Taste the Rainbow

Although I have seen so many of my blog crushes stating that they're wearing vintage bracelets, pants, shirts, skirts, etc., I had no idea where to start shopping for these retro finds. Then yesterday, the style gods smiled upon me... There I was, just strolling up and down Belmont when suddenly I took in the entirety of the Belmont Army Surplus store, which to my surprise includes a vintage shop on the top floor. Hallelujah. I was like a kid in a candy store, or maybe even my adult self in a candy store - I have a sweet tooth, okay?! There were so many items that I could have seen my mother, aunts, or even grandma wear in their hay day. I wanted everything to fit, but alas I made out with only one skirt. Behold...

Fuchsia. Wool. Front slit. Pencil style. Part elastic waist (great for holiday dinners).  

Not to mention how amazing it looks with mustard, neon yellow, olive green, chambray, orange, and purple...to name a few. And the sprinkles on top? It was $15. Sold.

Where do you shop vintage? I need more of an arsenal!

Cream colored ponies...

After a recent trip to DSW, I realized that I had just about every type of shoe that I needed at the time, or maybe it was that nothing in particular sparked my interest Well, it seems that feeling of completeness and apathy has clearly passed, not that you're surprised.  Enter the new must have for my (and your) feet: colorblock sandals.

 

  

Now while your LBD would work perfectly with this trend, let's challenge ourselves and consider pairing them with a few of the other trends in dresses that are so hot right now...white lace, colored shifts, watercolor, pleated, and mini prints (chain, feather, polka dots, floral). Try and keep the hemlines short so as to promote full focus on your lower half to show off any of these "Daaaaaamn, girl" shoes.

Tongue Tied

After a few months of really being in this fashion blog mindset, I have viewed many different posts from all over the world on a daily basis. The women that dish out daily outfits, advice, or share pretty things from their lives and observations have been truly inspirational. I have learned many things from perusing the blogosphere and one trend that these creative, fearless, and fab fashionistas, have shown me, is how (and when) to tie up a shirt.

 Audre from a lovely escape

Anh from 9to5chic

 Jessica from What I Wore

Kendi from Kendi Everyday

So next time you throw on a top, consider whether it could be knotted or tied, rather than belted or tucked in. I swear, it's tons o fun!

If I had a million dollars...again

Since I still have close to a million dollars, minus the amount spent on my last amazeballs outfit, I would like to imagine that, with that much money to spend on my entertainment and clothing, I could decide today that I needed to head to Miami for the weekend. Not that Chicago doesn't feel like Miami right now, but there is something about salt versus fresh water that makes me feel like I'm on a vacation. Plus, cut off jean shorts over one's bikini suffices on the shores of Lake Michigan, which doesn't necessitate any shopping, which is the whole point of this post. 

First, I would book a bungalow at the Shore Hotel...

...and plan on spending my days lounging pool or beach side sipping mojitos or maybe I'll rent a boat and a captain and have him drive me and my companions up and down the coastline, ya know, whatever strikes my fancy that day. Regardless of where I'd get some sun, it would be done in this Missoni bikini & Diane Von Furstenberg cover-up (it's like the prints were made for each other), a San Diego Hat Company straw hat, Tory Burch Logo Cat Eye Sunglasses, DV vy Dolce Vita Dino sandals, and a Mar Y Sol Valencia Raffia Beach Totem that will hold my current read "The Beautiful and Damned," sunscreen for body, face, and lips (obvs), fashion mags, and my iPod filled with reggae (a summer must have).

