Winter Style-Injection: Sheers & Neons

So, a couple of my favorite trends right now are sheers and neutrals paired with neon colors. They're especially my favs as we enter phase two of winter (as I look out my window at 8+ inches of snow with more forecasted to be on the way). I love the snuggle-factor of a nice wool sweater for sure, don't get me wrong... but, it gets redundant (as does the cold). These two trends offer both an ultra-feminine factor, and a playful one as well. I've categorized my hand-picked selections by color: blue, yellow, pink/coral, and then finally honorable mention neutrals.

Without further adieu...

THE BLUES:

Pictured, from left to right:

• Francesca's Collections Checking In Scarf in Blue, $18
• JCrew Contrast Stripe Tee in Yacht Blue Navy, $39.50
• Express Shawl Collar One Button Jacket in Celestial Blue, $79.90
• Top Shop Animal Border Vest in Multi, $60
• Francesca's Collections Banana Flat (by Restricted) in Turquoise, $38
• Top Shop Canvas Blue Flash Holdall Bag, $72
• Top Shop Zip Back Vest in Pale Blue, $56
• Francesca's Collections Apple of My Eye top in Blue, $38 *Own it, love it, recommend it!

THE YELLOWS:

Pictured, from left to right:

• Express Zelda Jean Legging in Bright Yellow (or Spiced Guava), $79.90 (*BOGO
• The Gap Striped Woven Tee in Pink or Yellow Stripe, $49.95
• The Gap Neon Border Scarf in Green Thumb, $29.95
• Modcloth Des Colores Top in Lemon, $42.99
• H&M Sleeveless Satin Blouse in Yellow, $29.95
• Hunter(ess) Original Gloss Tall Boot in Yellow, $125
• Anthropologie Painted V-neck in Neutral Motif, $58
• New York & Co. Wide Patent Leather Stretch Belt in Medium Yellow, $26.95
• Aldo Shoes Mease High Heels in Peach Yellow, $80

THE PINKS/CORALS:

Pictured, from left to right:

• Top Shop Oversize Zip-side Tee in Fuchsia, $60
• JCrew (Petite) Schoolboy Blazer in Poppy, $99 (*Sale)
• Express Keyhole Halter Dress in Coral, $79.90
• Express Zelda Jean Legging in Spiced Guava, $79.90 (*BOGO)
• Modcloth Count On V top, $59.99 *Particularly awesome if your name begins with "M", if not– just as awesome paired with a navy blazer!
• Modcloth Strike A Prose Heel, $49.99
• Madewell Stripecast Cardigan in Scorch Orange, $68.00
• The Gap Multi-print Square Scarf in Parisian Plum, $29.95 *For the person who is equally as obsessed with ikat as they are polka dots, aka me.
• Urban Outfitters Kimchi Blue Lace Bandeau in Orange, $14.00 (*Same bandeau pictured in Rose at bottom right corner)
• The Gap Striped Woven Tee in Pink, $49.95
• LOFT Coral Trim Berkeley Ballet Flats in Coral Rose, $44.50
• Madewell Striped Ex-Boyfriend Sweater in Spiced Marmalade, $34.99 (*Sale)
• Hunter(ess) Original Gloss Tall Boot in Fuchsia, $125
• Madewell (blanknyc) Skinny Jeans in Vivid Poppy, $88
• Urban Outfitters COPE Striped Slit-back top in Blush, $59.00

And of course, the honorable mention NEUTRALS:

Pictured, from left to right:

• Totes Clear Bubble Umbrella, $19.20
• JCrew Pixie Pant in Black, $88
• Urban Outfitters Kimchi Blue V-inset Crinkle Blouse in Peach, $59.00
• Banana Republic Dot Lace Tee in White, $49.50

OOTN: Outfit of the Night

So, I'm pretty excited – Ryan and I are having a little date night downtown Chicago this evening. (Can you tell we don't get out much?) Anyway, headed downtown to a pretty popular whole in the wall bar (oxymoron?) called the Underground Wonder Bar to check out a soul singer (and band) named Aryk Crowder. Aside from being stoked to have a date night with Ryan, this is my first outing in Chicago in pursuit of live music. I know, shocking as I've lived here 6 months now, but better late than never! I have fond memories when I used to live downtown Milwaukee, bartending on the weekends and getting to see some of the city's greatest bands. I'm a junkie for local music! So anyway, y'all get that I'm excited – moving on.

