DIY - Neon Recap

I realized that I've done three DIY's recently featuring neon. I thought I'd look back on them and let you vote for your favorite. I'm thinking of using your feedback to create another DIY soon.

Your Love is Better Than Ice Cream

As I got dressed today I realized that I have pastel accessories and a top or two but zero pants or jackets in pastel colors. I have one pastel blue sweater but it's a cashmere pullover that was too hot for today's weather. The Everybody Everwear challenge this month was pastels. Because of my lack of major apparel that met this criteria, I was forced to start with a basic pallet of black. I thought the all black backdrop would show off my pastels nicely. In this first photo, I was caught in the act of laughing. My Honey thinks it's funny to get me to crack up during picture taking.

Cardigan - Macy's (no longer available), Shirt - Target, Skirt - Talbots Outlet, Shoes - Target (no longer available online), Scarf - The Shoppe on Main, Earrings - Karin Jacobson Design c/o Already Pretty, Shades - Goodwill and DIY (details here), Watch - Timex gift, Bracelets - gifts, Ring - gift

It's hard to tell in these pictures but my skirt is polka dot eyelet.  It's a fun design and not the typical eyelet pattern.  I loved playing with the dot pattern and wearing it with my bubble earrings and my circle laser cut scarf.

 

Pastels always remind me of ice cream and sherbet.  Sarah McLachlan contributed the title of today's post.  Her song, Ice Cream is one I love and has special meaning for me.  Wearing the pastels trend my way for this month's EBEW challenge was fun. I've discovered that I definitely need a tan skirt in my wardrobe, along with a pastel jacket or sweater. Will you be wearing pastels this spring?

Green Day

All shades of pastel are a spring trend but around St. Patrick's Day, all trend bets are off.  Even the non Irish got for the green.  This month, the blogger challenge from Everybody Everywear is "green".  The interpretation is up to each person.  I happen to love green and wear it often in many forms.  I thought I'd share some of my favorite green outfits and accessories.

Love combining bright colors!

Pink and green preppy combo, classic.

Minty green maxi and some toughness.

Green with prints and stripes.

My latest DIY, mint sunnies.

There are lots of St. Patty's Day activities going on in our area.  Including a huge party thrown by our  Congressman.  Will you be wearing green this weekend?

The Color of Love...

Red and pink have always been part of Valentine's Day for me. I remember sitting for hours cutting paper hearts out of red and pink construction paper.  I think it was just an excuse to be creative. I created all sorts of decorations.  Both red and pink symbolize love but red represents passion and pink represents romance and charm. They are both great colors alone or even better when worn together.

Pink Lip - Maybelline Fuchsia Fever

Red Lip - Maybelline Red Revival

 

There are times when I would have thought that this outfit was too matchy matchy but some how it all works together.The colors in the skirt work with the rest of the pieces to create a combo I love. It's so bright and fun, it makes me happy and isn't that what fashion is all about?

Sweater - Target (no longer available), Skirt - Lane Bryant (no longer available), Shoes - Coclico via Simply Soles, Scarf - Goodwill, Belt - Target, Tights - Avenue, Bracelets - vintage, gift, Until There's a Cure, and DIY (red beaded), Earrings - Sakes off 5th, Watch - Timex (gift)

My photographer Honey wasn't available to take my picture, so my wonderful co-worker helped me out.

I've mentioned that I'm on the quest for the perfect red lip.  The whole truth is that I'm a bit obsessed with all kinds of lipsticks, lip glosses, lip balms, and on and  on.  I was thinking that I should count how many colored lip products I own.  I'm a little scared to do that but at least I know I have a bit of a problem. Many years ago my friend Kim and I stood in the bathroom at work, after we both applied lipstick, and counted the number of lip colors in each of our bags. If I remember correctly we tied at eight each. Both of us have the habit of starting the day with one color and changing it up as our mood changes during the day. Hey a girl needs variety.

Before I started on my red lip quest, I owned one red lipstick and one red lip balm.  I now own ten. My Mary Kay Rockin' Red lip gloss isn't in the picture below.

Clockwise from the top: Mary Kay Tinted Lip Balm in Cherry, Revlon Colorburst True Red, Maybelline Red Revolution, L'Oreal Target Red, Maybelline Red Revival, MAC Ruby Woo, Revlon Cherry Ice, Sephora Collection Hot Tango, Smashbox Legendary

The pinks are fast approaching the same crazy level.  There are six in the picture below but I've added three more since I took this photo. My three new colors are Maybelline Fuchsia Fever, Maybelline Fifth Ave Fuchsia, and L'Oreal Heavenly Berry and I'm sure that won't be the end. I love bright pink lipstick. 

Clockwise from the top: Mary Kay Tinted Lip Balm Peony, L'Oreal Sea Fleur, Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter Lollipop, Revlon Colorburst Candy Pink, Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter Cotton Candy, Mary Kay Tinted Lip Balm Berry

My post today is part of two blogger challenges.  I'm participating in Everybody Everywear's Red and Pink challenge and the Pretty Shiny Sparkly's Bloggers Do it Better Red challenge.

 

Black & White and Read All Over

The classic combo of black and white can't be beat. A black pair of pants and a white shirt can make you look a bit like wait staff unless you jazz it up with accessories and a little color. Like this twist with a bit of an 80's feel.

Shirt - Coldwater Creek, Tank - Target, Jeans - Lane Bryant, Jacket - Target (outerwear not 30 for 30),
Boots - Dolce Vita for Target, Tie - thrifted, Necklace - Kohls, Ring - JewelMint, Earrings - gift

A simple black sweater gets some visual interest with a white bow tie blouse.  Well in this case it's a DIY collar.

