Worn This Way

red shirt by Calvin Klein, skirt by BCBGMaxAzria, Belle by Sigerson Morrison flats

Here's my new red blouse, paired with a navy pencil skirt. I read that one way to emulate Parisian style is to wear flats with a pencil skirt, so I am trying it out here.

Are you enjoying the fall fashion magazines? I received my September Vogue US and it is so thick! I'm not reading it until I can have a couple of hours. Maybe I'll bring it camping this weekend so I have something to do. Enjoy your day, my friends!

Accessories 1, Cropped Pants 0

knit sweater from Express, tissue t-shirt from J. Crew, ankle pants from LOFT

These cropped pants are the big loser in this outfit, outshined by the colorful necklace, ring and nails. Petites and loose cropped pants do not go well together, especially when one leg looks shorter than the other. The pants, however, may make a comeback if I roll them up.

But what makes it all better is a great hair day. Bangs win!

Color Is King

silk scarf from India, tank top from Target, knit blazer by Majestic, Joe's Jeans The Pant, Repetto flats, Nixon watch, Zoya Mieko nail polish

It seems to me that color is a driving force behind fashion. If I like an item of clothing, or an outfit, it's because of its color. Color determines how I put outfits together, it determines what season I'm dressing for, it's how I organize my closet, and it's how I think about new purchases. I also consider cut and fabric, but it really comes down to color for me.

I enjoyed putting this outfit together. I wanted to showcase this beautiful scarf my good friend brought for me from her trip to India, so I paired it with neutrals and accented it with other touches of bright color (shoes, nails, watch, and lips, though you can't see the lipstick too well, it's bright). Have a colorful day, my friends!

Late Summer Hues

jacket from Ann Taylor, t-shirt from Ann Taylor, skirt by Calvin Klein, slingback shoes from Ann Taylor

OK, so I just realized almost this entire outfit is from Ann Taylor, but all from different years. The jacket is the oldest, followed by the shoes, then the t-shirt I got this summer. And I didn't pay for any of the AT items, the jacket and shoes were gifts from my Mom, and the t-shirt I got with a birthday gift card. I'm so blessed!

It's that time of the season where I've worn everything in my closet multiple times, I'm just trying to come up with new combinations until fall hits. With temperatures around 100 degrees, literally, it's too early to break out anything fall. So I'm enjoying my creams and bright colors!

Who Buys the Same Blouse Twice?

blouse by Calvin Klein, Joe's Jeans The Pant, Nixon watch, Eric Michael espadrilles

A Zealous Blonde does.

How do you like my new blouse? Isn't it a pretty red color? Don't you love it? Does it look a little familiar? Here, let me refresh your memory:

This thrift store 70s blouse with a double-wide collar, I purchased in like April or May for $14. It's virtually the same color as my on-sale-for-$20 CK purchase. I think I have a red-blouse problem. I'm going to keep both, since CK will charge me $8 for return shipping. I'd better watch out, or I'll be buying another pair of black suede booties for fall.

I'm going to Aruba for a long weekend, my friends...see you again on Tuesday!

A Dress with a Secret

Adrienne Vittadini dress, jacket from NY & Co., Vince Camuto leather flats

Today is the first time I wore this simple black sheath dress, which I puchased from Ideeli for $2.95 (I had a store credit). It's not the most flattering dress I own, but it's a kind of wardrobe staple that I didn't have before.

Anyways, as I wore it, I felt something stabbing my shoulders. I put my hand under the shoulder straps and felt a snap closure. What is that doing there? I had to go into the bathroom and check it out. Imagine my surprise when I discovered little snaps attached to ties, to snap my bra straps into! This is brilliant. I have never heard of such a thing. But there they are, insuring my bra straps don't get exposed. Wow. I am impressed. Have any of you heard of this, my friends? Let me know in the comments!

