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Tuesday, May 29, 2012

What I wore today: 05/26/2012 (Day-Glo-A-Go-Go)

Day-Glo outfit: neon chartreuse pleated mini skirt from Urban Outfitters, Patent leather Jeffrey Campbell flatforms, vintage Moschino belt, Double-scoop ballet tee, etc.


You didn't think I was tired of neon yet, did you? 

I know it's hard to get past the highlighter-hued skirt, but might I direct your attention to the Jeffrey Campbell shoes for a moment? The moment I saw these, I knew I loved them. The funny thing is that I'd seen flatforms before and never felt much; I didn't love or hate the trend. But, when I saw these, I suddenly knew they were exactly what I wanted, especially for working long hours at Anthro, which is where I wore this particular outfit.

They have all the drama of a chunky Jeffrey Campbell wedge, but with all the comfort of a classic ballet flat. "Yes!" I say, "A resounding yes to both of those things!" 

Also, they were super mega marked down and available only in my size, which means it was meant to be, right? 


Day-Glo outfit: neon chartreuse pleated mini skirt from Urban Outfitters, Patent leather Jeffrey Campbell flatforms, vintage Moschino belt, Double-scoop ballet tee, etc.
Day-Glo outfit: neon chartreuse pleated mini skirt from Urban Outfitters, Patent leather Jeffrey Campbell flatforms, vintage Moschino belt, Double-scoop ballet tee, etc.
Day-Glo outfit: neon chartreuse pleated mini skirt from Urban Outfitters, Patent leather Jeffrey Campbell flatforms, vintage Moschino belt, Double-scoop ballet tee, etc.
Day-Glo outfit: neon chartreuse pleated mini skirt from Urban Outfitters, Patent leather Jeffrey Campbell flatforms, vintage Moschino belt, Double-scoop ballet tee, etc.
Day-Glo outfit: neon chartreuse pleated mini skirt from Urban Outfitters, Patent leather Jeffrey Campbell flatforms, vintage Moschino belt, Double-scoop ballet tee, etc.
Day-Glo outfit: neon chartreuse pleated mini skirt from Urban Outfitters, Patent leather Jeffrey Campbell flatforms, vintage Moschino belt, Double-scoop ballet tee, etc.
Day-Glo outfit: neon chartreuse pleated mini skirt from Urban Outfitters, Patent leather Jeffrey Campbell flatforms, vintage Moschino belt, Double-scoop ballet tee, etc.
Day-Glo outfit: neon chartreuse pleated mini skirt from Urban Outfitters, Patent leather Jeffrey Campbell flatforms, vintage Moschino belt, Double-scoop ballet tee, etc.
Day-Glo outfit: neon chartreuse pleated mini skirt from Urban Outfitters, Patent leather Jeffrey Campbell flatforms, vintage Moschino belt, Double-scoop ballet tee, etc.






Double scoop ballet tee - Old Navy, a loooooong time ago
Neon chartreuse pleated sheer mini skirt - Urban Outfitters
Vintage Moschino belt - eBay (last seen here and here)
Patent leather Jeffrey Campbell flatforms - Urban Outfitters
Leather and lioness head cuff - Jewelmint (last seen here and here)
Gold, black, and tan handbag - Target, years ago (also seen here)


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Friday, May 25, 2012

Top 5 trends for summer

There are plenty of seasons in the fashion world where I'm not über-excited about the trends I'm seeing.

This is not one of those seasons.

In fact, narrowing my list of favorite trends for the summer down to 5 was difficult for me. Honorable mentions go to lace, digital-imaging prints, and colored jeans. Here are my top five most exciting trends of the summer (in no particular order):

[All photos redirect to full outfit posts.]

01. Neon

Neon and charcoal outfit: black booties, black tights, knit charcoal dress with ruffled shoulders, neon belt, neon satchel, Prada baroque sunglasses, rose gold watch, two-tone diamond watch Neon and teal outfit: open back batik dress, navy wool tights, oversized cardigan, eyelet oxfords, neon satchel, navy snakeskin belt
Missoni for Target chevron tee, neon embroidered skirt, black lace ballet flats, gold purse, Prada baroque sunglasses Neon and neutral outfit: Anthropologie dress, heather gray blazer, neon yellow bag and belt

Absolutely anyone who hasn't been hiding under a rock this past year will have noticed that neons are everywhere right now, and not in an icky late-'80s-early-'90s-throwback way either. These colors pop. They're fresh and saturated, and seem to glow from the inside. I, for one, simply cannon get enough.

