in honor of orange...

such a happy color...no?  so today being so fitting to honor this color...whether it be for halloween...or even more so...for the wonderful san francisco giants world series parade today...let me tell you...the city was full of orange and black today...

orange has always been one of my favorite colors...and because of that...i am always looking for some new "orange" to add to my wardrobe...here are some of my current wish list items...

snakeskin in a flat...and orange...with a nice little pick me up heel...so so chic...

collection janey snakeskin flats
j crew

cashmere anyone?  i will never have enough...loved this take on a colorblock design...so cozy...

collection cashmere waffle colorblock sweater
j crew

and don't get me started on this oh so feminine dress...loving the ombre affect from purple to orange...

js collections ombre chiffon gown
nordstrom

is orange a color you gravatate to?

spring/summer trends 2012 currently in...

fabulous finds consignment boutique

as i've been sharing all the spring summer trends for this year...i thought i would show examples from the consignment boutique...over 850 items...nope...that wasn't a typo...lots to choose from...in every color, shape and size...if you haven't peaked lately...you are missing out!  

so to recap...some of the spring/summer 2012 trends...

patterned pants

graphic print

bright colors

pastels

neon

color blocking

florals

colored jeans

wedges/espadrilles

spring/summer 2012 trend: color blocking...

while color blocking has been going strong for a few seasons now...it shows no signs of slowing down...so how do you color block?  the easiest way...is to find a piece that has done the color blocking for you...as in the example below...

featherweight cotton cardigan
j crew.com

easy peasy...right?  again...as with any trend...you can do small doses or go all out...because color blocking is so "in" right now...if you are out and about...you can pretty much spot it in scarves...shoes...handbags...as always...you choose how much or how little to incorporate into your wardrobe...

if you want to try a full on color blocking outfit...the possible combination are endless...what two or three colors do you love?  you can work with colors that are close...like red & pink...or blue & green...or if you are more adventurous...go for a few colors that clash...and you'll fit right in...

now of course...as with anything...you need to be careful...as you don't want to look like a clown...right?  look at things around you...whether you see two beautiful colors together in a vase full of flowers...or in a picture...take inspiration from all around you...and see what winning combinations you can come up with...

men's corner: it's in the details...

sweater season is still in full force...and yet...most are being marked down in department stores...as they get ready for spring inventory...so if you are needing to stock up on a few more...get thee to the store now!

but don't just stop and peruse over the solid colors...while they all have their place in your wardrobe...sometimes...it is the tiniest of details that make a sweater that much more special...

how about a bit of color blocking?

etro v-neck sweater

an interesting border & pocket adds some nice interest...

rag & bone 'franklin' crewneck sweater

or go for a button down cardigan...

7 diamonds 'karlstad' cardigan sweater

photo source: nordstrom.com

jewel tones...

a big trend for fall this year is color...think jewel tones...and if you have been a reader of this blog for a while...you more then likely have picked up on the fact...that i am an avid lover of color...

jewel tones to me...are happy colors...rich & vibrant...the dilemma comes in choosing a color...but then...why should you stop at one?

the jewel tones really can work for anyone...whether you are an all out wear color kind of girl...give color blocking a try...mixing two or three vibrant colors together...and for those who are a bit less colorful...mixing in one of these luscious colors in the form of a shoe...or handbag...does the trick as well...pair it with your favorite neutral...and you are set...

and if this is still a bit too much color for you...go for a nice statement ring...with a nice vibrant jewel...

whether you go all out...or bring in tiny spurts of color...try this fall trend out...and let us know you did!

photo source

color block shoes in brights & muted...

so here it was...just last friday that i did a post on color blocking your shoes...thinking that was the end of that...

well imagine my excitement...when over the weekend i received two different pairs of shoes for the fabulous finds consignment boutique...and they just happen to have the lovely arrangement of color blocking...

so here they are...one in brights...and one in muted colors...but both showing a lovely example of color blocking your shoes...

sacha london

nine west

color block your shoes...

color blocking...although not a new trend...it is coming back strong for fall...combining the use of two or three solid colors...in one outfit...for some...is a bit much...so a clever way to bring in this trend to your fall wardrobe is in your accessories...such as shoes...

i pulled a few examples for you to peruse...if three colors is a bit much for you...start with two...it could be done in brights or muted colors...

or try and pull in a nice clutch or handbag...whatever the accessory...it is sure to add a nice touch of "color" to your wardrobe...

steven by steve madden 'cathi' pump

ivanka trump 'kyra' pump

steve madden 'gaayle' pump

fendi 'fendista' open toe platform pump

all shoes shown: nordstrom.com

a winning combination...

so many combinations that can be played out in your closet...whether it be mixing patterns...mixing colors...wearing solids...color blocking...one of the trends you will be seeing a lot of this fall season...is the combining of neutrals...

if you ask me...it is a pretty classy look...and the combination of camel & grey...has me completely swooning...

photo source

my closet the crayola crayon box...

remember getting that brand new box of crayola crayons? i'm sure that is where my love of color started...and truth be told...what i love about my closet...is that when i open it up...it reminds me of a box of crayons...with all the beautiful colors...

so...i want you to think of your closet as your box of crayons...when you look into your closet...notice what items are sitting right next to each other...

there might be a multi-colored striped shirt nudging a chocolate brown chiffon skirt...and they are both screaming..."wear me, wear me! wear us together!" ok...maybe not...but let's pretend...ok?

i cannot tell you how often i grab pieces from my client's closets and create an outfit they never knew they had...it was right under their nose the whole time...

so...let your creative juices flow...and pair together two or three pieces you would have never thought of...

photo source

pattern play at its best...

did anyone happen to see the fabulous section in the august issue of lucky? be still my heart...pattern play!! you know how much i love me some mix of patterns...and although this is already all about fall...i couldn't help but swoon over the lovely mixes...

i know for some...this is a bit out there...but remember...you can always do a smaller dose...the key is...have fun! here are my two absolute favorites...

what do you think??

scanned by moi
shirt by vionnet, pants by piazza sempione

did you notice the small touch of an animal print belt? genious! very suttle...but oh so perfect...this is what i call true color blocking...

and then this demure number...don't you love how the shoes match the blouse ever so perfectly?? the belt adds some funk...and a touch of pink is always a nice touch...

scanned by moi
blouse by bill blass, skirt by marni, shoes by sergio rossi, belt by vionnet

color blocking with your separates...

the march issue cover of elle magazine was...in a word...fabulous! did you happen to see it? if not...i scanned it for you below...i have to say...i am really loving this whole color blocking that has been showing up on the runways as well as fashion magazines...

there is something about the intensity in pure...undiluted color...worn alone...the shock value of a bright...even moreso when fearlessly mixed...

so how to mix?

it depends on your bravery level... =) i've written before about wearing different tones of the same color...this would be a great first step...

if you want to venture out further...a great way to pick corresponding colors is by looking at the color wheel...opposite colors on the color wheel make for great color combo's...

but ultimately...all we need to do is look at nature...or pictures...or...well...all that is around us...for example...when you look at a bed of flowers...and you love the different color combinations...why not incorporate that same color combo into an outfit...

here are some wonderful color blocking combinations to inspire you...

what colors have you put together to form a color blocking outfit with your separates?

love all the colors!


my favorite color combo


actually anything with green...i love...

great gucci ad

photo credit: all scanned by moi...elle magazine