Hello Kari, and welcome! You look lovely. I like all your outfits, especially the Friday one.

You seem to have some really nice pieces, so the next step would be accessories. You could try things like scarves, belts, chunky necklaces, a big watch...

Thank you for your kind welcome, Tanya!

I totally agree that accessorizing is what I most need to work on. I'd especially love to learn how to wear wide belts at the narrowest part of my waist. I have a dress with a self-belt that makes me feel very slender, so I think it would work. (I don't love skinny belts on me, though.) I just haven't found the right belts or the right pieces to go with clothes already own, but I'll keep trying.

Hi Kari and welcome to the forum! Thanks for posting pictures. I liked all your outfits and your haircut is cute.

I especially liked your work outfit from Wednesday and Saturday's outfit as well. I also liked how you layered the sheath dress from Banana Republic. The pashmina is so pretty!

I look forward to seeing more of your outfits. :)

Hello and thank you, Violet! I look forward to interacting more with you, too as I get more active around here.

Hi Kari. Nice to see you here. You look very nice every day and I thought you looked especally nice on Valentine's Day.
I love your haircut too.

Hi, Kari, and welcome!

I like your Wednesday and Sunday outfits. I really like your aunt's necklace from Wednesday, too.

I think you're on the right track with getting prints to match what you already have. I second Tanya about accessories. I wonder how you'd look with chunky necklaces?

Hi Kari! I loved all that you wore; you have a great, classic style. Actually I think our styles are similar, and I've been working at also breaking out of the solids rut. I think accessories and layers and patterns are the key to mixing in all that you already have; the BR blue-and-white shirt is a great example of that, as are the pashimas. (LOVE the orange one, next time take a pic of it with the green sweater!)

I really like the idea of mixing brown and grey with the sheath dress. Maybe one of the other colored pashimas with the same dress, sweater and boots would really pop!

It took me a long while to get used to the look of a skinny belt, but don't be afraid to keep trying!

Hi Kari, Welcome and thanks for posting.

Blue dress is cute, I'd love to see something a little brighter under for a cami, like lime or pink?

Black SS top w/grey pants looks awesome on you. You look best in V-necks because of your bust.

Green sweater--great color for you!

Bow blouse w/Vest--Love the vest and that shade of blue!

Structured jacket w/jeans--sweet look!

The dress orphans...I love the first outfit--I don't think the pink dress fits you all that well. The buttons land too close to your bust and the empire seam is too high. I'd pass on this one.

Also love you in glasses!

Welcome Kari and good for you that you posted pics!

Love your specs and Fridays outfit is my favourite too. You are deliciously hourglass-y and know how to dress your body type. Well done!

What a welcoming bunch of women you are! Thank you.

San, thank you for your kind compliments - It's amazing how a fresh haircut makes styling so much simpler. :)

Lena, I've been able to pull off some chunky jewelry (and actually have one semi-chunky beaded necklace that I'm in the process of constructing - I just need crimp beads before I can fasten the whole thing together.)
My hangup is that I've become kind of a jewelry snob. I have a hard time purchasing jewelry that isn't made well, but don't have the budget to buy larger handmade pieces. It's time to get over this issue. I see so many people with great finds from Target or H&M or Forever 21, so I guess I need to scour the jewelry section more closely.

Kristen, we do have similar style aesthetics - judging from your Feb. outfits, it looks like you really have the layering concept down! If I find a good belt, I might have to go back and reference your pictures to see how well you've worn them.

Nicole, great point with the blue dress. Right now I'm going for navy blue to camouflage the cami until I'm able to tack down the buttons - it makes it a little less obvious when the slide out of the buttonholes.
I really appreciate your honest (but tactful) assessment about the pink dress. I'm a bit heavier now than when I originally purchased the dress, and I can see that the fit isn't working. I think I may put aside the dress and maybe revisit it if I'm back around the size I'd like to be at, then see if removing the "Minnie Mouse" buttons & adding a sash or belt might make it more flattering. If not, it was only $8, so not TOO much wasted - but a good lesson not to just jump for a sale item because it's cheap.

Thank you, Angie! I can tell you I've really appreciated your hourglass-specific advice in your blog archives - it's great to know what will (or won't) work on my body when I'm frustrated with my curves.

Welcome from me as well Kari. I think you're doing a good job already. I love the navy top from H&M and Friday is my favourite as well, that 'bow shirt' and the vest look terrific.

I'm figuring out patterns and texture and accessories at the moment too, so you're definitely not alone;-)

Nice to meet you, Inge, and thank you!

From your profile I found my way to your Belts 101 thread - definitely something that's relevant for me as I'm learning to enhance my accessories, so I'm glad you started it! I look forward to seeing how you end up wearing your new belt(s) and hope you post updates when you find one.

As soon as I find a belt, I'll definitely post pictures Kari. Last week I only had time to stop by one consignment store, and they didn't have many belts in stock, so the search continues.

I'm already looking forward to seeing how you will incorporate them into your wardrobe too;-)

I'll definitely post an update when I do. I actually have a couple belts that came with pants or skirts that I haven't tried with other outfits, so I might do some experimenting tonight.

Consignment store shopping can be fun, but it's such a test of patience; waiting to find the "diamond in the rough" or making multiple trips until the right piece comes along. I'm not the most patient thrift shopper. Hope you find something awesome!