Friday Mixing

Top: LOFT Striped Shirt - XSP / $30 (similar)

Belt: Charlotte Russe Gold Skinny Belt - $6.50 for trio (similar)

Skirt: Talbots Brown Pencil Skirt via TxSCC Swap - 2P / swapped (altered) (similar)

Necklace: Amrita Singh Nello Necklace via HauteLook - $38 (buy)

Purse: Rebecca Minkoff MAC Clutch via Gilt - $179 (buy)

Watch: Michael Kors "Small Runway" Watch - $127 (buy)

Shoes: Forever 21 Chic Leatherette Stilettos - 5 / $15.80 (similar)
Ring: Amrita Singh Jitney Ring via HauteLook - $12 (buy - 50% off with mom11)

If you're like me, sometimes you get tired of looking at the same old clothes in your closet. Especially when you have to dress rather conservatively for work. This is how I felt when I was figuring out what to wear for this Friday.  So, what do I do when I start feeling uninspired? I started mixing up different patterns and colors that I think shouldn't work!

Somehow these navy and white stripes never seemed to strike me as something that would work with warmer tones like golds, corals, and browns.  But I decided to throw it all together and just go with it.  Maybe it worked?  Either way, it made for a fun Friday ensemble!

And in case you're wondering, I totally tucked my belt back in before I walked into the office.  :)

Happy weekend, everyone!  

Shop This Look:

Tees by J.Crew

P.S. In case you missed it:

• Petite Fashion Challenge #7 - Check out how I styled my LBD!

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Petite Fashion Challenge #7: The Little Black Dress

photos taken outside Kitchen Dog Theatre

Dress: Express Dress (old) - $18 (similar)

Belt:  scarf taken from abercrombie jean skirt (similar)

Necklace: eShakti Turquoise Stones Necklace - $25 c/o eShakti (buy) (similar) (similar)

Watch: Michael Kors "Small Runway" Rose Gold Watch - $127 with gc (buy)

Shoes: Guess Factory Silver Mary Jane Pumps (old) - 5.5 / $55 (similar)
Purse: Chanel M/L Lambskin Purse Replica - gifted from uncle (similar)

Today's post is an entry for this month's Petite Fashion Challenge (PFC), hosted by the lovely Jessy of The Little Dust Princess!  Here are the details of the challenge:

Challenge: "The Little Black Dress" 
A little black dress (LBD) is essential in every woman's wardrobe. It's always great for back-up if you run out of outfit ideas for a night out. Adding a pop of colour to your LBD will change up its look and make your dress a little less boring. For this challenge, add a pop of colour (or two) to your little black dress to change up the look. You could add anything from an accessory to a blazer, or even nail polish!

If you know me, you know I love colorful outfits (I started the Color Brigade for a reason!).  That's why when I read the month's petite fashion challenge as wearing an all-black dress, I kinda freaked.  SO. MUCH. BLACK!  Figuring out an outfit that was to my liking was definitely going to be a challenge for me.  :)

I found this little black dress on clearance at Express a couple years ago and, for less than $20, I figured it was a good buy since it was something that I could wear to work and not feel like I was overdressed (the modest knee-length hem and elbow-length sleeves are key).  But, in order to not look like I was going to a funeral, I had to jazz it up with a few fun pieces.

I used a fun multi-colored scarf and used it as a belt to add a little bit of visual interest to the all-black dress.  Not only does it add a good dose of color but it also cinches in the waist and gives the dress some shape.  I then took advantage of the blue-ish colors of the scarf and added a chunky turquoise necklace.  In general, I try not to layer necklaces onto cowl neck tops, but the shape of this necklace actually closely matched that of the cowl neck so it kinda worked in this case!

Some fun-colored shoes finish off the outfit.  While my new Menbur sequin shoes would have been perfect, they would've been too much for the office.  So I chose the next best thing:  some silver Mary Janes.

Oh, and the hair?  I totally learned this half-bun / donut technique from Angga.   :)

Don't forget to head on over to Jessy's blog to check out the rest of the PFC #7 entries!

