Watercolors

On August 8, 2012August 7, 2012 By all dolled upIn Outfit Ideas1 Comment

It’s no secret I love prints of all colors, patterns, and variations. They are such a fun and easy way to add interest to any outfit. Plus, with the recent acceptability to mix prints of all kinds, they lend to creating endless outfit combinations in your closet.

One of my favorite places to find a good print is at H&M. Since specific patterns don’t tend to stay on trend for very long periods of time, I don’t typically like to invest in them, but rather prefer to pick up inexpensive and fun prints that I can play with for a time and easily let go when they have run their course. Such is the case with the below top. While I have lots of great prints in my closet, I don’t have any watercolor prints, so knew it was a perfect addition to my closet the moment I saw it. I love how feminine this top is and that it is one of those great hybrids that I can wear for work or play. Plus, it’s just long enough that I can tie it at the waist if I so desire!

Instagram Filter: Earlybird

Watercolor Top: H&M (recent)

Black Ankle Skinnies: Gap

Neon Yellow Necklace: Forever21 (recent)

Charm Necklace: Personal Collection

Silver Watch: Michael Kors via Macy’s

Silver Bracelets: Tiffany and Co.

Earrings: The Icing

Pink Studded Bag: Rebecca Minkoff

Pink Shoes: Jessica Simpson Waleo via Macy’s

In addition to being pretty, and feminine, and versatile, I also love that this top is a very unique multi-color ombre-essentially it goes with just about everything. So when you are out shopping for prints, try to look for something similar to this top that will not only allow you to be creative, but will also function as an easy piece to accessorize and pair with multiple items in your closet.

Happy Wednesday!

Day to Night

On July 3, 2012July 3, 2012 By all dolled upIn Outfit Ideas1 Comment

People often ask me for tips on how to create an outfit that you can take from day to night. And while the task might sound daunting, it is actually a pretty simple thing to do. All you have to do is think layering and remember that in these instances a cardigan or blazer can be your best ally.

Take the below outfit, for example. I paired my neon skinnies back a crisp white off-the-shoulder tee (perfect for an evening on the town), but layered it with a conservative white blazer to go about my day. Two looks, one day. Pretty easy, right?

White Blazer: Forever21 (recent)

White Off-the-Shoulder Tee: H&M (old)

Neon Coral Skinnies: American Eagle (recent)

Neon Necklace: Forever21 (recent)

Bracelets: Tiffany, Macy’s, Forever21

Watch: Michael Kors via Macy’s

Neon Pink Clutch: Rebecca Minkoff Mini MAC

Nude Pumps: Steve Madden via the Overstock.com

J and I still love to go on dates, and due to our opposite schedules, I often find myself going straight from work to dinner or drinks. I run into the same issue when traveling for work, heading directly from the office to dinner with friends in whatever city I happen to be visiting. And because of these frequent situations, I find myself constantly having to create these types of looks. So with that said, the best words of wisdom I have to offer you when faced with creating a look you can take from day to night, is to really utilize those layering pieces in your closet. A blazer can be your best wardrobe friend. AND you can also bring a change of shoes and throw on some bright red lipstick to really up the ante for your evening look.

Hope everyone has a fabulous 4th!!!

Strawberry Banana

On June 5, 2012June 5, 2012 By all dolled upIn Outfit Ideas4 Comments

We’ve already established that I LOVE color. However, since I started writing this blog, I have noticed (among many other things) that I definitely tend to gravitate towards more vibrant and saturated hues. I don’t own a lot of pastels and am never particularly drawn to them-BUT there are certain occasions where I can’t think of anything that would be more appropriate. And the two occasions that stand out in my mind above all others are wedding and baby showers-something about the softness of pastels just seems to lend itself perfectly to these types of events.

We had a surprise wedding luncheon for one of my co-workers this week and while it was a little casual for a dress, I still wanted an outfit appropriate for the occasion and thought it would be fitting to break out my favorite new pink jeans and pair them back to a pale yellow top complete with nude heels. A soft and sweet look perfect for such a casual celebration and a little reminiscent of strawberries and bananas. 😉

Sunglasses: Calvin Klein via Macy’s Sunglass Hut (recent)

Yellow Ruffle Top: Forever21 (recent)

Pink Jeans: The Limited (recent)

Nude Pumps: Steve Madden via Overstock.com

Necklaces: Tiffany and Co., and my own personal collection of charms

Watch: Michael Kors via Macy’s

Bracelets: Tiffany and Co.

Diamond Cocktail Ring: Macy’s

Truth be told, I don’t wear a lot of accessories during the work week. I steer clear of a lot of arm candy since it clanks around on my desk and computer, and really limit the amount of jewelry I wear in general because a) it takes a lot of effort for me that early in the morning and b) I feel like less is more when it comes to a professional environment. Plus, I like the idea of feeling like my weekend and date night outfits are extra special compared to what I am wearing to work day in and day out.

P.S. I used my favorite new Instagram filter for this post-1977. I just love how these pictures remind me of photos of my mom when she was young in the summertime.

Concert Attire

On May 31, 2012May 31, 2012 By all dolled upIn Outfit Ideas4 Comments

My husband and I adore the Civil Wars. Some friends of ours introduced them to us right when they came on the scene (long before the Hunger Games made them famous) and we have been HUGE fans ever since. So of course when they were playing a small venue in downtown SLC last week, we knew we had to jump on the opportunity to see them. And they most definitely did not disappoint. Haunting harmonies, beautiful lyrics, and melodies that forever wrap themselves around you-the Civil Wars are truly, truly special.