My outfit du jour:

(*Undecided on the blazer, but nonetheless: UO Silence & Noise Boyfriend Blazer in Black, $78)

Francesca's Collections Apple of My Eye top in Blue, $38

Zara Ponte Di Roma Trousers in Black, $49.90

Zigi Soho Mixer Boot in Brown – sorry, circa 2010, though these are comparable: Bakers Jay WP Boots in Brown, $99.99 (*Just reduced)

Mine are from UO, but these are comparable: Target 10k Gold 25mm Endless Hoop Earring, $24.99

Hope everyone had a great week, happy Friday & have a great weekend everyone!!

Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue

So, something I'm super excited about coming up this Summer is not just one cousin's wedding, but TWO cousin's weddings!! Both of which I am so honored to be standing in – the first all the bridesmaids will be dressed in unison, but the second it's the 'maids choice! Only rule: it's gotta have a navy blue overall scheme to it. So, I've begun looking into some choices (probably prematurely, but like I said – I'm excited!!!). Here's my findings:

Above, from left to right:

• JCrew Marla dress in printed silk, Deep blue, $178.00
• JCrew Drawstring dress in pebble dot, Deep atlantic, $72.00
• Express Floral banded-waist dress, Blue, $59.90
• Modcloth Paint stroke of genius dress, $47.99 (*sale) 
• Banana Republic Dot v-neck dress, Navy, $140.00
• Francesca's Collections Growing fonder dress, Blue, $24.98 (*sale)

I have to admit, I expected more from Top Shop, Anthropologie, Madewell, Urban Outfitters and Lauren Conrad's collection at Kohl's. BUT, cutting some slack – it's the middle of winter. Keeping my fingers crossed for awesome spring/summer collections :)

I've Got The Blues

Out of any OOTD I’ve posted thus far on this blog, this one is probably the one that’s the most ‘me’. That’s not to say my other posts don’t reflect my tastes and personal style, because they certainly do. This outfit in particular though, I don’t know, it just makes me insta-happy :) I’m a frequent sporter of cobalt blue, but hardly ever teal to be honest and the rich color in this ensamble intrigues me. The curvy shapes in the skirt and the peekaboo back of the top take this look over the top, oozing of femme. Moving on to styling: the reason I chose the casual ballerina bun hairstyle (inspired by Katie Holmes) is because the back detailing of the top deserves to be shown off, therefore an updo of some kind (I think) is appropriate.

*As I’ve said before, I’m not a makeup expert; thus why I don’t toss beauty advice out there a whole lot. However, I think this look: subtle blue smokey eye by Tiffany D would pair very nicely with this outfit; should you be so bold as to test it out. [Note: You can follow Tiffany on Twitter at @TiffanyLD!]

The Breakdown:

Top: UO Sparkle & Fade Gigi Blouse in Black, $69.00

Necklace: Anthropologie Atributes Necklace in Blue, $48.00

Skirt: ModCloth Sashay Away Skirt, $64.99

Legwear: UO Opaque Tights in Teal, $12.00

Shoes: Bakers Nora Pump in Black Suede, $49.99 (sale)

Total Cost of this Outfit: $243.98

How to Save on this Look:

• An easy cash-save is to complete this look with your own pair of black shoes. A black flat, oxford shoe or pump are all acceptable. *I’d stray from a boot for this look, as the teal tights are a feature.
• While I think the black top shown here is unique and lovely, it could be swapped for a femme black jersey top like this one from H&M, $17.95 — key factor to keep in mind is a neckline that’s going to showcase the stone necklace.

By opting for shoes from your own closet and a less expensive top, you can cut the total cost of this outfit in half and still accomplish a totally fab look :)