Shop This Look:

Cocktail Dresses by Asos

P.S. In case you missed it:

• Color Brigade Vol 16 - Check 'em out!!  And have you entered yet?  ;)

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Sequin Berries

Cardi: White Cropped Cardigan (bought from sidewalk vendor) - no label (similar)

Tank: LOFT Abstract Print Shell - XXSP / $15 (similar)
Belt: Charlotte Russe Metallic Belt - S / $3.50 (similar)

Pants: Express Pleated Crop Pants - 00 / free with e-rewards gc (similar)
Watch: Michael Kors Rose Gold Watch - $127 (buy)

Shoes: Forever 21 Silver Braided Pumps - 6 (similar)
Purse: American Apparel Medium Carry All Pouch - $38 (buy - sign up for their newsletter for 15% off!)

First, a little aside.  I took a DSLR photography class last night and realized I was making a grave mistake in my camera settings:  I had my camera set on single-point focus instead of multi-point (more on focus points).  Hence the reason that half my pictures would turn out blurry!  If you've ever had those ah-ha moments when you realized that one simple trick that would fix all your problems, well, welcome to my world.  :)

And now, for my outfit today, I decided to play with proportions and wear both a cropped top and a cropped bottom.  I half debated between switching this cropped cardigan for a full-length one, but I kinda ended up liking the fit of this cropped one more.  Plus,it's got little sequin berries on the side.  And you can't say no to sequin fruit.  If only all decisions were so easy...  like figuring out wedding seating charts.  (Now you know what I'll be doing the rest of tonight...)

Shop This Look:

Cardigans by Mossimo

P.S. In case you missed it:

• Color Brigade Vol 16 - Check out some new colorful outfit combinations!

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A Hint of Mint

Top: H&M Coral Sweater - XS / $17.95 (similar)

Skirt: Urban Outfitters Silence + Noise Skirt - XS / $52 (similar - 7% back!) (similar)

Watch: Michael Kors Rose Gold Watch (MK 5430) - $127 (buy)

Necklace: Forever 21 Three-Layered Necklace with Beads - $6.80 (buy)

Bracelet: Forever 21 Stretch Bracelet (similar)

Shoes: BCBGeneration Buckle Pumps via Bakers - 5.5 (similar)

Purse: Chanel M/L Lambskin Flap Replica - gifted from uncle (similar - only $35!)

I convinced myself that I needed to wear something bright today. I needed a little color boost to get going this morning (no coffee for me) and this shirt was just the ticket! And while the original idea was to just pair this look with jeans, I ended up going with this skirt at the last minute.  I hate to admit this, but I actually paid full price for this skirt from Urban Outfitters!

This mistake was obviously made before I blogged and of course it was before I knew about the ridiculous sales that Urban Outfitters always has every few months.  And so because the cost per wear of this skirt was still ridiculous, it easily won out over my old pair of jeans.  Thank goodness I don't make all my fashion choices based on cost-per-wear.  Otherwise I'd probably be in the same J. Crew outfit every day.  And thank goodness I'm not an Anthro addict.  Yet.  :)

On a different note, I'm obsessed with minty greens this spring.  I definitely need more of this color in my wardrobe.  I've got the minty accessories covered, but I'm keeping my eyes peeled for something like this. It's too bad that it's out of stock in my size.  Actually, considering I'm on a shopping ban, it's definitely for the best. 

Shop This Look:

Longsleeve Tops by Topshop

P.S. In case you missed it:

• Color Brigade Vol 16 - Come join the link-up party and discover some new blogs!
• I won the Wear To Go Girls "Look of the Week"! 

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Color Brigade: Vol 16

Shirt: Banana Republic Pink Knit (old) - XS (similar)
Belt: Agaci Half Inch Skinny Belt in Pink - S / $3.25 (buy) (similar)
Flower: Elle Flower Hair Clip via Ulta - free with reward points (similar)

Skirt: Express High Waist Mini Bandage Skirt - 00 / free with e-rewards gc (buy - 3% back!)