02. Pastels

Babyshower outfit: thrifted "blue suede shoes" moccasins, pink ballet tights by Capezio, white lace dress from Modcloth, thrifted denim braided belt with Longhorn buckle, rhinestone feather bangle, silver bangles, two-tone diamond watch by Citizen, DIY me Mint green and lavender outfit: BDG mint green jeans from Urban Outfitters, vintage saddle oxfords, black and white striped tank from Gap, thrifted sparkly lavender v-neck sweater, DIY Amélie "Où et Quand?" necklace
Bleached tee outfit: DIY bleached tee, dusty rose colored Gap skinny jeans, tri-color oxford heels, rosette clutch, pearls, khaki blazer Peacy mint outfit: Peach Gap khakis, striped Gap tank, mint green J. Crew cardigan, pearl and coral sandals
DIY skirt from men's shirt sleeves Outfit - vintage Moschino belt, handmade yellow gingham dress, Vivienne Westwood Lady Dragon heard shoes

Pastes are everything neon is not. Where neon glows, pastels stay primly opaque. Where neon is loud, pastels are soft and understated. And yet both these color trends have emerged with equal popularity in the same season. You know what? I think, we can have our cake and eat it too! I wouldn't mix the pallets (at least, I haven't seen it done successfully yet), but both color groups look great color blocked among themselves as well as paired with neutrals or with pretty black and white patterns like stripes and chevron. 

03. High/low hems

High/Low outfit: Stylemint skirt, ruffled chambray shirt, thrifted braided denim belt with longhorn buckle, silver flats

At the moment, this heather gray number from Stylemint is the only high/low hem I have in my closet. But I'm definitely enthusiastic about the trend, and I want more. I first came across the style when I thrifted a high/low hem dress for my first prom, way back when I was 14 years old. Between that one and this one, there haven't been any (because they used to be harder to find), but, I've been in love all the while. I'm also a big fan of shirts and blouses with a high/low hem. There's just something so blatantly intention about the architecture of these pieces, and I'm smitten.  

04. Open backs

Neon and teal outfit: open back batik dress, navy wool tights, oversized cardigan, eyelet oxfords, neon satchel, navy snakeskin belt Outfit - Urban Outfitters open back dress, vintage saddle oxfords, vintage boater hat, lacy ankle socks - playing on the railroad tracks
Black and pale pink outfit: tights, open-back jersey dress from Urban Outfitters, thrifted blazer, quilted flats from Modcloth Chevron and open-back outfit: leather boots, wool tights, open-back navy dress, vintage leather link belt, Kelly bag, Missoni for Target cardigan

Open backs are by no means a new, cutting-edge trend, but they are big right now. As such, this obsessor just couldn't not include them on the list. I love everything about an open back: I love how it's a surprise (a bit playful, a bit whimsical), I love how it's sexy (in a coy way, not an overt way), and I love how it's just a little detail that can make a simple dress so much more special. I also love showing off the mole on my back. It's one of those features that I think is so pretty but doesn't get enough "air time." Do you have a feature like that?

05. Rose gold

Rose gold and silver rings and watches
New shoes: rose gold sequin loafers and teal moccasins

Speaking of OBSESSED, this girl is Capital-O, Capital-B-S-E-S-S-E-D with rose gold. It's pretty amazing to me that I could live for nearly 24 years and not be aware of or even imagine this metal, and then it knocks on my door and says, "Here I am! The prettiest metal your eyes have ever beheld!" I've acquired a few rose gold pieces since falling in love with it earlier this year, and I love to pair them with silver and yellow-gold pieces. (Mixed metallics can be so pretty.) Right now, I'm so infatuated with rose gold that, if I picked out a wedding ring today I would probably pick rose gold, even though something so trendy would clearly date me for all eternity, rather than being the timeless piece a wedding ring should be. 

However, I'm not sure it's entirely possible to pick a truly timeless ring. After all, have you noticed that all women of my mother's generation (who married in the '70s or '80s) have yellow-gold bands and high-set diamonds, while women who married in the '90s or '00s have platinum or white-gold bands and lower set stones? It's funny how that happens, how trends influence even the pieces that are meant to last a lifetime and beyond. 

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Monday, May 21, 2012

What I wore today: 05/20/2012 (Neon and Chevron are friends)

Missoni for Target chevron tee, neon embroidered skirt, black lace ballet flats, gold purse, Prada baroque sunglasses

You may have noticed my enthusiasm about the neon trend that popped up last year (and has finally hit the midwest this year). You might also be aware of my chevron addiction. It was only a matter of time before the two collided, and I must say I like the result. 

