OOTD- Into Something Else

Do you usually buy new things for the season before it begins or do you normally wait until the weather actually changes before you purchase season-appropriate items? Although I'm not as far ahead as the fashion industry (there's no way I'm giving fall or winter a thought now that my favorite season is here), I'm definitely thinking about late spring and summer. I mean, I just bought a pair of shorts that probably won't see any wear for awhile considering the weather has been all over the place lately. I bought this dress with the hot days of summer in mind, but when it arrived, I was a little disappointed in its sheerness. Definitely, not meant for work and I'm working on plans to at least make it fit into weekend playtime. But to keep it from sitting in my closet not getting any wear, I threw on some jeans and attempted to turn this dress into a long tunic. No eye-brow raising in the office necessary plus I gave this dress double-duty; I think this relationship just might work out after all.

Do you shop ahead of the season? Do you like to make a list of items to buy or do you impulsively pick up new items?

Outfit Details:

White shirtdress and red jeans- Forever 21 (similar dress here, here and here) (similar red jeans here and here)

Black belt and lion locket- J. Crew (necklace available here)

Gray wedges- Ivanka Trump (available here on sale)

Sunglasses- House of Harlow 1960 (similar here)

OOTD- A Few of My Favorite Things

Purple, tweed, stripes and these Miu Miu shoes are just a few of my favorite things. This outfit is a hodge-podge of a few old closet friends (with my new tee) and I went out on a ledge with the two different necklines going on, but I love the lady-like details and all the colors, pattern and texture. All winners in my book, plus it doesn't hurt that these shoes always make me feel like a glamazon. How does that not make any outfit feel fabulous?

What do you wear to make you feel fabulous? Is it a favorite lipstick or a special pair of earrings? 

Outfit Details:

Striped tee- J. Crew (available here, similar in a lighter blue here)

Tweed blazer (old)- Banana Republic (similar style here)

Purple skirt and brown belt- thrifted

Leopard hat- Albertus Swanepoel for Target (cute straw alternative here)

Umbrella- Missoni for Target (similar here)

Tan platform heels (consignment find)- Miu Miu (similar style here and here)

Tan handbag- Rebecca Minkoff (same style in alternative color here, similar here)

OOTD- A Dash of Honey

I didn't mention this to you guys, but I've been getting up super duper early for the past few weeks to go to boot camp classes. It's been ridiculously tough because I cherish my sleep time and running, burpees and push-ups are some of my most disliked exercises ever and we do way too many of all of those. But what better way to get back into exercising on the regular than with a kick in the butt exercise class, right?

One thing that's been life saver in keeping me on schedule and not rushing out the door with no time to spare has been figuring out my outfits for the week. I look at the weather for the next few days, plan what to wear and I'm good to go. I love it!! Now if I could only find myself a maid to iron my clothes for me the night before, I'd be in business!

Happy weekend everyone!!

Outfit Details:

Paisley blouse- J. Crew (similar here and here)

Peplum skirt (old) Leifsdottir (similar style here and here; similar color here)

Colorblock flats- ShoeMint (sold out, but join the wait list here, similar here, here in a softer color palette and here)

Tan handbag- Rebecca Minkoff MAM (similar here and here)

OOTD- Mellow Yellow

(Excuse the wrinkles, but real-life gets in the way of perfect pictures sometimes)

My yellow sweater complete with matching truck!

Don't you love when you receive a perfect gift? I met up with my friend this weekend so that we could get some girl time, but to also exchange gifts....from Christmas!! Yes, we haven't seen each other in awhile, lol. Inside my bag of gift goodies was this lovely yellow sweater. Yellow, along with red, is one of those colors severely lacking in my closet, so I couldn't wait to wear it. Paired with a pair of old pants and some new goodies (hello new shoes and necklace), I couldn't have felt better starting off the week. This new policy of adding instant loves and classics to my closet is going to make shopping a lot easier, or at least that's the plan. This resolution, like all others, is a work in progress.

Is buying the perfect present easy or difficult for you? Do you generally keep tabs on what people mention liking or wanting or do you request wishlists?

Outfit Details:

Yellow sweater- (gift) Target (similar here and here)

Gray paperbag pants- Madewell (similar here, similar here, and similar here in a lighter color)

Lion locket- J. Crew (available here, similar here and here in silver)

Snakeskin pumps- Talbots (available here, similar here and here)

OOTD- Who Turned Out the Lights in the Westside?

