A Blue Gingham Kind of Day

Nothing says summer time in the country quite like blue gingham.  This pale blue and white checkered fabric feels like a cool breeze on a hot day, and brings to mind church picnics and ice cream socials.  All that's missing from this relaxing moment in the shade is a glass of ice tea.

 Shopping Info: Blue Patchwork Swing Dress from Unique-Vintage.com

Create Your Own Classic

Elizabeth Taylor, Rita Hayworth, and Audrey Hepburn are my style muses.

If you've ever sighed at the state of current fashion trends and wished for a return to those fashion days gone by, sigh no more ladies, sigh no more.  Thanks to this worldwide market place that the internet provides, we no longer have to settle for wearing whatever the local shops and tastes present us.  It's all a matter of finding that classic style you admire and then doing a little hunting for some look-alike pieces.  For today's outfit, I used the stunning styles of award winning actresses from the 1950s as my inspiration.  The recipe is quite simple:  Start with some Audrey Hepburn class, add a dash of Rita Hayworth's wow and just a pinch of Elizabeth Taylor's diva attitude and voila!  A modern day take on Hollywood Glam.

Shopping Info: Black PU Corset Top - Amy-$19 from FemmeLuxeFinery.co.uk, Swing In the Breeze Organza Midi Skirt-$49.90 from ChicWish.com

That Jane Austen Life

I see this #thatjaneaustenlife flying around Instagram a lot.  I wonder if most of us know what it means.  I've read most of Ms. Austen's books and loved them all and in some way related to each of her heroines, but to put a #label on what it all means--I'm not sure I could do that.  Maybe it's just that dreamy romantically simple life where flowers are always in bloom and everything works out in the end?  I hope so.

Shopping Info: Top from: SHEIN, Classic Simplicity Skirt from Chicwish

Adventures in Thrift Shopping

Remember Anthropologie's Mompos Dress?  It's been a while since this was a highly sought after as-seen-on-tv celebrity style worn by the likes of Taylor Swift, Ginnifer Godwin on Once Upon a Time and....I don't know, some other actress.  Like just about every other Anthro lover I searched desperately for a reasonably priced dress, but alas, too many celebs had been seen sporting this style for it to ever drop below $100 even when it had been worn.  I considered this dress unattainable and moved on to other things.  

    Feeling a little bored by what a lot of the shops are offering at the moment, (even Anthro hasn't thrilled me with one of its styles in a long, long while) I started browsing resale sites for something from Anthro's glory days when low and behold I came across this Mompos dress for only $25 and it still had the original belt!  How often does that happen?!  I was stunned that something this highly sought after that was listed so cheap.  I knew there had to be a catch, so I carefully read the item description.  The seller mentioned that there was some discoloration around the neck and under the arms.  Hmmmm...the seller felt it was minor and just needed to be dry cleaned.  Ok.  I was hooked.  I've never been one to shy away just because there's a little dirt involved.  So, I bought the dress.  

    I received it within three days.  Upon opening the package, I saw that the seller really underestimated how desperate was the need for a cleaning.  Since it was 100% cotton I chose to hand wash it instead of dry cleaning.  It was a risk, but I felt that it needed a good scrubbing to bring out the dinginess.  After a little TLC I hung it up to line-dry and it looked a hundred times better.  My best guess is that because this item said "dry clean" the previous owner never washed it at all.  I get it, it's a real hassle to take things to the cleaners and pick them up again and have to pay for it, but this was beyond.....just beyond.  It's still not pristine, but one more hand washing should have it nearly good as new and all of this is just a part of the adventure of bargain hunting and buying second hand.

Shopping Info:  Anthropologie Plenty by Tracy Reese Mompos Dress, Vivacious Vibes T-Strap Heel in 38 by Chelsea Crew from ModCloth

Wild Thistles

Where do you belong in this world?  I'm sure I don't know. I spent my childhood feeling out of place, like everyone else had some sort of handbook for who there were and how to get along in the world and my copy got lost in the mail.  I wandered, from town to town and country to country.  I drifted from friendship to friendship, never feeling that this was my place or these were my people.

Then in college, for one brief semester I found my place and my people and then we all drifted on.  At first I wanted nothing more than to get back there, but not long after I left they all moved on too.  We were all misfits, all wanderers, and the seamless way that we can, even now after 15 years, drift into each others lives and pick up right where we left  off only confirms to me that just because we wander doesn't mean we're lost.  

Along my way in this world, I've found one or two more friends like this, where the distance doesn't matter and no one seems to notice how long it's been since we've talked.  We pick up like it's been no time at all because we understand each other so well.  We are the sort who are happiest without being firmly fixed to a place in the world or in society.  We know who we are and perhaps that's why we don't fit in.  We live on the whim of the winds like the thistle down.  We are wild and our place is where ever we find ourselves today, to never have a set place but to be our own selves and free.