Sweater - Isaac Mizrahi for Target, Collar - DIY,

Even plaid can play a part in black and white style.  Throw on a white top, a cropped faux leather jacket and some bright tights for a pop of color.

Jacket - Belk, Top - Coldwater Creek, Belt - Talbots Outlet, Skirt - Swap,
Boots - Silhouettes, Tights - We Love Colors, Necklace - Self made, Bracelet - JewelMint, Ring - JewelMint

This post is part of the Everybody, Everywear blogger challenge.  Check out all of the cool black and white outfits that the other bloggers are wearing.

Changing the World, One Sequin at a Time

When I read this quote by Lady Gaga it was the perfect inspiration for the title of this post.  So appropriate!

"And now I'm just tying to change the world, one sequin at a time." - Lady Gaga

It's kind of a running joke with my friends and family that I'm hopelessly attracted to almost anything with sparkle or sequins.  My friends, I have to admit, it's almost impossible for me to pass anything by that sparkles.  I have to think twice and look three times.  They just make me happy.  On my birthday this year it was cold and rainy.  I decided that didn't matter. I put on my sequin skirt, added tights and moto boots and I was ready to go.  My Honey asked me why I was so dressed up. I said, "Well I'm not really that dressed up." I was wearing a white button down with the skirt and moto boots.  No silk or heels in sight.  That kind of sums up my philosophy. I think that sequins and sparkles shouldn't just be for special occasions.  They can make you feel great every day.

I spied this skirt on a fellow blogger and when I found it on sale, it had to be mine. I've worn it often in the past year, to events, daytime, and my birthday dinner. 

Clockwise from top left:  Sequin skirt - Avenue (no longer available), DIY necklace with glitter safety pins,
same sequin skirt and thrifted Goodwill top, DIY bracelet, Sequin top - Macy's (no longer available), Birthday oufit , same sequin skirt and Moto Boots - Nine West

This post is for this month's Everybody Everywear item, Sequins and Sparkles.  Click on the link to check out all of the other blogger outfits.

Do you love sequins and sparkle as much as I do?

Well Color Me Happy!

Pantyhose and I have never been friends but I LOVE TIGHTS!  Any style, color or pattern, they can really enhance an outfit and make it memorable.  For today's challenge over at Everybody Everywear, I'm showing you some of my favorite looks with tights, specifically colored and patterned tights.

Do you love tights as much as I do?  A pair of mustard colored tights are on my list for this year.

It's A Mixed Up World

For a few weeks now I've been toying with mixing patterns. I have a few striped jackets and have worn them with print dresses. This morning as I went to my closet I knew I wanted to wear my green sun dress. At first I thought I'd just add a belt and jacket. Then I decided to throw on this print top over my dress.  I don't go to my office without a jacket. I think it's good to cover my arms, plus it's always freezing. I tried on three jackets before deciding on this blue and white seer sucker jacket. I'd completely forgotten that today was EBEW pattern mixing challenge day. It was fashion blogger fate, I tell ya'!  I love the way my outfit turned out. It was a fun way to mix things up. Wearing a dress as a skirt added another great twist.

Jacket - Talbots via Goodwill, Top - Nordstrm Rack, Dress - Old Navy,
Belt - Target, Shoes - Talbots (outlet), Watch - Relic via Kohl's, Bracelet - JewelMint (Crux Cuff)

Even Thrifty in the Heat

One of the reasons that I love thrifting is that you can buy an item with one intention, you get it home and find all sorts of possibilities. I bought this vest last September on my trip to NYC. It's a men's wool, suit vest.  I thought I'd wear it during the winter to jazz up my plain sweaters and long sleeve tees.  The weather the summer has been extra hot.  I've been looking for ways to spruce up my tanks and light outfits.

Three count them, three thrifted items in this outfit!

Vest - thrifted via Goodwill, Pants - thrifted via Goodwill, Tank - Target,
Shoes - Kohl's, Hat - Eugenia Kim for Target, Bracelets - thrifted via Finders Keepers, F21 and Gift
Watch Pendant - Gift

I'm showing this outfit again as part of a blogger challenge on Everybody Everywear.  This month, bloggers are showcasing their thrifted outfits. I'm also going to make a big announcement tomorrow about thrifting and budgeting.



You Don't Bring Me Flowers

Even though this outfit has a black background, it makes me feel incredibly Springy.  The white jacket, the flowers in the blouse, the nude cut out booties, the bright gold jewelry, and the quirky choice of pinstripe pants all contribute to the refreshing Spring feeling.

Jacket - Target, Blouse - Kohl's, Pants - Jones New York via Goodwill,
Shoes - Kohl's, Earrings - JewelMint, Bracelets - Forever 21 and Target, Ring - JewelMint
Nail Polish - OPI (Mermaid's Tears and Silver Shatter)

I'm also participating in the blogger Florals challenge on Everybody Everywear today. Click below to check out the other bloggers.

My recent love or ruffles is a bit surprising to me. They were always a bit too cutesy for me. I think that because I've come up with ways to toughen them up, my admiration is renewed. These nude booties are going to be a frequent feature in my Spring and Summer wardrobe. They are comfy and versatile. Double bonus!

I just received these earrings from JewelMint. They are the Rachel earrings by Jewelmint, curated by Rachel Bilson and the first of their new celeb collaborations. Such a simple design but so pretty.  Even more beautiful is the fact that 50% of the proceeds will be donated to Invisible Children, an organization seeking to end the conflict in Uganda and stop the abduction of children. There is currently a waiting list but if you'd like your own pair, you can register for a JewelMint account and get 50% off of your first order. Just click here for details.

My shiny silver and mint manicure adds to the Springy feel of my enseble. I used Mermaid's Tears and Silver Shatter by OPI. It's fun.