Hello Hello

I am back from a wonderful warm climate to the many many inches of Cincinnati snow.

I was looking at my post below and realized that I didn't wear any of those outfits exactly as planned -- for instance, I switched from yellow shoes to purple with the gray suit, and wore my kelly green cardigan with the white pants and printed top instead of the white blazer, etc. There were many more fun outfits (I think I had about 2-3 per day!), but unfortunately no pics.

Hopefully I will drag my butt out of the house tomorrow and will begin to have more looks to share.

A Week's Worth of Fashion

Since I'll be away on business all week, I thought I'd do a "fashion show" of some of my possible outfits for the trip:

Will post again in a week!

Pattern on Pattern

I feel like I've been writing a lot about patterns this week, so I figured I'd just write about it some more!

One of the things I hear people say they struggle with most often if figuring how to mix patterns.

General tips and tricks: 1) Mix smaller patterns with larger patterns. A smaller pattern will work as a neutral. 2) Stay in the same color family with your top and bottom, or another similarly complimentary color. -- That's it!

Above is a structured top with a purple pinstripe that would be beautiful tucked in to a bolder patterned and more colorful skirt.

Next we show the opposite of the first outfit -- a more basic color scheme, a structured herringbone pencil skirt, and a flowy larger patterned blouse. Perfection.

Finally, here are several bolder tops with pinstripe or plaid bottoms in complimentary colors.

Have fun mixing and matching!

Stripes

Green Stripe-y Shirt: New York & Co. Gray Wide Leg Pants: Express. Brown Boots: Aldo.

I thought I'd try a pattern with these pants this time. I typically wear these pants with either a solid black or white shirt, so I wasn't sure what other colors would go - but then I just figured "whatever!" and went with the green pattern. I think it works, and of course my favorite thing of all....... I was comfy!

Beloved

Black Dress: Laura Clement. Tweed Jacket: ELLE. Black Suede Boots: Chadwicks.

I am wearing another of my beloveds today -- my black (semi)bubble dress. I love the little button clasps on the sides that cinch the waist before it blooms into a pretty little bubble.

I typically wear this dress with a collared shirt because the dress neckline is so high, but this time I decided to be a bit more "casual cute" by pairing it up with a plain white tee and then threw a tweed cropped jacket over it.

Just Getting Through The Day

Tweed Blazer: To the Max. Stripe Button Up: George. Slacks: B. Works. Brown Croc Heels: Newport News.

Lordy, lordy thank goodness it's midweek! This was my Tuesday outfit. Tuesday was actually my hardest day set for this week - had a bunch of tough meetings scheduled - so I am very glad that it is over and that I hopefully will not be spending so much time at work.

Piano Bar

Black Ruffle Dress: WD NY. Red Belt: Xhilaration. Gray Pumps: Nicole Miller.

I took my dad out for a birthday dinner tonight. Since it was his special day, I got gussied up and treated him to a nice meal at a wonderful little piano bar. The atmosphere was very nice and the food was delicious! Fried lobster anyone?!?

Oh, and don't worry - I had my beloved Vera Wang wrap to keep me warm :)

One Look for 2 Purposes

Blue Tunic: Rosebud. Black Sheer Top: Thrift.

Yellow Pumps: Delicious. Yellow Croc Clutch: Evening Queen

I needed a look that could go from casual business day to evening out. Though the curls in my hair were a bit droopy by the time dinner hit, but the outfit worked well for me :)

Patterns

Checked Button Up: Charter Club. Black Vest: Volia. Pencil Skirt: Studio Y. Fishnet Stockings: Vera Wang. Boots: Chadwicks.

It's hard to tell in the photos, but I am actually wearing a pattern in each one of my clothing items. The checked shirt is, clearly, the most obvious. The vest is black on black pinstripe. The gray skirt has a white pinstripe in it. And my stockings are fishnet with a gray pair of tights underneath.

With one bold pattern and several subtle pattern that worked as neutrals, it works!

For Kasmira

Kasmira - this post is for you! I saw these two items as I was browsing www.alloy.com and I thought of you immediately :)

Do you like?

Doing It On Purpose

I was at the bookstore yesterday and found the new Stacy and Clinton "What Not to Wear" Book Dress Your Best.

While paging through it, there was a picture of Stacy in an all black suit and fabulous pink heels. One of the take-aways was "If you're going to wear black - do it on purpose!".

So often people wear black to look thinner, to blend in, or because it's just plain easy - but today, I am wearing it to be fashionable. Black is, and always will be, a staple in the fashion world. Add some punch with fun accessories (i.e. argyle tights!), and a basic black suit is Oh-So-Chic.

Floral Girl

Floral Cropped Sweater: Forever 21. Green Cotton Tee: Body Central. Jeans: Levi.

I adore this shirt, but actually found it hard to mix and match with. Because of the length, I had to wear a longer shirt under it, and because of the pattern and unique colors it didn't easily pair with other items in my wardrobe. I am happy with the way this look turned out, but will have to contemplate what other pieces I can wear this with.

Pop of Pink

I'm a sucker for the "pop" of color. The little pink cami worked great since the top would be a bit low cut for work, and the shoe is (of course) a must!

Chilly Willy

Wine Silk Shirt: New York & Co. Blue V-neck Sweater: Express. Gray Pants: Style & Co. Gray Pumps: Nicole Miller.

The weather is cold and wet here in good old Cincinnati. It's so hard for me to dress in this weather because all I feel like wearing is cords, a big sweater, and my comfy boots. I am, however, still forcing myself to try and keep up some style even in this crap weather, so hopefully this is a little better than a bulky sweater and cords!

Delicate Details

Green Cardigan: Stephanie Spencer. Ruffle Blouse: Sunny Leigh. Brown Plaid Slacks: Willi Smith. Ruffle Shoes: Mossimo. Necklace: Vintage.

I'm all ruffles! I really wasn't feeling very ruffle-y mood as I was continuing to have "issues" with the man, but never the less, was drawn to my delicate ruffle shirt and shoes. Thankfully all fighting subsided later in the day, and hopefully I will be feeling more myself soon...

I liked the idea of an easy cardigan layer over this silk blouse. My ruffle wrap is short sleeve, but has such a rich color and nice details that I hate to have it stored away all winter. A colorful cardigan was a perfect solution! -- I am also thinking of layering it under a dress, or under a blazer as well. Any other ideas from you fabulous fashionistas are always welcome too!

Blue Dressing

Cream Crochett Dress: Rosebud. Black Sweater: Simply Vera Wang. Boots: Chadwicks.

I've been feeling kinda lousy the last few days due to fighting with a certain someone. Today I was just fed up with everything, so I got fancied up and went out - yes, all by my lonesome. Unfortunately I didn't enjoy myself very much, so now I am right back where I started...... on the couch and still feeling lousy.

At least it gave me a reason to share a dressy picture with you all :)