Shopping Info: Sydney Dress in plum by Free People (FP One).

The Aurora Conundrum Part Two: Make it Blue

This is the second installation from Monday's post on choosing between two classic colors like pink and blue in the same great style.  It can be tough to choose between two great colors, so it really comes down to the statement you want to make.  Pink is a very bubbly color, blue is more serene.  If you've ever been stuck on a decision about which color to choose in a gorgeous piece of clothing, I'm here to help.  Once again, for this post I'm using the Clarence Dress from FemmeLuxe in Blue instead of pink.  The Clarence dress is one of those Bodycon dresses that create a look that is meant to get attention and FemmeLuxe has some great bodycon dresses, but this particular dress is also a midi dress meaning it fits at the narrowest part of your waist, i.e. the best place for a fitted waist to be.  I listed a few things that I love about the pink dress, but there are a few more Id like to mention here for the blue in the interest of keeping all things equal.  This corset laced back is so sexy, love it!  And the cool color of blue seems perfect for an evening of music and dancing under the stars, doesn't it.  

 I wear a lot of warm colors and the reason for this is that I have very fair skin and cool colors can make me look too pale.  Blue is by definition a cool color, but this shade has such richness to it that it only enhances skin tone rather than diminishing it.  I can't really think of a skin tone or hair color that this particular shade of blue wouldn't look amazing on.  So, buy with confidence with this blue.

Now here's the part where I discuss the different ways I styled these two dresses in case things escape your notice.  For Monday's post, I wore a size 8UK with the cowl neckline straight across.  I used classic 1950s accessories of black gloves and a bow skinny belt as an homage to Ms. Monroe.  For undergarments I wore a push-up balconette bra and a shape wear slip to create a more pronounced hourglass figure.  And while I love that look, for some people out there, I know it's easy to look at that type of figure and think I can't wear that because I don't look like that, but that is not really the case.  It's all about learning to work with what you have and that's why I wanted to show you the same style of dress worn different ways.  So, for this post I am styling in the opposite direction by going very simple and natural with everything and if I had to give style credit here,I would say it is more reminiscent of French style  because French women have such a confidence in their beauty that they don't need to do much in order to standout.

  I've got on a very basic undergarment with no boost, no shape wear, and I'm letting the cowl neck drape instead of making a straight line across the front.  If you are a petite girl, like me, there's no need to bemoan a smaller bust.  I will say though, that in order to create a more natural look that didn't seem like it was swallowing me up, I did size down to a 6UK.  I didn't find there to be too much difference in the waist because this dress has a gathered elastic waistline at the back.  

Because this is a bodycon dress and a very stunning piece there's really no need to accessorize much.  Even the amount of accessorizing I did with the pink dress was minimal and sometimes less is more, especially when you want to achieve a natural beauty.  The hair, make-up, and heels are the same as the previous post, but I think this color and the way that it's been styled have created a very different statement.  And one that I love.  I'm not sure this little experiment has made it easier for me to choose though, I think I love this dress in both colors even more!

Shopping Info: Blue Satin Cowl Neck Bodycon Midi Dress - Clarence from FemmeLuxeFinery.co.uk

How to Wear Colored Trousers: 2 Styles

When I go out people watching at some of my favorite spots in the city, I notice trends in fashion.  One in particular that I see so much of is that people put plenty of color into their tops and shoes, even hair colors are pretty bold these days, but when it comes to the leg area, style tends to fall flat with the same old neutral denim that's been around for ages.  Why?  My theory is that area tends to just be kind of forgettable, especially if you don't have a full length mirror in your home.  By the way, if you don't have a full length mirror, you should get one-they don't cost much-and hang it by the front door so you'll have to give yourself a once over look before you leave the house.  I'm being me here, so just trust me on this, it will be good for you.  I get that buying trousers in a neutral color makes them easy to pair with way more things, but every now and then I think it's good to buy a really stand out piece and shake things up a bit.  For this post, the lovely people at FemmeLuxeFinery have sent over these Gianna long split fitted trousers in this gorgeous shade of red.

A few things to love about these trousers is the split at the front of the leg adding some visual interest and making this style more than just your average leg wear.  The comfort level on these trousers is amazing and they have a higher waist without being extreme, although I do love high waist trousers, and they're the right thickness for a more dressy look.  Thinner fabrics with this kind of fit fall into the leggings category and FemmeLuxe has some great leggings for dressy or casual looks as well.  So, with no more ado, let's get to the outfits!
Style One:Keep it simple, but not too Simple.  This is a more dressed up look for a special event or for the office, because special events happen and I think we should all have a few dressed up outfits on hand.  

The temptation when trying something bold like a colored jean or trouser is to keep everything else neutral, and that's perfectly fine.  

For this first outfit, I went with neutral colors: a navy blue blazer, an ivory top, and black heels.  But, here's what I want you to notice:  the blazer has ivory piping to match the top and really give it some defining lines, the top has a ruffle texture along the neckline, and the heels have buckles and peep toes.  

