Sparkling on Laundry Day

     Laundry. I love the fresh smell, the fleeting warmth of clothes just out of the dryer and the feeling of rewearing an old favorite. Downside... I am one of those people who does laundry at the LAST possible second and I tend to hold off on folding for so long, clothes are wrinkled and require a quick session in the dryer to get back that ooommph back. This morning was the moment I realized it was laundry day. Luckily this sparkly number and these ancient dress pants were still on my shelf. So... Voila! A quick and simple outfit for work. Complete with studded heels to bring down the girliness of the sparkle just a notch and my new favorite gold-plated seashell necklace.

 I look like I'm falling to one side but I was only bending my right knee slightly. hmmm... weird.

 Here's a better shot of the shell necklace and the sparkle of my purdy sweater. :)

 I know this picture has already been featured on a different posts, but I just love the stud detailing on these shoes so I figured it should show up again!

I forgot to get a shot of the outfit WITH the purse so here's a stock photo of the purse I used.

*Note: I have since dealt with not only the mountain of laundry but my car decided to misfire on the freeway while I was going 60 mph. Yikes!

Top: H & M
Pants: super old from Ross?
Shoes: Francesca's
Necklace: Anthropologie
Purse: Kate Spade



Mint Condition

     My new FAVORITE dress. It's a lace, minty green, flattering dress. What's not to like? I wore this to a family dinner where we were celebrating a new addition to our extended family! This dress also has a bit of give so that I can actually eat! Score! I paired this dress with a black trenchcoat and vintage pin. I decided to lighten the outfit up a bit with some neutral accessories and shoes. I will definitely be wearing this dress again and soon!

 Not much other jewelry was needed for such a pretty dress.

I opted for simple gold earrings since the dress had it's own "bling".

 A sweetheart neckline, rhinestones, lace and satin. Doesn't get any girlier than this.

 A closer shot of the lace and pale purplish gray lining underneath. The details in this dress are amazing.

My trusty Kate Spade purse and vintage scarf.

 A new vintage find from a store in Long Beach. Forgot the name!

 Shoes with bows and a heel of gold...

Drool...

Dress: Covenant Garden
Earrings: Francesca's
Shoes: Payless
Purse: Kate Spade
Scarf: American Vintage
Coat: H & M
Pin: Vintage
Belt: Foreign Exchange

Hodge-Podge and Fashion Guidelines

     Hodge-podge. Say that TEN TIMES FAST! It's tough but funny. The first word that came to my mind when I look at this set of outfit photos is hodge-podge. It's all over the place but I think it works. Maybe it's a sign that I was scatter brained at 5:30 in the morning but who isn't? Oh... not you? Well then you must be wonderwoman... or a morning person.

     I have a flowy top, geometric necklace, brown leather sandals and my black leather jacket on ALL at the same time. Then I decided it wasn't enough. So I reached for my "gumby" legs ring, piled on the bracelets and topped it with TWO green scarves. Don't worry, only one scarf went around my neck. Looking back at the pictures though makes me want to go back to my closet and put together more over-accessorized outfits.

     Now... back to the nitty gritty reasons why this outfit works requires an explanation of a few fashion guidelines I keep in mind when putting outfits together. I am sharing these with you whether you want to read them or not. I'm pushy like that.

Here are a few of the reasons why I think this outfit works:
1. color "themes" : mossy green scarf with brown shoes both of which are earth tones.
2. the pops of color are toned down when paired with neutrals. (Blue top with beige shoes & black jacket)
3. Balance: Structured geometric necklace with a flowy top or the black & blue of the necklace repeated in the blue top & black jacket.

"Gumby" legs ring.. do you see it?

Jacket: H & M
Top: F21
Jeans: Nordstrom's Rack
Earrings: shop in Chinatown (Los Angeles)
Scarf: Souvenir from Hong Kong
Necklaces: F21(Metal), Francesca's (Blue, black, clear glass)
Bracelets: F21 (bangle), Anthropologie (wrap leather bracelet)
Rings: Mom's shop (leaves), Hubba Hubba in Burbank (Gumby ring)
Purse: Kate Spade
Shoes: Banana Republic
Nails: Essie's Lapiz of Luxury (fingers), Essie's Mint Candy Apple (toes)

Colorful Flowerful

     This dress is somewhat of an anomaly. Basic black with bright-colorful spring flowers bursting all over the skirt. Black is not necessarily the color of spring but it certainly does make these flowers POP! A bit of an odd pairing if you ask me. Like peanut butter and honey. Oh so tastey yet definitely an odd couple. I like making food analogies. That's right. I relate fashion to food. Don't judge.

 I know this is a total No-No being a bathroom picture and all but

I am fully clothed and could not resist showing off the details of the

belt and jewelry!

 My maltipoo invaded this picture... I should photograph him wearing his sweater. :)

Dress: F21
Tank: F21
Belt: Anthropologie
Shoes: F21
Purse: Kate Spade
Necklace: Francesca's
Bangle: Boutique in Hong Kong
Ring: Francesca's (multi-color) Leaf: Mom's shop
Nails: Essie Lapiz of Luxury

Lace, Flowers and a Cartoon Bunny?

                               

 This ring is so cute, I wish I had a pair of scissors that actually LOOKED like this. Fancy.

     I love the details of this outfit. The accessories are what makes this outfit work for me. It has been accessorized within an inch of its life. One more bead/rhinestone and this outfit would have been ridiculously over-the-top. No?

     This dress has an amazing back detail that I forgot to photograph. Oopsies. It's a cut-out dress WITH pockets. The pockets on this dress are also really convenient for stashing a teeny tiny baggy of gummy bears. You mean you don't pack snacks for outfit photos? How else are you supposed to get the nerve to stand around posing by a building full of people who might be peeping out the window? Pure guts you say? Rock on gutsy one!

Dress: Forever 21
Top: Cotton On
Belt: Borrowed from a thrifted linen dress
Tights: We Love Colors
Shoes: Forever 21
Earrings: Francesca's
Necklace: Gift
Bracelets: Boutique in Hong Kong
Rings: Covent Garden (scissors) and Mom's shop (leaves)
Purse: Kate Spade via Lucky Shops Event