patterned tweed and simple tee

It was definitely love at first sight with this skirt. I loved the bright chartreuse color, first of all. Then as I ran my hand across the fabric, I was convinced. The tweed makes the skirt feel so rich and expensive! I immediately pictured ways I could wear it and this was the first look:

as you probably know by now, I love to pair casual with fancy, so I decided to wear this skirt with a simple gray tee. I chose one with dolman sleeves this time, but you could easily switch it out with any basic tee. Then to polish off the look, I added a black sandal with a mid-height heel. I chose a bolder shoe because the outfit is more fashion-forward than classic. 

As for the jewelry, a statement necklace, of course! I chose one with dark green stones to play off of the color of the skirt. I went with a few simple gold bangles and some fun leopard stud earrings. And finally, a red-orange lip, my favorite!

gray tee: Old Navy; chartreuse tweed skirt: ABS Platinum by Allen Schwartz - purchased at J.C. Penney; black sandals: Nine West - purchased at Ross; green and gold necklace: Forever 21; earrings and midi ring: Old Navy; gold and pearl ring: Forever 21; bangles: mixture of random pieces that I have acquired; lipstick: Rimmel Lasting Finish By Kate in Rossetto

Channeling Kate

Sometimes high fashion can feel so stuffy and serious. It's nice to occasionally have a break and let loose a little bit. Many of you have spotted the recent trend of the critter or animal sweater. Some people think this is juvenile or silly, but I think it can be so cute and even chic, a la Kate Bosworth, shown here wearing a Burberry Prorsum owl jumper.

www.mycelebrityfashion.co.uk

I decided to pair my critter sweater with an unexpected royal blue pencil skirt. Since the sweater is the main focus, I've kept the accessories to a minimum, only wearing my standard stud earrings and adding a slight red lip. If I was going out, I would grab a simple clutch as Kate did in the picture above, and maybe some simple gold bangles. I decided to keep my sweater un-tucked for comfort. I would wear it tucked in for a more polished look, though. 

  

I chose a brown pair of open-toed, lace-up booties to go with my outfit. Any lace-up booties would work best with this outfit.

For those of you a bit less inclined to take a high fashion risk, you can pair your critter sweater with skinny jeans and tall, flat boots and still look like a fashionista!

Remember, just try it on! If it makes you feel good about yourself, wear it with confidence!

sweater: Old Navy; skirt: Mossimo - purchased at Target; booties: Vince Camuto - purchased at Nordstrom Rack

Sequins For Daytime? I Think So!

I have noticed that many people shy away from sequins in their wardrobe. Many people aren’t quite sure how to wear them. They think they are great for New Year’s dresses and maybe Halloween costumes. They think they are pretty and fun, but to actually wear sequins in an everyday outfit? That’s another story…

However, that is the fun part about fashion these days! Something unexpected always adds the perfect punch. I personally feel that there is always room for a little sparkle. In fact, I think it is necessary! Too many things in life are too serious or monotonous; your wardrobe is a great way to lighten things up and have a little fun.

 In this outfit I have shown one of the greatest and easiest ways to wear sequins casually. I have paired my favorite sequin shorts with a faded chambray button-up shirt (This shirt is one of my favorite and most versatile pieces in my wardrobe,) which I have tucked in to accentuate my waist. I have added a deep plum-colored pair of tights, perfect for the fall, and then a simple black wedge lace-up bootie to complete the outfit. When you are wearing sequins or something equally flashy during the day, you want that piece to be the focus in the outfit, so it’s best to keep the accessories simple so they aren’t competing. Here, I have just added a large, menswear-inspired gold watch and a plain, gold double ring.  

This outfit would work just as well with a skirt in place of the shorts. It’s all about what you’re most comfortable with! Remember, you’re never too old to play dress-up!

<3 xoxo

faded chambray button-up shirt: Iris Los Angeles - purchased at Ross; sequin shorts: Authentic Icon - purchased at Kohl's; tights: Hue - purchased at Ross; booties: White Mt. - purchased at Ross; handbag: vintage thrift store find - Goodwill; gold watch: Merona - Target; gold double ring: Forever 21.

3 Ways to Wear It

One of the best ways to get the most out of your wardrobe is to buy pieces that you can mix and match. You can give a single piece so many different looks by simply changing what you pair it with and how you accessorize it. This is one of my favorite things to do because the possibilities are endless! Here I have shown three different ways to wear the same blouse; comfy lounge-wear, casual everyday-wear, and a little pumped up for a dressy outfit!

 1.

This is the type of outfit I would wear just lounging around the house when I want to be comfortable. I might also run errands in something like this. It's equally as comfortable as pajamas or sweats, but I don't advise wearing those out in public! I have paired this button-up blouse with leggings, leopard print ballet flats (for a fierce touch), and a cozy, lightweight scarf (my go-to accessory). I like a touch of color or print, and the easiest way to add that is with something like a scarf or a printed shoe. I like both :-)

 2.

In the second outfit I paired the blouse with some skinny jeans, flat boots, a tree necklace, and some wrap bracelets. I would wear this to go hang out with my friends, maybe for a casual dinner or to the movies. Comfortable enough to spend the day in, but still fashionable.

 3.

