Orange Red Top Remix - Weekend to Work

Orange Red Top Remix - Weekend to Work by lemondroplinz featuring shoulder hand bags

FBFF: Inspiration...a little late

Dude, this is embarrassing...I forgot to schedule this post so it would post automatically. And here it is, Monday, not Friday. Oh well, I'm posting it anyway.

So I guess you'll just have to deal with it.

FBFF time again. Which means it's also Good Friday AND Earth Day!

(or at least it was!!)

1. Which celebrity (celebrities) do you look to for fashion inspiration?

I really don't have a certain celebrity that I look to for fashion inspiration. I will flip through magazines and like some celebrity styles I see, but I am not following them and copying their every move or anything.

2. When it comes to your own personal style, what inspires you?

I'm inspired by many other fashion bloggers out there. When I'm looking in my closet, I will remember something I saw another blogger try and it will encourage me to try my own version of that.

I'm also inspired by new trends that look like they will stick around. I don't want to try every trend that is out there, but if I think it will stand the test of time or I just think it's super cute, then I'll take a stab at it myself. But I can also accept that not every trend will work for my body type and I'm perfectly fine with that!

3. How do you hope to inspire your readers?

With regards to fashion, I hope that I inspire my readers to have fun with colors and think outside of the normal outfits they create.

I also hope that I make people laugh a little when they come to my blog.

4. Outside the realm of fashion, who/what inspires you?

I guess it depends on what we're talking about here. This could really be anything.

If we're talking about crafts and sewing, I'm inspired by other crafty bloggers, as well as beautiful fabrics I see online and in stores.

If we're talking about life in general, then we could get really corny here...my husband, my family, and my friends.

5. Since Idol is ending...which songs inspire you?

I don't watch Idol. Sorry peeps if I disappointed you.

But I love music and many songs inspire me. Right now, I'm listening to the new Foo Fighters album. And I just went to an amazing concert recently of one of my new fave bands - Fitz & The Tantrums. LOVE them!

yeah, these are super boring answers. so now you're wondering why I even bothered posting them late...I don't really know.

but hey, here's a little outfit pic for you...

I'm trying to experiment with mixing patterns more often. I like how the repetitive subtle print of this navy tank works well with the colorful floral print on the cardigan.

Oh and I totally had 4 layers on above the waist...and they were not needed for warmth.

Cardigan: Old Navy. Navy print tank: garage sale. Black tank: Downeast Basics. Light gray tank, orange belt: Target. Jeans: GAP.

I don't remember what shoes I was wearing but you can't see them anyway.

I also find that after looking at these pics, I could really use a necklace.

So what inspires YOU?

FBFF: Spring Trends

FBFF Topic this week is Spring Trends!

What are the top 5 Spring Trends that you are looking forward to seeing/sporting this season?

Of course I chose clothing & shoes trends to feature!!

Spring Trend #1: Wedge Sandals!!

Well apparently they only show images of the right shoe. All images from DSW.

Does this not make you wanna go shoe shopping? With so many adorable wedges out there, I know I'll be buying some soon. This is sad, but I have some amazing royal blue ruffle wedge sandals sitting in my closet that have never been worn. I'm making a resolution now to wear them in the next month.

Spring Trend #2 is Florals

Spring Trend 2011: Florals by lemondrop_linz featuring a striped hat

Dorothy Perkins white day dress, 24 GBP Rue21 floral cocktail dress, $30 River Island purple floral dress, 25 GBP Floral top, $57 TopShop floral top, $45 TopShop skirt, $60 French Connection floral skirt, 47 GBP J Crew floral swimwear, 35 GBP J crew bathing suit, 35 GBP Floral print pumps, $99 Floral print bag, 60 GBP Fat Face floral handbag, 35 GBP Juicy Couture polka dot hat, $58 H by Henry holland, 15 GBP Forever21 striped hat, $12

I'm seeing both bright big floral prints and small vintage florals and I'm loving it all! I definitely think some florals can pair together, but you just have to be careful if you don't want to come across as eclectic. By the way, all the picks above are less than $100!

Spring Trend # 3 is Wide Leg Pants

Spring Trend 2011: wide leg pants by lemondrop_linz featuring high waisted pants

TopShop linen pants, $80 ASOS pleated pants, $81 Adam wide leg pants, $84 Black pants, $180 Akira Black Label high waisted pants, $45 Topshop, $76 ASOS wide leg pants, $54 Stoneware Hearts, ABC Carpet & Home, $50 MERCI GUSTAVE Eiffel Tower, 49 EUR

Pants are really going retro this spring and channeling the 70s. What I like about wide leg pants now is that they have more of a classic look these days. And also, they're SO flattering for almost every body shape!

