Have You Noticed Printed Denim Dresses?

Have You Noticed Printed Denim Dresses?

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Lately, among the sea of little denim dresses, I've noticed some gorgeous printed dresses. I think that the basic denim dress looks best when it's styled very simply, but the print adds such an interesting element to it, don't you think?

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 I love these dresses-and also the basic denim dress-with something a little edgy, like the boots above or the rugged belt below.

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Very Coachella in your backyard, don't you think?

Fresh Spring Fashion

Fresh Spring Fashion

It's pretty rare for me to see something in fashion that takes my breath away. Today on Instagram was one of those rare moments. I gasped. Of course high fashion and runway often make me pause, but this gasp was different from the kind of tilting my head to the side and going "Hmmm..." This was more like WOW! LOOK AT THAT! THAT'S NEW! AND WEARABLE!

The reason was this shot from Essentiel-Antwerp.

Not only did I want that top, I wanted it for many of my clients and friends. I love the shape and the color, and I love it styled with those shorts! I was giddy, knowing that the website would have even more clothing like this. My only worry--would they ship to the US?

They do! Through a third party so not cheaply, but they do! And the goodness just kept coming. This shirt looks cut similarly, and I love the boxiness of it with shorts for spring and summer!

Hello, lover. I have seen the idea of a "short suit" created from two bold, matching pieces before, and I love it. I love this particular pattern, and I'd like to see women of all ages embrace the idea of buying double of a great pattern. I bet you'll find options for tops and bottoms this season at H&M and other "fast fashion" spots, too! And if you're not into the bold and bold look, they can remind you how absolutely stunning bold pants can be with a neutral shirt.

And you'll see neoprene dresses in lots of stores, too, so make a note of how to style one casually like they did here!

They don't just do casual inspiration well, either. I love their looks to inspire us all for dressing for the office for spring. For example, I love this slouchy, boyish shirt with this full, floral skirt. Sign me up! I know I can re-create this at home!

And you know how much I love stripes with florals. It's the gateway to pattern mixing because it always works. Every time.

They're styling a lot of sandals that are very trendy right now: Birks, thick soled sandals, and wedges. But, I love their take on these wedges because it makes me want to paint a bright line on the bottom of my cork soled shoes!

Looking for standout wedge sneakers instead? They've got those, too. 

So lessons learned from this post would be: take a second look at shorts that you have and try wearing them in a different way this spring. Try a boxy shirt. Try a pattern that contrasts. Or try wearing a shirt or jacket in the same exact print.

Also, try a boxier shirt with a feminine skirt to work. Extra points for pattern mixing!

Simple Easter Style

Simple Easter Style

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Bear with me. The caps on this post are going wild for some reason!

Dressing for church on easter is one of those things that stresses me out. First, i'm not catholic, like my husband, or even christian, like my mother-in-law. I'm very spiritual, but i was not raised attending any kind of church. Now i find myself spending easter every year with a family for whom going to church on easter is the norm. The first year i went, i almost bailed at the last minute because i had worked myself into such a tizzy. I was so unsure of what people would wear and so worried that i'd wear something offensive. Everything was tossed on to the bed as too tight, too conservative, too casual, too dressy. I think i had a full on suit on at one point. I can't even remember what i wore eventually. 

Thankfully, i've now been to church many times, and even on several easter sundays. But i'm acutely aware of the internal pressure we can put on ourselves to wear something that feels special yet natural. Combine that with things like walking half mile to get to a church or basting a special cut of meat in the oven before and after or chasing kids around as they find eggs, and it can be stressful! 

Here are my ideas for outfits that you can plan ahead with and not stress out like i did. 

Winter: Shake It Off

Winter: Shake It Off

In advance of picking out your clothes for Monday (and hopefully for the week!), I wanted to say this. When I woke up on Friday, the first day of spring, I walked out my back door to this. Snow, gloom, and grayness. Was I back home in Vermont? Back to my law school days in Chicago? I've had many dreary first days of spring, but this one hit me particularly hard. I wanted to go back to bed until it was warm and sunny! 

Then I stopped stomping my feet and looked around a little bit. There, nestled under an inch of snow, were the first green shoots of my mother's bulbs! And if I got over my self pity, I heard birds chirping. And the trees had little buds! There was life beyond my sinus infection and the snow, and I was going to go find it! 

Here are some of my favorite ways for us all to wear spring all week. Maybe Mother Nature will know we support her efforts! 

This gorgeous dress above is

Spring (Sneaker) Things I'm Noticing

Spring (Sneaker) Things I'm Noticing

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Do you know what makes the outfit above work? For me, it's the sneakers. I love the whole look, but it could feel totally different with this spring's brightly colored, pointy high heels. This is an outfit built for exploring a new city, heading out with a new baby, meeting up with friends, or going on a first date. The sneakers do all of that. And, if you agree, you're in luck. 

