Here, kitty, kitty

Fashion is all about self-expression, and that includes having a little fun.  As you add some accent pieces into your wardrobe, why not incorporate something a little on the playful side?  An expressive print that hints at your inner cat-lady is chic -- not stuffy -- when outfitted properly.

These new pieces from Kate Spade would be the perfect touch of cheeky playfulness to an otherwise neural outfit.

So, how do you wear it? 

The trick is to select one statement item and blend it in with neutral basics.  Especially since Kate Spade tends to run on the dressy, feminine side, it's fun to incorporate a distressed element like a raw-edge jean.  The ankle length won't cover up the quirky little whiskers! 

I encourage you to try it out for yourself!  Going tastefully outside your comfort zone might earn you a little extra fashion credit and a few loose compliments! 

Silk chiffon lives on!

Labor Day has come and gone.  It might seem like it's time to put away all the light and flouncy pieces of summer, but while cruising Pinterest I became inspired to keep them in my rotation a bit longer.  I love contrasting a silky, feminine fabric with a chunky knit. 

If flowy silk chiffon skirts aren't your thing, try layering a sweater over a silky slip or button-down. 

Headed to my closet! 

Images via Pinterest

Just for kicks

From left: Blogger Liz Schneider pairs Nike Free's with jeans. Kristin Cavallari dons a casual dress and canvas kicks. A simple day look gets even more comfy with New Balance sneaks worn by Mary Seng of happilygrey.com.

Get yourself comfortable, because the next big footwear trend just happens to be sneakers. Which means that after seasons of torture, your feet will finally get a rest. But it also means that it’s easier than ever before to be laid-back fashionable. Celebs and style bloggers alike have taken to the trend, which gives “casual-chic” a fresh new meaning.

To style this look, it’s important to keep the overall vibe dressed down. Sneakers look best with a skinny jean (preferably cuffed at the ankle) and classic, simple pieces. As with any statement accessory, let the sneaks take the spotlight. Miranda Kerr, below, pulls off bright pink sneakers with a basic denim shirt and leather jeans.

Blogger Liz Schneider of Sequins & Stripes (feature photo, left) makes her red Nike Free 5.0s nearly date-night appropriate with a simple-but-sexy black tank and retro sunnies. If you’re feeling especially daring, pair sneakers with a simple dress for a fun spin on the trend, like Kristin Cavallari does (center) with a gray mini dress and navy canvas kicks. Or sweeten an effortless weekend outfit with a pair of vintage-inspired running shoes.

While assembling your outfit, remember this isn’t an excuse to pull out your old lawn-mowing shoes. Make sure your sneakers are clean and fresh, and not too clunky. While the more high-tech athletic shoes offer great support, ditch those in favor of a flatter-soled, more streamlined style. Converse, Superga and New Balance are all great options, and women’s designers are churning out fashionable options with a wide range of price tags.

This post was originally published on Red Typewriter.  See it here.

The many faces of "boho": which are you?

The biggest trend to come onto the fashion scene this summer is the boho look.  After a (very) long winter, we are ready to peel back the layers, loosen up, and take on a more relaxed vibe.  The boho trend is wearable for anyone, and does a great job embracing that summer feel.

But which boho is right for you?  The style can be interpreted so many ways!  No, you don't have to look like you walked straight from Coachella with feathers in your hair or jumped from the pages of the Free People lookbook in order to pull off the style.  Here, I've interpreted the style in three ways.  See which works best for you!

Probably the most classic approach to this trend, romantic boho is comprised of soft creams and whites, and involves feminine details like silk fabric, eyelet, or lace (sometimes all three!).  A flowy top is good for any body type.  For bottoms, you can cover up with a good skinny jean or elect to show a little leg with a cutoff (or cuffed) short.  No matter your choice, go for a lighter or distressed wash.  A tan wedge and delicately layered necklaces finish off the look.

For a more worldly, sophisticated approach, try experimenting with bold colors and polished accessories.  This metallic woven clutch ain't no fringed duffel.  It takes the flowy silhouette and outpouring of color down a notch.  Pair with a classic earring and you're good to go!  White jeans keep things very crisp, but you may also find a pair of crisp bootcuts with a wedge very appealing!

To let your wild side out and have a little fun, edgy boho is the perfect choice!  This look can be interpreted so many ways, but one of my favorites is a fun band tee and hardcore accessories.  Find a tee that is soft and vintage-looking (bonus points for real vintage!).  Pair with printed shorts for a fun mismatched feel.  Though camo is kind of scary at first, it's actually a great neutral and can go with just about anything!  Next, the shoes.  Save your wedges for the first two looks.  Here's your chance to get a little funky.  I love these open loafers.  They recall the shape and hardware of a creeper shoe, but also feel like a strappy sandal.  Throw on a sparkly baroque-inspired bracelet for an element of glam and polish.  It's an unlikely mix that hums together in unique boho harmony.


Whichever approach you decide to take, the boho trend is a fun, relaxed (and comfortable!) look for summer.  Which look is best for you?

90s revival

90s revival by eterlak

What goes around comes around, they say.  And this spring, I don't think it could be more true.  Like waiting for a batch of popcorn kernels to start popping, the first few pops come as a surprise.  They are random and shocking.  And so I saw bits of 90s revival, one shocking pop at a time.  It stirred within me a longing and nostalgia for the simplicity of my youth: my shiny black mini-backpack with the smilies, my white Easter sandals with the chunky heel, the flippy miniskirts and the cartoonish flowers that adorned everything.  Daisygirl137 was my very first screen name.

