The Power Of A Flower :: black skinny jeans + floral blouse + fedora

An all-black look is great - but you know what's even better? All black with a splash of personality! That's right, nothing beats good old fashioned floral print, especially in tropical colors AND during springtime. The contrast against a totally black backdrop is beyond spectacular. 

With spring coming in hot on March 20th, I'm loving everything floral, bright, and colorful. This blouse is such a brilliant top and it's absolutely perfect for this transitional weather due to its fabric, structure, and neutral background. I love pairing it with all black everything because it pops so well and really makes a statement. Doesn't it remind you of a painting? 

Holey black jeans are back in for spring! These skinnies are a total favorite of mine and honestly it was so sad because I literally had no idea where they were for almost a year. Just recently my dad found them in the back of my family's minivan buried under newspapers - I don't want to think about how they got there. But my dad saw the holes in them and almost THREW THEM OUT! Dad! Holes are FASHIONABLE now! These may just be my lucky jeans ;) 

Time to whip out your fedora again! Spring is total fedora weather and let's just say, I don't hate it. These classic toppers are sometimes the BEST way to cap off a look. They're effortless and endlessly stylish. 

My necklace completely matches! Amazing, right? I love when accessories compliment the main show SO well that it looks like the pieces were made for each other. This extra pop of aqua is so fun and really serves to pull the whole look together.  

I got a bit colorful with my other jewelry pieces too, incorporating more turquoise and then adding a splash of pink. And of course I couldn't resist matching my nails. Is it obvious yet that I'm SO ready for spring? ...But it's the little things that can help tide you over, you know?

I went with flower earrings to imitate my floral top, however, I picked a totally neutral pair as not to compete with the main attraction. Rose gold is a great option when you want to wear something that stands out yet blends in at the same time. It's the "nude pump" of the metal department. 

Soft makeup complete with a pale pink lip and shades of bronze swiped across your lids is a no-fail option when it comes to looking perfectly polished in the daytime. To get the full effect, brush some light pink blush on the apples of your cheeks and don't forget about a touch of bronzer on your nose and underneath your blush line. 

Peep-toe booties are a must-have for every fall and spring. When it's not too hot, but also not too cold, these babies will provide you with temperature comfort, ventilation, and the best part? Duh - you get to show off your pedi! 

Photos by Dan Harper

[blouse: Anthropologie (old, but I also like this one) // jeans: Gap (super similar pair here) // booties: Old Navy (super similar here) // hat: Urban Outfitters (similar here) // necklace: Kate Spade (I also like this one) // earrings: Kate Spade (I also like this pair) // gold link bracelet: Stella & Dot // heart tag bracelet: Tiffany & Co. // nail polish: Sephora's Formula X // eyeshadow: Urban Decay's Naked palette // lipstick: "Obsessed" by Urban Decay] 

These photos were taken a while ago when I was back home in the Chicago area. And I'm sure you've noticed my special guest - the adorable Cody! I love featuring the family dog in my photos, I mean, just LOOK at that FACE!

I'm loving this type of weekend look for this time of year because it's honestly got everything you need to stay warm without a jacket, but it also has a springlike air to it. When dressing for spring, think: straw fedora, florals, brights, peep-toe booties. Those are your key pieces until the temps rise! 

SHOP ::

Pretty In Pink :: blush peacoat + girlfriend jeans + metallic oxfords

You guys - how many people are PUMPED that spring is finally in the air? This girl sure is! The week has been beyond gorgeous so far, which means I obviously couldn't help breaking out some fun, new springtime pieces that I've been dying to share. After all, similar to autumn, spring is a great season for fashion experimentation and inspiration. The combos and possibilities are endless!

Let's start with this to-die-for peacoat. Blush is my new jam and I've been collecting all sorts of pieces in this same hue (as you can see), but to snag such a statement piece in this delicate shade was a true find! It's the ULTIMATE springtime jacket and I've literally been wearing it everywhere. It's so fun to dress up or down and it's just so feminine and delicious - I can't get enough! 

Surprise - more tones of blush! My mom picked out this tee for me and right away I couldn't wait to pair it with my coat. The two pieces are from different brands but they match perfectly, which I just love! The golden stripes prevent the look from appearing too matchy-matchy. And better yet? Stripes are on FIRE this season. I have this same stripped tee in three different colors...but it's not like I have an obsession or anything ;)

I had to bring the blush theme full circle by incorporating a killer, matching accessory into my look. This clutch is a perfect copy! Seriously, blush is such an amazing color for spring. Get on that! 

You are going to be seeing a lot of these jeans this season - and not just on me! Girlfriend jeans are the denim style to know now and let me be the first to warn you, you will fall in LOVE with these babies so buy them in pairs! There's never been a more no-brainer weekend look. 

