outfit idea: violet tulip blouses and cutoffs.

In my exploration of Pantone's 2014 colors of the year, I've started to notice my initial need to pair these colors with something brighter. With this look, I decided to experiment with mixing casual and dressy components. The way to make it work was to find a shoe that blends the two together. And for some reason, this was a teal wedge. Can't explain why but if it ain't broke...

tip: Keep makeup natural when using bold colored accessories.

alexa chung / sandal / sunglasses / midi ring / blouse / shorts / bag

three ways: how to wear floral shorts.

It can be tough to come up with various outfits for one pair of flashy shorts. Especially when you buy them with one single event and one single outfit in mind. To let the piece out of your closet without people experiencing deja vu, try thinking of three different occasions and style around their needs. In this case, I picked wine tasting, a day party and girls night out. 

tip: Mix up activity types (i.e. lots of walking, casual mingling, dancing) to enhance creativity.

FLORAL SHORTS at topshop

look 1: top / purse / sandals look 2: blouse / sandals / bracelet look 3: blouse / earrings / pumps

dress for success pulls through.

A couple weeks ago, I spent my lunch break searching through seas of blazers and slacks hoping to find something fantastic. And that I did - times eight.

I headed to 4th Street Boutique, a store opened to benefit the program Dress for Success. Originally opened to sell donated surplus and non-interview appropriate clothing, 4th Street Boutique quickly became a high end thrift store that continues to fund the Dress for Success program.

My first time there, I wasn't sure what to expect. I was told it was very hit or miss so I went in strictly to check out the setup and type of clothing available. Instead, I ended scooping up everything from silk blouses to a vintage suit for a grand total of $29.00. And, in celebration of the Dress for Success program, I put together a few eight outfits that feature my finds in true business casual form.

A geometric print brightens up a gray sweater vest/pencil skirt combo.

I LOVE the tie front and silky material. 

[blouse: 4th Street, vest: Forever21, skirt: Limited, shoes: Max Studio]

a cozy 3/4 sleeve sweater is the perfect cold weather garment to wear on bad weather days

[turtleneck: 4th Street, t-shirt: American Eagle, corduroys: Gap, shoes: Old Navy]

wool plaid jacket easily transitions summer dresses into fall

[jacket: 4th Street, dress: Urban Outfitters, shoes: Forever21]

cuffed wide-legged khaki trousers should be a staple in any wardrobe.

[trousers: 4th Street, blouse: Gap, sweater: Forever21, 

shoes: BCBG, flower pins: vintage, bird pin: Forever21]

words cannot express how adorable this outfit is. tailored pattern helps create curves.

[pencil skirt: 4th Street, blouse: Gap, sweater: Forever21, shoes: Max Studio]

the matching suit blazer dresses up jeans and a t-shirt for casual fridays.

[blazer: 4th Street, t-shirt: Gap, jeans: Gap, shoes: Max Studio]

this multi-colored blazer is the perfect 90's throw back. 

keep the look updated by mixing in simple patterns and modern silhouettes.

[blazer: 4th Street, t-shirt: Old Navy, necklace: Forever21, jeans: Gap, shoes: Max Studio]

the 3/4 sleeves on this rust blazer makes it appear boxy even though it's far from it. 

pair with polka dots to compliment its classic lines, adding

slouchy suede boots to modernize

[blazer: 4th Street, dress: Forever21, boots: DSW]

P.S. I had no idea how many articles of clothing I've picked up at Forever21 over the years. So many there was at least one thing in each ensemble! I think it's because the stuff is so dirt cheap I just can't say no. Next time however, I'm hoping to pay more attention to avoid a Forever21 overdose.

Happy Friday!

NOTE: This post was not sponsored by 4th Street Boutique or Dress for Success and is 100% my personal opinion.

for the love of colored corduroy.

All you ladies in the house, get ready. As mentioned in earlier posts, I love fashion almost as much as interior design. The fact that you can transform yourself (and believe me I do) from one style to the next gets me p-u-m-p-e-d. So every Friday, I'm heading into my closet and pulling out some of the latest things I've been crushing on.

Right now, it's corduroy. I'm IN LOVE with colored corduroy. Take my old reliables. These are last year's navy Gap Always Skinny version that I probably wear at least once a week. I have a huge problem finding pants that fit and Gap seems to have one of the only answers. Had I been smart enough last year, I would have grabbed a pair in every color.

It all started when searching for a pant option I could get away with wearing in the office that had the same comfort level as a jean. I'm not a huge khaki fan so cords seemed to be the perfect option. As soon as I buttoned them up, my mind started racing through the millions of things I could pair them with. Like this.

