Black & Nude

I don't ever wear black and nude. I normally like to pair nude with browns, and lighter colors like red, yellow, and pink.  But then I saw Kim looking so fab in this and so I decided to pair my nude pumps with a black ensemble.  Yes, I realize this isn't a groundbreaking pairing, but it's new for me so...whatever!

***Me- Blazer and Pants: Sears; Pumps: Target; Bag: Topshop

Photo Credit:  stylishstarlets.blogspot.it; outfitidentifier.com; dailymail.co.uk

Orange Maxi

I had been searching for an orange maxi dress since 2009! What I saw was either way too expensive, not the right shade, or not long enough.  Every year since, I've been on a quest to find one and could never seem to come across one that met all of my requirements. This year, I actually forgot about renewing my search until I came across this photo of Joy Bryant in an orange maxi. (Isn't she so incredibly gorgeous smh.) And then I finally found one...at Topshop!! And it was long enough, and the price was decent, and I loved the color.  And because it's fall, I added my olive cargo jacket....
SN: I took these pics when it was still pretty warm, I've just gotten very distracted lately (*shrugs*)

***Me- Dress: Topshop;  Jacket: Charlotte Russe;  Shoes: Guess;  Bag: Aldo

 

Photo Credit: http://divalocity.tumblr.com

Leopard Takeover

So I saw Beyonce in this leopard
 (or tiger or wildcat) tee and leopard print Topshop shorts sometime last year.  The thing that drew me to this look is the fact that she paired a tee with a leopard on it with a leopard print.  I know, it sounds basic, but I loved this different type of pairing instead of what I usually see when people wear leopard print.   And because I'm always looking for new ways to wear things, I figured I would try a similar pairing.










 *** Me- Top: Cafepress; Leggings: Forever 21; Cardigan: Charlotte Russe; Sandals: Bakers

Photo Credit: Celebritystyle.com

"Something Blue"

I attended a gorgeous wedding yesterday. (Congrats to the lovely couple!)  My outfit was inspired by a popular wedding phrase, "Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue". My clutch is an old purchase from my days when I worked at Charlotte Russe.  My dress is new (well, I hadn't worn it, even though it was purchased last year) and blue. And....the sock I used to form the bun in my hair was borrowed from an old boyfriend and it "somehow" found it's way in my sock drawer permanently LOL. (Because it's such a long trouser sock, I figured it would make a great bun stuffer!) I'm so happy I finally got to wear this dress because I'd been dying to wear it.  Plus, it's a perfect example of the type of clothing I am starting to gravitate towards- bold or black, and simple with a twist.

**Me- Dress: Nicole by Nicole Miller (JCP); Shoes: Payless; Clutch: Charlotte Russe

Peter Pilotto Print

 

 When this Target/designer collab with Peter Pilotto launched in February, it was way too cold to even attempt to wear this skirt-even with tights (which to me, would have taken away from the print).  So, I told myself I would wait until spring....and I ended up waiting so long that I forgot I purchased it!  Anyways, I really loved the matching top and skirt combo that the model has on, but the shirt sold out super quick :(  And because I didn't end up wearing it until the dead of summer, I guess it worked out that I didn't get the top.







 ***Me- Top: Guess; Skirt: Peter Pilotto for Target; Bag: Cato; Shoes: Payless

 Photo Credit: Fashionista.com

Periwinkle Pretty

So this is another color I don't come across often, periwinkle.  It's really quite gorgeous.  I don't normally like blue/purple and pink together (reminds me of babies).
 However, it didn't look so juvenile the way Emmy Rossum (whose style I love as much as I love Jessica Alba's) paired it, so I added a pink clutch as well.

**Me- Top: Forever 21; Bottoms and Necklace: Sears; Bag: JCP

Photo Credit: Instyle

Marigold, Mustard, and a Dash of Pomegranate

So it's no surprise how much I love Instyle for their dressing tips.  Instyle has this color book (and app) that tells you what colors look good paired together and it's really been my go-to for trying to mix new color schemes and utilize all the clothing I have in my closet (always looking for different ways to wear things-gotta make the most of money spent!).

