Monday, March 28, 2016

Floral and Pleats | Outfit


Blush has effectively made it's way into my list of colors that I consider neutrals that aren't really neutrals. I am not a pink person which is odd because I am fairly girly but adding the sugary sweet color on top of my already lacey, floral, and frivolous personality seemed like overkill.  Yet, blush, with it's perfectly muted mix of pink and peach, hits a color note that appeals to all aspects of my personality. It lets my darker side come out while still touching on my softer side and it allows me to embrace more mature, sophisticated looks while still remaining true to my playfulness. 








Even though I've officially deemed blush a neutral and as such it's appropriate for every day of the year, the color really shines in spring. It was easy to pair this bat wing top with my beloved pleated skirt as it fits right in with the soft, pastel flowers. This print is a no brainer for transitioning to spring because of the gorgeous colors that are solidly rooted in a black background. Dark neutrals are an easy way relate back to the not to distant cold and even though the plants are still faded and the sky is still grey, I felt appropriate for slowly warming days.











Shirt: Thrifted (similar kimonos are basically free size and can be worn closed for a similar effect) | Skirt: Torrid (similar in straight sizesimilar in plus) | Shoes: Modcloth (similar) | Headscarf: Kohls (similar) | Lips: Colourpop's Ultra Matte Liquid Lipstick in Trap

Thursday, March 24, 2016

The Royal We | BBRBF Book Club + Outfit





Recently, Kristina of Eccentric Owl and Sara Lily of In a Nutshell created a blogger book club and I was pumped to participate as it combines two of my favorite hobbies; fashion blogging and reading!

Kicking it off is The Royal We, by  Heather Cocks and Jessica Morgan. A nice little romance novel inspired by the most notable royal couple of our generation. The main character, Bex, travels from America to spend a year abroad at Oxford where she meets and falls in love with Nick. Who just happens to be a prince. The remaining five million pages of the book are the detailed events that occur when the heir to the British throne becomes involved with a common American girl.



I've never been that interested in the real royal couple except for a strange coincidence that happens to parallel something in my own life (some of you know what I'm talking about). Despite that, I love fairytales, light, happy stories, and delving into "what if" scenarios. So, I was definitely excited to read this book.








Unfortunately, right from the beginning I could tell this book wasn't for me. I like to get to know my characters the same way I get to know real people, slowly and through their actions and choices. But, in this book there was a lot of being told who people were instead. This lead to a lot of flat characters that could have been really personal and dynamic. In the beginning, Nick was any random prince from any early Disney movie and I could only see Bex as the "Cool Girl" or the anti-Manic Pixie Dream Girl. For context, the "Cool Girl" is laid-back, quick witted, eats and drinks like a guy but has a perfect body, likes sports/ cars/ video games, etc, and is the dream of most guys. Think Andi in How to Lose a Guy in Ten Days or Ellie in That Awkward Moment. I only point this out because Bex could have been a more realistic character. In part one of the book all of her "flaws" are traits that push her into that "Cool Girl" spectrum and it was annoying to have her presented that way. I even had a hard time believing Bex or her twin Lacey could have gotten into schools like Cornell and Oxford because real academic intelligence was never displayed by either character. That being said, this particular downfall improved over the course of the book and by the end I was more engaged and affectionate towards the characters. Except Lacey who seems to only exist as a tool to move the story along.



What was good in this book was the exceptional world building and clever writing style. While the characters didn't wow me, I felt completely immersed in this world of British royalty and paparazzi without having any frame of reference from the start. The colorful friend group was a high point and helped to guide the readers through this alien world by giving us a safe, relatable touchstone to come back to. I could easily put myself in any club or palace that was described in the book and found the writing to move quickly and smoothly despite the length of the novel.

On a scale of Total Pile to Masterpiece, I'd give this book a solid Not a Complete Waste of Time.


Shirt: Kohl's | Skirt: Thrifted | Scarf: Thrifted | Shoes: Thrifted | Lips: Colourpop's Ultra Matte Liquid Lipstick in Succulent

Dressing for Transition Seasons | Advice + Outfit


I know talking about the weather is boring small talk but it seriously impacts our clothing choices. So, it's hard to not talk about the weather! Clothes are our literal armor against the chilly gales that whip around us and, on a less practical level, the weather effects our moods and clothing is the outward display of the chilly gales whipping around inside of us. When we're bouncing around between 70 degree days and freezing rain it can be difficult to make style choices.

Side eye to mother nature...who does she think she is? Sybil? Save it for Sally Field, lady!



