Camo + Gingham

{cardigan: old navy | shirt: aeropostale | jeans: nyc tripp | moccasins: minnetonka}

I'm a copycat. An internet copycat. While I hate copying in "real life," (like a 7-year-old), the internet is just bustling with an overwhelming amount of style inspiration, and sometimes, I can't help but totally steal it. When I saw this look on Seersucker and Saddles last week, I just knew I had to give this print mixing a try! I added a cardigan (cause it was chilly) and went with my favorite moccasins, because 1) I don't have bright blue shoes and 2) Heels don't work for my job, however... I think I tweaked that fabulous inspiration to fit my own style, and I love it! Camo is the new neutral!

Pinteresting Pattern Mixing: Part 1

One wonderful thing that summer has given me (besides sleeping in, staying up late, and a mild tan) is plenty of free time to waste on Pinterest! Often times, my Fashion Love board is overflowing with style that's all over the map, but lately, I've noticed a definite trend: pattern mixing! Before I started blogging, I'd have been terrified to mix gingham with zebra print, or stripes with paisley, or ikat with skulls... but now, I absolutely love pattern mixing, and my Pinspiration proves it!

Here are some ways to mix one of your closet staples - stripes! - with some other patterns. Give it a try, and soon enough, I bet you'll be a pro! (By the way, for those of you unfamiliar with Polyvore, whenever I post a set on my blog, all you have to do is click on the image, and it will take you to a page with all of the product details!)

Stay tuned for more Pinteresting Pattern Mixing next week!

Rainbow BRIGHT.

{Plaid shirt: American Apparel | Cardigan: Forever 21 | Jeans: Old Navy | Flower pins: crewcuts | Shoes: Gift | Watch: Nordstrom}

Well, it doesn't get much more colorful than this! I guess I could have thrown on a pair of pink pants, eh? Anyway, this rainbow plaid makes me super happy, and so do these hand-painted shoes my friend Marcy made me in high school, in honor of my former AIM screen name, "dani disco duck." I actually misplaced them for years. Well, one of them. It seemed I'd always find one, and then by the time I'd found its pair, the original would go missing. Lucky for me, I've got one complete (and magical) pair now.

In other news, whatever happened to Rainbow Brite?

My grandma's couch.

{Sweatshirt & Jeans : Urban Outfitters | Shoes: Toms | Jacket: Mom's | Flower pin: june.july}

Today, a coworker said that the floral print of my sweatshirt reminded her of something very familiar. I'm sure it was something along the lines of her grandmother's couch. I absolutely love it; it's wildly comfortable, and I was instantly drawn to the vintage feel of the floral. I've been breaking out my Toms lately, as my piggy toes have been chilly in the morning. I can't wait for real boot weather!

Live from Portland.

{Shirt: Victoria's Secret | Vest: JC Penney | Jeans: JustFab | Moccasins: Minnetonka}

Hello baby dinos. Dani here, "reporting live from Oregon." This morning, we flew to Portland, and it is so lovely here, just like last year! Upon arrival, and the realization that it was in the mid-90s (very unusual for Portland), I promptly altered my layers. I must admit, however, that 90s temperatures are so working against the '90s grunge fashion theme I had planned for this trip.

FYI, this is what I look like at 5am. Rough. (Hence only one photo, horribly edited. "Warmify" is a fantastic tool, especially when overused.)

My cousin Star lives here, and I can't wait to see her tonight! We had a nice time (and a yummy grilled cheese!) earlier this afternoon at the farmers' market, and I can't wait to hit up the endless food trucks and cute boutiques!

P.S. Three words: no sales tax.

June Gloom. For a few hours. (11/30)

{Top: Forever 21 | Shorts: True Religion DIY | Sandals: W3 by JustFab | Pin: crewcuts}

There are 2 (thousand) things I dislike: 1. Waking up early. 2. Being cold. Apparently, today, these things went hand in hand. Let's begin by saying, my cat woke me up early. Seriously. He jumped from side to side of me (over me) and meowed his stinky breath in my face until I got up to feed him. What the what?! It doesn't get summer-y until about 11am around here, for some reason, and it tends to start RAINING within 5 miles of my work, pretty much no matter what. So I woke up and was cold and in a real bad mood. That's kind of the end of this story. Stay tuned for the next exciting chapter of "Unchangeable Things That Dani Can Complain About." ;)

P.S. Remember, if you didn't win my Denim Bow Giveaway, you can buy it in Melissa's shop - States of Alteration! Super reasonable, and as we know, super cute! :)

Don't spill. (8/30)

 

{Top: Zara | Jeans: Gap | Shoes: Kohls | Bracelet: NYC Street Fair | Pin: Crewcuts | Cat: Free}

This is an outfit that just screams: "Don't consume anything except water all day!" Two perks about having a little time off of work (besides just having time off of work): being able to wear white and being able to wear heels! These shoes cost me something like $12 off the clearance rack at Kohls, plus I had a gift card, so they were essentially free. Also, if you're ever looking for cheap cutesie accessories, you have to check out crewcuts, J. Crew's kids section. They have some pretty precious hair do-dads and simple, fun jewelry. One more day of my 5-day summer "vacation," and how will I be spending it? Doing absolutely nothing, if fate allows.

And remember, there's only a few more days to enter my {DENIM BOW GIVEAWAY}, so get your entries in and tell your friends! :)

Sparkalicious (12/30)

{Jacket & Necklace: UO | V-neck: H&M | Jeans: Seven For All Mankind | Flats: Soda | Flower: Sweet Chic Hair Boutique | Bangle: F21}

Yay! Some fun in my outfit! Sparkles make me happy. Albeit they're gray sparkles, but they're sparkles nonetheless! I threw in a few pops of color with the hot pink belt (of unknown origin), bright yellow bangle, sea foam green (my favorite color!) flower, and blue horn necklace. It's always fun to wear pieces like these to work. The kids go ga-ga over sparkles. The kids were also super enthralled with my necklace. I told the boys it was a saber tooth, and the girls it was a unicorn horn. I love the 3-year-old mind. I'm not one to wear flowers in my hair, usually, but this one is so big and bright that I like it. I also have to love my top-knot take 2. (Today a kid told me he liked my "black and yellow" hair... Ouch.)

On another note, the cover of the Elle that arrived today reads "Spring Fashion: Color Is Back!" Just seeing the word color kind of makes me want to cry. 18 more days... 18 more days...

P.S. Today someone at work told me I look like I was just picked from the Cabbage Patch. 2 questions: 1. What the heck does that mean? 2. Is this a compliment or an insult? Hmmm... All interpretations welcome.