Everybody Loves Parfait!

I love that line from Shrek and it is so true. What is not to love? Pretty colours and yummy layers, parfait is just about perfect. Layering blouses can be like parfait, sparkling layers of colour that are pretty enough to eat.

When I saw academichic layering cardigans and Already Pretty layering dresses, I thought why not layer blouses? Now I know we already layer tops and camis, but I am talking about a different animal here. Two blouses, not a blouse and a cami. Now why layer a blouse? I thought to add interest to a plainer blouse and to help with "issues" such as armholes that are too low or a decollete that shows too much.

Here I have three examples of blouse layering:

• Floral Blouse- Anthropologie
• Pink Blouse- Target

This floral blouse has low cut underarms and a low neckline. I used the bright pink blouse to fill it in and add a nice pop of colour.

• Sheer Blouse- Forever 21
• Beige Blouse- NY&Company

Here is a beautiful sheer blouse with a lace inset yoke. I could have gone with the cami underneath, but I chose this beige puff sleeve blouse because I thought the little collar on it accented the lace yoke positively, and the puff sleeves added dimension to the flutter sleeves on the sheer blouse. It all has a very retro feel to it.

• Aqua Silk Blouse- Forever 21
• Green Portrait Collar Blouse- Target

The silk blouse is a wardrobe basic for me, but it has no collar and I feel it is a bit plain. This green blouse with its full collar is a perfect match. The colors are in the same family and are so refreshing and clean. It looks like they were made to go together!

I am sure that you have a few blouses in your closet that you can experiment with. I had loads of fun and will be making up other combinations now that I have the knack. Will you dare to try it out?

Pel

Baby It's Cold Outside!

Winter weather can wreak havoc on dressing with style, but with a little forethought you can put together cute outfits that will keep you toasty warm. I know, I am lucky to live in Sunny California. But it was 38 degrees and sleeting off and on the day I wore this outfit. I was completely warm and got so many compliments throughout the day.

• Forgo jeans in cold weather. They do not keep you warm and cold, wet cotton will just suck the warmth from your body. Hikers have a saying "cotton kills." It is true. Stick with wool, linen, silk or synthetics if possible.
  


• Use layers to trap air pockets that will hold heat next to your body. By layering you can also remove a layer or two if you get too warm. The goal is to stay an even temperature and to not perspire. Perspiration makes you wet and that will make you cold.
  


• Wear a hat! Most of your body heat escapes through your head. Hats are so cute and you can wear them all day long. I add adorable hairpins, flowers and bows so that I don't have to worry about hat hair, I just pin it back if I have to take my hat off.
  


• Don't forget a scarf and gloves. If the wind is really blowing a scarf can be very handy to wrap around your lower face to keep the freeze off. Gloves are not just to look stylish. Buy a pair that are meant to keep the digits warm.
  


• Tights and or long underwear can keep you even warmer. The super thin silk or polypropylene underwear know as a base layer can be worn under almost anything! If it keeps a skier and Winter hiker warm, it will keep you warm. Sockdreams has wool and synthetic tights that are the best for Winter. I layer with the thigh highs to look cute and for extra warmth. Try REI for base layers. I bought mine there on clearance.
  


• Wool socks are awesome if you are not allergic. I love my Smartwool since they are latex free. No rashes when I wear them! They come in all weights to wear with my boots and shoes and to layer over tights.
  


• Make sure you have closed shoes that can stand getting wet. Nothing is worse than wet feet. Makes you miserable and cold faster than anything. Sturdy boots and oxfords can look stylish, but still be practical. Another pair of boots is next on my list since I have only the higher heels and I need a low heel for it if snows again this year. Slipping on ice in heels sucks!
  

By following these tips I am sure you will be styling it out there while everyone else is wondering how you pulled it off! Just direct them here ;)

Now I am off to round up that pair of boots and maybe some more socks. You know you can never have too many pairs of socks!

Pel

Friday Finds Oct 2

As promised I have the rest of the goodies I purchased at Goodwill here to show you. I also went grocery shopping at SuperTarget and some how made my way over to the clearance section (oopsie!) and found a couple items I couldn't live with out. Tom did a lot of eyeball rolling that trip. LOL! I found another great vintage shop on Etsy as well and bought a dress that just needed to be in my closet. All my new purchases fit perfectly into my Fall wardrobe! I am really pleased. So without further ado:


Pale yellow silk blouse with Express label from Goodwill for only $3.99. A great color for Fall it will go with browns and greens and greys beautifully. I love the pintucking detail on the bodice potion, it looks so dainty.


