Not Just Any Mint Top

Outfit: Shorts - Old Navy, Shoes - Elle, Top - Left of Center (Anthropologie), Necklace - Charlotte Russe


Have I mentioned to you guys that I am obsessed with anything and everything mint? When I saw this top at Anthropologie I immediately love it because of the color, then I saw the back. I LOVE finding tops with openings in the back, especially ones that will show show back without forcing you to wear a bandeau or unique bra. This top is at Anthropologie right now at a great price point (for Anthro) of $38.00.

I already now that as the warm season approaches, the mint items in my closet will start to multiple.

Also, I found these amazing cobalt mary jane heels at Kohl's for 16.99! Are they not the cutest thing?! I am so obsessed with the shape of the heel.

Floral and Stripes

Outfit: Top - Zara, Necklace - Forever 21, Jacket - Old Navy, Watch/Bracelet - Michael Kors, Jeans - Joe's Jeans, Wedges - Aldo

I love mixing patterns. As I have mentioned before, my favorite pattern to mix with is stripes because I feel like you could throw any pattern with it and it would go. This striped top, however, is not just any striped top. If you notice the shoulders, they are pinned and tucked under, creating a pointed look. I am so obsessed with this look. This is a top I would have bought in several colors, but unfortunately it was only available in stripes. I am happy I at least got this one.

Now on to the shoes. I walked into Aldo the this weekend and saw these shoes on the sale rack. I knew exactly why they were on the sale rack - they are velvet, floral, pointy toe wedges. Most people shy away from shoes like these, however, I was attracted to them. I think if more people at least tried these shoes on, they would be able to see their potential. I love every aspect of them.

Is anyone else loving this pointed toe as much as I am?

Playing with lines

Outfit: Dress - Anthropologie ($78 originally sale $30), Jacket - Old Navy ($35), Bag - Vintage ($15) Shoes - Target ($15), Belt - H&M ($15)

It happened. I admit it. I am a complete sucker for maxi dresses now. I don't know how it happened or when it happened but in 2 short months my collection of maxi's has grown by four. I think I have now discovered what type of maxi dresses I like so I know what I am looking for.

While I still love my blue paisley maxi dress I wore earlier, what I look for now are thinner, simpler dresses that I can play up and make casual with sweaters, jackets and accessories.  Also, I tend to be more attracted to maxi's that are more straight from top to bottom, with a slight A-line forming at the calf. 

I picked up this dress at Anthropologie recently and I was initially attracted to the colors. Then I noticed the amazing way the stripes are laid out on this dress. Horizontal stripes can be intimidating for a lot of people because they tend to make you look wide. However, on this dress, starting on the hip there is added material with stripes going vertical creating a slimming, lean look. The result is so flattering and quite beautiful the way it falls. I am completely taken with this dress. Additionally it has long sleeves which is great for the coming cool season. You may also notice that my favorite jacket to wear with maxi's is my jean one. I think it is because wearing a long dress can make you feel formal, but adding jean to the mix also make something more casual.

PS - Happy Halloween! I hope you all had an amazing weekend and a great safe night tonight! One of my great friends and I were Wayne and Garth from Wayne's World. What do you think?

Completely Casual

Outfit: Jacket - Old Navy ($25), Moccasins - H&M ($25), Shirt - Foreign Exchange ($12), Necklace - Forever 21 ($8)

While comfortability is not something I specifically search for in clothing, it is a nice bonus (I am always willing to sacrifice in the name of fashion). However, as the temperature decreases I find myself living in leggings. Luckily, I happen to love the way leggings look, so much so that I would probably wear them even if they were uncomfortable. When I am in an extra cozy mood, I immediately reach for my Foreign Exchange wishie top (I refer to dandelions as wishies). It is a beautiful color, perfect length and everyone loves a good graphic tee. Oversized graphic tees are really a closet staple and I suggest everyone invest in them. Pair them with skinny jeans, leggings, liquid leggings, skirts, blazers...the possibilities are endless.

I also predict that I will be wearing my moccasins a lot more this coming season :)

PS - After I took these pictures I was attacked by my puppies. Probably one of my favorite things.

