Outfit Of The Yesterdays (It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Something)

Oh, it's been a busy past few weeks around my parts again, and I am just (kind of) going on auto-pilot until Sunday morning rolls around. Sunday morning is caramel-roll-time! And puppy-time. And Vince Guaraldi-time, presents-time, and staying in our jammies ALL DAY TIME YES.

I am playing catch up again with some outfits here, so let's get to it. Colorado finally got a hard blast of winter this week, but before that it was warm enough to be outside sans jacket. Colorado, in fact, is the only place I know where you can often see people shoveling snow while only wearing t-shirts.

(And sitting in their cars for 72 hours up I-70 in December just to go skiing.)

(And, um...willingly electing fuzzy house pets as their serious government officials.)

I digress. One of my favorite parts of the holidays is having friends & family in town, and I picked up the skirt that I am wearing below for $10 at Forever 21 during one of our many Christmas Gift Shopping Expeditions. 

I will admit that when I first saw neon colors popping up on the runways and in magazines I gave them a hearty roll of my eyeballs, but I think when done in carefully measured doses they can actually be...fun?  Maybe not a let's-keep-our-lipglosses-in-our-purses-while-going-through-airport-security-to-see-if-they-find-them-cuz-they-never-do! sort of fun, but more of a let's-go-to-Disney-Land-and-take-pictures-of-us-high-fiving-Chip-and-Dale-because-everyone-always-forgets-about-them sort of fun. Right? Exactly.

So what is the best way to wear eyeball-burningly-bright pieces? Neon pieces, I feel, are best paired with neutral hues. Think camel, grays, taupes, olives, and rusts--they really let brighter colors pop.

I am also tightless in the outfit below mostly because I hate wearing them; I've always been okay with being bare-legged. It must be my hearty south-dakotan-lefse-and-butter-fueled-blood. Delicious.

Ta ta ta:

Coat: Old Navy (buy it here) (similar here) (similar at ASOS, on sale!) (love this at Topshop, too)

Sweater: Madewell (similar here) (similar at Forever 21) (similar at Piperlime for $31.99)

Skirt: Forever 21 (buy it here) (and a longer length version here)

Belt: J Crew Factory (similar here) (similar at Topshop in peach)

Shoes: J crew (similar here) (similar here)

Bag: Marc Jacobs Cooper in nude (buy it here) (similar, under $150) (similar at Topshop)

Watch: Michael Michael Kors Oversized watch in Rosegold (buy it here) (similar for $195) (similar for $115)
 ♫: White Winter Hymnal - Fleet Foxes

I also picked up this little beaded pouch from Urban Outfitters last week, and while I am using it as a pseudo gift bag for a Christmas gift, it's a fantastic little bag for only $50. It also proves that pretty handbags don't always need to cost thousands, right?

When going cheap I stay away from faux leather handbags, as they almost always look slightly fake and plastic-y, but since fabric bags lack that element they can oftentimes look a lot more expensive than they actually are. This little bag even has iridescent sequins that give it a bit of shimmer without being over-the-top sparkly, woo hoo hoo:

Pouch: Kimchi Blue (buy it here + take 10% off with code "seeyousoon")

Are you guys rocking neon colors this winter? Share in the comments!

Outfit Of The Day (Five Ways Of Fun + Finding Inspiration In Fashion Blogging)

Why do you love fashion blogging?

This question has popped into my head a few different times as of late, for whatever reason, and isn't it important to stop and think about things..especially if they keep popping up in your fluffy, fluffy head?

You know, to really ponder the important questions; even if it's over complicated things like liking or not liking fashion blogging, and if a shirtless Ryan Gosling fell in the forest would Lassie come back to life to save him (of course), and MAD MEN, HEY, WHERE THE GOSH DARN ARE YOU?  (Come baaack.)

I know why I like fashion blogging--it has been really neat meeting a whole new group of girls from all over the US that share similar interests as me that I would never otherwise have met. It has even been neat meeting people here in Colorado that I, all things considered, would have probably never have met. Oh, the world wide web is fancy that way.

One of my favorite things about fashion blogging is drawing inspiration from all of the incredibly talented bloggers out there--from The glamorous Glamourai to Anh at 9 to 5 Chic to Jean at Extra Petite (isn't it great having other options than dressing like a soccer mom or a sailor, as it seems most retailers think us shorties should do?), not to mention the fashion-AND-beauty bloggers like Andi at Saltwater Dreams and Veronika over at Veronika's Blushing AND those-that-take-the-prettiest-pictures and post about pretty things like Rosa at Rosa Loves DC and Shannon at Happiness Is--just to name a few.

