Simple

[Dress: Cynthia Rowley via T.J. Maxx; Shoes: Old Navy; Necklace: J.Crew factory (recent); Sunglasses: Ray-Ban]

Navy just might be my favorite color to pair neon with. (Evidence here, here, and here).

I giggled when I saw "Bond Girl Confidence" as the #StyleMeAugust prompt this week.  I figured a slightly stretchy, form-fitting dress was the best chance I got.  And Bond girls totally wear neon, right? Minimal accessories, too. Either way, I felt cool, comfy, and chic despite the sweltering heat and humidity this week. Still not ready for it to end, though.

[All photos by Mikhail Glabets] 

No-fuss Neutrals: 5 Awesome Blogger Looks This Week

I like color just as much as the next girl (maybe more, just look at my header). But I'm starting to feel exhausted by the head-to-toe neon, neons and pastels, color color color, maximalism, patterns times five, etc. that's been everywhere this spring and summer. (Alexandra of To Vogue or Bust just shared some great thoughts on this same concept).

Burnout, I guess. Speaking of, it's also just too hot lately for all these layers and elements in one outfit! As a result, you've seen in me in not one, but TWO black and white outfits this week. I'm pretty sure I haven't worn that color scheme in the history of this blog up until now (yes, all four, long months of it).

[My take on black & white, here and here]

I still love color, but I am feeling inspired by muted, soft, understated looks lately. I'm starting to realize this is probably why the 90's era of Calvin Klein minimalism came about: as a reaction to the over-the-top everything from the 80's.

I think others are ready for a bit of a break from the color explosion. I say that because three bloggers who I read regularly (and am used to seeing in rather dramatic hues and patterns) went for the neutrals this week. Their looks are surprising and lovely, so I wanted to round them up. (I've included images for the ones I've received permission to and will continue to update with more; the rest you will have to click through to see for yourself!)

1. Frassy: Muted

It's all in the blog name. Frassy's style is usually full of sass, color, cutouts, and sky-high heels. This time she went for a demure navy and gray-ish beige dress, a classic hat, and brown brogues.

2. Viva Luxury: Basically Black

Annabelle has a knack for combining bright, citrusy colors in ways you never thought possible, without look contrived, childish, or downright clashing. And seriously layering some jewelry. But she looked just as great in this effortless black dress, black sandals, and gold statement jewelry. A true chameleon.

3. Sincerely Jules: Pink Lady

Yes, I get that she's wearing hot pink. But she's wearing it over the most-neutral-of-all-neutral colors: beige. The result is still sleek and classic. Jules says it perfectly herself: "After wearing this yesterday, I realized I need to purchase and wear more solid basics from head to toe." She's actually been pulling a lot of cool neutral, polished looks this week, a slight departure (IMO) from her casual but bright California vibe.

These last two have a great knack for neutrals all the time, so their looks aren't anomalies at all. But they're so pretty I thought they were worth including!

4. The Glamourai: Silver Bullet

        

Kelly's taste is pretty impeccable, and today's look beautifully and creatively displays this fact.

5. Wendy's Lookbook: Classic Pencil, Slim Trousers & Nude Pumps

The slight details (polka dot sheer blouse, textured clutch) give this cream-and-black look some punch. I love those high-waisted pants she has; so modern and chic! I wish I had the torso (and budget) for them myself.

What do you think? Have we burned ourselves out with color too early on in the warm weather season? Or am I taking it all for granted now? Will I be fed up with navy, browns, and gray in December and desperately reverting to a fuschia/chartreuse getup? Am I crazy? Do you even care? Tell me!

Polo & Polka Dot

[Polo: Le Tigre (I think?) handmedown from hubby; Jeans: Gap; Scarf: H&M (earlier this season); Flats: Old Navy; Earrings: Gifted; Ring: Old Navy; Nails: Essie Lilacism Sass: Me]

A busy day and rain showers pushed this shoot inside. So here's your dose of primary colors, menswear, and my funny faces. Oh, and I just read this cool story on the history of the polo shirt (actually called the tennis shirt). Happy Thursday.

All photos by Mikhail Glabets

Neon Head to Toe

[Dress: Old Navy (old); Cardigan: Zara; Sandals: DSW; Necklace: Christmas gift from Nana years back; Sunglasses: Ray-Ban; Earrings: Rocks Paper Metal for BaubleBar]

For a long time now I had been planning to write about certain trends I am wary of buying lots of, and neon was definitely on the list. My value shopper self loves to have clothes around for seasons on end, even if they cost $20. So I've hesitated to buy any neon apparel for fear that it would be long gone next year. Until I remembered I had this Old Navy maxi dress from 2010, which is 1/3 neon yellow. Whoops.

But neon accessories are a different story. I can confidently say I love using them to explore the color trend. Like with these cap-toe flats (also from Old Navy), this scarf, and now these earrings. BaubleBar is one of my favorite new discoveries this year. Their jewelry costs slightly more than what I was used to spending at my go-to Forever 21, but it's so unique and interesting that it's worth the bit of extra dough. I often find store e-mails annoying, but BaubleBar is certainly an exception on this front. I'm always lured into checking out their inventory, and recently took the leap on this pair of earrings from their newest designer collection.

I was even inspired to submit a photo to a neon styling contest on their Facebook page. If you feel inclined, it'd be great if you toss a vote my way. I'm kind of a newb when it comes to contests like this and haven't really done any self promotion, so don't judge my low tally of votes.

All photos by Mikhail Glabets

Ray of Light

[Striped top: Forever 21; Jeans: Gap; Necklace: Banana Republic outlet (old); Shoes: Old Navy (sold out)]

I'm fighting this dreary weather with an all-white outfit and a finishing touch of neon.

And celebrating the fact that I didn't get this dirty even though I ate ribs for dinner right after these pictures were taken. 

Happy Wednesday (some call it hump day). 

All photos by Mikhail Glabets 

Watercolor Dress

[Blue Dress: Crossroads Trading Co.; Grey Dress: J.Crew factory; Jacket: Banana Republic outlet (old); Shoes: Old Navy (only available in blue now; Necklace: J.Crew factory (old); Earrings: BaubleBar; Sunglasses: Ray-Ban Wayfarer ]

This blue dress is another delight from the San Francisco thrift store I was telling you about back here. I loved the watercolor-looking print but almost left it alone because it is so unbelievably sheer. But then I remembered I had this J.Crew strapless grey dress, which fits perfectly under it. The dress is one of the most versatile things I own. You can fold over the top to make it long or short, or wear it at your waist as a skirt. I have it in this dark steel grey, a bright lipstick coral color, and a grey white floral pattern. You will see them all here remixed in dozens upon dozens of ways. They're a few seasons old, but luckily still available online here in a couple of colors.

Neutral and neon has been a big color combo lately. Usually beige is the neutral at play, but I liked mixing the neon shoe with navy. It's my favorite neutral color (and was the shade my bridesmaids wore at my wedding). The jacket is a Banana Republic outlet goodie that I bought as part of a pants suit for an intership interview in college. That was five years ago and this classic number is still going strong.

All photos by Mikhail Glabets