What To Wear

I received this tablet as part of my Christmas gift from Ky & Nadine:

They sure know their audience, huh? 

Mix It Up Monday: Grey Jeans

These greys are the best off-the-rack fit I've ever found in a pair of jeans. They are soft, the perfect length, and provide a nice alternative to my regular dark wash jeans. I love the straight cut, too--it keeps a clean leg line and helps visually elongate my legs. Another rare feature: they are just right with a heel, yet with the straight cut, they don't drag if worn with flats. This is nearly impossible to find--jeans that can morph from flats-length to heels-length without alteration. It's as if they knew who their owner would be. 

Grey jeans: Jennifer Lopez

Turquoise silk top: Ann Taylor [gift from Mom]
Turquoise/B&W scarf: Charming Charlie [gift from Melinda]
See how nicely the color pops against the grey base?
Animal print is, as always, a fantastic detail to take an outfit
from basic to edgy without losing the feminine vibe. 

Magenta beaded top: Sioni
That baby was originally $70...I got it for $5.
Yes. Please.
The slight flutter to the sleeves, beaded collar,
and light material make it a perfect top to make the transition
from professional piece to 'girls night out.'
Or, as pictured here, it can be just as
appropriate for weekend/day wear.

Animal print shell: Dana Buchman
Ruby cardigan: JJ Basics
A bit of tone-on-tone is great, so long as there's still
distinction. Here the pattern plus shimmer in the top set it apart from
the jeans...the pop of red keeps the look from appearing monotonous.

Another lovely $5 top!
Blue & silver top: Studio Y
The front design on this top eliminates
the need for a necklace. However, a bold
bangle or cuff would complete the look nicely.

Plum silk top: The Limited
Zebra belt: Target!
Layered glass necklace: gift from Mom
Blending textures enhances the overall look.
Sheen + animal + denim = Style Aesthetics

So far, the theme with each outfit has been to choose a rich color to balance the light jeans. However, lighter shades still go just as nicely--see below:

An easy weekend look: casual, yet put together.
Grey sequined floral tee: Old Navy
Electric blue purse: Coach

Pair with converse for a
"Rocker meets Refined" vibe.
Lilac sequined top: Gap
White fitted blazer: Ann Taylor

Story of My Life

If my life were a movie, this song would surely be on the soundtrack.

Mix It Up Monday: Grey Dress

Just as versatile as the Little Black Dress: enter Grey Dress; it's barely a half step down in terms of potential to be "formal wear", yet just as user-friendly for adding color and interest. The dress pictured below was a Christmas present from my parents. I love it for the a-typical neckline, cap sleeves, and soft texture. Also, it's completely wrinkle-free, making it the perfect travel dress!

Grey dress: The Limited

I wore it for the multiple-plane/all day trip from Cleveland to Sacramento and arrived looking & feeling just as put-together as when I'd left! For that travel day, I added an orchid cardigan, black tights, and grey boots...below find a few other ideas:

Pink bow skinny belt: NY & Co
Pink sequined clutch: Coach

Cream cable-knit cardigan: Old Navy
Turquoise & brushed gold belt: Charming Charlie

Plum turtleneck: Apt 9
Pearl necklace: Premiere
Broach: Premiere

Coral cashmere cardigan: Gap
Bronze skinny belt: NY & Co
Varied coral necklace: Premiere

Seasonal Conversion

In college, one of my professors once referenced the tendency people have to wear less vibrant colors through the winter. He stood in front of the classroom in a cherry red sweater and told our class that our collective color wheel was a bit depressing to look at while he lectured. He was right; underneath the black/grey/navy winter coats we all sported were layers of browns, subdued blues, more grey, and a sea of other neutrals. I don't think it was an intentional chorus of dull fabrics, but with the combination of retailers marketing more dark tones than anything else during the winter & a desire to downplay the effects of our collective lack of sun exposure,  we really did need a visual pick-me-up. 
I think that was the beginning of my concerted effort to not let summer colors hibernate during the winter. It does take effort, too, because as aforementioned--designers typically reserve lights & brights for spring and summer lines. Here's one simple solution:
Instead of packing away my summer favorites during their off-season, I have begun using them as layering pieces to brighten up my cooler-weather clothes. 
My unofficial winter formula has become:

Dress + Long Sleeve Shirt &/or Jacket &/or Cardigan + Tights + coordinating Heels or Boots.

Dress: H&M
 Long sleeve basic black T: Gap
Necklace: Coach
 Woven Belt: came with some other top I bought
Pumps: Faryl Robin [hand-me-down from Mom!]
Tights: not sure...gift from Mom

PS: Don't mistake me to be bashing on neutrals...given my ample references to their indispensable value, believe me: they are absolutely necessary staples. The key is to remember to add that "Pop of Color-" give your outfits an exclamation point! 