I don't think I'm really feeling the red floral pants, but all the other ones I would totally buy.

I included the Eiffel Tower because it's wearing wide leg pants too!

Spring Trend # 4 are this season's color trends: Orange & Chartreuse!!

Spring Trend 2011: Color Trends by lemondrop_linz featuring cotton dresses

Dorothy Perkins cotton dress, 40 GBP Lemlem tunic, 59 GBP Calypso crochet tunic, $68 Betty Jackson Black ribbed cardigan, 38 GBP Principles by Ben de Lisi top, 32 GBP Kate Frankfurt jacket TopShop cotton skirt, $70 Cork wedge, $140 Windsmoor, 25 GBP CB2 - chartreuse floor pillow, $60 Set of 4 Porcelain Chartreuse Measuring Spoons, $2.50 Chartreuse Green Glass Candle, $2.75

I adore these bright colors!! I own some orange in my closet but I'm thinking I need to fill in some of the gaps with a few lovely chartreuse pieces.

And maybe it's just me, but as I'm looking at this Polyvore set, I'm really loving these 2 colors paired together...challenge accepted! I'm going to find some chartreuse to style with the orange I own and feature it on the blog.

Spring Trend #5 is Neutrals

Spring Trend 2011: Neutrals by lemondrop_linz featuring an envelope clutch

Oasis shift dress, 25 GBP Vanessa Bruno scoop neck tank, 28 GBP John Lewis top, 35 GBP Dorothy Perkins short sleeve top, 28 GBP Twill blazer, 30 GBP Dorothy Perkins crochet dress, 28 GBP Dorothy Perkins wide leg pants, 26 GBP Dorothy Perkins linen skirt, 23 GBP Rue21 crochet skirt, $22 Calvin Klein high heel shoes, $30 Dorothy Perkins brogue shoes, 25 GBP Dorothy Perkins envelope clutch, 10 GBP BCBG Max Azria fringe scarve, $98 Cream belt, $32 Straw hat, $18 Linea Linea Neutral checked short, 28 GBP windows to the soul eye shadow palette philosophy, $38

SO maybe this choice threw you off a little. Neutrals...on ME? But seeing them over and over in magazines and online is just making me love them even more.

Layering neutrals is really big for the spring, but just make sure you don't get all matchy matchy with it. You want to stay monochromatic.

What are your favorite spring trends you are seeing and wanting to show off?

Any pieces above you are craving?

Or how bout any ideas for styling some of these trends?

I'd love to hear your thoughts!

Check out other fave spring trends within the FBFF group over at Modly Chic.

Inspiration Monday Follow-up

So I am finally posting the actual outfit I wore for two birds' inspiration monday this week. Check out my last post to see what I thought I might wear without having my closet right in front of me.

Um, please just scroll down...I think it would look dumb if I linked to my last post.

Here are the changes I made.

Cardigan & Scarf: Target / T-shirt: Old Navy / Coach bag: gift from in-laws / Skirt: too old to remember

Tights: Urban Outfitters / Snakeskin Heels: Steve Madden

James Avery necklace

I think this outfit would work even better if my skirt was a little shorter.

I have to admit...I may like just the tee and skirt together the best.

The screen print tee that I have in a bluer shade of green was just being cut off too much by the skirt and not working. So I went with a plain kelly green tee instead.

The purple cardigan looked decent with the green tee, but the orange just caught my eye more and made me go Hmmmm, that's interesting.

Y'all know I love color (did you think I was gonna channel Paula Deen and say butter??), but I don't think I've ever paired green and orange together. I've just never thought of it.

But I think it's a pairing I like...almost as much as a fudgey brownie & a glass of milk!

Because of this challenge, I also found how versatile this polka dot skirt can be! I wore it higher today to make it skim the knee and look more empire waist. I'm thinking it will be an easy piece to remix.

How do you like the outfit I ended up with?

What changes would you make? Hey, I'm all for constructive criticism!

Layering Fool

I layer a lot with my clothing, even before I started the remix challenge. But the remix has forced me to create new ideas for layering that I would've never paired together before.

A lot of my ideas are coming from being inspired by other remix bloggers out there.

If I could remember all the remix blogs I've visited, I would give the proper credit to the blogger I got my ideas from...but seriously...there's over 350...and I have no idea where I saw what.

That being said, let's check out outfits 22 and 23.

