Maxi skirts and cropped shirts.

So basically, maxi skirts are one of the it items for fall - and for good reason! The look is generally chic, easy to put together, and oh so comfortable (loose and flowy skirts mean having the flexibility to do pretty much anything, bar possibly going for a quick jaunt on your horse). So of course, I've been on the hunt for the perfect maxi skirt to add to my own fall closet - there's nothing to lose with adding such a versatile item to my sartorial repertoire, right?

Except, of course, I tend to look a hot mess in the majority of maxi skirts I've managed to find. The problem has to do, as it always does, with my body proportions. Most maxi skirts tend to sit lower on the hips which, when you have short legs like I do, tends to emphasize just how short they really are. Of course, wedges and/or higher heels help balance out the issue (and honestly, you should always wear high heels with a maxi dress/skirt) but not enough to really make me happy with how I look in them.

So what's a pocket sized girl to do, abandon the trend altogether? I think not. Instead, I made the trend my own by going the faux-maxi skirt look - in other words, by wearing a maxi dress with a crop top. This totally works! Since the crop top hits higher up, the visual is more lengthening as a whole. 

Lusting after...the ideal LBD.

Entering the quote-unquote real world means that acquiring the perfect little black (business) dress for my closet is definitely more necessary than ever before. And while I have tons of LBDs, none of them are the LBD. You know what I mean, right? I'm talking the ideal little black dress, the one that can transition from a day at work to a dinner with family to a night out with friends. Of course, I've seen a ton that could work in theory, but as soon as I put them on, it's more like I'm wearing a three year old playing dress up in mom's closet than a 22 year old gearing up for a day in New York. Sigh.

But that's why I'm currently lusting after this dress (shown below in red, but which also comes in black) from the ASOS Petite line. Although my experience with ASOS has taught me that the quality may not necessarily be worth the price - this dress, for example, is a cool $73 and change - I've also learned that finding a dress that fits you off-the-rack is priceless. And ASOS Petite is one of the only lines I've found where "Petite" actually means petite; it fits me well, both at the hem and at the waist. Shocking!

I love the neckline and sleeveless cut - it's not so low that it would be unprofessional for the office, but the detailing definitely keeps it interesting enough for nights out, too. I want to buy this so badly, but since I'm currently trying to save up for an apartment (I'm moving into the city at long last) I think I'll have to wait for a sale. Fingers crossed that they're still a US Size 2 when one rolls around...

For those of you that can afford to splurge a little, there's also some more good news: ASOS has a 20% off sale on all items in their new collection - but it ends today! So go, go now!

High-waists and vests of lace!

Where did summer disappear to?! The weather's been absolutely horrendous lately -- I had so many petite-friendly outfit ideas I wanted to post about, but what with work in the city (and the hour-long commute home), I can't ever catch enough daylight during the week and the weekends just haven't been sunny enough either. Luckily, this past weekend was fairly perfect, autumn temperature aside. Which got me pretty excited!