I do try to remain open to constructive criticism the best I can, however, and one of the most common complaints I read about fashion bloggers is that at times....we aren't very relatable.

And I do agree. The farther I go along with this, the more ballsy I have become with experimenting with my own style, and so I realize that my sense of style and some of the pieces that I wear might not exactly be do-able for a lot of women out there.

That is okay! It's the great thing about defining your own personal style.  If we all dressed the same, wouldn't that be boring?

Oh, it would be incredibly boring. But that being said, there are still ways to be inspired even if the exact items found on fashion blogs aren't always practical for every single woman in this world.  Here are my two biggest tips:

1. Look for inspiration in unlikely places. I find inspiration for my outfits all over the place: from fellow bloggers, Pinterest, magazines, TV shows, paintings, photographs, catalogs--whatever! Charming mixtures of colors, shapes, patterns, and textures can be found everywhere in this big, wild world; you just have to look at things the right way.

2.  It's okay to play with and swap items; accessories are the easiest to switch around! For example, I might replace leopard heels with a leopard belt, or swap a neon-hued bag for a bangle. The idea is to use things that you already have in your closet and feel comfortable wearing to replicate an outfit you like, and there are easily a gazillion different ways to do it.  It also gives the copied/inspired outfit a touch of your own style, too.

These tips might take a little bit of creativity and an extra 10 minutes in the closet, but the more you do it the easier it gets.  Promise.

So with this in mind, I would like to introduce a new reoccurring series here where I take two or three pieces and accessorize them five different ways.  It will be a bit of a fun departure from my usual Outfit Of The Day posts, I think, and will add a bit of visualization to my thoughts above. I hope you guys like it. :)

(Note: While none of my outfits below contain tights, as Colorado is going through an odd bout of mild weather, they would still work in most of these outfits--I'd stick with a slightly ribbed/sheer black if you do to let the colors of the outfits pop and if you don't like bright shoes with tights, stick with black, flats, booties or heels.. Don't like short skirts? I included some longer-length skirts in my picks below, too--and don't forget the J Crew's Bi-Stretch Wool Minnie Pant in Henna, which is a beautiful, rusty red and perfect for those that don't like wearing skirts at all!)

Enjoy!

#1

Coat: Topshop, NLA  (similar at F21) (or this coat + this lapel collar)
Top: Ann Taylor Charming Long-sleeve Blouse in Black Cherry (buy it here) (similar here) (similar at nordstrom) (& at anthropologie)
Belt: J Crew (similar here)
Skirt: ASOS (similar at J Crew) (similar at ASOS) (similar at F21) (long version here)
Ring: YSL Arty in Aqua/Green (buy it here) (similar here)
Shoes: Valentino Rockstud Python Flats (buy them here) (similar here) (similar at Endless)
Bag: Chanel Crackled Patent Camel Classic Flap (similar here) (and here by DKNY) (and here for under $100)

#2

Jacket: Tibi, NLA (similar at GAP) (similar here) (similar at WHBM, on sale + take $20 off with "19671")
Top: Ann Taylor Charming Long-sleeve Blouse in Black Cherry (buy it here) (similar here) (similar at nordstrom) (& at anthropologie)
Belt: J Crew, NLA (similar here)
Ring: Forever 21 (similar here)
Skirt: ASOS, NLA (similar at J Crew) (similar at ASOS) (similar at F21) (long version here)

Shoes: Manolo Blahnik Uliepe Pumps in Yellow (similar here - 25% off) (love these at anthropologie)

Clutch: ASOS (buy it here + 10% off with code "BONUSTEN") (similar here with a chain strap)

#3

Cardigan: Urban Outfitters, NLA (similar here) (similar at  UO, on sale)
Top: Ann Taylor Charming Long-sleeve Blouse in Black Cherry (buy it here) (similar here) (similar at nordstrom) (& at anthropologie)
Belt: J Crew (buy it here, runs big!) (similar at ASOS)
Skirt: ASOS, NLA (similar at J Crew) (similar at ASOS) (similar at F21) (long version here)

Blue Bracelet: Forever 21, NLA (similar here)

Black/Gold Bracelet: Forever 21 (similar here)

Watch: Michael Kors Blair in Espresso (buy it here)

Shoes: Christian Dior Lolita Booties (similar here) (and a better-for-winter bootie here)