In the final outfit I stepped it up a bit for a night out on the town! I paired the blouse with a short, printed A-line skirt, black tights, and black platform booties. Gold bangles, a gold beaded necklace, a red clutch, and red lips add the finishing touches! Extra tip: black tights are slimming, and when paired with black booties, the results are super lengthening! Also, when choosing a clutch for an outfit, I like to choose an unexpected color that will pop.  

roll-cuff blouse: Old Navy

Outfit 1: leggings: Candie's - purchased at Kohl's, feather print scarf: brand unknown - purchased at Ross, leopard print ballet flats: Dexflex by Dexter - purchased at Payless.

Outfit 2: jeans: Guess - purchased at Macy's, boots: Steve Madden - purchased at Famous Footwear, necklace: Javita Harris-Casey - purchased at Luna Belmont Shore, red wrap bracelet; Target, citrine and red Swarovski crystal strech bracelets: gift from Swarovski Showroom in Los Angeles, brown and bronze wrap bracelet: Charlotte Russe.

Outfit 3: skirt: Forever 21, black booties: Steve Madden - purchased at Ross, red clutch: Merona - purchased at Target, necklace: Rachel - purchased at Nordstrom, gold bangles: Target

Opposites Attract

This is so true in fashion. I love putting together outfits with seamless juxtaposition. In this outfit, I put together two of my faves: something girly with something tough. The lingerie-inspired dress is so feminine and pretty that it has to be offset by something rough, the olive military jacket.

I especially enjoy the transition in wardrobe from summer to fall. It’s all about layering. You can simply add a jacket, add tights, and your outfit is perfect and not too bare for the chilly nights.

Flat, suede booties keep this look casual while the fuchsia tights pop beautifully against the olive of the jacket. A pretty necklace ensures that the dress won’t be the only dainty piece to this outfit and a few tough bracelets with leather and studs add the perfect finishing touch!

tulle, lace, and satin slipdress: Rodarte for Target; hooded military jacket: My Danelle purchased at Ross; boots: Sam and Libby purchased at DSW; tights: Forever 21; brown leather bracelet: Target; necklace: Forever 21, gold stud bangle: Forever 21

Hustle and Bustle Charity Fashion Show

The Hustle and Bustle charity fashion show held on Thursday, Sept. 20, 2012,  proved to be exactly what one would expect in Portland, OR; an eclectic mix of extremely talented and artistic designers, good music, and a cool vibe. It was held at the Bossanova Ballroom, which has a vintage feel to it. I love old buildings like that. This particular one was built in 1902 and you can just feel the history and the old-world glamour enveloped in the walls. It was a perfect choice of venue for an event like a fashion show.

The show, put on by the Portland Saturday Market, featured 14 local designers: Mugwump, Bella Sisters, Orox Leathers, Yed Omi jewelry, Amy Dotts, Rythmatix, Cygnet Silks, Red Wizard Arts, Amy Wing, Maru Silks, Shabby Knapsack, Perfekt Tension, Hat People, and Flood Clothing. Now while all 14 designers did showcase their raw talent and creative eye, I had a few favorites that stood out to me.

Yed Omi Jewelry presented exquisite pieces using natural stones and metalwork.

Amy Dotts showed fun and interesting fit-and-flare, 50’s-inspired party dresses and beautiful, unique overcoats.

 

Flood Clothing featured fun patchwork items perfect for comfortable, everyday-wear.

And Cygnet Silks revealed stunning hand-painted silk scarves and wraps. Each piece showed such passionate artwork, the kind that entices you to touch…

This event marked the first annual charity fashion show put on by the Portland Saturday Market, but it also marked my first time venturing into the fashion world here in the Portland area as I finally begin to pursue my goals and dreams, even if it is just as a hobby. Everything about it was wonderful. I remembered why I fell in love with the scene in the first place. To see so many people gathered to admire the works of art of others and to see those brave enough to share their creativity and the passion they have for what they do, that is truly an amazing thing.

Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion is in the sky, in the street, fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening. Coco Chanel

I have heard this quote many times before, but I had never really listened to what it says. Born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, I always felt I was in the wrong place. I always had an artistic eye, though not necessarily the hand for it. I exceptionally loved the art of fashion and all things that go along with it, so, naturally, I moved to Los Angeles to follow my dream. I obtained a degree in fashion merchandising and began working for a color and trend forecasting company in the California Market Center in downtown L.A. I felt like my dream was actually coming true!

Sometimes life is funny, though. I wasn’t thrilled about moving back home at the end of 2009, but there were other things that proved to be more important to me than pursuing my career, such as my family and my new husband, who all lived in the Vancouver, WA area. I needed to be with the people that I loved. On the other hand, though, I felt like my career was over before it had begun. I couldn’t even get a job in retail, much less a styling or merchandising job. I got my old job back, the same job I had before I went to college, and I was bitter.

I had pretty much given up on ever using my creative fashion sense for any purpose whatsoever, until I stumbled across this quote again one day. I had printed it on the back of an old business card years ago. If I believed in it so much back then, how had I completely forgotten what I was so passionate about to begin with? Fashion is everywhere. The beauty and art of it is that each individual can create anything they wish with what they wear. What you feel, what you love, what moves and inspires you; these things can all be portrayed in clothing and your sense of style. And you don’t have to live in a huge, fashion-forward city to do it.

So here it is: my first entry in what I hope will become something that you all look forward to reading. I’ll share my thoughts about what is going on in the fashion industry. I’ll share my outfits, bits of my own closet, tips on shopping and D.I.Y. ideas, and all the reasons why I’m so enthralled by this industry. Please feel free to comment, ask questions, and above all else, enjoy!