Black and White: Color Block and Dots

As I talked about last week on this post (check it out for my B&W picks), the black-and-white trend is where it's at right now! 

Of course it just wouldn't be my style to wear this trend in an easy way. I added some interest to it by mixing my polka-dot blouse with this color-blocked skirt. 

Add in a hot pink lip and there you have a fun take on the black-and-white trend.

Blouse: (old) H&M

Necklace, Skirt and Bracelet: (Old) Forever 21

Pumps: Cole Haan (my most comfy pump on crazy sale here)

Lips: Smash Box "Fuchsia Flash"

Theme: Pattern Mixing, Look One

The accidental black & white theme from two weeks ago led me to start thinking: what if I tried to challenge myself to a specific them each week?

Last week I started with a bold choice when I asked Amy if she would like to participate in a pattern mixing outfit theme for the WHOLE WEEK!

I'm not going to lie and say it was easy, in fact it was a rather hard one to stick with, considering we had mountains of snow and rivers of slush everywhere. Kind of makes it hard to wear floral skirts when you are sentenced to snow boots!

I gave it my best and started with a bang, mixing three patterns (the trifecta as it became known by the end of the week) AND a bold-colored bag! 

This whole thing works because of the colors. The blue is a central theme in all the pieces and the blazer's plaid print is just faint enough to work without overpowering the whole thing. I swear to you, I didn't get one strange look all day!

I was quite proud of myself for making this seemingly crazy outfit work. What do you think of the whole pattern mixing trend? What patterns are you loving to mix?

If you are feeling bold and would like to try out pattern mixing yourself, send me a picture or a link in your best mixed-pattern look to be featured on HOTPINKstyle this Friday!

Skirt: Anthropologie (old)

Gingham button down: J. Crew Factory (buy it here)

Blazer: Target 

Bag: Target (not available online anymore, but check store availability here)

Watch: Charming Charlies

Tights: DKNY

Black pumps: Cole Haan

Necklace: C/O Lia Sophia Jacqueline Necklace

Earrings: Forever 21 (buy here for $5.80)

Hot Pink Windowpane

Another cold day, another bathroom photo shoot. You probably didn't need to know that this was taken in my work bathroom but oh well, there it is. 

I had been eyeing this windowpane silk J Crew top for a while, like I do anything pink and sold at J Crew.

One morning over my Christmas break, a lovely man from J Crew called me. To my surprise he asked me if I'd like to come by and pick up a bag from one of their holiday displays -- I had asked a few weeks prior if they would donate their old decorations for my classroom -- and he remembered! Of course, while I was there picking them up I spotted this top again, but this time on sale as well as a fabulous tweed dress. With the 30% off sale prices and then my 15% off teacher discount on top of that, I couldn't resist! 

Aside from awesome customer service and great clothes, now they have also helped my classroom! Just one more reason to love J Crew!

"Magic" Pants: Express

Heels: Cole Hann

Silk boy shirt in Windowpane: J Crew

Earrings: Francesca's

Necklace: Forever 21

Remember Last Week?

Remember last week when it was 80 out? Yeah, not so much today. I still have the memory of the warm weather looking at these pics though!

I'm ashamed to admit it but I have had these purple pants long enough to have paid full price for them from J Crew months back but had just now gotten around to wearing them now. Ridiculous, I know! So if your interested they are now on sale at stores well under what I paid for them.

Black Peplum Top: Topshop, Purple Minnie Pant: J Crew, Heels: Cole Haan, Braided Necklace: Forever 21, Sweater coat in my hand: White House Black Market.