Four Musketeers

A leopard tote and navy blazer complete with brass buttons are my two newest purchases...along with mint, chambray, and black sleeveless blouses. I'm sure there will be many more for spring, but what's on your list of spring splurges? If I may, I would suggest picking up these four colors: red/orange, mint, cobalt, and peach in the form of an accordion skirt (Urban Outfitters), skinny cropped trousers (J.Crew), oversize blouse (American Apparel), or blazer (Forever 21). In any combination, these colors and shapes, will work together all season long, consider them the three amigos or the three musketeers, err wait, there's four of 'em. Well, that still works, right? Just go with it, people.

H&M Blazer (current), vintage blouse and necklace, NY & Co jeans, Target shoes (last season), J.Crew tote,  Stella & Dot ring

Kris Kross

Whether it was the "Mac Daddy" or the "Daddy Mac" that made you, "Jump, Jump," the domination that these barely adolescents made on the Billboard charts was epic. Eight weeks at #!? Thank goodness Jermaine Dupri found them in an Atlanta shopping mall, otherwise I would have never been able to walk to fourth grade, wearing backwards overalls. I wear my kimono backwards for you, Chris...and Chris.

Aryn K. skirt, Mossimo sandals, H&M kimono

Pining for Pastels

One of the trends for spring is pastels, among others like neon, flatforms, mesh/perforated pieces, gingham, colored and floral denim, cat eye sunglasses, and peplum. Check out my Pinterest boards for more inspiration!

Images from Pinterest

UO dress, America Apparel blouses, I Heart Ronson jean shirt, Nine West sandals, and Stella & Dot necklace

Bookworm

My love for books started at a very young age, even though my love for glasses is much more recent. My mother would read to me every night, so much so that I ended up memorizing the words and would "read" to her. It was always expected to read often in our house...and there were plenty of books to chose from. Grandma once counted the amount of hard and softcover, fiction and non-fiction, self-help and philosophy, fantasy and classics, and got to 1,500. She was committed to the cause; as was my mother to maintaining mine and my brother's interest in learning, self-discovery, and awareness of the world. And for that, I will be forever grateful.

NY & Co skirt, Zara tee, H&M blazer, Jessica Simpson shoes, Urban Outfitters glasses, JC Penney cuff, Stella & Dot necklace and ring

Blue Jeans

I am not a fan of jeans. As you can see from the outfits posted (as well as the fact that most pictures are taken during the work week), I'm way more a skirt girl. While jeans are supposed to be comfortable, every day items, I am way more comfy in a just loose enough pencil skirt or leggings. Maybe it's because I'm always pulling them up or having to get the waist taken in to ensure that I don't look like a plumber - curse of the curves. Therefore, I'll stick with what I'm drawn to wearing on my lower half and draw attention to one of the two pairs of blue jeans I own. Ta da!

J.Crew jeans & scarf, Zara sweater, Target tee, Francesca's jewelry, and Steve Madden boots

Leopard is Neutral

Similar to my feeling about color blocking, my opinion about the versatility of leopard has escalated. Consider it a neutral - and that's all I have to say about that. 

Aldo shoes, Serena Mavi jeans, Steve Madden Luxe purse, NY & Co cape, J.Crew outlet belt, Old Navy shirt, Paul and Joe for Target blazer, vintage scarf, no name hat, Revlon Cherries in the Snow lipstick

Grease is the Word

There's something very 50s feeling about a high-waist, wool, pencil skirt and a leather motorcycle jacket. I can just imagine the scene...I show up to high school with my peter pan collared shirt under a short sleeve sweater tucked into my skirt, and my boyfriend comes up behind me at my locker before homeroom throwing his leather jacket over my shoulders. Of course, I'd be the cheerleader dating the bad boy. Just call me "Sandy."

Akira sweater, J.Crew tissue turtleneck, vintage skirt and scarf, NY & Co jacket, Stella & Dot ring, Michael Kors watch

A Non-Color Story

Yesterday, a co-worker was putting together a PowerPoint and wanted an idea of what colors to use. Beige background, black letters, and I suggested gray for the boxes. Gray? She was flabbergasted that gray and beige would be put together. Gray only goes with black, she thought. Oh contrer, ma cheri. Gray goes with brown, black, beige, ivory, white, cognac, blush, and all the other neutrals as well. Personally, I have been trying to view my neutrals in terms of style and shape, rather than color - a neutral is a neutral is a neutral. For example, I am really digging the height of my brown ankle boots, so regardless of the fact that my skirt is black, I still wore 'em.

Club Monaco fur vest, Old Navy jean jacket, Akira sweater, Francesca's skirt, Stella & Dot necklace, Hue wool tights, Nine West booties, Urban Outfitters glasses

Spring Forward

Obviously, it was the influence of the Puritan work ethic that made it so we spring forward on a Sunday morning rather than, say, a Monday afternoon. It would have been blasphemy to take an hour out of a work day; however, why is it justified to leave us even more sleep deprived and disoriented than we are on Mondays? No hard work can occur under those conditions. Nonetheless, you won't get me down, Puritans. I work to live...and will achieve salvation through my haphazard spending and enjoyment of more time for happy hour in the sunlight.

(The "Puritan influence" claimed in this post may or may not be true, but it makes sense to me. If you want the facts, go here).

J.Crew dress worn as a skirt, J.Crew shirt, Jones for NY sweater, H&M jacket, Forever 21 brooch, Stella & Dot necklace, Nine West booties, Nars Schiap lipstick

The Only Thing

The only thing that should ever come between a woman and her shoes? Socks.

Allen B jacket, Express blouse, Theory trousers, Loft socks and brooch, and Jessica Simpson pumps

Slytherin

I'm not ashamed to admit that I'm a Harry Potter fan...as well as Twilight and the Hunger Games. The movies are (or will be) epic and the books had me hooked within five minutes. Did I cry when Dumbledore was killed? Yes. Did I tear up at Edward & Bella's wedding? You better believe it. Did my heart swell with pride when Katniss threw the District 12 salute? So much so I thought it was going to burst. I don't think I'm any different from any other (almost) 30 year old when I say that an escape to a land of adolescent love, albeit fraught with supernatural beings, magic, and post-apocalyptic overtones, is welcomed...and needed.  

Zara tank, H&M blazer, J.Crew coat, Steve Madden Luxe purse, Kenneth Cole Reaction wedges, Tripp leggings via Crossroads

Important

If I could chose one "important" item in my closet, it would be hard...real hard. However, if I tried, I would have to mention the versatility of the multicolored silky oversize tank. An abstract, watercolor, or floral print with any number of different tones will match and highlight the solid colors that already exist in your wardrobe. It will soon turn into something that you reach for in times of great need, or diminished inspiration. When looking for this tank, be sure it's loose & flowy to wear with skinnies or to tuck into a pencil skirt as well lower cut to maximize layering capabilities. Here are two options, one from Forever 21 and ASOS, but keep your own eyes peeled for similar options.

Gap leather jacket, Aryn K. skirt via Akira, no name tank, Nine West booties, NY & Co, Express, and Target bracelets

Specks

I wrestled for a while with purchasing "fake" glasses but in the end, I determined that they can be seen as just another accessory. C'mon in, specks, and join the always expanding and already expansive collection in my jewelry armoire! I think you're going to fit right in.

Akira Sweater, Mavi "Serena" jeans via Akira, Nine West booties, XXI scarf, Urban Outfitters glasses