jewel tones

All the shades of blue and green. I really like how this came together - I didn’t anticipate liking it so much, but, I did! The color of these pants seems more spring/summer to me (like grass green), but when paired with darker tones, the grassy-ness is toned down significantly. And normally I wouldn’t pair an open knit cardigan with a heavy knitted scarf, but

(1) emerald green just happened to look great with the blue of my shirt and the green of my pants,

and

(2) I needed a warmer scarf.

Ever pair solid jewel tones together? I might try it for New Year's Even, instead of opting for sequins...

shirt: Target

sweater: Hollister via Plato's Closet

scarf: thrifted

pants: from a friend (Urban Outfitters)

flats: Target

classy in leather

I don't ride a motorcycle (but I DO ride a beach cruiser), and I’m not one to wear lots of leather (besides a jacket, shoes, or bag). However, I found this skirt at a thrift store and have silently been plotting ways for my sunshine-y/fuzzy/warm self to wear it.

Enter winter.

And tights.

And sweaters.

I added a cream sweater (with a wide v-neck collar - very feminine) to soften it up, and take the look from “lady of the night” to “fashion forward young strawberry blonde on a date with her husband.”

Did I nail it? I mean, if anything, the sweater helps, and the black herringbone print tights also contribute. The booties help a teeny bit, but maybe the low bun in the hair is really what takes it from edgy to modern classy…?

And cool.

Definitely cool.

sweater: American Eagle

skirt: thrifted

tights: I don't remember...

booties: Old Navy

fun

I like to think these wedges scream

“I’M A FUN PERSON!

BE MY FRIEND!

LET’S EAT BREAKFAST BURRITOS AND BOND!”

Whether that’s true or not remains to be seen…

However, since they’re so bright, I like to wear them something a bit more simple:

Exhibit A (above): black & white polka dots and skinnies.

Or the last time I wore them – Exhibit B: with a black & white dress.

These were also my wedding shoes, and either I have gotten worse at walking in heels (which is entirely possible. and these are wedges, no less) or these shoes got stretched out during that day, or my feet are shrinking, because I just can’t. quite. walk. like a normal person in these magenta suede wedges.

Rats.

button up shirt: Old Navy

skinnies: local consignment shop

wedges: ALDO

clutch: thrifted

purple + blue

It's difficult to see in these pictures, but my shirt, sweater, and vest are different colors. The shirt and vest are navy blue, and the cardigan is dark purple. I think this is the first time I've paired these two dark colors together, and I like the dark, mysterious & wintery look that resulted.

There are obviously many ways to pair colors - complementary, analogous, and warm & cool colors. And then there's wearing colors that are the same saturation - dark blue and dark purple. mint and baby pink. mustard and burnt orange. You can pull off any color combination, as long as the colors are the same "depth." It makes a look more cohesive and intentional, instead of "I got dressed in the dark." Not to say that you CAN'T pair different color saturations (and you should!) but sometimes the best color combinations come from neighboring colors on the color wheel, but in the same tone.

Really, though - try it sometime: deep jewel tones, pastels, navy and purple, forest green and deep red (Christmas colors!), and let me know how it turns out.

shirt: thrifted (Target)

cardigan: Ann Taylor

vest: Old Navy

jeans: thrifted (Old Navy)

shoes: DSW

necklace: from my Grandmother

90 miles to cuba, part 3

I wore this the one evening when it was COLD COLD COLD in Key West. Normally, I’m more than prepared with jackets, and layers, and options. Not this time. So, I was a little chilly through dinner at the A & B Lobster House, then strolling around Duval Street. We stopped in at Sloppy Joe’s, Captain Tony’s, Kermit’s Key Lime Pie, and The Lazy Gecko before we headed back to our condo because my teeth were chattering so bad.

This dress is a versatile little number – I’ve worn it to a country concert, on vacation, and to a work awards ceremony (in the summer, before this dress shrunk a few inches in the west). I just change out the shoes and accessories, and switch up my hair for a different look.

dress: Kohl's

wedges: thrifted (ELLE)

bracelet: Target

fall two-fer, number 1

A two-fer outfit post for ya today, and another one tomorrow. Need to get these bad boys posted so I can start sharing my 30 for 30 outfits - we ARE halfway through October already...

Outfit #1

This ensemble went to work, and lunch at a yummy Mexican place for something smothered in creamy habanero sauce...

chambray: Kohl's

green jeans: from a friend

bag: thrifted

sandals: Walmart

Outfit #2

This outfit is what I wore to spend time with one of my best friend's new babies. My husband met him for the first time that day and the man is obsessed. This little guy has cheeks for days and he wants nothing more than to be bounced or rocked while he's held. Such a cutie.

dress: Aéropostale

vest: thrifted

shoes: Target

number 6 of 7

from the Mr:

"I liked the style when I looked at these shoes in the closet and couldn’t remember if I had ever seen her wear them. I think she’s had them for a long time, so I thought it was time they saw the light of day again."

These heeled loafers. These have been around for a long time, as well – freshman or sophomore year of high school? I’m never brave enough to get rid of them, and clunky stacked heels are coming back, right? RIGHT?!

And they’re brown leather.

And almost perfectly (genuinely) distressed.

And they make me a wee bit taller.

I just never know what to wear them with…so I tried out bootcut jeans and gingham. Not a complete miss. But not a complete hit – I didn’t sink the Battleship…any ideas for next time?

shirt: Kohl's

jeans: thrifted (Old Navy)

belt: American Eagle

shoes: MIA

how to: mix prints

By now I’m sure you’ve seen plenty of people mixing prints (me: here). You might even be a pro at it yourself. But for those of you that aren’t just yet, here are two (easy) examples of print mixing, just to help you get your toes wet. However, if you’re ready to jump in and rock a head-to-toe print mixed ensemble, please do! And then send me pictures or the link so I can check it out and be impressed with your mad print-mixing skills.

 

 

 

 

 

But for the newbies, a few simple steps…

Step 1

Wear a striped shirt. Or maybe plaid. Or polka dots. Or just a printed shirt.

Step 2

Add a printed scarf in a similar color family (blue floral on blue stripes). Black and white stripes can really go with any floral. A similar color family keeps the prints looking cohesive, not like you got dressed in the dark.

Step 3

Put on pants. Or a skirt. Or some type of bottoms.

Step 4

Maybe add a jacket. Or not.

Step 5

Add accessories and shoes. Or not. Shoes would be another great place to add in some unexpected print mixing – think polka dots, stripes, leopard, plaid, etc. (stick with the same color family, though!)

Step 6 (the most important)

Love on your dogs.

left:

 striped shirt: Old Navy

 floral scarf: Target

jeans: Aéropostale

flats: WalMart

belt: American Eagle

right:

striped cardigan: rue21

floral scarf: thrifted

crochet skirt: Aéropostale

jacket: thrifted

sandals: Shoe Carnival