Be Mine…

I love this sweater because it reminds me of something I would have picked out for myself when I was 5 years old, and yet somehow, it still appeals to me as an adult. I guess the bright color and bold print help to make me feel young at heart. It’s also the perfect top for Valentine’s Day. A little cliché, I suppose, but perfect none-the-less…

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Instagram Filter:  Walden

Heart Graphic Sweater:  Forever21, similar, similar | Neon Buttondown: JCrew, similar | Black Skinnies:  American Eagle Super Skinny | Earrings:  H&M, similar, similar | Silver Bracelets:  Tiffany and Co. | Gold Charm Watch:  Anne Klein | Gold Watch:  Michael Kors | Gold Clutch:  Michael Kors | Sunnies:  House of Harlow | Pink Pumps:  Nine West, similar

Happy Valentine’s Day!

xx

Back To Reality

I am having a hard time wrapping my head around the fact that our big trip to Nicaragua has come and gone and it’s back to the grind. But I must say that we had an absolutely incredible vacation-really it was the adventure of a lifetime. Once I get settled back into the swing of things and organize my photos (and my life!), I will be sure to share a post with a little more insight into our unforgettable time in paradise.

But for now, what better way to kick off the week than with a pretty punch of color back to a wintry white back drop. A little fashion cheer to brighten up a dreary Monday…

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20130127-205808.jpgInstagram Filter:  Mayfair

Pink Blazer:  H&M, similar, similar | Spotted Dress:  H&M, similar, similar | Leggings:  American Apparel | Sunnies:  Forever21 | Necklaces:  INC, JCrew, Nightlight International | Silver Bracelets:  Tiffany and Co. | Charm Bracelet:  Juicy Couture via Nordstrom Rack | Watch:  Michael Kors | Pink Bag:  Kate Spade Georgina | Boots:  Steven by Steve Madden Brixx

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend!  Happy Monday, dolls!

xx

Highlight Express

The first time I wore this shirt, my husband told me I looked like a highlighter. But that has not deterred me. In fact, it was the vibrant, neon hue that drew me to this shirt in the first place. I am absolutely loving mixing neons and bright colors back to winter neutrals this year. It’s the perfect way to brighten up those post holiday blues…

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Instagram Filter:  Hudson

Black Faux Fur Bomber:  BarIII (last year) similar, similarsimilar | Grey Blazer:  H&M (old) similar | Neon Buttondown:  Express | Black Skinnies:  Seven for All Mankind The Skinny | Sunnies:  Vogue Eyewear | Necklaces:  Tiffany and Co., JCrew | Silver Bracelets:  Tiffany and Co. | Watch:  Michael Kors | Studded Bag:  Rebecca Minkoff Devote (old), similar, similar | Pumps:  Guess (old), similar, similar

On a totally random note, I have to say how happy I am that the Bachelor is back.  I love Sean, but more importantly love to tune in each week for the ridiculous entertainment this show provides, and of course, for the fashion.  SO many great dresses last night.  But if I had to pick my favorite, it would be the stunning red dress that Ashlee the Professional Organizer wore.  The back was ah-mazing!  And judging by last night, it should be a fun season to watch.

xx

Mix Master

I saw a segment on Good Morning America last week about mixing prints and it left me feeling totally and completely confused. And in addition to feeling confused about the general purpose of the message, it also left me feeling sad because mixing prints can be oh-so-fun and easy too. If you just stick to a few basic rules, mixing prints is something anyone can do!

So with that said, if it’s your first time mixing prints or you consider yourself a beginner, try starting off with just two. Polka dots and stripes are a great compliment to each other and a simple place to start. Also consider the ground color of each print. A black base goes well back to a print with a white or brighter base, and smaller prints go well with larger prints. Contrast that complements, if you will.  And if you are feeling unsure about mixing colors, a concoction of simple black and white always does the trick…

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Instagram Filter:  Lo-Fi

Blazer:  H&M, similar, similar

Striped Top:  BarIII, similar, similar

Polka Dot Skirt:  Cotton On, similar, similar, similar 

Leggings:  American Apparel

Leopard Belt:  Express

Chain Necklace:  Macy’s, similar, similar

Rhinestone Necklace:  JCrew

Silver Bracelets:  Tiffany and Co.

Gold Bracelets:  Aldo

Gold Watch:  Michael Kors

Boots:  BCBG, similar

Leopard is another easy print to mix.  In fact, I consider leopard to be somewhat of a neutral and find it goes back to just about anything-especially polka dots and stripes.  And of course because I have a hard time going without any color, I paired this look with a bold burgundy lip to add that little extra pop.

