Pastel Pants in Winter!

I am now interrupting this three-day black-and-white theme to talk about COLOR -- colored denim, specifically pastel denim. 

It seems that when all the spring collections came along, all we saw in stores was pastels. And now with snow still covering the ground, fashionistas everywhere are trying to figure out ways to add pastels into their winter wear.

I decided to try the same, considering Amy and I bought these lavender pants a few weeks back and had both been itching to wear them.  Amy did an awesome job styling them; see her look here.

I think the trick is to not go too dark in color or too heavy in fabric on top. If choosing a dark color on top, make it a loose knit or something with a fun print to break up the heaviness like my stylish friend Erica (pictured below) did with this sweater, mint jeans and black fringe booties.

It can be done ladies!

I'm also loving the extra layer of warmth in the form of polka-dotted socks where the fear of a naked ankles used to be. Why not roll them pastel pants up a little bit and show off those cute socks! I got these at H&M in a two-pack for $1.00!!

Erica trying out the trend

Pin: Grandmas Aurora Borealis

Necklace: HRN

Turtleneck: H&M(old)

Pants: Forever 21

Socks H&M (recent)

Booties: Clarks

Bracelet: Oia Jules

And now, my quest to find the perfect neon coral jeans. I was first made entirely obsessed with these jeans by Rachel over at Pink Peonies when she styled them in four ways that work in current temperatures. Major fashion inspiration!!

So first I went to buy the exact ones, begrudgingly paying full price. $70.

The next week I saw a pair that looked almost identical at Target for $28. They were not nearly as comfortable but for 40 fewer dollars, I'll deal.

Then on an always-enjoyable trip to JC Penny in the 'burbs, I stumbled upon a solo pair on a clearance rack for 14 bucks! I had a winner!!

And now the true test, can you tell them apart at all really? (Answers below)

Top to bottom: 1. Target $28  2. Gap (now on sale for $54)  3. JC Penny $14

Black & White with a Splash of Red

Here's that "color" I promised you yesterday. it comes in the form of my new H&M scarf. I wasn't sure I wanted to keep this scarf until I tried it with this combo. I thought it really completed the look, plus it's light enough to wear into the spring and maybe even the summer.

The Hunters were worn out of complete necessity, considering the Chicago streets are nothing but slush.

This is also my second attempt (here first) at the "curing my hair and leaving the ends out" technique. I find that this is a lot harder than it seems because it really matters what direction the ends are sticking out of the curling iron/flat iron. It's a science I'm learning to perfect. What do you think of the curls?

Scarf: H&M (recent)

Jacket: Zara

White top & Pants: Express

Boots: Hunter

Lips: Smashbox in Mandarin

More Black & White

What's that, you say? I'm wearing the same thing as yesterday? Well not exactly but almost. I told you I've been wearing pretty much nothing but black and white lately. Technically this is black and gray. Don't worry, I promise to throw in some color tomorrow!

As I mentioned last Thursday, all these layers have been needed for basic warmth at work. What you're seeing here is three layers on top! That's right, there is a long-sleeve charcoal tee under that sweater, then a faux shearling and leather vest on top that you may remember from a recent layered outfit post.

Sweater: Stylemint Feemont 

Vest and necklace: Forever 21 (old)

Pants: Express "magic pants"

Booties: Old Navy

Nails: OPI in Cajun Shrimp

Bows, Polka Dots and Fur

This "new" black-and-white trend has taken over the way I dressed this past week. I noticed it worked its way into just about every outfit I put together. I could just blame it on the trend, but I'm wondering if it goes a bit deeper.

You see, I think we all use black as a safety color. It's slimming, forgiving and matches with everything. I find whenever I'm feeling a little on the larger side or uninspired, I veer toward black as I'm sure many of you do. I may have been feeling a little of that this week. What I'm hoping, though, is that the ease of this trend doesn't send me into a self-indulgent pizza binge just because I can disguise the damage behind my black magic pants.

Good luck to you all and just remember, spring is just around the corner which means no more hiding under big furry vests and layers.

 I noticed that black and white REALLY makes my red hair stand out! 

Blouse: Forever 21 

Fur Vest: Forever 21

Boots: Etienne Aigner (Celtic)

Bow Scarf: J. Crew

Lips: Revlon balm stick in Romantic

Bow/pearl earrings: Kate Spade

Timeless Tweed Dress

I think I wanted this dress even before I knew of it's existence. A dress made of tweed with a pencil skirt? We were made for each other. I hadn't even worn this dress until now, and I got it way back over winter break. I was saving it for an occasion worthy of its lady-like charm.

I decided to wear it to my friend Emily's church wedding ceremony. I think it was perfect for the cold winter's day occasion, and will be perfect for many more classy occasions for years to come.

These earrings are two of the three of them I own. Not pairs, just three individual earrings. The first time I bought them I lost one somewhere in my house. We nearly tore the whole place apart looking and it STILL hasn't turned up. I saw them on clearance for $1.99 at Forever 21 so I bought them again. Now I have three, just in case another goes missing I'll have a backup.

Tights: Forever 21 ($6.80)

Dress: J. Crew

Belt: J. Crew Factory

Shoes: Nine West

Nails: Forever 21

Earrings: Forever 21

Bracelet: J. Crew (worn at my own wedding)