Floral and Stripes in Blue

Boohoo midi skirt // J. Crew Factory wedges // Old Navy button down // Gap Jean Jacket // Rebecca Minkoff MAB tote // Urban Outfitters fedora // Pearl Anthropologie necklace (on sale for $15) // Michael Kors "Bradshaw" Watch // YSL glossy stain #9

This may be one of my favorite looks of all time. A midi skirt, a hat, and a fabulous bag. What's not to love. Not to mention this whole outfit, down to the wedges, are all super comfy... and also all available to buy! Every last piece!

Happy Friday! 

Braid Hawk from Gold Plaited

I few weeks back I was invited to Gold Plaited for a braiding event. I gave this gal free reign to do her thang and this complex and super-cool braid hawk is what I came out with. Pretty badass for a school teacher, huh? I even wore it the next day on a field trip to the Shedd Aquarium earning me some mild street cred with my middle schoolers! NOT easy to do!

J. Crew Sweater // Target Skirt (old but similar here) // Tote Bag // La Mer Watch // Shoemint Booties // Forever 21 Sunglasses (similar and a great deal!)// Lancome Lipstick // Sole Society Necklace

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First Day in Utah

As some of you may have seen via Instagram and Facebook, my husband and I recently took a mini-getaway to the mountains. 

It was for a combination of things, really. Our two-year wedding anniversary was the 8th of October; my birthday was the 22nd of October, and Andrew wanted to run a half marathon in the state he was born: Utah.

So this is were it all began! Park City, UT had great accommodations since it was the off season, so we stayed in a ridiculously fancy suite for less than $200 a night! We then went to visit the state capitol building, and then do a little shopping at City Creek Mall in Salt Lake City. A lovely way to begin our vacation. 

Stay tuned this week for more from our mountain adventure!

Sweater: J Crew Factory

Jeans: Theory

Blouse: Joe Fresh via JC Penny (on sale now!!)

Shoes: Zara

Purse: Target

Necklace: J Crew

Puffy vest: J Crew (old, but love this one)

Theme: Pattern Mixing Look Four

I was without a photographer for this day of the pattern-mixing challenge, so I decided to do some selfies in the mirror. I apologize in advance for the fingerprints on my mirror. Pretend they are a really cool bokeh effect from Picfx or something like that.

I hope that you all believe that this is still technically pattern mixing. After the first two days it became kind of hard, considering many of my patterned options were in the hamper. I still mixed the animal-print scarf with the abstract-patterned skirt and the metallic-knit sweater. What do you think? Does this still count?

On the plus side, you get a little peek into the bright yellow photo collage wall in my home! As I mentioned earlier this week, you can see my strategy for picking out patterned outfits: simply pulling out patterned pieces from my closet and tossing them into a pile to see what works. That pile has moved onto the bed as you can see. :)

Hat: J Crew Factory

Necklace: HRN original cuff

Sweater: H&M

Skirt: Forever 21

Leggings: Aritzia

Booties: ShoeMint: Francoise

Coat: Macys Nine West

Scarf: ??

And in case you want a little more pattern mixing, here is a shot from an outfit that didn't photograph very well! (probably because I was having a bad hair/face/skin/weather day.)

Polka-dot Chambray, Neon belt and geometric print skirt: J Crew Factory

Necklace and earrings: Forever 21

Theme: Pattern Mixing Look Two

This one got a few strange looks at work. One even asked "how one would even come up with this." The truth is, as you will see on Look Four, that I took a pile of patterended clothes out of the closet and it just so happend when they were lying there next to each other I noticed that the mix shockingly worked well together. Who knew?

This day it was snowing like mad outside so we took shelter for pictures under the train tracks! 

Dont forget, if you want to be featured on HOTPINKstyle in your mixed pattern outfit, email a pic or link my way by Thursday!

Cardigan: J. Crew Factory (buy here on sale)

Floral Blouse: Hive and Honey via Piperlime

Necklace: Forever 21 (see it worn here & here)

Belt and Hat: J. Crew Factory

Navy Cordury pencil skirt: J. Crew #2 pencil from last winter

Wedges: Target, (buy these Melindas here)

Almost Outside...

When it's too cold outside, my blogger friend Amy and I come up to this hallway/room to take pictures. And since it started snowing this day, the background was so pretty that we just got up in the window and pretended we were standing outside. What a nice illusion we created.

This outfit was going to be worn with a navy pencil skirt and tights but upon stepping into my pencil skirt the tights got caught on the hook clousre on the skirt and snagged a giant hole in them. My frustration led me to my trusty magic pants that never seem to let me down.

Button Down: J Crew Factory

Sweater: J Crew Factory Charley

Pants: "Magic" Pants from Express

Belt: J Crew

Necklace: Oia Jules via Etsy

Bracelet: Forever 21

Earrings: Forever 21 (buy here)

Booties: ShoeMint Francoise

Layered Neutrals

There is something just so glamorous about silk pants. 

I don't wear them often, but on this particular day I thought they seemed a comfortable choice (since they have an elastic waistband) to go with this rather neutral mix.

I'm also really loving this infinity scarf! It may sound weird, but this one has a lot of spring to it, and it stays up tight close to my face which has been much appreciated with the below-freezing temperatures we have had in Chicago lately.

My seemingly endless search to find the perfect year-round nude almond-toe wedge has finally come to an end with this super-affordable pair from Express. I know, I'm shocked too!

 

Infinity Cowl: dkjones on Etsy
Black and white collared blouse: Forever 21
Sweater: J. Crew Factory Outlet
Silk pants: H&M
Wedges: Express
Earrings: Forever 21
Tech Gloves: Nordstrom
Bag: ASOS