Bag:Andrea Brueckner City Tierney Bag, NLA (similar at ASOS)

#4

Blazer: J Crew Library Blazer (buy it here) (similar at Forever 21) (similar at Target)
Top: Ann Taylor Charming Long-sleeve Blouse in Black Cherry (buy it here) (similar here) (similar at nordstrom) (& at anthropologie)
Belt: Urban Outfitters (buy it here + take 10% off with code "TOPARTY")
Skirt: ASOS, NLA (similar at J Crew) (similar at ASOS) (similar at F21) (long version here)

Shoes: Alexander Wang Isabeli Mules, NLA (similar here) (more appropriate for winter here - love!)
Bag: Diane Von Furstenberg Harper Clutch (similar in ostrich here) (similar here)



#5

Hat: Eugenia Kim Max Fedora (similar here) (similar here)

Blazer: J Crew Library Blazer (buy it here) (similar at Forever 21) (similar at Target)
Top: Ann Taylor Charming Long-sleeve Blouse in Black Cherry (buy it here) (similar here) (similar at nordstrom) (& at anthropologie)
Belt: H&M (similar here, 40% off!)
Skirt: ASOS, NLA (similar at J Crew) (similar at ASOS) (similar at F21) (long version here)

Necklace: Topshop (similar here) (similar here, on sale)

Bracelet: t + j designs braided bracelet (similar here)

Shoes: J Crew Mona Pumps in Pale Peacock (buy them here) (similar-ish colored heels here, on sale)

Bag: Chloe Marcie Metallic in Gunmetal (similar here) (similar color combo here by Rebecca Minkoff) (similar here, on sale)

Outfits Of The Days (Valentino Booties + A Short Showcase of Lace)

Oh, how I love lace.  It is just so pretty and, in my opinion, can be incredibly versatile if worn the right way. It can also be easy to cross the line from sweet to scandalous with this ultra-feminine fabric, though--so here are a few quick personal rules I have for wearing it:

1. I prefer lace tops and tanks with higher necklines--lace already evokes a sense of sultriness with its peek-a-boo, airy design so cleavage is definitely not needed.

2. Look for lace tops, dresses, and skirts in interesting patterns.  Lace seems like it should be a pretty standard deal, but it isn't--it can come in stripes (like the ASOS Blouse with Lace Overlay), zig zags, a variety of floral prints, and lots more. By picking a lacy piece with a bit more interest to it, it can help make the item look a little bit more luxe (even if it really isn't!).

3. Still don't feel comfortable showcasing lace as a major component in your outfit?  Try a lace necklace (like the Golden Lace Long Necklace with Chains at Ann Taylor), a handbag with a little bit of lace detail, or even a pair of lace pumps or booties.  It will add a pinch of pretty without seeming too precious.

Here we go!  A little bit casual....

Blazer: Nordstrom (similar here) (and here + take 10% off with code "TOPARTY") (and here for under $30)

Top: Zara (similar by Ella Moss) (similar at ASOS) (love this too!) (and under $50 at UO)

Belt: J Crew (similar here) (similar here)

Pants: J Crew Minnie Bi-Stretch Wool Pants in Redwood (buy them here) (similar here, on sale) (and here + take 10% off with code "TOPARTY")

Ring: Yves Saint Laurent Arty in green (buy it here) (similar here) (and here for $14)

Shoes: Valentino Asymmetric Lace Booties (similar style here) (and here for $66) (and if booties aren't your thing - a beautiful pump by jimmy choo)

Bag: Lanvin Happy Mini Pop in Metallic Python (buy it here) (similar here) (similar here for under $50)
Nails: OPI for Sephora's I'm With Brad (here) with Butter London's Chancer (here)

And tickling my fancy with a little bit of taffeta & tigers eye, too:

Top: Zara (similar by Ella Moss) (similar at ASOS) (love this too!) (and under $50 at UO)

Skirt: J Crew Marvelle Mini (similar here) (and here)  (similar here at F21)

Shoes: Valentino Asymmetric Lace Booties (similar style here) (and here for $66)

Fur Stole: ASOS (buy it here) (similar here + take 40% off with code "FRIENDS") (similar here at Express)

Earrings: c/o Kendra Scott Darby Earrings in Tigers Eye (buy them here)

Ring: Banana Republic Tigers Eye Ring (buy it here)

(Currently listening...)

