Tie Dye + Tortoise

When: Last Monday, when I realized I'd better start wearing dresses before the weather says I can't.

I'll admit there is a lot going on here.  Tie dye, tortoise shell, golden accents and the combination of brown and black, which some people still are adament do not belong together.  It does come together though due to a base foundation of black.  Most anything goes with black in one respect or another, it's just finding a balance of how much, so as to not offset the other colors you are wearing.  Typically this would be a measure of thirds, 1/3 + 2/3 as the eye does not find things that are cut in half on the body pleasing.  

An exercise to try is varying the length of pants with sweaters or tops at home and judge what looks best when you turn around and surprise your self in the mirror.  Don't look too long, 3 seconds, make a judgement call, you brain knows what works so go with it!

Tie Dye Dress/Skirt: Violette Boulder $50

Leaf Belt: Urban Outfitters (old), $20

Heels: Modern Vintage 'Roxy' via Nordstrom Rack, $38/$250

Bracelet: Vince Camuto via NR, $25/$58

Necklace: J. Crew (last year) $40/ $90
Handbag: Coach Alex Sateen Signature Tote via NR $166

Rhinestones + Minnie Pant

When: Last Friday, mixing casual with a little fancy sparkle to keep things interesting.

The J. Crew Minnie Pant

I really can't say enough about the Minnie pant that J. Crew has created, it's super comfortable, easy to pair with flats or heels and goes with just about everything.  It is an extremely versatile pant which can be worn for travel, when you want to try for an upgrade on the plane or when jeans aren't dark or dressy enough for a refined look.  Did I mention these are one of the most comfortable pair of dress pants to own?  They are and quite frankly and sort of remind me of pajamas, what could be better than that?  You look fabulous and no one knows your so comfortable you could take a nap right in your office.  

One final note on the Minnie pant, as it comes in several different colors.  The darker the hue the better.  If you are at all tempted to buy the Beechwood/camel color, DON'T.  It is one of the most unflattering colors which shows every single little bump and lump you didn't know you had.  Save yourself the trouble and do not buy them.  Happy shopping!

Top: J. Crew Crystal Embellished Baseball Top, $48/$75
Pants: J. Crew Minnie (size down one from your normal)

Heels: J. Crew Mona Glitter Oxford via Ebay, $125/$238

Sunglasses: Face a Face Gleam 2 via College Optical Boulder

Handbag: Coach Alex Signature Sateen (old), $166 

Fall Slate

When: Last week, mother nature couldn't decide between Spring and Fall so this is what happens.

To be completely honest I've been disappointed with Summer's performance this year, its been somewhat lackluster.  Skipping out on the days when the thermometer erroneously reads 120 degrees on my dashboard when in reality it's 99.  Yes, those days never arrived here this year and that my friends is why I continually default to jeans.  Sad as it is it's come to this.

Not all jeans are created equal and for that reason finding the right weight to wear in the summer can be a bit tricky.  It's a fine line between comfort, thickness and breathability.  Oddly no matter what kind of white jeans I have tried, all seam to be the perfect package for summer.  Looser fitting jeans, boyfriend or straight leg cropped can also work particularly well, if they aren't a normal weight jean.  Skinny jeans which are a medium weight may work in the summer, look for ones with a bit of stretch in them that breath.  All to soon we'll be back in them for another 6 months and then Summer will return again and hopefully get its act together.

Jeans: imogene + willie 'Lucy' in Slate, $50 (amazing sale)/$$195 

Top: J. Crew Merino Tipped Side Panel Sweater, $20/$89 go up a size for looseness

Shoes: Kate Spade Metro Wedge, via Nordstrom Rack, $99/$358

Scarf: Oscar de la Renta, via an Estate Sale, $3 (yes, 3 dollars!)

Earrings: NR, $15

Sunglasses: Kate Spade 'Albertine' via NR, $60/$120

General Flats

When: Last week sometime not exactly sure when, but all I have to say is this was an easy choice.

