pay day play: $102 jcpenney outfit idea

Man, nothing says happy day like a paycheck. To celebrate these blessed days, I'm pulling together one, decently priced outfit from a selected store every other Friday. This week, I wanted to experiment with mixing patterns and colors. The key to successfully accomplishing this is to find balance. Make sure the colors are complimentary and one pattern is larger or simpler than the other. Happy spending!

sweater / blouse / pant / necklace / julianne hough / heels

how to: black and navy outfitting.

A month ago, a friend of mine asked whether it was okay to wear navy and black together. She'd read the color combo was thought of as chic and I couldn't agree more. Pairing navy and black is a little unconventional compared to what your mother may have taught you but it most certainly can be done in a way that looks confident, sophisticated and pulled together. As long as you keep a few things in mind:

1. Always choose one of the neutrals to act as the accent color. Treat as you would a red, yellow or green and ground the garment with what you've identified as the neutral color.
2. Include a variety of textures to keep the look visually interesting and modern. Try pairing knits with leather or suedes with satin to make each piece distinct. 
3. Keep it simple. Focus on clean, classic lines with minimal accessorizing. If you want to incorporate an embellished garment, simplify the rest of the outfit as much as possible to create a focal point. 

pumps at dsw / sweater at zara / snake ring at etsy / skirt at h and m / bag at zappos / alicia keys

how to: layer an outfit for cold weather.

After spending some time back in Ohio for the holidays, I was reminded of how difficult it can be to dress for cold weather. Especially when stopping by the homes of family and friends where you have zero control over the thermostat. I'm convinced this is the exact reason why layering became a 'thing'.

cardigan at asos / necklaces by Layered and Long / jeans by gap / flannel by gap / leopard sweater at asos / combat boots at dsw

As you navigate through chilly, stuffy, boiling hot and frigid homes, the key to good layering is being able to assemble an outfit that looks great no matter how many (or how few) layers you have on. 

1. Choose a flannel, graphic tunic or simple blouse as your first layer. They're able to stand alone and you can even fashionably roll the sleeves if/when it gets too warm.
2. Layer sweaters with different thicknesses to help adapt to whatever temperature that comes your way. I always go thin pullover and add a thicker cardigan I can use however I need to. It's less obvious than hanging out in your coat and can be worn with or without the lighter weight sweater. 
3. Opt for leather or suede shoes you can wear socks with. After being properly sprayed, these shoe coverings keep feet dry in case of snow, sleet or rain. And if you choose shoe types that allow socks (i.e. combat boots, booties, oxfords), you won't run the risk of having frozen toes if the host requires everyone to leave their shoes at the door. 

santa cruz: relaxed and casual outfit idea.

h and m / gap / asos / ray-ban via asos / asos / j.crew / vans via zappos

Our next stop on last weekend's coastal adventure was Santa Cruz, CA. While Monterey and Santa Cruz are only 30-ish miles apart from each other, the vibes are completely different. Santa Cruz had a much more relaxed air about it - and our activities proved that. We drove around for a second, found a parking spot and spent majority of the day on a blanket watching surfers and sea lions at the beach. Way more casual and the perfect end to a fantastic weekend trip. 

tip: Carry a pack of cards in your purse whenever traveling. You never know when they'll come in handy. 

day trip outfit idea: monterey, ca.

h and m / gap / gemma arterton / madden girl via dsw / avnis via etsy / chicnova / b and h photo

Spent a day in Monterey, CA this weekend and it was G.O.R.G.E.O.U.S. The little coastal town was filled with cute cafes, quaint clothing shops and treasure-filled thrift stores. I wanted to spend the entire day in them but we were on a mission to see the sights. And what a good choice it was. We saw sea lions swimming in the ocean, endless beaches, rocky cliffs and extremely high bridges (eek!). A definite revisit. Loved it!

tip: Don't leave your camera at home just because you don't want to lug around the ugly bag it's in. There are plenty of options out there that can double as a handbag that are cute and 100% functional.

pinspiration: california cozy.

via metropolitan musings

Shorts and a sweater is the perfect combination to transition from the cool California mornings into the warm-but-not-hot afternoons. The suede loafers pull the whole look together - one I might try to sport during a weekend trip to Santa Cruz and Monterey. 

Happy Friday!

how to wear them: overalls three ways.

Hi, I just ordered these overalls (sorry Jim!). I love the idea of dressing them up and having them to dress down for errands and things. The trick is to think of them as a jumper vs. farmer clothes. Here are a couple of ideas I've been tossing around on what to wear with them. 

she inside / bar argent via etsy / dsw / modcloth

she inside / kenneth cole via wilsons leather / back country / dsw / canvas

she inside / ruche / etsy / dsw / etsy

tip: Roll overalls and pair with heels to lengthen legs and make the look more feminine. If you have to go with flats, opt for ones with hardware to keep the look feminine and chic.