How I Wear…Jacquard

When wearing one statement piece. such as jacquard trousers, it's necessary to incorporate another texture or pattern to make them daytime appropriate. I know it sounds counterintuitive, but wearing them with a simple black turtleneck or white collar shirt would make them party ready. So, combining plaid and faux fur has somehow toned down the fancy - am I right or am I right?
P.S. Pardon the graininess, but it seems as though my fuzzy vest impacted the lens. However, this does offer an opportunity to share with you my favorite movie quote from Despicable Me. I've said it so many times that I like to think I kind of sound like her, although I'm sure watching it one hundred times has been helpful as well.

Recreate my look:

Jacquard pants, faux fur vest, J.Crew shirt, vintage cameo brooch, navy flats, cobalt wallet, Nars Red Lizard

Mirror, Mirror

Mirror, mirror on the wall, who is the most creative of them all? Well, I'm certainly not claiming that title; however, I am proud of this ensemble. I was inspired by Ms. Blair and even though I didn't have a dress, I did have a skirt and shirt that go together and were mistaken for one all day by on-lookers. Additionally, these shoes looked like this before, but with ankle strap sandals being THE shoe to have, I did some tweaking with some kitchen shears and voila! I'm remixing and DIY-ing with the best of 'em...err, maybe the least experienced of 'em.

Anthropologie jacket, XXI tee (similar) and Target skirt (similar) or dress, Nine West heels (similar), Charming Charlie collar (similar)

Double Denim

I recently came upon a new to me fashion blogger - Wendy of Thankfifi - and I'm enamored! She lives in Glasgow, which I visited in my semester of studying abroad in Manchester, England. I've already been inspired by quite a few of her ensembles and can't wait to get our own dog that can become a model in my outfit pics. 

Have a great Memorial Day weekend and I can't wait to share the details of our trip to Traverse City with you next week, but follow me on Twitter & Instagram to stay up with our fun adventures!

Denim shirt, Worthington peplum top (similar), Gap legging jeans, Jessica Simpson flats (similar here and here), Stella & Dot Lilith Fringe necklace

Hey Red

American Apparel collared blouse, Gap sweater (similar), Akira skirt (similar), JC Penney belt (similar), Gap sequin clutch (similar), Old Navy cuffs (similar), Nine West leopard sandals

Not So Fast

Unless you are a Chicagaoan vacationing somewhere warm like me, you're still experiencing frigidness - thank goodness for Florida! While the calendar promised spring, it seems that the mumblings and grumblings about the cold wil not dissipate for a bit yet. Therefore, keep your sweater tights, wool coats, and gloves in close reach.

NY & Co leather jacket, American Apparel sweater, XXI blouse, Charming Charlie brooch, vintage plaid skirt, Audrey Brooke booties

Lincoln Square, Chicago

Last weekend, the man and I spent some time in our soon to be neighborhood of Lincoln Square - we are moving in together on April 1st! We had a Christmas present for a knife skills class at The Chopping Block (highly recommend, by the way); however, even after our class, we stayed there for lunch and then went back the next day for dinner and a movie. I guess that's a good sign that we are going to be moving to the right area since we couldn't stay away. Plus, I can't wait to become a regular at an apothecary that's been open for 138 years!

Longchamp Expandable Travel Bag, American Apparel Chicago sweatshirt & collared blouse, Gap legging jeans, Steve Madden high tops, NY & Co fur stole (similar), Tory Burch sunglasses, Nars Heat Wave lipstick

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

Doble Ve

Despite four years of Spanish in high school and two trips to Espana, I am inept with the language and often can't remember if a word is Spanglish or really Spanish. Sure, there are words that I can pick out of a conversation, like "jugar," "amor"," and, "cerveza," but ask me to conjugate a verb or count beyond nueve and I'm lost. However, when I thought my necklace resembled a "W," I immediately started singing the alphabet - u, ve, doble ve, equis!

American Apparel blouse, Charming Charlie necklace, XXI sweater, Target skirt, Assets tights, Old Navy oxfords

His Favorite

For those of you who know him, it's no surprise that my bf is my biggest fan. Every time he looks at me in my daily outfits, he shows a sweet smile and gives me a wink while saying, "You look great, honey." I believe him every time...and you would too. He's incredibly sincere. So when he said that this outfit was his favorite, I knew that was a big deal. You see, my bf pays attention to details, and the fact that I pulled each color of the dots in my shirt to my blazer, watch, shoes, purse, and skirt, was not lost on him. As if he wasn't a keeper already.

Worthington blazer, Target top, NY & Co skirt, Baccio 6 sandals, Tokyo Bay watch, purse via Crossroads, Charming Charlie collar necklace

Cold Shoulder

Well, I did it. I purchased an Equipment blouse and boy, oh boy, was it worth it! After realizing that peach is going to be my go-to neutral for fall (think of it with cognac, plum, mustard, teal, burnt orange, etc.), I had to start the search for a blouse that I could pair with all of those autumnal hues. So, I started scouring my usual suspects of XXI, ASOS, and J.Crew, but when I came up empty, I remembered this post by one of my favorite bloggers. And there it was, on shopbop.com, and the best part? It was on sale! The shopping gods smiled down on me and when that happens, you take advantage, my friends. Never turn a cold shoulder to an amazing blouse on sale, especially when it feels so exquisite on your skin. Literally, like butter

Equipment Nixie blouse, NY & Co skirt, Sam Edelman pumps, Target earrings, NY & Co necklace