Outfit Of The Day (Neon + Lace)

♫: Freak Like Me- Santigold

Happy Friday, you guys!  Have anything fun planned for the weekend? We are planning on lots of wandering around, eating out, a quick road trip to the Palmer Lake area, and even a little Johnny Cash--good stuff.

Springtime in Colorado means lots of wacky weather. Well, anytime in Colorado means wacky weather--warm in the mornings but colder in the evenings, after the spring thunderstorms rumble through and leave the air smelling fresh, earthy, and cool. Layers are your best, best friend.

So I initially grabbed this red coat to wear over this outfit, since I really liked how it looked paired with all he neons and neutral tones:

But opted for this lightweight miu-miu-inspired (right?) swing lace coat from Topshop instead. Spring is in the air, spring is in the air:

lace coat: topshop (buy it here)

red coat: miss selfridge, old (similar here) (& a red trench for under $100)

blouse: tobi.com (buy it here) (& a silk option here)

necklace: forever 21, old (similar here) (similar on etsy)

belt: j crew, old (similar at Express) (similar here)

skirt: forever 21 (buy it here) (& another option at banana repubilc, on sale)

shoes: nine west (buy them here + take $10 off w/ code "boxes") (and glitter peep-toes with a bow for under $100 here)

bag: Proenza Schouler PS1 pochette in neon coral (buy it here) (similar here by Marc Jacobs) (and an option by Rebecca Minkoff + take 20% off w/ code "MOTHER20")
nails: chanel black pearl (here), butter london the full monty (here)

Outfit Of The Yesterday (The Layer Purveyor)

♫: The Suburbs - Arcade Fire

The weather wasn't playing nice when I snapped these pics, so I apologize for the less-than-stellar quality. I do finally have a new DSLR en route to me, so hooray!  Just a few more days, and then I can go back to pretending like I don't know how to shoot with that sucker, either.

Sooo. Just a quick post for today. Like many people, I tend to play favorites with certain items in my wardrobe, and so I think that it is pretty safe to say that the $15 Forever 21 neon yellow mini is going to be a heavily used item this spring. 

So prepare yo'selfs. 

(...yo'selves?)

 

Blazer: Zara (buy it here) (similar here for under $100) (similar here under $50)

Cropped Sweater: Forever 21 (buy it here) (a cardigan option here)

Shirt: J Crew Polly Popover (buy it here) (similar here for under $50) (an option at Modcloth, too)

Skirt: Forever 21 (similar at ASOS) (similar at Go Jane) (and a glitzy version at Topshop)

Small Bow Necklace: Kate Gray Designs, c/o (find more of her gorgeous stuff here)

Gold Stud Bracelets: Forever 21 (buy them here)

Purple Bracelet: brand n/a (similar by Vince Camuto)

Shoes: J Crew PIppa Pumps, old (similar here for $60) (and a non-bow option here)

Bag: J Crew Flutter Clutch, old (similar at Boden) (a zig-zag clutch here) (& a cool envelope-clutch here)

Nail Polish: Sally Hansen Insti-dry in Lively Lilac (buy it here)

What item are you currently loving in your own closet? Share in the comments! ♥

Outfit Of The Day (DailyBuzz Style 9x9 Challenge: Neon + Neutrals)

 ♫: When I'm Small - Phantogram

I was super excited to be selected for DailyBuzz Style's 9x9 Challenge this month because it is all about one of my favorite spring trends: neons and neutrals.

It has been all over the runways for the past few seasons:

{l to r: christian siriano SS2012, michael kors R2012, tibi SS2012 - via style.com}

And has now been popping up left and right in magazines, fashion blogs, and retail stores aplenty.

What I like most about this trend is how easy it is to do. Sure, all my fellow Children Of The Early 90's are probably thinking, "Kelly Kapowski 101, bitch please--I still have all my slap bracelets!" (and if that isn't what you're thinking, well...I'm at a total loss) but while this trend might be a little influenced by what we saw nearly 20 years ago, like any good fashion trend it is now reinventing itself into something a bit more fresh and sophisticated. It is also easier to wear this time around, with no bejeweled t-shirt clips or LA Looks for your crunchy permed hair required.