But attending my first music event of the summer got me thinking. What is appropriate concert attire? If they would have been playing an outside venue, the answer would be a lot easier. I probably would have gone with some sort of maxi dress or cut off shorts and tank-both of which are easy and comfy for an evening outdoors. But an intimate indoor concert venue? Well I saw it as an opportunity to wear something really fun that I wouldn’t normally wear on a typical night out on the town. And that my friends, is my neon pink wolf tank. Now the Civil Wars are by no means rock and roll, but something about a fun graphic print tee or tank just feels totally right for any kind of music event. And not only was the wolf tank a winner for the evening, but I paired it back to my bright green jeans, studded shoes, and super long earrings for an outfit that I think was worthy enough for such an incredible show.

Blazer: H&M (last fall)

Neon Wolf Tank: Macy’s Impulse Department (recent)

Colored Skinnies: Else by Joes Jeans (exclusively at Macy’s)

Long Chain Earrings: TJMaxx (recent)

Neon Pink Bag: Rebecca Minkoff Mini MAC via Bloomingdales

Studded Pumps: Madden Girl (old)

Pink Druzy Ring: Amanda Lynne Luxe via Etsy

Watch: Michael Kors via Macy’s

Bracelets: H&M, Macy’s, Forever21, Tiffany and Co.

Maybe I’m into this tank because I love the ’80’s, or maybe it’s because I’m from Montana and have a little redneck in me. But either way, it is one of my favorite finds of the season. And not only that, but I wholeheartedly believe that it is important to have one or two items like this in your wardrobe. Graphic tees and tanks go great back to blazers, skinnies, skirts, and shorts, and are an easy way to dress casually and comfortably while still being fun and funky at the same time.

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Thank you for your love and support!!

This or that?

On April 25, 2012April 27, 2012 By all dolled upIn Nordstrom Rack, Outfit Ideas, Watches2 Comments

Sometimes I come up with different variations of outfits, and while most of the time I typically gravitate towards one more than the other, sometimes I find myself perched a top a fence and can’t decide which one is the winner. Hence was the case a few days ago when I was getting ready for work. Because I work for Macy’s, I have to wear all black when I visit my stores, which is typically two days a week. So when I am in my office (we do have a business casual dress code), I try to wear color as much as I possibly can.

That said, let me preface by saying that if you take one thing away from this blog today, let it be the fact that turquoise and coral are ALWAYS a winning combination. Always. The question I had however, is because the two colors are so saturated and warm (and perfect together), would it be possible to add another hue to this combo? And while I might still be on the fence as to the definite answer to this question, I am kind of thinking that the answer just might be yes. So after trying out a very safe coral, turquoise, and black combo, I decided to get a little wild and try my turquoise and coral back to…RED!!

Silk Blouse: Forever21

Turquoise Cardi: H

Black Jeans: Gap Always Skinny

Red Jeans: American Eagle

Shoes: Steve Madden c/o o.co outlet

Watch: Michael Kors c/o Nordstrom Rack

Bracelets: Macy’s, World Market

Ring: Deco Fox (etsy)

Turquoise Necklace: BasiltheCat (etsy)

Cateye Sunglasses: Guess c/o TJMaxx (recent)

In the end, I went for safe and wore the version with the black pants to work. BUT, if I were going to try this look again for the weekend, or a night out, I would definitely choose the red. The more I look at the colors together, the more I like them, and the more I like them, the more I love that I can put so many colors together and be on trend!!! It ‘s also a great bonus to be able to come up with multiple outfits using essentially the same pieces. Maybe it really is true that less is more-well at least in an instance like this. 😉

Date Night!

On April 17, 2012April 24, 2012 By all dolled upIn Outfit Ideas2 Comments

I have a lot of what I like to call “Vegas” dresses. You know, the ones that are short, and colorful and perfectly appropriate for a night out at Tao (but few other occasions). And I also have a lot of fab sun dresses, which of course are a little more on the conservative side, but lots of fun, none-the-less. And every year, when I start to feel that spring fever set in, I want nothing more (besides a tan), than to pull all of these fun little numbers out of hiding for the season. But alas, the temperatures are far to cool, and I am far to old to be strutting around in barely-there dresses this time of year. So what is a girl to do?

Fortunately, this is an example of where mixing medias can come in pretty handy-particularly the willingness to combine sweet and tough trends together (which is one of my favorite combos). I like how it not only balances out the soft and sweet by giving a hint of edgy-ness, but also creates an element of surprise and a look that is a little out of the norm. So for a recent date night with my hubby, I pulled out one of my favorite red, ruffle-y dresses and decided to forgo my go-to blazer and pumps, and instead paired it back to a beat up leather jacket, tights, and some pretty special booties for a look that’s a little more rock-and-roll.

Dress: Forever21 (recent)

Leather Jacket: H&M (fall)

Earrings: Arden B (last summer)

Tights: HUE c/o Macy’s

Booties: Kelsi Dagger Rosabella $199 (some available on eBay and Amazon in limited sizing)

And while I love how the look turned out (as did my hubby), I am so looking forward to ditching the jacket and tights and enjoying warmer temperatures. But for now, at least I have a means to enjoy all of my fun little dresses while not blinding anyone with my pale winter skin. 😉