Outfit Of The Day (J Crew Orange Mini Skirt + New Beauty Product Reviews!)

It is the most wonderful time of the year right now, aka Sephora's Annual Friends & Family Sale, where the giant cosmetic retailer gives all of the make-up, perfume, skincare, and DiorShow Mascara hoarders in the world a 20% off discount. Hooray!  And just in time too, as I have been running low on my stash. Even my bathroom closet (AKA "The Place Where Good Products Go To Die", as bravely coined by my husband with no sarcasm whatsoever) has been looking pretty sad and empty, oh nooo.

(Have no fear, little closet. I'll be giving you some more half-full discarded products that I bought on a misguided whim and totally hate soon.)

While I usually use this promotion to stock up on my seasoned favorites, I always try to grab a few new things to try, too.  Here are a few newcomers to my bathroom counter:

The Josie Maran Organic Argan Oil was a purchase I made after Sephora sent a sample in one of my past orders, and ohhhh how I love it so! if I could eat the stuff, you guys...I so totally would. I mean technically I think I could eat it, but Google searches for "can I eat argan oil" only turn up articles about nuts and goat butts. Of course! The sexy and chic side of beauty!  Awesome! 

I tend to have extremely dry skin due to an Accutane stint in my late teens, and living in the high desert definitely doesn't help the situation either. Given that I have dry skin from Accutane, this also means that I have really sensitive skin and I tend to break out and flush easily too. Needless to say,  I am typically pretty weary of anything with oil, let alone smearing it straight on my face.  

But I am happy to report that after two weeks now of twice daily usage, my skin drinks this stuff right up with nary a break out.  It also moisturizes better than any moisturizer I have ever tried, makes my skin look great, and works on giving my hair a bit of shine, too! While it's a bit spendy at $48, I only use a few drops of it at a time so it will last forever. We have a winner!

Next up we have Guerlain's Meteorites Light-Diffusing Perfecting Primer. I have tried several primers in the past, including the big players like Smashbox's Photo Primer, Urban Decay's Brightening Complexion Primer Potion, and Laura Mercier's Foundation Primer, all with lackluster results. They all seemed to sit on my skin without sinking in, leaving my skin looking, at times, like a bizarre combination of oily and dry and oily and oh, so dry.

Guerlain's primer is different sort of animal.  Instead of using silica to smooth lines and pores, it's more of a thin gel with little shimmery pearls that break up when you pump the product out.  Instead of leaving skin feeling greasy like some primers can do, this leaves my skin feeling powdery soft and kind of...tight? The tight-thing freaked me out at first, since I usually associate tightness with dry (painful! red!) skin, but after applying my foundation there is no dryness in sight--just awesome, super smooth skin.  Another winner.

On to Givenchy's Le Prisme Mono Eyeshadow in Trendy Plum.  If a cosmetics company could win an award for the prettiest packaging, I think Givenchy would win. This eyeshadow compact is all sorts of cool with a mirrored top, and inside are four variations of the same color in a pearly finish, a sparkly finish, a matte finish, and a sequined finish.  Fun!

And last but not least, we have Nars Nail Polish in Versailles. This is a super soft, champagne gold color that makes for a perfect change from the usual dark nail colors of fall & winter.  So pretty, and one of my favorites.

What have you guys been buying at this sale? Finding any new products to love? I would love to hear--so share in the comments!  (And don't forget--VIB's can still take 20% off through Sunday with code "VIBDREAM".)

On to an outfit! We need a little burst of color for this Friday, yes? Happy weekend, you guys!

Coat: Rachel Zoe (buy it here, on sale!) (similar here, under $100) (and here at ASOS + take 10% off with code "BONUSTEN") (and here)

Top: J Crew (similar here at F21) (and a sweater style at ASOS + take 10% off with code "BONUSTEN")

Skirt: J Crew Factory (buy it here) (similar here) (and at F21)

Belt: J Crew Factory (similar here) (and here)

Watch: Michael Kors Rosegold Large Runway Watch (buy it here) (similar style here + take 20% off with code "FRIENDS") (similar here for $135)

Scarf: Simply Vera Vera Wang (buy it here + take 15% off with code "GIFT15")

Shoes: Valentino Python Rockstud Flats (buy them here) (similar here) (and here for under $100 at ASOS)

Bag: Chanel Crackled Patent Camel Classic Flap (similar here) (and here by DKNY) (and here for under $100)
Nails: OPI for Sephora's I'm With Brad (here) with Butter London's Chancer (here)