When Life Hands You Lemons

When life hands me lemons, I go shopping! And when I go shopping, I seem to gravitate to my favorite relater, Ann Taylor. As of today, I am officially depressed over the weather. This time last week it was close to 60, I was at happy hour on the patio of Houlihan's and taking my son to the zoo on Friday because it was 80! Today, it is in the 20s, snow is heading our way tomorrow and supposedly hanging around until Monday. Seriously! The first day of spring has started off on the total wrong foot!

Because I'm officially depressed, I decided to start browsing Ann Taylor for some inspiration and some much needed retail therapy. What I wasn't expecting to find was the color yellow and how much I was going to love it! Whether it is in solids, or an amazing paisley print, I'm pretty sure my frown will turn upside with this cheery shade surrounding me! Check out some of my picks below.

The top on the right is currently hanging out in my shopping bag!

 

You know me and stripes! The top on the left is lovely and the color combo of yellow and gray is one of my favorites! And, I love the peplum top on the right. So on-trend!

 

These pants are also in my shopping bag!

 

 

I have no words for this lemon yellow jacket! Okay, maybe a few....darling, fresh and so spring!

 

I loved their perforated  bag from last season but never purchased it. I can see why! I was waiting for the yellow version to appear. So cute!

 

I honestly can't believe how my mood has been lifted by one pop of color. This version of yellow is sunny, warm and definitely a must needed color for my wardrobe!

Easter Egg

Denim Jacket: Levi's (similar); T-Neck: Macys; Scarf: Piperlime; Pants: J.Crew (similar);

Shoes: Shoe Dazzle; Handbag: Kate Spade (gift); Sunnies: Ray Ban (90s old);

Lip Color: MAC Girl About Town; Nail Color: Essie Mojito Madness

I feel like an Easter egg in these colors but love them all! And, I love that I can go outdoors with bare ankles! I haven't worn these crops since early January simply because I couldn't leave the house without snow boots and knee socks! That's how I roll in cold weather.

I love how all the colors play off the scarf which is exactly what I was going for when creating this look. I found the scarf at Piperlime and it will be perfect all spring long. Just look at the amazing colors throughout. My metallic heels are right on trend for spring and such a great neutral. I know you think I'm crazy when I say that a silver, metallic heel is a neutral, but look how they blend. Did you even see them?

 

 

Leather and Spring

A big trend for spring is leather. I know, leather is meant for winter, right? Wrong! I love leather all year round. I know it sounds weird to wear leather during the warmer months, but if you sport it in cooler environments; the office, restaurants, movie theaters, it really is worth styling and investing!

I still have a leather DIY project that I've been working on since fall, and when I say working on, I mean still needing to sew. I truly hope to have it completed by the time spring rolls around so I can wear it before fall. In the meantime, I've been doing a little online browsing and I've found some pieces I think we all need for spring.

This top is by far my favorite of all the items I've found. And, I just happen to have it on order from Piperlime...hope to get it soon!

I own the Vegan tee on the right and love it! Last seen here!

How sleek are the blush skinny, leather pants? Perfect with a denim button down or a lightweight sweater. If I didn't already have a leather skirt, I would so add the one on the right. I love the fullness! 

  

 

 

 

Want to find out more information about all the items listed in this post? Go to Piperlime! They are your spring leather headquarters! Tell them Style My Way sent you! It won't get you anything, but it sure sounded good!

Happy Shopping!

Mad for Mod

Dress: Banana Republic; Tights: ?; Shoes: Kate Spade (gift); 

Sunnies: MARC by Marc Jacobs via Rue La La (similar); Ring: Banana Republic (similar/final sale)

Banana Republic is at it again with their Mad Men inspired collection. When I got the flyer in the mail, I immediately fell in love with this dress! The print of the fabric, the key hole front, the fact that it's a shift...what's not to love. With the temps soaring into the 60s yesterday, it was a perfect day to finally pull it out of the closet. 

I will say a couple of things regarding the pairing on my part. I thought I had nude fishnets but couldn't find them anywhere. I was going to wear those with nude pumps, leaving the dress to be the focal point. Because I couldn't find the fishnets, I wore tights instead. And, because I'm wearing navy tights, I was truly stumped on what shoes to wear. You know how I hate trying to pair navy, so I never do, but these shoes came to mind. Not the right look at all. I didn't have time to revamp the look so I just went with it. See, it's all trial in error in this thing called fashion.

I can't wait to try this look again with bare legs, different shoes and possibly swapping out the self-belt for a thin metallic version. I love a dress with options!

 

Happy Friday!

Scarf Tying - A How To

I love scarves and have entirely too many. They're a great last minute addition to a look when you want a little something extra. They come in all lengths, colors, prints and are relatively in expensive. Totally worth investing in if you don't already own one....or some.

I'm constantly being asked how I tie my scarves. Sometimes, depending on the brand, they will provide you a little tutorial attached to the tag. But, a picture of the end result is not what I consider a tutorial! So, I decided to take four of my favorite versions, photograph the steps, and try to provide a Tying How To. Here are two.

A Simple Loop:

This is quite possibly the easiest way to tie a scarf. 

Take your scarf and hold full length in front of you.

 Gather the scarf together.

 

Fold the scarf in half to create a loop at one end.

 

Wrap the new scarf length around your neck.

Take the loose ends of the scarf and bring them through the loop.

 Fluff and go!

 

The Wrap:

This is another super simple way to tie a scarf. And, my go-to look when I want a lot of volume. There are a lot of instructions so follow closely.

Take you scarf and wrap it around your neck.

Take both sides of the scarf and cross them over one another. Wrap the ends around your neck.

 Cross both sides of the scarf over one another again.

Bring them around to the front. Cross both sides of the scarf over one another again.

 Take one end and bring it up through to complete.

 Again, fluff and go!

There are two more I want to show you but will save that for another post. They aren't timely or complicated. I just felt like I had too long of a post already! I maybe should have made this a three part series. Actually, I will make this a two part series and post the other two versions next week. I want to keep you coming back for more! 

What are your thoughts on the How To? Simple? Too many steps? Did it help? Let me know! I really want to hear your feedback!