Winter Staple: Puffer Vest

Still trying to make it through this last bit of winter?  Tired of re-wearing your big chunky sweaters? How about trying a puffer vest as a layering option.  Every winter I pull out my puffer vest on very chilly days, which have been occurring too often recently.  Depending on your personal style, these may not be for everyone, but they do add warmth and a cozy flair to an outfit that makes me want to curl up and drink some hot cocoa.  Remember, I’m a fan of showing versatility with garments so below are three casual outfits utilizing the same navy blue puffer vest with the easy outfit formula of Vest + Shirt + Pants.  I hope you find some inspiration!

Outfit #1 – Monochromatic Blues

For this first outfit, I paired the puffer vest with a navy plaid flannel button up shirt and dark washed skinny jeans for a monochromatic look.  If the weather is chilly with snow on the ground, then add a pair of cozy snow boots for some extra warmth and stability walking outside.

Vest: Old Navy// Shirt: Old Navy// Jeans: American Eagle //Boots: Dick's Sporting Goods (Sorel) 

Outfit #2 – Winter Red, White, and Blues

Who says red, white, and blue are only appropriate during 4^th of July?  I incorporated our nation’s colors by pairing the puffer vest with brick red jeggings and a cream cable sweater for a comfy casual approach.  I finished the look with jewel pendant for added color and cognac riding boots for a preppy Americana touch.

Vest: Old Navy // Pants: Kohl's (Lauren Conrad Collection) // Sweater: Old Navy // Boots: DSW (Bandolino)// Necklace: Charlotte Russe (Old)

Outfit #3 – Navy and Green

As the weather gets warmer, but there is still that winter chill in the air, try this next outfit.  Blues and greens look great together in outfits and the color combo definitely transports me out of winter and into spring.  For this transitional outfit, I paired the puffer vest with a green striped long sleeve and gray skinny jeans for a different option instead of the usual blue denim.  I finished the look with a sleek ponytail and bright green doc marten style rain boots for a colorful sporty touch.

Vest: Old Navy // Shirt: The Gap // Jeans: JCPenny // Boots: Walmart // Ring: Old

How would you wear a puffer vest?

Pantone 2015 Color of the Year: MARSALA - Winter Edition

Back in December, Pantone announced their 2015 Color of the Year - Marsala.  According to Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute®, “Marsala enriches our mind, body and soul, exuding confidence and stability.  Much like the fortified wine that gives Marsala its name, this tasteful hue embodies the satisfying richness of a fulfilling meal, while its grounding red-brown roots emanate a sophisticated, natural earthiness.”

Once I found out that Marsala was the color of the year, I searched my closet to see if I had any garment or accessory that closely resembled the color.  I found a couple of items and I started envisioning how to wear this color throughout each season.  Throughout the year, I will show how to wear this deep hue in each season.  Below is an outfit perfect for the chilly months of winter.

Winter - Marsala + Brown

For winter, I chose a Marsala hued sweater dress and layered it with a printed scarf, brown tights, and cognac boots while accessorizing with a rose gold watch, beaded bracelets, and a cocktail ring.   I finished the cozy chic ensemble with my maroon, black, and brown color blocked purse that I recently got as a Christmas gift from my sister.

Dress: BCBG Max Azria // Scarf: TJMaxx // Boots: DSW (Bandolino) // Tights: Express // Purse: Gift (French Connection) // Watch: Fossil // Ring: Vintage (Grandma's) //Bracelets: Old

How would you wear Marsala this winter?

Stay tuned for another Marsala outfit this spring!

Color Combo: Red and Green

Christmas is upon us and what better way to celebrate this festive holiday than to wear red or green?  How about you wear both?  Red and green are complementary colors, which means they are directly opposite each other on the color wheel.  When complementary colors are used in a color scheme, they can create a vibrant and intense look because of the high contrast between each color, especially if they are at full saturation.  Some say you should stay away from wearing complementary colors, but I beg to differ.  Complementary colors work well together if you use different shades and tints of each color instead of both hues at full saturation.  Not sure if you can pull this combo off?  Check out my outfits below showing how to wear the color combo of red and green.

Outfit #1 – Olive and Cherry Red

For this outfit, instead of using a bright saturated green, I chose olive green to counterbalance the saturation of the cherry red.  I wore a red long sleeve t-shirt with dark washed skinny jeans and layered my outfit with my olive utility jacket.  I finished the look with olive and brown lace-up hiking inspired boots and a peace sign pendant for a casual rugged vibe.

