence Babe

Am I the only chick who sees red, white, blue and stripes and instantly thinks about Independence, as in Independence Day, but specific to one's status?  Probably so, and I guess that just has to be ok.  I've told you that I already know that I'm crazy so I'm totally ok with it.  Anywho...moving on from my admitted craziness... 

I like to think that I'm what you would call an independent babe and I'm sure you honeeyz have noticed that the independent woman movement has been at an all time high this past decade and I think it's great.  However, I think it's important to note that independence is not about being single and it's not about rejecting relationships, partnerships, collaborations, or making good use of available resources and opportunities.  I like to think of it as a state of mind whereby an individual is innovative, self-motivated, and self sufficient.  You can be all those things and simultaneously be in a committed and healthy relationship. In fact, I think when it's well balanced it makes for a more attractive and productive relationship! I just thought it was important to put out there because I think some honeeyz make the mistake of holding onto this ill conceived concept of independence and in turn sabotaging relationships or turning prospects off by screaming out I'm independent and refusing to compromise and learn how to be in a relationship while still being miss independent! It can definitely be done! Do you honeeyz agree? 

Anyways, this little number (the wrap dress) is a Banana Republic oldie but goodie and I love it every time I wear it. I love the simplicity and easiness of this dress.  I can throw it on and look totally pulled together without any effort.  And the contrasting stripe pattern and inverted colors on the underside of the collar and cuffs.  I almost always add a scarf to my outfits and wanted something contrasting to break up the monotony of the dress so I grabbed this scarf b/c it was the same striped pattern but in a different color.  I think it made the look a little more interesting and less uptight.  This day was particularly windy and it made for a sexy little photo shoot up at the work place...totally unintentional! There were a bunch of Marilyn Monroe moments where my dress was flying up all over the place, my leg was all out having it's own little Angelina Jolie type party going on, and my hair was flying all over the place.  See for ya self.... :-) 

 **Click below for more pics

"Mommy Luxe" Version of Kim K.'s Fab Look

I spent much of this past fall and winter, probably like many of you honeeyz, hunting for a fabulous fur vest.  A fur vest is always a great piece to have, and this past season they were in high demand (see my Style Crush HERE rocking various fur vests in the flyest ways possible).  I searched high and low for the perfect vest for weeks at a time and I thought I'd never find one.  For some reason every vest that I saw and sort of liked just wasn't fitting me right or working the way I envisioned.  But then a few weeks ago I finally came across a long faux fur vest by French Connection that I instantly was loving but was a little unsure about it because of the length (and partly bc I really wanted real fur... I know, shameful).  

Photo Courtesy: www.zimbio.com

While I was contemplating the purchase (I actually left the vest and came back for it a few days later), I recalled a picture of Kim Kardashian rocking a similar style vest and looking hawwt as usual.  I know she's a short little cutie like me so I figured if she could pull it off I could pull it off (yea, I just concluded without much reasoning at all that whatever Kim K. can do I can do just as well...yup)! Not only did Kim convince me, unbeknownst to her, that I should get the vest I also decided that I'd pair the vest similarly to how Kim rocked it.  The only difference is I happen to be a very busy woman, mom to two demanding brats (and I have a slightly more restrictive bank account than Kim has...lol) and therefore, can't be screaming out fabulosity and high end fashion all day every day (although I wouldn't mind being about that life at some point...lol).  So I decided to rock the look this weekend while running around with my Princess and I put a comfy, chic, mommy spin on it and came up with what I dubbed, "The Mommy Luxe" version of this Kim K inspired look. What do you honeeyz think of my toned down, kid friendly version of Kim's look? How do you busy honeeyz or mommy honeeyz stay chic and fabulous while maintaining all your many roles and responsibilities? 

Faux Fur Vest, French Connection; Long sleeve white tee (staple item), BCBGeneration; Suede Pointy Toe Wedges, Sam Edleman; Pouch/handbag, Gucci; Sunglasses, Balenciaga; Gold Ball Charm Necklace, H&M

Photo Courtesy: www.x17online.com. *How Fab does she look??!! Did it on em!

Just Me and My Peplum

There's nothing particularly special about this outfit... a simple black/grey speckled sheath dress with a cute little peplum, accessorized with a ribbon belt, black wool bolero, black tights and black pumps. Simplistic, modest and classic. But what I liked about these photos was the authenticity and candidacy of the pictures, the story behind the "shoot," the memories that were jogged when I saw the pictures, and the moment stole.  I took a walk on my lunch break with my favorite coworker/friend, Sadarie, and she shot me in different poses (with an iPhone no less) while we were just chatting, laughing and acting silly... just for a moment before we got back to being grown ups. It was a good time. Beautiful weather, hearty laughs. After we were done and I looked at these pictures, I instantly saw my mother when she was younger and I was just a kid.  I reflected on different memories in my childhood.  Just for a moment.  I smiled. Then I went back to work.  

So this post is not about fashion, but just about good times and good memories created and jogged with just a camera phone. On my lunch break, stealing a moment, with a friend.  That easy.  That simple. Not complicated. Not materialistic (except for that peplum though...how cute?? LOL). 

1 Honeey, 1 T-shirt, 3 ways

Every now and again I have a lapse of judgement and lose my good old common sense for the love of fashion and design.  Well actually, it probably happens more frequently than every now and again but who's really counting?? Besides, there are those times when I luck up on an extraordinary deal that helps to balance out those moments of irresponsibility... right honeeyz?? I mean I'm thinking it should work that way!!  Anyways, I clearly bumped my head in the summer of 2010 and paid over $200 for this Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche logo T-shirt.  Yes, I know.  Shameful.  But I did try to find it for slightly less on Ebay but I lost all my bids b/c they were so popular, half the time going for even more than the in-store retail price, and it became increasingly clear to me that the only option I had was to fork over the money and secure my shirt!!  Right?? Right!!  What's done is done so I have decided to move on and actually wear the darn thing and that brings us to the whole point of this post... How to rock a cotton tee, particularly one who's cost is the equivalent of a small car payment, in different ways so that it's more than just your basic casual T-shirt.  Check out how I went from funky/fly, to casual chic, to tailored sophisticated with the same darn T-shirt...I think I may have got my money's worth! What do you honeeyz think?? 

Please excuse the fact that I look totally beat in the face but I took this picture (well Cierra took the picture and I just posed) 2 Saturdays ago after I drove 5 hours from MD to DE and back the day before, then got up at 5 am that Saturday morning, worked 10 hours straight, rushed home after that to take my 2 brats to the mall so I was beyond tired when she took this, but cute even still (so I think).  LOL!  This look is traditional casual but with the cardigan, bag, wedges and skinny jeans its not a sloppy, just rolled out the bed, worked 10hours casual look  but instead,  it's a nicely pulled together and cute casual look.  I even got a few prospects (this would be men showing interest) with this look (too bad my kids scared them all off.. they hate when guys try to kick it to their momma).   

Wearing w/YSL T-Shirt: Jeans, Joe's Jeans; Sweater, BCBGeneration; Bag, Marc Jacobs; Suede grey wedges, Sam Edleman.

This pic is from Summer 2010 and  is the first time I actually wore the T-shirt.  This day, I wanted to be comfortable but also cute/funky bc I was going to a family event or something of the sort and therefore, would be seen and had to be seen looking ca-ute! LOL.

Wearing w/YSL T-Shirt: Camouflage cargo pants, Abercrombie & Fitch; Sandals, BCBG Max Azria

Click Below for The Rest of Today's "Shoot" :-)))