Jazz Age

Drop waist? Check. Long necklace? Check. Chin length, wavy bob? Check. Beading and pleats? Check. Statement lip? Check. I've got all the fashion elements of being a heroine in a remake of The Great Gatsby or The Sun Also Rises, except my love life is much more stable. 

Recreate my look:

Beaded tank (similar here and here), MNG blazer (similar), metallic skirt, gold pumps, gold cuff, Stella & Dot charm necklace, bejeweled button earrings, Stella & Dot clutch, Nars Schiap lipstick

Fuchsia

As far as brights go, fuchsia would have to be considered my most versatile. After purchasing this linen jacket from the Zara sale, I have wanted to wear it every day. And as you can see from Instagram, I have done almost that! It compliments primary colors, moody darks, and soft pastels. Although I have to credit my Nars Schiap lipstick with broadening the influence of the color "fuchsia" in my daily life. 

Have any lipsticks helped your color combining skills?

Zara blazer, J.Crew blouse via Crossroads, Gap boyfriend jeans, Nine West heels, Stella & Dot Bahari necklace, vintage rings

Pantone on Tone

In revisiting my own archives, I stumbled upon this post where I discussed "tone on tone" via Diane Von Furstenberg's pre-fall 2011 lookbook and introduced the idea of using Pantone color charts to find which colors to wear to achieve the look. Now, almost two years later, I'm inspired all over again! Whether it's shades of pink, purple, red, or blue, it's safe to say that this escalation of color blocking is a sure fire way to ring in spring! Do yourself a favor and pile on pastels, neons, and brights in one color family from your ears to your toes.

Green wide leg trousers (similar here and here), American Apparel tank, Worthington cropped blazer, Hobo clutch (similar and on sale), BaubleBar necklace (similar here and here)

Fit & Flare

If there was an image next to a definition for "easy, flattering dress," it would be of a fit & flare dress! Think about it...nipped in waist? Check. A-line skirt? Check. Ability to add on tied up blouse, jacket, or cardigan, any size belt, and any size necklace? Check. Take that wrap and shift dresses!

Xhiliration dress, XXI bomber jacket, Nine West pumps, Max Mara purse via Crossroads (similar), Kenneth Jay Lane beads (similar), vintage ring (similar here and here)

Grandma Esther's Hue

My maternal grandmother's favorite color was lilac and every time I see it, I think of her. I decided it was time to invest in a piece of clothing in this lovely pastel since it always brings such fond memories of my time with her. Such as her waking up at 3am to start cooking and baking for a family supper and then getting so wrapped up that she would forget to change out of her nightgown and apron when it was time to eat. Or her beautiful garden that won many awards in her town of Sullivan, IN. As well as her jewelry box full of brooches and clip earrings that always coordinated with her colored skirt suits and matching pumps for church service. And even the comfort and warmth of her flannel sheets in the dead of winter. She was one heck of a woman, and is dearly missed.

J.Crew high waisted flare jeans (similar), Joe Fresh silk blouse, Gap cardigan, Franco Sarto heels (similar), XXI necklace, Kohl's snakeskin bangle (similar), Nars Schiap lipstick

North of the Knee

Joe Fresh blouse, Simply Vera miniskirt, Nine West over the knee boots, Simply Vera fishnets, NY & Co leather bomber, Stella & Dot necklace, Akira and Charming Charlie bracelets

Flora, Fauna, and Merryweather

While I've seen many Disney movies and read many Brother's Grimm tales, "Sleeping Beauty" is certainly my favorite. It's funny, beautiful, and a bit scary - Maleficent still gives me nightmares! My favorite scene is in the cottage with the three Good Fairies (Flora, Fauna, and Merryweather) when they're cleaning and preparing for Princess Aurora's surprise birthday. They gave it their all to not use magic, but with an unbaked cake and a horrendous dress, they definitely needed it! If only they had remembered to close the chimney, or handle their differences without an argument of blue and pink fireworks...

XXI jeans and sweater, Francesca's scarf, purse via Crossroads, Steve Madden boots, Tokyo Bay watch, Foster Grant sunnies