Shirt: Old Navy // Jacket: Old Navy // Jeans: American Eagle // Boots: Old Navy // Necklace: Maurices (Old)

Outfit #2 – Hunter Green and Brick Red

For this outfit, I decided to combine hunter green and brick red, which are darker shades of red and green.  I paired my hunter green chunky sweater with a white long sleeved t-shirt and brick red jeggings for a casual relaxed look.  I accessorized the outfit with cognac riding boots and a multi-colored jeweled pendant.

Shirt: Target // Sweater: Old Navy // Jeggings: Kohl's sale (Lauren Conrad) // Boots; DSW // Necklace: Maurices (old)

Outfit #3 – Red Plaid and Green

I think this last outfit is the most daring because it combines more saturated hues of red and green.  I combined a red plaid silky button-up blouse and green skinny jeans.  I added a black blazer and smoking slippers to complement the black found in the plaid shirt.  I topped off this classy look with emerald jewelry and a red lip.  This outfit would be great choice for a casual holiday party or dinner with friends.

Shirt: Express // Blazer: BCBG Max Azria // Jeans: Kohl's - sale (Elle) // Shoes: DSW // Jewelry: Old Navy

How would you wear red and green?  How are you celebrating Christmas this year?

Outerwear Trend: Shearling Coats

Happy Thanksgiving!  I hope you are enjoying a great thanksgiving meal with your family and friends before Black Friday hits.  If you are one to head out on Black Friday to go shopping, then make sure to pick up a cozy faux shearling coat.  Shearling, which comes from sheepskin, is typically used on the inside of coats to add a layer of warmth.  Paired with suede, leather, or corduroy, shearling coats are a big outwear trend this season.  I think a shearling coat is a must in your wardrobe because they can either be dressed up with a flowy boho dress or dressed down with a sweater and boots. I bought a faux shearling coat a long time ago and I have kept it around all these years because it so comfortable and warm!  I hope you find inspiration from the three outfits below which utilize my brick red corduroy and faux shearling coat.

Outfit #1 – Rugged & Warm

For this first outfit, I wanted texture and warmth to be the prominent elements throughout this look. What better way to enhance that style than to pair cozy fur boots with the shearling coat.  I kept the look casual with pairing the coat and boots with a light taupe colored turtleneck, dark-washed skinny jeans, and a gold leaf pendant necklace.

Coat: Target (old) // Turtleneck: Gap Outlet // Jeans: American Eagle // Boots; Gift // Necklace: Express

Outfit #2 – A Salute to Pilots

For this outfit, I was inspired by Amelia Earhart and bomber jackets worn by fighter pilots during WWII.  Early bomber jackets were made out of sheepskin and pilots usually wore white silk scarves to prevent neck chafing.  As a salute to that, I teamed up my shearling coat with a plaid wool scarf.  Since Amelia Earhart was a woman in an archetypal man’s profession at the time, I kept the look androgynous by wearing khaki trousers and I wore my hair in a top knot as a tribute to her short hair.  In the end, the ensemble started to look boxy and shapless, so I balanced the outfit with an oversized brown belt to define my waist.

Trousers: BCBG Max Azria // Scarf: Amana Woolen Mill // Shoes: Target // Belt: old

Outfit #3 – Say Yes to Prints

While I was creating these outfits, I did notice that I had used mostly solids.  So for this last outfit, I decided to incorporate a print with the shearling coat.  I paired the coat with a printed jersey dress.  Since the weather is cooler now, I wore gray tights and navy wool socks for added warmth.  I finished the look by complementing the shearling coat with my red suede booties.

Dress: JcPenny // Tights & Socks: Target // Shoes: Wet Seal

How would you wear a faux shearling coat?

Orange is the New Black

It is the end of October and fall has officially arrived.  The holiday of Halloween enables people to carve pumpkins, dress up in costumes, and eat lots of candy.  When October comes around, I love adorning my house with orange and black décor, but I especially love getting inspired by the colors of changing leaves.  During this time, I like to start wearing autumnal colors of reds, oranges, yellows, and browns.  Did you notice that I didn’t say the color “black”?  Black does have its positive attributes – it’s flattering on everyone, can be worn in any season, and can be paired with almost every color on the spectrum.  However, black has never been my go-to color.  I love embracing color throughout my outfits. To me, color can exemplify a personality that you visually present to others, such as the red correlating with passion, or blue resembling calmness.  During the colder months, darker hues tend to be the norm to wear, with black being most people’s primary choice of color.  This fall, I urge you to break from the normal black and welcome color into your wardrobe – how about trying the color orange?

