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 Three

This was a really hard day for pattern mixing. It was so icy, I really didn't even know what shoes to wear, let alone how to mix patterns together. Add to that the possibility of falling on the ice with every step and the cold wind, and it made for some silly pictures.

I played it safe with all black-and-white patterns. But hey, it still counts as patterns! I even managed to make that trifecta I talked about on Monday: three patterns in one outfit! Dots, bows and stripes.

I wore my glasses, which pretty much was the highlight of my students' day. They always notice the smallest changes I make to my appearance.

Dont forget to send me a picture of your pattern mixing successes to be featured on Friday's final pattern mixing post!

Pants: Forever 21

Striped Blouse: The Limited

Sweater: Forever 21

Scarf: J Crew

Hat: Nordstrom Rack

Necklace: Vintage via Ebay 

Lips: Up the Amp by MAC

I will leave you with this shot. I'm not sure what was really going on but it looks like I'm busting out some sweet dance moves...

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)

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)

Pop of Purple

To complete my week of black-and-white themed outfits, I snuck a small dose of the trend in on jeans day in the form of my J. Crew Snowcat shirt. I love how it added both interest and warmth under this cheery shade of purple. The hat was just out of necessity, much like the hunters were two days back.

This weekend brings one of my favorite bi-yearly events here in Chicago, the Nordstrom Cosmetics Trend Show. At last season's show, I not only forgot to put the battery back in the camera, but also watched in horror as the camera face-planted -- lens straight to the ground -- off a chair and broke. Between the Nordstrom purchases and the camera lens replacement, it was an expensive day. Let's hope that my camera stays safe this time in its double-protected bag!

Next week, a new fun "fashion challenge" theme will be chronicled over here on HOTPINKstyle! More on that Monday!

Last week was black-and-white; any guesses on what next week's theme could be? Or any future outfit suggestions/challenges you want to throw my way? I'd love to hear them in the comments below!

Have a great weekend and thanks for stopping by.

Booties: ShoeMint Holly

Jeans: Zara (similar)

 Snowcat Button-down: J. Crew

Sweater: J. Crew (Tippi)

Nails: OPI in Cajun Shrimp

Hat: Nordstrom Rack (similar here)

Chain Bracelet: Forever 21

Wrap Watch: Le Mer (buy same here) from Stitch in Bucktown