In Like a Lamb

Green floral dress (HCo., spring 2011); pink crystal necklace (AE, summer 2010); pink cardigan [in hands] (A&F, winter 2010)

"Give Me The 1st Dance" nail polish (Nicole by OPI, silver);  "Fuchsia Shock" crackle overcoat (Sally Hansen, hot pink)

Mixed bracelets (AE)

Light pink cardigan (A&F, Christmas 2010); pink ruffle tank (A&F Kids, winter 2011); light blue floral skirt (GH, summer 2010)

Jeweled snake ring (AE, Christmas 2011)

March has been sooooo nice so far! I wasn't expecting the "snowiest" month of the year (here in CO, at least) to be close to 70 degrees so early in the month, but I'm not complaining. It gave me the chance to wear plenty of spring-y florals, sandals, one of my dresses and also a miniskirt. Spring is one of my favorite seasons for fashion (as long as the weather cooperates). I love pastels, bright colors, beautiful floral patterns and girly dresses and skirts. Feeling a warm breeze on my bare legs is so nice, and reminds me that summer is just around the corner!


Do you like spring fashions?

It's a Spring Thing

I want to stand out this spring. I want to make a statement with what I'm wearing. I want to try new things. I want to experiment with colors. I want to live in sandals. I want to feel the cool breeze in my hair. I want to wow people with my accessories.


What do you want this spring?

Weekly Outfit Highlight: July 29-August 5

This past week has been pretty low-key, aside from a clothes-shopping trip and picking up some things for this school year (a planner, plastic dishes and some food). Even though I wasn't busy, I still took the time (as usual!) to pick out some great outfits.

Top Left: navy crochet knit poncho sweater (Hollister, summer 2010), navy cami (HCo., fall 2008), red/white/blue plaid twill shorts (Abercrombie & Fitch, spring 2011), silver satin bow headband (Target, fall 2010), mixed bracelets

Top Right: lime green striped off-shoulder tee (American Eagle, summer 2011), dark denim cuffed shorts (Abercrombie Kids, summer 2011), shell necklace (AE, spring 2010), mixed bracelets

Bottom Left: cropped denim jacket [worn around shoulders] (Charlotte Russe, summer 2011), coral bandeau bra (VS PINK), floral-trimmed navy dress (HCo., summer 2009)

Bottom Right: cream crochet knit hooded poncho sweater (HCo., fall 2009), dark brown lacy cami (A&F Kids, winter 2009), khaki twill shorts (HCo., summer 2011), brown blingy bracelet (AE, fall 2009)

I wore a lot of shorts this week, but I've been really into twill shorts lately (I have 6 pairs!) and I wanted to switch things up since I tend to wear dresses a LOT!

What is one piece you've had for a long time and still wear often?

In My Closet: Addicted to Floral?



Abercrombie & Fitch multi-colored floral tank (spring 2010, similar here), American Eagle shell necklace, mixed bracelets, A&F Rylie navy culotte shorts (summer 2011, $19.90 here)

I think I've started to OD a little bit on the florals. Sure, I love 'em--they're pretty, girly and completely unique from piece to piece--but still. Out of all the patterns currently in my closet (stripes, polka dots, plaid), florals are the most abundant. I'm not quite sure why, but it seems like I'm just drawn to florals and end up buying them more than other patterns. Now that I've realized I have a "problem", I'm staying away from the florals in favor of stripes (both vertical and horizontal) and solids. I don't have a lot of solid pieces in my closet, but I know that they make up the basis of a great outfit. I'd love to buy some really flashy jewelry (such as a jewel-embellished owl necklace at American Eagle) but since most of my clothes are patterned, they would take away from the "wow factor" of the necklace. During my most recent shopping trip, I think I did a great job of staying away from florals and prints in general. Everything I bought is neutral enough to be able to wear with almost anything, and that's definitely something I've been needing for awhile!

