style haiku

I decided to keep things basic today, with a simple combo of blazer, jeans, a white tank and leopard pumps; I added a hot pink lip gloss as part of IFB's Weekly Project #40: Go Bright or Go Home. Tomorrow I plan to brave a red, and I will submit the more flattering one for the project. If you'd like to participate, make sure you submit your link by 12am Wednesday by clicking here.

I love how my lip color matches the pink in my earrings and scarf. That was completely by accident.

Despite this look's simplicity, I decided it deserved a full outfit post. I've mentioned before that I feel sometimes we style bloggers get so wrapped up in constantly being on top of and ahead of the latest and greatest trends, colors, prints, etc, that we forget that true style is the embodiment of simplicity, creativity, elegance, confidence and love.

This isn't to say we shouldn't be creative with our daily outfits; on the contrary, I find the incredible ensembles many of my co-bloggers put together on a regular basis to be rather extraordinary works of art. What I am saying, though, is that not every woman can pull off wearing twelve prints at once, and sometimes a blazer and jeans can be just as lovely and speak to us in as many ways as the most inventive outfit.

Haiku can be just as powerful and beautiful as any Greek tragedy or Roman myth.

 It's all in the presentation.

I'm pretty sure this basic combination is going to become my new uniform for spring and summer. I have a rather intense obsession with blazers and have a pretty decent collection, though I don't wear them very often. I plan to add quite a few to my repertoire (something with cool detailing, a white tuxedo, a hot pink statement piece, cobalt blue BF cut, Chanel inspired, sleeveless tux, duster length, something cropped, a military cut, to name just a few) and wear them with everything this season - sleeves cuffed, of course. I get serious sleeve anxiety.

Definition: Sleeve Anxiety - 1. the constant urge to fiddle with one's sleeves, usually due to one being uncomfortable with the length, fit or fabric; 2. the intense need to have one's sleeves pulled over one's hands, cuffed to the elbow or non-existent past the shoulder.

The weather seemed rather indecisive today; it was raining pretty hard when I left for work, but by mid-morning it had let up into an intermittent drizzle with large patches of bright blue sky in between. By the time I left work, the rain had dried up, though there were still some grey swatches in the sky. It wasn't quite chilly enough for a coat, but not quite warm enough to be outside for an extended period of time without one.

One day my sister will learn to be mindful of the background in photos. One day. #thingsBatmantaughtme

My nephew came out with us for these photos (perfect ammunition for creating genuine smiles, btw) - my favorite part of the entire photo shoot was when he ran into my outstretched arms, I swept him up and he gave me this incredible hug (twice!). I love that when he gives me a hug, he always pats me on the back like he's comforting me.

When we were done he really didn't want to go back inside. I picked up his windbreaker and we headed to the backyard where his favorite outdoor toys are located (his Flintstones type car and the play set I got for my 6th birthday). The play set we have includes a slide, swingset and tower, though the slide is by far his favorite. He refuses to swing unless I sit in the swing and hold him in my lap (which, given that my hips are a bit wider than they were as a kid, gets pretty uncomfortable after a few minutes), and since he's only two I'd rather he not play in the tower quite yet, so he's mostly confined to the slide and his other toys.

He doesn't mind though - I'm pretty sure he could entertain himself for an entire weekend just running between the slide, his small Fisher Price house and toy car. Sometimes I envy him; that child is the absolute light of my life. I know he's not my son - but I would do anything for him.

I typically wear higher heels with these pants (I swear I picked up a regular length...), but I was fixated on these leopard pumps today. They are the only pointy-toed shoes I have ever tried on and liked - my size 9.5 feet generally deter me from wearing shoes with points, but these leopard beauties have the right amount of angle to achieve the look without entering Wicked Witch of the West territory.

Style Tip: Pointy shoes are very on point this season, but they can make your feet look bigger by adding space to the front of the shoe that your foot doesn't (can't) occupy. This isn't too noticeable on a size 6, but is painfully obvious on a size 9 and above. For those of us ladies with larger feet, I would recommend avoiding extremely pointed shoes and opt instead for a mildly pointed (seen below and here), almond or round toe.

wardrobe

[trench: maurices (similar item here); blazer: charlotte russe (similar item here); white tank: charlotte russe (similar item here); earrings: charlotte russe; scarf, cuff, ring: forever 21; layered chain necklace: sears (sorry, don't remember the brand); moccasin necklace: gift from Grandmother; jeans: ReRock by Express (check 'em out here); leopard pumps: Express (similar item here)]

The lip gloss I used was a hot pink from a giant Sephora palette that is no longer available. Email me or comment and let me know if you're interested in finding a similar color (or if you have questions about any of my make up) and I'd be happy to offer some suggestions!