Fashion & Florals

Happy Monday blog friends! How was everyone's weekend? Mine involved working mostly and then some lazy downtime. On Saturday I was putting together Valentine's cards for a client. I am really happy with how they turned out, very cute. Pink and feminine, perfect for Valentines. I'll be able to share them here soon. On Sunday I went to work at Anthropologie. After my shift I stayed to try on a bunch of our new arrivals. We have a lot of new stuff in the store and it is starting to feel like spring in there with all the pops of color. Today I want to highlight a favorite piece, the Carolinae Top.

carolinae top // the nouveau romantics 

I am not inspired by green too often in fashion. There are some lovely green hues but I don't always gravitate towards them at first. This silky top is definitely an exception. The color is perfect for spring. I love the few unexpected pops of coral that appear on the print too. Definitely follow the link to see the back detail because it is so flattering and romantic. The cut and drape are pretty perfect if you ask me. It is a boxier, cropped style but Anthro has been seeing a lot of that lately. I am rather fond of them. Has anyone else tried this on? What did you think?  

I wanted to pair this top with some floral inspiration. Like the top, this arrangement is mostly greens and creams with a tiny splash of peach. Beautiful isn't it? Elizabeth Lewis, the creative director behind The Nouveau Romantics, is one of my favorite floral stylists. She has such amazing style. Her arrangements are so natural and organic. Visit her beautiful portfolio if you're looking for a Monday pick-me-up. 

Crafted Fashion: Pink Pleated Skirt

Hi friends! It's a fashionable Tuesday here on the blog because today I am highlighting the pleated skirt.

Pleats are back! How do I know this? Because they keep popping up all over Pinterest that's how. I've been seeing so many cute pleated skirts there lately. Pleats can look heavy depending on the fabric but what I've been seeing is a lot of light, airy, moveable pleats which feel like the perfect modern take on a classic style. And they have that vintage quality to them too, don't they? You don't even need to scrounge through countless second-hand stores in order to pull off that vintage chic look. Marvelous! Because vintage shopping can be a challenge, especially when you aren't size tiny and petite.

I found my skirt a few months ago in the fall. I had been wanting to add some pleats to my wardrobe and was lucky to find this one. Not only does it have the pleats but also the ruffle edges which are the perfect feminine detail. But I don't feel too overly girly in it either...which definitely isn't my style. I usually pair it with more casual pieces, like this striped top or a blazer so I think those elements help to tone down the girly and make it feel more 'me.' Pink isn't necessarily my color either (this might be the only pink thing I have in my closet) but instead of pink, I like to think of it as antique rose so it's acceptable. I guess a girl has to give in and have one pink thing.

pleated skirt: Anthropologie (that's the actual link to the skirt with the style number - it's not online but you could possibly search stores to find it)

stripe top: H&M (they still have the shirt but not in the brown stripe)

belt: Anthropologie

shoes: Target (I guess Target still has them? Crazy, I bought these awhile ago)

gold bracelets: vintage, from my family

brown woven clutch: vintage that I got from my friend Rachel (thanks Rachel!!)

So what do you think of pleats? Do you have any in your closet? I am quite in love with this skirt. It is so flowy and fun. How do you style yours? Any tips? The length of this skirt probably isn't the best for me and I actually think it looks best when paired with heels but sadly, I never wear heels. Usually I wear my oxfords with this skirt and I like that combo because the shoes add to the vintage vibe. Maybe one day I'll find a true vintage pleat for me.

Happy Tuesday friends!

Crafted Fashion: Chunky Knit Cardigan

Happy Tuesday friends!  Today I wanted to share a new garment that I recently added to my wardrobe, one which I think is a great deal and a good look.  At this time of year I love seeing all the chunky knits that the stores are stocking.  They look so cozy and inviting.  I just want to snuggle up by a fire and read a good book...in my chunky knit sweater of course.  But being from Southern California I don't necessarily need to be adding ten new sweaters to my wardrobe each season.  Not only would this not work for my budget but it just wouldn't be needed in our climate.  I have been eyeing a few at Anthropologie but all of them are over $100 and just out of my price range.  I came to terms with the fact that a chunky new sweater was out of my reach this season until...

I went to Target a few weeks ago and stumbled upon this beauty!  Not only was this chunky knit cardigan the perfect cozy, over-sized look I was going for but it also had this lovely Nordic inspired pattern woven into it.  The colors suited me and my wardrobe and the toggle closures were a cute detail.  Oh, and I forgot to mention that it was only $29.99!  Head on over to Target or check out the Fair Isle Cardigan Sweater on their website if this sweater (and price!) spark your interest as much as it did for me.  It is super comfy and it has definitely kept me warm (although I'm not in negative below weather).  The only thing I would change about it is to add two pockets to the front.  I have another sweater with front pockets and I keep wanting to put my hands somewhere when I where this new one.