Hope you all had a fabulous weekend!

xx

Layer It On

One of the best parts of fall and winter fashion is…layers!! I love that it is totally acceptable to take a few of your favorite pieces and layer them one on top of the other for a cozy and eclectic look. You can mix patterns, prints, different materials and textures-pretty much anything goes. But if you aren’t sure how to layer, a good place to start is with a buttondown underneath a sweater. And from there you can add a scarf, a light jacket (that would fit under something heavier), a boyfriend buttondown, or even a fun vest. Once you establish a great base, your options are really pretty endless…

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Instagram Filter:  Brannan

Sweater Vest with Fur Collar:  Macy’s (on sale and it’s even called the Dolled Up Vest!!)

Grey Sweater:  H&M (old), similar

Purple Plaid Buttondown:  TJMaxx (old), similar

Skinny Pants:  Gap

Gloves: Smartwool, similar

Heart Pendant:  Tiffany and Co.

Long Necklace:  Personal Collection of Charms

Watch:  Michael Kors

Boots:  Vince Camuto, similar

I still can’t get over all of the snow we have right now.  But the fantastic thing about Utah snow is as quickly as it comes, it’s usually just as quick to go (at least down in the valley).  Although with the holidays just around the corner, I’m secretly hoping it will stick around for a while.  In fact, it’s all I can do not to get out the Christmas decorations and music (but I try my best to wait until Thanksgiving to start my Christmas celebration-otherwise I’d drive J mad).  So I just have to make it one more week, and then it’s game on.  😉

Thanks for reading!

xx

P.S.  Don’t forget to like me on Facebook and Follow me on Twitter (right nav), and you can also catch me on Instagram:  alldolledupblog

Furry Goodness

I love the fur vest trend. I mean really love it. Which, of course, should come as no surprise given my adoration for my jean vest (which I pretty much wore out this summer). Maybe it’s because vests are easy and work back to just about anything, or maybe it’s because I was a teenager in the ’90’s kind-of-a-thing. But either way, vests are a fantastic way to take an outfit up a level and make it look like you really spent some time putting yourself together. In fact, when I initially was getting dressed to take photos for this post, I had planned on just wearing the pretty mint chiffon blouse all on its own. But solo, it looked a little too simple and (I hate to say it) boring for a blog post. So even though I didn’t plan it this way, I am really loving the pretty pastel back to some furry winter-white-goodness, capped off with another one of my favorites, cognac accessories!

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Instagram Filter:  Sutro

Chiffon Blouse:  Forever21

Fur Vest:  H&M (last year), similar

Skinny Pants:  The Gap

Sunglasses:  Marc Jacobs (via Nordstrom Rack)

Heart Necklace:  Tiffany and Co. (extra large heart)

Long Necklace:  Personal Collection of Charms

Watch:  Michael Kors

Shoes:  Boutique in Florence, Italy, similar

So I have to share that my hubby is really not a fan of this vest. In fact, he was so surprised when I wanted to wear it for a blog post that I had to explain to him how fashionable fur vests are.  But fashionable or not, he still isn’t buying it.  And so with that, I think it’s safe to say we can add fur vests to the list of things that men just don’t understand.  😉

What do you all think about the fur vest trend??

xx

Rock Your Vote

When I was a freshman at Vanderbilt University and George Bush and Al Gore were running against each other for President, Al Gore held his democratic campaign party in downtown Nashville on election night. It was exciting to be in such close proximity to a piece of the election and my friends and I were even on MTV in an interview for Rock the Vote. It was also the first year I was able to vote in a presidential election. It was a big deal for me to be able to vote back then, and twelve years later I am still grateful to the have the opportunity. We are afforded so many freedoms in this country, one of which being the right to use our voices and exercise our right to vote. So please get out there and cast you vote today. It is a privilege that we should all be so lucky to take advantage of.

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Instagram Filter:  Walden

Dark Red Pants:  Else by Joe’s (exclusively at Macy’s)

Chambray Shirt:  Forever21

Leopard Scarf:  H&M (last year) similar

Earrings:  Target, similar

Gold Watch:  Michael Kors via Nordstrom Rack

Cognac Pumps:  Boutique in Florence, Italy, similar

Instead of red, white, and blue, today’s look is red, leopard, and blue.  A fall take on a summer patriotic look, if you will.  But in all seriousness, this is one of those outfits that is a go-to fall uniform for me.  Red and chambray look great together, and the leopard gives it a bit of spunk, which I love.  The red jeans and chambray shirt would also look great with leopard shoes, or cognac boots instead of pumps back to the leopard scarf.

