It has been noted that while not a huge floral print fan in the past, the idea has been growing on me of late.  I still find myself steering clear of tiny floral prints, but when done in a larger, more graphic way, I find myself gravitating towards them.  Imagine my pleasant surprise, then, when I rediscovered this dress after doing a little spring cleaning in my closet.

What I really love about bigger, bolder floral prints is that they read more sophisticated, adult woman rather than sweet, little girl making them a print that can be both work appropriate when paired with a tailored blazer or cardigan and play appropriate when paired with a few key accessories.

Because I am currently on spring break and we are busy flitting about town finding family friendly things to do, I decided to play up the feminine cut of the dress by adding some sparkly accents that play off the grey in the floral print.  Remember, that bolder floral prints can just as easily make the transition to a day of work with more subdued accessories.  Take it from me, though, that it is far more fun to face the day with a little extra sheen!

Style Notes: Classiques Entier dress via Last Chance (spring 2009; great for spring) / Gap belt (winter 2011; great for spring) / Enzo Angiolini shoes via Last Chance (winter 2013; similar style) / H&M necklace (summer 2012; similar style) / Michael Kors watch via Last Chance (spring 2012; similar style) / Forever 21 bracelet (fall 2012; great for spring) / Coach bag (spring 2009; love this)

In other news: Please vote for us in Arizona Foothills Battle of the Blogs.  Voting is UNLIMITED and ends on April 15th.  You can vote for us here!

Lest you think fashion bloggers any different than the average girl, I am going to let you in on a little secret…I wore this shirt (screen printed by my husband) with some dark denim to work on Friday and then again Saturday with some faux leather tuxedo striped leggings to story time and a play date.  In fact, with the exception of the pants, everything else about the look remained the same from Friday to Saturday.  And why not, right?  It’s super comfortable, stylish, and has an element of fun.  In my style book, that’s a look that should be on repeat.  (The less thinking I have to do on the weekends the better!)

One of the great things about a classic Breton striped shirt is that it is a stand alone piece that requires little to no accessorizing, which is perfect when you are going for a laid back feel to your weekend attire that doesn’t compromise on style.  On the other hand, because of the classic nature of Breton stripes they are also very easy to lend a little more of a sophisticated air to with a few key accessories.  I chose a simple collar necklace that echoes the black stripes and one simple bangle that, just like the shirt, makes a playful nod to the chic Parisian style associated with Breton stripes.

The tuxedo stripe detail on the pants takes a regular black legging style trouser to a more stylish level and when paired with a simple black heel this is a look that can easily transition from day time fun with the kids to a night out with girlfriends or your guy!

Style Notes:  Loft shirt (winter 2012; purchased w/ an extra 30% off) / Ann Taylor pants (fall 2012; purchased w/ 40% off; similar style) / BC shoes via Last Chance (winter 2012; great color) / Marc by Marc Jacobs bag via Last Chance (summer 2012; similar style) / Kate Spade bracelet (summer 2012; love this) / H & M necklace (spring 2012; similar style) / Michael Kors watch via Last Chance (spring 2012; similar style) / Stackable rings via Last Chance (fall 2011; similar style)

This week’s Friday Finds take a cue from Marc Jacob’s genius spring 2013 collection.  If you haven’t seen the images or watched footage of the collection take a moment and let Jacob’s knack for reinvention season after season carry you away with its graphic prints and nod to mod: Marc Jacobs Spring 2013

Since first watching the video in September, and then obsessing over the collection for months, I’ve had to talk myself down from wearing black and white every day.  I love the bold crispness of a black and white combo, which can be easily dressed down or up, making it both appropriate for work and play.  And while I long to own one (or all) of the pieces from the collection, my wallet, and my children’s tummies, are thankful that there are plenty of more affordable options to satisfy my want for a little fashion fun!

Style Notes: Gap Ponte Academy Blazer $88 / Kelsi Dagger Eliza $84.99 / Madewell Stripeplay Tee $52/ Banana Republic Stripe Knit Skirt $89.50 (30% off until 1/14)/ Gap Dot Calf Hair Belt $29.95 / Kate Spade Checker Place Georgie $78 / J.Crew Factory Pencil Skirt in Colorblock $39.99 (currently 30% off) / H &M Dress $29.95 / Ella Moss Mazzy Top $88

When I first moved to AZ I loved the moderate winters and within a year you would have thought I was a native Arizonan the way I shivered in the 50 degree weather.  What I have always missed, though, is the need for true wintery clothes and layers that true winter weather calls for.  And while I can recall from my 23 years of living in IN that winter layers come with their own trials (most of them in the form of sweating in over heated cars and classrooms or carrying bulky, annoying coats around a mall) I miss them all the same.  Thankfully, each Christmas break provides me an opportunity to pull out a few winter layers and revel in the frigid conditions for several days.