Orange is a great color to wear during the fall season because you fit right in with the scenery.  Yes, true orange may not work on all skin tones, but that’s where you shop for the shade that may work for your skin.  If you are hesitant about the color, then maybe start small and buy an accessory instead.  Below, are three casual outfits incorporating a couple different shades and patterns of the color orange that can be great to wear for some fall activities.

Outfit #1 - Orange Plaid

For this outfit, I wore my orange plaid button-up shirt opened with a white tank top underneath along with a pair of medium-washed jeans.  Instead of wearing boots, I paired my outfit with some oxfords and finished the look with a top knot.

Shirt: Heritage// Jeans: American Eagle // Shoes: Dillards (Steve Madden) //Belt: Old

Outfit #2 - Burnt Orange

For this next outfit, I tried the color combo of burnt orange, gray, and army green.  I paired my burnt orange crew-neck light sweater with light gray skinny jeans and army green utility jacket.  I accessorized the outfit with an autumnal printed scarf and cognac boots.  I wore this outfit on my recent trip to the Amana Colonies and it worked perfect for the casual shopping and sight-seeing.

Sweater: Heritage // Jeans: JCPenny //Jacket: Old Navy //Scarf: TJMaxx // Boots: DSW (Bandolino)

Outfit #3 - Pumpkin Orange

For this last outfit, my inspiration was casual 70’s.  I brought out my dark washed high-waisted jeans from the closet and paired them with a pumpkin orange colored turtleneck.  I kept the look casual and easy by accessorizing only with a vintage statement necklace and ring.  I finished the ensemble by wearing my chocolate brown suede boots for some additional texture.  

Turtleneck: The Limited (sale) // Jeans: Victoria's Secret Catalog // Boots; Target // Jewelry: Vintage (Grandma's)

How would you incorporate the color orange into your wardrobe?

Summer to Fall Transition: Printed Maxi Skirt

Fall officially begins in a few days and it’s that time to start breaking out your cozy sweaters and boots.  I’ve always enjoyed autumn because it’s the season of tailgating, pumpkin carving, and warm apple cider.  The crisp fall air is creeping upon us, if it hasn’t already, and I for one don’t want to see my summer clothes collecting dust in the back of the closet just yet.  For this post, I created a transitional summer to fall outfit utilizing my primary colored printed M-style maxi skirt as inspiration.

Summer - Maxi Skirt: TJMaxx// Crochet Tank: Younkers// Vest: BCBGeneration// Shoes: Payless // Bracelets: Craft Fair
Fall - Sweater: BCBG Max Azria// Shoes: Kohl's// Hat; Kohl's// Necklace: Old

For the summer outfit, I paired my printed maxi skirt with a white crochet tank, a denim vest, and a pair of gladiator sandals for a casual bohemian look. 

Transitioning this summer outfit into fall is simple – just swap the crochet tank for a warm neutral sweater, like this cognac colored dolman sweater, and the sandals for a pair of suede ankle booties.  I finished the autumn ensemble with a wide brim boho hat and a neutral floral necklace to continue the bohemian elements found in the summer outfit.

How do you transition your summer attire into outfits for fall?

Happy Hour Chic: Printed Slouchy Pants

Happy Friday!! For most people, it is the end of the work week.  If your Friday evening plan is to head out to a local bar or restaurant for some post-work cocktails, then I have an outfit for you.  Whether you’re grabbing drinks with some co-workers or attending a casual networking event, you definitely want an outfit that can transition you straight from work to happy hour without having to go home and change.  

When dressing for this type of occasion, I like to create an outfit that is breathable and comfortable when socializing while still being polished enough for the workplace.  For this outfit, I grabbed my black and white printed slouchy pants as the base.  I love these pants because the drawstring around the waist provides the casual element while the black tuxedo/racing stripe adds the sophistication it needs for the work environment.  Plus, printed slouchy pants have been a continuing trend this summer.  I kept the outfit work appropriate by pairing the pants with a summery neon yellow button-up blouse for that added pop of color.  I completed the ensemble with minimalist touches of black jewelry and a pair of black strappy heels.  

Who’s ready to look stylish during AND after work with no wardrobe changes? What outfit would you wear that can be transitioned from work to drinks?  Have a great weekend!

Pants: TJMaxx (Vince Camuto)// Shirt: Express // Necklace: Gift // Ring: Old // Shoes: JCPenny (sale)