Plaid shirts conjure up images of west coast gangster rappers of the olden days. Ice Cube sure loved to wear his with a baseball cap and a scowl and I remember when that was Snoop Dog's uniform. Why I have this association, I'm not quite sure, but let's just say plaid isn't big in my wardrobe. That kind of change when I spotted this top in a catalog. I think the pop of pink called to me, it said I'm not quite like all the other plaid shirts out there, I have a girly touch. So to keep this top from venturing anywhere near the masculine territory, I added a fun necklace and skirt. A pretty noble attempt at getting the plaid shirt to work for me. The tough part is figuring out the next outfit. How would you style this top in a cute way?

What do you think is the easiest way to feminize a masculine piece? Are you a fan of plaid shirts?

Outfit Details:

Plaid shirt- Land's End Canvas (available here, pale pink work appropriate option here)

Patterned navy skirt- (consignment find) LOFT (pencil option here)

Neon necklace- Charlotte Russe, diy neon color job (similar here)

Brown pumps- Seychelles

OOTD- Is This Over Yet?

Is the color blocking trend over with yet?? If it is, then I am horribly out-of-date because these new purple pants of mine where begging to be paired with my green blazer. We all went out for a night of girl time and drinking at Shecky's last night and we had lots of fun.

Do you tend to dress trendy or classic? Do you like to follow what's new for the season or do you like to stick to your tried and true closet pieces? The fashion industry is a fickle beast so there's always something new to buy and try and I admit that I love to test the waters with what's trendy (as long as it works for me), but if there is one thing that's apparent, it's that what goes around comes around. What's old is new again, right? So whatever you gravitate towards, just remember to find what works for you, your lifestyle and body. But most importantly, go with what puts a smile on your face. You can't go wrong when that happens!

Outfit Details:

Green blazer (old)- Zara (similar here, here, and a minty version here)

White pocket tank and purple cropped pants- J. Crew (pants available here, similar here, similar casual version available here)

Black shield necklace- Forever 21 (similar here, cool necklace available here on sale, nice alternative here)

Green handbag- 3.1 Phillip Lim (alternative PL bag here and here)

Black platform shoes- Yesstyle.com (available here, similar alternative here and here, budget friendly version here)

OOTD-And All that Jazz

Do you guys like my jazz hands in that last pic? I was showing off my pretty non-existent tap dancing skills from my days as a youngin'. I kind of miss those shuffle ball change routines although I'm sure I didn't feel that way back then. 

Anyway, enough of reminiscing. We have been seriously treated to some beautiful weather this week and what do I go wear, a bunch of dark colors. Totally unlike me since I love me some color, but my intentions were to show off my lovely new baby. Introducing Ms. Minty Springtime (and insert a jazz hand)!! I took her out of the box yesterday and instantly knew she was ready for action. Is it weird that I'm referring to my new bag as a she?? This bag holds all of my daily crap with room to spare and is the perfect bright spot for lots of outfits. Me and my new bag have a few dates later this week, lol.

Have you ever given a name to an inanimate object you loved? A car, a pair of shoes, you old teddy bear?

Outfit Details:

Snakeskin print tank and olive knit skirt- Forever 21

Blue blazer- Ralph Ralph Lauren

Wedges- Madewell (similar here, alternative here and here)

Mint handbag- Botkier Valentina hobo (available here, smaller size in other colors available here, alternative mint handbag here, minty clutch here)

OOTD- A Good Thing

It's Monday, which usually doesn't get as much love as say Friday, but I think it's going to be a good day anyway. This morning I had my very first butt-crack of morning boot camp class. I might be crazy for signing up for it and I'm already feeling out of shape and slightly sore, but it was a great way to start off the day. Plus, that hour we lost yesterday means that it won't be dark when I get off from work and it's that signal that spring is just around the corner. That gets a big yay from me since it means I can start to ignore those tights in my drawers. And finally, this post features my favorite shoes ever and a new bargain sweater that just might take top prize out of some of my new purchases. Color, pattern and texture, it's a trifecta of outfit goodness. $25 and two outings so far, it is well on the way to being worth pennies in the cost per wear calculation. Winning!

Happy Monday!!!

Outfit Details:

Space-dyed sweater- Old Navy (available here, similar here in other colors and a different hemline)

Navy pants- J. Crew

Pink velvet pumps- Marc Jacobs (similar here in a pointy toe, cute alternative here, peep-toe alternative here)

Leopard hat- Albertus Swanepoel for Target (similar here and a less leopardy version here)

Claw bracelet- ASOS (real deal designer version here, budget version available here)

OOTD-Like Money

I didn't realize it until a co-worker pointed it out, but I'm a little early for St. Patrick's Day. It was completely unintentional as these weren't the original pants I wanted to wear, so I went with Plan B and tried to pull colors from my very Crayola shoes. Somehow that turned into a mix of green and other fun colors and I couldn't be happier with the end result. It kind of matches, but it doesn't. I'm sure I've said it before, but one of the best thing about fashion is that you can try anything. It may work for you and your body or it may not, but experimentation is all apart of the fun.

