OOTD: Shades of Grey [& Red]



Feelin' grey





Grey knit duster cardi (A&F, winter 2011); grey lace-fron tee (HCo., fall 2011); silver sparkly fireball necklace (AE, winter 2009); coral red culotte shorts (A&F, fall 2011); light grey sweater tights (Target, winter 2010)

 What's your favorite neutral? A lot of people will probably say black for its elegance or some kind of brown/tan for its ruggedness but for me, it's grey. Say what? I know grey seems boring, blah and downright depressing to a lot of people, but it's not like you have to go around in an all-grey ensemble. Neutrals are for mixing and matching, after all. So I decided to put my never-before-worn coral culottes (I ordered them probably a month ago but hadn't gotten the opportunity to wear them) to good use and pair them with a few grey items. The shorts themselves are very vibrant in color, and I thought they could easily be toned down with a nice neutral. I think grey goes very well with coral--it lessens the impact without making the shorts seem average. It allows them to stand out, in a tasteful way. I also mixed and matched the shades of grey I used. The lace tee is a very dark charcoal, the sweater is a medium heather grey and the tights are a light almost-blue grey. I also wore my Bearpaw boots, which are about the same shade as the sweater. I know it may seem weird to be wearing all these different hues and with a very bright color, but it works because the outfit is grounded in one neutral tone.



Closeup of lace tee (to show detail)



How do you "punch up" your favorite neutral shade?

OOTD: [Forest] Green With Envy



Forest green cropped cardi (AE, fall 2006); dark brown lacy cami (A&F Kids, winter 2008); khaki twill shorts (HCo., summer 2011)





Waves created by Revlon Double-BarrelTourmaline Hair Waver





"My Lifesaver" nail polish (Nicole by OPI, mint green); "Fuchsia Shock" crackle overcoat (Sally Hansen, hot pink)





Brown woven bling bracelet (AE, fall 2009)





Life's a blur :)



I love this time of year! The first day of fall was on Friday, but it hasn't quite started to feel chilly yet. There is definitely a different feeling in the air than summer, so mixing sweaters with shorts is the perfect compromise.

The color palette of my outfit is pretty simple and neutral: forest green, dark brown and tan. But forest green isn't your typical neutral--that's why this outfit isn't blah and basic. I've had this sweater since I was a freshman in high school (!) and I still love it. I haven't found anything quite like it since. Forest green is a somewhat unusual fall shade, but it works. I jazzed it up with some blingy accessories and kept the footwear simple by donning my beloved tan moccasins (unpictured).

Once the cold weather hits, I'll be pairing this sweater and cami combo with dark brown twill shorts and brown tights, or a camel corduroy mini skirt and brown tights with boots.

What is your favorite "neutral" fall shade?

Spice It Up



Cropped orange hoodie (HCo., summer 2011); dark brown lacy cami (A&F Kids, winter 2009); khaki twill shorts (HCo., summer 2011); mixed bracelets



spice shades
[spahys] [sheyds]
      noun
1. fall-like colors, including orange, gold, copper, saffron and cranberry
2. color trend for fall 2011

I used to think spice shades were blah, boring, etc. I mean, yeah, I like orange and red, but not in muted tones. I have to admit that they're perfect for fall: bold without being obnoxious, mix well with neutrals and universally-flattering. What's not to like?

I got in this trend by pairing a new buy (orange cropped hoodie) with basic shades for a poppin' colorblock look. It's a simple style, but great for this transition period between summer and fall. When cooler weather hits, I'll switch out the shorts for skinny khaki cargos and dark brown fringe moccasin boots.

What's your favorite spice shade?

[Small] Mall Haul

Shopping is one of my favorite activities, but I really don't buy anything that often, maybe 6 or so times per year. Mostly, I end up getting one or two things at a time to add in to my closet but every once in a while, I have an unexpected haul. In my last haul earlier this summer, I snagged a few items for a great price and I've been able to wear them many times since. This shopping trip, I was determined to avoid anything too summery (since I won't get too many more chances to wear it) and instead find a few pieces that can transition well into fall and also work right now. I think I was pretty successful!

HOLLISTER




(sorry about the iPod photos!) multi floral tank top (A&F, 2010); Tecolote Canyon twill shorts in navy (HCo.)

When I saw that these were only $15 (originally $29.50), I snapped them up. They also have them in white and khaki, but I've got a pair of khaki shorts already and white isn't practical for me. They also have the Brooks Beach shorts for $15, which are similar but are cuffed. My sister bought the same shorts (even the same color!) earlier in the summer. Now we can be shorts twins ;)




Orange cropped hoodie (HCo., similar here); navy/orange floral button-down babydoll cami (HCo., 2008); destroyed denim miniskirt (HCo., 2010)

When I saw this cropped hoodie, I was a little confused. I had bought the exact same hoodie (but in aqua) a year ago on clearance--why was this still in stores? But when I saw the price ($7.90) I knew I couldn't pass it up. I can always use a little more orange in my closet.

ABERCROMBIE & FITCH




April ruffled tank in pink (A&F); Deidra cuffed twill shorts in dark brown (A&F)

I had just discovered these shorts while browsing online just before I left to go shopping. I fell in love because brown is my favorite neutral and I have a new obsession with twill shorts. Plus these are cuffed, making them even better for nicer events. Also available in light grey (they didn't have my size, unfortunately), light pink (I like pink but I shy away from very colorful shorts) and white, all $20 (originally $40). These shorts will work great in the fall because of their muted color. I also found this tank for just $26.60 (30% off original price of $38) and liked how pretty it was. The color is totally different than anything in my closet, but it's very girly, which I love. This is available in light grey, drak grey (would have bought if I had had more money to spend), navy and white. I had a 20% off entire purchase card, so the two items cost just under $40. 

Do you wear shorts in the fall? Favorite neutral shade?