Part 2: Top, Spring

 Using a dress as a top isn't the most common remix, but in this case it served my purpose perfectly.  I am seriously lacking in summer staple pieces (mainly tops that are work appropriate).  As a result, I was having a hard time pairing this beautiful J Crew skirt I thrifted with anything in my closet.  This dress provided a simple top and its full bottom gave some lift to my skirt.  The twirl-capabilities were endless - and that inspired me to do this:

 Dress worn as top: Body Shop; Skirt: Thrifted, J Crew; Belt: Anthro; Necklace: local jewelry maker; Shoes: Rampage

Oh blogging, what have you done with my pride?

Hope everyone is having a great week - and not getting tired of this series.  Two more looks (and seasons) to go!  

The Most Versatile Item in my Wardrobe: Part 1 (Dress, Summer)

I bought this dress on a shopping trip with my mom last summer.  We were in one of those cheap discount "designer" stores - Forever 21 but not.  I bought it on a whim - it was $20 and had pretty colors.  I liked it, but I never expected it to become one of my closet staples.  

Dress: Body Central; Necklace: American Eagle; Bangles: local boutique; Belt: Old Navy (stolen from the boy); Shoes: Sahara via Rackroom

But then tribal print happened in a big way.  Plus, the colorful skirt matches so many of my accessories, and the saturated colors work for every season.  After flipping through my pictures and realizing how many times (and different ways) I've worn in in the past year, I thought it was time to devote a post series to it's awesomeness. 

Hope you like it as much as I do!

My First Foray into Pattern Mixing

As I'm sure all of you stylish ladies are already aware, stripes, brights, and pattern mixing are all huge trends for summer (and if the early fall look books are any indication, will transition into autumn as well).  I thought I might as well give them all a shot at once.

shirt: lilly pulitzer, thrifted; skirt:thrifted; bag: local boutique; belt:F21; shoes: limelight 

I've never had much of a problem incorporating saturated colors into my wardrobe and stripes have long been a summer staple (although I look forward to deploying them more in the cooler months), but pattern mixing simultaneously enthralled and scared the bejeezus out of me.  Like so many other trends, it looks so effortless on other women, but when I looked into my own closet, every pattern seemed to clash.   That is until I thrifted this skirt.  For some reason its black and white scheme seems to gives me permission to mix it with just about whatever I like, including hot pink stripes.  Hopefully this will open my eyes to more possible combinations in my closet.

If you've struggled with this trend as well (or if you're just looking for some inspiration) this post is one of the best I've read on the subject.  

OH, and how great is this bag?  I've had it for 3 years now, but it keeps popping into my rotation and I fall in love with it all over again.  Dark purple is by far the most underrated neutral - it really does go with almost everything.

  

Plumage - Super Ballin'

Two weekends ago the boy, his roommate, and one of my best friend's boyfriend, and I piled into a car and road tripped to New York for Super Ball - a 3 day Phish festival.  I spent most of the weekend in a bikini top and shorts (and have the awesomely tan shoulders to prove it) but I did manage to actually get dressed a time or two - here's the proof:

Shirt, shorts: Old Navy; Belt: Body Shop; Shoes: Sahara; Shades: outdoor vendor; water: Fiji

This has easily become one of my favorite summer outfits.  It's breezy and casual while still looking put together.  The best part:  I shoved it into my very small bag (I packed lighter than the boys!) and it didn't wrinkle too badly at all.  Love.  

Plumage - Prissy Plaid

Skirt: second-hand (gifted from aunt); Shirt: Gap, thrifted; Earrings: Ireland

Through this whole fashion blogging experience (as a reader and a writer) perhaps the biggest change I've seen in my own style has been the way I mentally categorize my clothes.  I find myself looking at my wardrobe as endless possible combinations rather than as a series of tops, bottoms, and dresses with limited applications.  This has allowed me to blur the lines between "work wear" and "weekend wear" which has basically doubled my wardrobe without me having to spend a dollar.  

For example, this shirt was a fun thrift find that I immediately rotated into my Saturday lounging/Sunday brunch outfits, but it took a few weeks before I decided to introduce it to my Monday-Friday pieces.  This skirt was so sweetly given to me by my aunt when I started temping at my now job.  I went home desperately searching for office wear, and she bestowed me with my very first pencil skirt.  In my mind, these two pieces were on opposite ends of my wardrobe spectrum, but I think they pair together surprisingly well.  

Little steps, one outfit at a time.

Plumage - Men's Shirt

This may be my favorite shirt.  It's certainly my most comfortable button-up.  It's actually a men's shirt.  From Goodwill.  That my best friend/former roommate gave me when I needed some "office appropriate" wear, before I had time to properly transition my wardrobe.  It’s not the most flattering shirt.  In fact, I took one of the worst photos in recent memory wearing it recently.  But nevertheless, I love it. 

Shirt: American Eagle, thrift gift; Dress (worn as a skirt): American Eagle; Belt: Anthro; Shoes: Sahara; Earrings: F21 

Especially paired with this dress (worn as a skirt).  The rich cranberry and dark blue play together so nicely.  And that’s my favorite belt.  I feel like the pieces in my closet that become my favorites aren’t necessarily the most flattering.  They are comfortable, and pretty, and as of late, the best thrifting finds.  They are what I would wear even if I was all alone and dressing only for myself, and even though I’m glad I own a growing collection of pretty party dresses, stiletto heels, and pencil skirts  - it’s really these gems that become the wardrobe of my daily (non-working) life.

Flight Report - Blah

I have a distinct idea of what my happiest life feels like.  It’s the perfect balance of chaos and structure.  It’s spontaneity and responsibility seamlessly coexisting.   It’s late night swims, followed by showers in a freshly scrubbed tub.  It’s love making on hot summer nights and standing naked in the kitchen eating cold cherries.  It’s a well-stocked fridge that allows for impromptu picnics, and sipping coffee on Sunday morning while reading to the sounds of laundry. 

And right now I’m failing at creating this life.  I feel simultaneously unproductive and no fun.  I need to vacuum and I can’t remember the last time I went out dancing.  I just feel off.  Not myself.  Blah. 

Tonight I clean and cook.  Tomorrow I frolic.