3 Festive Outfits for 4th of July

1.  Boden fitted dress
2.  Red dress
3.  Superdry crop tee
4.  Gap light blue jean jacket 
5.  Dorothy Perkins mid calf denim skirt 
6.  Seychelles braided wedge sandal 
7.  Sole Society white wedge sandals 
8.  FOSSIL navy blue tote bag
9.  Sperry Top Sider preppy jewelry 
10. Madewell evening shawl 
11. J Crew cotton baseball cap 
12. Navy blue hair accessory

I've always loved the July 4th holiday.  It's just the climax of everything SUMMER...the barbecues, the fireworks and of course, my favorite color, navy.   It's fun dressing for the holiday, but it's so challenging to be festive without looking like an actual, you know, American flag.  So I pulled some options I together using pieces similar to what I already own. May you be inspired, mah dears!

---

Color Scheming: Scenes of Arles 2

Contrasting Colors

Women who lean towards styling with contrasting colors are often fearless in their choices. Some of my favorite fashion bloggers have a color beast within...their looks are always bold, color intense and shocking (but pleasantly so). Using colors that contrast with a piece is never about being matchy-matchy--but rather, about playing colors against each other.

Look 1

1. Anthro Four Petal top
2. Scenes of Arles skirt
3. Steve Madden ballet shoes
4. Kate spade handbag
5. FOSSIL rose gold watch
6. Yves Saint Laurent cashmere scarve
7. Sophia Shades

A lot of times, using contrasting colors can make you look like you don't care...they seem effortless, like you just rolled out of bed and threw on the first things you saw, but more often than not, the look is very thought out. I think this look sends a message that the woman wearing it is comfortable, cohesive, and completely unconcerned by what others think.

Look 2

1. J Crew Jackie Cardigan
2. Anthro Scenes of Arles
3. Chinese Laundry leather shoes
4. FOSSIL satchel handbag
5. FOSSIL dial watch
6. J Crew vintage leather belt
7. H&m sunglasses
8. J Crew Buffalo check boy shirt

At first glance, this look is all over the place, but while the colors might seem crazy, notice how the brown accessories ground the overall effect. The caramel toned accessories serve to both enforce and calm the effects the oranges. They appear at every level...feet, waist, shoulder, eyes...to ground the entire ensemble and leave other women wondering, "How does she pull that off?" =)

Look 3

1. J Crew chiffon top
2. J Crew camisole tank top
3. Scenes of Arles skirt
4. Seychelles vintage style pumps
5. Fossil watch
6. H M scarve

This is a great example of how contrasting color choices don't have to be extreme. Black and white is the ultimate contrast to anything, so once you've added those, all you need is another small pop of color. Also, as with coordinating colors, playing patterns against each other is always interesting. Here, there are actually three...the bow in the tank, the skirt, and the striped scarf.

Which look is your favorite, and would you actually wear it...or are these looks merely interesting to look at? =) Much love, mah dears.

Dress Giveaway!

This Giveaway is Closed.

I recently got inspired to take all the items out of my closet that I haven't worn for years and either get rid of them or rework them into something pretty.

This is one of those dresses--a Simply Vera dress that used to look like this.

The dress was pretty enough, but so simple I just never got inspired to wear it, though I'm sure Vera Wang would croak if she knew I'd slapped so much extra on her dress...hehehe

I posted the tutorial for all the elements I added here--a bit of flutter at the hem, a little fluff on the shoulder and even a ruffled waistband.

Suddenly, this dress is something I'd pull out for any special occasion, especially with the holidays just around the corner, every girl needs a little something sweet to don for all those concerts and parties!

But wait!!! Did I forget to mention?????

This dress is for...

No seriously. It is.

I'm giving it away to one of you. It's made out of a thick knit, so it'll be perfect for fall and winter with tights!

The approximate measurements lying flat are:

Bust: 14in. (with pleats and yoke sleeves there's plenty of room here.

Waist: 13in. stretches to 20 in.

Length from waist: 23 in.

Total length: 39 in.

I'm going to let random.org choose a winner in one week. You will be entered to qualify by:

--Linking this post to your Facebook page, button below (Friend me while you're there, that would be awesome! I just recently got my own Facebook page, so I'm looking for new friends.)

You can also get extra entries by:

--Following this blog with the button in the sidebar (you DO NOT need to be a follower to enter, but if you decide to follow this week, you'll get an extra entry.)

--Follow me on Twitter

--Follow me on Bloglovin'

Make sure to leave a comment below about what entries you chose and an e-mail contact.

(Seychelles Veronica Pumps, Anthro Enchanted Eyes Belt)

Wearing: Tucker

Yes, I know...there's a cow in my picture, but she and her offspring wouldn't move, so I thought,

Come on, Kristina...you live in Farmland, USA, you might as well embrace it.

My mother and I had this conversation about neck-tie blouses and her reaction was,

"Do we have to go there again?"

"Why yes, apparently we DO, Mom. And as you know, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, so just consider this look a homage to your late 80's wardrobe."

(Tucker for Target Tie-Front Blouse, J.CREW herringbone skirt, Anthropologie Looping Lanes belt and HUE tights, MIA Girl Trainee Boot)

I changed it up a bit for evening.

(Banana Republic skirt, F21 tights, Seychelles Kiss At Midnight Pumps)

Making it Work: In a Twinkling Dress

It's almost embarrassing how often I wear this dress

(but not embarrassing enough to keep me from wearing it.)

Besides, with the cooler weather, it's just too tempting

not to try it with new things.

And from what I've seen in bloggy-land, there really isn't anything that doesn't work with this dress.

#1 The "Yay-Fall-is-Here" Day

(Anthro In a Twinkling Dress, Looping Lanes Belt, Hue Tights, J.Crew Ruffle Cardigan, Seychelles Blimey Oxfords)

#2 Work

(J.Crew gold lame' button-up and Gold Patent belt, UO t-straps

# 3 Family Date Night

(Is there any other kind with three children under 5?)

(Anthro Field Game Cardi, J.CREW Gold Patent Belt, UO Ruffle Flats)

#4 Morning Trip to the Arts Garden

(Gap Embellished T-Shirt, Vintage Vest, Anthropologie Fastened and Knotted Belt, F21 Tights, Uo Flats)

Same outfit later in the day, minus the vest.

#5 "Inspired by those English Girls" Outfit

(Anthro J.Crew Ginny Cardi, Mystery Belt, Extra Zest Clip, Hue tights, Seychelles Blimey Oxfords, Target Cloche)

#6 Church

(J.CREW Pink Patent Belt, LOFT petal cardigan, UO T-straps)

#7 Dinner Out

(Banana Republic Dress, worn as blouse, LOFT double wrap belt, UO Pumps)

So, what about you? Please tell me I'm not the only one who absolutely loves all the possibilities this dress brings to a girl's wardrobe.