Up, and Down

This time of year is so exciting to me, as things begin to turn green again, the first flowers are struggling to push up through the muddy ground, and we get to start wearing colored jeans on the regular! 

After years of avoiding jeans at the Gap with memories of unflattering fits from high school on my mind, I decided to try on these mint colored jeans at the Gap last summer. I had been searching for jeans in precisely this color at a reasonable price and a comfortable fit, and was having a hard time finding a pair that checked all three boxes. Until I put these on. They fit so well, I was amazed and impressed. Now they are a favorite in my closet!! I love to wear them this time of year since they are so bright and cheery and reminiscent of the summer colors, both in nature and fashion, that we are about to see!

These photos are from two outfits I wore recently with my mint colored pants. Since the weather has been so up and down lately (imagine: 80 on Monday and back to 35 today…what is Mother Nature doing??) I have one outfit paired with a long sleeve sweater, and one with a teeshirt and Sperrys. Colored jeans are such a great transition piece--they work just as well in the fall as in the spring--since they are fun and colorful, but match well with basics and neutrals, and since long pants are best for questionable weather. What's your favorite color of jeans to wear for spring?

Also, I just wanted to mention how super duper excited I am that one of my looks was featured on the Ruche blog!! Thanks Ruche! I love their style files posts because I always find new fabulous bloggers with adorable style to follow.

Mint jeans: Gap. Sweater: Gap, similar. Booties: Ralph Lauren via TJ Maxx. Sunglasses: Steve Madden via TJ Maxx. Teeshirt: Bobi, similar here, here. Necklace: J. Crew, similar. Sperry's. 

xoxo, C.C.

Owl Excursions

Something you should probably know about me is that I'm obsessed with owls. The owl print on this green ruffled top won me over instantly. I wore this outfit on a lunch date this week (table-side guacamole anyone?) and to do a little shopping at TJ Maxx. That place gets me every time…even if I go in there telling myself I'm not allowed to spend money I always end up buying at least one thing. New shoes? Of course. Stationary and storage boxes? How can I resist.

This owl print top feels a bit youthful so I always try to offset it with classic feminine pieces such as this fitted white cardigan and caramel colored high heeled booties. Cool shades and an optimistic attitude pull it all together. 

Top: Charlotte Russe, similar here, here, here (I keep seeing this print everywhere). Sweater: unknown. Jeans: Delia's. Booties: Ralph Lauren via TJ Maxx. Sunglasses: Ruche.

-C.C.

Spring Skirt Season

Just a few quick photos on the go today with my iPhone… It was warm enough to wear a skirt today, although with many other layers including tights, a chambray button down, and a scarf. To walk outside a light jacket was necessary, but I am finally free of my winter coat!! Hooray, spring is in the air! I am so excited to start wearing skirts and dresses regularly now that the temperature is a little more forgiving.

I was a little hesitant about wearing a white skirt with dark tights, but by wearing tall boots and adding another dark color on top with the scarf, and since the tights were patterned, it felt balanced and acceptable. What do you think? The skirt is kind of a winter white and it is wool so I deemed it appropriate to wear with dark wintery accents, as well as the sunny pop of pink of the cami peeping out. 

I saw people wearing tee shirts and flip flops again today, and we left our door open for a while at work, but it did get rather chilly with the door open! As tempting as it is to break out the flip flops I'd rather stay warm! I did see one day next week forecast for 70 degrees though… I am hoping the weatherman is right about that one! 

Skirt: J. Crew Factory, similar here, here. Cami: J. Crew. Chambray: Rails, similar at UO. Scarf: Coco, similar here. Jacket: Tulle, options here. Textured tights: similar here, here. Earrings: JoJo Loves You. Bracelet: Bella and Jack via TJ Maxx. Bag: Ruche. Sunglasses: Ruche. iPhone case: Lilly Pulitzer. Nails: OPI "Ate Berries in the Cannaries"

xoxo, C.C.

