Saturday, April 19, 2014

Experimenting with Structure








     I received the May issue of In Style this week and I was captivated by an article on page 181 called "You Can Do Safari." I'm always looking to reconfigure items in ways I haven't worn before. My interpretation does look more military than safari because of the cut of this dress, but I think the mixing is similar to the feel of this article. By pairing a structured dress with feminine shapes, like this coat, and adding current shoes and a burgundy clutch for a bit of color, I created an outfit from pieces already in my closet.

     The ever stylish Annette of Lady of Style interviewed Blue Hue Wonderland for her "Lady of the Month" series. Annette is a generous person and I'm honored she asked me to be part of this series which has highlighted some interesting blogs. Annette was one of the first persons I corresponded with when I started blogging. Her style is classic and elegant with a feminine flair. Annette has created an impressive blog and I would recommend taking a look at Lady of Style .  I've also become active on Pinterest with images from Blue Hue Wonderland plus pictures of many of my fellow bloggers on my page called "From the Blogs."

shoes--jessica simpson     coat--bcbg--(michael kors)     clutch--bcbg generation--(similar)     dress--bloomingdales & tahari--(diane von furstenberg)     bracelet--bcbg--(similar, bcbg)     earrings--handmade--(tory burch)


links--not dead yet style--mingle monday--mix it mondays--monday must haves--funday monday--style sessions--get your pretty on--the pleated poppy--because shanna said so--three-fer thursday--passion for fashion--fashion informant--share-in-style


73 comments:

  1. You are ready for the African adventure with that amazing outfit. The jacket and the shoes are awesome! This is the perfect urban safari look. Ann, you are happening!!!!!!! Thanks so much btw, for being a kind blogger and share the love with others. YOU ROCK.
    Xo
    Carelia

    Mysmallwardrobe.com

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    1. You are welcome Carelia. I know how much work it is to make posts and I'm so inspired by you. I see your talent and appreciate your wonderful blog!

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    2. Thanks so much Ann. I feel very happy that I can inspire others. You also are a great source of inspiration to me with your sophisticated style and classiness. That's gold!

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  2. This is a look which is again perfect for you, Ann and really reflects your style. Love how you paired it with these amazing heels!
    The last photo whithout a doubt must have been taken directly from InStyle... stunning! The movement and energy are great!

    Thank you so much for your participantion in my series, I has been a pleasure to show you and your style on my blog, Ann.
    Annette | Lady of Style

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    1. I'm trying more movement, trying not to look silly! I do have real respect for models because the job it's not easy. These heels are fun and not too high so they are comfortable. I hope some of my readers enjoy your blog through the link back.

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  3. The last photo is the most perfect for me. Indeed the severe look of the dress is softened by the coat and those gorgeous, terrific shoes. In this picture I actually like the coat to be shorter than the dress (you know about this chip on my shoulder haha). It creates perfect lines.
    The dress itself is a bit too severe for my taste although it looks nice on you and indeed the shoes give it a good contrast. Perhaps I would have chosen for a bright red bag instead of dark red. But... that is me and you are another person, so other choices.
    As for Annette, she is lovely. She is also one of the first bloggers I corresponded with in my early blogging days. Apparently we start-ups found one another.
    Greetje

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    1. This is an old dress and yes it is super structured and minimal. Dean loves this dress especially when I have short hair, kind of odd for a man. In fact when had I put it on he said he remembered when I bought it, yes 20 years ago and doesn't usually think this way. This coat does look best from the back, length wise. I thought bright red too on the bag but my red bags have straps and this outfit needed a clutch. I will be looking for a red clutch!

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    2. Isn't it wonderful to have a good excuse to shop hahaha.

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  4. You look awesome! I love that dress SO much!

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  5. This dress is a keeper in any closet...simple, chic and perfect for any occasion...you really pumped it up with the purse and heels. Great look as always, Ann!!

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  6. Hi Ann - i have been away for a while due to an accident - But doing better - Will hopefully go back soon to normal life
    What wonderful outfits you are wearing these days!
    I love this coat - Love your interpretation - I love doing this as well!

