Pattern Play: Checks, Dots + Spots

I Spy: Mixing in the Feline in a Bee-line for Spy Girl's 52 Pick-Me-Up

I know what you're thinking: how does she make it look so damn easy? When it comes to print mixing, I'm a veritable idiot savant, yeah?

Outfit Post: Animal Overkill

Lions and tigers and leopards, oh my! Prowling the urban jungle in animal overkill.

How many animal references can you smoosh into an outfit? If you answer to the name of Bella, the answer is five.  As in three big cats and two servings of galavanting giraffe. Toss in a foxy Tyrolean plaid for no good reason, and we've got something to see on a Tuesday, don't we?

Outfit Post: Animal Instincts

Seattle Fashion Blogger: Trying my Hand at the Official Fashion Color of Seattle: Olive Green.

Put this in YOUR diary: this was the outfit that I finally felt like a real Seattle style blogger. Why? The elements are pure Pac-Northwest. No shocking sun-drenched brights, no short shorts or skirts, just a bit of punch to what seems to be the official color of Seattle, olive green. You will see loads of army green, olive drab, whatever you call it, but that color of green on twill that one associates with the military, you will see it all over the fine denizens of this fair city. Usually paired with fleece, and some running shoes.

Well, here, I am wearing it. Only no fleece, and definitely NO trainers.

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?

Outfit Post: Suburban Jungle

More urbane than urban is my latest play of flora and fauna. I love mixing it the way Mother Nature does - with florals + animal prints. You can see some previous incarnations here, here, and here. This time however, I think I lost some urban edge and added spinster spice. There is nothing edgy or dangerous to my look, just look how cute this '80's floral sundress is! Throwing on that sweater like a good grannie somehow gave me suburban vibes. Which looks tame and well, nice. As in, less likely to pull a switchblade on ya, more likely to serve up some ice cold lemonade.

Welcome to the jungle, dearies.

outfit post: Hello Seattle!

 

Layers make things right, here. The day these pictures were taken, it had snowed twice, hailed some, and then rained. Sandwiched between these flurries were a few hours of bright sunlight. I took the opportunity to take my first Seattle outfit post in this brief respite. These are the photos. I am wearing two dresses, one a thrift store score, a lovely striped cotton shirt dress by Norma Kamali. The other, my newest acquisition from Karina Dresses, a long sleeved black and white animal print shift dress.

I'd like to take a moment to introduce you to some local Seattle-area fashion blogs that I've recently discovered: 

• Thrifted Shift
• The Girlie Blog
• Fleur d'Elise
• Lindsay Living
• Jean of All Trades
• The Emerald Closet

I haven't met any of them yet, but I've chatted with a few via emails and Facebook. I'm looking forward in meeting them- hopefully soon.

outfit post: Call of the Wild

Hello friends! 

Today's outfit is a bit unusual for me in that I am NOT mixing prints. For once I'm dressing it straight- with one pattern only and for today it is the always stylish and perfect for Fall, the ANIMAL PRINT. The inspiration was my recent SCORE! from Freestyle Clothing Exchange. I've been wishing for animal print booties, but they have been beyond my meager budget. Ok, I'm supposed to be on a shopping ban, but when I saw the $30 price tag- the ban was temporarily lifted. They were EXACTLY what I wanted. 

For a quick + easy ensemble, I pulled out my chunky knit animal print cardi and a vintage scarf and threw on the uniform of a black t-shirt and shorts. And feeling quite the style-gal-pal with my abundance of kitty-kitty. Now I'm gearing up to pair the shooties with some plaid, some stripes and some serious lace. Anything. Everything. Because these shoes/booties are PURR-FECT.  

Oh, and since shopping ban was momentarily ignored, I also stopped by Crimson + Clover and had some fun with the latest jewelry offerings by Porkchop Rules.  I purchased 2 rings, and an amazing white leather cuff with a brass anchor buckle on it. You can barely see it in the pictures, so next time I wear it, I need to show a close up of it- it is super sweet!

Feeling the like the cat's meow in my mix of animal prints.