Thankful

I am so thankful for this lil blog and each of you who visit! And even those of you who don't. Case in point, my little brother who, upon seeing me arrive at my dad's house for Thanksgiving, gave me a once over, shook his head, and said, "I just don't get it" referring to my outfit. It's moments like that one, that keep me motivated to try out the next trend or remix my closet. 

I Heart Ronson shirt, Heart Soul lace skirt, Hue Tights, Nine West sandals, Francesca's pearls, J.Crew coat, and Petsmart collar on the handsome Hurley

Roy G. Biv

You know when things are next to each other in your closet and you say to yourself, "Huh...I never thought of wearing that and that together, but it'll work!" That's what happened with this outfit. This, ladies and gentleman, is the precise reason that I continually rearrange and redistribute the colors and types of clothing in my closet. Currently, the whites are in front, followed by red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, brown, and black. Can you tell I read the Roy G. Biv book as a kid? Maybe with this outfit, I was thinking more Bog y Riv, the story of a bog and a river that came together into a beautiful loch in the Scottish Highlands. Since the water flowing out of bogs has a characteristic brown color, due to the dissolved peat tannins, and the river, of course, is blue, I've clearly personified this timeless and classic tale. Oh, you haven't heard of it? Yeah, me neither.

Norma Kamali for Walmart hoodie, Francesca's blouse, Old Navy striped tee, NY & Co jeans, Target headband, Club Monaco fur vest, Hot Sox socks, and White Mountain booties

Mocked and Loaded

The last time I wore a white turtleneck was part of my pom pons uniform in high school. My neck itches just thinking about the thick polyester of which it was made. This resurgence of the white (not black, brown, or a bright color) turtleneck is not polyester (thank goodness) but a cotton/spandex blend that is form fitting and comfy under just about anything. It infuses a mod 60s look or just enough extra to make it seem like you just threw it on haphazardly to layer up for the colder months. The perfect amount of undone.

The thing about this trend? It doesn't have to match anything that you're wearing, or planning on wearing (evidenced by the runway as well as the stress styles of Hanneli, Beth, and Krystal). Since white is a non-color, literally, look at it that way. Pair it with all colors and textures, but keep it to crewneck or boatneck lines, rather than a deep v-neck. I can't promise that I won't go into a dance routine if I hear "Angel in the Centerfold" while wearing one, but I'm sure there are worse things. 

Pretty Things

Albertus Swanepoel for Target hat, H&M blazer and shirt, XXI pants, Nine West gloves, Nordstrom Rack necklace

Coat of Arms

My style is anything but simplistic. The more layers, colors, and textures, the happier I am. I would even venture to say that there is a direct correlation to my daily happiness and the amount of items I am wearing in a given outfit. That being said, I can appreciate the women who personify simplistic style. I'm thinking Kate Middleton, specifically. She consistently exudes an understated class in her day looks and evening attire. Personally, I would be slightly panicked at walking out the door in just a dress, without, for instance, a statement necklace, chunky booties, and/or patterned tights, but gosh darn she pulls it off. One of the many reasons she stole the Prince's heart rather then yours truly, I'm sure. Recently, she has nailed the look of the winter coat. She let the coat's color and silhouette flow on her frame without interruption from adornments or extras and maintains the coat's hem and neckline as the focal points.

There is a time and place for the leather bomber, parka, and fur vest over a utility jacket (as has been displayed in other posts); however, respect the overcoat for what it is - a lil dose of a princess-like grace and elegance in your every day.

Old Navy Women's Wool-Blend Double Breasted Coat

Old Navy Women's Wool Blend Car Coat

J.Crew Double Cloth Metro Coat

east5th Long Cashmere Blend Coat

Print Edition

The printed maxi dress. I didn't realize what I was missing until I had one. With all of the colors and shapes in this Nordstrom bp version, it's still incredibly versatile instead of limiting. Very similar to a white button down or black leggings, this can be dressed up or down through accessories, layers, or just being left alone. Not at all similar, you say? I beg to differ. Evidence below of a day to night look with one loud and proud dress. 

