Month: May 2015

Weekly Roundup: Last Week’s Mix…

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So I’ve been wanting to do some sort of weekly list-type post about the little things, some (ok, mostly) style-based, that inspire me, make me think and make me smile each week…check back every weekend for some fun ideas and to see what’s made my list!

1. Memorial Day Weekend Outfit #1:

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I used this sweater in creating a “ways to wear” outfit (see last post), and was inspired to remix IT with these leather shorts for a MDW BBQ!  Leather shorts are more versatile than you think guys…summer nights, in fall and winter with tights, during spring with a sweater like this…

2. The Little White Dress:

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Wore this LWD to a friend’s MDW bbq…if you don’t have a little white dress like this yet for summer– what are you waiting for!? There are a ton out there right now; Zara has some of my favorites…(including this one pictured above!)

3. Birthday Wheels:

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I turned 32 this weekend…and my husband surprised me (kind of…by surprised I mean I tagged him in every Instagram photo involving a beach cruiser bike in my feed for months prior to May…) with this PERFECT  pink and white bike…basket and all <3…can’t wait to ride this around alllll summer! Some links if you’re interested in racing me:

REI

SEARS

SCHWINN

4. Nordstrom’s Half-Yearly Sale:

http://shop.nordstrom.com/

One of the best sales around, Nordstrom is having its Half-Yearly Sale, both online and in-store…score  marked downs from some of my favorite designers like Alexander Wang, Rebecca Minkoff, Rag and Bone and Baublebar.

5. Ankle Wrap Sandals from J.Crew:

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With the 30% off coupon code from this weekend, I may or may not (def did) order these ankle tie flat sandals from J.Crew…$89 with code, not bad for a shoe that will take me through summer…I love the texture of the raffia and the on trend ankle ties! Linked here!

Ways to Wear: A White Lace Mini

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Being only 5’3″, I’ve always been a fan of mini skirts for their elongating power.  This white lace mini was less than $20 from a boutique in town…no brand name, just thought it was cute and picked it up.   Little did I know that it would inspire this post and a number of unexpected outfit combinations! Most people would think “Hmmm white lace…super feminine, maybe a little bridal….definitely fancy!” I actually went the opposite direction with this skirt, which is one of my favorite ways to wear a girly piece– with unexpected tomboyish elements…
Outfit #1:
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White lace mini: Mystique Boutique (sold out, similar linked below!) | Kale T-shirt: Suburban riot |Grey canvas booties: Rag and Bone | Denim jacket: Topshop via Nordstrom |Gold choker: J. Crew |Aviators: Ray Ban

A boyish or funny t-shirt is one of my all time favorite things to pair with a girly or edgy mini skirt like this one– totally fresh and not what people think would “go”…but it does! The booties added some height and edge and I tied the denim jacket around my waist like it was 1995 all over again (but in a good way!).  I wore this to dinner and a show in the city.

Outfit #2:

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Chambray shirt: J. Crew | Blush leather crossbody bag: Rebecca Minkoff |Coral sneakers: Converse |Pearl choker: Zara | Gold link bracelet: J. Crew
Sneakers, particularly Converse are perfection with a mini skirt in my book– so this was a completely natural pairing for me (try it!!!) Chambray shirts literally go with EVERYTHING, so it also was a no brainer with this skirt– it also brings down the femininity of the skirt along with the Converse.  I wore this outfit to school (to teach), and for errands in the afternoon.
Outfit #3:
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Mustard/Gold lightweight sweater: H&M (sold out, similar here) | Chain link necklace: Baublebar via Nordstrom |Leather fringe heels: Zara | Gold stacking rings: Gorjana
This last remix was what I wore to dinner with my husband over the weekend…it was a little cooler at night, so the lightweight long sleeved mustard sweater worked perfectly– plus I love a really saturated color paired with white.  The leather fringe heels complemented the 70s vibe of the sweater color perfectly, and the edgy chain necklace updated the look.
Hope this inspires you guys to mix and remix a piece in your closet!! Challenge yourself to wear one piece three different ways! This exact skirt is sold out, but I’ve linked a few similar skirts in varying price ranges below…also, a white lace mini is pretty much super easy to find in any store this time of year…
Have a great week!
xo,
Christine
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A L C long skirt
saksfifthavenue.com