Yes yes, I said it: it is easier to wear. Neon colors are blindingly bright and therefore can be pretty darn daunting to bedeck in large doses, but that's where the neutrals come in. The main trick is to mix the neon color with enough neutrals hues to subdue it to your own personal comfort (and taste) level; this helps keep the overall look chic, sophisticated, and hopefully tame. Try pairing neon greens with camels; neon pinks with taupes and grays; neon blue with corals or rusty reds, neon purples with mustardy or pale yellows, and neon yellows with navy and dusty olive greens.

The easiest way to work this trend is with accessories. If you usually reach for a brown or black belt to wear with your outfits, try swapping it with a neon belt instead. Try pairing sleek spring sheaths with a bold pair of pumps, and be on the lookout for cheap neon-hued jewelry at places like H&M, Forever 21, ALDO Accessories, and other 'discount' retailers. They have lots to choose from at the moment (especially in store), and you will get just enough wear out of those items to not feel too guilty for when the trend inevitably dies out or moves on.

Want even more tips and ideas on how to rock this trend? Head over to See Chloe Shop for a special 'Trend Watch' post dedicated to this very topic, too.

This is how I'm wearing neons and neutrals at the moment--how about you? ❤

(I am still missin' my DSLR, blargh.)

 Top: J Crew Talitha Blouse in "Vintage Berry" (buy it here) (similar here) (similar here, on sale) (similar at F21)

Belt: Forever 21, old (similar at F21 here) (similar here) (similar here) (similar here)

Skirt: Forever 21 (similar here) (& a pleated option here)

Ring: Banana Republic Tigers Eye Ring, old (similar at Ann Taylor)

Watch: Michael Kors Blaire Watch in Espresso (buy it here) (similar by Fossil)

Shoes: Christian Louboutin Greissimo Nude Pumps, old (similar here) (similar at Ann Taylor) (similar by Louboutin)

Bag:Hayden-Harnett for Target (similar here) (similar here) (similar by Rebecca Minkoff)

Nail polish: Essie Mamba (buy it here)

Lip color to match the nails: Nars Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Belle Du Jour (buy it here)

Outfits Of The Yesterdays (Hot & Cold)

♫: Big Mouth - Santigold

Hello, readers, and I hope your week is off to a great start. After having a completely freaky flare last week into this weekend that left me with not only looking like I had been attacked in the face by a blusher-brush wielding drunk 2-year old (that likes to dine at Applebees, I suppose--those 2-year olds always have poor decision-making skills all around, don't they) and a rash on my chest looking like I had chicken pox and/or the skin of any  healthy 13-year old, I am back. And feeling much better! And so it is a good week thus far.

I have two outfits for today. This first one hasn't been worn yet, obviously, but I grabbed both the jacket and the shorts for cheap so I wanted to get a post in here before they go *poof* forever.  Bright colors are a pretty big deal for this spring, and I have always loved how a neon coral looks with a vibrant, pinky purple.  The best way to wear bright colors is to mix in neutral accents, so I paired the duo with a bronzey beaded cami and uh...bright yellow shoes. Neutrals.  I know what they are.

I have no explanations for the awkward poses, however, but etc etc etc:

You can find the coral blazer over at Forever 21; like most Love21 products it runs a little big so I am wearing an extra-small. The shawl collar and open front does dictate a more "easy" fit, which makes sizing not quite so tricky. The sleeves are long on my t-rex-hates-push-ups arms, of course, but rolling them up works too. Love.

The shorts are on sale over at ASOS (and take 10% off through tomorrow night with code "LEAPYEAHUSA"). These shorts fit small! I am wearing one size up from my normal in these pictures, and I actually sent off an order for the next size up too since I prefer my shorts to not cut off circulation to my entire lower half.  Aside from that, these shorts are great--they are also fully lined, and while the inseam is short it's still long enough to cover what needs to be covered even when bending over, mom, I checked.