    Take care

    Arianexo

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    1. Thanks for commenting Ariane, sorry to here about an accident. I could see you wearing this coat too!

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  7. I also like how the coat softens the look just a bit, and provides a counterpoint to those AWESOME shoes. Seriously, I'm coveting those shoes.

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    1. I'm seeing this style in all price points for spring. They feel fun and fresh, I think with many types of outfits.

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  8. Congratulations on the interview! I'll have to go read that next.

    You're right, the dress does look a bit militaristic, but that makes the shoes even more of an interesting contrast. Insubordination in the ranks! The coat is a lovely feminine take on the traditional trench, and I love your pose!

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  9. Dear Ann, a great outfit and i like the militaristic touch of the dress. The bag and the heels are a great contrast. Your photos could be for a fashion magazine, especially the last one.

    Dear Ann, i saw your four year´s old video about your work. I´m so excited. You and your husband do such a wonderful and impressive job. I can feel your passion for art also in your fashion style.
    Happy eastern for you and your family, Cla
    http://glamupyourlifestyle.blogspot.com/

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  10. Those shoes!!! And I also love the length of the jacket with the dress. Perfect fit! And Annette is one of the first bloggers I started interacting with as well. "Generous" is the perfect word to describe her - she's such a lovely person -- as are you!!
    xo ~kim & chloe

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  11. Dear Ann, this is a perfect clean and elegant look. The dress ist great, but most of all I like the trenchcoat - the sleeves are unique and the coat looks so cozy. And the shoes are also special - the perfect height and fabulous look. I'd like buying them, but until now I have not ordered shoes in the USA. Because the whole delivering takes so much time, when they don't fit.
    I also enjoyed the little video about your artwork (on Annette's blog) - it's interesting to see what you both doing. Very nice and artful work and I have heard your voice - that is also very nice. :-) And I don't know if I had understood it right: Are the forefathers from your husband from Germany?
    Enjoy your sunday and happy easter for you, Conny
    Pants and Tops

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    1. Thank you Conny. Yes my husband's family ancestry is 50% German and so is mine just less than Dean's %. As Dean's great grandfather was on the boat coming to the US he entertained his fellow passengers with a creation called a "magic lantern." This devise was lit with a candle and projected moving images with small cranks very similar to the type of things we make. We didn't know about this until recently and we were surprised by the similarity to our current creations.

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  12. Good afternoon, Ann! I am barely receiving notice that you had a new blog post up, and today is Easter! Happy DAY! What a perfect day we are having here, aren't we? Your beautiful outfits are so becoming and those SHOES OF YOURS! WOW! The contrast with your lovely hair and the bright blue hue of the background really complement each other. Bravo to the photographer and to the model!

    Have a wonderful week! Anita

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    1. Today was so beautiful. After the winter we had, weather like this lifts the spirits. The shoes are fun. Thanks for your sweet comments!

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  13. Love this look! The shoes are great with your dress.

    xx, Amy Ann
    The Real Arnolds

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  14. Great look Ann. I love being able to recreate from my closet, it's so much fun. You definitely gave this dress and fun new look, especially with those incredible ankle strap shoes.

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  15. I'm definitely feeling the Safari vibe Ann! I love the nod to Safari with the snakeskin shoes! Apropos. Of course, the coat; both colour and design clinch the deal! Again...loving the sleeves! They work so well for us petites! So happy to read that you've been featured by another lady of style! Congratulations!

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  16. The dress is so smart, and you look fabulous, Ann! Thanks for sharing with Visible Monday.

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  17. Your shoes are fabulous Ann! I love the chain-link detail at the ankle. You look great in structured garments. I, on the other hand, tend to stay away from this look. Because of my body type, easy, flowing pieces work best. Gorgeous as always!

