leopard flat.

I've been wanting to add a flat in this fun animal print into my wardrobe for some time now, so when I found this pair at Target a few weeks ago (for under $20!), I scooped them up without thinking twice.  When I add a trendy piece to my collection, I usually tend to look at less expensive versions; this way, if I find it to be too far out of my comfort zone, I haven't put too much of an investment to feel guilty about not wearing it. And after looking into my closet for options, I initially thought these flats might not work well with my current looks.  But after some work and experimentation (what did I ever do without Polyvore?) I have come up with some great late-winter options to get some great mileage out of these sought-after shoes.
This first look was my initial outfit, worn on a casual work day.  Comfortable yet professional, this outfit could be worn on many occasions.


These next looks take a bolder color (kelly green) against the bright leopard.  I like how I'm able to make two different options, thanks to my variety of green pieces.  In the both looks, the green jacket is the exact shade as the green cardigan and tee; if they weren't, I would have used the black or white tee for the look on the left, and most likely a brown jacket for the look on the right (a black jacket would also work fine).  I usually save these chandelier earrings for when my hair is up in a topknot or pony; simpler earrings might better complement a looser hairstyle.
  
Finally, I love the option of using a springtime color (in this case, a raspberry) with the leopard print.  Used either in my new favorite Valentine's shirt on the left (see "Happy Valentine's Day) or in a wool scarf on the right, these looks are a great way to stay warm while looking ahead to the approaching new season.

I have some great ideas for when the weather actually does get warmer that I'll post when the time comes.  Hopefully I'll be able to keep using these bargain finds, and perhaps even invest in a longer-lasting pair once these reach their peak. Have you been thinking of adding a trendy item, such as this print, into your wardrobe? Clearly it can be easier than you think to fit them right in to your current pieces.  Now go get 'em!

navy vneck.

Soft, thin, and quite long, this piece should have gotten much more mileage since purchasing it two autumns ago. It started out strong, worn with leggings or denim once a week or so, but like so many other pieces in my closet, once I tired of the obvious outfit choices, this navy sweater got lost on a shelf among my many other cozy tops.  While reorganizing my closet this weekend, I found it, squished in a corner and forgotten, and immediately set to work coming up with fresh, new options for a top I was so excited to have found in h&m for under $30.  The first look I chose was perfect for a ridiculously mild day; I love how the green trench (this is a similar coat, but mine is another great h&m find) looks against the blue.

Both the shoes and the purse are suede, so on a rainy day, I'd probably swap the wedges for a pair of jelly flats and the purse for a leather or synthetic.
This next option allows for a look I've been wanting to try for some time: gray and gold.  The sweater offers a break from the unexpected color combination while complementing the two contrasting shades.  The pops of yellow work the same way.


This final look could be worn to work or out on weekends.  The blazer dresses the sweater up but the pink flats keeps the outfit from being too serious.  Of course, if the occasion required a more subtle ensemble, a neutral shoe would work as well.  I also like how the bold jewelry (bold at least for me!) adds an extra bit of interest.


This sweater will be a great tool to transition into spring, as the fabric is thin and the shape versatile.  I will definitely be using it with warm-weather pants, bermudas, and possibly even 3 inch shorts for casual evening looks.  Be on the lookout for those ideas as spring approaches.
There must be a similar top sitting in your closet, perhaps as overlooked as my own. Have fun coming up with your own new and exciting ideas!

happy valentine's day.

My Valentine's Day was spent teaching, so as nice as it would have been to wear something dressy, my day called for a more work-friendly approach.  After some ill-fated attempts at festivity, I finally decided to give a hardly-worn shirt in a gorgeous raspberry a try.  Loose and flowy, the shirt can be difficult to add to my trouser pants or flared denim, but surprisingly paired well with my well-loved grey skinny cords and a white cardigan.  Comfortable, polished and work-appropriate.  I'm so glad I decided to give this top another try.  Hopefully everyone was able to pull out something special to wear on this sweet day!

hunter boots.

They were all I wanted for Christmas this year. My husband thought I was crazy; he offered me other suggestions for gifts he thought were much more exciting than a pair of shoes. I didn't budge, and to my delight, they were waiting for me under the tree Christmas morning.  Women's Original Tall Hunter rainboots, in navy blue.  He even bought me cream cable knit socks to complement them.  I was ecstatic.