Paisley or Indian Pattern?

blouse by Dana Buchman, pants by BCBGMazAzria, shoes by Circa Joan & David, Rimmel London Steel Grey nail polish

Usually I would call this pattern paisley and that would be the end of it. But yesterday I received a gift from a friend who had just returned from India, a patterned silk scarf, which reminded me of this blouse. Because of the varied patterns, including florals, on this top, I am more inclined to think of it as Indian-influenced.

Fashion is Fun

cardigan from J. Crew, top by Sunny Leigh, Joe's Jeans in Muse cut, sandals from The Walking Company, Zoya Richelle nail polish

Life is hard. Fashion is fun. Have a fun-filled day, my friends!

5 Things You'll Never See on My Blog

grey blazer by Majestic, top by Lacoste, pants from Loft, Zoya Richelle nail polish

I haz a style. And these are not it:

1. A Chanel bag. I can't afford one, and I wouldn't want one if I could. They are everywhere, they can be obnoxious, and the Chanel aesthetic isn't really my style.

2. Anything from The Gap. Their clothing is so boring and low-quality that I haven't shopped there since college.

3. Christian Louboutin shoes. See #1.

4. A Maxi Dress. I'm short, and bohemian just isn't my style.

5. Dogs. I'm really more of a cat person.

That's How I Roll

cream corduroy jacket from Guess, pants from LOFT, t-shirt from Ann Taylor, onyx heart necklace from Tiffany & Co., Eric Michael espadrilles, Zoya Gwin nail polish

The minute I say something is not in style, it becomes stylish. Take for example the rolled pant. Last year, my shortie sister asked me if she should roll her too-long pants or get them hemmed. I emphatically told her that the only rolled pants around were boyfriend jeans, and that rolled pants were not stylish, and that she should get them hemmed. Within a week I started seeing rolled pants all over the place! And here I am eating my words by rolling these work pants.

OK, so here is an experiment. Paisley prints are not in style. GO!

Shoes In the Spotlight

t-shirt by Vince, skirt by BCBGMaxAzria, belt by Calvin Klein, Charles David shoes

This outfit was an experiment in wearing navy and brown together, and the sun decided to spotlight my shoes. They are patent with a leopard pattern, and have no padding, so they are not the most comfortable heels.

Maybe this experiment was really an excuse to wear this amazingly soft t-shirt. I highly recommend the Vince brand, and this one I got at TJ Maxx for the amazing price of only $25. I love it when a plan comes together!

Inspired by J. Crew

striped top by Aqua, pants from LOFT, Repetto flats, belt from Dillards

Actually, I'm not sure where I got this inset Inspiration Photo. I think it's J. Crew, but I'm not positive. In any case, it inspired me for this work ensemble. This is the only brightly-colored belt I own, so I had to go with it. And I didn't roll my pants and wear heels like the photo, because I wanted to wear these flats. But I could have! I hope you have a wonderful weekend, my friends!

Short Skirt Loooong Sweater

sweater from Express, blouse from Banana Republic, skirt from Ann Taylor, necklace from Anthropologie, Delman flats, Zoya Gwin nail polish

I'm playing with lengths here with an open knit sweater. It grunges up a too-sweet white skirt/blouse combo. I added touches of orange with the shoes, necklace, and nails. And yes, my fingernails shine like justice.

All Better in a Bevy of Browns

caramel cardigan from J. Crew, tank top by Vivienne Vivienne Tam, skirt from LOFT, sandals from The Walking Company, Calvin Klein belt

Ah, new haircut. All better. So much better that I can wear a bunch of browns that don't exactly match.

Low Contrast Dressing

boatneck sweater by Calvin Klein, pants from LOFT, Matisse oxfords, Deathstar Debris necklace by Deka Ray, OPI Wyatt Earple Purple nail polish

Usually I'm a high-contrast dresser. I like pairing strong colors together that really stand out. This outfit is very low-contrast, right down to my fingernails, and it feels right for a hot summer day. Say goodbye to the Donald Trump hair, next post you'll see my new haircut!