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  18. I love looks like these, with graphic lines and blocks of color. I rarely wear them, because like Glenda, I'm more at home in flowy/drapey things. You work this style perfectly, however, and it's a pleasure to see the artistry of your ensembles. I'll have to stop by Annette's blog to see the interview. Congrats! She always does a beautiful job with stylish classic dressing, as well. XXOO

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  19. I like the contrast that you created in this look, Ann, between the "seriousness" of the dress and the "carelessness" of the trench. The shoes add even more zest to the outfit. As always, simply stunning background!

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  20. That coat is the bee's knees! Love the shoes too!

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  21. Those shoes are stunning. I can see why this dress is a keeper, always stylish and with the trench a different style again, more relaxed.

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  22. This look is amazing. The shoes are soooo grandiose. I love it.
    Gaby
    Stylish-Salat

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  23. I love structured dresses. You look great in this one. And those shoes are perfect! Hopping over from Monday Mingle.

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  24. So, so elegant and sharp and extra chic with the trench. Who says power dressing cannot be feminine?

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  25. This look is fantastic! I really love the heels and clutch!

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  26. Hello Ann
    Looking so put together as usual. I adore the shoes. I know it is something silly to miss when I have a disease, but I love those! I am trying to experiment with kitten heels and later shorter espradrilles. I like the print too.
    stop by when you can , jess
    www.elegantlydressedandstylish.com

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  27. A beautiful dress with a great design, I love its simplicity and elegance. The shoes are stunning and the bag is cute.

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  28. Oh Ann! Great JS sandals/heels. Yay! This post was fun and themed great! Those shoes will need to find a place in my closet for dang sure {if not those exact ones but some of the others on 6pm.com! . You are very inspiring to me and lift my spirits with each of your posts! I love them!

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    1. 6pm does have some great deals on just about everything. How are you doing this week Renae? I'm having to work a lot this next few weeks getting ready for a show so I don't have as much time for commenting. JS does make some good heels. I think I've seen you sporting a few pairs?

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  29. Giving a new style to clothes is a wise idea, I often try to do the same... and magazines sometimes give very useful suggestions! You did a great combination! And the coat is very nice and really feminine! Delightful shoes...

    I was very pleased to see you on Annette 's blog!!

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  30. How I love your photography, Ann! True vision. I really like when accessories "talk" with each other, like in this case your bracelet and shoes echo each other, that's brilliant! And it is so lovely that you softened the look with this beautiful trench!

    You are such a sweetheart to share your favorite looks from other's blogs - so very kind and thoughtful of you! I will check out those blogs as I am only familiar with a few of them. I noticed Beverly of Beverly Like Hills on your Pinterest. I wonder if she'll be back to blogging. I miss her presence, her style and wit... I was really surprised to find my photos on Pinterest. Thank you, my dear dear Ann! :) I am not on FB or Pinterest myself, but I do enjoy blogging so very much, and one of the main reasons is meeting you and all the amazing ladies, so truly talented, kind, sophisticated, compassionate, creative and so alive... Thank you for being you and for sharing your wonderful self with us, Ann!

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    1. Thank you Natalia for your support. I think there is a real lack of images of fashionable women that are not professional models. I think this is why people are interested in following blogs or at least this is one for the reasons I am am interested in blogs. I so enjoyed Beverly's styling and I hope she can start posting again. Your pictures are really good and I'm happy to include you on my board "From the blogs."

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  31. Well put together Ann. You do structure very well! cherie at stylenudge.com

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  32. Favorite picture is the one where you are looking over your shoulder at the end. The blues are so intense. It also shows on fantastic your haircut is! Miss you in the Style hop ( as you know we put that on pause), but it's good because now I visit regularly via your email feed.

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  33. Wow! Again! Great almost severe dress, with the girly-tough d'Orsays (and those CHAINS on the ankle straps ... I'm swooning. Really.) Then the girly trench coat with the very feminine sleeve. Just the most interesting outfit!

    **** I've nominated you for a Wonderful Team Readership Award ... it's not one you have to figure out a bunch of personal trivia. Hope you have time to play. If not, just know you're important to so many of us.

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  34. Congratulations on your feature!! I can't wait to check it out.
    This outfit is so chic and yes, a mix of Military and Safari(snakeskin detail). So fun!