First Sight of Sun

In the spring, at the first sight of a little sunshine and a thermometer above freezing, many people immediately start wearing flip flops and shorts. I saw it today: even though the temperature was somewhere around 45-50 degrees people were walking around bare-legged and in sandals. Crazy! As for me, mixing fun bright spring-y pieces with winter classics that I want to get one last use out of makes more sense. A bright watermelon pink top with light grey corduroy pants felt both weather appropriate (warm pants and breezy long sleeve top) and season appropriate (bright colors but still covered up). Adding some bright blue accessories, shimmery lipstick, and multi-colored floral flats makes the look as cheery as I feel about the approach of spring!

Top: Old Navy (purchased on sale for 11.49), similar here, here. Cord pants: American Eagle (old). Shoes: J. Crew with Liberty of London (I got these on sale for $28!), similar here, here. Clutch: TJ Maxx. Necklace: J. Crew Factory. Belt: H&M. Earrings: JoJo Loves You.

-C.C.

A Cold Night Out

My friend Anna  recently asked me about what to wear when you're going out on the town at night but the weather is freezing cold! This is a problem that I regularly struggle with as well, so I decided to address it. Really, what is a girl supposed to do when she wants to look cute and dressed up but still keep warm in winter? (And let's be real, the weather still feels more like winter here even though it is supposedly spring). 

Whether you want to wear a dress or jeans is a matter of personal choice, or perhaps even a matter of just how cold it really is, so I broke it down into two options. If you’re going out on a first date or to a holiday party you may want to get a little more dressed up than if, for instance you are going out for drinks with friends or coworkers. However, I think either of the options below can be tailored to just about any situation.
My two basic outfit outlines for a cute and warm look are these:

Look #1: Jeans with an embellished top, a cardigan or blazer, statement jewelry, close-toed shoes with a heel (booties work well), and a dainty clutch.
Look #2: A cute dress with a cardigan, thick tights (or even fleece-lined leggings), tall leather boots, glittery jewelry, and a cute clutch.

My advice boils down to these essential conclusions: wear something cute or glittery with a layer or two over it for warmth, wear plenty of fun statement jewelry, and carry a cute clutch.

(Top: Express, similar styles here, here. Sweater: Ruche, similar. Booties: Steve Madden via TJ Maxx. Clutch: Spool No.72)

 Using your accessories to full potential is key when you have to bundle up your body head to toe. A great way to dress up any outfit is to wear sparkly statement jewelry; jewelry doesn't care about the weather and can be worn any time of year. Also, a cute clutch is an essential for going out since it is more dressy and smaller than other types of bags. Carrying a clutch says you mean to be here, you weren’t just dragged out in your work clothes, you planned ahead and dressed purposefully.

Wearing a nice coat, such as a pea coat or dress-length coat can also help pull your outfit together and keep you warm.

Dark wash skinnies create the most polished look when it comes to jeans, but wear a dressy top when you opt to wear pants! Anything with lace, silk, sequins, beading, or ruffles is probably perfect. Bright colors are always a plus! 

Top: Ella Moss, similar. Sweater: unknown. Booties: Dolce Vita. Clutch: TJ Maxx. Necklace: J. Crew. Bracelets: J. Crew. Earrings: The Pretty Pony Boutique. Nails: Essie "Butler Please." Lipstick: Bare Essentials "gelato." 

 Dress: Ya Los Angeles. Sweater: H&M. Boots: Steve Madden. Clutch: J. Crew. Necklace: The Pretty Pony Boutique.

Coat: Jessica Simpson via ModCloth (similar).

 Dress: Francesca's Collections, similar, here, here, splurge. Belt: B-low The Belt, similar. Necklace: J. Crew Factory. Earrings: The Pretty Pony Boutique. Clutch: J. Crew.

 Left to Right (links to similar): Express, J. Crew, Express, Express, Ya Los Angeles via ModCloth, Ruche, Express.

Embellished black top: Old Navy, similar here, here. Pink cami: J. Crew. Sparkle cardigan: Banana Republic. Necklace: Bella Clothing and Shoes. 

A touch of lipstick and dramatic eyeliner never hurt either. 

I hope this is helpful! 

xoxo, C.C.