Spring Flamingo

Sunglasses, scarf & hand tooled vintage belt: Downtown Threads, Tank: H&M (via Clothes Exchange), Jeans: Pac Sun, Leopard Flats: Target The cold I felt creeping on yesterday is making me look and feel more like Rudolph the red nose reindeer than a bright, sunny flamingo. Here’s an outfit post from sunnier, healthier days. Bright, warm colors and lots of miso soup always does the trick. 

What bright pieces are you working into your wardrobe this week?

John Lennon’s Ginger Cousin Rides a Bike

Scarf (worn in hair): UO, Sunnies: Downtown Threads, Sweater: Gifted, Tank: Charlotte Russe, Bag: TJ Maxx, Jeans: Pac Sun, Beaded Wrap: Mom Camel Watch: Flea Market in Maine, Leather Bracelet: Goodwill, Firestone 500: Barge Canal Market, Sandals: PaylessIs it just me or do I look like a pastel wearing, ginger version of John Lennon in aviators? Not that that’s a bad thing. This weekend D and I were both crazy busy but we made sure to carve out a few hours to enjoy the beautiful sunny weather. Sunday afternoon we took our bikes out for a quick cruise around the neighborhood before enjoying  a delicious dinner on the porch.

I kept my outfit colorful, casual, and breezy. The white and yellow striped sweater was a gift from my roommate Cindy, it’s perfectly threadbare and looks amazing as a cover-up over bathing suits. As the weather warms up I instinctively start mixing more color into my looks, with accessories and pieces like these coral pants (which have turned out to be the perfect addition to spring wardrobe!) My swallow print bag was a splurge about 5 years ago at TJ Maxx and it’s still one of my favorite summer carry-alls.

What new spring pieces are you mixing into your wardrobe?

Reunited and it Feels so Good

Sunglasses: Dollar Store, Chinese Silk Scarf: Yankee swap score, Cardigan: Land’s End (via Savers), Button-up: Ralph Lauren Outlet, Skinnies: Hurley (via Plato’s Closet), Heels: Jessica Simpson (via Marshalls), Skull Ring: Downtown ThreadsTurf toe be damned, it’s sunny and my toes what to come out and play. I’ve been following my doctor’s orders  and taking it easy on my feet these past few weeks but it I couldn’t help myself when I unpacked this peepalicious pair of pumps from my “Springtime” box.

I was on the fence about these shoes when I first saw them at Marshalls but when I realized they’d been marked down to $7 I knew I would regret leaving the store without them. After wearing them a close to a dozen times the cost per wear is around 75cents and my love for them is only growing. I plan to wear them all spring long with everything from maxi dresses, colored denim to cutoffs.

What spring/summer favorites have you unpacked recently?

Having trouble finding room in your closet for your new spring favorites? I’m talking about closet organization over here today!

Sunny Bunny Pleats

Hat: Dirt Chic, Sunglasses: Dollar Store, Scarf: April Cornell Sample Sale, Cropped Jean Jacket: T.J Maxx, Sweater: Bass, Belt: Battery Street Jeans, Skirt: Kohls, Bag: Urban Outfitters, Tights: Sox Market, Frye Boots: Gifted,  Bajangles: Dollar Store, Gifted, & Charlotte RusseI spent Easter Sunday with D and his family, enjoying the beautiful spring weather and eating way too many Cadbury mini eggs; it was perfect.

For a day of family fun and Easter candies I choose a casual look but keep the color palette fresh and springy. The feminine feel from the cashmere sweater, pale pink skirt, and gold belt is balanced out with a more prairie/southwestern vibe from the bucket bag, boots and vintage hat.

This jumble of aesthetics fits me perfectly and I couldn’t think of a better way to top off this look than with the bunny scarf that I found at an April Cornell sample sale almost two years ago.

How did you celebrate this weekend?

Petals and Pleats

Sunglasses: Dollar Store, Top: ASOS, Vintage Skirt: Downtown Threads, Wedges: Target, Ring: Montreal, Bangle: Charlotte RusseI wish it was still this sunny and warm. I snapped these pictures late last week when Burlington was still in the midst of an unseasonably warm spell. I took full advantage of the warm weather and broke out some of my new spring/summer pieces like this top from ASOS.

