Look :: lemon + jade

shirt: Free People // skirt: J.Crew (old; similar) // booties: Report // sunglasses: Ray Ban // nail polish: Essie, Turks and Caicos

I feel the need to preface this post by saying that my cousin made fun of my color descriptions when I posted a preview of this outfit on Instagram earlier today. In the caption I listed the colors of my outfit as 'lemon, turquoise, and jade,' and he commented and asked, "You mean yellow, blue, and green?" Oh, the life of a fashion girl. Colors are far more nuanced than the primaries and different hues can dramatically alter a look. Regardless, I was in love with this outfit today and the colors were lifting my spirits and garnered several compliments. Because I chose to mix two bold colors, I kept the accessories minimal (though they appear non-existant in these photos). My favorite part? My turquoise nails which added an extra dash of whimsy.

I want to thank you all so very much for all of your comments on my last post. I'm still working to get Wordpress set up, but I hope to be able to unveil the new site soon so that I can respond to each and every one of you. I have been visiting every blog that is linked to a comment and I must say, I am astounded at the size of this Internet community and all of the incredible style everyone possesses.

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Look :: leopard + fatigue

jacket: Victoria's Secret (old; similar) // skirt: J.Crew (old; similar) // belt: Target (similar) // pumps: Ivanka Trump (similar)

I shot these photos in 15 minutes yesterday before I had to go to work. I finally broke down and ordered a remote for my Nikon so I can shoot my own outfit photos on a much more consistent basis for you guys. There's nothing worse than a good outfit not getting enough exposure and going to waste now, is there?

These leopard pumps are a favorite of mine, though I confess, they're probably the most uncomfortable heels I own. While the style is perfection and I searched high and low to find a pair of leopard pumps that was just so, I can't last more than three hours on my feet in these. That said, I love how they instantly glam up a very monochromatic look. Though I didn't get a decent shot with the jacket open, I had on a mustard yellow tee (last seen here) paired with my ochre pencil skirt (last seen here). The colors are very similar to give the illusion of a dress, but I added the leopard belt to break up the look and tie in the shoes. The military jacket is a favorite of mine though I haven't worn it much this season. I love the cropped length as it pairs perfectly with high-waisted pencil skirts and adds a much-needed edge to an otherwise safe wear-to-work look.

I am spending today transitioning this blog over to Wordpress. When I decided to start this blog I wanted something quick and easy, but I'm now realizing Blogger isn't quite as functional as I'm accustomed to with Wordpress. I want the ability to interact with you guys in the comments and Blogger's reply feature refuses to cooperate. I can't wait to unveil the results on Wednesday!

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Look :: Neon Obsession

J.Crew blazer; Old Navy tee (available in stores now; similar); vintage pencil skirt (similar); J.Crew Mona patent pumps; Claire Vivier for Refinery29 clutch (similar & many on her site); Michael Kors watch (similar); vintage ring; Target gold hoop earrings (similar)

All photos by Rachel Bodenstein

The emergence of neons as a prominent trend for spring has found me fully on board. Ever since I glimpsed Jason Wu's Spring 2012 show (one of my favorite looks here; full runway show here), adding bright pink and citron pieces to my wardrobe has been my quest, of course always balancing with neutral stamples - in this case navy, camel, and nude. I put this look together around a tee I found at Old Navy today which meets both requirements with it's soft beige and acid yellow stripes. I paired it with my bright pink vintage pencil skirt which typically resides on the 'spring' side of my closet, but why not bring it out on our coldest day yet this winter? These subdued J.Crew nude patent pumps have frequently been completing my outfits even though I'm much more of a statement shoe kind of girl.

And now, let's talk about my clutch. I'm in love with this clutch. I purchased it back in November from Refinery29's Reserve, part of an exclusive collaboration with Clare Vivier. I went back and forth when making a decision between this one with it's acid yellow stripe and the other with the day-glo pink. I just love the statement it adds to any outfit and the leather is just so incredibly soft. Life has been so busy and full lately (no complaints here!) but the bright colors of this outfit instantly gave me renewed energy.

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Look :: navy + ochre

blouse: J.Crew | blazer: Tabitha via Anthropologie | skirt: J.Crew | shoes: J.Crew | bag: Jimmy Choo | sunglasses: RayBan | watch: Michael Kors | bracelet: J.Crew | ring: vintage

all photos by Rachel

After I selected this outfit to shoot last Thursday I realized that most of the pieces are from J.Crew. Initially,  I felt a little bit guilty about this as it says little about my ability to pull together a cohesive outfit without being a walking advertisement for a brand, but then I saw the January J.Crew catalogue and my obsession resumed, guilt-free. How can one help but to love such classic pieces in such fresh colors every season? This outfit is very wear-to-work and perfect for those days when you need to look pulled together but don't feel like putting a whole lot of thought into it: blouse, blazer, skirt, and pumps, plus a little red lipstick for drama. Can you really go wrong?

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Look :: NYE glamour 2012

top: Joie | skirt: Asos | shoes: J.Crew | bag: J.Crew | bracelets: Cara (gifted) & J.Crew

All photos c/o Rachel

I wore this outfit to a friend's NYE party, which was also a birthday and anniversary party all rolled into one. The party was a huge success and since I had been in charge of the dress code (set in place specifically for the guys: no jeans, no tennis shoes), I was thrilled to see all of the fabulous looks my friend's had put together. I definitely think we'll be utilizing a dress code for more parties in the future to up the glam factor since house parties seem to imply casual dress (not in my book!).

Even though I felt so incredibly blessed to be ringing in the new year with so many great friends, I was happy to see 2011 go. While there were many great moments throughout the year, this year was largely a year of struggles and frustrations for me both personally and professionally. I'm so excited about all that I foresee happening in 2012 and can't wait to see life unfold! I don't believe in new year's resolutions because I'm of the belief that any and every day is a great day to set new goals and make exciting plans for the future. Here's to a fantastic year full of all the goodness that life has to offer!

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Look :: mustard + teal

After last week's failed attempt to get any decent outfit photos of myself using a self-timer, I was able to cajole my dear friend Rachel to be my photographer. This photo shoot was a very last-minute arrangement on my day off. I would say it was an unseasonably warm December day here in Atlanta when we shot this, but most weather here in Atlanta is unseasonal, so 65 degree weather in December? Let's roll with it. Our initial location in front of some beautiful flowers that were still in bloom (see aforementioned fickle weather) was a complete bust, but we ended up scouting out something better anyway.

J.Crew shirt, J.Crew skirt, Joie shoes, Michael Kors watch, bracelet from Nordstrom, vintage lion necklace

all photos by Rachel

Pencil skirts are a staple in my wardrobe and I own them in a multitude of colors. Not only do they dress up or down easily, but they're quite simple to build a chic outfit around. I have never paired this shirt and skirt together, but in the rush to put an outfit on that was worth shooting, this was the result. I nearly wore these shoes to death last spring and summer when I got them, but then they sat tucked away at the top of my closet and it felt appropriate to throw them on since I didn't feel like donning heels on my day off. This necklace, however, is one my favorite pieces that I own and I get so many compliments on it every time I wear it. It used to belong to my great-grandmother and was passed along to me by my aunt after I requested some of her fashion jewels. When I received it, it was a brooch, but since I noticed it could also be worn as a necklace, I swapped the chain from another pendant I never wore to this one and have worn this piece to add a sense of whimsy to outfits ever since.

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