Have a fabulous weekend!!

Outfit Details:

Seafoam button-down- Forever 21 (similar color here)

Green capri pants- H&M (similar here and here)

Patent leopard belt- J. Crew outlet

Crystal necklace- Spike the Punch (kind of sorta similar vibe here, you can most definitely give try to DIY)

Colorblock shoes- Shoemint "Hattie" (similar in a platform here, neutral colored flat version available here)

Green lion doorknocker bracelet- Fallon (available here and comes in other colors too)

Olive green handbag- 3.1 Phillip Lim (same designer, similar style available here; more affordable handbag in a similar color here, designer dream bag in a similar color here)

OOTD- Just Go With the Classics

When there are days when you just don't know what to wear, sometimes it's just easiest to go with the classics.

It was one of those mornings when I was throwing things on and throwing them right off because it just wasn't right. When that happens, I generally reach for my go-to, the black pants. But that wasn't going to work on a day when I felt like putting on a skirt or dress. And at that very last second before I was in serious danger of being ridiculously late, I threw on my striped dress, thought that it would look great as a top and layered it under a skirt, but I wasn't done and added one more layer of clothing. An all very random creation made of simple pieces. It helped me to remember that not over thinking and going with something simple can work very well...and maybe I should start planning my outfits the night before. 

Do you decide on your outfits beforehand or on the spot? When you can't figure out what to wear, what is your go-to outfit?

Outfit Details:

Striped dress (as top)- Forever 21 (funky striped dress available here, cool shift dress available here)

Metallic knit vest- Mason by Michelle Mason

Flouncy skirt- Ann Taylor (similar here, similar here, similar here in stripes)

Gray tweed wedges- Ivanka Trump (available here)

OOTD- Part of the Tribe

I'm a little sad the weekend is over because my honey and I took a little road trip to a bed & breakfast and it was such a nice moment of decompression from the hustle and bustle of the workweek. A leisurely bike ride in the afternoon that had me feeling care-free, a seafood dinner of crab and shrimp complete with hush puppies and $4 alcoholic drinks and a huge king-size bed that felt like sleeping on an island. Just what the doctor ordered.

In my previous post, I  mentioned how I'm all about the printed jeans these days. Well, my first pair arrived in the mail last week and made their debut this weekend. These tribal print jeans from ASOS are definitely something different and I think I like it. A little funky, but not too outrageous. I'm already plotting my next denim purchase. 

What do you guys think of my necklace??? So, I saw this neon necklace in a magazine and I couldn't find it anywhere (that's what happens when I get a little ahead of the store's shipments), but it got me thinking that I could probably make it myself. After scoping some DIYs on a few blogs and finding a suitable necklace to mess up if necessary, I grabbed a bottle of polish and created this bright little sparkly number around my neck. I'm so excited because I found more necklaces this weekend to give it another go. Yes to extra money in my pocket and a custom necklace!!

Have you ever attempted a clothing or accessory DIY? Was it a success or not?

Outfit Details:

Oversized sweater- thrifted (Talbot) (similar here, similar here and similar here on sale)

Tribal print jeans- ASOS (available here in limited sizes, similar vibe in this pair here)

Brown boots- Madewell (available here on sale)

Crystal neon necklace- Forever 21 with DIY paint job (necklace available here, similar neon necklace here and here)

Burgundy fedora- Albertus Swanepoel for J. Crew (similar here)

Let's Talk About All Those Patterns

How adventurous do you get with your denim? Do you experiment with different styles, maybe try a new wash? I remember many, many years ago when dark or light were the most challenging options, but these days are a whole new story. There's skinny, flared, straight legs; all kinds of patterns and colors that pretty much run the whole color wheel spectrum. I mean just look at what I've been taking into the dressing room lately:

Clockwise from left (J Brand, Old Navy, ASOS)

Whether you are all for this trend or extremely hesitant to go into the world of printed bottoms, I want to encourage you to just give it a try. Fashion is all about experimentation and having fun and these jeans are a lot more versatile than you think. Let them be the star of the show and you can easily pull colors from the pattern (if it is on the louder side) to match other items in your outfit.

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Is this trend right up your alley or a out of your comfort zone?

I will definitely be trying this because I'm a bit bored with my current denim selection. Don't be surprised if you see me wearing one of these very soon!!