Color and Confidence: GREEN

Today, I share with you my favorite color..GREEN!

Dress:  LOFT Petites (Available here)

I love many shades of green, but the teal shade of this dress is my absolute favorite!  I fell in love with this dress at first sight.  In fact, those of you who follow me on Facebook may remember me sharing this one with you.

Necklace:  The Limited

Besides the color, the shape of the dress is perfect. And, I can rarely say no to a maxi!!

I'm in love with the lightweight fabric and the slinky feel of this dress.  It has a 70s glam feel that I adore! The relaxed vibe is easy, and the dress has a comfort factor that makes me feel super sexy.  Give me a dress like this over a body-con one any day! 

Gold bracelet:  The Limited (Available here)

As much as I love this dress, it's also a big step outside of my comfort zone.  

This dress features a backless silhouette.  My back is not one of my favorite parts of my body.  The back of this dress is gorgeous, but I couldn't possibly go so bare in the back...or could I?

Shoes:  Target (old)

I decided to go for it!  This past year has really been about stepping outside of my comfort zone when it comes to fashion. 

I first started with shorter skirts.  While I was adjusting to showing off more of my legs, I also started showing off my arms more.  In the past, I RARELY went sleeveless.  Now, I'm in spaghetti straps! 
I have also experimented with crop tops, though I find at my place in life, they are mostly not for me. 

Trying all of these new shapes and exposing my body more has really helped increase my body confidence.  It was very difficult at first, but it really does get easier with time.  In fact, I rarely second guess showing my arms anymore, and I LOVE rocking my legs in a mini!

Ring:  Shoxie.com
Midi rings:  Torrid (Available here and here)

Bracelets:  Torrid & LOFT (Available here)

Choosing to expose certain parts of my body has always been for myself (or for my love of fashion experimentation).  So for that reason, I'm also very comfortable in realizing that there are certain parts of my body that I simply don't love showing off or styles that I just don't love on me (like body-con dresses, for example). 

Maybe it's my social science background, but I think if you are accurately going to decide what works for you and what doesn't, then it takes serious experimentation -- trial and error, testing and re-testing over time based on your changing body, changing preferences, and changing lifestyle needs.

Clutch:  New York & Company

Experimenting with fashion and choosing to "go for it" can be very liberating.  Whenever you're in the store, looking at something on the hanger and thinking, "I couldn't wear that,"  I implore you to give it a try!  You might just be surprised at how great something looks on you.

Also, if you really, really love a new trend, a different hemline, or are just really hot this summer and don't feel like being confined in long sleeves or pants, I hope you choose to dare yourself and push your own boundaries!

Again, trying something new, trying something we have spent years talking ourselves out of, can be scary and uncomfortable.  When we have talked ourselves out of showing our arms, for example, we aren't inclined to look in the mirror and think we look great in a sleeveless top right from the start.  It takes practice to overcome the rules we have created for ourselves or those we have internalized from social cues.

Step out of your comfort zone this summer, and try something new.  As Marie Denee from The Curvy Fashionista says, "Don't Knock It, Til You Try It"!

It strikes me that true freedom is being able to be ourselves without the fear of embarrassment or ridicule from others (even if that ridicule is unfortunately sometimes real).  While clothing choices are certainly trivial in comparison to the life and death aspects of freedom, on this Independence Day, I encourage you to be yourself and to wear what makes you happy.

Happy 4th of July to all my American readers!!! 

Looking for more ways to wear green?  Check out these past posts here:

Deep teal and emerald work well in a graphic print or skinny pants:

Below-the-Knee and Midi Skirts

Sweater Season

Love pastels?  Mint green is a terrific option:

Mint To Be

Cutouts and Coated Denim

A pop of green on a pencil skirt adds a whole new dimension to an otherwise black outfit:

Green With Envy

Try a green cardigan or jacket for work or play:

Spearmint and Orange

Top O' The Evenin' To Ya

P.S.  I took pics of today's look on two separate days, so the accessories are slightly different.  I was having "nip" issue the first day that demanded a re-take. #bloggerproblems LOL

Mixing Pinks and Greens (Plus a Jewelry Feature from Ixora Boutique)

Hope you're all having a wonderful Sunday!

