Colorblocking

I had colorblocking on the brain today.  It seems to be a trend that just keeps going and everytime I think it is over, I see more colorblocked items pop up.  I received a catalog yesterday and all the cover models were wearing colorblocked outfits, so that makes it still ok to wear.  I can't tell if there are any particular rules for this trend, so I just went with what I felt like.  Once I took the pictures, however, I realized that perhaps my color combo could easily be confused with some collegiate colors.  Have no fear, the colors don't mean anything.  In fact, I am rarely correct on what sports are played in what season, so what colors are associated with what school is way way out of what my brain is capable of processing.

By the time I took this picture, I had cream cheese smeared across my skirt and something splattered on my boots (milk, maybe?).  However, I had finally removed the dry toothpaste that I found around my mouth - but only after I dropped my daughter at preschool and ran some errands that involved me getting assistance from the salespeople.  Ugh.  I have to remember to look more closely in the mirror before leaving the house.

My favorite part of my outfit today is the back of my shirt.  My only complaint is that I somehow hooked my purse on the strings while trying to get my son into the car - which invariably set off a chain of events that may or may not have involved me hopping around the parking lot with my purse hanging off of me while muttering curse words to myself and swatting the air like some lunatic.

Happy February, everyone!

Daily Style File
Shirt:  Lush via T.J.Maxx (Winter 2011)
Skirt:  Forever 21 (Fall 2011)
Boots:   Nine West Vintage America via Belk (Fall 2011)

I Wore It Where?
preschool, music class, errands 

Chubby's

I have no clue what I am wearing today.  My outfit was thrown on in less than 5 minutes (normal dressing = 15) while I tried to go for something more than pajamas yoga pants.  Of those 5 minutes, at least four were spent blankly thinking about what I should wear until I just starting grabbing things.

I'm blaming my delirium this morning on the fact that we ate at a place called Chubby's Tacos last night.  Note to self:  beware of any eatery that starts with the name chubby.  Delicious but dangerous.  The taco's have most certainly taken over my brain function this morning. 

Daily Style File
Turtleneck:  Mossimo via Target (Fall 2011)
Top:  Forever 21 (Holiday 2011)
Skirt:  Old Navy (Fall 2011)
Tights:  Spanx
Necklace:  Nordstrom
Scarf:  Old Navy (Holiday 2010)
Clogs: Anthropologie  (Spring 2011)

I Wore It Where?
preschool, errands

Orange you glad to be here?

We had an Open House at our preschool this weekend and nothing says "Welcome to our Preschool" quite like a tight, bright orange skirt.  Well, the bright says "Welcome" and the tight says, "You've had enough spinach cheese balls, Kristie."

There is something about this color.  Once I wear it I just want to keep doing so.  Case in point:  I wore the skirt both Saturday and Sunday after wearing my orange vest on Friday.  Bright, easy, fun.  What's not to love?  Unfortunately, I ran out of time on Saturday and wasn't able to get pictures of my outfit.  I am slightly neurotic about my clothes (a.k.a. I get bored very easily), so instead of wearing the same outfit on Sunday I changed it up a bit but kept the skirt the same.  Plus, it was still laying on the settee in my room from the day before, so it made the dressing process much quicker.

Neon colors are trending for Spring, so brace yourself for lots of color in the next couple of months.  If you are unsure about rocking something so bright, try it in small doses first (accessories, t-shirts, shoelaces, etc).  Before you know it, you'll be having flashbacks of the late 80's/early 90's and wanting to dig up your neon green Lycra leggings while belting out Tiffany's hit "I Think We're Alone Now."

What's the brightest piece of clothing you own?  

Daily Style File
Turtleneck:  Forever 21 (Winter 2011)
Open cardigan:  Porridge via Anthropologie (Winter 2011)
Skirt:  Forever 21 (Winter 2011)
Necklace:  Anthropologie (Winter 2011)
Boots:   Nine West Vintage America via Belk (Fall 2011)

I Wore It Where?
errands, preschool open house, dinner 

Navy

I have a lot of black basics in my closet.  It goes with everything.  But, you know what?  So does navy.   It's less harsh looking than black.  Equally as neutral.  Strikingly fresh.  And sadly often forgotten. I think we should all make it a point to add a little navy into our ensembles this winter.

My leggings are actually long johns.  Yup, like the ones I used to wear skiing as a child.  Except they are from J.Crew and not some outdoor store that supports winter activities.  So, maybe they are a little hipper than skiing long johns.  I found them at the bottom of a box at the J.Crew Warehouse sale.  Actually, a man found them and proceeded to study them and some other items for at least 10 minutes.  Whenever anyone takes that much time to consider a purchase of an $8 pair of pants, I take note.  So, I casually digged through boxes right next to him and even more casually picked up any items he discarded so I could peruse myself.  These were in his discarded pile.  I have no idea if they are mens or womens and really don't care.  I find the navy color to be fresh and the fact they are thermal underwear makes them hip.  Right?