The black and white pallet balances the neon in the same way a softer neutral does, and the mix of pattern and texture takes everything to another level. Often times, less is more. But sometimes, more can be more. And, after a week in hiking attire pulled from a suitcase, I was ready to jump back in with both feet.

What do you think? How would you style this neon skirt? 

Missoni for Target chevron tee, neon embroidered skirt, black lace ballet flats, gold purse, Prada baroque sunglasses
Missoni for Target chevron tee, neon embroidered skirt, black lace ballet flats, gold purse, Prada baroque sunglasses
Missoni for Target chevron tee, neon embroidered skirt, black lace ballet flats, gold purse, Prada baroque sunglasses
Missoni for Target chevron tee, neon embroidered skirt, black lace ballet flats, gold purse, Prada baroque sunglasses
Missoni for Target chevron tee, neon embroidered skirt, black lace ballet flats, gold purse, Prada baroque sunglasses
Missoni for Target chevron tee, neon embroidered skirt, black lace ballet flats, gold purse, Prada baroque sunglasses
Missoni for Target chevron tee, neon embroidered skirt, black lace ballet flats, gold purse, Prada baroque sunglasses
Missoni for Target chevron tee, neon embroidered skirt, black lace ballet flats, gold purse, Prada baroque sunglasses
Missoni for Target chevron tee, neon embroidered skirt, black lace ballet flats, gold purse, Prada baroque sunglasses
Missoni for Target chevron tee, neon embroidered skirt, black lace ballet flats, gold purse, Prada baroque sunglasses
Missoni for Target chevron tee, neon embroidered skirt, black lace ballet flats, gold purse, Prada baroque sunglasses
Missoni for Target chevron tee, neon embroidered skirt, black lace ballet flats, gold purse, Prada baroque sunglasses



Black and white chevron t-shirt - Missoni for Target (also seen here and here)
Textured neon skirt - Anthropologie
Black lace ballet flats - Payless? (Bought for a prom a zillion years ago)
Prada "Baroque" Sunglasses (also seen here, here, and here)
Chunky neon ring - DIY ( also seen here, tutorial here)
Lion bangle - Jewel Mint (also seen here)
Bronze cuff - The Outnet
Gold handbag - Target


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Saturday, May 19, 2012

Our Smokey Mountain trip in Instagrams

I was in the Smokey Mountains with Ryan and his family for the last week, but I'll be back to outfit posts this week (and maybe even a new DIY). For now, here's a recap of our trip . . . Instagram style.

O playing our melodica
Owen descends the stairs
Sugar and spice pancakes with applesauce
Owen loves pancakes!
Decisions, decisions...
Me and Rye
The view from the top
On the edge
Hiking with Rye #somethingthatmakesyouhappy #photoadaymay
We made s'mores in the broiler. Mmmmmm
Yeah, Gatlinburg is weird like that.
Titanic museum #nofilter
#grass #photoadaymay
Niko and Owen chasing chickens
The beautiful Smokey Mountains
We saw a bear! Her cub was up in a nearby tree.
I took Rye's hat.
A cabin in the woods
An old mill
Yum
Grotto Falls #fromwhereistand
Ryan and I behind the falls
The boys got lots of shoulder rides today.
A pretty snail we found #nature #fbphotoadaymay
The Estonian wife carry!
So many kicked-off shoes! #fromwhereistand
Moonshine

01. Owen playing the melodica; 02. How Owen descends the stairs; 03. Sugar and spice pancakes; 04. Owen loves pancakes; 05. So many kinds of pancakes; 06. Ryan and I on a ski lift; 07. A lookout point; 08. Ryan and I on top of a mountain; 09. Hiking to waterfalls; 10. Broiler s'mores; 11. Crazy buildings in Pigeon Forge; 12. Titanic museum; 13. Wildflowers; 14. The boys chasing chickens at Dixie Stampede; 15. Pretty fields; 16. Black bear sighting; 17. Owen in Ryan's hat; 18. An old cabin; 19. An old mill; 20. Cheerwine; 21. #fromwhereistand at Grotto Falls, 22. Ryan and I behind the falls; 23. Niko and Owen being carried up a mountain; 24. A pretty snail; 25. The Estonian wife carry (Google it); 26. All the kicked off shoes near the door of our cabin; 27. Moonshine


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