THE CITIZEN INDEX

Monday, March 18, 2013

Sprung

Crushing Out on My Newest Dress by Karina Dresses: The Gala
I really enjoy putting together my favorite things and having it turn out to be a great outfit. Today's outfit is a result of some wardrobe play for me. Emerald is having its day in the sun, and I can't help but become even more drawn to it, after all it is the color of Spring! And what's more spring right now than the trending (but never out of fashion) "color" combo of Black and White? Or animal prints? Or polka dots? So while it looks like I'm acting like a fashion victim wearing all the latest trends together, the result is a classic (if not a bit quirky) blossoming of chic. In fact I feel the silhouette looks a bit turn of the last century, what, with a dash of panache from a bowler hat and librarian oxford heels and all.

And my most recent crush? BUTTERFLIES! I had started a budding collection of butterfly broaches some time ago- but when I stumbled onto a stash of them for sale at my local Goodwill, I went butterfly crazy. These two little vintage broaches have been pinned on me for about 4 days now. What better way to wait for spring than to be sprung?


As editor (and subscriber) to the Karina Dresses monthly newsletter, I know that March's Dress O' The Month is...the Gala! So I used that knowledge as an excuse to order my second Gala dress, this one in one of my favorite animal prints: Cheetah. So it's my second Gala and SIXTH dress with a sweetheart neckline- and let me just say, it will NOT be my last. I've only recently discovered how flattering a sweetheart neckline can be. I love the way it sets off my, uh, collarbones!

If you want to stay in the loop to what's awesome and new for the Karina Nation, be sure to sign up for next month's newsletter. There's a boon of a great discount code every month for subscribers, so you can shop for your faves at a substantial savings. Click HERE to sign up.

Now Wearing: 
  • vintage straw bowler, shop HERE
  • pre-loved green raincoat, thrifted
  • vintage butterfly brooches, thrifted
  • Gala in silver cheetah c/o Karina Dresses
  • polka dot tights, similar HERE
  • Me Too oxfords, similar HERE
Use Coupon Code ROSC30 and Get $30 Off Your Karina Dresses Purchase

Linking to the highly visible Patti and pals for VISIBLE MONDAY

38 comments:

Patti said...

oooh, the Gala is divine! Love your look, with the vintage-y shoes and hat. Thanks for sharing it all with Visible Monday xoxoxoxo

Anonymous said...

I want those oxfords! Come to think of it, I want your dress, too. I need to show off my, er, collarbones, too LOL!
I need to go sub into the Karina newsletter and try to save up for one of their killer dresses!
You look like a spring blossom today ;-)

Spashionista (Alicia)

Pam @ over50feeling40 said...

This dress is a fabulous fit on your Bella!! What a great look and I love it with the hat! Happy St. Patty's Day!!

Unknown said...

Hi Bella~I DO love this dress on you! and I always love your poses; you are so creative.

Anne M Bray said...

Yes, your collarbones are nicely framed by the neckline! Everything about that dress is great. You are whittling down my will power... Once I get my taxes done, oh yeah! Maybe we'll be twinsies!

gracefully50 said...

Ooh la la! Love your sexy pose in the second pic! The hat, the butterfly, the dress & the green jacket is da bomb! Very beautiful look!

Amber of Butane Anvil said...

You are fabulous, great outfit! I adore your finishing touches - the dotty tights and green nails, perfection.

Susan B said...

Black+white+green=FANTASTICO!! Love that Gala dress on you.

Hollie Black-Ramsey said...

ooh laa laa! Delicious emerald jacket!

Jean at www.drossintogold.com said...

You are a styling genius. The dress IS fabulous, absolutely. Part of what makes it so good is that it can go in so many different directions, stylistically. I am blown away by your choices, as always. Your use of color and quirky personal touches makes it perfectly you. I adore this.

Gabriala Brown said...

Bella Q, I am loving all that blue! The dots, the animal print, the polka dots, it all WORKS! xo

Unknown said...

My gosh, Bella, YOU LOOK FANTASTIC IN THAT WRAP DRESS!!!! It is sooo flattering!!
Your silhouette for sure!

Are you sneaking into my back yard?
that background is EXACTLY LIKE THE SIDE OF MY HOUSE!

Unknown said...

Adorable dress! Fits you perfectly.

Monica
www.pear-shaped-gal.com

Unknown said...

PS, I want your boobs....
like on my bod, not in a weird way...

Anonymous said...