 

Of course, after the day of sun, rum, and an al fresco lunch...an evening out at a fab restaurant and drinks on a rooftop would follow, but that, my friends, is for another time. I might not even stay in Miami for the evening...remember, I'm a gosh darn millionaire ;)

Tone on Tone - The New Black

I had the idea for this post for quite a while; however, I was unable to find sufficient pictures to do it justice in order to capture the depth and breadth of this trend. Then, along comes my friend, Lizzie, who pointed me in the direction of the Diane Von Furstenburg pre-Fall 2011 line-up via the newest InStyle mag. Despite the fact that this is an extension on color-blocking, or maybe even the same thing as color-blocking, I would like to call it the "tone on tone." The difference between the two is that we are keeping the colors very similar, almost the same color. Rust and red, tangerine and orange, cobalt and navy, mint and kelly green, turquoise and teal, purple and eggplant, peony and magenta...I really could go on and on, but look below and see for yourself.

Even though these outfits are obviously for fall, and it's still 90 degrees and climbing in the northern hemisphere, we can still work this trend now...just with less layers. Think a simple tank and skirt or loose silk tee and slim pants even with a matching clutch or pumps! Since the colors are the main focus, we owe it to ensure that it remains that way with simple shapes that fit well. But how can we know which shades are complimentary without Ms. Von Furstenberg? Pantone color charts, my dears. 

Pantone Matching System is largely a standardized color reproduction system. By standardizing the colors, different manufacturers in different locations can all refer to the Pantone system to make sure colors match without direct contact with one another. The idea behind it is to allow designers to color match specific colors when a design enters production stage, regardless of the equipment used to produce the color. This system has been widely adopted by graphic designers and reproduction and printing houses for a number of years now...or so says Wikipedia. Despite all that I've read about Pantone in research for this post, I'm still a little foggy on the purpose and how it translates; however, that doesn't mean that I am any less thankful for the swatches and color charts. My advice - look at one color that you have, and then find another color, within the same line and you have a match!

Cage the Animal

I would not like to think about what my work or weekend outfits would be without these three pairs of shoes. Black wedged, cognac laced, and snakeskin stacked...all in the caged style that zip up the back. 

They literally look good with anything. Shorts, short skirts, flowy skirts, maxi skirts, pencil skirts, cropped pants, bootcut pants, wide leg pants...have I covered it all? I think in comparison to peep toes or pumps, they bring an punky flair to an outfit that could maybe be blah blah boring. 

Case in point: Jenna Dewan vs. Nicky Hilton.

I mean, ignoring the adorb leopard cluth, I personally prefer Nicky's take on this dress with the caged booties. It adds some interest to an otherwise humdrum, albeit sexy dress. I mean, there's a time and a place for Jenna's but if I can have an opinion, which on my own blog I think I can, I'd take Nicky's every time. This style of shoe takes any outfit from plain sophistication to edgy chic, which I obviously prefer.

Get some for yourself - my black and cognac ones are from Target and the snakeskin are from JCPenney about a year ago, but these, these, and these are uber cute too.

The ABCs of Summer

In addition to the other trends that I have showcased thus far...

1. Make your nude shoes match your skin tone...camel, beige, blush, tan, etc. a la Eva Mendez, not Selena Gomez. You totally lose the effect of elongating the leg with a too light or too dark nude.

 2. Invest in a couple clutches - nothing says a lack of accessorizing quite like pairing your day tote with an LBD or interrupting a strapless dress or halter neckline with a shoulder bag a la Anne Hathaway.

3. Be content in contradictions - pair a girlie dress with funky jewelry, a belt with a buckle, or booties

4. Mix your brights and your metals - as far as I can see it, there are no rules

 

 5. Embrace the mid length - just keep the top tucked in

 6. Do do white on white - mix textures or even shades of white & cream, and highlight a standout piece in a bright color or cognac/olive

 

7. Blazers, sweaters, and booties go with shorts - Instead of wearing your jeans with a tank, go the opposite way and show off your gams and cover up your top!

8. Just because it ain't tight, don't mean it ain't sexy!

 

 

Four loves in honor of the 4th....

1. Chicago Skyline

 2. Good girlfriends who loan me bright cardigans for watching fireworks on a rooftop

3. New colorful sunglasses purchased at North Ave Beach that match...

4. ...my bright swimsuit cover-up perfectly