Breezy Late Afternoon

     Last weekend I had a mission. I'm going to the Mall of America, the largest indoor mall in the US which happens to be near the Minneapolis airport, and check out the line up of spring dresses. I wear dresses in the summer and the best designs sell quickly. 

     A weekend usually isn't the best time to visit this mall. It was spring break so the mall was packed with girls and their mothers hunting for prom dresses. In the sea of short sleeveless items, I found this easy to wear knit dress. I like the length and sleeves plus it can be styled so many ways. I love wearing knit dresses because they are so practical. It comes with a black belt so I added the red for a touch of color.

     I've never worn red lipstick before. One of my favorite bloggers, Cla of Glam Up your Lifestyle calls red lip color her "secret weapon." We have the same skin tone and hair color so I thought I'd give it a try. Thanks Cla for the inspiration! 


dress--evan-picone (here)--on sale now      shoes--ralph lauren (purchased on sale last fall) (similar) (lower heel choice)     cross body purse--ralph lauren (similar) (similar)     belt--(consignment purchase) (similar)     leather jacket--free people ( leather jackets)

links--share in style--sunday style--monday must haves--mingle monday--style sessions--the pleated poppy--random wednesday--three-fer thursday--look what I got--passion for fashion--not dead yet style

Graphic

     When I was a young girl of 10 years old, my mom painted my room stark white. We decided to pick a bedspread out of the Sear's catalog covered with a watercolor print that resembled a pond. She said I could paint my room however I wanted. Being the careful natured person that I am still today, I proceeded to cover the white walls with bold graphic patterns interspersed with a few animals and figures. It took me about 2 months to finish this project. I grew up on a farm in Iowa and my mom was a teacher where doing something like this was unheard of. I loved it and spent many hours relaxing on my bed gazing at my creation and adjusting all the small details.

     I give my parents a lot of credit for giving the confidence to be creative, really fearless in some ways.  I think it is this positive memory that drives my love of all thinks graphic. Seeing bold stripes and strong motifs delights my eye and inspires a feeling of confidence. When clothes have a graphic boldness, you just can't be shy!

links--plane pretty--not dead yet style--monday bloom--mix it mondays--mingle monday--style elixer--what i wore wednesday--the pleated poppy--three-fer thursday--tres-chic fashion thursday--look what I got--passion 4 fashion--fashion item friday

jacket--bcbg (here)     skirt--bcbg (here) (here)     clutch--bcbg (here)     shoes--bcbg generation     tights--dkny

Fit and Flair Dress

     This week the weather is warming and the snow is reducing it's hold on the landscape. I'm wearing my favorite shape in a dress, the fit and flair. I was visiting my Dad in Wisconsin and found this one on the final clearance of the winter dresses. It combines both a black turtleneck and printed flair skirt all in one. 

     I like the fit and flair shape and I think it's a style that's wearable by many women. I searched the web this week for this design with sleeves and not too short. Worn with sandals for spring, this style dress can be a nice addition to the wardrobe.     

dress--jessica howard    shoes--calvin klein   clutch--isaac mizrahi   jewelry--kenneth cole   tights--dkny 

links--simple sequins--plane pretty--watch what I wearing--mingle monday--dcinstyle--the pleated poppy--get your pretty on--the brandied pair--three-fer thursday--look what i got--midwest bloggers--passion 4 fashion--simple sequins--not dead yet style

Watercolor Blue Print

     With the coldest winter in 35 years, I'm experiencing spring fever! During the summer I wear dresses often and this one I purchased last month during the holidays sales. With temperatures often below zero and snow flying, spring feels so far away here in Minnesota. I find a printed wrap dress easy to wear and comfortable. This dress is the BCBG Adele Dress (here) which is a style I have worn before in another color last sumer. (here)  I thought I would give myself a break from winter and do a post in anticipation of spring weather.

     Today I'm wearing this dress with bone colored textured tights.  I think this light color can add coverage and texture in the transition time before sandals without looking heavy and weighing down a dress. Floral patterns are a trend for this spring. Will you embrace some pattern as the weather changes?

links--not dead yet style--monday bloom--mingle monday--verizon voices fashionista--the pleated poppy--because shanna said so--three-fer thursday--passion4fashion--simply lulu--fashion informant

Adding a Yellow Bag

     I bought this yellow sequin bag thinking I love this color but this color doesn't love me. I tried on a jacket in yellow and I looked like I had run a marathon! Unfortunately yellow brings out the red tones in my complexion. Although wearing this color as an accent seems to be a way to incorporate some yellow into my wardrobe. This is one way to wear colors that my not be so flattering to your skin tone.  I've been noticing yellow paired with black, gray and all tones of blue, especially cobalt. With spring around the corner, a touch of bright yellow feels on trend and worth trying. 

     In my links I have included some yellow pieces which might be fun to add to your wardrobe. Since all the items in this post are older, just the sequin bag is in the links. Adding one on trend color can be a way to refresh pieces you already own.

links--plane pretty--mingle monday--the style record--style elixer--the pleated poppy--because shanna said so--three-fer thursday--thursday take over--simply lulu style--passion for fashion--favorite fashion friday--not dead yet style