Before they were mine, I pictured myself in the boots while taking many long dogwalks in the park near our home, the sturdy rubber allowing me to traipse through mud and puddles with ease.  Here is one of my favorite looks for walking my two greyhounds during this enjoyably mild winter. 


These boots have certainly fulfilled their duties as far as wet or chilly walks are concerned, but the real fun has been coming up with uses and styles involving a less utilitarian purpose and more of a statement to an ensemble. They look wonderful paired with skinny jeans and my poppy-colored cashmere sweater, as shown here.
 
This next look is one I could wear several times a week; I've even worn it to work on rainy days.  Comfortable yet sophisticated, and the monochromatic look of the grey makes the boots a focal point.


I'm excited to try this next look to brighten up the mild, rainy days of April and May.  I can't wait to see how this full grey skirt (bought last year to wear at my bridal shower) adds a whimsical, feminine touch to a fisherman's staple.

 I don't actually own this umbrella (or any umbrella, for that matter), but on future shopping trips I'll be sure to be on the lookout for one of a similar design. I've kept the accessories and shirt minimal, as the skirt and boots are enough of a standout.

I love how something as functional and, to some, plain as blue rubber boots can inspire such varied and fun style options.  Rain boots are such unique and fun tools to create outfits guaranteed to make a statement.  Although Hunters are a splurge, more affordable options can be found almost anywhere.  Neutral colors, like mine, allow options for many colors to be incorporated in an outfit; brighter, bolder patterns often featured on these boots call for the shoe to be the main attraction and the rest of the outfit to remain more neutral. A few tips for making the most of your looks with rain boots:
If you're wearing them with pants, choose styles that are slim and tuck nicely into the boot.  Baggy pants tucked into boots look sloppy and add unnecessary bulk to your frame. Leggings and straight or skinny pants work best.
Rain boots aren't exactly a feminine accessory, so adding girly accents or pieces, such as a full skirt, some crystal beaded bracelets or a brightly colored sweater (all shown above) help to soften your look.
Paired with the Hunters socks, my boots become a great option for snowy and frigid days (and in my opinion, a much more stylish option than traditional snow boots).  These socks would fit any tall rainboot, so even if your boots aren't made by Hunter, they're still a great cold-weather option.  You can find them at Nordstrom.

Here's to hoping I see many fun, unique, and functional styles featuring rain boots in the months to come!

aqua pump.

Last winter, I left my comfort zone and purchased a pair of aquamarine stiletto pumps at h&m for around $25. A classic shaped shoe but in a trendier color, I admit I didn't exactly have a selection of clothing items to pair them with in mind as I joined the checkout line.  Still, they called to me and once I tried them on, I figured I would find complementary options once I got them home.  Cue a year later, and I've probably worn them out twice.  Not exactly making the most out of a purchase I was initially so excited to make.  How many of us have found something so unique, yet so "gotta have it", only to have the item sit unused because the options to pair with seem so few and far between? I began playing the "what-if" game with these colorful accents: what if I paired the aqua with a monochromatic neutral? Or, more unexpected, another pop of color? The first new ensemble I discovered would be great for a date night with the husband, or maybe dinner with friends.
































The purse I own is a similar casual shape, but has white accents.  I also own an similar necklace, the only difference being it is a single strand instead of this multi-layered piece.  The end product remains the same however; a put-together, stylish look with a fun pop of color to add interest.  I also love the idea of adding non-black neutrals; in this case, the browns and grays work well to downplay the blue while remaining complimentary.
This next option would be great for running errands on a mild day, attending a family function, or even a casual workday.


I love the look of the yellow and aqua together; it is so unexpected, yet works terrifically! By keeping the rest of the outfit simple and non-fussy, the accents stand out without overpowering the look.  I will definitely be trying this look on our next mild Saturday.
Finally, a more formal look remains fun and interesting by pairing two surprising hues: aqua and cherry red.

 

The key in allowing this outfit to work is the monochromatic structure of the rest of the outfit. An important tip when pairing pieces in the same color: be sure the shades of the color are close or exactly the same, or the effect can look dingy.  For instance, refrain from wearing a well-loved black shirt with a brand new pair of pants if the shirt has been washed several (dozen) times; it will almost certainly look faded and worn compared to the bright look of the pants.  Pairing different fabrics in the same shade is a great choice; a black cashmere sweater will look beautiful against a pair of black cotton trousers without looking too "matchy".  Because the accent colors are so bright, keep even the jewelry to a minimum and let the colors really stand out! The clutch I actually own is a bit more formal than the piece shown here.  I would love to wear this outfit to an upscale restaurant or formal event.
By finding new and fun ways to incorporate this always-loved but hard-to-pair heels into my wardrobe, the most important thing I learned was how well the bright aqua looked when paired with other strong colors.  Do you have a challenging colored piece you could dare to wear with other bold colors?

white cableknit sweater.

