Print

I never realized how much I like print until a friend saw my closet and her first reaction was, "Wow.  You have a lot of florals".  I was like, yes I do.  I guess I hadn't realized how much I like floral print and how it's actually become a bit of an obstacle in the dressing process.  As a general fashion rule, you should really not mix prints unless you have a really good grasp of the ever changing seasonal concepts.  Even I can't keep it straight.  Plaid with polka dots?  Gingham with floral?  Who knows?

To not look like a print overload, I usually keep print to just my top or just my bottom.  Some people may cringe that I'm saying this, but I'm really speaking generally.  Too much print can overwhelm anyone's look.  Especially large print.  Sometimes large stripes or large flowers can well, make you look large.  Pinstripes are always flattering and a tight plaid always looks crisp. 

The dress (pictured above, I got at H&M on clearance for $7) has a great balance of print.  The sleeves and skirt of the dress are plain black, but the bodice of the dress has a landscape graphic floral print which is everything right now.  I've even seen dresses that have a graphic print over the entire front.  They're gorgeous, but can potentially distract from the rest of your look.  Find a print you love and pair it with a solid.  You'll never go wrong.



Travel in Style

I used to travel in Juicy Couture tracksuits and Nike sneakers.  Until I started traveling with my husband who is the most spontaneous person, and would end up at an extravagant dinner in New York City... in my tracksuit and sneakers.  Yes, comfort is necessary when riding in a car or flying in a plane all day, but you never know where your travels will take you and it's always important to look appropriate. 

I now travel in comfort, but also style.  The picture above captures the exact reason why I amp up my travel look these days.  Our flight out of Boston was canceled due to snow, so we booked a hotel downtown and saw the sights.  If I was wearing my usual tracksuit, I would have had to go to the hotel, change and annoy the crap out of the whole group we were traveling with.  Instead, I was smart and wore something that was comfortable enough to fly in, but also cute enough to go straight to shopping and dinner in downtown Boston.

My outfit above is a great outfit to travel in.  The black boots are Franco Sarto (an extremely comfortable and durable shoe designer) and have just a slight wedge to give my legs length but also tackle the snowy sidewalks of Boston and the long airport terminals.  I got them at DSW for less than $100!  I'm wearing super stretchy faux leather leggings from Bebe and my t-shirt is from H&M.

My last tip for traveling in style is to be sure and wear layers.  Whether you are driving, flying or taking a train, you'll experience being hot, then cold, then hot, constantly.  I always wear a t-shirt or tank underneath with a thin cardigan or pullover and then another warmer layer over it (cause going from a terminal to outside is usually a pretty drastic temperature change).  Next time you travel, travel in style.  You never know where your trip may take you!



Valentine's Day Red Dress

 

 

I got the opportunity to write as a Guest Blogger!

Check out my Valentine's Day Guest Blog on: Http://mintcupoftea.blogspot.com/

 





The Jumpsuit

Oh jumpsuit.  How I love thee.  And hate thee.  Jumpsuits either work or don't.  There's no way around it.  I've tried on about a hundred jumpsuits and I would say 80% of them didn't work.  It's not an easy piece to wear.  But when you find that right fitting jumpsuit, you'll know it.  Here are some guidelines for finding the right one for you:

1.) Balance is important.  If the top of the jumpsuit is fitted or smaller, the bottom should be a bit more flowing.  Think wide leg bottoms to compliment the tighter top.  Same with if the top is more blousy, the bottom should be more fitted, possibly cropped or shorts.

2.)  Be sure that there is a defined waist on the jumpsuit.  If the jumpsuit goes straight down to the floor, it's going to make your body look just that, straight down to the floor with no shape.  I find a jumpsuit with a drawstring or elastic waist is the easiest to cinch in the right place.

3.)  A full pattern jumpsuit can sometimes be difficult to pull off.  When you're head to toe with the same bold pattern, the person can potentially get lost in the print.  If you like the print, keep it in neutral tones or just two colors.  Color blocking is a great way to add color without being over the top.  Or try one solid color jumpsuit with contrasting textures, like leather accents or a metal embellishments.

4.)  Lastly, being six feet tall, I almost never buy anything that has to be worn exclusively with heels, but a jumpsuit is one exception.  Heels will lengthen your legs and keeps you looking like a sophisticated lady and not a toddler girl.

You CAN wear a jumpsuit and when you find the right fitting one, you'll know it.  I got my fabulous jumpsuit (pictured above) for under $40 at HAVAIANAS in Miami. 



Leather Embellishments

Leather is so hot right now.  Leather pants, leather moto jackets, leather shells, leather cuffs, leather boots... I could go on and on.  Leather may be "hot", but it's also expensive and requires major upkeep.  It also takes a bit of boldness to pull off.  If you're not totally ready to go leather head to toe, a perfect and stylish solution is wearing leather embellishments.

Take my peach and white color blocked shell for example (pictured above).  It's made of chiffon, but with leather embellishment, it makes the look more edgy and current.  It also compliments my leather sandals and purse and ties the whole look together.  Combining delicate pieces with leather accents is the perfect way to pull off this current leather trend.

The chiffon maxi and top with leather embellishments are both from HAVAIANAS in Miami and the block heel leather sandals are from Target.  Try a little leather this winter.  It will give you an edgy look, without feeling like a total motorcycle mama.