All of these extras keep the outfit from being tedious and uninteresting.  If you're going to wear a standout color, you need some pieces that bring their own visual appeal in a different way to the ensemble to create something cohesive.

Style Two:  Colors Galore!  This look is more casual and my go-to for taking a dressy outfit to casual is to swap heels for flats and blazers for cardigans as you may remember from Sunday's post, but I think this outfit would also work for the office.  When it comes to colors, I think a lot of people out there are afraid.  They feel like they don't really know what goes with what so they stay away from them entirely.  It's sad really, because it couldn't be more simple to pull colors together to create a great look.  For this style, I'm not going to play it safe.  There's not a single neutral color in sight and I'm loving it!  The question is how did I do it.  Easy darling.  

I started with the color of the trousers and found a top that had that color in it along with multiple others.  Then I chose another color from the top and accessorized my cardigan and flats with that.  I probably wouldn't have brought another color of accessory into the mix as that might have been too much, but as it is, since all of these colors tie together with the central piece I think it works beautifully.  And, notice the details of these pieces.  The trousers are still the standout color, but the blouse has a vivid print, and the flats have a criss-cross detail on the front, so again each piece is contributing some visual interest to the overall composition.  Something colorful, something versatile, something unusual.  Isn't that what we're all looking for in our wardrobe?

Shopping Info:  Red Long Split Fitted Trousers - Gianna-from: FemmeLuxeFinery.co.uk, Trina Turk Top and Old Navy Floral Button Down Top from ThredUp, Charter School Cardigan and Academia Ahoy Blazer in Navy from ModCloth, flats from Charlotte Russe

The Aurora Conundrum: Make It Pink

Did you ever see a dress in multiple sizes and colors and you just couldn't make up your mind which one you liked best?  It puts me in mind of the fairy godmothers battling it out in Sleeping Beauty--Make it Pink!  Flick of the wand and Zang!  Make it Blue!  Flick of the wand and Zing!  If those two all powerful magical beings couldn't decide between pink and blue, how could I ever hope to choose?  If you've been reading my blog for very long you've probably noticed that I often wear one style in multiple colors.  When it comes to pretty dresses and occasionally pretty tops, and even less often trousers, I tend to be of the mindset that if a little is good than more must be better and I end up with one in every color.  But, if you're more of a minimalist in that regard, allow me to help by showing you one dress worn in two different colors, sizes and styles.  For this little project, I'll be using the Clarence dress from FemmeLuxe.

 I am always excited to work with FemmeLuxe.  This dress is part of FemmeLuxe's midi dress collection and is currently is available in four colors: red, stone, pink and blue.  There are lots of things to love about this bodycon dress.  It's satin, which is a sit-up-and-take-notice kind of fabric, and it has this great neckline that can be worn straight across the front or adjusted into a drapey v-neck style.  Although I love the red and stone versions of this dress, I decided to use pink and blue because just like those little fairies a lot of women find it difficult to choose between the two, where as stone and red make far more opposite statements.  Red is an attention grabber, a look at me color.  Stone is more subtle and understated, not that this is a wallflower kind of dress, because with this style you're going to get attention in any color, but because of the message that those two colors send choosing between them is typically no contest.  Pink and blue on the other hand can be a little more difficult.

If you're one of those women who doesn't wear pink, I would argue that it isn't that you don't like pink it's that you've been conditioned to think that you're not the type of woman who can wear it.  But, trust me, you are and you just don't know how good it will look on you, so experiment a little.  If you always go for a subtle shade, be bold and go pink.  I like this color of pink because it is a very warm shade.  So, how did I style this dress?  For the pink dress, I'm wearing a size 8 UK.  And for this version of the dress I'm wearing the neckline straight across the front with a small bow belt at the waist and black gloves for a little homage to classic styles like Marilyn Monroe's classic pink satin gown in the 1953 classic Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.  In the spirit of creating that Marilyn style classic hourglass silhouette, what's underneath matters.  For this dress the kind of undergarments matters because it will affect the outward outcome of the look you're going for.  So, for this version, I have on a backless balconette style bra with some lift to really make the most of that neckline and a shape-wear slip underneath that smooths the lines a little and makes the satin fabric have a streamlined flow.

For the heels, I chose an ankle strap, but if you are of a shorter height (I'm 5'6"/1.67m) you may want to select a regular pump since an ankle strap can shorten the appearance of your legs while a regular pump creates a longer look.  For this experiment, I've kept the make-up and hair the same for both looks so you can really get a feel for how the color and select styling elements will have an effect on the outcome.  Join me right back here on Wednesday 3rd of July for Part 2: Make it Blue.

Shopping Info:  Pink Satin Cowl Neck Bodycon Midi Dress - Clarence from FemmeLuxeFinery.co.uk