White After Labor Day?!?

Madison Blazer: Goodwill $5 - H&M Sweater: Goodwill $3.75 - NY&CO Skirt 

Eternity Scarf (JC Penny) - George Tights - Nine West Pumps

A few weeks ago,  The Fashionista Next Door posted a picture of Sweet Caroline in the City on Twitter that made me jump up and immediately head into my closet to recreate this look. The weather has still been mild in NC so I've just been waiting for the temperature to drop so that I could debut this outfit. I really love this look! I'm on the hunt for some thrifted shooties/booties but until I find a pair this outfit was work appropriate with a classic pump. I'm still hanging on to my red OPI O'Hare & Nails Look Great manicure from homecoming, a perfect compliment to black/white you've seen before. When I purchased this skirt over the summer, I never imagined that I would be able to transition it to a fall/winter look. I'm a southern girl who has been taught to never wear white after Labor Day or before Easter. Well, some rules are meant to broken (just don't tell my mama)!

NY&CO Peacock Print Scarf

NY&CO Scarf - GAP Sweater - Madison T-Shirt - Banana Republic Pants 

Thrifted Purse and Earrings- Mossimo Pumps

I am not a huge fan of the rain for several reasons, but one is that I have to take pictures inside. The lighting inside my house isn't the greatest, but today I had my first photography class with Dan Smith, the photographer in UNCG's Teaching and Learning Center and I'm super excited about using some of his tips to make my pictures look better and take them from just pictures to photographs. The scarf was a recent addition to my scarf collection, but everything else had been in my closet for a while. I love the color of the GAP sweater I got from Goodwill back in the spring but it's a cashmere blend and sheds on everything it touches. And yes I am dancing in the first picture (I don't remember what song I was dancing to but I start my mornings off listening to gospel/rhythm and praise).

Another Leopard Post?!?

NY&CO Leopard Shirt, Sag Harbor Red Pants, Nine West Pumps, Vintage Thrifted Earrings

My worst fear came true at work today. I try not to repeat outfits often but after going through two outfits this morning I grabbed a repeat outfit from just a few days ago. Well, it isn't the EXACT same outfit. The same week I found my red skinny jeans from Forever 21 I lucked up and found these red wool trousers at Goodwill. I love the vintage look and feel of this outfit. I'm wearing my prescription glasses in today, but I feel like some vintage over sized glasses would take this outfit to another level. I also just realized that the last three posts have been leopard and red! Ok, putting these outfits in the remix archives for future wear only.

GHOE 2011: Day Party to Black Hollywood

A-List Day Party

 NY&Co Shirt, Forever 21 Plus Red Skinny Jeans, Apostrophe Platform Sandals

My weekend was fun-filled and action packed as I celebrated the Greatest Homecoming on Earth. I attended North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University for graduate school and have participated in homecoming activities for a few years now, but this weekend was the absolute best homecoming experience to date. My weekend started with a day party (my first ever). I had so much fun! I ran into a few people from East Carolina University (where I began my undergraduate journey) and even some folks that I grew up with. Anyone who's ever been to an HBCU event knows that it's like one big fashion show, so I had to step my game up. I waited a little late to jump on the red skinny bandwagon and had the hardest time finding some in my size. I finally found these a few weeks ago during a Crabtree Valley Mall in Raleigh, NC shopping trip. I only had a few things on my wishlist: shoes for Camden, red skinny's, leopard. I tell ladies all the time, don't get caught up in sizes, fit is more important. But I was a little annoyed that these pants were labeled plus size when they are actually women's size.

 Parade & Aggie Fan Fest

Robert Louis Trench, Banana Republic T-Shirt, NY&CO Scarf and Skinny Jeans, Nine West Boots

Saturday kicked off with family time at the parade and Aggie Fan Fest. The parade begins at 8 am and I have yet to make it on time. It was still chilly that early in the morning so I grabbed my trench and Nine West boots. Aggie Fan Fest is packed with food, vendors, and activities for the kids. The big thing this year were "Basketball Wives" earrings. I almost got a pair for $10 but figured I could make them myself for a lot cheaper. I just have to find the time to make it the craft store. 

