fashion tetris & professional denim

cobalt blue blouse :: H&M (love the cut outs on this one) | green denim pencil skirt :: H&M (similar here) | bright pink skinny belt :: H&M | hot pink purse :: nila anthony via lulus.com (similar) | hot pink heels :: bonnebell via lulus.com (similar) | sunglasses :: charlotte russe | earrings :: forever 21 | pocket watch necklace :: nine via urban wear (love this one) | gold chain & ribbon bracelet :: my sister (find more like it @ 2bravegirls)
check out more photos in my previous post, professional heartbreak.

Finally, a promise I'm able to keep - the notes on my brilliantly color blocked ensemble from Wednesday (posted yesterday).

While brightly dubbed and playfully printed skinny jeans may be too casual for most of us to wear to the office, and denim in general is considered taboo for more conservative environments such as law firms and banks, colored and patterned denim in the form of pencil skirts are the perfect compromise for the rest of us. The classic silhouette lends a professional appeal to the laid back fabric, while a bright hue or interesting print pulls attention away from the fact that you're wearing denim. Pair a brilliant color with a button up blouse in a contrasting or complementary shade for a color blocked look, or opt for a mixed print for a more avant guarde version.

At the office, add pumps (nude matches everything, but points for another bright color), ladylike jewelry (think gold chain link bracelets), a fun skinny belt (in a hot hue with a simple shape) and a structured bag (match your shoes and belt to bring everything together); then swap them out for statement sandals, chunky jewelry and a snazzy clutch for evenings out.

tips, tricks & things to avoid

• Keep your hemline short - definitely no longer than the top of your knee. Anything below that risks looking frumpy.
• Look for a slim silhouette; frills and ruffles lend a little girl air that grown women should always avoid.
• Balance the curve hugging form on bottom with a loose blouse on top to avoid appearing too scandalous for the workplace. A chunky heel will also help to even things out.
• Opt for a vibrant hue or playful pattern, not a faded wash, which will detract from the professional air of the pencil shape.

Cobalt blue and kelley green lean towards the darker end of the bright color spectrum, so the trick to maintaining the electrified vibe is in selecting pieces with an underlying vibrance to them. They should radiate their hue, as though it's literally leaking out of them into the surrounding air. Such is the case with these pieces I recently snagged for dirt cheap at H&M - the colors may not be neon, but they are so thoroughly saturated in their respective shades that the colors seem vivid without being too stark against my extremely pale skin. They're perfect when tetris'd together into contrasting colorblocks, particularly when held together with hot pink accessories and chunky sandals.

When originally putting this look together, I worried that the masculine color scheme would make me look somewhat boyish with my new pixie hair cut; fortunately, the curve hugging form of the skirt and feminizing effect of the hot pink accessories seem to have been enough to nullify any boy-like undertones.

Dressing around my new pixie cut has been one of the most challenging prospects of my fashion career, but I think I've finally made peace with my new look - look for photos + how-to tips on achieving my elf-like pixie look later this week.