Prints, Flowing and Bright - Oh My!

As spring approaches, I've been reviewing the current trends to determine how I will fill my closet. Do I want to add brights or stay with neutrals? Do I want longer hemlines or short when it comes to dresses and skirts? Do I want to add floral, something that's currently lacking or continue with my love of stripes? The answer is, all of the above! I am loving the bright colors that designers are offering. Such a difference from the drab black and gray I seemed to sport all winter. And if I can't decide about my hemline, why not go with the dresses that have an asymmetrical one instead! I have always contributed florals with that of a girly-girl, something I have never been! However, there are so many options, and in so many styles, that I think I have to make an exception to my own girly-girl rule and add them to this "broads" closet!

    

1) This dress from Anthropologie is amazing! The bold color, over-sized florals and offset neckline make this dress a major investment piece! 

2) Those palazzo pants are calling my name! Perfect over a swimsuit when walking the beach (on vacation of course) or paired with strappy sandals and worn to the office, I can just sense the comfort I would get with every wear.

3) I loved this skirt for weeks now! I go to Anthropolgies's site constantly to drool over it and pray that it will be "just the right price". Sadly, I continue to just drool!
  

4) I never in a million years would have thought about these pants until I saw them on Kristal Bick of This Time Tomorrow. I love this look and plan to "borrow" it! So chic and not over-the-top girly!

Simply Black and White

Vest: Rachel Zoe Luxe for QVC; Blouse: Just Cavalli via Rue La La;

 Pants: Ann Taylor; Shoes: Ann Taylor;

 Jewelry: Silpada; Handbag: Pour la Victoire via Rue La La

If weren't already aware of how much I love Rachel Zoe, here is yet another post! I love Rachel Zoe. I love her styling, her personal fashion sense and her design esthetic. Here is another piece I've acquired from her Rachel Zoe Luxe line from QVC. (I've worn my fur vest to death! Seen here, here and here.)

I love this new piece! It's super versatile and can be worn seasonally. I kept it the focal point by pairing all black, but plan to add color with different belts (it's a little big) and shoes! I thought it was look super chic with my dark wash flared jeans, my fuchsia Jimmy Choo pumps and a white tee. Would look great with a MAJ statement necklace as well. I can't wait to style this again soon! 

Oh, and when I tweeted her about my look, she responded! I told her that I love the vest and she responded...."The Chicest"! Just like her!

 

 

 

Color Me Happy

Dress: Ann Taylor; Shoes: Pour la Victoire; 

Fishnets: ?; Scarf: Gift; Ring: Silpada

Bracelets: Pearls (Made by Me), Black, gift

 I am so happy that color has entered my wardrobe once again! I've tried all winter to incorporate it as much as possible, remember my week of brights, but this is solid color that is here to stay! I love the nod to the 60s with this shift dress! So simple in form but with great little details like zipper at sleeves and a gold industrial zipper in the back. I paired nude fishnets and originally slipped on nude pumps. My husband thought I needed something in the way of color and suggested black. Glad he did. It might have been too much neutral. 

I continued the black theme with the darling silk scarf and little accents in bracelets and earrings, not seen. So many options for accessories with such a bright, blank canvas. Side note, I feel a little like a flight attendant but still love the look!

Terracotta Stripe

 

Dress: See by Chloe via Gilt; Tights: We Love Color;

Boots: Steven by Steve Madden; Necklace: Banana Republic;

Watch: Emporio Armani (gift); Rings: House of Harlow (two of five)

I purchased this dress a while back and have been waiting for the right weather to pull it out! The actual dress is lined but then sleeves aren't so I didn't feel super protected from the winter winds. I actually wore this to dinner Saturday night, and decided with spring like temps yesterday, it was a perfect day to wear it to the office.

 My other issue with the dress was how to actually style it. I didn't want to go with cream tights, too stark. I didn't want to go with black, too heavy. So, I decided to go with charcoal and pair my cognac boots. I like the contrast between the cognac and terracotta. And, I've already decided on the perfect summer sandal! Bring on bare legs....even if they are pasty white!

Night Vision

 Dress: Ann Taylor Loft; T-Neck: Ann Taylor; Tights: We Love Color;

Shoes: Steven by Steve Madden; Necklace: Ann Taylor;

Watch: Emporio Armani; Bracelets: Ralph Lauren, Fossil and JewelMint

In case you were ever thinking of taking blog photos around 6:20 on a week night, don't! This is the outcome. You need night vision goggles to see me! But, I really liked the outcome of this ensemble so I decided to post regardless of the clarity! I have come to love the olive green/navy combination as you can see here, here and here. I've been wanting to wear this dress again for some time now, but I just wasn't sure what to pair with it. I decided to just go for it with the navy t-neck and tights! Sometimes you just have to take a risk. I think this one paid off.

Below is how I paired it last summer. Same shoes...

I wasn't going for a glamor shot. I felt like you could really see the navy/olive pairing in this photo.

 

Dressing in the Dark

 

Coat: Anthropologie (gift); T-Neck: Ann Taylor; 

Pants: H&M; Belt: J.Crew Outlet; Heels: Ann Taylor;

Necklaces: JewelMint; Sunglasses: Prada (gift)

 

I don't know what it is about these pants, but every time I wear them (okay the two times I've worn them) it is super windy! And because of the wind, I opted to wear my coat, but I lost the hot pink contrast to the red. I even added my fuchsia belt for accent. Thank goodness color is big for spring and summer and that these pants are a Tencel material. Perfect for the seasons to come! My mom loved the color blocking but thought people might think I got dressed in the dark which I did! It was hard to tell if I was grabbing these pink pants or my red ones that hang with them. Good guess, huh?

Below is how I've styled them in the past!