Style Diary: An Outfit in Transition

Happy August, chickadees! Does this mean I can start talking about fall? Truth be told, I haven't made as many purchases this summer as I thought I would. I did some closet reorganizing to make sure I was wearing all the clothes I already own. (One result of the reorganization: my overstuffed closet rod fell off the groove in the wall, and all the clothes are currently sliding down the rod toward the floor. Oy.)

However, the last time I did brave the shops, I purchased this fabulous Bow-Adorned Skirt in olive green from Forever 21. There are two very crucial aspects of this skirt that make it one of my favorites already. The dark color combined with the huge bow in the center makes this dress oh-so Daisies and Chains, n'est pas? A dash of girly and a sprinkle of masculinity is what it's all about! Secondly, while the length is great for summer, I can add tights to make it just as relevant for the fall months.

Photo source: forever21.com

What I'm Wearing
Considering the huge bow in the front, I am tucking a white camisole into the skirt. Then I'm throwing on a tissue-thin boyfriend cardigan in ballet pink that hits just a few inches higher than the skirt. For the feet, I am wearing nude pumps, but camel-colored ones would look great, too! Overall, I am pairing light colors with the skirt to add some summer flavor. And obviously, I am adding that men's gold watch that has barely left my wrist since I purchased it in April. 

Where to Buy
forever21.com
Price: $15.80 

Look for a post soon on more olive green essentials (and another one on how I'll style this skirt when it gets cooler)!

Wish List: "Blush and Bashful"

Hiya', ladies! Maybe it's the summer weather, or maybe I'm just in one of those moods, but I've been really attracted to girly things (the "daisies" aesthetic of my style) these days. Specifically, I can not seem to turn my head away from anything pink! I'm just like Shelby  (a.k.a. Julia Roberts) in Steel Magnolias when she tells everyone in the salon her wedding colors are "blush and bashful," and then sassy M'Lynn (a.k.a. Sally Field) exclaims, "Your colors are PINK and PINK!"

Well, my colors are definitely pink and pink right now, M'Lynn, and here are a few items that satisfy my superfeminine craving!

Annie Greenabelle babydoll dress

Photo source: topshop.com

Cupcakes and Cashmere for Coach:

Emily's Satchel handbag 

Photo source: coach.com

Find out more about this design at cupcakesandcashmere.com

Alice+Olivia for Keds sequin shoes

Photo source: neimanmarcus.com

Forever 21 rosette headband

Photo source: forever21.com

As we're in full summer swing now, have your fashion tastes changed at all? Post a comment!

Inspiration Board: The Paper Bag Princess

Hey summer sisters! Please pardon my lack of blogging lately! I got into some kind of funk (P.S. Did anyone see the funky Glee episode Tuesday night!? I loved the outfits for the last song.) and wasn't jazzed about any of my posts, so they never went live.

Luckily I had a miniburst of inspiration yesterday morning when I was getting dressed and am going to run with it. No more funky time!  

So, one of my favorite books as a little girl was The Paper Bag Princess by Robert Munsch. Elizabeth is this young diva of a princess who loses everything in a dragon-breath-related fire and is forced to wear a paper bag around while she searches for her love, Prince Ronald. When she finally finds him, he tells her she looks a hot mess.

"You smell like ashes, your hair is all tangled and you are wearing a dirty old paper bag. Come back when you are dressed like a real princess."
--Prince Ronald

Instead of crying or pleading for his affection, Elizabeth totally holds her ground and tells Ronald she is just as fabulous without him. It's a great message for young girls ... and totally relevant to this fashion season!

Photo source: bloomingdales.com

You've might have seen paper bag skirts, such as this one from Elizabeth and James, popping up this summer, and I am no stranger to this trend. They include a sash belt that cinches the fabric above the sash, creating the same effect of a paper bag when you squeeze the top. And because paper bag skirts tend to hit a few inches above the knee, I can't get enough of them. Being 5' 0'', I steer toward skirts that hit about 4 to 5 inches above the knee. Anything longer can make me appear even shorter than I actually am. So, when I grabbed a light blue paper bag skirt from my closet yesterday, I was reminded how fabulous Elizabeth felt in hers.

The point of these skirts is to show off the unique waist, so I can't really think of an instance where you would not tuck in your shirt. With that in mind, go for something fitted. The easiest option would be a plain tee in a heather grey or something that has that worn-in look of a men's gym shirt (which also plays off the masculine-feminine balance of a skirt with a very casual tee). You can also pair the skirt with a fitted screenprint tee (do I smell thrift store trip?) to add more personality and color.

The "100-50-25" Where to Buy

• Less than $100 -- Victoria's Secret
• Less than $50 -- ModCloth
• Less than $25 -- Forever 21

Where do you draw inspiration?

Heat Up Your Office Attire

Hola, chickadees! I know it's only mid-May, but as the temperatures rise above 90 degrees in Austin, all my blog ideas seem to be centered around the summer season.The bad news is that grown-ups don't get summer vacations, but the good news is that summer is by far the least expensive season to purchase clothes!

However, if you're like me, you probably haven't taken the opportunity to create and/or purchase your summer wardrobe for the office yet. With that in mind, I've come up with a few ideas on how to transition your work attire without breaking the bank. (All of the items I mention below cost 30 dollars or less!)

You Own ... A black/grey/navy wrap dress (with or without a collar), which serves as your go-to presentation day outfit.

You Need ... A lightweight, colorful scarf. Not only will you stay warmer within the frigid office thermostat settings, you'll add a much needed pop of summer color to your ensemble ... for as little as 10 dollars. 

Photo source: oldnavy.gap.com (for both)

You Own ... An oxford shirt and black/grey dress pants. Any mix-and-match combination of colors serves as your everyday ensemble.

You Need ... A skinny leather belt in a punchy hue. And no, this doesn't mean you need to wear shoes in the same shade.

Photo source: jcrew.com

You Own ... A dark pencil skirt and thin sweater or cardigan thrown over a white camisole.

You Need ... A ton of chain necklaces. The metallic color brightens up the outfit -- and it's something you'll be able to wear throughout the year (as I talked about recently in a post on metallic shoes). You can also substitute the chains for multiple strands of pearls, as long as your sweater or cardigan isn't white.

 

Photo source: forever21.com

You Own ... A T-shirt and jeans, because you work in an ultracasual office or from home.

You Need ... A white or light-colored blazer to throw on when you do have meetings. The light shade will make your outfit crisp without creating the stodgy effect you have come to avoid. Don't forget to roll up the sleeves!

Photo source: walmart.com

As temperatures continue to rise, stay tuned for some summer-related Style Diary posts! Blog ya' later!