It's an item that is sure to be in the closets of many: a white cotton cableknit sweater.  Mine is several years old, lightweight, a three-quarter sleeve version from The Gap. It has stood the test of time, color and shape-wise, so far, but I've been reluctant to include it in recent ensembles due to a seemingly short list of options.  This is one look I may try for work this week.  I added the cardigan partly for warmth, but also because I like the layered look.



I am a special education teacher working with students under the age of seven, and my daily schedule varies.  For a busy day working with very young students, I would probably be most comfortable wearing ballet flats, but on a day spent in meetings I would be more likely to choose the kitten heels. This necklace is very similar to one I own but mine is larger, so I feel as though earrings would be overpowering. 

For running errands or grabbing lunch on weekends, this sweater would look great with tall boots and skinny jeans:


Because it's lightweight (and because I'm always thinking of warmer temperatures), this sweater would work well for spring as well. The nautical inspiration is evident throughout many of my fashion choices, especially in spring and summer.



These are a few examples of new and fresh options to use with a veteran piece of mine.  Each of these looks contain items I currently own, but have not thought to include with this sweater.  Do you have a similar sweater in the back of your closet? What can you add from your current collection to give new life to this classic staple?

a fresh wave.

This time of year, I think for many but particularly for me, it can be easy to get stuck in routines both good and bad.  The nights are long, the winds cold, and I find myself lacking the inspiration to explore different ideas, try new things, and challenge myself in general. I recently turned 30, which could be an opportunity to mourn the loss of being a "twenty-something", but which I am determined instead to use as a good point to push myself to find inspiration around me at a time of year when it might be easier, but less fulfilling, to do otherwise.

One of my favorite "twenty-something" activities was, like many others, shopping.  Before the joys and responsibilities of home (and dog) ownership entered my life, much of my time, energy and income was spent searching for the perfect...anything.  Not so different from most women my age, but now that my time and income is more appropriately spent on maintaining what I have and saving for our future, shopping has fallen several notches on my list of priorities.  But changing my outlook from "constantly adding" to "enjoying what I have" has been a work in progress.

This situation is not unique to me; many women are in the position of taking what they have and using it to its fullest potential.  I think often times when we are examining an item for purchase - an interesting pair of shoes, a brilliantly colored shirt, a well-cut pair of pants - we automatically create a scenario of several outfit options in which to add our new finds.  All well and good; it is rarely wise to buy something without at least an idea of how to wear it, but I find that the options we initially think of become the only options we ever end up utilizing.  And after those options become tired and boring, that fantastic new item ends up discarded, dismissed, and ultimately forgotten, long before its life of potential has ended.

My intention for this blog is to look at these forgotten items in my own wardrobe - those pieces that were meant for several opportunities and pushed to the side once boredom set in - and find new inspiration for them.  Often a fresh look at something can result in new ideas; a fresh wave of options.  My style can probably most accurately be referred to as classic, which is helpful because my pieces rarely go out of style.  I do not often buy trendy pieces; instead I might choose a simple or classic item in a different or unexpected color.  Every piece I feature in this blog will be a piece I already own, or something very similar.  Every array of outfit options I include with each piece will have items I also already own, or only requiring the purchase of one item.

Finally, pieces I include and outfits I feature will reflect my closet and budget.  This means some pieces may have been found this season, and some may be several years old.  Some items might have been coveted from J.Crew, and some discovered at Target (this tends to be my range, high to low price-wise, of retailers).  I will also include general advice regarding how to look at clothing in new and refreshing ways, how to know when it is time to say goodbye to a piece, incorporating trends to maximize their closet life, and other tidbits I learn along the way. 

I am excited to push myself to take what I have and give it a fresh start, a new purpose, an alternate life than what had been imagined.  If others can look inside their own closets and discover ways to give their own "tired" pieces a new set of legs, all the better.

Thanks for stopping by - I can't wait to get started!