Purse: American Apparel Medium Carry All Pouch - $38 (buy)
Watch: Michael Kors Rose Gold Watch (MK5430) - $127 (buy)
Necklace: Forever 21 Pearls (old) (similar)
Shoes: Forever 21 Chic Leatherette Stilettos - 5 / $15 (similar)

If you know me, you know I love colorful outfits. Recently though (as in, the past 3 days. fickle, much?), I've been into softer pastel colors instead of the brights. I blame all the Easter candy and wedding magazines for my recent pastel-colored inclinations, but I have to admit that the softer colors still make quite a fashion statement!  My colors:  pink, taupe, and mustard.

 Meanwhile, yours truly here is seriously behind on wedding planning.  I have 12 days to go.  Eek!!  I just finalized all the ceremony music yesterday and now need to draft up some ceremony programs.  It's gonna be a long night with just me and my printer...  :)

And so, it's time to link up to the Color Brigade!  While I'm slaving away over wedding details, I want to see some inspirational outfits!  :)  Link up your colorful outfits below:

<a href="http://www.cuteandlittle.com/search/label/color%20brigade"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QpF4YBXi0UA/TSnYvr5HXfI/AAAAAAAAFCw/NfOw7_yFP54/s1600/colorbrigadebtn.jpg"></a>

Add the Color Brigade button on your blog sidebar (copy the html provided).  Entries without this button will be removed.  Submit your link by clicking on the "Click here to enter" button at the bottom of this post.  Please have an outfit that combines at least 3 different colors.  Prints count as 1 color (e.g. leopard print = 1 color) In the "Link it to:" field, please provide the url of the specific post (not the url of your entire blog, lol). In the "Caption or Title:" field, list the different colors you're wearing.  Example: Gold, Cream, and Red. You're done!  Go back and check out the other amazing entries from members of the Color Brigade!

If Linky Tools is being flaky, try this link directly:  click me

Shop This Look:

Mini Skirts by Express

P.S. In case you missed it:

• Color Brigade Vol 15 - Check out last week's colorful outfits!
• My big sparkly Amrita Singh Teteo necklace makes an appearance!

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Too Much?

Cover: Forever 21 Lace Top - L / $13.80 (sides altered) (similar)

Tank: Express Pink Tank Top - XS (similar)

Belt: A'gaci Half Inch Skinny Belt - S / $3.25 (buy) (similar)

Skirt: American Apparel Pleated Skirt in Sand - S / $45.90 (buy) (similar)

Watch: Michael Kors Rose Gold Watch (MK 5430) - $127 (buy)

Bangles: Forever 21 Feminine Wrapped Bracelets - $6.80 (buy)

Shoes: Aldo Withey Pumps - 35 (buy)

Purse: YesStyle Sarah Quilted Purse - $93 (buy - 4% back) (similar)

Necklace: Amrita Singh Teteo via HauteLook - $38 (buy)

I think I might have overdone it with this necklace.  The original plan was to find a small, dainty necklace to add to this outfit, but when I saw this necklace hanging next to it, I decided to put it on just for grins.  And then, it ended being too pretty for me to take off (does that ever happen to you?)!

So even though this necklace is a bit too big and a bit too ornate on top of the lace, I decided to break some fashion rules and just go with it.  The purse and shoes did stay a nice neutral color though to balance everything out.  After all, gotta make sure the attention stays on the necklace, right? 

Meanwhile, Adrian and I bought deck furniture this weekend!!  I'm so excited.  Maybe I will have to take another rooftop deck picture once our deck is constructed and furnished.  :)

Shop This Look:

Shortsleeve Tops by Forever 21

:: Photo credits: Adrian (my fiance) ::

P.S. In case you missed it:

• Color Brigade Vol 15 - Vol 16 is coming up on Monday night (probably around 9-10pm)
• A teaser engagement picture of me and Adrian! 

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