My Favorite Looks of 2016

Can you believe that 2016 is almost in the books?  I mean like seriously another year has come and gone and I am yet another year older and hopefully wiser. 

 I have had so much fun with my fashion in 2016 I was able to get out of my comfort zone many times  allowing to me to explore other sides of my personality . Fashion for me is a form of artistic freedom  and self expression and it makes me happy and we all need that thing that makes us smile. 

         I am looking back over the past year and sharing my the looks that I loved a little bit more than          the others . Shall we get started ? 

                                          

Olive dress (sim)with Mustard Vest (sim)  - What I love about this look is the color combination this is something that I had never done before and I love that tried something new and actually liked it  

Red Jumpsuit(here) - I feel in love with this jumpsuit the moment I saw it . I loved the details the cropped bottom and the cold shoulder and ruffle sleeves.I loved adding the lace up pumps for that final touch.

Jumpsuit (sim)- this was an item that I wasn't sure I would like but after adding the belt and fabulous fringe shoes and jewelry and it was a look that I fell in love with . Such a comfy and stylish piece.

Black and White Look pants (sim) jacket (sim)- My attempt at pattern mixing and I think it turned out quite nice adding a little pop of wine with the bag. 

  Pink Floral Look - This skirt was actually part of a 2 piece prom dress . I got rid of the lace crop 

      top because I am 44 after all and added a bright pink button down shirt I was brunch ready .

School Girl Chic  - This look was one of the looks for my collaboration with Kohl's and there " Style for Every Body " campaign I loved the shorter skirt with  the knee socks and boots . It really gave me younger vibe and what girl in her 40's doesn't love that? 

White Dress (sim)- There is nothing like clean white look in the summer months . I loved this dress so much and I got it for $20 so I had to buy the other 3 colors . I added a simple white pumps to complete this classic "White Party " look 

Black and White Off the shoulder - I took another chance with the pattern mixing and added a polka dot skinny scarf . I love this sophisticated look that still allows me to be on trend.

Colorblock Coat (here)- this coat had me at Hello . I mean this coat will make the most simple outfit look fabulous and I love that it would match almost any color in my wardrobe. 

Feathered Top (here) and Culottes (here)- This sassy top had me feeling like a super star and these gorgeous JLO cropped pants made a great combo and when you add a touch of animal print to the mix because leopard makes everything better. 

Faux leather skirt (here) Lace Top (sim)- faux leather and fur on skirt is amazing I added my lace blouse and color block bag to create a classic meets modern look. 

  Polka Dot Skirt and Lace Top - This skirt is perfect for the holiday season and black lace blouse added a little bit of sexy but still keeping is classy. 

Well there you have it my top twelve of 2016 .Which are you favorites ?  I would love to know.

I want to wish you all a very Happy New Year and I thank you so much for your support this year and listening to this Byrdie Chirp :)

XOXO Mary aka Curlybyrdie

Fab 40's Get Rad In Plaid

Can you believe that we have come to the end of 2016 and this is the last post of year for the Fab 40's. I feel so honored to have been asked to be a part of this amazing group of  International Fashionista's.  This lovely ladies have really gotten my creative juices flowing and allowed me to think out of the box with the different theme choices every month. I mean November was "Grunge" and who would have thought I could go grunge and end up loving it? 



We end of year with the very appropriate theme " Plaid"  for December . I just love plaid this time of the year it just reminds me of the holiday . I can remember all those pretty plaid ribbons that would see on gifts and wreaths and many times in my hair thanks to my Mama ! 

I made sure I shopped my own closet for this look instead going out and trying to find something and this skirt may not have been as festive as I would have liked but I made up for it with the velvet Mary Jane's . 

I absolutely love this  Eva Longoria bow blouse that a has some fringe detail which makes it like no other bow blouse I own and believe me this girl has a thing for bow blouses .