I'm enjoying the Oscars while dreaming of warmer weather.  We are in the middle of yet ANOTHER winter storm, but it's March!  It's supposed to be getting warm again!  Come on, spring!!!!!

Today, I'm excited to introduce you to a couple gorgeous pieces of jewelry from Ixora Boutique - a Kitsy Lane store.  I had always liked a lot of the jewelry offered, but I hadn't actually tried any.

Recently, my lovely sister loaned me some samples, and even gifted me a few! 

The jewelry is beautiful in person, and I've been having fun coming up with ways to style it.  Today, I feature these amazing rose quartz earrings (my birthstone) and moonstone ring.

Earrings:  Ixora Boutique (Available here)

Ring:  Ixora Boutique (Available here)

This first look is perfect for evening.  I love that it has a formality that works with the sophisticated jewelry.  I describe this look as romantic rock-n-roll.  

While the outfit is neutral, the pops of soft pink and mint green are right on trend.  Accessories are a great way to incorporate trendy colors into your wardrobe.

Dress:  The Limited
Jacket:  Target
Boots:  Target (Available here)
Purse:  Forever 21 (Available here)

Unfortunately, I did not get a ton of great pics with this look as it was way too cold and I was freezing all my bits off!  ;-/

I love the idea of dressing these pieces up for a night out with a lace dress and leather jacket, but since these pieces already have a formality, I especially love the idea of juxtaposing them with a casual look as I did here:

Jeans:  The Limited
Blouse:  LOFT Petites (Sold out on-line; May be available in stores here)
Ring:  Ixora Boutique (Available here)

Earrings:  Ixora Boutique (Available here)
Jacket:  Old Navy

Soft pink is my favorite color to wear with army green, so I love the mix of this top and earrings with the army jacket.

Bag:  The Limited
Shoes:  Target

Do you prefer wearing formal pieces for evening or in a more casual way?

Shop all the fabulous pieces at Ixora here.

For this lace dress in another look, see here.
For this jacket in other looks, see here, here, and here.

For these jeans in another look, see here.
For the pink blouse in another outfit, see here.
For the army jacket in other looks, see here and here.

Soft Separates

Today's look features a spring-ready work look.

Pants:  The Limited (Available here)
Blouse:  The Limited (Sold out on-line; may be available in stores)

I paired navy trousers with a mint crochet top and ivory herringbone blazer.  

Blazer:  The Limited (old) (Similar here)

I love the softness of the colors of the top and jacket and the crisp contrast with the navy.  Mint is one of my favorite colors and paired with ivory, reminds me of the beach for some reason.

Earrings:  Hand-made

.The crochet and herringbone print add visual interest, but the overall shapes and cuts of this these pieces are very office-appropriate.

Ring:  Purchased at local jewelry show
Tote:  Target (old)

Do you like mint green?  What is your work dress code?
 
For this top in another look, see here.
To see this blazer styled differently, see here and here.
To see these pants in other looks, see here, here and here.

Cutouts and Coated Denim

Hi everyone! 

Today, I ran to Tar-Jay to do some last minute Easter shopping and this is what I wore:

Sweater:  Forever 21+ (Available here)

I recently got this sweater from Forever 21.  I love the cutouts and the seafoam green color. 

I love wearing oversized sweaters with skinny pants for a casual look.

Coated denim jeans:  Target (Available here)

Necklace:  ILY Couture (Available here)

I wore the leopard flats to the store. The man and I were thinking about going to the movies.  We opted not to go, but I probably would have worn the heels for the date.

Flats:  Target (Similar here)

Heels:  Target (old)
Rings:  New York & Company

What's your go-to errands outfit?

Happy Easter to all those who celebrate!!

