spring, Why this works

3 Rules for Spring Dressing

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I’ve heard over and over again how the transitional seasons are the hardest to dress for, but I think they’re the most fun.

Because you have such a wide range of options, and get to blend your winter wardrobe with your summer, creating perfectly cute and comfortable spring outfits.

I dress by a few rules this time of year, and now that our feet are planted firmly in spring we’re going to need them, so here we go…

1. If you’re going to go with a sweater…
Keep it light in color. The time for your maroon sweaters is over (till fall), but feel free to do dark gray or even army green as long as you pair them with lighter spring pieces like light wash boyfriend jeans, or maybe a really fluffy scarf that includes the dark color but pulls in other lighter ones as well.

2. If you’re going to go with boots…
Make sure your top is 3/4 length sleeves or if it’s got full sleeves, make sure the material is light/sheer. Every time you add a winter piece, you have to balance it out with something spring like, so as to not look like you’re dressing for the middle of January.

3. If you’re going to go with a sun dress…
Pair it with a jacket. I realized I’m one of the few who are still hanging on to wearing winter items, so if you’re chomping at the bit for your summer-wear, make sure you’re doing yourself a favor and wearing it with a light jacket. Jean jackets, blazers, white leather jackets – they’re all perfect for making your summer tops and dresses totally spring appropriate.

Here’s what I’m wearing today, and it works because my sweater is light in color and my boots are short and light…

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forever21, jackets, tjmaxx, Why this works

Why This Works

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I so love jackets. I once went into Forever21 and tried on the same jacket so many times that the staff (who know me because I’m in there so often) started to say things like, “Would you buy it already?!”

My problem is I like to buy jackets, but I need to get better at buying things to wear underneath them!
So I’d like to talk about this outfit and why it works because I was so excited to wear this jacket…(I snagged it at TJ Maxx for $10, by the way).

The combination of muted sequence and a waterfall neckline had me in love at first sight. This jacket is so me.  In fact, when I first walked by it on a trip to TJ Maxx with my husband he remarked, “That really looks like you.” He rarely comments on clothing (other than the opinions I force from him while doing fashion shows in our bedroom) but he sure nailed it with this one. Which meant, of course, I just had to buy it.
One of my favorite things to do with fancy pieces like this, is pair it with casual items. This look is a great example. A sequence jacket with a t-shirt and jeans provides just the right amount of balance to equal cool.
What I love more is that the t-shirt has wording on it. It’s so hard to find t-shirts with words that I’m good with. I don’t necessarily want to wear something that says, “So hot!” or “Sure thing” (I shake my head even now, thinking of why girls think it’s a good idea to do so.” 

Thanks to Aaron Ingram for the mini-photo shoot :)
This shirt with “Pink” on it was perfect for my purposes here (a post-Valentine’s Day celebration in youth at my church – a little thing called Chocolate Night :) 
But I do keep my eyes open for shirts with words I can get behind (ha, or in), and will snatch them up when I do find a good one. 
To polish the look off I decided to give my leopard shoes a break and go with these snake skin flats. These shoes have taken some time to break in, but are totally worth it. If you ever spot a pair, go for them. They’re the perfect alternative to a boring solid color and are infinitely more versitile than you think.
That’s it for this weeks installment of “Why This Works!” I hope you have a very pleasant, well dressed weekend :)
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outfit planning, Why this works

What to Wear for Date Night

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My apologies for the picture quality! Someone didn’t turn on the flash :)

For Valentine’s Day my husband and I have always enjoyed a quiet dinner at home the night of, then a dinner out another night once the crowds have died down. (Like a giddy newlywed, I still get excited over the fact that we don’t have to part ways at the end of the night).

Dinner out this year was to a pretty fancy place (which to me requires nice attire, but not so nice that it looks like I never get out). I knew right way I didn’t want to wear my skinny jeans because the plan was to full on stuff myself.

So I went with tights (my stretchy ones), a tunic and my favorite waterfall leather jacket. I cannot get enough of the cascading shape of this jacket. I would have a whole closet of them if it were financially sound.