I was drawn to the shirt’s silhouette as much as I was to the bold print. I like that it’s more of an in your face floral print than a delicate one, which adds to the shirt’s somewhat unexpected but overall badass-ness (yup that’s a word). The classic white pleated skirt against the contemporary-cut out top added an interesting contrast. I tried to play up this contrast by adding my yellow wedges into the mix.

I can’t wait until the weather warms back up so I can try my hand at styling this piece again. The shoulder cut-outs and bold print make this top an ideal for mixing and matching with everything from fast fashion to investment pieces.

What spring/summer pieces are you looking forward to wearing this year?

Burlington’s Underwater Front

 

Sunnies: Gift from D, Blouse: Macy’s,

Maxi Dress: Target (forever ago), Broach: Dub’s Duds, Sandals: H&M

 

If you’re not a Burlingtonian you may not realize that craziest part of this photo isn’t my pose but how high the Spirit of Ethan Allen (the boat behind me)  is sitting. Lake Champlain hit a record 102.84 feet Sunday May 1st and with more rain predicted this week that number and the lake are expected to rise.

I this maxi dress from Target 4-5 years ago and the first time I wore it I loved it. The dress can be worn as a halter or strapless with a sweetheart neckline and is beyond comfortable. My favorite thing about maxi dresses is how effortless they are. They make any outfit seem pulled together, they can easily be dressed up or down and are great for those days when you want to be as comfortable as you are chic.

I decided to make the dress’s sweatheart neckline and my blouse’s sheerness more office appropriate by layering the two together and I must say I’m pleased with how it turned out. This is the second time I’ve worn this sheer blouse under a dress (1st time here) and I’m really liking how this silhouette turned out. My only complaint is that I hate when I layer a shirt under a dress and it bunches up underneath. Does anyone have any good solutions to this problem?

I used the gifted broach from my friend Dubs to break up the look of the top layers and to try and tie in my bright new salmon colored sandals. Even though they don’t really match this look’s muted color palette I think the salmon adds just enough color to keep things fresh and bright.

How are you wearing your maxi dress this spring/summer? What’s your favorite way to add pops of color to your outfits?

Friday Finery & Frivolities

Whew! The weekend is almost here! This week I got back into the swing of things after being on vacation last week. I shared snaps from Elfreth’s Alley and Central Park’s iconic Bethesda Fountain, Mother Nature inspired a day and evening look, and I watched the river rush by as many of Vermont’s lakes and rivers entered record high flood-stages.

With the Royal Wedding (and it’s fashion glory) reaching a fever pitch and the Kentucky Derby quickly approaching it seems that hats are a must have accessory for spring.  Fedoras, 70’s style floppy brim, turbans, head wraps and fascinators are just a few of the hats turning heads this season.

Fashion Frivolities – 4/29/2011

Fascinators, usually worn to formal events or with formal attireLeft: Turquoise Fascinator – Right: Sinamay Fascinator

Even though I didn’t make the guest list to the wedding of the year decade I would still love to own either of these hats! Fascinators are making a comeback thanks to the new Duchess of Cambridge (Kate Middleton) and other high profile celebrities. Either of these hats would be the perfect statement piece for an fun summer evening party or for the Royal Ascot perhaps!

Off to the RacesLeft: Palm Horse Kentucky Derby Hat – Right: Vintage Ladies Spring Hat

No Kentucky Derby outfit is complete without large, well adorned hat! Think of these as fascinators but on a much larger scale. Whether you’re choosing a hat for the actual derby or derby viewing party remember that size matters! You want your hat to fit snugly (so it wont get taken away by the wind) but loose enough that it wont give you a headache. The only thing worse than hat hair is a hat headache!

Spring & Summer’s Top ToppersClockwise from Bottom Left: Basketweave Floppy Hat, Bold Stripe Floppy Hat, Vintage Flapper Hat, Upturn Brim Fedora, Interlinked Floral Head Wrap, & Bleached Peacock Feather Headband

These spring/summer toppers keep your sunny day style cool and chic. Last year was all about the fedora but this year the style is all about wider brim looks. Wide brim fedoras from Urban Outfitters and Forever 21 make great additions to more casual outfits while turbans and head wraps can take a look from day to night in a snap. While my love of hats is still new I’m excited that my options for keeping the sun out of my eyes and off my Casper white skin face are so chic!