The rest of my outfit came from Anthropologie.  Because I work there it is just too easy to look for pieces there, be lazy, and not have to venture out to other stores.  Not super creative in terms of fashion I realize but sometimes you have to go for what is easy.  The Pilcro pants are from this season.  They aren't available online anymore but you might be able to find them in the sale section at your local store.  The top and beanie are from last year.  The cute little typewriters on the top are so whimsical and fun!

What new pieces have you recently added to your wardrobe?  Any favorites?  Any other awesome Target finds out there?

A Few Weekend Finds

Hi everyone!  It's a new week and I have a whole new list of projects and goals to get through.  I have a couple of things in the works, including sending out little goodies to all of my giveaway winners from last week.  Not to mention all of my Twelve by 2012 goals that I need to start working on.  What is on your to-do list this week?  A busy summer is moving into a busy fall.  I, for one, am ready and excited to start accomplishing some tasks this afternoon.  I had a relaxing weekend filled with lots of sleep since I am still getting over this cold that has attacked me.  After feeling miserable for a few days, I am slowly getting better but my cough and congestion still linger.  On Friday I got an unexpected package from a friend and that really made my weekend.  Sweet surprises in the mail really can't be beat.  This encourages me to write out letters more but for whatever reason that always gets put on the back-burner.  Is it the same for you?  I hate that.  I must send out snail mail more!  And this morning I chatted for a long time with my friend in Brooklyn which was a great start to the morning because I haven't heard from him in awhile (his busy job usually prevents him from talking too long).  

On Friday after work I rummaged around in our sale section and picked out a few goodies that I couldn't live without.  I do love Anthropologie clothes, but their home goods and paper products may truly have my heart.  I can't get enough.

I couldn't pass up our ever-popular latte bowls and mini latte bowls.  This teal color must be getting retired because it was on clearance.  The mini bowls were $0.95!  Probably the cheapest thing at Anthropologie ever.  I scooped up a handful at that price because how could you not, they're basically free.  I also got this 2012 calendar which I've had my eye on for awhile.

It is a letterpress calendar with beautiful watercolor drawings for each month.  It comes all packaged together in this wood box which doubles as a display easel.  Really clever!  Sadly, I don't see an artist's name on it so I'm not quite sure who is responsible for the artwork.  Does anyone know?  It might be something Anthropologie's in-house design team put together.  

I was so glad to finally pick this up, especially on sale.  Looking forward to January now when I can put this up.  This is my first 2012 calendar.  Do you have any yet?  I plan on getting a few more before the year is up.  There are so many pretty calendars out there.

Have a great week everyone!  If you haven't entered already be sure to check out my Whisker Graphics Giveaway...it's going on until this Wednesday.

Crafted Fashion: The Maxi Skirt

Today I'm talking fashion because it has been on my mind lately.  I don't consider myself a fashion expert {far from it} and usually just buy items that intrigue me at Anthropologie {it's convenient because I work there and because I get a discount}.  Since my fashion budget is limited I don't like spending too much time searching for pieces because the more time I spend searching, the more I want to buy.  But I love to transition into fall so I have been wanting to devote a little energy into picking some autumn pieces that will work for me in the coming months and into the new year.  I hope to find some classic pieces that will work with a lot of stuff and allow me to make a handful of outfit combinations.  I am pretty obsessed with blazers right now so my goal is to find a few more of those this year as well as add more cute skirts {I hate pants on me so I prefer skirts and dresses as bottoms...oh yeah and leggings, who doesn't love comfortable leggings?}.  

Another piece that my mind has been grappling with is the popular maxi skirt.  They have been pretty big this year and at first I was totally against them.  Slowly over the summer months my loathing began to subside and now, seeing the cute fall maxis, I have definitely been intrigued to buy one for myself.  And that's just what I did the other day at work.  I found a simple and classic maxi in our sale section and brought it home to try out with some outfits.  Here is the skirt I bought and some awesome fashion inspiration found on Pinterest:

mustard maxi {via The Sartorialist} & black maxi {via Stockholm Streetstyle} & Anthropologie maxi

I definitely had doubts about the maxi working with my body type and I think that is why I resisted buying one for so long.  Have you ever done that?  Sometimes you are your biggest obstacle when it comes to trying new things {never an easy task}.  Today I tried the skirt on with a bunch of my clothes and I am surprised to say that I do like the skirt.  I still am not 100% sure I'm going to keep it but as far as maxis go, I think this is a good one for me.  The color will work great in fall and winter, it's light enough to transition into hotter months, it has enough weight to be slimming and not feel bulky, etc.  And the best part, I created a bunch of different outfit combinations so I know there is a lot of versatility in the piece, the best thing for those who are budget conscience.  Here are some of the outfits I quickly threw together this morning...

Are you into the maxi skirt?  What are your favorite things to wear with it?  Thoughts on if I should keep mine?  

If you have any fashion obstacles like me, I'd recommend trying it out and seeing if you can make it work with your wardrobe.  Sometimes in life we are always surprised by the smallest things.  Life is too short not to try a maxi!

Happy Wednesday friends! 

Oh, and don't forget to enter the giveaway if you haven't already.