Layering with Purple

{striped tee: j. crew | purple shirt: nordstrom | vest: jc penney (similar) (similar) | pants: urban outfitters (similar) | moccasins: minnetonka | floral pin: bando}

One of my favorite parts of work is getting complimented on my outfits. I know that may seem like a joke, but really, it makes my day when my coworkers validate my ensemble choice. (Haha!) What validates it even more? When 3-year-olds like them, too! There are few people in this world more honest than children ages 2-6, so when they're complimenting me, I know they mean it!

Lately, my kids have moved on from complimenting me to requesting outfits from me. (Silly? Yes. Fun anyway? Yes.) I take those requests pretty seriously. One of the girls in my class asked me to wear purple, and I had to oblige. Truthfully, I don't own much purple, but luckily I own this super-soft chambray-esque button-down, and this outfit was born! I felt like the best thing to do to make it interesting was pile on the layers - my favorite thing!

What do you think? Did I meet the "purple" requirements? (My little pal sure thought so!)

P.S. Are you following me on Bloglovin' yet? Make sure you do before GFC disappears forever!

Now that's a red lip.

{Vest: JC Penney | Tee: Everlane | Cutoffs: Free People via Shop Bop | Boots: Steve Madden | Necklace: Aloha Swap Meet | Watch: Nordstrom}

I wore this outfit last week out to lunch and then to see Passion Pit at the Bowl! Kind of obsessed with this classic with a twist look. When I found these cut-offs on Shop Bop on sale, I was so excited! I love a good pair of jean shorts, and these fun floral pockets make them special!

This necklace was another very special find! It was something like $20 at the Aloha Swap Meet in Honolulu when I went to Hawaii earlier this year. Sure, it's broken once and had to be superglued, but that's beside the point. It's such a great finishing touch to any outfit!

Lately, I've been getting pretty into lipstick. I accidentally on purpose ended up with 4 different shades in my last Sephora order... Truth be told, 1 was a sample, and 1 was a lip pencil, but nevertheless... I've got a lot of lipstick now. This particular shade is Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Volupte in Red Muse, if you're looking to amp up your face a touch.

Classic Neutral Prep

{Sweater: Forever 21 | Vest: JC Penney | Jeans: JustFab | Flats: Tory Burch | Flower pin: june.july | Necklace: Nordstrom}

Considering it's been nearing 80 degrees here for the past few days, I can't believe I was able to wear this outfit only a week ago! It was pretty brisk last week, so I went for a light layered look with this thin sweater and my military vest!

I think these classic Tory Burch flats always add a really nice, classic, preppy touch to any outfit. Plus, neutral blacks, browns, olives, & golds tones kept this look classic, but the accessories and layers gave it a fun twist!

Mish-mosh.

{Sweater: Old Navy | Vest: JC Penney | Pants: Luna | Scarf: Foreign Exchange | Flats: Steve Madden | Watch: Nordstrom | Bracelet: Craft Fair | Necklace: Vintage (Aunt's)}

This outfit is a total mish-mosh. I guess that's what happens when you're super tired on a Monday morning and throw together anything that remotely catches your half-asleep eye. I got this sweater a few weeks ago, but couldn't really figure out how to style it based on its wide, cropped shape. I'd love to wear it with a slim pencil skirt, but my job wiping snotty noses and changing diapers isn't exactly conducive to office attire. ;) I saw Caitlin style it over at Wore Out, and was inspired to give it a real try! I threw on my military vest, aka my solution to all problems. I'd still love anymore tips you all have! How do style cropped looks?

And again.

{Dress: Foreign Exchange | Vest: JC Penney | Huaraches: JustFab | Necklace: Vintage | Purse: ShoeDazzle | Watch: Nordstrom}

The verdict is in: the best way to punch up a simple dress is to add this military vest. Over and over again. Even if you do it two days in a row.

Another verdict is in: 95 degrees is far too warm for October. And yes, I'm complaining. Don't mind me.

And finally, a third verdict: You should definitely enter my giveaway to win some awesome scrapbooking/graphic software from My Memories!

Fall Fog.

{Dress: Urban Outfitters | Vest: JCPenney | Boots: Journeys | Cuff & Ring: Luna | Watch: Nordstrom}

So, on the day I wore this, it was about 90 degrees here. I also woke up to completely blinding FOG. What the eff, coastal climate? Get with the program - IT'S FALL!

Anyway, I loved this outfit. I bought this military vest a little too big online, and my laziness took over when it came to returning it, but I've figured it out that wearing it open like this makes it work! I've worn this dress before, but I think punching it up with more accessories really made it stand out! I'd also kind of forgotten about these boots, but with fall slowly (seriously, slow as a snail) creeping up on us, I am so sick of my winter clothes, and I must pull out the boots!

By the way, have y'all entered my My Memories Suite GIVEAWAY yet?!

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.

Honestly...

{Tee: StyleMint | Vest: JCPenney | Skirt: I forgot! | Flip-flops: Rainbow | Watch: Nordstrom}

So, my baby dinosaurs, I like to be honest with you all. So, honestly, I'm very iffy about this outfit. In my head, it was magical. I loved the idea of the juxtaposition of the floral with the military-esque vest, and a way to spruce up a classic combo as advised by Mel during my last Paper Doll Project! Looking at it in the photos, I'm realizing the proportions were a bit off. The skirt was too long for the vest, or vice versa. I realized as my day went on that the outfit looked better with the vest open. I also was sure that the outfit needed some cuter sandals (My Steve Madden sparkly sandals are still lost!) and a nice statement necklace. Then laziness took over. Oops!

What do you all think? How could I have made this outfit work better?