The good fairy

This sterling work of silver craftsmanship from Rubini Jewelers reminded me of my tattoo angel, spreading her wings and looking fierce, but even better she is sitting on an oar!  Its like a miniature personification of myself…well in my dreams anyways. And behind her, just to strengthen the personal mantra, I added a pendant that reads “follow your heart.

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Now as a backdrop, my good fairy is sitting against a striped, gathered-neck blouse by Mossimo from Target (I think it was 12.99).

The shirt is neatly tucked into a smokey-gray Ann Taylor LOFT skirt($4.88)  with front gathers and side pockets.

a chill was back in the air, so I was forced back into leggings for an extra layer, but I like the sportier casual feel they give off, then I counteract it with teal silk strapped stilletoes by Betsey Johnson. (~$35 from Nordstrom) and you can see the Alhambra earrings make a reappearance.

Maize colored leather clutch/wristlette pops against everything!

Daisies and Moss

This sleeveless fun in the sun-dress by Ella Moss embroidered with daisies  down the front panel came new with tags from the Village thrift, and I only paid $4.45 (half-off day!)

And I did have fun in the sun on a lazy Sunday afternoon lounging on the screen porch whilst watching my mom re-purpose this wheelbarrow into an ice-bucket for my sister’s outdoor wedding.

By coincidence, I was dressed to match…too bad I can’t wear white, otherwise this would be a great dress for an outdoor event, especially one as bohemian as this will be.

Gladiator sandals: 9.99 AT factory store,   yellow leather envelope wristlet $4.90 at thrift, concentric circle earrings with green beading also from village thrift—-Freshly painted Pedicure, cost more than the dress and accessories combined…. but worth every penny

A Friday Frolic

Full schedule today…first up field trip to Washington DC, walking around the monuments on a gorgeous but mild day, inspired this practical ensemble; and you know practicality is a rare occurrence in my fashion decisions. A pair of Sperry’s would be perfect for comfort today, except no matter how many Topsiders I have tried on, they are all too long and narrow, and look funny on my feet; but I still love boat-shoes and  these slip-ons in a neutral plaid palette from Payless do the trick and are only $5 to boot (no shoe-pun intended)!

Shorts were a must to tackle the humidity, but they are just as tricky to fit, so this pair from Ann Taylor Loft,  needed a belt to hold them at waist, so that the pleats by the pockets would flare at the hips as intended. Long sleeves to keep the sun off and for fun, roll up the cuffs like in the picture above. (red and brown houndstooth oxford by Banana Republic) after practice, I just changed back and had a great ball game outfit too; perfect for a night at Pfitzner stadium, where the beer was flowin and the hecklers goin!

Of course what would this menswearish look be without aviator shades balanced by a Kate Spade wristlette and delicate hoop earrings?

Concious Collection

H&M has put out a few pieces that are purportedly Eco-friendly, made with organic cotton, called the Conscious Collection. Not only can you feel good about saving the environment you can feel good saving your wallet too! I was shocked the tag read only $9.95 for an adorable wrap mini.

http://www.hm.com/us/product/98980?article=98980-A

Here’s my take; throw on a bright blazer, like this coral one  also from H&M (34.95)I forgot to roll up my sleeves like I did the last time I wore it, they’re a bit too long coming down to my knuckles.  Add a more subtle solid long sleeve tee; also organic cotton by Banana Republic and a neutral shoe like these smokey gray peep toe clogs.

And for fun; a yellow scarf; works as an ascot too, lol

For a purse I carried my cross body bag from Banana Republic, but I forgot to picture it:

Mellow Yellow

I had a gorgeously vivid blue butterfly sleeved cotton blouse ready to go for this soft butter cream yellow Banana Republic A-line skirt (from village thrift), but the weather has been on the fritz! It’s supposed to be Spring, but fickle mother Nature pulled the plug again and psyched us out once more. I had to dig out my sweaters and found a suitable monochromatic replacement. (Ann Taylor LOFT yellow v-neck, from Village thrift)

Add a belt (from BR) to break-up the mellow yellow combo, Unfortunately the fit was being fickle too; The higher I wanted the belt to sit, the more volume it added to the skirt…not hipfriendly, finally I settled at mid-waist, not my natural waist, but the belt still makes the eye see it as narrow, giving an hourglass shape.

The buttery leather of my caramel color BR boots, may not elongate as much as bare legs would, but I stayed warm and its the perfect way to transition fall boots into spring.

add a turquoise embellished bracelet, since the blue blouse would have to wait and pink stained glass lotus blossom earrings (from Target) and my newest toy…Kate Spade gold leather handbag (from Piperlime)

Coral brief

Love this peppy coral blazer from H&M, such a hipster look with the rolled up sleeves, I feel like I need a pair of wayfarers and maybe a straw fedora, but a denim pencil skirt  and parokeet-printed blouse keep it young, fun and work appropriate.

