Snazzzy

The first thing my boss said when he saw my outfit was "that's a snazzy outfit" which I liked; I haven't heard the word snazzy in a long time. Don't you just love it when you thought you had to work all day, and then you get surprised by getting off early? I do—seven hours is way easier to handle than ten! I'm wearing a thrifted striped blouse, knit bdg cardigan via a discount store, H+M cross-body, and teal Kill City jeans, gold flats and vintage belt via Crossroads. The quartz necklace I permanently borrowed from my ma, since she never wears long necklaces anymore. I walked by a perfect little dandelion today, too, so all in all it was good. Have I mentioned dandelions are one of my favorite blooms? I know they're a weed, but I have such an affinity for them!

I'm currently obsessed with this galaxy nail tutorial. My first attempt turned out a little more raging glitter storm than nebula, but I'm pretty pleased. I know they're ridiculous and not "classy," but really, what's more fun than painting...your nails? 

 

Please tell me you like doing your nails like a crazy cracked out little girl, too!

The Colour(s) of Love

The past week was a busy one and I didn't get to update as much, thanks to the terrible first world problem of faulty wireless (why? Why?!?). But I saw Queens of the Stone Age for the I-don't-remember-how-manyith time and had a blast singing along with my boyfriend (and the packed sweaty Santa Cruz crowd, this was before the heat broke). Plus, I'm so excited to finally tell you that I've got some wonderful giveaways to share with you this week, so check back tomorrow!

I wore this last week, before the gloomy coastal fog descended. I haven't worn red and pink together before, so I tried to go for the full valentine's color spectrum: bright red, hot pink, pale pink and some white and gold accents. I'm wearing diy cut-off shorts via Crossroads, a thrifted belt, an H+M knit top, and my favorite Granny sandals from Ross. The sweater and belt would be really fun with colorful jeans or heels or patterned leggings, too! I'm still lusting after some aztec or snowflake patterned ones... Anyway, try to have a Happy Monday, and if you haven't, view the first time I wore those red shorts :)

Go Your Own Way

Remixing ideas:

&bull: girlier: swap the pants for a twirly teal skirt 

• for night: black heels, black blazer, and a sequined clutch

• festival: swap the wedges for strappy sandals, lose the jacket, cuff the jeans & pop on a floppy hat

My boyfriend and mom totally wanted to steal this Fleetwood Mac shirt, but I took it in so much they can't wear it. Well he could probably fit into it, but the tight tee isn't really his thing, thankfully ;) And even though it's a shirt featuring the queen of long drape-y layers, I wouldn't want him to stretch it back out! If there's anything better than dressing like Stevie Nicks, it's wearing her dressed up as herself. I'm sorry you can't see it, but she's wearing black toe shoes. There is an interview with her (as well as ones with Gaga and DVF) in this month's Bazaar magazine (the only mag I've bought this year, dang!) that is pretty interesting. Some of her stylish advice is: don't do too many drugs, embrace platforms over heels, and use top hats to add height (she's only 5'1"!)


Worn:
cheap sunnies
tail \\ H+M
t-shirt \\ altered
wedges \\ Target
bag \\ Kimchi Blue
Pendelton blazer \\ thrifted
Kill City jeans \\ Crossroads
*Oh and if you were wondering what "tail" and "bag" I listed in my last outfit post, I meant these. I forgot to actually photograph my purse last time, whoops!


Thanks to the color blocking posts and my new-found love of wearing colors as well as just admiring them, I have been considering starting a sewing challenge! It would be something along the lines of making a skirt and top out of matching fabric each month, choosing colors my closet is lacking. Worn together as a dress, or mixed up as separates, after a year I'd have almost limitless mixing options! I'm a jersey girl (only when it comes to fabric) so this project would be economical, simple, and yield great results! What do you think?

oh, and Happy Hump Day!

Cover Me In Rainbows

I've had a few requests about advice on color combining. In light of the ever-popular color blocking trend and my own recent headlong dive into wearing colorful clothing, I thought I'd outline a few basic guidelines to think about when pairing colors. To help guide your choices, I'm including two color wheels. I made the simple one to explain general color theory, and the shade-and-tint wheel is for more in-depth combinations within each color.

The colors on the color wheel relate to each other in different ways. Primary colors are what some call "true" colors: blue, yellow and red. Secondary colors are produced from the combination of two primary colors and include the rest of the rainbow we're familiar with: orange, green, and purple. Tertiary colors are produced from the combination of a primary and secondary color. We could continue infinitely, as the shade-and-tint wheel shows.

Colors directly opposite each other on the color wheel are called complimentary colors and together create a generally exciting and pleasing visual effect. While the pairing of a primary color and it's opposite results in a dramatic visual effect (imagine red + green), the pairing of secondary and tertiary colors with their compliments produces a more subtle, sophisticated effect, such as blood orange + teal.

Arrows: primary shades and their compliments

Color blocking can be as easy as that: can't figure out how to style those bright blue shorts? Find an orange top. Keep in mind that the strength of the colors is important to color combining, as well. Wanna enliven your pale lavender blouse? Pairing it with a pastel yellow skirt would be a soft and pretty combination, while lemon yellow might overpower the pastel purple shade.


A triad is the combination of three colors equidistant from each other on the color wheel. I think of it as Color Blocking +, or conversely, the Golden Triangle. The most basic triad is red-yellow-blue. It can be overwhelming to wear three colors like this all together, so consider that two of the three colors may be used largely in the body of the outfit, with the third color appearing as an accent. For example, a purple and green floral print dress can really pop with a burnt umber belt or tights
.

Colors next to each other on the color wheel are also considered complimentary pairings. Pick a section of your favorite colors and go to town! Though I suppose the possibilities are endless, I think color blocking like Rainbow Brite tests the limits, so stick to no more than a handful of colors ;)


When pairing neutrals (greys, tans, browns, etc.) with bright colors, keep in mind that the neutral color may take on the hue of the brights' complimentary color. In color theory, neutral colors are affected by proximity to certain colorful, saturated hues. For example, grays worn next to bright reds can seem to have a greenish cast to them, since green is opposite red on the color wheel. A beige shirt may take appear orange-y if paired with certain purples.

Human beings can perceive over 2.8 million hues, so don't stress out too much about all of this theory. Some people will be energized by your orange and blue blouse and skirt ensemble, and others will be visually overwhelmed. Ultimately, you should wear what you like, even if it makes other people, or the color wheel, flinch ;)

♥ ♥ ♥

So what are your favorite color combinations?

 Mine are purple & teal, pink-grey-white, turquoise & orange, and of course, black & white :)

[For more colorful reading, check out these posts: themanrepeller, academichic, fashionbomb]