Kate Spade quilted bag

gone green (floral)

| The Fashion Huntress

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What a gorgeous weekend we had here in Chicago! I couldn’t be happier! I’m still patiently awaiting greenery, which is very slowly beginning to show itself here and there. I figured if I wore green and floral, perhaps I would bring my own flowers to the day. Cheers to, hopefully, a sun-filled Monday, readers.

“It is spring again. The earth is like a child that knows poems by heart.” ― Rainer Maria Rilke

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Blazer: Ann Taylor via thrift ($5, retails for approx $150)
Dress: thrifted ($2)
Belt: (gift)
Tights: Urban Outfitters (long time ago, can’t even remember!)
Shoes: Nine West via consignment ($8, retail for $100)
Bag: Kate Spade (gift)
Frog bracelet: Kenneth Jay Lane Couture via Rue La La ($15 marked down from $150)
Crystal and glass bracelets: (gift)
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Fashion Huntress tips:
1) At first I thought this outfit might have too many different textures, but by keeping the theme “green,” the look remained coherent. Despite the various prints and textures, it was actually very easy to put this look together by focusing on one color and then surrounding it with neutrals.If you have various textures in your look, keep your outfit streamlined by focusing on one color palette. Alternatively, you can incorporate more colors if your textures are all fairly consistent. 
2) I noticed half-way through my day that I had a run in my tights. SIGH. Luckily, I always have clear nail polish in my desk for this very reason. However, I could have been more prepared, as I don’t keep a spare pair of neutral tights in my office. My snag was small this time, but certainly sometimes tights are beyond repair! Here’s a really good article on how to keep your tights in good shape (and what better people to offer tips than the Rockettes, right?). 
Anyone else have snagged tights tips? I hope everyone had a great weekend! Thanks so very much for stopping by; I appreciate it!

dreamy diner

| The Fashion Huntress

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I have consistently driven past this retro drive-in diner, Superdawg, and said, “I need to go there!” So when the bf suggested we go, I was on board. Actually, I believe I said, “Gah! Best day ever! Yes!” …what can I say, I’m enthusiastic about retro diners. Anywho, I believe I was slightly overdressed for the event (if there is such a thing), but I thoroughly enjoyed myself. Superdawg is where it’s at if you’re in the area and looking for a fun and delicious flashback meal. Be sure to overdress for the event too.

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Sweatshirt: Gap (approx $5 marked down from approx $40)
Denim top: Gap ($16 marked down from $60)
Jeans: Gap ($20 marked down from $60)
Scarf: Limited ($7 marked down from $35)
Heels: Michael Antonio via thrift ($4, retail for $50)
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Fashion Huntress tips:
1) There’s often a question of whether one can pair denim with denim. I love how popular denim with denim has become. So my answer is a strong yes!! I often wear light denim with dark denim when if wear it together. However with this look, I wore light denim with light denim and added a dark sweatshirt. The result was a seriously comfortable weekend look.

2) I’ve often questioned sweatshirts at work. They can be exceptionally tricky to style in a conservative work environment. Generally speaking, I think sweatshirts should be reserved for the weekends. If you’re on the fence, you can try out a formal sweatshirt that is solid color (not heather) with some detailing. Overall, though, this is one trend that I think should probably be resolved for outside of work wear.

Does anyone else feel differently about sweatshirts at work? Have styling ideas? I hope everyone had a great weekend! Thanks for stopping by!

unseen gone seen

| The Fashion Huntress

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Seeing clothes in a new way (specifically the ones hanging in our own closets) is not easy, if you ask me. I’ve been styling my shirt dresses in a fairly consistent way, until a posting on gap.com rocked my world.

Exhibit A:

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photo via gap.com

What? A button down over a button down? …world rocked. Maybe this is a fairly obvious styling to others, but it wasn’t to me! While I was pondering seeing things in new ways, I started to wonder how much I might be missing in other areas. So, I started by challenging myself to look around me more, and look at things in a new way. I thought, “it’s the same old walk home, same old commute…or is it?”

Exhibit B:

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Photo challenge one: really check out something on my walk home. “Is this Hogwarts? Or down the street from me?”

Exhibit C:

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Photo challenge two: look at something I haven’t seen before on my walk to work…”there’s flowers here? Huh.”

Fashion again becomes a metaphor for life. My notes to self: look around you! See something you’ve “seen” but haven’t really seen. Style something in a new way. Okay, I’ll stop my gabbing now. Here’s my take on the Gap look, it’s the unseen styling gone seen…(though btw, sorry the dress is a little wrinkled. Probs should have ironed that this morning, but I really couldn’t be bothered).

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Dress: Gap ($10 marked down from $60)

Button down: Gap ($7 marked down from $50)

Sandals: Chinese Laundry via Nordstrom Rack (hmm..years ago, maybe $20)

Belt: Bitten by Sarah Jessica Parker ($9) (I know, I know, I’ve said it before, but I miss that collection!)

Bag: Kate Spade (gift)

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Fashion Huntress tips:
1) Oh snap. Gap’s sale is 40% off their sale items (in-stores), so now is the time to grab a shirt dress, if you are interested! Additionally, they are stocking a lot of shorts, summer scarves and flats on sale right now. Most items were <$20 in the store. There were also a ton of jean jackets on sale for around $20, which is a great price for a jacket that you will wear forever because let’s face it, I don’t think jean jackets ever go out of style. As you know, I don’t do a ton of online shopping, but the online sale was also quite good. 