    Enjoy a lovely week ahead. PS Thanks for the sweet words of encouragement the other week...it meant so much.

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  35. Fabulous outfit Ann. Love the shoes and bracelet a lot! Congrats on your feature on Annette's blog!

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  36. You are always an elegant and beautiful inspiration my dear! Kudos to you and the beauty you share!

    xoxo
    Tamera

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  37. I was so excited to see a familiar face when I was reading my Redbook magazine! I think you did great with your interpretation and I am so in love with the last pic - with the movement of your trench. BTW - I can not stop staring a those heels - gorgeous!!

    Alice
    www.happinessatmidlife.com

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  38. Shopping your closet brought gorgeous results. Experimentation with an artistic flair! I love the movement in the last photo, and of course your coat.

    Great interview on Lady of Style and thank you for the mention.

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  39. successful experiment!
    I love your classy dress, great cut :-)

    Have a great, short week,

    xoxo Kira

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  40. Another perfect outfit! Your take on the trend is very unique and spot on! I love the cut of this dress - fantastic!! Hugs, Beata xxxx

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  41. Hello Anne, your outfit is inspiration,I like the idea to wear an elegant & simple dress to snake pumps. That is the way fancy shoes should be presented. I also like that you tell how you got your inspiration. I read magazines with pleasure, take the "Do" and "Don't"s for my style and I am very happy when I can revive my fashion with old garments or shoes that I own since a long time. Yours, Philo

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  42. PS I didn't know that Jessica Simpson has those nice shoes in her collection.

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  43. Ann, you always look amazing and flawless. I love the simple cut of the dress and those shoes are so edgy. You definitely pulled off the safari look beautifully. I love it!

    http://foodfashionandflow.blogspot.com

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  44. Ann, you have no shadow. Could it be that you are my long lost cousin, a fellow flier by night? Ha! I guess what I'm saying is, great photos. That yellow is smashing, of course so are you. The structure of the dress is wonderful but I would like to see you tiptoe through the jungle in those shoes. With photos of course. Gorgeous. Wonderful piece by Annette, too.

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  45. You are just so gorgeous, Ann. And I thank you for coming to my post! Tenderness, yes, this world needs it more, we need it daily. Have a gentle day my dear "neighbor!" Anita

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  46. LOVE that coat! Just found you in the link up!
    XO Ellen of Ask Away
    www.askawayblog.com

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  47. Hi Ann
    Just droppin by again to comment on your dress. Love the structure. Looks great. Drop by if you can today, took a pic of Girls Best friend, my puppy!

    www.elegantlydressedandstylish.com
    Jess

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  48. Ann! hi sweet friend! I have the pics posted correctly now so they are 'viewable'. silly me. I had my recuperation brain working last night, when I should have been in bed. lol

    Also I see that Anita of Castle Crowns and Cottages is now your followers and you too. Cool. I knew you two would hit it off! ♥, Renae

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  49. When I first clicked on your post, I swooned over those shoes! The entire outfit is stunning and you look gorgeous.

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  50. Those shoes literally made my jaw drop! Wow! They are quite the show stoppers! I also love your trench coat. I'm such a fan of billow sleeves. It's so unusual to see them on a coat.

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  51. Your photos are always so sharp and cool. Who takes your photos? And how do you find these amazing back drops? You have to share one day. :)
    Love the safari dress. I have a very similar (could be the same one) clutch as well. Great shoes too.
    Daphne.

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  52. Lovely Lovely and Lovely! Thank you for linking up with Monday Mingle:)
    C

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  53. so so very chic , Ann simply put; you look stunning! x

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  54. Love your shoes! The snake print really adds to that safari feel.

    Arielle from Tangled Musings

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  55. Love how you styled this! Perfect! Thanks for linking up for Passion For Fashion!

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  56. i LOVE, LOVE THE LAST PIC SO ALIVE AND WONDERFUL
    Thank you so much for being part of the creative adventure of Share-in-Style.
    XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

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