Dress with Loft flyaway cardigan, Target turtleneck, Van Eli knee high boots, Pac Sun purse, Warehouse belt

Dress with Gap leather coat, Aldo leopard pumps, Club Monaco tank

Semi inspired by District of Chic

Feelin' Fair Isle

Urban Outfitters sweater, J.Crew chambray shirt, American Eagle skirt, Nine West boots and socks, and Gap hat

Need some fabulous fair isle in your life? Check out these beauts.

Zara Printed Poncho, Urban Outfitters Vintage Fair Isle Sweater, O'Hanlon Mills Fair Isle Slippers, Sparkle & Fade Fair Isle Legging

Here's the story...of a lovely lady

NY & Co cape and skirt, vintage polyester shell, Gap turtleneck, LOFT socks, Nine West shoes, Cole Haan sunglasses, Target earrings, bangles from Cambden Market in London, Ring from Crossroads

Knee high socks and polyester. I consider nothing more quintessentially Brady Bunch. Except maybe Florence Henderson's flipped out psuedo mullet, which I proudly rock daily. In the spirit of the beloved series that lasted between September 26, 1969, to March 8, 1974, I used "picnik" in Picasa to give my outfit photos a 1960s look. 

How do I compare to the lady Bradys?

Vintage

Vin·tage (adj.): characterized by excellence, maturity, and enduring appeal; classic. 

While wearing this dress, I felt equal parts June Cleaver, Jerry Hall, and Raquel Welch. Since I could see trendy women from three different decades wearing this dress, it's vintage. Since this shape (1980s) and print (1950s) epitomize a specific trend in a by gone era, it's vintage. And, while an LBD, strand of pearls, or a designer bag can be classified as vintage, I think it's much more interesting and challenging to find the "in your face" items that make people say, "You look like ________, from that show on Nick at Nite!" or "Were you planning on heading to Studio 54 later?" or even "Did you steal that from one of the Golden Girls?" All of which I consider a compliment.

 

Vintage dress and necklace, LOFT belt, rsvp heels, J.Crew blazer, XXI chain bag, and Urban Decay lipstick in "Revolution"

A Late Halloween

In looking to winterize certain items, I think that nothing is easier than throwing a black jersey dress under a summer dress. See?

This coral shift was, when temps cooperated, worn alone with platform sandals, but to continue bringing this bright into the colder months, it's gotta be layered in with some other basics and amped up with some lace hose.

XXI black dress, coral Target dress, Target tights, necklace, bracelet, and earrings, Nine West booties

Codswallop

Many people only own tartan with which they feel associated, be it through a clan, family, surname, or military unit. Others choose their tartan only out of personal taste. This, my friends, is where I fall. Since the Victorian era, authorities on tartan have claimed that there is an etiquette to wearing it. Thank goodness I didn't come into contact with one of these authorities or an anglophile while in this alley. Otherwise I may have had a "barney" or received a "bollocking" with some "bloke" or "bird" leaving them "cheesed off" and me having made a real "cockup." As you can see, I only made it to the "c's" in this list of British slang. 

Snow?

Club Monaco vest, H & M jacket, XXI Plaid Shirt, Target turtleneck, Old Navy skirt, Francesca's pearls, Nine West mary janes, Love That Pink lipstick

Inspired by Atlantic-Pacific

Glittery Ring

Revlon Gold Coin and Sally Hansen Rockstar Pink

Since I am in no way close to showcasing a diamond sparkler on my all important ring finger, I figured, why not make it pop just the same? Just throw some glitter on that sucker and call it a day. Never has there been more of a no holds barred season for manicures. Teal, black, orange, blue, purple, and ombre nails have all made there way to the runways. And with so many inexpensive options, what's the harm in just being ballsy with one stinkin' nail? The way I've found it most effective is to paint all your nails the same color. Allow them to dry, then paint on two coats of glitter and follow with a top coat. Hopefully I can get more talented and draw some leopard spots or a houndstooth pattern later on in the season. Maybe just on my left hand though since I'm not fully ambidextrous.