Grinch: The Grossest Green

Hello Readers,


If you are familiar with this blog, you know that I tend to wear neutrals. A lot of neutrals. This doesn't mean that I don't like wearing colors... in fact, I actually love wearing colors like green, aqua, blue, pink, purple, and occasionally red. There is one color, however, that I do not enjoy. I don't like wearing it and I don't like seeing it in my favorite stores. It's a color that falls somewhere in between yellow and green. It looks good on only a handful of people.


What is this color?


dum dum dum.... GRINCH GREEN!

The lightest hues of this color family are what offend my eyes most and I was shocked to find examples from stores I frequent: Anthropologie, Banana Republic, Old Navy, and Abercrombie & Fitch. 

Here are a few offenders:

The Orchard House Cardigan

Cute design... but the color! Oh my eyes! Avert!

Twice-Topped Cardi

This color looks like it is made of Grinch hair

Borrowed Zen Blouse

Golden Grinch Gross. Like Grinch highlights

Dantela Corset Top

Oh how I wish this was a different color. 

Banana Republic:

Jewel Button Cardigan

Lightweight Ruffle-Sleeve Cardigan

Old Navy: 

Popcorn Sweater-Knit Beret

Abercrombie & Fitch:

Breanna

I even found a possible misdemeanor in my own wardrobe:

In my defense, this is more of a grass-green IRL

So Readers... What do you think? Does Grinch Green offend you? Have you spotted it anywhere recently? Or, is there another color that offends you?

Thanks for reading!

Who's That Girl: Dress Like Jess! (Step 2)

Hello Readers!

Step Two: Clever Coordination of Prints and Solids.
The second step of my "Dress Like Jess" tutorial involves intelligent pairing of cute patterns with crisp solid colors. In Jess' wardrobe, this often involves wearing a solid color that picks up on a color mentioned in a patterned piece of an outfit. 

  

This coordination also sometimes involves a pairing of solid colors that "go" with the color palette of a pattern- not necessarily included in a pattern- but a color or colors that would get along with such color palettes.

Both of these techniques require a special kind of confidence- the quirky confidence that we've grown to love in Jess' character on the show. So... when trying your hand at patterns and solids, let your own quirky confidence shine for all the world to see!

Similar 

look:

                         

Diamonds in the Sky Skirt from Anthropologie

Perfect-fit ballet button tee from J. Crew

    

Blogger Tested, Puppy Approved

Hello Readers!

Many of you know that my family recently got a new puppy, a very lively and mostly sweet Alaskan Malamute who we named Sophie. For those of you who haven't met or heard about her yet, here is a picture:

Figure 1.1 Hello!

Over break I did a lot of Sophie-sitting, which was fun- but so much work! Her favorite activities include: chasing my brothers and parents and I, quietly sneaking up on us, learning new tricks (she learned "down" and "paw" over Thanksgiving break), going for walks, playing fetch and tug-of-war, and snuggling. Like, sit-in-your-lap-even-though-I'll-soon-be-a-big-dog-snuggling. Here's a picture of what I'm talking about:

Figure 2.1. sit-in-your-lap-even-though-I'll-soon-be-a-big-dog-snuggling

Cute right? She doesn't really fit, but somehow she makes it work. A year from now, however, I don't think this cute trick will be quite as cute. Speaking of cute... I really liked the outfit I wore on Sunday! I was always a bit afraid of pairing green and purple. Perhaps as a cautious measure of avoiding a Barney the Dinosaur look? Faded purple and olive green, I've learned, do not evoke a Barney-esque look. I like this combination, in fact! I think I might try it again.

Purple and Green... I've tested it and apparently Sophie approves! Who knew that a color-blind companion could know so much about fashion!

Retail Details:

Faded Purple Cardigan: Martin + Osa (via eBay)

Beneath the Surface Floral Silk Shell: Moulinette Soeurs from Anthropologie

Faded Purple Lace Boyfriend Tank: American Eagle Outfitters (Black Friday find!)

Olive Green AG Stevie Cords: Anthropologie

Gold and Pearl Necklace: gift

Sometimes Sophie has crazy eyes

How Inspiring: The Ocean

(Pipeline, North Shore O'ahu- you may, or may not recognize this beach from Blue Crush)

Readers,

Those of you who know me well know that I love being near the ocean. In the water, on a boat, or standing on shore; there's a certain ease and peace I experience when I'm near a large body of salt water. The ocean, in all of its beauty, is a constant source of inspiration in the way I choose to narrate my life through clothing. How?

1) Color Palette

(Ocean Park in San Francisco, CA)

All at once subtle and stunning

(somewhere in Ireland- I've forgotten where exactly)

2) Movement

(Northern Ireland, somewhere on the way to Bushmills)

The ocean is ever-moving and always fresh, qualities reflected in the large stocks of flowing and ruffled skirts and blouses in my closet.

(Ocean Park, San Francisco, CA)

3)Its capacity for fun (when you know the rules)

(Ocean Park)

The ocean, like fashion, is an incredible resource of endless possibilities for fun and leisure. But, in order to participate in this fun safely, we must enter the water with a sense of adventure and the common sense to stay away from the dangers that lurk in the water (ie; MC Hammer pants, leggings with UGGs, or generally wearing leggings as pants).

(Ibiza, Spain)