What's not to love about dresses in the Summer?  They are lightweight, breezy and best of all they are one piece, which means there is no guess work in trying to figure out what top to pair with what bottom that coordinates with those shoes.  Whew, lots to think about there.  But for those days that your brain is out to lunch before you've had breakfast, dresses are the key to looking pulled together when well, you just aren't.  The only real decision you might have to make is on the shoes and my general rule for dresses is this:

Long Dress/Skirt: higher heels or boots.

Mid-length Dress/Skirt: Usually a mid to high heel/boots.

Short Dress: Flats or low and I mean low heel.

Rules can always be broken however if it looks questionable to you it's probably not the right fit.  Choose a shoe you ultimately feel amazing in and you won't go wrong!  Have a great weekend.

Dress: Trina Turk (old) via Nordstrom Rack, $49

Flats: Kate Spade 'General' Flats, Free w/Nordstrom Notes ($82)/$258

Bracelet: Kate Spade "Oh La La" Bracelet via NR, $25 similar here

Earrings: Textured Gold Hoops via NR,  $10

Bernadette + Steamers

When: Last week, due to fluctuating weather patterns and my continuation of white pants season.

I realized after uploading these pictures that there was one very large irritating factor in them - creases.  Creases on the softest silk lace shirt that I pulled out of the closet in the early morning hours when it was hard to see.  I could have sworn the blouse had already been steamed and put back in its place, but to my dismay that was not the case.  

Had I pulled out the handy Jiffy Steamer I received as a gift from my mother on my birthday 2 years ago, I could have avoided this disaster.  The steamer takes seconds to heat up and is quick to release the worst lines from your clothes.  It is a lifesaver and I honestly don't know how I lived without one for so long.  Here is my reasoning for putting a Jiffy steamer on your Christmas list this year:

Pros:

• Silk Blouses
• Skirts
• Evening gowns 
• Lightweight pants
• Mobile
• Easy to use and fill

Cons:

• Hard to use on cotton dress shirts
• Handle gets extremely hot after long use
• Burning yourself on occasion will occur

That said you may also want to check out Jiffy's article on allergens in the home and how you can cut down on them while you sleep.  I am definitely going to try it!

Shirt: Equipment Quinn Lace Sleeve Blouse via Nieman Marcus Last Call, $78/$258
Jeans: BDG via UO, $20/$54
Flats: Tory Burch Bernadette Flats via Nordstrom Rack, $75/$280
Necklace: UO $10
Earrings: NR $12
Handbag: Coach Alex Sateen Tote via Nordstrom $166/$358

Pink Leather Skirt

When: 4th of July weekend at the Cherry Creek Arts Festival.  Save yourself the trouble and skip this event in the future.

This Adam Lippes skirt, which I found buried in the sale rack at Nordstrom Rack last fall, was something I wouldn't have normally tried on.  Once I did though I fell in love with it, except for one thing.  The skirt was a mini and a size 10, which was 2 sizes too big for me, however I noticed that letting it sit lower on the hips instead of at the waist made it seem more "adult" if you will.  Not the 40 something flashy trying to recoup those college days, if you understand what I am saying.  So keeping in mind that the length was great, but the hip area now made me look like I had wings, I decided to ask alterations if they could do their magic.  Unfortunately Nordstrom Rack does not have a leather sewing machine available to alter clothes, so I had to go to a specialist.  The alteration cost was about $60, but I couldn't be happier.  It just goes to show that if you keep an open mind about what things can become, they do!

Tee Shirt: J. Crew Vintage Motorcycle Sequin Tee via Common Threads, $12
Skirt: ADAM Blush Leather Mini Skirt altered for length via Nordstrom Rack, $120/$495
Sandals: MICHAEL Michael Kors Hamilton Sandal in snake print via Nordstrom Rack, $40/$144
Bracelet: Miranda Komplott, gift
Earrings: Ralph Lauren via Nordstrom Rack: $10/$30