2) I’ve found that online shops, catalogs, and other fashion blogs (of course!) have a lot of great inspiration to help think of clothes in new ways. I can often re-create looks from what I have already in my closet (ie the look today!). Additionally, even if you find something in the store, you can look online at how the retailer styled the idea. I often get great inspiration that way. And, of course, my deep love …Pinterest. Pinterest is a gold mine of styling images, and tons of bloggers share their outfits on Pinterest, so you can follow them to get automatic updates. 

Anyone else finding some great summer sales lately? Hard to believe that summer clothes are already on sale, right? Thanks so much for stopping by; I appreciate it so much!

summer breeze (aka ruffle revival)

| The Fashion Huntress

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Finally, finally, a warm (albeit humid) breeze has hit Chicago, and the summer clothes can make their debut! I found myself wondering whether it was “white skirt” weather…umm, that’s what happens, people, when you have an 8 month long winter. Your brain gets all sorts of confused about clothes. Anywho, speaking of summer. Is there anything more perfect for summer than a breezy white ruffle skirt? While I was enjoying my ruffles revival, I added white pumps and a tied at the waist button down. I haven’t worn a button down tied since the early 90s, so this outfit ended up being all sorts of liberating. I’m in a white skirt! No tights! Tied up button down! White vintage pumps! It’s warm out! Celebrate! It’s a ruffle (and summer spirit) revival. Thanks for coming, summer.

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Top: Nordstrom Rack ($20 marked down from approx $45)

Skirt: c/o Fuchsia Couture by Liliana

Shoes: vintage via thrift ($2, they were $4, but 50% off sale)

Necklace: Charming Charlie’s (approx $10 on sale)

Purse: Kate Spade (gift)

Nail colors: orange polish (dollar store), gold (Frog in my Throat by OPI)

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Fashion Huntress tips:

1) With the “tied at the waist” button down, this outfit is definitely casual. However, the other way to style the exact same pieces for a more formal look would be by tucking in the button down and adding a short or long sleeve blazer. If you’re going to invest in staples for all season dressing, skirts are a great option. You can always add tights for cooler weather, which makes them wearable all year round. I think this skirt, for example, would look really great with colored tights and ankle boots. 

2) Shout-out to the lovely Liliana who designed and made this skirt. It’s made of out sustainable bamboo fiber and is very breathable for summer. It almost feels like pajamas (and you know how I feel about that), but clearly looks a lot more formal than pajamas.  When I’m looking for skirts, my top requirement is that the skirt fits (of course), but that it doesn’t wrinkle! I’ve made the mistake of buying a couple of skirts that wrinkle quickly; they end up being a lot of work and looking somewhat disheveled halfway into your day (unless you keep an iron in your office).  One way to check and see if a skirt may wrinkle is to pinch the fabric between your fingers and hold it for a few seconds.  When you let go, look at the wrinkle effect. I’m happy to report that this skirt does not, in fact, wrinkle easily, if at all. Check out Liliana via her online shop via: Fuchsia Couture by Liliana . #yougoLiliana
Anyone else have wrinkle tips? I’d love to hear them! Happy Monday, readers! I hope everyone is having a great start to the week!

waning in warm and cold

| The Fashion Huntress

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Well, it’s that time of year, readers. We’ve hit the period of spring and winter collision. It’s 30 degrees in the mornings, and 60 degrees by the afternoon. Well, this puts us all in a bit of a dressing conundrum, if you ask me. In the morning, I’m wearing down and Uggs, then I end up in a cardigan and sockless. It’s confusing. But, I’m busting out the scarves and serious layers to wax and wane in warm and cold. By the time I get the hang of this weather and dressing for it, I’m sure Mother Nature will change her mind and go straight for 100 degrees. I’m onto you, Mother Nature. I’m one step ahead of you, and totally ready for whatever is coming my way. …fashion metaphor for life? You betcha.

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Top: Gap ($6 marked down from $30)

Pants: Gap ($7 marked down from $60)

Scarf: Gap ($4 marked down from $30)

Purse: Kate Spade (gift)

Necklace: made it! (more info here)

Blue shoes: Dolce Vita ($20 marked down from $100)

Daytime kitten heels: Aubrey Brooke from DSW ($12 marked down from $99)

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Fashion Huntress tips:
1) Significant temperature changes throughout the day can be really challenging, especially for work ensembles, when you basically pick one look in the morning and have to wear it all day. I recommend scarves, cardigans, and a change of shoes! As many of you know, I keep a lot of shoes around my office for this very reason. I always have a least one pair of flats in brown and one in black on hand; I also keep heels in brown and black on hand. At the very least, you can always transition your shoes, as needed, to keep up with whatever the weather has coming.  As a side note, I photographed this look with two different pairs of shoes to show a more causal and more formal look.
2) This is basically the very last of the winter clothes I think we will see in stores (at least in the Chicago area).  I went to Gap this week and saw their scarves had been marked down to about $4-$5. You can always get them now and store them for fall, or use them throughout the winter/spring transition.  I have not seen much winter footwear or jackets left…but I do think sweaters and scarves seem to be floating around on sale quite a bit, so keep a lookout! 
Anyone else still finding winter clothes for good prices? Thank you, readers, so much for stopping by! I appreciate it so very much! Enjoy the sun, if you can!