Spring Trend Alert - Neon Brights

One of the hot trends for Spring 2012 are neon hues.

Photos from http://beadslaceandshoes.onsugar.com

Neon colors sort of take me down memory lane with a few celebrity icons from the 80's.

Ahhh - You put the "boom boom" into my heart.  Check out those neon brights!

Who could forget the queen of the 80's and her crazy color combinations.

When wearing neon colors, you don't have to look like you stepped out of 1986.  There is a way to pull them off in a classy and sophisticated way.  Have fun with brights, but remember to wear once piece and make it the statement of your outfit by balancing it with softer or basic colors.

This is what NOT to wear and should only be worn to a costume party.

If you are interested in testing the trend, here are a few pieces currently out in stores or online for your viewing or purchasing pleasure.

Old Navy - $20

Old Navy Skirt - $32

Old Navy Dress - $35

Old Navy Handbag - $20

Banana Republic Flat - $98

Nine West - $69

Boden sweater - $88

J. Crew Sweater - $72.50

J.Crew Ballet Flat - $128

Loft Blouse - $59.50

Loft Ballet Flat - $44.50

Stella & Dot Earrings - $49

So what does a "neon" appropriate outfit look like?

http://chicisimo.com

Wear now with a camel sweater, boot cut jeans, and boots

http://atlantic-pacific.blogspot.com

A great way to mix your brights if you are more daring

http://thistimetomorrow-krystal.blogspot.com/

What a fun color combo and a show stopper!

http://thistimetomorrow-krystal.blogspot.com/

Pop in a neon accessory for instant contrast.

Happy Shopping! 

Tricks to Wake Up Your Wardrobe

Now that we've covered what 5 pieces to keep/add to your closet, lets figure out how to add the "wow" factor back into it.


1. Add a Little Sparkle
Wearing a sweater or T-shirt with sequin details adds a special touch to your everyday outfit and adds some glam to your day.

Piperlime Sequin Sweater - $69

J. Crew - $29.99

Currently running an extra 25% off

Express Sequin Sweatshirt - $49.50

Currently running a BOGO sale

Old Navy - $29

2. Pop in Color
Take a break from the basic white T-shirt and throw on a little color.  Take a step further and wear your favorite color in a stripe, print, or even a scarf. 

J.Crew Stripe Henley - $49.50

Gap Stripe Sweater - $50

Comes in 4 other color too!

Piperlime Basic Scoopneck Tee - $39

Loft Roll Sleeve Tunic - $39.50

Currently running 30% off full priced items

Old Navy Scarf - $15

3. Be Bold
Who says you only have to wear black and brown accessories?  Find a shoe or handbag in a bright color to jazz up your basic blue jeans.  Metallics are great alternatives to neutrals too!

Nine West - $59

Nine West - $79

A basic with a touch of metallic

Loft - Snakeskin flat - $44.50

Currently running 30% off full priced items

Asos - $36.00

4. Just Layer
Mix colors by layering your tops and tees.  You can mix prints and stripes or layer shirts under sweaters for a "peek-a-boo" type feel.

www.lateafternoonblog.com

Kendieveryday.blogspot.com

elementsofstyleblog.com

Here is to a New Year and a New YOU!  Hope you can add the wow back into your wardrobe.


Happy Shopping!    

Bring on the wrap dress

Last year I wrote a blog post about my love of a wrap dress (see here).  If you haven't found one yet, let me share one with you on sale for $15 at Target.  It is VERY cute and worth the sale price.

Target Wrap Dress - $15.00

or a teal color

Target - $14.98

Happy Shopping!! 

5 Pieces You Must Have Now

One thing I love about about the start of a New Year is our desires to want to simplify our lives and "de-clutter".  It maybe the millions of toys that are currently scattered about the living room or the new pieces of clothing your sweet husband or sister bought you for Christmas.  Whatever your reasons are, cleaning up (or out) is priceless therapy for any one's emotional well being.


With that, here are 5 pieces (adapted from cusp.com) that you should either hang on to or look for in your next shopping adventures.  These pieces will add mileage to your wardrobe while still keeping simplicity in your new, improved, and cleaned out closet.


1. The Denim Shirt
This is my favorite item of clothing since it is a basic shirt that updates the classic white button down.  It can be worn year round by layering under sweaters during colder months or paired with bright colored shorts and rolled sleeves in the summer.  You can also dress a denim shirt up with a pencil skirt, heels, and your favorite pearls.

J.Crew - $78

Old Navy - $30

And yes you can wear denim with denim.  Just don't get matchy matchy.

Love this look of layering under a black sweater and glamming it up with a leopard coat. Any colored outwear piece would work with this look too.

http://atlantic-pacific.blogspot.com/

2. The Perfect Jewel

A great pair of earrings or a statement necklace can take a blah outfit from boring to fabulous in an instant.  The best part of jewelry is that it fits no matter how many pounds you are trying to lose for the New Year!

stella & dot - "femme fatale" necklace

$118

stella & dot - "Chantilly Lace Earrings"

$49

J.Crew - "Bubble Necklace"

$150

Modcloth - "Statement of the Art"

$50

How cute is her outfit with a punch of glam!

http://www.thedaybookblog.com

3. Leopard Accessories
Yeah yeah - those that know me are rolling their eyes right now.  I cannot stress enough that if you haven't taken the leap and purchased a flat, belt, or scarf, then get with it and get a little leopard "happy" for the New Year.  I promise it will be one of the best purchases you ever make!  It's like a basic with a twist and you'll be surprised with how much it goes with what you already own.

Vince Camuto - $38

DSW - $50

J.Crew Tote - $158

Currently running 25% off sale

How cute does her scarf look?

http://simplyme091909.blogspot.com

4. A Fitted Jacket
Now is the time to buy a great fitted blazer or jacket if you don't already own one.  There are TONS of sales going on and trust me, they are still going to be out in full force next Fall. Single breasted styles are the most slimming and look great with jeans or even your favorite dress.

J Crew tweed blazer - $198

Tinley Road - "Blecker Blazer"

$69

Loft Jacket - $118

Make a purchase during their sale events

Simple and yet chic with a lovely pendant to make a statement.

http://middlechildcomplex.tumblr.com

5.  Colored Bottoms
Most styles out there are of the "skinny" variety, but you can still find a few silhouettes for us fuller figured gals.  If pants aren't your thing, go for a skirt which looks just as cute.  When in doubt go for a darker color if you are a little bottom heavy.  It will be much more slimming.

J. Crew - Cafe Capri

$79.50

Anthropologie - Pleated Ponte Skirt

$88

Modcloth - "sway cool" skirt

$44

Madewell - "vintage rocker" cords

$89.50

Kendi in her red skirt.

http://kendieveryday.blogspot.com

Whatever your resolutions bring about for the New Year, be sure to find pieces that are versatile and can be recreated into at least 2 outfits before making a purchase.


Happy Shopping!