Blocking in the Color

Color blocking is one trend that I hope never fades away. Who doesn't love big swaths of bold color? Be it in an outfit or a colorful wall in the background, or perhaps in both, color is definitely one of the distinguishing hallmarks of my wardrobe and the photos for my blog. Getting back to color blocking, the trick is figuring out which colors really pop together. Today I decided on two traditionally tranquil colors: blue and green. While these colors might not normally stand out in their own right, when paired together with the addition of some bright accessories, they can really make a statement.

In regard to accessories, I opted for this bright yellow belt with jeweled accents and shoes that are also color blocked. To top it off, why not a little leopard? The pattern on my blouse, if you examine it closely, isn't actually polka dots, but a vaguely leopard like spots. As you can see, while it's a lot of color and a lot of pattern, thematically it seems to all tie in together!

Shirt: Forever 21 similar here
Skirt: J. Crew Factory no. 2 pencil skirt similar here
Shoes: J. Crew
Belt: Philosophy di Alberta Ferretti
Clutch: Clare V. Leopard fold over clutch here
Sunglasses: Prada here

Linking Up With: Thursday Fashion Files, Throwback Thursday

September in an Instant

It's only fitting that all of the "cool kids" are joining Snap Chat (I'm still fuzzy on what that is) and I just joined Instagram this August. Again, better late than never. I actually have been on Instagram for a while, but I just recently started an account that is affiliated with my blog @Hellokatiegirlblog. I am definitely finding that Instagram is a fun way to combine my love of fashion with my travels around L.A. and other interests of mine. Below you will find some of my favorite pics from September, which can be divided neatly into three categories: shoe pics, outfit pics, and travels around Los Angeles.

J. Crew Factory Shiny Ponies 

New Balance Sneakers 

More Shiny Ponies, plus Marilyn 

J. Crew Crossover Pencil Skirt in Plumeria Jacquard here

LOFT Striped Dress similar here

J. Crew Factory Pencil Skirt similar here

Palm Trees in Huntington Beach 

The Carousel at the Los Angeles County Fair

"To Live and Dine in L.A." exhibit at the City of Los Angeles Public Library

Pop Art

The aesthetic of today's look is very mod squad circa 1960s or Andy Warhol's Factory. Traveling back in time wasn't quite the motive for what I am wearing today. Rather, I was intent on finding the perfect thing to wear with my new Illesteva black and white striped sunglasses. These sunglasses, in my opinion, look very 60s or 80s depending on how you style them. I decided to pair them with a graphic black and white shift dress to reference a little bit of pop art inspiration and the 60s, a decade that I didn't live through but "dig" fashion wise. (Just trying to throw in a little of the vernacular of decade!)

Despite the fact that my closet is brim full of color, I do have quite a lot of black and white, especially if the black and white items feature bold stripes or bold, graphic patterns like my dress for today.  The beauty of black and white is that it's a great canvas to offset a pop of color. On this particular occasion I decided to go for a pop of greenish yellow, which Louis Vuitton calls "pistache". For a finishing touch, I topped off this geometric print with a geometric necklace, which, to be honest, almost blends in because it's comprised of triangular shapes, just like the print on the dress.

Now I think I am all set to go off to party at The Factory like Edie Sedgwick, or maybe just get some lunch with my husband. Lunch is more my speed, but it's always fun to use clothing as a way to, for a moment, travel to different decades or embody a persona that is a bit different than yours!

Dress: ASOS similar print with floral here and similar shift silhouette here
Shoes: J. Crew "Lillian" wedges similar here
Bag: Louis Vuitton "Marly" in Pistache
Necklace: H&M similar here
Watch: Dubey & Schaldenbrand Carre Cambre Grande Date
Sunglasses: Illesteva Leonard II 

This week, check out my interview on Imogen's "Stylish Thoughts" series on Inside Out Style !

Linking Up With: A Lovely Little Wardrobe, Still Being Molly, How I Fall, Shoe and Tell
Turning Heads, Bloggers Who Have Inspired Me, On Trend Tuesday

Colored Pencils

Do you ever feel like an article of clothing was made for you? I kind of felt this way when I first laid eyes on the Anthropologie Colorfield pencil skirt. Designed by Tracy Reese, who comes up with some fabulous creations in my opinion, the skirt combines lots of saturated colors into one artistic print.  To me, it looks like a series of Mark Rothko paintings stitched together on silk instead of canvas. I think this is what the creator must have been going for as "color field" is a term that was coined to describe Rothko's paintings featuring large swaths of color on canvas.