This was one of our last days in IN, which was spent like all the days prior: drinking coffee, visiting family and friends, and taking a quick, brisk walk to enjoy the crisp air and the falling snow.  Everything I am wearing are pieces I would wear here in AZ, but unless it was a truly cold day I would not wear them all at once for fear of overheating! I might be a bit of a winter wimp now, but even I know a wool blazer (lined nonetheless) layered over a wool sweater and a long sleeve shirt is a recipe for a swampy mess come the middle of the day.

What I love about this look (besides the cozy layers) is the fun mix of patterns and textures, which add interest and just the right amount of quirk to get through a dreary winter day.

Style Notes: Loft blazer (fall 2012; purchased at 30% off and w/ gift cards; now an extra 50% off) / J.Crew sweater (fall 2012; purchased at 25% off; love this) / Chloe K shirt via Last Chance (spring 2012; similar style) / Gap cords (fall 2011; purchased at 40% off; similar style) / J.Crew belt (winter 2011; gift) / Mossimo ankle boots (fall 2012; $15 in store!) / Michael Kors watch via Last Chance (spring 2012; similar style) / Kate Spade ring (fall 2011; similar style) / Kate Spade bracelet (winter 2012) /  Banana Republic statement ring (fall 2011; love this)

Christmas is just a few days away, so today we’re bringing you sparkly gems for your holiday celebration that will have you looking as pretty as one of the presents under the tree. If you are shopping online and want your goodies to arrive by Christmas Day, be sure to place your order at Nordstrom and Anthropologie today, and by noon tomorrow at J. Crew and Madewell (there’s no word on holiday shipping on the websites of ASOS, Forever 21 and H&M, so I would hit up the stores instead).

Style Notes: Sole Society Peony Flat via Nordstrom $49.95 / Stylestalker Richie Rich Skirt via ASOS $119.61 (sale price)/ H&M Top $24.95 / J. Crew No. 2 Pencil Skirt in Metallic Floral $99.99 (sale price) / J. Crew Glitter Round-Buckle Skinny Belt $19.99 (sale price) / J. Crew Polka-Dot Sequin Top  $79.99 (sale price) / Forever 21 Glitter Minaudiere $24.80 /  Anthropologie Crystalline Bug Brooch Set  $29.95 (sale price) / Madewell Lily Lace Dress $168 (everything online currently 30% off)  / Madewell Frankie Pump in Suede $198 (everything online currently 30% off)

One of my favorite holiday activities is gift shopping (a huge shocker, right?).  I know the traffic and the crowds are a huge negative for some, but traffic aside, I actually find the masses quite entertaining.  It also helps that a few years back my family decided to forgo buying presents for one another for a simple, but fun gift card exchange.  As a result, my Christmas shopping list has dwindled to my immediate family and a few close friends.  We don’t have TV, so my kids are totally clueless to the hottest toys, which means I can distance myself from fighting for the last of their kind on the shelves.  Christmas shopping for me is really not that unlike a normal shopping excursion; it’s just that the window displays are bigger and better!

Whether Christmas shopping or not, I tend to go for a dressy but casual look when hitting the stores.  Yes, I am fully aware that sounds contradictory, but it truly is achievable.  Take this look as a case in point.

The base of the outfit consists of a simple black t-shirt and a faux leather black legging; it really doesn’t get any more comfortable than that.  Living in AZ, where the fall days can still be quite warm but the malls quite cold, layers are key.  When I head out for a day of shopping I like to wear thin base layers that I can easily slip in and out of when trying things on or that I can slip a shirt or even a skirt or dress over to get a quick idea of how something fits.

During the holiday season I have an inclination to dress up at all times, so the lovely feminine details of this H&M coat add just the right touch of sophistication to a casual shopping look.  A classically cut coat with a few special touches can add so much to an otherwise subdued look and with thin layers underneath can be worn throughout the day as part of the outfit rather than a piece that was necessary when you left the house that later becomes nothing but a nuisance to contend with as you navigate the crowded stores.

Style Notes: H&M coat (fall 2012; purchased at 50% off; similar style) / Gap t-shirt (fall 2011; similar style)/ Gap leggings (fall 2011; purchased at 70% off; similar style) / Gap boots (fall 2011; purchased at 50% off; similar style) / Kate Spade bag (fall 2011; purchased at outlet w/ an additional 30% off; similar style) / Michael Kors watch via Last Chance (spring 2012; similar style) / Banana Republic statement ring (fall 2011; similar style)