The high waisted pencil skirt just gives it a sophisticated look that I could take to the office and sexy enough for a night out of the town.  I love it so much that I actually own it in navy as well. 

I mean these shoes had me at hello. The rich velvet makes me feel festive and on trend at the same time. 

                   Skirt - Old Navy, Top -The Limited, Shoes - Von Maur- Sweater and Bag H&M

Now let's check out the other Fab 40's and see their take on the plaid them for the month . I know you will love them just as much as I do . 



                                                             Fab 40 's in Plaid

Sheela from Sheela Writes looks simply on point  every month I am amazed at her interpretation of the theme every single time . I mean these faux leather culottes are everything and  she gives it a chic Rock and Roll vibe with the Bowie shirt. She always brings it every month and this month is no exception!  You go girl keep slaying ! 

Ann from Kremb De La Kremb is rocking plaid on plaid and I am loving this perfect look for this festive time of the year .  She is party ready and most certainly will be the belle of any holiday party she is attending. 

Jenni from A Pockeful of Polka Dots is looking stunning in this amazing green skirt and plaid top and then she adds animal print pumps to the equation for a little pattern mixing and it looks awesome! I love the beautiful color of her hair acts as the perfect accessory to this look! I love it 

Samantha from Fake Fabulous is looking oh so chic sophisticated in her pencil skirt and I am totally obsessed with her amazing shoes they just take the look to a capital "WOW" !  I love how she added the fabulous belt and the statement jewelry. I think this stunner is ready for a night out on the town! 

Veronica from Cid Style Files is giving us a casual but cute look for the plaid theme.  I love the pattern mixing with plaid shirt , striped  scarf and the rolled up boyfriend jeans are something that I have in my closet rotation. I love the relaxed vibes this is giving me .

Diane from Fashion on the 4th Floor is giving me so much life with this gorgeous look . I love the color pallet of this suit and than adding that amazing blouse underneath with the sleeves hanging of the jacket making it  extra fabulous and let's not leave out those silver shoes! This look is Stylish and Chic and she looks stunning!  You go girl! 

Last but certainly not least we have Alison from Get Your Pretty On who is our guest blogger for the month of December. I have been such a fan of her blog for years I think she is actually one of the first blogs I started following.  

I love the extra details that Alison adds to this casual vibes look. The fabulous statement necklace and adding the leopard clutch for a little pattern mixing which keeps if fun and fashionable .  She looks amazing as always. 

What and wonderful theme and what an awesome year with the Fab 40s . I can't wait to see what 2017 has in store for us!  What themes will we try this year I can't wait to find out ! 


                       I want to thank you for stopping by it means so much to me !  

                                                          Happy Holiday's! 

Jump Into the New Year

I can hardly believe there is like only a week left in 2016!!  This year has just floated by with the quickness but I am ready to close the chapter on this year and start a new one in 2017. 

It is during the holiday season that we as women are faced with that dilemma of what should we wear to usher in the New Year.  I typically gravitate towards a LBD it's always the safest bet but life is way to short to always play safe.. I'm just sayin. . I thought why not go bolder with some with some  red.. not just any red but this fabulous jumpsuit complete with some shoulder.. Let's make 2017 the year to try new things I know I am. 

I love how this jumpsuit is so on trend but classy enough for 40 something mama of two and it's a complete look with minimal effort and girl is all about that life this time of the year . 

                                                              Jumpsuit (sim), Shoes (here), 

I added this jumpsuit to the cart shortly after I saw it online at New York and Company I knew it would be a fast seller. This is a piece that is for every season which makes it a justified purchase. I will totally be rocking this fabulous piece with some amazing sandals this summer.

Here are some of my other favorite jumpsuits for every size so we all can Jump into that new year in style and all less than $100 and some much less. 

1.Red Ruffle (here)  2. Sheer Black (here), Red Strapless Plus (here), 6.Blue Culotte (here),
7. Black and White (here), Burgundy Plus (here)

How about it Fashionista's is a jumpsuit an option for your New Year's festivities?  Which one is your favorite? I would love to know. 