Mix It Up Monday: Cropped Cardigan

I don't think it's possible to have too many cardigans. I can't seem to run out of uses for all the different styles & colors that are out there. Just when I think I have the most complete collection possible, I create an outfit and realize it feels incomplete without a classic cardi in a fresh color. [And my clothing wish list grows...] It's a layer that may be shed throughout the day if necessary, but can take a strappy top and make it work/church/evening appropriate without adding bulk. What would we do without them?!

Sunshine yellow cropped cardigan

With light floral tunic, straight leg jeans, and
opalescent pendant.
This is a wonderful spring-time look...light & airy.

A ruffle-collar top with a band
at the waist--the perfect backdrop
for a cropped cardi.
White eyelet skirt maintains the
fresh look; hand-made beaded
floral bracelet at the top.

With a drop-waist halter dress the
cardigan provides color & coverage.

A statement necklace can really pop
against the solid, light colors.

Cuff the ends of a 3/4 sleeve blouse
around the cardi, add a contrasting
chunky necklace & A-line skirt for
an office-appropriate look.

The bright yellow transforms
this wrap top from being seasonally
autumn to spring/summer. It picks
up the golden tone from the pattern
and highlights the contrasting purples
and greens. The necklace charm
I made out of an old guitar string.

Autobiography

I am currently reading Autobiography of a Wardrobe by Elizabeth Kendall. Proclaimed as "part memoir, part fashion and cultural history of the last five decades," by Barnes & Noble, I knew this story would strike a chord within me before I ever cracked the cover [a phrase that ironically has little meaning to me since I am enjoying this book on my Nook!]. 

It's a lovely story, narrated by the personified wardrobe of "B," a woman born in the 1950s in a quiet midwestern town. The wardrobe gives its own take on various elements [whether clothing or accessories] and how they accompanied B's ever-evolving sense of self. 


Maybe it's because I have a bit of a propensity for 60s-inspired clothing, or because I have a mental list of all my own "milestone" outfits, and maybe it's just because I always connect sentimental value to clothing that this book is effecting me on so many levels. 


Take the conversation between me and my mom when we were going through my closet to get rid of some items before I got married and moved out of my parents' house. She held up a black top I hadn't worn in years and said "You could get rid of this one, right?" 
Of course, I had a memory attached to it--I had been wearing it the night Derek and I had our first kiss. [I tried to justify my need to keep the shirt because of that sentimental value, however my desire for order won out after I was reminded that I have a picture of me & Derek from that night.] 


Anyway--the fact remains that these kind of details make up the framework for my memories: 
My brother Ryan's 6th birthday--7 July 1992--he had a cookie cake, got a bike, and I wore a white party dress with red, blue & green polka dots for our picnic in the back yard. 
My 10th birthday, 28 December 1997, white blouse with red plaid taffeta skirt and ruby slippers. 
My brother Kyle's 16th birthday--1 November 1999--we were in the middle of remodeling our kitchen so his party was in the basement at our house, he got a razor, and I was wearing my school uniform: plaid jumper, white turtleneck, white tights & black mary-janes. 
Christmas 2000 I had a beautiful blue shimmery top that I wore with a black velour skirt to play  "Lo How a Rose Ere Blooming" on my flute in church.
August 2002 for my first day of cross country practice at Happy Days trailhead I wore grey shorts & a light green racer-back tank top with my Asics. 
August 2006 for my first day of college classes I wore boot cut jeans, a white button-down with hot pink cami underneath and pink pearl necklace.
There are so many outfits that come to mind--family events, birthdays, major milestones, holidays...I can't help but think that as my identity formed, gaining momentum through confidence, my clothes remain the most helpful illustrators of my story. They word-lessly tell a bit of who I am with each outfit. 


If you get a chance, read this book! It's a wonderful reflection on the expression that clothes provide in every season of life. 

Mix It Up Monday: Patterned Skirt

Here's a common lament I've heard multiple times:
"I bought an adorable skirt! It has this really cute pattern that I love, and I know of an awesome necklace I could borrow from my [friend, sister-in-law, boss...] that would be perfect for it!"
"That's great!"
"...But I only have one top that would match because I bought it to go with the skirt based off what was shown on the store's mannequin, therefore I can't wear this adorable skirt very often, no matter how much I love it, because I'll be an over-wearing repeat offender."
Alright, maybe it's not in so many words, but I can read hear between the lines!
Patterns tend to intimidate, but I'm here to tell you that you don't need to be overly cautious about them! Case in point, the skirt pictured below:

Square-patterned skirt [H&M]
It's a bit difficult to tell here, but the bigger squares
are a deep hunter green, and there are
white & cream-colored squares staggered
throughout the background.
The wide pleats make me a bit nostalgic
for my school uniform skirts from grade school
and high school!