For these jeans in other looks, see here and here.
For more oversized sweater/skinny pants looks, see here, here, and here.

Mint to Be

Today, I paired this faux leather gored skirt with a mint crochet tee and beaded chainlink necklace.  

Skirt:  The Limited (Available here)
Heels:  Prabal Gurung for Target (Not available on-line; available in some stores; see here)

For work, I kept the look simple (and warm) with a classic black blazer, black mesh tights, and ankle boots.

Blazer:  The Limited (Similar here)
Tote:  New York & Company (Similar )

I debated whether to wear the cropped blazer or classic suit jacket this morning.  I opted for the longer blazer for work, but after seeing the pictures, I definitely prefer the cropped jacket with this look as the proportions work better together.

I had originally conceived of this skirt and top as part of an evening look.  Floral lace-up heels from Prabal Gurung's recent line for Target and a straw clutch help make the outfit evening-ready.  

I love the fresh and modern shape of this skirt.  Leather is somewhat unexpectedly a major trend for spring.  Expect to see many leather and faux-leather options in stores this spring.

Earrings:  The Limited (Available here)
Necklace:  Target (Sold out on-line; may be available in some stores)

I'm also super excited about all of the mint green items popping up in stores.  It's one of my favorite colors!

Clutch:  Target (old)
Bracelets:  Express, Claire, local jewelry show

Would you wear a faux leather skirt in spring? Will you be wearing mint green this spring?

To see cropped blazer in other looks, see here, here, here, and here.

See classic blazer in other looks, here, here, here, here, here, and here.

Denim and Tweed

This is a look from a previous casual Friday at work.

Jacket:  The Limited (Available at eloquii.com here )
Jeans:  The Limited (Available here)

I like mixing tweed with denim and other non-traditional fabrics.  I also like the mix of pastels with off-whites, like this mint and cream combination.

Blouse:  New York & Company (Available here)

Shoes:  Target (old)

This outfit isn't groundbreaking fashion, but it's a good way to do casual at the workplace.  Dark denim is crisp and looks professional.  A slightly unconventional blazer adds a personal twist but keeps the overall look work-appropriate.

I'm usually against any lists that tell people what they should or shouldn't wear; however, we all have to follow certain rules at work.  

Tote:  New York & Company (Similar here)

Ring:  The Limited
Earrings:  Gift (handmade)

Work dress codes vary, so it's important to know yours.  Generally speaking, if your work place allows denim, it's important to keep it fresh and crisp with no holes or stains.  Denim that is super-faded or is overly trendy, such as floral, reptile print, or tie-dye prints, should probably be saved for evenings and weekends.

Do you wear denim to work? 

For this blazer styled differently, see here.

Spring 2013 Fashion Preview: Color-palooza!

The mercury may be in the teens, but I am having a major case of spring fever, so today, I mixed last spring's bubblegum pink blazer with a mint top.

Jacket:  The Limited (Similar here and here)
Top:  New York & Company (Available here)

Pants:  The Limited (Similar here)
Heels:  Target (old)

Color is always popular on Spring runways, and this spring is no exception.

Emerald is the color of the year, but spring's major color trends include all of the following:

Spring 2013 Color Trends,
Source:  www.pantone.com

I'm particularly loving the primary shades of poppy, lemon, and blue.

One of the big color trends for spring was a monochromatic color statement:

Gucci Spring 2013 look
Source:  www.harpersbazaar.com

I don't see myself in quite so much of one color, but I would definitely rock a dress with a matching jacket such as the look below.

I'm in LOVE with this seafoam green look from Donna Karan!  I love the soft muted color and the floaty feel.

Donna Karan Spring 2013 look
Source:  www.fashionista.com

More of my favorite colorful looks from the Spring runways:

Diane Von Furstenburg Spring 2013 look
Source:  www.dvf.com

Diane Von Furstenburg Spring 2013 look
Source:  www.dvf.com

Do you like to wear a lot of color in the Spring?  Would you wear a colorful monochromatic look?