       

        As always I want to thank you for stopping by and I want to wish you a very Happy New Year!

    Can you see how excited I am about a starting a fresh New Year or maybe it's the jumpsuit :) 

                                                 XOXO Mary aka Curlybyrdie 

Photo Cred: Erin Byrd aka my sister 

Holiday Casual but Cute

Holiday season not only is the best time of the year but it is the busiest especially for Mama's like me. There are holiday work parties, concerts and family gatherings just to name a few and than we have to play Santa not mention the cooking oh what's a girl to do? I am getting tired just thinking about it that is exactly why this girl is always at Starbucks

I think with our busy life  we all need those go to outfits that we can throw on for these countless obligations we have during  this season of festivities. I went with a simple and more basic approach without sacrificing the fabulous . I love putting on a cute pair of jeans adding a jacket and some jewelry and feeling great when I roll up at the Christmas concert at school. I mean even if we are exhausted we can at least fake it ..LOL 

 What I love about a cape blazer like this Nichole Miller from +Jcpenney it that you can look chic and fabulous with very little effort .  I mean this time of year I don't have time to try and put something together for every occasion an cape blazer just says.. Darling I am in the fashion know. 

                             Jacket - (here), Jeans -(here)- Necklace (here), Shoes (sim)
                          

This is such a versatile look the fabulous jacket will be an excellent piece add some excitement to those staple pieces that you already have in your closet like those dresses that you haven't worn in ages.  You can reinevent that dress and make it new again. 

                                                     Getting Jazzy with It 

I like simple fixes so I  just switched  out my  cape blazer for something with a little extra bling like this sequin jacket from +Eccentric kristoure  . I feel like I am ready kick my heels up and party .. Yeah this 40 something still knows how to have a little fun. 

Jacket (here)

How about you Fashionista's how do you balance it all during the busy season? 

I told you this 40 something girl still knows how to kick her heels up but that is me walking out of 2016 and into 2017 looking forward to seeing what God has in store for me. 

Thank you so much for stopping by ! 

XOXO Mary aka Curlbyrdie 

Feeling Festive in Polka Dots

It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas finally!  I have been busy traveling these past few months and it seems like the time has just gotten away from me but I am now getting in the swing of things. 

I can remember when I was growing up the most exciting part of the Holiday Season was Christmas Eve . We would go to the Christmas Eve Service at our church. My school would have a beautiful program every year where we would sing my favorite songs and carry candles it was a magical night.  

I used to get so excited to see what my Mom picked out for me to wear that night. I remember the velvet and lace dresses complete with tights and patent leather shoes . She always made sure we all looked our best that night .

         Skirt - Jcpenney (here), Top - Jcpenney (here), Shoes (sim), Choker (sim)


I am still that little girl during the holidays that loves to get all fancy with skirts and dresses it really takes me back to my childhood and those nights singing in the Christmas Eve service and my Grandfather driving us by the Christmas lights after service and heading to his house for donuts and punch .. Oh those memories are everything .

I fell in love with the gorgeous skirt the moment I say it at +JCPenney  it the perfect skirt for the holiday season.  The petticoat underneath gives you that classic feel and the polka dots give a little bit of modern flair which I love.  There something about gold and black that just screams sophistication. 

      I added the lace top and fun shoes to keep the look sexy and it young and on trend..

The perfect look for an office party or one of those Christmas programs at church. I love pieces               that I can utilize for various occasions and these pieces can do just that. 

I just love this time of year not just for the fashion but for spending time with the people you love. We all just get so busy in life that it's easy to forget the most important things. This should be a time that we remind ourselves of what those things are.

As always I want to thank you for taking time out of our day and stopping by to see little ole' me. 
It means so much to me.  I hope you all are enjoying your holidays 


                                          XOXO - Mary aka Curlybyrdie