Hangin’ Loose in Chartreuse

Chartreuse the color, Not the alcohol…although if you didn’t know that is what this lovely lime color was named for. But you have to be careful with this hue……if you overdo it you’ll end up covered in vomit, the 1970’s retro shade. I certainly didn’t want anyone looking at me and thinking of puke, so I toned down all neon with blacks and taupe—-always pair intense colors with your neutrals!

Chartreuse Skirt: AT LOFT: Aline floral $3.45 at Village thrift

Chartreuse Sweater: Grandpa Cardigan by J.Crew 100% Merino wool   $6.90 @ Village thrift * Scrunching up the sleeves on a grandpa cardigan makes it less grandpa and more varsity/letterman’s sweater prep.

Don’t go green on accessories! I had a beautiful peridot necklace and earring set, but avoid being kitchy, I try to mix it up a bit, so I wore a purple agate and gold chain necklace from Nordstrom $17.97

When its time to play (I.E. today’s dinner with ESOL team at Don Julio’s) at I took off the cardi and let my silk lace cami do all the talking, and when I got chilli again I had my Guess white motorcycle jacket and change from my big work bad to a wristlette for just the essentials.

Top: Express Design studio 100% silk black lace cami $.5.90 at Village Thrift  (the placement of the contrasting lace gives the visual illusion of an hourglass! Look for camis with lace details in a contrasting color on the top, bottom and under the bust line!

Pac the dog says please don’t go today, stay home with me 🙂

Lets talk Shoes! These are Missoni for Target $39.99, I hate to pay full price for a target shoe, but I knew these would never be around long enough to go on clearance-they were sold out everywhere! But I love the architectural heel and stern chevron pattern; they feel very Frank Lloyd Wright with the art deco architectural details.

Touches of Tortoise

Tortoiseshell accessories add instant sophistication

Banana Republic leather belt w/ tortoise shell buckle $2.90 from Village thriftstore

3 tortoise shell bangles to match bought at BR a while back ( 10 dollars for the set, but I used my rewards card to get them free!)

Necklace: gold and tortoiseshell circles Banana Republic from Village Thrift (33% 0ff 4.90 =$3.28)

top: Ann Taylor LOFT  $14.88 – If anyone watches ARMY Wives (Best show ever) This identical blouse was worn by Denise Sherwood’s character in one of the episodes!!!!)

Ann Taylor pleated Skirt 4.90 from the thrift  (biggest pain in the butt to iron—looks like a hot mess 😦 but hopefully the accessories cleaned it up a bit and made it less noticeable)

SHOES: Designer Deal!!!!! Charlotte Ronson Purple suede Genevieve loafer pumps like a $200 shoe, got em for $7 @ Village thrift

The cardigan is also AT loft ($7.88) To sharpen it up because of the slouchy wrinkly nature of these fabrics, I buttoned and tucked the grandpa style sweater into the skirt, much more preppy polished! Yes you can tuck in cardigans-treat it just like a button down blouse!  The buttons are also tortoiseshell to add to the mix!

Fight Songs and jersey dresses

In Kindergarten I remember being taught the Redskin fight song in music class; I’ve remembered the words ever since, and its always thought of it with pride,  because when we sing “fight for Old D.C” you’re not just rooting for a home-team, you’re cheering for your whole city, its history and everything that’s  a part of you.

Well in today’s fashion lesson, I’m going to turn an oversized jersey into a sporty dress worthy of any game day attendance! I think I did a good job representing the 12th man

I checked the village thrift the morning of the game, hoping to find a hoodie because of the nippy weather, but all I could find was a Man’s XXL Portis jersey, but it cost $7.45  on half off day versus the $60- 100+ licensed team apparel actually costs in store. This hat that someone had handknit was in the perfect colors and it was only $1.45! Long sleeve white tee underneath.

Unfortunately my serger sewing machine was not up and running, so I still had to swim in the jersey rather than just zipping up the sides and sleeves for a better fit (I’ll post the finished look pics as soon as possible) But with brown leggings or skinny jeans and my over-the knee brown boot flats folded down as cuffs, this look totally works; compared to women’s NFL lines (I.E. Alyssa Milano)—which I love but can’t afford. This will be an adorable jersey dress when finished—-and it’ll take about 30 min and less than $10

So come-back to see the finished dress…………..and oh yeah, it was Another REDSKINS victory today!

Virginia Wine Fest

Nothing puts me in a good mood like breathing in the crisp fall air, I missed autumn so badly while I lived in Hawaii and Cali. This Saturday couldn’t have been more perfect weather for the VA wine-fest! And I got the cutest hat and scarf set just in time!

