Thursday Moda #74: Black for Summer, for the Office.

Happy August and a warm welcome to another week of Thursday Moda and today I have a co-host as well. Today, I am joined by the world-traveler fashionista, my blogging friend AMBER of Avec Amber who blogs from Seattle, Washington. Since Amber is a professional and shares lots of elegant office looks on her blog, too, this week we decided to show you how we wear Black for the Office for the Summer. Fun fact: Amber and I have also been blogging for almost the exact amount of time. As much as a lot of bloggers (especially the big bloggers) and stores are trying to push Fall on us, it is still very much Summer, until mid September to be exact and it is 80+ degrees outside, therefore here is an office Summer look. I refuse to show you any Fall looks before August 15th. Anyhow, I decided to style a Black Peplum Sleeveless Blouse with some Patterned Elegant Skinny Pants while Amber looks posh, sophisticated and classy in her Black Pencil Skirt, Feminine White Blouse, Nude Heels and Black Clutch - an ensemble like this never, ever goes out of style.

The trick - in my opinion - to wear black for the office is to go with either a white piece (like Amber did - smart girl), or throw one or two pops of color to your entire or mostly-black ensemble like a LBD. Staying true to myself - as you all know I love color - I opted for these Maroon+Baby Blue Small Floral Print Skinny Pants and an Orange-Red Python Clutch as my color pops. I even added a pop of color in my jewelry via that Long Gold-Tone Layered Turquoise Stone Necklace which I layered with a separate Dainty Gold-Tone, Pave Bar Necklace. I happen to think Turquoise looks great with black, especially for Summer. I kept the rest of my jewelry in the gold family with my Gold Bangles, Gold Cocktail Ring with Oval Brown Stone and these Beautiful Gold Filigree Earrings courtesy of Lord and Taylor. Last, I loved how these Cognac Suede Stiletto Sandals paired with my Maroon Patterned Pants. And nothing in this outfit is brand-new. The necklaces, the pants, the Kendra Scott Bangle, and the Who What Wear Peplum Blouse were all purchased last Summer while the rest of the pieces are a few years old. Oh and guys since Fall is around the corner (yet still not here), the pants, heels and clutch will all transition great into the season of changing leaves and empty trees because of their Autumnal Colors. Hope you like my outfit today and stay tuned below for this week's favorite looks from last week's linkup.

As you all know, last week I combined my linkup with the Thursday Fashion Files hosted by Carrie and Jill, therefore many, many of you entered, about 170 outfits were linked to be exact. I have been skipping my favorite looks in the past two weeks due to being extremely busy, but this week I have many favorites, actually I am sharing some of my favorites today and some tomorrow so stay tuned. While most of these outfits have nothing in common, I liked them all a lot. So many beautiful ladies in beautiful styles.

This week's featured blogger is BETSY from Two Peas in a Blog who is one of the two peas - one of two identical sisters - who alongside her sister Katey share the same blog. Betsy shared the most beautiful, light-colored, breezy floral dress which is perfect for Summer and later into Fall because it has long sleeves. She smartly chose some nude half-bootie, half-sandal shoes which I am badly lusting after and a chocolate leather tote. Betsy and Katey do not just share identical genes but they both have a great sense of style. They mix high and low-end brands perfectly and love some of the same brands that I do, like Loft and Free People. On Saturdays they share seven of their current favorite items they have eyed that week. They are also both moms. Their blog has a lot of style inspiration with their cute daily outfits but their photos are also gorgeous. If you don't stop by their blog yet, do so soon.

What 'Mellow Yellow'?! Edwige is anything but mellow in this bright-as-the-sun asymmetric dress cinched with a belt. And how fun are her stripes+floral heels?!

Becky is a girl after my heart with 'Fun Details' in her outfit, such as pleats, shell pattern on her clutch and pineapple pendant necklace.

Samantha is a new mom, living a 'Red Hot Summer' in her gorgeous red, bell-sleeve, swing mini dress with a classic Gucci crossbody and Valentino rockstud sandals.

While Melissa is an expectant mom showing us how one can do 'Maternity Dresses' from an office setting to a date night and her blue polka dot dress is cute and Summery.

Today's Fabulous Thursday Moda Co-Host: Avec Amber.

Just like her OOTD today in a classic, sophisticated Black+White combo, Amber has rocked other neutral colors this Summer, in particular navy, nude or light khaki and white, as some of her recent looks which I love (collage below) show. The monochromatic colorless look with the pleated skirt and denim jacket is my favorite, hands down. Her purse game and shoe game is on point too, because each outfit has beautiful bags and gorgeous shoes to accompany it.

From Amber's Mouth:

"My name is Amber, I am a 30-something corporate professional by day and blogger by night. I started Avec Amber in August 2012 as a way to document and share my personal style and my travels. My style is evolving to become more refined, but is always practical, affordable, and suitable for my globetrotting ways. I love connecting  with my readers through my blog and social media channels!

Instagram: @avecamber (https://www.instagram.com/avecamber/)

Twitter: @avecamber (https://twitter.com/avecamber)

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/avecamber"

Now join the linkup and make some new friends!

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