Floral & Ikat

{beanie: urban outfitters | shirt: nordstrom | jeans: seven for all mankind | flats: old navy}

I'm a little bit in love with this beanie, and as you know, I'm a lot o'bit in love with pattern mixing. By keeping the pants neutral, and picking up a pop of color in my shoes that match the flowers on my hat, these patterns work just swimmingly together!

Pattern Mixing 101

{sweater: h&m | leggings: stylemint | boots: steve madden | necklace: craft fair | watch: nordstrom}

I'm a major fan of pattern mixing, but it can be tough for some people to get on board with! The easiest form of pattern mixing? Stripes & florals! Stripes & florals are the gateway print mix. All you have to do is make sure that your stripe contains at least one of the same colors as your floral! (In this case, both black & white can be found in my floral!) Easy as pie! Anchor it down with some neutral staples, and you've got yourself the first step in Pattern Mixing 101!

Mixed Prints + Red, White, & Blue

{cardigan & shirt: old navy | jeans: gap | loafers: target | necklace: cheerfully charmed | bracelet: derng | watch: nordstrom}

So, this outfit contains a lot of things that I love: polka dots, chambray, leopard, and pattern mixing! This look is sort of a mish-mosh, but I think it works pretty well together. I also really love red, white, & blue in combination, so this outfit made me happy! [Whoah those pants are really white! Yikes!]

Also, it's always a major accomplishment to wear white pants to work and not get paint, glue, or snot (sorry) on them. Patting myself on the back for that one!

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!