Daily Style File
Turtleneck:  Forever 21 (Holiday 2011)
Skirt:  Forever 21 (Fall 2011)
Necklace: Source unknown
Boots:  One of 2 via Nordstrom (Fall 2008)


I Wore It Where?
preschool, errands    

Swing top

A couple of weeks ago, I twisted my daughter's wet hair into little buns all over her head before bed.  The result in the morning was nothing short of fabulous with luscious, natural looking curls all over her almost 4 year old head.  Don't worry, there was no Toddlers & Tiaras going on over here.

Last night I had the brilliant idea to do the same to my own hair.  Why should my preschooler have all the fun?  Well, let me just say I was a sight to be seen when I woke up this morning. By the time I took my hair out, it was literally no less than a foot wide and came no longer than my ears.  It was a frizzy, albeit curly, mess.  Instead of debuting a perfectly coiffed head of hair for you today, I am sporting the plain Jane twisted pull back 'do.  And, if you are wondering, I had to shower and deep condition to coax my hair back to normal.

You all know by now that turtlenecks are like t-shirts in my closet.  I wear them all the time and with everything.  Well, one thing I don't wear all the time is swing tops.  If you have ever been pregnant, you know that after pregnancy you have an insane dislike of anything maternity or maternity-looking as well as an overarching fear that people will still think you are pregnant.  At least I do.  All those fears went out the window when I saw this top.   I love it and don't care what anyone thinks.  It's hard to see in the pictures, but it even has little tonal, flocked hearts all over it.  Love.  Plus, it hides any holiday indulging and looks chic paired with a number of items in my closet.  If you want to try the same, just layer it with something fitted so your shape isn't lost in the layers.

Daily Style File
Turtleneck:  Old Navy (Fall 2011) last worn here
Top:  Forever 21 (Holiday 2011)
Jeans:  Gap (Spring 2011) last worn here
Necklace:  Anthropologie (Holiday 2011)
Clogs: Anthropologie  (Spring 2011) last worn here

I Wore It Where?
storytime, errands

Pattern play

I'm not usually one to wear a whole bunch of new items at once.  You know, I like to ease them into my wardrobe and savor the tags and newness of the item before they get dried food, sticky fingers and runny noses all over them.  But, it's a new year people and today I decided to just go for it.  Aside from my jeans and necklace, my clothes today are brand spanking new.  And since I haven't make a public thank you to Anthropologie, I'll do so now. 

Thank for you for your end-of-year-clearance-mega-sale, Anthropologie.  You have revived my wardrobe at minimal cost.  Can I have a whoop whoop for $158 tops for only $20?!

And just so you know how excited I am, I added a picture that looks like I am skipping.  Or maybe it's a happy dance.  By someone with no rhythm.

Daily Style File
Turtleneck:  Forever 21 (Winter 2011)
Open cardigan:  Porridge via Anthropologie (Winter 2011)
Jeans: Anoname via Nordstrom Rack (Fall 2008)
Necklace: Source Unknown (old)
Belt: Anthropologie (Winter 2011)
Shoes: JBrand Shoes via Anthropologie (Winter 2011)

I Wore It Where?
errands

Dreary day, Sunny outfit

We have dark curtains in our room and they serve more purpose than to just keep out daylight.  Apparently they are not only sight but also sound barriers to rainfall.  You see, normally on rainy days I have no desire to get dressed in much more than yoga pants and sneakers (gasp!).  Who wants to ruin a perfectly good pair of shoes while trying to get two kids in and out of the car?  Not I.  No, not I.

So, imagine my surprise when I emerged dressed and ready for the day only to find that it was wet outside.  Oy vey.   At least my leather boots can handle the rain.  Plus, I wasn't wearing jeans that get wet on the bottom and then cause rain to slowly seep up the pant leg and remain wet the rest of the day.  You get the picture, right?  On the bright side,  it actually felt kind of good to be wearing a little yellow on an otherwise dreary day.

 

Daily Style File                                                            

Dress: Forever 21 (Fall 2008)

Sweater: Free People via Belk (Summer 2011)

Leggings: Old Navy (Summer 2011)

Boots:  Jeffrey Campbell Frontier Nordstrom (Fall 2009)
Necklace:  Old Navy (Winter 2010)

I Wore It Where?
Preschool, Errands, Shopping

P.S.  The rain also pushed me over the edge and right on over to Old Navy to pick up this pair of rainboots I had seen on clearance the day before.  A little rain + a clearance price tag + the Friends and Family 30% off coupon does it everytime (note:  The online price is full retail. I scored them for $16).  I'll be sure to share when I wear these new beauties.

P.P.S.  Beware if you have kids and a sweater dress like the one I am wearing.  I think it is stretched about 3x the original size from kiddos pulling on it all day.  I'm going to try and reshape it in the wash...we'll see if there is a difference next time I wear it.  Don't be scared, my hiney wasn't peeping out.