I really love marigold but it's not a color I come across very often.  The marigold dress that I am wearing fits a bit weird (like a mix of static cling and being a size too large...) so for the past two years, I have been using it as a bathing suit cover-up.  This time I wore it to work and using the suggested color pairings, added a white vest and pomegranate (red is what most call it lol) belt.  Though mustard wasn't a suggested color to add, I did, and I think it worked :)

**Me- Dress and Vest: Forever 21; Belt: Target; Shoes: Arturo Chiang; Bag: Steve Madden

 Photo Credit: Instyle

Casual Fridays

So my job has casual Fridays which I love because I really don't love office attire and it gives me a chance to wear some of the countless non-work items that I'm constantly buying!  This particular Friday, I was running a bit late (well, that's usually every Friday for some reason????), so I needed an outfit that would come together quick with no thought process involved.  After seeing Elle MacPherson in her Isabel Marant jeans in an issue of People Style Watch, I decided to grab a pair of jeans I have that are similar to hers.  These jeans have only been worn exactly 3 times since I purchased them in '09 or '10.  I love them but I hate them because I'm never fully happy with what I pair them with.  Every year, I say I'm going to give them away, but change my mind at the last minute in hopes that I will finally find a way to wear them that I love.  I've tried red, a similar shade of blue, and ivory and it was cute, but idk....  I did say that maybe I would try it with a dark denim shirt but I haven't found one.  Anyways, for this time, I paired mine how Elle did, with a gray tee, and cognac shoes and accessories.  I liked it, but I still didn't LOVE it :( Guess I'll try the denim shirt or maybe something fushia/pink next time....or just give them away........


***Me- Jeans and Bag : Forever 21; Shoes: Carlos Santana; Top: Charlotte Russe

Photo Credit: People Style Watch mag

Red Variation

Red has always been a color I stayed away from until about the last 2 years.  Now, I embrace it as an instant pop to any outfit that I just love.  However, after wearing it with navy, black , white, gray on occasions, and leopard print, I became bored and wanted to experiment with other ways to pair it.  I remember first seeing Amy Adams' Valentino Golden Globes gown earlier this year and loving the burgundy and red combination.  I later saw Emma Stone wearing a similar combination of Roland Mouret separates.  I really took note of the fact that her shoe choice was bronze instead of gold or neutral, which I feel is what most would have chosen.

I paired my tomato red pants with a super old and forgotten cranberry tank.  Since I was going to work, I covered up with a beige blazer and threw on two more super old pieces-a bronze necklace and matching bronze heels to complete the ensemble.

***Me- Blazer-Forever 21; Tank-so old I don't remember; Pants: Express; Shoes: Sam Edelman; Bag: Guess; Necklace: Target

 

 Photo Credit: whowhatwear.com; alisachung.com

Turquoise Statement Necklace

I've wanted a big turquoise necklace since I saw Eva Mendes in hers at the 2009 Golden Globe Awards. At the time when I was searching high and low,  I never found one I liked, just pendants and stones.  I think turquoise is such a gorgeous color, especially in the spring.  Then, at this year's Golden Globes, Sophia Vergara wore a turquoise necklace that made me want to go and hunt for one again. (Btw, I wouldn't have paired her shade of turquoise with black. I felt it should have been more green than blue but that's just my opinion)  This time I ended up finding one from Alloy.  Though I like Sophia and Eva's necklaces, the design seemed too dressy, like I could only wear it to a ball or something lol.  I like the design that I found because it can be worn casually with a tee, jeans, and heels, or dressy like I did here, with my coral Jennifer Lopez ruched wrap dress and heels.  

SN: I am so so happy that it's finally warm :)


**Me- Dress: Jennifer Lopez for Kohl's; Shoes: BCBG; Bag: Aldo; Necklace: Alloy Apparel

 Photo Credits: www.pinterest.com; www.people.com; www.myfacehunter.com; www.starsandco.fr