If you are an avid ASOS shopper, you know their sizing can be all over the place...so the best thing to do is to probably grab two sizes if you want to give these shorts a try. They include return labels and free return shipping with all orders, so I do this pretty often with them--and it seems like the returns are always processed fast, within about two weeks, too. Aside from a weird rash (what is it with me and rashes?) of sending me the wrong items three different times lately, they do seem to have pretty decent customer service when it comes to actually returning things.  Whew.

So on to the next one, on to the next one. I really want to wear this harness necklace all the time. Over blouses! Over gym clothes! Over pajamas! The possibilities! The ingenuity! I can only think of three things! With half of them I'm kidding! Kind of! But I still love it anyway!

Top: Zara (buy it here) (similar at Topshop) (and a brighter option by Free People)
Jacket: Alexander McQueen for Target (similar here) (similar at Last Call) (similar at Urban Outfitters)
Skirt: Urban Outfitters, old (similar here) (similar at J Crew) (similar at ASOS + take 10% of with code "HAPPYLEAPYEAH") (and another option at ASOS, on sale)
Necklace: Topshop (similar-ish here) (similar-ish here) (lots of options on Etsy, like this!)
Watch: Michael Kors Horn Chronograph watch (buy it here) (similar at Overstock, on sale)
Bag: Chloe Marcie Crossbody (similar here at Saks) (similar here for under $500)
Shoes: Vince Camuto Prue Pumps (buy them here + take 20% off with code "20GIFT") (similar here on sale) (similar here)
Nail Polish: Revlon Nail Enamel in Charismatic (buy it at Target)



Has there been a favorite accessory that you've been reaching for a lot lately in your own closet?  Share in the comments! ♥

Outfits Of The Yesterdays (Tu Serais Mon Lascar Superstar)

♫: Battez-Vous - Brigitte

I have two outfits for today, albeit both are pretty similar. I was planning on wearing outfit #1 this past Saturday, but it was almost warm enough to wear a skirt. So! I wore a skirt, hence outfit #2.

 I just want it to be spring so, so darn bad...and an upcoming trip to Arizona definitely isn't helping with my warmer-weather-loving-lust. Counting down the days!

I digress. I have had a lot of you guys write to me recently asking for tips when it comes to wearing unusual color pairings and prints, and I decided to post both outfits as an example of how I do it.

I just follow one simple rule: I always try to pair at least two colors together, as It helps give the outfit a much needed solid point of reference. It helps to make the outfit look intentional versus looking like you forgot to pay the electric bill and dressed yourself in the dark. But hey--sometimes it's fun to make people wonder?

For example, in outfit one we have a burgundy belt with a burgundy bag (and coral stripes with coral pumps):

Jacket: J Crew, old (similar here) (similar here) (similar here)

Top: Forever 21 (buy it here) (a non-cropped, t-shirt option here) (similar at Old Navy for $14)

Pants: Madewell, old (similar by DVF) (similar at Topshop)

Belt: J Crew (similar here)

Pumps: Vince Camuto VC Signature Pure Pumps (buy them here + take 20% off w/ code "20GIFT") (similar at Topshop) (and love these by kate spade)

Handbag: DVF Harper Handbag, old (similar here by Cynthia Rowley) (similar by Rebecca Minkoff)

And in outfit two, we have a pinky-nude bag matched with pinky-nude flats. Oftentimes, however,  similar-hued accessories can be extremely difficult to find. If you don't feel like going on an Amazing-Race-style-expedition to find matching items, try matching your nail polish to something! Even though I didn't do it in the outfit below, I do it in my other outfits often-- it's an easy and cheap way to still make your outfit look intentional and au courant:

Jacket: J Crew, old (similar here) (similar here) (similar here)