 Aggie Tailgate

NY&CO Tank, H&M Cardigan, Faded Glory Fedora, NY&CO Skinny Jeans

After spending all morning with the kids, I headed home for a quick wardrobe change for the Aggie Tailgate. This year you had to purchase a game ticket in order to tailgate. At first I was like, it's not that serious, I've never been to an Aggie tailgate, but I am so glad I was persuaded otherwise. There was so much food! I ate like three plates and prayed that I would fit into my dress later on. The fedora was a last minute, on my way to the stadium, made a quick stop at Walmart purchase. I had been waiting for this hat to go on sale (It was only $8 regular price, but who buys anything at regular price these days). 

A-List Black Hollywood

Apostrophe Dress, Forever 21 Platform Pumps

Homecoming came to an end Saturday night at the A-List Black Hollywood party. We were on VIP status this year!! I pulled this dress out of the closet from an early spring Sear's shopping trip. I didn't take not one picture of my shoes that I purchased at Plato's Closet for only $14, but I plan to dedicate an entire post to them soon. I had so much fun doing the Wobble, dancing to ole school hip hop, and just hanging out with the girls. I'm looking forward to GHOE 2012 already.

Lounging in Leopard

Miss Tina Leopard Tunic $14

Faded Glory Leggings

New York and Company Sweater

This morning it was rainy and cold. I didn't want to get out of bed much less put some clothes on and go to work. I was moving a little slow so I had to throw on these leggings and a t-shirt to walk Camden to the bus stop. After getting him off to school safely I came home and went through a few outfits before pulling out this Miss Tina tunic. I purchased it a while back and hadn't found just the quite look until today. I would probably never wear this outfit to work again, but UNCG is on Fall Break making this the perfect lounge outfit.

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GHOE: Mary Mary Concert Outfit

Every since I started thrifting a few years ago, my shopping experiences have just not been the same. I try and try to shop in some of my favorite retail and department stores but the price and sale has to be just right. One of my favorite stores of all time is New York and Company. When I catch a sale and have a coupon I am just too excited. I popped into NY&CO on my lunch break and while back and caught one of their 70% off redlines sales. I can't believe this sweater was on clearance, I don't remember ever seeing it on display or on the website but it's perfect for this  mild fall weather we are having in NC right now.

 I wore this outfit yesterday to kick-off the Greatest Homecoming on Earth (#GHOE) at NC A&T State University. AGGIE PRIDE! This year Mary Mary, two of the most stylish ladies in gospel, headlined the gospel concert. It was amazing! I loved all the fashion from the students who attended (although a few outfits were more club appropriate than gospel concert appropriate) to Erica and Tina looked who looked great from head to toe. Erica had on this too cute sequined top that makes me want to jump on the sequin bandwagon, like today.

NY&CO Streetwear Sweater $15

Faded Glory (Walmart) Jeggings

NY&CO Faux Leather Jacket

Allow me to re-introduce myself . . .

ABOUT ME

Hey ya'll, I'm Demetrice. I am a 30 plus, single mother, born and raised in NC, who loves working with at-potential students in higher education, but my hidden passion is fashion. My blog is all about how I am able to stay trendy and fashionable on an educator's budget, with a mix of my natural hair journey.

ABOUT IMPR(4L)ess

IMPR(4L)ess is inspired by all of my friends and colleagues who believe in my fashion sense. I was also inspired by a number of fashion blogs dedicated to daily outfits, fashion deals, and style/wardrobe tips. My personal and professional style is very basic, with a few trendy pieces added every season. I typically opt for quality name brand staples paired with less expensive trends. I love NY&CO, Nine West, and The Limited, but I also wear George by Walmart and Merona by Target. I shop everywhere; Goodwill, Outlets, Consignment Stores, Department Stores, and Online!
  
DREAM BIG: God never gives you a vision unless he has already given you the ability.

I recently took a little break from blogging to clear my mind and to ask myself "why am I doing this?" Blogging is not as simple as taking some pictures and posting some outfits, but requires time and energy that I don't always have. I was constantly reminded by family and friends that I had already been given the ability and tools to take IMPR(4L)ess to endless possibilites but my vision was unclear. The future of IMPR(4L)ess is way beyond just blogging about fashion. I want to offer workshops/events for young professionals who are trying to define their own personal style, help young women build a wardrobe of quality staples on a budget, and eventually open up a consignment shop where young professionals can shop with confidence (THINK BIG).