Lose the necklace, add an
embellished grey cardigan
 and you have an almost
"suit-like" look with a
casual vibe. It's a softer
look, but still structured.

Using the same color, taking
it up a notch to a crisp
button-down collared top.
A necklace with varying
sizes, shapes, and tones of green
beads pulls the whole look together.

White bow-collar top [Gap]
Bronze skinny belt [NY&Co]
This is a very easy starting point:
white appears in the skirt, so
it's a no-brainer for the top
color. Defining the waist with a
belt is a great way to spice up
a basics-based look.

A basic white tee
and textured vest in a
subtle color palate show that
you're not afraid to pair varying
neutral tones & make a strong
statement while you do! A longer
necklace [bought to support
Scarlet Cord ministries] helps fill
out the neckline & add a hint of sparkle. 

Here's an easy tip for creating
seemingly more complicated
outfits like this one: choose a fun
piece of multi-colored statement jewelry
that shares colors with the patterned skirt.
Then choose a top that coordinates with
a different color in the necklace. Voilà!

A bright pop of color from a coral cami
charges up the outfit. A neutral jacket reigns in the energy
to maintain a focused look.

...Or go with the energy of the color
and add a lovely detail like this tiered
lace-inspired vest. The detail is on the
back of the piece, so make sure
you wear your hair up and know
that you leave each room with a pleasantly surprising wake of style 
as you walk away.

Navy is a neutral, and for that
reason alone, it goes with this skirt.
The toffee-colored jacket is also
a neutral, so it, too, goes
without hesitation.
Any questions?

Tuxedo-inspired ribbon & button detail
on the navy top

Cecilia

Speaking of LBDs, my friend Cecilia is attending a wedding later this month and selected this adorable dress from Gap maternity for the occasion. Pleated sleeves top off this wardrobe staple. If I ever have a baby bump, I know who I'm going to for borrowed maternity clothes!

She also got it for a steal!

Trendy exposed zipper back detail

She had chosen wine-colored shoes & patterned tights to set the tone for accessories, so we completed the outfit together:

Tights & shoes now paired with mauve pearl
& ribbon necklace. 

Here is the finished product with possible variation:

...Or subtract the black clutch, add crimson
purse. It's also a patent finish [like the shoes]
and is in the same color family as the shoes
and necklace. It offers a bit more contrast
without straying away from the look altogether.

We chose a blazer instead of a cardigan
to go over the dress so that the shoulders
of the dress wouldn't appear too broad.
This heavier material won't be compromised
over the dress. The black clutch with bugle
bead detail keeps in step with the
ensemble while adding a hint of shimmer. 

Mix It Up Monday: Floral Top

Loose-fit tops like this floral one [LOFT] are a wonderful example of how to avoid wearing t-shirts all the time, but still feel relaxed. A beautiful feminine print & subtle details play up the piece--button panel and bow on the front, ruffled edge on the sleeves, wide band on the bottom. On occasions when I want to get a bit more structure out of this piece, I will skinny belt it for a fitted effect.

White jean jacket [Old Navy]
Pinstriped brown trousers [The Limited]
This outfit requires the same amount of effort
as sweatpants, a tshirt, and a jacket...but the
effect is so polished; upgrade your casual look!

Fitted vest [Ann Taylor]
Boot cut dark wash jeans [Gap]
Pandora necklace [gift from Ryan & Rebecca]
Another variation on creating a fitted look out of
a loose top: vest it up! 

White Bermuda shorts [Ann Taylor]
Turquoise, gold, & wooden bangles [H&M]
This is a great spring/summer look--it's light, bright, and
clean cut.

Embellished toffee cardigan [Old Navy]
Gold tone straight skirt [Target]
Irregular pearl necklace [American Eagle]
Tucking the top in streamlines the
silhouette.  

Khaki shorts [Gap]
Champagne & grey pearls [gift from Ross]
I wore this outfit with the blue wedge
sandals pictured below to meet
 friends for lunch in the summer. 

Sky blue cardigan [New York & Co]
Tweed & gold shimmer trumpet skirt [Nine West]
Purple flat opalescent pearls [gift from Mom]
The top is tucked in & slightly bloused here--if it
were un-tucked, the band at the bottom would really
distract from the shape of the skirt.
Here each piece can both speak for itself
 & complement the others.

White & tan striped trousers [Ann Taylor]
Mauve pearl baubles bracelet [Ann Taylor]
Why do these two patterns mix? Because
one is subtle [striped pants], one is bold [floral],
and they share color tones [white, tan].
A big bracelet is a wonderful fun statement piece.