Happy election day!!! Now get out there and rock your vote!!!

xx

Prep Academy

I’ve never been one to be drawn to creating super preppy looks in my wardrobe. In fact, when I hear the word “preppy”, AC Slater’s pet name for Zach Morris is typically the first thing that comes to mind. But every once in a while, I do feel compelled to put together a slightly more preppy look. And for whatever reason, when I come up with one of these outfits, it usually has something to do with stripes, blazers, and the color navy.

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Instagram Filter:  Lo-Fi

Striped Tee:  Gap (on sale!!!)

Navy Elbow Patch Blazer:  H&M (old), similar, similar

Jeans:  American Eagle Hi-Rise Super Skinny

Cat Eye Sunglasses:  LuLu’s, similar

Heart Necklace:  Tiffany and Co.

Silver Bracelets:  Tiffany and Co.

Watch:  Michael Kors

Handbag:  Michael Kors Hamilton

Boots:  Vince Camuto Almay (last season), same boot in black, similar

I am totally smitten with my new Vince Camuto boots.  As I said in my previous post, my favorite Aldo cognac boots are pretty worn out and I have been on the hunt for a new pair.  In fact, I actually bought these Vince boots last year in black and they quickly became one of my favorites.  So after scouring all of the new boot styles this season and not loving anything I found, I made it my mission to track down my Almay boots in the cognac color.  And while it did pose to be a challenge, I finally found them (for a great price!) on eBay.  And while the color is a touch more red than I would prefer, they are super comfy and stylish and I get tons compliments on them wherever I go!

Hope you all had an amazing weekend!

xx

I Heart Shoes

It’s no secret that I love mustard and navy together.  A perfect combination, if you will (which you can read about here and here).   And on top of a great color combination, nothing makes me feel better when getting dressed in the morning than putting a few of my favorite things together-which of the moment are a great blazer, anything striped, and as always, a fantastic pair of shoes.  Because shoes, at least for me, make everything that much better. 

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Instagram Filter:  Hefe

Mustard Blazer:  INC via Macy’s

Striped Top:  H&M (old), similar

Skinny Jeans:  Gap

Earings:  Target

Watch:  Michael Kors

Spike Bracelets:  Aldo

Necklace:  Macy’s, similar

Bow Pumps:  Kelsi Dagger via TJmaxx, same shoe

I love shoes.  Nothing completes an outfit for me like a fabulous pair of kicks.  Maybe it’s because I have spent my career as a shoe buyer and designer, or maybe it’s my destiny, but shoes are and always will be my favorite fashion accessory.  And as crazy as it might make my husband (sorry J!), I just can’t help myself .  Pretty sure I’ll be a shoe collector for life. 

Hope everyone had a happy and safe Halloween!

xx

 

Comfy, Cozy, and Pumpkin Spice Lattes

Each and every year, I mourn the passing of summer. But truth be told, if winter wasn’t looming on the other side, fall would no doubt be my very favorite season. I love boots, and layering, and cozy sweaters, holiday cheer, crockpot meals, that unbeatable brisk feeling in the air, gorgeous fall foliage, and of course all-things-pumpkin. If I could alternate between summer and fall (with a little skiing in between), I would do it in a heartbeat. So if anyone knows of a region with that kind of climate, kindly let me know. 😉

When J and I were in Montana last weekend, the weather was much colder than it has been in the SLC (45 degrees vs. 75 degrees!). So truly, it was my first opportunity of the season to make my boots, favorite go-to sweater, army surplus jacket, and pumpkin spice lattes a necessary part of my weekend-which made my little heart oh-so-happy!

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Instagram Filter:  Rise

Army Surplus Jacket:  Forever21 (recent), similar
Cowl Neck Sweater:  H&M (last fall) similar
Jeans:Else by Joe’s Jeans (amazing and on sale!!)
Watch:  Michael Kors
Boots:  Aldo Farmar (last fall) similar

If you are a follower of this blog, then I must apologize if you are tired of seeing my Aldo Farmar boots in so many posts.  But what can I say? Try as I might, it’s tough to find a tried-and-true pair of boots that work for just about any occasion.  But I am obviously a sucker for a good cognac boot and am happy to report I have found this season’s Farmar and am looking forward to sharing them with you in an upcoming post.  But be forewarned, you’ll probably grow tired of seeing the new pair too! A creature of habbit and comfort am I!! 

xx