Summer Haze

Outfit: Dress - LC($32), Jacket - Old Navy($30)

Summer is winding down and the temperature has dropped just a bit. I am finding myself living in this cotton maxi dress. I absolutely love how comfortable it is; I often feel like I am wearing pajamas. In the morning when I am out the door (and haven't picked out my outfit beforehand) I always reach for dresses. Starting in about February, when hem lengths in stores begin to rise, and ending in October, when all Summer sale is gone, I pick up as many cute casual dresses as possible. They are always so easy to throw on, add some accessories and then be ready for the day.

I am always surprised when I go to friends houses and find they are so low on casual dresses because it would be hard for me to live without them! This maxi dress is LC by Lauren Conrad and I love experimenting with it. I often tie up one side to add texture to the dress and on cooler days I throw a cropped black sweater over it. I love that look for fall by the way; I suggest investing in a crop sweater to throw over your maxi dress to make then fall appropriate. The look is very cute.

Happy Monday everyone!

No Playing Favorites With Your Clothes

Photo Credit - Andrew Arnold (andrewarnold.net)

Outfit: Pink Short - Old Navy ($15), Top - Forever 21 ($18), Belt - American Eagle ($30), Wristlet - Vintage ($15), Gold Leaf Necklace - Vintage ($3)

Have you ever purchased something you really liked, but when you took it home somehow it got pushed in the back of your closet? Therefore, it rarely got worn? Because I am a "clothing collector" (like that term? It makes me feel a little better about my addiction) this happens to me way too much. However, I have made a conscious effort to put playing favorites with my clothing behind me. Because, after all, they are all beautiful. 

Which brings me to these pink shorts. I purchased them about a year and a half ago at Old Navy and unfortunately for the past year they haven't gotten the attention they deserve. Sometimes during the summer I get so stuck in wearing my jean cut-offs that it ends up limiting me. When moving, packing and unpacking, I realized all the adorable items I wasn't wearing nearly enough. It almost felt like I had gotten something new. 

Now I realize these short go with so many items I have in my closet (and my moms hehe). I've paired them with this great suede scalloped top I have "borrowed" from my Mom. One of the many perks of moving home, besides saving money, is that my moms closet is like a store that is always open. I am very lucky to have a Mom with a keen eye for fashion. 

So, the moral of the story? I encourage you all to look in the depths of your closet for those items getting little to no attention, pull them out, put them on and take them out to play. If it's something you haven't seen in a while you may get the rush of buying something new! And what a lovely feeling that is.

Never Say Never - Jean on Jean

I will admit, I'm sure people have heard me say, years ago, "I would NEVER be caught wearing jean on jean." Well as I've matured both in life and fashion, I have learned to no longer say "never" (in both life and fashion).

I bought this jean jacket about a year ago with the intention of wearing it with floral dresses, for example like the maxi dress below, however, while leaving the house on an impromptu trip to the dog park I grabbed this jacket and was out the door. And then I realized how much I loved it with these much lighter wash jean shorts. Now, I'm not recommending you go out and buy a matching jean top and bottoms, but I think that contrasting jean washes such as my pairing above can be a great casual look.

I also particularly love it with a white shirt like my Marie Antoinette one above (a gift from Naz). It's sort of like a twist on the classic jean and white tee look.

Oh, and just a tip:

You can always find second-hand jean jackets at thrift shops for a great deal!

Outfit: Jacket - Old Navy ($30), Top - Coco de Ceour ($35), Shorts - Forever 21 ($20), Sandals - Target ($15)

Maxi Dresses For All

Raise your hand if you have a maxi dress? (ME!) Raise your hand if it took you forever to find the perfect one? (ME!)

I had been liking maxi dresses since they became popular about a year ago. My issue was that I could never find one that I particularly liked. This spring, H&M carried this blue paisley maxi dress. My favorite part about this dress is the blunging back. With with length of maxi dresses, its important to find one that shows a little skin at the neckline, and I think this dress achieves that beautifully.

When looking for maxi dresses here are a few tips:

1. Length - make sure that the dress is long enough to cover your feet. Your feet should just show when you walk. Otherwise the length starts to look a little awkward.

2. Day or Night - One of the great things about maxi dresses is their flexibility. They can be worn on a sunny day outing or on a dinner date at night.

3. Don't be Afraid - Floor length dresses can be intimidating. I know I was a bit nervous to wear them in the beginning, but once you wear it out once you realize just how cute it is and your fears will melt away. Fashion is all about taking risks anyways.

Outfit: Dress - H&M ($20), Jacket - Old Navy($30), Feather - Pride Festival ($7), Shoes - Target ($15)