Frenchi short skirt
nordstrom.com

Charlotte Russe short skirt
charlotterusse.com

Vero Moda short skirt
houseoffraser.co.uk

Mini skirt
newlook.com

Forever 21 mini skirt
forever21.com

New to the Mix: Grown-Up Overalls

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Lightwash denim overalls: Hollister (On sale NOW for less than $25!!!!!)|Striped tee: Zara|Neon pink pumps: J. Crew (old and sold out, but similar linked below!)|Crossbody bag: Rebecca Minkoff
When I was a kid, I always loved overalls.  I remember a specific pair, that I wore ALL THE TIME when I was about 10, that I had gotten for a birthday present from the Gap…they were a medium wash blue, with embroidered flowers across the front bib.  They were everything.
So obviously, I was overjoyed when grown up iterations of my favorite 90s staple started showing up in stores and coming down runways…I feel like the jumpsuits and rompers that have become ubiquitous over the past few years kind of paved the way for the return of the overalls– plus, we’re always looking for a new way to wear denim, right?
Last summer, when my husband and I were renovating our newly purchased house (!), I dug out an old pair of short overalls (shortalls?) to paint and work around the house in– and it was literally like riding a bike, or reconnecting with an old friend– It was like I had never taken that flowered Gap pair off– overalls and I were reunited!
The pair I’m wearing above is actually my second pair of full-length overalls.  My first was a black pair from H&M (making it to a post some time soon I hope!).  This second pair was a major sale score at Hollister, a store I don’t normally shop in.  I stopped in to pick up a few ribbed tanks for summer and came upon these guys in the super sale section for only $21!!!! I love these particular ones for the light wash, which is less expected than a medium wash blue, and the fit– a slouchy but not too slouchy boyfriend-ish fit that isn’t baggy on my rear.  Seriously, the combinations I’ve come up with for wearing overalls are endless!! With converse, with heels, with loafers…with a leather moto jacket over them and any tee-shirt or tank underneath… they really can be dressed up or down.  Here, I paired them with a classic striped tee and neon pink heels, for the something unexpected part that I usually to throw into an outfit.  The gold choker keeps the look modern and fresh and the crossbody bag fits the (kind of) sporty vibe.  I hear so many girls and women say “these are so cute on you, but I could never pull them off”–and I always say “of course you can!”  I truly believe this– fashion is all about taking risks and developing your personal style through trying new combinations and trends, but anchoring them with classic “you” staples– for me, it’s the neon heels and gold choker that make the overalls feel most “me”.  I would wear these every day if I could.  I’ve linked some favorite pairs of mine below (and my EXACT pair from Hollister is still on sale, and linked above! Hurry!), along with my same striped tee and some pink heel picks.  Enjoy, and have a great week guys!
xo,
Christine
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Back in the Mix: My Classic Chloes + 70s Platform Sandal Revival

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Every spring, I try to do a closet clean-out– I sell clothing, shoes and bags in good condition on either Poshmark (user name is ccomer6) or in person at a local Buffalo Exchange.  When it comes to deciding whether to keep or toss a particular piece, I use this rule of three:
1) Can I remember the last time I wore this piece? (in season, within the year usually)
2) What outfits do I build around this piece?
3) Is the piece either CURRENT (meaning on trend, modern, feels fresh- style wise, not referring to level of cleanliness lol) or CLASSIC (meaning it will never really go out of style.)
As I perused my shoe closet, I came upon these Chloe wooden platform sandals.  I remember buying these sandals very vividly– at a Bergdorf summer shoe sale way back in maybe 2005 or 2006.  This was just near the end of Phoebe Philo’s time at Chloe; and in my opinion, the height of Chloe’s success and notability as a fashion house.  They were doing lots of babydoll everything, flowy, feminine, very 60s and 70s style short dresses, all paired with chunky platforms like these.  It was literally love at first sight with these guys– they are my favorite kind of mix– masculine and feminine, sweet and fashion forward, reminiscent of the 1970s, yet modern paired with all my favorite short dresses.  I have so many good memories in them…My 24th and 25th birthdays were both spent in these shoes; one of my best girlfriends and I “shared” them on a tipsy walk home during a girls’ weekend getaway, when she couldn’t wear her shoes any longer because her feet hurt, yet we couldn’t bear the thought of her walking barefoot.  They are comfortable as any sneaker could be, and extra plus— they add a good 5 inches to my small frame!
So what was there to decide you ask (as I cleaned out my closet)? Why weren’t they automatic keepers?
For the past few seasons, after reigning as the shoe style of choice for the first decade of the 2000s, platforms were “out”.  Single sole, flat, streamlined, simple and clean shoes — minimalist in nature– completely took over.  Platforms became synonymous with the cheesiness of a Real Housewife’s over highlighted style.  If you were well-versed and well-heeled in fashion, you wore single soled shoes. Period.
Then, this season, the 70s came back– in a big way.  Chloe, Gucci and Valentino all showed platforms– paired with flared pants, short dresses, A-line minis and maxis.  All the shoes that came down the runway were similar to my cherished Chloes! These were not going anywhere.
So what’s the moral of this shoe story? No, it’s not to be a slave to trends, and keep only what’s in style– after all , I’ve cleaned out my closet every spring for the past 5 years, and haven’t gotten rid of the wooden Chloes just yet.  Some pieces, like people, will always be in your life.  They just make you feel good, and even though you don’t visit them every day, they show up just in time when you need them. So if a piece feels like it hits that rare sweet spot between trendy and classic, hang on to it!
What are your most cherished pieces? What pieces have come “back” and you’re glad you kept? Leave a comment sharing below!
Since my Chloes have been sold out for years, I linked several similar styles in various price ranges below– happy platform shopping!
xo,
Christine
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