Top: Forever 21 (buy it here) (and a non-cropped, t-shirt option here)

Belt: J Crew Patent Belt in neon azaelia (buy it here) (similar at GAP for $25)

Skirt: J Crew, old (similar here in lace) (similar here) (similar at Forever 21) 

Bag: Marc Jacobs Quilted Cooper Crossbody in Nude (buy it here) (similar here for under $100) (and at Topshop)

Flats: Valentino (buy them here) (similar here by Jeffrey Campbell) (similar here)

What unusual color combinations or prints have you guys been loving lately? Share in the comments! ♥

Outfits Of The Yesterdays (It's The Magical, Mystery Kind)

♫: 40 Day Dream - Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros

Just a quick little update today with three outfits from last week. ♥

Contrasting cap-toed flats and shoes have been an emerging trend lately, and I will admit that when I first spied them I wasn't exactly in love. Like these Lanvin flats--freaky birdie beakies, anyone?

But they can be a fun way to work a bit of color into an outfit, like these flats from Ann Taylor. They are really comfy, too--and if you're interested in them for yourself, they run true to size:

Blazer: Nordstrom's, old (similar at Forever 21) (similar at ASOS + take 10% off w/ code "SPECIAL")
Top: Ann Taylor, old (similar at Ann Taylor) (similar here, under $50)
Pants: Madewell, old (similar at Topshop) (similar here) (similar at Forever 21)
Necklace: Topshop, old (similar at Ann Taylor)
Ring: Forever 21, old (similar by Vince Camuto)
Flats: Ann Taylor Elizabeth Flats (buy them here) (similar here for under $100)
Bag: Valentino Aphrodite Satchel (similar here) (similar here) (similar here)

While the Jason Wu craze has mostly died down from last weekend (did you guys grab anything from his Target collection launch?), he has without a doubt been one of my favorite designers to watch for the past handful of years. My favorite season from him so far has been from his Fall RTW 2011 collection, and I took a teensy bit of inspiration in my next outfit from this look right here:

(kapow! via nymag.com)

But you'll have to forgive me, as my fierce fancy lace mask is at the cleaners.  Also--I kind of miss Martin & Osa:

Vest: Kohl's, old (similar here at LOFT) (similar at Bluefly) (similar at GAP, on sale)
Cardigan: Martin + Osa (similar by Three Dots) (similar here for $34.99) (similar at Target)
Lace Top: Zara, old (similar here) (similar at Forever21)
Skirt: ASOS (buy it here) (similar here) (similar by Kate Spade)
Belt: J Crew (similar at Ann Taylor) (similar at ASOS for $11)
Bracelet: Rivka Friedman (buy it here)
Rings: Rivka Friedman (similar here)
Clutch: Proenza Schouler PS1 Pochette in Neon Coral (buy it here) (similar by Reed Krakoff) (similar by Coach) 
Shoes: Christian Louboutin Piou Piou Patent Pumps (buy them here) (similar at ASOS, under $50)

And last but not least--2011 was if anything The Year Of The Blouse, and it looks like 2012 is going to be more of the same. While I love a good silk blouse, I love a funky necklace even more--they can be a great way to give a simple top or dress a little bit of pizazz.

I grabbed this chain harness from Topshop two weeks ago, and while it's currently sold out online, there are a few options over on Etsy if you want something similar for yourself. Love.

Blazer: Nordstrom's, old (similar at Forever 21) (similar at ASOS + take 10% off w/ code "SPECIAL")
Top: J Crew Talitha Blouse (buy it here) (similar here + take 15% off w/ code "UOLOVESU")
Pants: ASOS (similar here) 
Necklace: Topshop, no longer available (similar-ish here) (similar on Etsy)
Shoes: L'Wren Scott Tropical Maryjanes (buy them here) (similar by Marc Jacobs) (similar by Nine West)
Bag: Chloe Paraty in Rosewood (similar here) (similar by Rebecca Minkoff)