Pinspirations: White, Navy, and Yellow

I was drawn to this outfit because of the gorgeous color scheme. I generally shy away from blue. It's the one color that I'm not in love with. I don't dislike it. I just...get sick of it easily? But, I thought, "What a perfect way to add some blue into my life by mixing it with one of my favorite colors!"

I swapped the blue and the yellow around and I traded the skirt and shirt for a dress. But, the outfit has a lot of the same feelings. It's feminine, polished, and flowy. While it's not an exact replica, I can see the pinspiration (see what I did there) behind it.

I'm a little ashamed to admit how much this outfit cost but, that's the way it works, right? Total transparency?

The dress and the necklace were definite splurges and I will fully admit that I have a Modcloth problem. I should look at the price tags and say, "Woah! Not this week!" But, because everything is so unique and things sell out so quickly, I see each new thing as a brilliant comet rocketing through the sky and if I don't capture it now, I will never see anything like it again in my lifetime. 

I wouldn't be surprised if this dress had cost twice the price because the quality is that good. It's hard to see in the pictures but, all the white stripes are actually lace and while I was worried it would be flimsy and sheer, it's quite the opposite. The whole thing is fully lined and made of sturdy material that still manages to be light and breezy. Good job Modcloth!

Lipstick Smoothie: Jordana Lip Liner in Rock n' Rose, MAC Viva Glam II, and Revlon Super Lustrous Lip Gloss in Folied 

***REPEATED OUTFIT ALERT REPEATED OUTFIT ALERT REPEATED OUTFIT ALERT***

Ok, remember my brilliant idea to add blue into my wardrobe by pairing it with yellow? Yeah, I've apparently had this idea before.

I was shocked to see that the only times I have worn this mustard colored cardigan on the blog was with blue! So, much for my stroke of genius  So, much for blue not being my thing! I apparently like blue a lot more than I thought I did.

Style Imitating Art Day!

"Illumination" by Colette Calascione

Shirt - Torrid, Dress - Target, Shoes - Bait Footwear

The second I saw this week's SIA I knew exactly what I was going to wear. I just wish I had remembered to throw on a string of pearls, though! Gah! I love the inspiration this week. It's very compelling in an unusual way. I'm definitely drawn in by it and I was happy to have a dress that evoked some of the color and allure.

Have you guys met my birthmark yet?

Sidenote: I'm really enjoying these shoes from Bait Footwear. I knew going into summer that I wanted to invest in a pair of good brown sandals. I have out grown my former summer shoe of choice, the flip flop, and  I wanted something casual and easy but more mature. These really fit that bill. At first I was afraid they were way too narrow and they were going to cause me a lot of comfort problems but, even before I broke them in, they didn't cause me any problems. Now they fit wonderfully.

I can't wait to keep growing my Bait Footwear collection.

Pinspirations

I'm not the only one who spends way too many late night hours scouring the infinite images of pinterest while my brain, instead of resting, sizzles and pops with inspiration, right? Other people do this too. Right? Well, even if I am the only one, I can't help use this addicting tool to my sartorial advantage and I am happy to bring you...my pinspirations!

Lipstick - Bedhead Girls Just Want It in Hope

Love this outfit. It feels chic and effortless and appropriate for a busy mom.

***REPEATED OUTFIT ALERT REPEATED OUTFIT ALERT REPEATED OUTFIT ALERT***

CHAMBRAY SHIRT

Just another addition to the Chambray Shirt Collage.

Style Imitating Art Time!

"Feeding the Ducks" by Mary Cassatt

Sweater - Target, Top - Torrid, Skirt - Modcloth, Shoes - B.A.I.T. Footwear, Necklace - Modcloth, Bag - Modcloth

Yes, friends. I have been away for awhile. But, there is a reason for my brief hiatus from blogging and that is Wedding Season. Next month I am standing up in two weddings and I have been very busy hosting/planning several of the prelude parties. I have one shower down and two bachelorette parties to go. I probably won't be posting a lot until Wedding Season is over but, I just could not resist participating in this week's SIA. I'm always a sucker for impressionism.

Old Navy, I Like the Things You Do

I'd like to give a major shout out to Old Navy. Old Navy was always one of those stores that did not get much attention from me. Maybe it's because of it's terrible, cringe-worthy ads, but, I was always under the impression that the clothes there just weren't all that great. In the last couple of years I've started popping in now and then and I've discovered a plethora of adorable clothes.

You might not find amazing fashion forward pieces that totally blow your mind but, if you're in the market for cute, reasonably priced basics, Old Navy is a great option. Every wardrobe needs a good foundation of basics. Basics add maturity and dimension to outfits and can make a good outfit really chic. Mixing in some great basics to your show stopping pieces is just like adding salt and flour to your sugar and butter when baking cookies. You just have to do it or it doesn't turn out right.

The place where I have to give Old Navy the biggest props is in their sizing. Not only do they have a plus size range but, their regular size goes up to a 20 and the sizes are quite generous. It's really awesome of them to offer so many options. Both this dress and the chambray shirt, for example, were from the regular line and neither has any fit issues. I usually have to size up with button up shirts because I find the sleeves too tight and the buttons always gap at my chest. Not the case here. Great fit all the way around. I know I'm always on the quest for perfect button up shirts, something that doesn't gap or feel to tight but is fitted and shapely. That's a tough order to fill and this one does just that.

The dress is so comfortable and versatile. I can see a hundred spring/summer outfits as well as fall outfits since the color is light yet slightly grayed. I can already tell you these are going to be two of my favorite pieces this year. So, let's all give some love to Old Navy for being so awesome!

Style Imitating Art Time: Superhero Edition!

I know, right?

SIA couldn't be cooler this week. This is a mixed media piece by Alex Gross featuring Captain America painted over a vintage photograph. Amahzing.

Despite the fact that I am not a nerd at all I have a major lady boner for superhero movies. Of course, my favorites are the Batman movies, any Batman movie. But, I am really into the Avenger movies too. They are exactly what a superhero movie should be. Humorous, action-packed, touches of romance, visually simulating, and full of man candy. Whenever Husband drags me to the newest movie I pretend to put up a fight but really, I can't wait to watch a twenty foot Robert Downing Jr./Chris Hemsworth/Chris Evans prance around on the screen for me. They are very well made movies that don't take themselves too seriously. As opposed to Christopher Nolan turning a comic about a man dressing up as a spandex bat into parables about the fears of modern society and although I love them, it's a little pretentious. I'm just saying.

That's my round about way of saying I was pretty excited to put together a Captain America look for SIA. And I'm sure I'm missing some higher meaning that this piece is converying but, I don't care. Too Excited.

Sweater - Target, Top - Target, Skirt - Target, Tights - Walmart, Socks - Target, Boots - Target, Belt - Asos, Lips - Mac in So Chaud

I was inspired by the typical superhero mask to create a dramatic eye look. I used Maybelline's Color Tattoo in Pomegranate Punk, the dark blue shade in Cover Girl's Tropical Fusion Quad, and the white shade in Bare Minerals The Star Treatment palette as a highlight. I also contoured and highlighted my bone structure to give myself...well any appearance of  bone structure.