(More examples of my extreme floral love below)




Hollister blue/white floral tank dress (spring 2011, similar here)




Hollister lime green babydoll tank (spring 2010), VS PINK coral bandeau bra (summer 2011), Gilly Hicks light blue floral skirt (summer 2010, similar here), American Eagle pink polka dot headband  



Hollister light green floral dress (spring 2011, similar here), American Eagle pink crystal necklace, mixed bracelets 



Abercrombie & Fitch yellow belted floral dress (summer 2011, similar here), American Eagle pink suede and leather T-strap sandals (spring 2011)


Are you obsessed with a certain pattern?

Sister Style: Summer Edition

My younger sister, Brooke, and I are both fashion-aholics. We love wearing cute clothes whenever possible (you'll never see us in t-shirts or sweats except for bed!) and going shopping at our favorite stores. However, we don't always share the exact same taste in styles. Here are our takes on 6 different summer styles!

BOLD BASIC



 What Brooke's Wearing: green silk daisy, purple plaid scarf (American Eagle), green V-neck tee (Gilly Hicks), woven brown leather belt (AE), denim cut-off shorts (AE), brown leather sandals (AE)

BRIGHT NAUTICAL

What I'm Wearing: silver bow headband, turquoise sunglasses (Target), Soft Drape Sunset T in neon lemon lime (AE), silver bangles (AE), silver hobo bag (Target), Meg cuffed denim shorts (Abercrombie Kids), silver ruffled wedges

BUSINESS CASUAL



Wearing: maroon glasses (mine), turquoise floral cardi (Hollister), royal blue babydoll tank (Abercrombie & Fitch), khaki pants (HCo.), mixed bangles, beaded necklace (AE)

CLASSIC TRIBAL

Wearing: brown/red/orange striped scarf (as a wrap; Charlotte Russe), dark brown lacy cami (Abercrombie Kids), brown woven bling bracelet (AE), brown woven leather belt (A&F), khaki twill shorts (HCo.), brown printed wedges

FUN FLORAL

Wearing: light blue floral dress (GH), mixed bangles (AE), hot pink Gianni Bini purse (Dillards), pink bow flip-flops (HCo.)

SWEET CHIC

Wearing: light yellow floral dress (A&F), Suede Ring T-Strap Sandal in pink (AE)



What styles are you wearing this summer?

Bold Summer Lusts

Summer is the season for bright colors and bold patterns everywhere! The colors of nature--from the vibrant blue of the sky to the emerald green grass to the brilliant orange sunsets to the rainbow of hues seen in wildflowers--can inspire a wardrobe change during the warmer months of the year. I always look for bold shades and daring patterns during the summer and rely less and less on neutrals. After all, summer only lasts a little while...why not make a statement?

 

What are you wearing this summer?

Dresses...In Winter?




Two very different (but both cute) dress looks!

Given my affinity for tights, boots and miniskirts, it's no wonder I'm lusting after the perfect winter dress. I'm such a girly-girl, and I really dreaded putting my summer dresses in storage a few weeks back. Luckily, I've still got plenty of skirts to wear throughout these next few months. But still no dress. Here are a few I'd love to get!

The AE Sequin T-Shirt Dress ($49.95, online only) is a simple cut with cute sequin detailing. It's a great dress for the holiday season because of it's sparkle, and it looks great over bright-colored tights (like the AE Thermal Leggings in purple, $24.50). And the open back adds a flirty touch.

For a more elegant look, try the AE Sweetheart Party Dress ($39.95, online only). I like it best in the deep bordeaux color because it's so holiday-like. Dress it up with gold heels, a leopard-print wrap (like the AE Faux Fur Leopard Coat, $89.95) and a clutch for a holiday party or dress it down with cream-colored tights and simple flats (like the AE Suede Ballet Flat in mauve glow, $24.95).

Abercrombie Kids' Elsie Sweater Dress ($49.50) in light brown would look amazing with my stripe brown leggings I bought from AE a few yea

rs ago and my dark brown Bearpaw boots. I've really been having a hard time finding a sweaterdress that isn't striped so this one is perfect.