A brand new blazer in a bold hue is a steal at 34.95, but the trouble with H&M is when I find one thing, there are 5 or 6 other corresponding  pieces surrounding it that I grab,and then t he dollar signs start adding up! Even though the blouse was $24.95, a bit more than I usually pay for tops, it was too perfectly syncopated with the blazer, and I forked over the cash.

The white pumps by Nine West were a given, and my new Kate Spade bag finishes the polished ensemb.

Accessories: gold cartouche necklace and pearly petal flower stud earrings with pink centers

The MAXimus stealius

This intriguing top from the Max Azria Collection; his own namesake couture collection was choking amongst the thrifty thorns, desperately waiting to be rescued and twirled down a runway again. (Max Azria owns several labels including BCBGMAXAZRIA, Max Azria, Hervé Léger, BCBGeneration, Max and Cleo, Lola,  BCBG Attitude, To The Max) Tops from this label run at the higher end for about $160+ and you can see it was a steal at $8.90!

But I was puzzled; was there a missing tie? Was the fabric stuck inside out? The deep V neckline has a unique rolled fabric design. I’d never seen anything like it before, so of course I had to have it!  The MAX AZRIA label was launched at NY fashion week in 2006  and claims to be “inspired by organic elements, weightless volume and individualistic style.”
I would say that’s true of this gossamer barely there blouse covered in this neutral rose print and made of an eco friendly silk-cotton blend.

I styled the tank to a more urban beat with mixed prints, denim and Converse

striped tee by Banana Republic,  purse loeffler randall for target  from thrift, converse sneakers from Target

headband : 4.99 from Urban Outfitters, necklace $2.99 from Nordstrom’s.

She wore marooooon Velvet……

As I’m singing in my head to the tune of  “she wore blue velvet” let me remind you readers that we needn’t be afraid of velvet  in warmer weather seasons. While the sun may be shining and birds singing outside…the AC at work feels like a polar icecap, so I need to be creative in making my wardrobe dual climate controlled.

Lighten it up; choose a more seasonal friendly bag, like this woven beige faux-leather sac by Loefller Randall for Target and a top with a lighter or pastel background and choose a non-plush cardigan like fuzzy angora or cashmere won’t do! I love the smocking at the shoulders on this violet one by Ann Taylor.

Try to stay in the same color family  and keep it solid so the texture of the velvet blends in and doesn’t become the focus. (velvet flares by J.Crew)

Keep the accesories slim too; don’t wear anything that would appear to weight you down. Thin  tortoiseshell bangles, delicate tigerseye beaded earrings are daintier while a Y shaped necklace elongates the body.

So don’t be afraid Velv-It up!

Garnet Hill

I’m always drawn to dusty mauves and rosey hues, so I tossed this skirt onto the insurmountable pile in my Village thrift cart and didn’t look back. It wasn’t until I got home that I saw the Garnet Hill Label, I vaguely remember getting their catalogs, but I’ve never bought any of their pieces, so I was curious……

Sure enough, their online site is full of contemporary casual clothing and home decor. I can’t afford catalog prices so I’m thrilled that I found their “favorite Voile Skirt” for only $7.90! Original listed price is $98……That’s a 92% discount!!!!  It’s currently on their store site for $78, “full ‘n flared in all three of their girliest floral prints.” Mine is called Dusty Blue Floral.I wish I’d had a grandpa cardigan and a pair of suede utilitarian ankle boots like in this picture to toughen it up, but you have to work with what you’ve got, I do like my colored hoes (H&M) and the layered lace cami under the long sleeve tee (BR).

Thanks to the drawstring waist, I was able to try a babydoll look, and give the appearance of a dress versus separates.

Accessories:

http://www.garnethill.com/favorite-voile-skirt/womens-fashion/skirts/view-all-skirts/236459?listIndex=5

Unexpected Orchid

I wanted these two contrasting blue pieces together, but I didn’t want to be overtly nautical so I chose the unexpected orchid tinted tee because it pops against the navy while the ruffle adds interest to the neckline. The purple also tones down the rockabilly vibe you can get from polka dots with the help of a neutral shoe and a naked lip.

White rose  clip-on earrings only $1.90! J. Crew polka dot halter $5.90 Banana Republic silk striped skirt half off 7.90 =$3.95, Ann Taylor T-strap pumps all from Village thrift ruffle neck tee $4.88 from AT LOFT, Belt $12.99 from Banana Republic (without the belt, the halter which was slightly too large did not define my waist; the empire line under the bust dissipated into the dark blue, the blouse needed a contrasting color to emphasize i, and by wearing the belt at my natural waistline, the top half appears larger and more balanced.

Graphic circle silk handbag by Banana Republic $4.90, but I’m regrettting the purse choice, with such a small print and size, it overwhelms the other two navy patterns. I would have liked a large envelope clutch; either like this color blocked one by Marc Jacobs or a natural cork material like this one by J.Crew (great for summer)