When the weather can't decide if it's one season or another, you have the great transition seasons. And while they're not my favorite weather-wise, I actually love dressing for these times of the year. It's a challenge to meld the warm and the cool into something that satisfies weather that's neither winter nor spring and reflects a mood that can only dip it's toes in the exuberance of a new season. One of my favorite ways to accomplish this is to pair typically winter colors with spring colors. Adding the blush colored cardigan and belt tips the scales towards an outfit that is more bloom and blossom than falling leaves and snow covered hills. I'm still protected from the elements but my lighter, happier mood is the sprinkle on top.



If you're unsure how to pair colors from the opposite ends of the spectrum, start with colors in the same color family. Even though wine is dark and saturated it has the same roots as the softer and airier blush so they will always look good together (like you and your cutie sister). You can also use prints as a cheat sheet, as well. The floral on my bag acts as a bridge incorporating both colors into it's palate. If you aren't sure where to start you can grab a print and pull out two colors, one spring and one winter, and build your outfit on that.



Keep in mind that all of this is a mere suggestion based on the desire to dress thematically for the season and you should always where whatever you want, whenever you want, regardless of what fashion magazines tell you is in this season or not. #velvetforeveryseason


Cardigan: thrifted (similar) | Shirt: JCP (similar in straight sizesimilar in plus) | Skirt: Kohl's (similar in straight size similar in plus) | Tights: We Love Colors | Belt: Target (similar in plus) | Shoes: Modcloth (similar) | Bag: Modcloth (similar) | Sunglasses: Vintage (similar) | Lips: Colourpop's Ultra Matte Liquid Lipstick in Scrooge

Wednesday, March 23, 2016

Red Cape | Shaped by Style


I paid a little visit to Shaped by Style with this incredible red cape from Emily. Head on over to check it out!

Monday, March 21, 2016

Dragonfly Lady | Style Imitating Art

source


It's that time again! Style Imitating Art this week was inspired by the intricate and lovely, Art Noveau style “Dragonfly Lady” brooch by René Lalique. If you remember back to the last time Art Noveau was chosen for Style Imitating Art, you will remember that it's kind of my jam.

I immediately knew I was going to wear this dress because the organic flow of the fabric, the intricate floral pattern, and the jewel tones are all dead ringers for this broach. I added the belt for the gold finish and the polka dot blazer because, well, it was cold. But, also, because the little delicate pattern reminded me of the impressive detail in the dragonfly's wings.



Thank's so much to Salavar for choosing another Art Noveau beauty for Style Imitating Art because I cannot get enough. Check out 14 Shade's of Grey tomorrow to see the full round up of everyone's outfits. I know I can't wait to see!




Blazer: Thrifted | Dress: Modcloth | Tights: We Love Colors | Boots: Modcloth | Belt: Target | Lips: Colourpop Cosmetics Liquid Lipstick in Scrooge

Saturday, March 19, 2016

Links à la Mode



I was featured on Links à la Mode this week for my post about celebrating difference in women. Which is incredibly awesome! Please check out the other blogs that were featured this week, as well!

Links a la Mode Mar 17 Links à la Mode, March 17
SPONSOR: Shopbop B-Low The Belt, Vince Sneakers, Dolce Vita Sandals, Elena Makri, RahiCali, Sanchita, Floral Print Dresses, Choker Necklaces, Stuart Weitzman Nudist Sandals, Men's Levi's Red Tab Comment on gist Sign in to comment or sign up to join this conversation on GitHub Desktop version

Thursday, March 17, 2016

Happy St. Patrick's Day! | Outfit


 I've been markedly absent this week because I was knocked out cold by a stomach bug. I managed to throw food at my kids occasionally but, mostly I just laid on my couch and stared off into the distance. I'm finally feeling myself again and guess what? While I was putting my shoes on today, I gloriously slipped and sprained my ankle like the total doof that I am. Look at me go! The good news is that being confined to the couch with an injury versus a stomach bug will leave me loads of energy for internetting!

So, I just thought I'd pop in and leave you a few pretty pictures of me and my little lucky charms in our best Irish get ups. May your day be full of green beer, minty shakes, and many other things that aren't actually Irish. Hahaha. Me? I'm elevating my ankle, watching the Boondock Saints, and harassing my husband to go get ingredients to make mint juleps. Hey. Whiskey can be Irish. Or is that just clever marketing on Jameson's part? 

















Cardigan: JCP | Shirt: Old Navy | Skirt: Old Navy | Shoes: Thrifted | Headband: Charming Charlie | Lips: Ofra Liquid Lipstick in Miami Fever