Liberty print Vans

Because OOOOOOoooo boy is this a good season for sneakers! I had a really hard time choosing favorites to show you here today, it's so good. Wherever you look, you're going to find cool sneakers in tons of colors. I promise. Here are a few favorites. 

Via Le Bunny Bleu

I'd wear any of these in the following way: for now, with jeans rolled up to just above the sneaker, whatever height that was, with something feminine like flowers and then a darker jean jacket. Then, with shorts and a button down shirt with bright lipstick in the early spring. Then with shorts and a flowy, festival-ish tank top in the summer.

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Or with a great vintage-inspired dress because I love that contrast of soft dress meets sporty shoe. These two women nail it!

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Spring (Shoe) Things I'm Noticing

Spring (Shoe) Things I'm Noticing

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Pointy toes are here to stay for awhile, I've noticed. They were big for fall-winter, and they're sticking around for spring, especially in bright, bold colors or pastels. My tip is to buy a 1/2 size bigger if you go pointy. If you're not into heels right now, there are some gorgeous flat pointies, too. 

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And whether they're heels or flats, I really love pointy shoes with cropped pants, full skirts, and wide-legged pants. They're incredibly flattering since they make it seem like your leg is just so long and lean that it extended beyond your foot into a point. Or something like that...

Jcrew Fall-Winter 2015

My other favorite way to see a pointy heel is with rolled up peg leg jeans, a tshirt, and a blazer for a spring date night or with holey, worn out boyfriend jeans, also rolled. 

Spring (Hair) Things I'm Noticing

Spring (Hair) Things I'm Noticing

I hardly try to keep up with every trend anymore, but I do look at a whole lot of fashion. So when something is becoming A Thing, I want to share it with you! Here are two things that I'm noticing happening for spring style. Take them--or leave them--as you like! I love them. 

Center Parts for All Hair Lengths

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Center parts for long hair have gone in and out of style, but I've seen a lot of them lately for shorter hair, too. What I think works about this length with a center part is having enough volume just to the side of the part. 

Then again...

Flat Hair Ruled New York Fashion Week in 2015!

The main thing I noticed from pictures from NYFW and also the Oscars is how flat all the hair was looking! (The first thing I noticed about the models with said flat hair was how painfully skinny they all are). From hair that's down and flat to hair that's slicked back, it was everywhere. And I say "YIP YIP YIPPEEEEE!" to that because my hair is naturally flat. Maybe this is my hour to be on trend with it? Indulge me, will you?

This we can do!

I find these photos liberating because they look a lot like my hair looks naturally. I also love the images I'm seeing because they (finally) give me some ideas of how to wear my hair. I'm aware of how interesting a statement that is as a caucasian woman, but there are few times when I've recognized my own hair in images. It's a nice feeling! 

Spring To-Do List

Spring To-Do List

I have a list for you. No, no! Don't worry-this is not a list that should add any stress to your life! It should only spark some thoughts and possibly some excitement. I'd love for us all to take some time in this in-between period while winter fades away (hopefully! Right?) and spring starts to show her beautiful face to contemplate how we'd like the world to see us and how we'd like to feel in our bodies this spring. 

Here is some spring food for thought.

1. Get a fresh haircut. 

You know that feeling when you broke up with a boyfriend or girlfriend and chopped your hair all off? I did it a few years ago after stopping working with a terrible boss. It felt amazing. I'd love for you to think about losing a few inches of hair this spring. If you want some inspiration, my Head board on Pinterest is one of my most popular boards and is worth checking out!

2. Buy (or wear) something different from your usual. 

I tend toward a steady diet of all black, white, and/or gray. I'm thinking some pastels would be a good change for me this spring! If you tend to borrow inspiration from the guys, what about trying something soft and flowing (like the top above) instead? 

3. Learn how to do something new. 

I'm not just talking about facing challenges and making an impact in the world. I'd also love you to take time for silly, sweet things that will make you smile. Like making pretty shapes in your hair or any of these 29 hair hacks, or doing an at-home face mask.  

4. Embrace your own sex appeal. 

Work your hair, your legs (or both, like above), your brain, your creativity, or whatever it is you have working for ya. Feeling low about yourself? Ask your friends-what makes me beautiful to you? Then spend some time flaunting that-were they right? I bet they were. 

What I Want You to Wear for Spring 2015

What I Want You to Wear for Spring 2015

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To Work

Grab yourself a new dress, why don't ya? Or pull out the ones you already have! It's time. Spring loves dresses, especially dresses with patterns and dresses with sleeves that you can wear now and when it's almost summer and the AC is blasting in your office.