Dot-to-dot

This season it's all about the bottoms.  Stripes, floral, polka dots - oh my!  But all this fun on the bottom can be a little overwhelming and some of the prices tags might seem frightening if you're only going to wear that piece once.  I'm here to tell you that these bottoms can be very, very versitle.  You probably have more options hidden in your closet than you even know! 

Below you will find 3 very different looks all using the same AG Polka Dot Ankle Stevies (Anthropologie).  I wanted to show that you can do so much more with these pants than a simple white shirt (though that's also a cute option!).

Option 1 is pretty simple and basic.  A sheer, neutral blouse with nude heels works for Happy Hour or a night with friends. 

Option 2 is a little more interesting with the mixing of stripes and dots!  This cotton shirt is playful and works for a Casual Friday or brunch with girlfriends.

Option 3 is also a bit more daring because we're mixing florals with the dots.  Yes, this totally works!  Paired with flats, this is great for a weekend of errands.

Option 1:

Sheer brown blouse (Free People); Collection of gold bangles and Nixon watch; Nude, platform heels (Lucky Brand)

Option 2:

Striped top (Anthropologie); Collection of gold bangles and Nixon watch; Nude, platform heels (Lucky Brand)

Option 3:

Silk floral blouse (Anthropologie); Collection of gold bangles and Nixon watch; Gold ballet flats (Steve Madden)

Play around with textures, prints and accessories. Style on!

In love with layers

Nothing says warm weather than tons of bracelets and rings. The heat and the stickiness that humidity can bring means I just can't do necklaces without wanting to rip them off me. Enter.... layers of bracelets and rings.

Style on!

Spring. Love.

A fashion love affair

To mix or not to mix

Both images are from Free People's Blog 25. The mix of printed bottoms for spring makes me exited. I've always loved mixing patterns and textures but here they are showing the pattern bottom with a plain white t-shirt. The story is still compelling and after a winter of mixed patterns and prints, the simply complicated message here is intriguing. It makes you want to keep looking for more. 

To mix or not to mix?  The answer is that depending on the mood - depending on the day.  You can do what you love.

Style on!

Muse

It's not a secret that if I could choose the time period in which I grew up it would be the 70s... all the way... but I would also like to be Jane Birkin's best friend.  She exudes effortless beauty and is my style icon.

Short-astic

Time and again I've heard gals lament over shorts but I have to ask... is it ALL shorts or just the style you are trying? There are tons of options out there but, like anything else, the challenge is finding the style that works best for your body type.

Personally I have short, strong legs so a tight daisy-duke short isn't going to be my best friend. In truth, this is a really hard look for most people over the age of 14 and once we accept this idea we can move on to other really great styles.

Think of shorts in much the same way you might think of a skirt. The same basic rules apply 1. not too short and 2. not too tight. You probably wouldn't (and certainly shouldn't) wear a skirt that shows ANY part of your butt so the same applies with your short. Less is not more here... It might seem obvious but you know you've seen some of your friends wearing shorts that are dangerously close to being a pair of underpants. You will feel so much better if you're not constantly worrying about what you might be showing to the world.

Bermuda style (yes, longer shorts can be sexy):

This is a really cute and relaxed look that works on practically everyone! The hem of the short needs to be a few inches above the knee and the cut of the leg should be wider than your actual leg (i.e. these shouldn't look like bike shorts). These are a great option b/c they can be worn with wedges or flats and are equally flattering! They can also go from day to night (cute to sexy) with a quick change of shoes and some added bracelets.

A shorter style:

Notice that she's not revealing her entire upper thigh and the cut of the short still accents her leg. The cut of the leg is also slightly bigger than her actual leg which creates the illusion of a sexy, svelte stem. It shouldn't look like your stuffing youself into the shorts.

If you're going to opt for a shorter version make sure that your behind is fully covered.

As always, have fun with it. Know your size and try on all options. Remember, if you need to size up in a pair of shorts you will be better off than trying to squeeze yourself into something that just isn't quite right. Thankfully they put the tag on the inside so no one even has to know (shhhh it's our little secret).

Style on!

Vans + Hermes = ?

Photo Credit

I cannot get enough of this collaboration! Vintage Hermes scarves + Vans. Look at the brilliant colors! The simple and unexpected shoe... Words fail me.

**Hermes Meets Vans**