Cluster necklaces are yet another up-and-coming trend. I love how this one has hints of pink in it - it helps tie my whole look together. A cluster necklace will also give your outfit a whimsical vibe, which is SO spring! ...Do you sense a pattern here?

Since my necklace is a bit on the busy side, I went with super simple yet super complimentary stud earrings. These rose gold beauties by Alexis Bittar are totally minimal yet totally gorgeous. 

Metallic shoes, baby! I absolutely love these old-school oxfords with a modern flair. I wear them with everything and they always look chic. Plus, I see metallic oxfords similar to these almost every day on the streets of NYC. The trend is HUGE...and comfy...and practical.

I was very tempted to go with a nude lip for this look. However, I opted for a bright pink shade in the end, which is totally the opposite of subtle. I made the snap decision because springtime is all about color and energy and I wanted to really emulate that optimism. On my eyelids I dusted moody shades of pink using Naked 3. 

 Photos by Antonio Owens

[coat: Ann Taylor // tee: J.Crew // girlfriend jeans: Gap // oxfords: Clark's (similar here) // clutch: Ann Taylor (similar here) // necklace: J.Crew (also liked this one) // earrings: Alexis Bittar // watch: Fossil // eyeshadow palette: Naked 3 // lipstick: Bite Beauty]

 Not to give away my secrets or anything, but these photos were actually taken on an iPhone 6! I thought it'd be interesting to switch up my aesthetic a little bit and try something new. It was basically just an experiment because I've only ever worked with DSLRs, but in the end, I deemed the results good enough to publish. 

My lovely boyfriend is also making his photography debut with these pics - pretty good for his first time, right? I'd love to hear from you guys though: what do you think about using a phone to take blog pictures? Do you have any tips? 

 SHOP :: 

Spice It Up :: feathered skirt + burgundy bow tie blouse

Spicing up your life is never a bad thing, right? From taking a new route to work to trying an unfamiliar brunch spot on the weekend, mixing it up can entail a wide range of nuances, big or small. One of MY favorite ways to instigate and embrace change? My wardrobe - duh! 

Let's start with this skirt: I loved this sassy little number when I laid eyes on it, but honestly, I wasn't quite sure I could pull it off. A piece like this is a tad out of my comfort zone (at least it WAS...not anymore), but I decided to go for it anyway in an effort to - you guessed it - spice up my style! Now I'm so glad I have it in my arsenal as it's a WAY fiercer option that just a regular plain black skirt. Adding this one piece to my closet really turned out to be the perfect way to incorporate some pizazz into my fashion choices, and my life ;)

And I mean...who can resist that epic twirl action? LOVE!

Another way to add some new flavor to the pot is to swap your everyday basics for something a bit more colorful and unique. I opted for a bow tie blouse in a bold shade rather than my go-to white button-up for this look. One little change can really make a difference in your personal style! 

I love the romantic vibe of this look. It's a killer date night ensemble, no? But it's not a same-old, same-old date night outfit either, which is why I'm so drawn to it. It has a whimsical flair and airs on the side of daring - not caution.

No simple black pumps for me today! I'm rocking some pointed-toe, ankle-strap kicks for this look, baby! You know the mantra by now, I'm SPICING things up! But seriously, how perfect are these heels? Snag your own pair here! 

No looks is complete without a complimentary bag, and for this outfit, I can't think of a better piece to carry than a sleek, black leather clutch. Its geometric structure balances out the unruliness of my feathered skirt - kind of brilliant! 

In yet another effort to add some seasoning to the mix, I went with cluster statement earrings. They totally fit right in with the romantic feel of this look while completely blowing simple diamond/pearl studs out of the water.

I could have swiped on a bold lip to REALLY spice things up here, but in this case I wanted my blouse to stand out and be the only pop of color. I kept my eyeshadow pretty minimal as well, as I layered shades of brown to create a neutral smokey eye. 

Photos by Ryan Kathleen Greene 

[blouse: Ann Taylor (I also like this one) // skirt: Banana Republic // heels: Sam Edelman // clutch: Hobo (similar here) // earrings: gift (I also like this pair) // gold knot bracelet: Kate Spade // ball cuff: Ted Baker // gold link bracelet: Stella & Dot // amethyst bangle: David Yurman // heart tag bracelet: Tiffany & Co.] 

Style experimentation is super fun - it's one of the reasons I decided to become a fashion blogger. Figuring out fresh ways to style tired things is not only a challenge but it's also an exercise in creativity and self exploration. And while I'm not necessarily doing that with THIS outfit, I did have a lot of fun spicing up my wardrobe by adding an unexpected piece - this wild, feathery skirt - to my collection. 

See, I like to test myself and see how I can style select pieces that may at first intimidate me. It's all a part of embracing transformation and throwing that extra dose of excitement into your life! See? Fashion can be pretty powerful. 

SHOP ::