The MOCA in Los Angeles is a great place to see a collection of these paintings by Rothko, along with the work of other abstract impressionists.  Perhaps I should wear this skirt there in the future? Although, I could also just walk through my closet as it is starting to look a little bit like a museum with all of these artistic type of prints!

Skirt: Anthropologie "Colorfield" pencil here and here
Shirt: J. Crew similar here
Shoes: J. Crew "Valentina" in Mirror similar here
Necklace: H&M similar here
Bag: Louis Vuitton Alma in Citron
Sunglasses: Prada other fun purple sunglasses here

Linking Up With: Thursday Fashion Files, Throw Back Thursday 
Fun Fashion Friday 

Clutching at Practicality

It occurred to me a while back that I used to use clutches strictly for very formal attire. Years ago I only owned a couple satin clutches and these were reserved exclusively for occasions when I was dressed up at night. Clutches, after all, aren't that practical, as they don't hold all that much, plus you have to hold them. Once I started blogging and checking out other fashion bloggers, I began to fall in love with the idea of the clutch and see it as a more versatile piece. It did take me a while to get used to the idea of holding it and strategically fitting all of my things inside, but now I am sort of addicted to them. I've actually never been that practical of a person, especially when it comes to fashion, so why start now?

One of my favorite designers when it comes to clutches is Clare V., who actually makes all of their bags right here in Los Angeles.  I currently own two Clare V. clutches, including this spotted one I am featuring today and a leopard one that you've probably seen on a million fashion blogs. I think my attraction to Clare V.  clutches is that they come in both quirky and classical prints, plus they seem to comfortably hold some basics, like a phone, wallet and makeup...maybe even my husband's phone and wallet too if I am ambition with how I organize everything.

I think my clutch collection is probably going to just continue to grow with time, as is the case with a lot of the things in my closet! Here are some other options for clutch, including several from Clare V. that I love. I am really partial to number 5 because of the colors and quirkiness of the design. It was actually featured on a Purse Blog article about bags that would get you photographed at New York Fashion Week!

1. Clare V. Margot Flat Clutch, 2. Marie Turnor Lunch Clutch, 3. Clare V. Margot Foldover 

4. Rebecca Minkoff Leo Clutch, 5. Kara Ross Boxer Clutch, 6. Clare V. Fold Over Clutch 

7. Santi Envelope Clutch, 8. Narciso Rodriguez Rachel Clutch,  9. Kenzo Print Clutch

Shirt: H&M here

Skirt: J. Crew Factory

Shoes: Christian Louboutin "Simple" Pumps here

Necklace: J. Crew Factory

Watch: Dubey & Schaldenbrand Carre Cambre Grande Date

Sunglasses: Prada "Baroque" round sunglasses here

Linking Up With: Shoe and Tell, How I Fall, Still Being Molly
Hello Monday , A Lovely Little a la Mode

I Will Wear What I Like
On Trend Tuesday, Bloggers Who Have Inspired Me,  Turning Heads, Style Sessions

The Yellow Bates Motel

Sometimes, as Tim Gunn famously says, you just have to "make it work". Last weekend my husband and I visited friends in Santa Monica, which is a section of the city we seldom visit and as a result are unfamiliar with. I was hoping to maybe see some sights on the boardwalk after our visit and additionally take some photos for my blog there, but we decided against this at the last minute as the traffic was heavy and my husband and I were both ready to go home. Since this was my first time wearing my new J. Crew Geo Brushstroke skirt, styled especially to be featured on my blog, I was scanning for a plan B for the photos. On our way to the freeway we spied this tiny motel painted in bright yellow. The color gods were smiling upon me once again!

Even though I love the colors, I don't think I would want to stay at this motel. I sort of felt like if you took a shower in your room, Norman Bates would jump out from the shadows, or, in this case, the brightly colored yellow facade, knife in hand. (The infamous music from the Psycho "shower scene" was playing in my head the whole time!) However, plenty of other people seemed to gravitate towards this motel. In fact, the place was really hopping. People were sitting outside in the "courtyard area" enjoying a drink and one woman nearly ran us over in the parking lot. I guess everyone is drawn to bright colors!

Shirt: J. Crew similar here

Skirt: J.Crew "Geo Brushstroke" circle skirt here

Shoes: J. Crew "Lillian" wedges similar here

Bag: LV "Marley" in Pistache budget friendly option here

Belt: Target

Sunglasses: Prada fun purple sunglasses options here

Linking Up With: Flashback Fashion Fridays, Fun Fashion Friday
Passion 4 Fashion