Not sure if hats are your thing? Can’t seem to find the perfect hat? Well then this week’s blogging finery has exactly what you need! Create and customize your own fascinator or derby day hat with these easy to follow DIYs!

Blogging Finery – 4/29/2011

Craftbits.com has an ah-mazing DIY for a boutique worthy fascinator made out of a Pringle’s container! With step by step pictures and instructions this DIY couldn’t be easier. If only I’d found it before Will & Kate’s big day! With user ratings and creative ideas for everything from sock monkeys to a bra purse, this website is sure to become your first stop for DIY projects!

Prudent & Practical has become one of my favorite resources for everything from new recipes to home repair. Their Beginners Guide to Making a Kentucky Derby Hat is super easy to follow, and you’ll be thrilled with the end results. The hat featured in this post looked so chic but ended up costing less than $10!

Are you going to buy of DIY your Kentucky Derby hat this year? What head wear are you planning on mixing into your spring & summer wardrobe?

LBD Co-Lab Look #5 Red Cowgirl Boots and a Fedora

I love this outfit, it was the one I was the least certain on when Carolyn and I laid out the outfits, but seeing it now I love how all the elements came together!

Fedora: Charlotte Ruse, LBD, Belt: Old Navy,

Skirt: Vintage (via BTV CLothing Swap), Tights: Gifted, Boots: Gifted

This outfit really pushed me out of my comfort zone and I am so thankful! Normally I wouldn’t consider mixing patterns so freely but I trusted Carolyn and I wasn’t disappointed. I love how the pattern of the tights and the skirt are complementary in a clashing way.

The belt is a little big for me so we  pinned it it the back. The stripes and woven detailing on the front tie in the fedora and add a lighter, more summery feel to this LBD remix look.Transitioning the look from spring to summer is a snap! 

Again we turned the LBD into a LBT and the outcome in my opinion was a triumph! I would wear this outfit again in a heart beat and plan on it!

A huge thank you to Carolyn of Fig Dreams Clothing & Designs for helping me see not only my LBD but my whole wardrobe in new ways. Having Carolyn’s input was like being able to see how your friend would wear your clothes without having to give any of them up.

This remixing project helped me try new trends and pushed me out of my comfort zone (both good things in my opinion). I think that I will definitely open myself up to new trends, styles, and ideas more because of this project. It was great to be able to see my wardrobe and my style through Carolyn’s eyes. Even if it was only for a short period of time it provided me a lot of perspective.

Have you ever done a remixing challenge? What was your favorite LBD remix look? How would you have remixed an LBD?

1 Little Black Dress, 5 Looks – A Stylistic Co-Lab w/ Carolyn of Fig Dreams

D and I are off on a week long vacation *insert happy dance here* to DC, Philly, and NYC for some quality one on one R&R (rest and relaxation).  We have a huge list of places where we want to eat, shop, and visit. I promise to take lots of pictures!

Before D and I jetted off I got to spend the day with Carolyn of Fig Dreams Clothing & Designs. I met Carolyn through a mutual friend and I’ve envied her style ever since; she’s got an eye for vintage treasures and one of a kind design pieces. I asked Carolyn to help me create five completely different looks by remixing one little black dress (LBD). She graciously accepted and we got to spend an afternoon playing dress up, swapping thrifting stories, and styling the one piece of clothing in every women’s closet, the little black dress.

Little Black Dress – Look 1 “Color Blocking Cool”

Scarf: Forever 21, Jacket: Vintage Jeffrey Allen (via Downtown Threads)

LDB: Gap, Tights: The Sox Market, Peep Toes: Target

Remember how I said I like to ease into new trends, well this is me testing out the color blocking waters. As soon as Carolyn say these shoes she couldn’t wait to use them. I was wearing these blue tights under ripped jeans while Carolyn and I were pulling together these outfits. We decided that it would be fun to mix the neon green of the scarf with the bright blue tights.

Have you experimented with color blocking yet? Are you an early adopter when it comes to trends or do you ease into them like me?