Sweater: J-Crew chocolate brown crew-neck cable knit (cashmere/wool/angora blend) @ Village thrift $3.95 (50% off 7.90)

Shoes: Over the Knee faux-suede chocolate brown boots $40 from Nordstrom

Jeans: AT LOFT skinny denim $9.88 Bag: Loeffler Randall for Target $8.90 @ Village thrift

Missoni for Target Scarf $14.99, Beanie $16.99, and Gloves: $9.99

This week Target released their line by Missoni, and within a few hours their website crashed from over-ordering and the stores were completely  gleaned. Thanks to my wonderful Mommy who while I had to be at work, drove to 3 different targets to at least find the beanie I wanted the most, since I knew I didn’t need the whole collection; especially when I’m not a big fan of Missoni; its always the same freaking zig-zag pattern and it still costs thousands of dollars per piece!  Anyways, the long matching gloves I wanted, couldn’t be found, but my clever mother checked the children’s section and they had similar gloves and scarf (for a lower price too!)

These gloves, its hard to tell, but they have gold flecks running through the beige main color and the stripes coincide with the scarf and hat

I love the peach with brown and baby blue, they make a nice autumn harvest feel, but without being too cliche,  by being all orange and red and brown. The blue is unexpected and the peach instead of orange or gold, softens and poshes it up a bit.

 

 

 

 

 

 

On a aside note, I also smoked my first cigar ever, and I promised I would post this picture, not bad but I wouldn’t make a habit of it

Hats Off to the races

My friend Chandra wanted to have a Kentucky Derby party for her birthday; even though its not that time of year, she loves all the fun hats. Everyone,  had to sport some kind of a silly sombrero.

I went for a vintage chapeau;  felt navy blue floppy hat with white grommets along the brim.

Thats the birthday girl in the middle, and the purple cloche Banana Republic  hat was an  extra one I brought to share.

sweater: Banana Republic from V.thrift $7.90  with red BR cami underneath

Necklace: from V.thrift $1.90  and Michael Kors red belt: $3.90   shoes: red cross strap heels by charlotte russe $10

me with my other BFF  Alex

red rose enamel earrings($2) I found at VThrift to match the ring I already had(99 cents @ CR) ! bold accessories don’t have to cost alot.

There should be an underground hat revival movement!

Meet the Parents

Its back to school night, chance to meet parents of this years’ group of “precious angels”  I thought a sweet dress with pearls for a touch of grace. It may be a tad fancy, but I think the cheerful colors will create a positive image.

Dress: silk floral knee-length with sweetheart surplice neckline and empire tie-back waist by Arden B.  33% off 12.90 at Village Thrift= $8.65

Cardigan: cropped lightweight cotton cardi in robin’s egg blue  by Banana Republic $6.90 at Village Thrift

purse: Kate Spade– Madrid Croc Embossed handbag in bottle green w/ gold chain$69 @ TJ Maxx

Cateye Shades: $4 at Five and Below

Shoes: suede green peeptoe kitten heels for a retro vibe $9.90 AT loft at Village thrift

gold bow ring: Kate Spade

bag: Kate Spade White gold leather $75 at Outlets

It started to drizzle and the temperature dropped like 20 degrees in one afternoon so I needed more outerwear layers. This satiny purple raincoat was the perfect compliment to the yellow…Why? Because Yellow and Purple are Complimentary colors on the color wheel!

Raincoat: Purple trench-$30 from a funky little vintage shop in Venice Beach California

This picture is funny because it makes me look like I’m running from the paparazzi- Get those damn cameras out of my face, lol!

It was freezing by the time we went for drinks @ Applebees afterwards and the thin cropped cardi from before wasn’t doing much so I threw a Fuchsia colored Cashmere deep-V sweater on top, its length toned down the “dressiness” of the dress, and I also added a white blazer from AT LOFT over that for a more professional edge but also a rad 80’s vibe (think the slightest Miami Vice Element)

Makin’ Moccasin boot babies

Last minute fashion decision; maybe I’ve been listening to too much Carrie Underwood, or maybe its this fall’s Navajo print/southwestern inspired trend; either way I ended up with a sassy subdued cowgirl meets Pocahontas look.

I bought these shoes at Nordstrom’s 2 seasons ago($60 genuine leather “Sioux” boots by Coconuts) today seemed like a perfect day to start transitioning to my fall boots.

If a sturdy rugged cowboy boot met a pretty little suede moccassin and had an adorable fringey boot baby, this would be it!

Burnt Orange lace cami for a dash of Southwestern Spice…..

Shirt: White scoop neck tee with ruffle, AT LOFT $6.88 Cami:  Banana Republic (30% off % 4.97 ~$3.00)  

Belt:Banana Republic $23.99    Skirt: H&M (hand-me down from my sister)

Rust and Turquoise comprise the signature color combo for the southwestern/Navajo look (hot trend this fall)  To keep it toned down, I kept the colors in the ring and just allowed a bit of orange to peek through under the tee, and the hue of the skirt is a more muted blue rather than bright turquoise.