At the last second I decided to add my long gold tassel necklace for a little glitter, and the gold Guess clutch I picked up at the church garage sale for $1 (thank you, whoever didn’t want it anymore).

I just wanted to show that a date night outfit doesn’t have to be fussy or overtly sexy. I sometimes put weird pressure on myself to put on everything the husband’s ever complimented and somehow make it all work into this glorious outfit that he loves.
But I’ve come to realize a few things… One: that’s just not feasible. Two: he probably wouldn’t notice. Three: he’d much rather have me happy and out the door in a reasonable amount of time.
Plus the man sees me in every state possible (all beautiful of course) so he knows exactly what he’s getting ;)
The point? Relax, put together something that will make you feel confident and good, then enjoy the night!
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accessories, jcpenney, necklace, Why this works, winter

Why This Works

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The inspiration for this outfit was the pink sweater, but when I bought it I did something I’ve probably only done three times in my life.

I bought it without trying it on.
I’m such a stickler for trying things on before buying them because you never know how something is going to fit. If we lived in a perfect world, all women’s sizes would be the same across the board, but unfortunately Eve screwed that up for us all ;)
The reason I threw caution to the wind for this one, is because (one) I was in a hurry, (two) with a piece like this at a cost like this, I knew if the fit wasn’t right for it to wear alone I could still work it in over shirt/under jackets.
Or in this case…both.

It did turn out to be shorter than I like, but that’s ok. That means it’s the perfect set up for letting another shirt, like this striped button up, peak out. 

In the spring I will probably wear the two alone, but I thought adding a blazer and jeans gives it that cool chic look. Speaking of cool, I love adding a swingy necklace to the whole ensemble. 

It’s better than earrings because earrings would just be to much fuss with the blazer and shirt collar already taking up room around my neck. But a swingy necklace fills in the blank space, and gives it a more girly vibe. Plus it’s a little unexpected and a bit more rock and roll, which is the perfect balance since the whole thing is a little preppy.

Finallly, I was orginially thinking going with black pumps, but let me just say if you ever find patterned pumps that you like and have mulitple colors in them. Buy them. Buy them up.
I went with my multi-colored cheeta pumps because they go with ev.er.y.thing. and add a hint of playfullness. I promise you, if you’re wanting to break out of your pattern box or be a little more wild this year, this is the way to do it. These have become my new black pumps.
That’s another addition of Why This Works! Have a happy Monday!
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forever21, pattern mixing, reason to love winter, stripes, Why this works, winter

Why This Works

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Right about now, you’re probably over this cold weather.

And you’re probably growing weary of all your sweaters and boots, and can’t wait to slip back in a sun dress. I’m not with you at all.

I’m still basking in the fact that I don’t have to think about how tan I am, or paint my toes (I really hate doing that). I’m also very good with the fact that I haven’t seen a bug in a really long time, or that I’ve not walked outside and started sweating even though I just took a shower.

I’m still very cool with this whole winter thing. So I’m hoping this outfit break down will get you there as well.
Just think in a few months we’re not going to be able to cocoon ourselves in a cozy sweater like this one from Express.

That’s why I’m loving every minute in these long knit cardigans. I decided to pair it with a striped pencil skirt from Forever21. 
Before I edited the outfit, I had started with a plain black shirt underneath. But on second look I thought how it needed something else. So I went back and added this slightly peplum top I got from American Eagle a couple years ago. It’s got just the right amount of flair at the bottom which makes it perfect for adding a leopard belt. 
Now the outfit has more visual interest and just the right amount going on around my waste so as to not look boring.

This black and gold necklace from Aldo is just the right length for this neckline, and of course I’m going to add tights (another thing to love about this time of year) and my favorite favorite boots from Dillards. Oh ladies, I’ve talked myself into a winter-loving frenzy. 

Just embrace this time of year and all the wrapping up in cute/comfortable clothes that comes with it!

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