This Liz Claiborne cable knit cardigan was also from Goodwill. It was too big but at only $4.99 I bought it and altered it down as soon as I got it home. So cozy and a great layering piece. The headband is from the SuperTarget and was on clearance for $3.98. I just couldn't resist it!


While I rarely buy blue this striped shirtdress caught my eye on the clearance rack at the SuperTarget and when I saw the price of $7.98 I bought it! By wearing it layered it is practical for Fall.


Last but not least is this amazing 1940's Apron dress from heybird on Etsy. It was only $22.00! It fit like a dream and the color brought out the little bit of green in my eyes! I will add tights and a cardigan as the weather gets cooler.

Poor Tom! He is saying enough is enough so I may have to post a wish list next week. We shall see :)
Until later,

Pel

InVESTment Dressing

I have been loving the Fall trend of sweater vests, especially as seen in the 15th Anniversary issue of InStyle Magazine. Unfortunately the ones in the magazine were a little pricey and being on a shoestring budget I knew I could find something cheaper! So I hot tailed it to my favourite bargain destination Forever21 and they did not fail to please! While culling through the bargain racks I found not one, but two lovely vests!



Here is the Rose Embroidered Vest for $13.99. I paired it with a bow belt from Anchor Blue and a vintage tweed skirt. Picture taken in the cemetery of Mission San Luis Rey.



This khaki vest has a lace texture at the shoulders and seemed too good to be true at only $4.99! I made it part of a sophisticated color scheme of black, white and shades of brown/tan. I think the bougainvillea that grew around the pillars in front of the Mission look so beautiful.


Then I went to New York and Company and they had many sweater vests, but I honed in on this gorgeous argyle style in teals and greens. It is available in a brown and gold colorway, but the green hit a cord with me. I had to have it! The price was a bit more than I usually pay, but still less than designer prices, so I snatched it up. I got City Cash, woohoo! I will spend it at my next outing.



This is a striking vest and I played up the colors with a bold blouse, pumps, handbag and jewelry. I kept the skirt as the only neutral piece. I am on the street in Imperial Beach down the street from the Goodwill.

So three sweater vests added to my wardrobe at a minimal cost gave my basics added oomph! I am just mad that I got rid of all the ones I used to have from years ago. I never thought they would come back in style. Silly me! I will never make that mistake again :)

Pel

Layer It On

Now some of you may be chomping at the bit to wear your new Spring styles, but the weather in your area is just not cooperating with you. We are not all blessed to be living in Sunny California or the tropical South. If this is your dilemma then you will have to resort to the trick of layering. Not only will this allow you to break out your Spring wardrobe, but it will also allow you to look trendy as well! You can layer not only your short sleeved tops and camis, but your dresses and skirts as well. Just think proportion and use many thin layers where appropriate instead of one heavy layer. This will keep you comfortable and will look more flattering as well as fashionable. Also, varying the length of the sleeves of your layers adds interest and depth to your ensemble and keeps it from being frumpy. Here I show two simple ways to layer to start you off.
First is a short sleeve knit top, originally from Target I dug out from Spring storage. I layered it over a three quarter length sweater from Wet Seal paired with a pair of jeans from American Eagle Outfitters. For colder weather a thin turtleneck can be worn as an other layer under it all. Another option would be a fitted jacket over all.
This same concept would work with a cami in place of the knit top and/or a long sleeve tee in place of the sweater. The options are endless!
Next is a dress option, but don't limit yourself to dresses. Spring skirts and yes, even dressier dresses can be layered and worn this way!


I loved this dress from Target and hated it when I had to pack it away for the Winter. Well, no more is it in a bin! Here I have it layered with a long sleeved tee from Newport News, a short sleeved cardigan from Target, a belt from Charlotte Russe and stockings from Sock Dreams. With the multiple layers I was warm and toasty even with the chill breeze. Now I am certain you have many perfect layering pieces already in your wardrobe to help you bring those Spring pieces into bloom. If not they can be had for a song on clearance racks and online as stores clear out their Winter merchandise and stock it with those Spring temptations we all want. Check out the in-line links as well. For I have searched for items that you can layer with and some of them lead to the actual garment featured in this article! Now go out and face the weather in warmth and style.