Ring: $9 Lucky brand jeans from Nordstroms    Earrings: from Brazil (~1.50 USD)

Purse: Loeffler Randall for Target ($8.90 brand new at Village Thrift)

 

Fitting Florals

Today’s post is a review of the rule we learned yesterday (and yes we are having a pop-quiz on Friday) This look also models the rule of thirds, but with mixing vintage inspired floral prints! On a sidenote; this is my favorite ensemble yet! The pictures can’t do it justice, my foolproof, look great, feel great go2 outfit! (I also didn’t buy any of these pieces at the same time, I swear! They all came together piece-meal)

Mixing florals: keep one print smaller than the other with similar colors and it works best when the background is one solid color

Also keep similar textures, both of these pieces were silk and had a slight sheen to them

Skirt: Express Design Studio 5.90 at  Village Thrift

silk and lace trimmed Top: Gap (50% off 3.90 at Village Thrift- $1.95)

Wear this look at work with ballet flats and a cap-sleeve black eyelet blazer

Bag: Coach (classic print) Found at Village Thrift, authentic Coach for $12.90!!!

Blazer: also by Express design studio from Village Thrift $9.90

Freshwater Pearls: $10 at Internat’l  Market Place, Waikiki

Ballet Flats: Calvin Klein–hand-me down from a teacher friend of mine

For some extra Glam, I added a silver rhinestone buckle, toughen up the florals; it also divides the 1/3 and 2/3 line more clearly making the proportion more powerful. Belt: $2.95 from Goodwill in Cathedral City, CA.

This ring just happened to be a PERFECT match! I couldn’t believe it Ring: 99 cents at Charlotte Russe!

Again, a match in fabric texture and color allows this geo-circle pattern hand-bag to fit in with the other pieces and add an extra vintage touch.Silk Purse: $4. 90 by Banana Republic  found at  Village Thrift

Here’s another way to wear the look:

Add some purple panty-hoes and belt over-top of a black ruffle front cardigan. Here’s a much better look at the shoe color, these are an iridescent purple/green pair of pumps by Jessica Simpson (brand new from Village Thrift $8.45  Cardigan by AT loft $4.90 at Village Thrift

Add cropped motorcycle jacket for structure and sass!

Rule of thirds

Ann Taylor loft did their entire fall catalog based on this rule,  but they didn’t make it work for all body shapes, so I thought I’d break it down for you because its generally a good guideline if you like to play by the rules.

Here’s how: If your body were a rectangle from your shoulders to your toes or to your knees, the top 1/3 of that rectangle should be how much of your top is visible and the bottom 2/3 are covered by your pants/skirts, etc. Why does this proportion work so well? Because it exists in nature as a perfect mathematical formula–Its really just the Golden RectangleNow lets see it in action:

The Key is to have a light shirt, something thin enough to tuck-in without adding bulges or bumps and one that can “bloussonne” a bit creating a fuller top and a structured bottom piece to keep a svelt sillhouette.

Top: striped ruffle neck bow tie blouse  by Ann Taylor Loft  15% off $4.88= $4.14

Bottom: Snake-print pencil skirt with pockets  I.N.C. by Macy’s from Village Thrift 33% off 6.90 =$4.62

Another tip: here I wore maroon tights to add some  color, but by matching my pumps I’ve elongated the leg line because the color runs together and the eye sees one long line!! Tights: Forever 21 $5 Shoes: $3 from Payless

For a little more sex appeal I would change to black patent peep-toe stilettos (see below) NineWest $13 at Ross

However, if you are naturally top-heavy then reverse this, keep the top half structured and sleek to de-accentuate the chest; try a cropped tuxedo or motorcycle jacket like the one shown here by Guess; a collared button (crisp and starchy) would work well too. Then keep the bottom 2/3 flowy and loose to add volume where needed; i.e. an a-line or peasant skirt for balance.

Jacket: White (genuine) leather biker jacket by Guess; brand new for $35! at Village thrift

Bag: Kate Spade $75 (originally $395)

Detailing:

Subtle Silver stripes in blouse compliment the grey/silver tones in the snake print skirt

Earrings:  $3.94 steel-toned jewel cluster posts from Target     Pin: E for Emmaline Broach 4.90 @Village thrift

Farmers Market and Football

I went floral for my frolic through the farmers’ market this morning and tried out my favorite new jeans so I could make a quick change up into my jersey for NFL kick-off time!   

Deal of the Day: Citizens of Humanity Naomi bootcut  jean: originally $198—at Village thrift $5.90

Floral print top by Mossimo from Target $4.48      Shoes: Clog platform peeptoes SV Vera Wang $6.38 from Kohls

Eco-friendly shopping bag from Carrefore (A French chain of grocery stores) It says: Agir aujourdhui pour mieux vivre demain-Act today for a better life (or to live better) tomorrow

The lady who operate this crepe stand also makes hats for cancer patients and part of their sales help fund that project, Unfortunately she doesn’t sell the hats, because they were so adorable I wanted one for myself; it would have matched my outfit : Crepes de Pouce Gras

After my delicious crepe and picking out some ripe tomatoes, it was time for football!!!!!

Gap leather belt: 2.90 from Village thrift       Redskins tee- got it as a hand me down when I was like 10 years old   earrings: gift from Alex

Cooking up some grub to eat during the game. I made Chipotle chicken and santa fe rice

I didn’t take this picture, my friend thought it would be a funny joke, but since it shows how the designer denim makes my butt look good, I’m posting it

Redskins Victory!!!!!!!!!!!!!