Soft Pop

Ever heard of a "soft pop of color"? Well if you have, I need to punch someone in the face because they stole my phrase that I just made up right now. Now check it: Shades of nude and stone grey with a subtle invasion of blue. That's what I call soft pop.

Personally, I wouldn't weigh it down with too many additions as each piece has it's own embellishment by way of ruffles, bows, and prints. Tuck in the blouse to show off the skirt's beaded waistband. Top shoe is for work; middle shoe is for drinks after work; bottom shoe is for first date with person you met while having drinks after work :) TTFN (& HAPPY NEW YEAR).

Coat: Wisen up coat, Modcloth.com, 69.99

Top: Flurry Up Top, Modcloth.com, 39.99

Skirt: Everyday Extraordinary Skirt, Modcloth.com, 89.99

Earrings: Don't Leaf Without Us Earrings, Modcloth.com, 15.99

Bag: Along For the Ride Bag, Modcloth.com, 84.99

Shoe (top): AK Anne Klein Jalissa, Piperlime.com, 79

Shoe (mid): Dolce Vita Twinka (grey suede), Piperlime.com, 135

Shoe (bottom): Sartorial Savvy Wedge, Modcloth.com, 44.99

Oops! Forgot one!!

Update: I made another designer desktop but I must have overlooked it, but today I found it! Enjoy & Happy New Year <3.

Pre-Fall 2011: Zac Posen

(Wo)Men in Black

I <3 BLACK. Wearing black hose with anything these days is a given, and it can easily turn spring/summer outfits into reasonably acceptable winterwear. I prefer sheer or semi-sheer black pantyhose; and if you have a black (faux) leather jacket, you've got it made.

Boots: Michael Antonio Halie, Piperlime.com, 70

Booties: Report Bowie, Piperlime.com, 130

Earrings: Juicy Couture Pave Pyramid Earrings, Piperlime.com, 48

Romper: A Gallop of Style Romper, Modcloth.com, 79.99

Bag: Street Level 78214, Piperlime.com, 60

Peep-toe Wedges (I die): Steve Madden Warrick, Piperlime.com, 89.99

I Heart Earth Tones

I'm a sucker for browns, nudes, grey, beige, khaki, forest green, etc. Being an earthy tone myself, I think these colors accentuate brown skin especially well, and this forest green dress is something I wish I had in my closet right now (the best thing about online shopping is that I can shop for spring/summer/winter clothes at any time of the year!). The shoes/bag on the left are one option; the ones on the right are another option; and the bracelet and earrings can be worn with both.

Dress: Women's Smocked Tie-Belt Dress, OldNavy.com, 34.50

Bracelet: Kenneth Cole New York Two Tone Bracelet, Piperlime.com, 45

Earrings: Gorjana Westerly Stud Earrings, Piperlime.com, 35

Shoes (left): Chinese Laundry Free Fallin, Piperlime.com, 89

Bag (left): Nine West Plain Jane Satchel, Piperlime.com, 89

Shoes (right): Steve Madden Annton, Piperlime.com, 99.99

Bag (right): Big Buddha Empire Grey, Piperlime.com,  95

The Rugged Indoors

Not really a fan of the outdoors but want to pay homage to those who are?

Voila!

Try the "I just pulled my boots on and I'm too cool to fix my pants" look by scrunching up the bottom of your pants around the top of your boots/your ankles (see below). But seriously, if it looks like a disaster, then please undo.

Now be aware that you might have to actually go OUTSIDE at some point, but don't stay out long because although this look is ruggedly sexy, like a wood nymph(o)...it is far from authentically durable so don't try anything stupid. Like hiking.

Pants: GAP.com, Perfect boot cords, 59.50; Shirt: OldNavy.com, Women's Classic Flannel Shirts purple, 22.50; Jacket: OldNavy.com, Women's Wool-Blend Bomber Jackets, 54.50; Boots (left to right): Piperlime.com, Franco Sarto Spa, 139; Piperlime.com, KensieGirl Ramina, 79; Piperlime.com, Not Rated Side Saddle, 59

omfg. so rugged.

A Christmas Miracle

Vera Wang

Not getting married anytime soon, but a woman can't be too prepared these days. So picked this one out for the special day. Hopefully, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson has already picked out what he's going to wear...

Jump(suit) for Joy

What did I tell you?

Jumpsuits are SO in!

I love me some jumpsuit, girl. In any decade. And now Style.com is showcasing new designers jumpsuit for evening. Ummmmm....day/night/afternoon/morning/playground/kitchen/beach/forest/Himalayas.....I'd wear a jumpsuit anywhere, anytime, no lie. I was going to preview my favs for you, buuuut I decided that this moment is so special that I'll just show you all of them.

From left to right: (top row) Celine, Louis Vuitton, Martin Grant, Gucci, Hakaan, Louis Vuitton; (bottom row) Marc Jacobs, Marchesa, Phoebe Philo wearing something simple and chic and unnamed, The Row, Trussardi 1911, Yves Saint Laurent.

For the record, I'm not a super fan of what supermodel Erin Wasson is wearing (the aqua blue-and-brown....thing (ok, I'm sure it's artistic, but whatever)). But other than that, I wouldn't return any of these if I got one for Christmas......

Designer Desktops

I usually change my desktop photos once a day (I have 4 years worth of archived fabulous runway photos...) but since my last final was yesterday, I was trying to fill in my newly-found free time with fun, time-consuming, useless but oh so necessary activities, including but not limited to desktop picture making. Consolidating all my favs from one runway show into one picture spread so I can look at them all at the same time. Genius....I haven't tried this yet, but thought I would preemptively share the magic. Enjoy. TTFN.

CAROLINA HERRERA: PRE-FALL 2011 (ABOVE)

BCBG MAX AZRIA: SPRING 2011

MONIQUE LHUILLIER: PRE-FALL 2011

NARCISO RODRIGUEZ: PRE-FALL 2011

Pre-Fall collections were just previewed on the runway, around December 10th. Therefore these are hot looks to display on your screen right now, and you'll look uber-vogue when people try-to-act-like-they're-not-but-really-are peeping at your computer.

Innie or Outtie?

I always wonder which pants I should and should not tuck into my boots...? I know skinny jeans and these new "jeggings" are best, but for people with carrot legs (big thighs that taper to skinny at the bottom) like me, these pants don't flatter my legs so I don't tend to buy them (EVER). So can I tuck boot leg pants into boots? With some imagination, long tube socks and duct tape, there's no stopping me. 

Shirt: Women's patterned western shirt, purple, Oldnavy.com, 24.50
Purse: Brooks braid microsuede cross-body bag, Delias.com, 34.50
Pants: Perfect boot cords, grey, Gap.com, 59.50
Boots: L.e.i. women's ariana tall scrunch boots, Walmart.com, 18.00

Winter is Here to Stay & So am I

I'm baaaaaaaaaaaaack

It's good to be back. I'm surprised all this stress in recent months has not beckoned me to online shop and create new things for you, but alas it has not. Never fear--I am with you now.

And just in time for winter: I am truly fond of sweater dresses, though--beware--on larger women it can start to look like a tennis ball. The scarf of hearts brings a youthful whimsy to the look. Sheer black pantyhose are a given. TTFL

Sweater: Women's Long Tie-Belt Wrap Jet Sweater Cardigan, OldNavy.com, 49.50

Sweater dress: Grey cable sweater dress, Delias.com, 39.50

Scarf: Dora heart scarf, Delias.com, 24.50

Bag: Brooks braid microsuede cross-body bag, Delias.com, 34.50

Shoes: B. Makowsky Island, Piperlime.com, 99.99