I have decided to embrace this revival, but with some care.  The moment I saw these French Connection sandals, I knew that an outfit was born.  I glanced over to Forever 21 to see if they had, too, embraced the mini floral miniskirts of days long gone, and what to my eyes did I see a plethora!  I actually had to choose from the masses!  Pairing a top is where this can get tricky.  It's easy to throw on a matching periwinkle cardigan and call it Easter 1997, but I chose to cheekily pull a nod to my favorite 90s sweatshirts with this fabulous Rebecca Taylor number.  Vintage in shape, but modern and luxe in its fabrication (and attention to detail, thanks to Rebecca).  A quick search for a mini backpack brought me plenty of options, but for this look, I wanted to keep it sophisticated.  This nude leather option from Kara still feels nostalgic yet keeps it current.  I was all ready to finish, but then I realized I was missing the one detail every 90s outfit needs: a daisy detail.  These adorable Marc Jacobs studs did just the trick.

Are you ready to dust off your 90s gems?  Are your old closets at your parents' still available for scouring? 

Function and fashion

Raj scarf, James Perse Top, Hudson jeans

Today I knew I would be more physically active than normal at work.  When we do a floor move, we take everything in the store and relocate it -- a process that starts as chaos and magically comes together, revealing a totally new store!  I really needed my pieces to work for me, and I didn't want to spend too much time fussing for an outfit today.

Enter the ethnic infinity scarf!  Paired with basics such as skinny jeans and a simple black top, it gave me a little boost.  I love how the rich colors and textures in the scarf really add another dimension to my otherwise basic look.  Without the scarf, I felt a bit plain and ordinary.  Scarf on -- pep in my step!  Such a simple addition can really make you feel more put together.

Best part about an infinity scarf?  Hands free!  Sometimes the loose ends of a scarf can get in the way when you're working, but an infinity scarf sits far away from my clothes-moving hands on days like these.

Find this and similar scarves here and here.

What do you think?  Is this a good look for you?

Loosen up!

There is no doubt that skinny jeans/pants have burrowed their way from a flashy trend to a wardrobe staple.  The right fit makes for a classic piece for anyone.  However, I've got to say that I'm a little skinnied out.

I was pretty excited to see some more relaxed styles walking down the runways this time around at fashion week.  Not to be mistaken for baggy, these styles still have crisp tailoring, but with a relaxed edge.

TWO - PLY TROUSERS - Woman - New this week | ZARA United States (clipped to polyvore.com)

Paired with a feminine flat, like these:

kate spade new york Terry Flats (see more leopard print shoes)

It's very me, I guess.  I love the classic, on-the-go, non-fussy look of these pants!  Pairing a heel doesn't seem quite right, but a simple but chic leopard flat (thanks for the red cap toe, Kate Spade!) makes for the perfect complement.

Just add a simple top and, BOOM, done. 

Would you move your skinnies over for a relaxed style?

Thinking ahead: Motor head.

When fall merchandise starts to roll out in stores it never fails to take me by surprise. It's like seeing Christmas trees out in supermarkets in October. It never seems quite right. That doesn't stop me from taking a full pause to take it in and get a little preview of whatever I'll be obsessing over in the months to come, though. 

There's something about fall that always brings out a badass side of my style. Have I taken it as far as motorcycle boots? No. Not yet, at least. But these caught my eye! I love the idea of pairing them with something a little girly-- maybe even a flowy skirt with a chunky sweater thrown over. Or with a sundress during the transitional weather. Or, of course, with a crisp pair of skinny jeans. (Always a classic.) 

What do you think? Let's go moto?

Nine West 'Sabady' Bootie Womens Black Leather Size 8 M 8 M (see more black cowboy boots)

Vince Camuto 'Tipper' Boot Womens Black Size 7.5 M 7.5 M (see more western boots)

Valentino 'Rockstud' Biker Boot Womens Black Size 41 EU 41 EU (see more leather shoes)

fuschia friday

[Sweater, Express; shirt, H&M; jeans, Lucky Brand; shoes, Report; necklace, Brighton]

Though it's one of my favorite colors, I've always had a hard time wearing fuschia!  I think that it interacts kind of oddly with my skin tone.  I was on a mission to make it work today.  By layering a lighter button-down underneath, I think it added a little dimension and neutralized the color a bit.  I'm excited that I found a way to wear it!

coffee and cream

I LOVE this sweater from Loft.  Mike got it for me as a Christmas gift, and it goes with EVERYTHING!  It's so cozy.  I actually wore it twice in a week, (I know, I know) wearing it for my first day of substitute teaching yesterday!  It was so weird being back in the school I student taught at.  Didn't really feel like I missed any time, just there I was!

Is this winter?

[Coat, Soia & Kyo; Sweater, Jordane Pierre; Jeans, Lucky Brand; Bag, Fossil; earrings, F21]

We've been having some unusually warm weather in the usually-freezing Midwest recently, so this is great!  Normally, January means that it's time to pile on everything I have just to stay alive! 

Recently, I've been going light on the makeup.  I think something about having wintery pale skin makes me want to put less color on my face.  Just some excellent lip stain and minimal mascara.  I also tried a little twisty action in my hair today... it's enough to get my hair away from my face, and it looks cool in the back, too!