What a cooooooool dress! And I love how you've styled it. The green coat is so cool, as is the hat. I can't believe your luck in finding butterfly pins when that's exactly what you want!

Becky said...

Collecting butterfly brooches!! What a cute idea :)
Becky :)

Sara Kristiina said...

Such a sweet dress! Leopard print is so cute on you :)

Charlotte Issyvoo said...

It may be a cliche, but the wrap dress is extremely flattering to the curvy figure. I don't mean big figure. I mean curvy. Even when I was a size six (before my injury), wrap dresses looked good on my figure. They still do.

The shoes speak for their gorgeous selves.

I have silver and enamel Tiffany butterfly brooches that belonged to my grandmother. Thanks for reminding me! I'll wear them soon.

Melanie said...

You've taken a relatively simple dress and definitely made it your own with your hat, hose, and shoes. That's what style is all about. Great collarbones. Gorgeous, Bella.

Helga said...

Frigging FABULARSE, darl!!!
Can't beat animal print, and that is the sweetest style of frock! Love it with the green.
Butterflies! I remember having a brooch like the bigger of yours when i was a teen...bugger, whatever happened to it?!
XXX

Veshoevius said...

Great outfit - what makes it special is all that attention to detail in those great accessories, the brooches, the tights, the FAB shoes and the lovely straw hat!

Vix said...

Gorgeous dress made totally unique with the glorious green accessories and rocking nails! xxx

Kitty said...

Clash of the cheetah and tights is genius- but then you're always genius.xx.

The Dainty Dolls House said...

The outfit rocks, love the clash of things. Leopard print is always dandy. Have collected butterfly things for a long time, you got a wonderful piece!! Have a gorgeous week xx

Lady of Style said...

I love wrap dresses and this is fabulous!!

Annette
Lady of Style

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous dress (Cheetah--how can it not be??) Gorgeous lady and I love it with the emerald green. I shall be stealing this color combo!!

Krista said...

The dress shows off your sweet rocking bod and the butterfly pins are sweet who doesn't love a butterfly! Your pattern mixing never stops amazing and inspiring me.

I will see you soon Bella and we will play in Ballard...and go get Joni too!
XXOO

sabine ingerl said...

Playing in the wardrobe is so much fun, and watching others playing as well. With your cute dress and how you combined it you gave me an idea what to add to my newly thrifted vintage dress. You look so fantastic.

Miss Simmonds Says said...

I have that exact hat in blue courtesy of Princess Pru, it's really great on you. Love the leopard print with that green raincoat, really nice. xxxx

Flora Cruft said...

Hello to the coolest leopard on the bloggersphere grrrr, you look stunning in that dress! I love all the green touches too, and those shoes are brilliant. What a great post!

Unknown said...

just love the vintage and modern look!
Awesome styling lovely Bella!

Ariane xxx

Diane @ Haute Flashion said...

Oh, to have such collarbones! You are truly blessed. I guess I'll have to wait until they invent silicone collarbone augmentation...

Until then, you are my styling hero! I missed the celebration a few days ago when you announced that you are seizing the moment and stepping out on the exhilarating path of entrepreneurship. Your passion will carry you far as you turn your dreams into reality. You have many excited fans who are cheering you on! Not to mention, shopping your amazing finds!

Unknown said...

Very vampy in your Karina dress, with just a hint of innocent school girl. Butterflies are always collectible, and you've got wearable ones.
Pretty all around.
Thanks for the smile!
J

The Style Crone said...

You are the picture of spring in you Gala with green raincoat and vintage straw boater. So inspiring as I watch the first crocus push through the soil in my garden.

I have one of your butterflies flying through my pin collection, and it's going to have its first outing this week, I'm sure.

Please may I? said...

You look fabulous in that dress hun. And I'm loving the green coat, I do love a bit of green.

But lets talk shoes....... Pretty, stylish, vintage and shiny all rolled into one! Amazing.

X x

SeƱora Allnut said...

love your classic blossoming of chic!, the green trench, the pretty hat and that fabulous printed dress fit you like a dream, and love your oxford shoes!
you're always inspiring and gorgeous!
besos

ZalinaW said...

You are making me "green" with envy, I love the wrap dress.

Anonymous said...

You are the Style Queen! The way you bring your creativity, artistry and imagination to an ensemble is amazing. I sooo want that hat. It's once again time for my Easter Bonnet Tea party and I'm looking for the perfect hat. If I order it tomorrow when do you think I'll receive it?