DD's Style File - Color Wonderful

It's April! And I'm hopeful for a surge of wonderful spring like weather, however the forecast actually has me feeling like an April Fool with the mention of snow dotted over the next seven days...

Despite all of April's (snow) showers, I'm definitely in the mood to start infusing my wardrobe selections with some brighter colors. I've been rocking a lot of black and white lately, and I'm feeling ready to amp it up just a bit!

Although I didn't get to wear what I had originally intended for Easter, this dress arrived the day before I was spot on for the spring holiday (even though I totally prefer an April Easter versus a March one).

I opted to not downplay the color by pairing it with black or nude and instead dove all in. I wanted the colors to play well together though, so I used the confetti splashes on this adorable cork clutch as a guide and paired it with coral pumps and a neon yellow necklace. Even though my bag was sprinkled with color, the cork provided just the right amount of neutral as to balance out the rest of the brights I was wearing.

Dress: The Limited
Shoes: INC
Clutch: JustFab - old (similar here and here)
Bracelets: Express

This piece will totally be a great work staple and can be intermixed with base colors like white, nude and black for a more conservative feel. The sleeves can help ward off the year round office chill and the dress can even be topped with a blazer or cardigan to change up the look.

I find that I gravitate more to solids than to prints, but I find the tulip cut of this skirt provides a nice alternative to the standard shift dress.


Do you all feel it's too early in the season yet (in the Northern states, at least) to start incorporating more punches of color to your work wardrobe?

DD's Style File - Faux Long Fur Vest

Hey, World!!

I seriously can't believe that it's March 1st! 2016 is really moving! And I can't skirt around the fact that this is actually my first post of 2016... *hides faces* But it's life! On top of being back in school this semester and working on a really big project at the office, I've also been trying to take the time to be a healthier me. No new year's resolution type stuff, but I know I want to live a healthy life as long as I can, so I need to be more mindful of how I take care of myself. We'll dive deeper into that on another day.

The weather (and daylight) here in the North isn't always cooperative on the days when I have more time to take photos, but I finally lucked up and got a good day to get out and let the strangers stare at me and wonder what the heck I'm doing.

Vest: Forever 21 - limited availability in alternate color offerings here and here
similar style here
Turtleneck: JCP
Pants: The Limited - similar style. similar, similar
Shoes: old - similar, similar
Bag: Michael Kors - old - similar style, less expensive option

So this season I'm still on my faux fur kick, you can see my posts on some other pieces here and here. This vest is definitely what I'd consider a statement piece. I think this silvery gray would look great tossed on over a head to toe monochromatic look, like all white! I've actually had it in my closet for a couple months, but hadn't had a chance to wear it. I'll be truthful - sleeveless winterwear typically isn't "my thing." At least not historically. Mostly because I never knew what to do with it, weather wise.

Not so long ago, I finally figured out puffer vests, and that opened my mind to some other options as well. I know that all sounds pitiful, but I'm just being honest with you!

But luckily, I think we are headed towards more days where sleeveless outerwear can be used more often (even though with light layers underneath, you could definitely leave this on). And that means more sunlight and warmer temps for picture taking - yaaayyy!

I do hope that all of you are having a great year thus far and that you're still progressing on those new year's resolutions!

DD's Style File - Minty Fresh

I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas and are gearing up for a wonderful New Year!

Outfits around holiday time tend to be of bolder, richer hues, but wearing pastels in winter months can be fabulous! Fall has moved your wardrobe into deeper hues, but pastel shades are cool tones that work just as well when there's snow on the ground (though thankfully, we haven't had much thus far).

In keeping with the spirit of the holidays I added a bit of metallic sheen and sparkle to my leather. Though, I will be the first to admit that I find sparkly flats to be a wardrobe staple that I reach for throughout the year. There is no shame in my personal fashion mantra that "more is more."

Blouse: ASOS - old (very similar)
Sweater: Charming Charlie
Skirt: The Limited
Flats: Zara - old (similar, similar, similar)
Clutch: The Limited - old (similar, super cute option)

Since there was so much shine going on with this outfit, I went super minimal with the jewelry, opting only for studs. I think bringing materials into your pieces that reflect light are great ways to switch things up a bit from your standard wardrobe choices.

I was super excited when I found this sweater in store, after I'd been fawning over this one from J. Crew from a couple seasons ago. And now I kinda want the black one too!

Consider bringing glitter or metallic pieces into your casual NYE outfit, it's a great way to keep with a festive feel while also adding some glam to a sweater and jeans.

After all of the Christmas flurry I hope you all are having a peaceful and relatively relaxing week whether you're back at work or in the house with the kids or visiting guests!

DD's Style File - Outfit Inspiration from Kylie Jenner

I'm not the least bit ashamed to admit that sometimes, on an occasion or two, I've been inspired by one of the Kardashian klan (like this here shirt). I even may or may not have been an avid Keeping up with the Kardashian's viewer at some point or another.

So, yeah, they can be influencers. And to my own surprise...this time it was Kylie that got me.

Kylie's coat: Guess

When I saw Kylie all bedecked in fur and leather it was a total "hello" moment, there's something I could appreciate about such a bold outfit choice. Now, let me preface this by saying, I didn't actually jump up and go buy a coat similar to Kylie's. I just so happened to already have it. I'd picked it up a while ago and hadn't worn it yet.

I'm not exactly sure how Kylie managed to pull it off in seemingly sunny, warm weather, but mine definitely fit the bill for one of our first day's of snowfall. I think she may have gone with a tank top underneath, where I needed full-on turtleneck coverage.

Coat: Forever 21  (another option)
Leather leggings: Express
Booties: Amazon
Turtleneck: Merona
Clutch: Payless

And since I'm not all rich and serious, I grabbed a fun clutch to wear with my furry statement coat. But this is certainly a simple way to sexify your holiday!


As I type this post, I'm thinking of all the presents that still need wrapped. Which is basically all of them. Ugh...my lovely Christmas tree looks so lonely without presents.... I hope all of you are feeling stress free and ready for the holidays...because I'm not!