The mix of pattern compliments the corduroy texture while the bright mustard and fuchsia create contrast. I can't resist adding some metallic to the mix which, in the end, pulled the whole look together.

Next I picked up Gap's lightweight corduroy leggings in maroon. These were purchased during my birthday shopping spree earlier this month with my mom (hi mom!).

I liked the darker hue because it could still be used as a neutral and gave off that whole ski-lodgey vibe I'm way into for fall and winter. Again, adding some pattern and sharpening the color by adding brighter red pulled the look together.

Finally, we have my beloved hunter green corduroy mini I found at Forever21. Also purchased during the shopping spree madness, I CANNOT wait to start adding to the mix. Yes, hunter green can be pretty drab (hello 1990s interior design) but I think the buttoned-up front and trendy accessories will modernize the piece, making hunter green seem almost as cool as neon.

Uh, pretend those rolled up wife beaters are cute little white socks. And aren't those gray Nine West booties adorable? 

P.S. the picture doesn't do my new crocheted headband justice. On, it looks more like this.

craftaholics anonymous

And for the record: I've not worn any of these outfits yet. SO DON'T STEAL THEM! For makeup, I'm thinking a fresh face would look adorable with all of the looks - lots of highlighter, a thick cat-eye and neutral lip.

tig-fashion

IN MY CLOSET (from top to bottom):

Gap Always Skinny Navy Corduroys

Target mustard 3/4 sleeve cardigan

Target brown and white striped tank

Target fuchsia and gold scarf

Forever21 metallic beads

Old Navy metallic ballet flats

Gap Lightweight Maroon Corduroy Legging

Forever21 red plaid shirt

Forever21 patterned sweater

Nine West red suede loafers

Forever21 hunter green corduroy mini

Old Navy patterned sweater

(??) beaded necklace

Forever21 crocheted headband

Nine West gray booties

Crazy for pleats.

It seems as though every single piece that catches my eye has some sort of pleating to it. To me, pleats are the more casual, versatile version of lace that I apparently cannot get enough of (says my last 3 purchases). This classy detail can either add a touch of whimsy or structure depending on the fabric type. Lighter, more gauzy fabrics help create flowing lines and girlish silhouettes while thicker fabrics with a tighter weave offer a more polished, tailored effect.

Personally, my eyes head straight for tiny, cute, little gauzy pleats that fill the garment from head to toe and end up looking like a pattern with tons of texture. Like this Halston dress that I have been drooling over for what seems like forever now (the dress, not the shoes).

Saks Fifth Avenue

New to pleats? Stick with silhouettes you know flatter your figure (i.e. halter top with a-line skirt) and instead expirement with various sizes and shapes of the uniform folds. This way you can focus on the actual pleating instead of trying to figure out shape and detailing.

Not sure how to wear? To avoid looking too prim, proper and preppy, try balancing the ensemble with something that has more of an edge. For example, pair with black (or gold) lacquer leggings, a nubby vest, a beat-up leather jacket (try camel or cream!) or even a sweatshirt (as seen below). Similar to a home, mixing and matching different styles is a must to get that eclectic, effortless look that becomes simply your own.

Here are some of my (more affordable) faves.

modcloth (with gold leggings and heels)

anthropologie (sub the sash with a thick, woven belt)

gap (add a large, shiny ornate brooch)

lulu's (notice the belt and add a blazer)

zara's (sub the leather belt for a tassle belt)

urban outfitters (tuck into a tweed pencil skirt)

topshop (wear with that nubby vest!)

free people (maybe lace up boots?)

The shopping diet for decorators.

While flipping through my new InStyle, I came across a summary of a book and was completely inspired. The Shopping Diet by Phillip Bloch identifies easy ways to give old clothes new life. The examples listed consisted of changing blouse buttons to re-lining a blazer to adding/reducing the amount of ruffles on a skirt. While I am totally purchasing and trying these tips out to some of my old duds, I got to thinking about potential ideas for the home. Not only is reusing materials pocketbook friendly, it's also a way to customize your home design to fit your personal style. 

Here are some ideas to consider and any other ideas are welcome and greatly appreciated. Thanks for the idea Phillip and happy hunting!

Using cloth napkins to make a couch pillow cover.

Scrap cotton fabric (or an old dress) as a way to revamp an old lamp shade.

Creating a duvet cover out of some old sheets and buttons.

Weaving old denim to make an upholstered bench cushion 

(bonus if you have some colored denim lying around). 

photos from top to bottom: world market, posies for lulu from flickr, bed bath & beyond, gap