Polkadot Pastiche

Hi everyone!

I'm trying to do all five days of Bella's "Inspired by Nature" outfit challenge. It really is turning out to be a challenge for me. I spent a long time in my closet yesterday trying to put some things together.

I couldn't do the colors in the picture because I don't own anything light pink or purple, so I went for mood and shapes instead. I chose this outfit based on the softness of the photo--the soft, muted colors, the light and the rounded silhouettes of the elephants. I felt very peaceful looking at the picture. My outfit also has a safari aspect because the photographer was in Africa (obvious leap, I know).

Thank you for looking! Comments and suggestions are always appreciated.

Silk Tunic: Anthropologie
Skirt: Ann Taylor
Shoes: Cole Haan
Bag: Anthropologie
Belt: Swapped

Hi Everyone!

The weather has been really gorgeous here lately. Temps have been in the low 80s and it's been dry enough that I can open all the windows. Hooray!

We share a front landing with our neighbor, who is a very nice 50-something lady (she has a sign on her door that says "What happens at Grandma's, stays at Grandma's"). She came out to find out what we were doing and kind of gave us the third degree. My husband was no help, because I like to be a little diplomatic, and he's very forthright. "We're taking pictures of her outfit so she can post them on the internet for her friends." I'm all, "It's sounds weirder than it really is!" But she was really nice and said I looked really cute. I think it's easier to take photos like this in front of strangers than people you know and might see again.
: )

I got this top on sale at Anthropologie recently. I love the little snail polka dots on it and I think it will be perfect for hot weather because it's open in the back and very breezy. It overlaps so my bra won't show (unless it's a windy day, heh). A breeze blew by in the second photo, so you can see how it kind of opens up a bit.

Thank you! : )

Blouse: Anthropologie
Pants: J. Crew
Shoes: Cole Haan
Bag: Marc by Marc Jacobs

Hi Everyone!

When Angie wrote about open knit sweaters recently, I realized I had one in my closet that was waiting to be worn. So I built an outfit around it and this is what I came up with. I have a couple more ideas ideas for it that I want to try while the temperature is still below 90. I'm also making an effort to wear my light pink skinny jeans as much as possible before I have to put them away until November. The necklace is one I bought last year for a friend's wedding and haven't worn much since. I guess I'm digging deep in my closet right now. I wore this outfit to a meeting last Tuesday and got a lot of compliments on my shoes, which was really sweet. : )

Thanks everyone! All comments and suggestions are appreciated. : )

Sweater: Cynthia Rowley (via TJ Maxx)
Denim: J Brand
Shoes: Seychelles
Bag: Anthropologie
Necklace: J. Crew

Ahoy everyone!

I am trying to wear all my clothes that are appropriate for our spring (under 90 degrees) before it gets too hot. That means my skinny jeans, clamdiggers and shirts that must be layered are coming out to play.

I picked this shirt up at TJ Maxx a while ago. I love it, but it's actually made of a polyester knit, and as you can see, it must be layered. So once the hot weather hits, it will probably stay in my closet until October or so. I wore this outfit for a casual day shopping with a friend at an outlet mall. All the elements are uncomplicated and easy to take off and on when trying on new things.

Thanks, everyone! Comments and suggestions are always appreciated! :)

Dolman-Sleeve Top: BCBG (via TJ Maxx)
Tank: Banana Republic
Clamdiggers: J. Crew
Sailboat Necklace: J. Crew
Shoes: Me Too

Hello everyone!

This outfit is inspired by Kari's WIW post here. I loved the combination of nautical stripes and black. I don't wear black that often, so my go-to choices for this skirt would probably have been white, red or yellow. But I thought her choice looked great and was also somewhat unexpected. So when I picked up this top at the Rack a few days ago, I knew exactly how I wanted to wear it. Thank you, Kari! : )

Top: Nanette Lepore
Skirt: J. Crew
Shoes: Seychelles
Handbag: Marc by Marc Jacobs

This outfit is pretty straightforward, but I wanted a chance to wear the new "statement" necklace I got last week. I like it a lot, but I'm still trying to figure out how to wear big jewelry. Any ideas?

It's not too hot today, so I was able to wear a cotton cardigan and not feel overheated. Also picked up these high-waisted seersucker shorts at TJ Maxx yesterday. They are super lightweight and I like the sailor button detailing on them. Do you think they need a belt? I thought about wearing a belt with this, but then I thought it would be too much with the big necklace.

Thank you!

Cardigan: J. Crew
Shorts: Sanro
Shoes: Seychelles
Necklace: J. Crew

Although it's not too hot today, I put together my first summer outfit and my husband was kind enough to snap a few quick photos before dashing off to work. I'm trying to stick to my hot weather wardrobe resolutions.

This is the light denim vest that I talked about in that post. It is much thinner than any denim I've seen, but that is going to work in my favor so I'm keeping it. The skirt is linen, which I don't usually wear because wrinkles drive me crazy, but I took the leap and got this same skirt in yellow and navy blue. I've already worn the navy blue one twice this week, and it is very cool. It feels almost like I'm not wearing anything on bottom (I had to look down to make sure my skirt hadn't blown up a couple of times). I think they will be perfect for our weather, and I guess I will learn to deal with wrinkles. I'm working hard to put together some interesting, casual outfits to stave off the summer blahs, so comments and suggestions are of course, appreciated! : )

Blouse: Equipment
Denim Vest: Madewell
Skirt: J. Crew
Shoes: Bass
Clutch: Anthropologie

Hi everyone!

This is an older outfit from January, which some of you may already have seen, but I wanted to post it here so I can put it on my new YLF blog! :)

I wore this outfit to a book signing when one of my favorite authors came to town recently (see photo #5). I was sooo nervous meeting her, but she was super sweet. It was a really fun evening.

Thank you! Of course, suggestions and comments are always appreciated.

Jacket: Sister Moon. Chambray Shirt: J. Crew. Pants: Gap. Handbag: Kate Spade (via TJ Maxx). Watch, Bracelet: Michael Kors, Isharya (via TJ Maxx).

I hope it's okay if I post an outfit photo, since I haven't been able to comment much lately. :)

I got these jeans recently. They are the ones I asked about sizing up on a few weeks ago. I'm trying to wear all my pants and sweaters as much as possible before it gets too warm here. The sweater is boxy and cropped (as you can probably tell), and I wasn't exactly sure how to wear it at first. I think it will work best with skirts, but I wanted to see if I could pull it off with pants. I layered a longer tank underneath, but when I left it untucked, it just looked kind of messy to me.

Any comments/suggestions are appreciated. Thank you!
: )