I'd like to point out that I'm actually on outfit 26, but I have to go back and take pictures of a few outfits from this past week.

Outfit # 22

black pants (New York & Co), black tank which you can't see (Kohl's), striped sweater (Old Navy), taupe sweater vest (LOFT), snakeskin heels (Steve Madden)

accessories: green scarf & yellow belt (Target)

I'm wearing a cami, then the black tank, neither of which you can see, then the striped sweater all buttoned up and underneath the taupe sweater vest. With the scarf covering everything, I could've just worn the striped sweater without a shirt under it...but that would've been quite scandalous if I'd tried to take the scarf off at work.

But I'm super proud of this outfit. I totally tried something new and wore a scarf under a belt, go me!

If I were going to change one thing about the outfit, I think I'd wear the belt a little lower. I'm thinking it looks a little high...and my husband definitely agreed.

I also want to try the scarf under belt thing under a blazer...I think it would make it look like a new shirt!

random picture from the "shoot"...

Am I angry? Am I sexy? What on earth is going on in this picture?!

Outfit #23

gray pants (JCPenney), blue tee (Francesca's Collection), blue floral cardigan (Urban Outfitters), orange cardigan (Target), yellow ruffle jacket (Macy's), purple flats (Target)
accessories: necklace & earrings (Charming Charlie)

I pinned the blue floral cardigan together so you could see more of it underneath the orange cardigan.

Yes, the orange cardigan made a comeback...already...except I combined the previous 3 outfits together even though I didn't wear them in back to back days. I highly doubt anyone at work even realizes that I wore it on Monday with the skirt and tie.

I have a crazy amount of layers in these 2 outfits. Besides all the pieces I mentioned, I am also wearing a cami underneath my shirt each time. Even under 3 or 4 layers, I still wear a cami...it has nothing to do with modesty, so I guess it is just habit by now.

We're coming around the bend for the remix and it's been quite interesting. I wrote up all my outfit ideas at the beginning but I only referred to my sheets a few times, mostly the first week. After that, I just had fun looking at my clothes and creating something new.

Next week I get to raid the rest of my closet again, YAY!

Orange Crush

I've got a crush no, not on myself...though sometimes my pictures make you think that.

I'm crushing on the color orange.

To me, it is the essence of fall.

It represents the changing of seasons (which I don't see in Houston), yummy dishes (all things sweet & savory surrounding sweet potatoes & pumpkin), and spices used for all those dishes. Spices I only really use this time of the year.

It also reminds me of football as my husband went to the University of Texas (I went to Texas A&M...Gig 'Em!) and we watch a lot of college football each fall.

This orange cardigan has been used a lot but I can still see many other ways to wear it in the 30 for 30 challenge.

Here are 3 ways I've worn it recently.

Outfits # 19-21

19.

orange cardigan, white button down shirt, taupe sweater vest, black skirt, teal heels

accessories: in place of a necklace, a red tie (origin unknown)

20.

orange cardigan, purple floral button down shirt, gray pants, black flats

accessories: colorful beaded necklace (Costa Rica), yellow belt (Target)

21.

This was my shopping outfit for Black Friday.

orange cardigan, yellow half sleeve tee, gray pants, black flats

accessories: glasses (in place of contacts), purple tank (Old Navy), polka dot pashmina (some shop on Harwin Street in Houston)

I tied a knot in the pashmina and looped it to look like an infinity scarf. I never thought of this until I saw the idea here.

Confession: I used to hate the color orange. Literally hated it. I thought I looked horrid when I wore it...and I was right, I do look terrible when I wear certain shades of orange.

I think that is true for most people and most colors. You have to find the shades in each that work for you. I have found that my features work better with more vibrant colors. Pair that with the fact that they also make me smile and now you can picture most of my wardrobe.

But pretty much everyone can wear the color black. And while it is both versatile and classic, I sometimes get bored with it.

Branch out with me and put some color back into your wardrobe! If you mostly wear neutral colors, punch up your outfit with a colorful accessory.

Believe me...bright colors will brighten your day.

Here's a glimpse of my Black Friday adventures...

Waiting outside of a store at midnight with my mom.

Not shopping for myself here...my mom wanted me to try on some boots.

But I did break down and buy a few things for myself at Old Navy on Black Friday.

Then I went home and threw the bag in the back of my closet to avoid the shame I felt.

Taking a break at 2:00 am for coffee and "breakfast" at IHOP.

My cousin Kelsey is pictured here with me. She's effortlessly cute. Annoying, isn't it? :)