can't win 'em all

This outfit looked so much better in person. Like, 100 times better in person. Trust me. It (and I) photographed terribly. Is it all the black? All the dark colors? The stripes? The fleece-lined tights? The cold? Maybe it makes my face puffy?

I just don't know. But I do know this is clearly not a great outfit. I look a bit shapeless and that's not doing me any favors. But, in the interest of real style and transparency, here's what I wore! And as great as some looks were earlier this week (here and here, oh, and here), this one just isn't competing. 

But, I'm a real person, with real style, and a real life, and a real job, and real wrinkley dogs, and sometimes, my real outfits aren't so great. *sigh*

linking up with:

Style Elixir

dress: Target

cardigan: Ann Taylor

fleece-lined tights: Target

boots: c/o Aéropostale

monday does it again

At the risk of sounding like a broken record, or a tugboat tooting my own horn, or Kanye singing his own praises, this outfit is another one that just came another in the early morning (yesterday did, as well). This look has a few different elements that, when combined, form a cohesive (and dare I say, classy?) look.

First up is the colorblocking with the navy top half, and the wine-colored pencil skirt. Colorblocking works best when the 2 colors are of the same saturation, or level, of color. So, a deep wine color, and a rich navy blue work here. Or a deep emerald with another equally deep and rich jewel-tones (see some of my past not-so-great colorblocking looks over here...).

Next is the monochromatic layers up top - the navy blue button-up under the navy blue vest.

The third is tying together the boots with the necklace and scarf. Cognac meets brown paisley and brown + gold - not matchy-matchy, yet coordinating and pulled together. And lastly, I wore a necklace under the scarf so that if/when I took off the scarf and vest (which I did), my outfit would still look complete, and not like it was missing some element.

button-up shirt: thrifted (J. Crew)

vest: Old Navy

scarf: gift

necklace: Target

pencil skirt: J. Crew Factory

boots: The Frye Company via Nordstrom

bye bye, blondie

This is the last of my oufits to share before I started taking pictures with my (new!) red RED RED hair. So, bye bye blondie. It's really red this time. And I love it.

It seems fitting to share this last blonde look today, since I'm a whole year older than I was yesterday. Out with the old, and in with the new?

Or is that something that only applies during the New Year?

cardigan: from a friend (Banana Republic)

black skinnies: Target

boots: c/o Aéropostale

scarf: thrifted

all black. kinda.

One way to break up a lot of black is by adding in prints and textures. This black chambray leans gray in pictures, and the floral tank top still flows with the black pants, but adds visual interest. The scarf adds another texture up top, and hat caps everything off, without being so matchy-matchy - it doesn't match the floral print on my shirt, but still ties together the whole look. 

linking up over here

floral tanktop: WalMart

black chambray: Old Navy

black skinnies: Target

boots: c/o Aéropostale

hat: thrifted (Target)

marching right on through

Since it's a Monday in March, here are two outfits for your viewing pleasure, and hopeful inspiration. They both feature a skirt, boots, stripes, and a cardigan. Crazy and out-of-the-mold, I know ;) But they're comprised of very different color schemes: the first, black, white, red and gold. The second, gray, pink, and purple. One a bit darker, the other more soft and feminine.

Which one would you wear?

That's all I got - Happy Monday, hope your week is off to a great start!

studded tank: Old Navy

black cardigan: Maurice's

striped pencil skirt: Target

black boots: c/o Aéropostale

statement necklace: Kohl's

purple v-neck: Target

gray/tan cardigan: local consignment shop

ombre scarf: gift

pink lace/crochet skirt: Nordstrom

boots: The Frye Company via Nordstrom

C to D

And here we go, from C to D (A to B here, and B to C here).

C was pedicures and lunch, and D was dinner at a steakhouse.

the most handsome pup in the world. besides his handsome brother...

The above outfit featured an embroidered tank top under a white button-up shirt, a fun scarf, skinnies, and neon sandals. Perfect for an unseasonably warm winter Saturday - I took off the scarf and button-up at least a few times each. It helps to have layers to keep me cool, hot, and comfortable.

And for dinner, I abandoned the button-up shirt and scarf, added a light blue cardigan, faux leather jacket and booties. I kept the embroidered tank top and skinnies the same, allowing me to change from one event to the next in (almost) record time.

embroidered tank top: from a friend

skinnies: c/o Aéropostale

button up: GAP

scarf: gift (Old Navy)

sandals: Target

cardigan; Eddie Bauer

faux leather jacket: Target

booties: Old Navy

plum. 2 ways.

If you have a deep purple/plum colored dress, and you want to wear it in more ways than one, fear not! Here are two ideas for your purple-wearing self.

The first, a bit fancier. Maybe for a date night or nice party. Deep purple dress, magenta wedges, statement necklace and a clutch. Keeping it pretty simple, yet something so simple and classy packs quite the punch, don't you think?

Also, maybe I should quit with the center part in my hair? I'm not sure it's doing me any favors.

Up for discussion...

And this second look is a bit more casual. Perfect for dinner at a bar, then a rousing evening of grocery shopping and the hardware store (like I did when I wore this). Jacket, scarf, belt & boots to add a bit of depth, and also keep you warm - in case you have to park REALLY far away in the parking lot and/or wait for a table. Or something.

linking up over here, at A Touch of Tartan

dress: thrifted (Banana Republic)

wedges: ALDO

statement necklace: WalMart

clutch: thrifted

jacket: c/o Aéropostale

scarf: thrifted (Lucky Brand)

boots: The Frye Company via Nordstrom

belt: Target