If you're looking for the perfect dress for that special holiday event, or just to look cute on a chilly day, these stores have you covered!

Dress Your Body Right!

Seventeen is a magazine with great fashion tips for teen girls from high school to college. My favorite issue every year is The Body Issue, and its all about how to dress your particular body type right. I love it because it's so hard to find fashion tricks and ideas for petites like me, but Seventeen definitely nails it on the head. Here are a few tips for looking your very best when you're petite.

• Sweaterdresses look amazing on you! If you've always wished you could be a little curvier, stop dreaming and try on a sweaterdress. This new trend is great for smaller frames because it clings to the curves you do have, plus they're perfect for girls who like to wear dresses all year long, but can't because of the cold weather...but now you can!
• Try a flowy tank with a cropped jacket. Most cropped pieces look amazing on petites, because you don't want to overwhelm your frame. Now pair your favorite loose tank with a cropped jacket or sweater and you'll look even better!
• The shorter the better when it comes to skirts. Obviously, you know to stay away from maxi dresses and such, but make sure your skirts hit at least above your knee. Avoid the too-short minis though so you still look classy.
• Skinny + ripped = perfect! You can pull off baggier boyfriend styles, but the best jeans for you are skinnies or at least jeans that hug your curves. Add in a few rips and tears and maybe a lighter wash (it'll fill you out) and you'll instantly look taller, even without heels.
• Sparkles go a long way. Don't overwhelm your body with too much bling--try pairing a simple slouchy sweater with a standout pair of sparkly tailored shorts in a neutral color.

Do you have any petite style tips you'd like to share? Leave them in the comments!

Dress Your Body!

With body con dresses (think bandage dresses) increasing in popularity, it's a great time to get in on the trend...especially if you're petite.

Body con dresses are basically body-hugging dresses. They are usually made of cotton or modal and include some kind of spandex so they are form-fitting. Many celebrities can be seen working the red carpet in different varieties of body con dresses.

It may seem intimidating to try a body con dress (I know it was for me!) I'm not a curvy girl at all, but I prefer my clothes slightly flowy to show off my small frame. However, when I got my first body con dress yesterday (Gilly Hicks' Pretty Beach dress in navy dot, no longer available), I realized that tighter styles actually work well on petite bodies. They show off a small bust, and hug what little curves you may have to make you look more feminine. Instead of A-line dresses, body con dresses don't hide your tiny frame; they showcase it. And the style even works on curvier petites--just try a body con dress with a body shaper underneath to streamline but not hide your curves.



Some great body con dresses to try include Gilly Hicks' Pretty Beach dress in navy or pink floral ($19.90). The print is sweet and girly and it has plenty of stretch in it. Abercrombie & Fitch's Hailey strapless dress ($24.89) comes in tons of bright shades and the pockets help fill you out even more. Hollister's County Line dress ($29.50) is cut in a simple tank style, but the floral design looks cute.

This fall, try a body con dress--I guarantee you'll love it!

My body con dress!



                                                                                              

Less is More!

Have you ever wondered why less actually is more? It's hard to get a real answer for that one, but one possible answer (for petites anyway), is that less makes you look "more", and by that I mean taller. In this case, the shorter the dress, the longer and leaner you'll look...to a point, of course (I'm not suggesting skimpy dresses, just ones that fall above the knee).
It's almost the season for dresses, and with all the styles out there, it's easy to be confused about which ones look best on your frame. Maxidresses are a no-no for petites; they are way too overwhelming. That's where a shorter dress comes in.
If the fabric only falls to your knees, it will really elongate your legs and make them look miles long. Also, a fitted look is nice; it will create curves but not look too trashy.
Try Hollister's Sycamore Cove ($49.50) for a classic, cute dress. If you're more conscious about your arms, El Porto Beach ($24.50) offers the perfect solution: three quarter length sleeves. And wherever you go, seek out styles that have an empire-style waist and a smaller bust area!