Dopamine Dressing

 

With spring right around the corner, I'm really loving all of the vibrant colors that are coming out lately to kick off the new season! J. Crew has some really pretty colors for spring, so I couldn't help but to buy a few things from their spring collection including this green and blue striped button down shirt and these "Kate" pants in this stunning violet color. The thing I love about these pieces, especially the top, is that they go with so many things in my wardrobe and the colors look amazing with so many other bright colors! It's really fun to play around with different color combos, and I can't wait to restyle these pieces in new and unique ways all spring long!

 

As you can see, one of the color combos that I'm playing around with is purple and this neon green color. This blazer was purchased last year at Zara when they were really big on the whole dopamine dressing trend. I'm still loving that trend, so I decided to pair the neon green blazer with purple for a very bright, mood-boosting look! I have a board on my Pinterest page where I keep track of various outfits in color combos that I want to replicate and I used one of those pins as the inspiration for this look. I'll have to search for it again for more inspiration on how to style these fun and colorful pieces in the future!

 

Shirt: J. Crew here

Pants: J. Crew here

Blazer: Zara similar neon green blazer

Shoes: J. Crew

Bag: Ferragamo here

 

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One Way? More Like No Way!

When I saw this fun mural posted on Instagram, it was love at first sight! Nothing was going to stop me from visiting it and I went to quite some lengths trying to find out where it was located. I knew it was in a shopping complex called The Row DTLA located in the Arts District of Los Angeles but I didn't know where it was within the rows of abandoned warehouses that make up the mall, so I utilized Google Maps to pinpoint the exact location using the street view feature. When the day arrived, I was all set with the precise location, the perfect outfit, and my trusty photographer/husband at my side!

Everything was going smoothly when we arrived.  We were in a bit of a rush because we had an event that we needed to get to in the area that day and we couldn't be late. The plan was to get in and get out in about 10 minutes. Once we arrived at the wall, it was everything I could have hoped for and more! The place was mostly deserted except for some workmen, so it was easy to get a handful of shots in a short amount of time. I wanted just one last one when I noticed a security guard angrily coming our way. He told my husband that we weren't supposed to be anywhere near here because it was private property and was off limits to the public. In short, he demanded that we leave immediately! It mystifies me as to why someone would put such a gorgeous mural someplace where people are not supposed to go! Luckily, we had all the pictures that I wanted and were about to leave anyway.

My latest edition of Los Angeles Magazine features this particular shopping center and one of the reasons they cite for visiting it is to marvel at the art and murals they have on the premises! Clearly, that's not actually the case. I could see why they would say "no way" to photos if I had a bunch of professional photo equipment along with a crew but that's clearly not the way I roll; it's me, my husband, and a camera. Regardless, it was quite a thrilling experience and I love these pictures, so it was totally worth it! Would I go back? Probably not. Although, come to think about it, there is actually one more mural there that I have my eye! I guess I'm just a glutton for punishment!

Shirt: Old Navy here
Pants: Banana Republic "Ryan" here, additional option here
Shoes: Target here
Clutch: Milly here
Earrings: J. Crew similar gold earrings here
Sunglasses: Celine

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Camo Cameo

As you can see, there's a new wall in town! The artist of this gorgeous wall, which is located on the side of an inauspicious warehouse in the Arts District of Los Angeles, is Jen Stark. I thought I would be the first one to discover it and post pictures of it on my blog, but sadly Style Charades beat me to it and posted pictures of it this week! Oh, well. Not only did she beat me to it, but her pictures, as always, are absolutely gorgeous! I think it's best not to compare oneself to other bloggers, but sometimes it's hard, especially when you see your work as an amateur next to that of a professional.

Not only is this wall new, but so are my camo pants! I never thought I would see the day when someone such as myself, who usually gravitates toward more feminine styles, would wear camo, but I actually love these! My decision to purchase these pants was the result of seeing them on several bloggers and realizing how many things the camo print could complement. My husband hates it when I utter this same line about leopard print, but I actually think camo could be considered a neutral! After all, camo was originally intended to make one blend in. In an urban environment, however, I think it makes one stand out, but in a good way, of course!

Pants: Old Navy pixie chinos here, J. Crew version here
Tee: J. Crew similar here
Sneakers: J. Crew New Balance similar here
Bag: Clare Vivier Alistair here
Sunglasses: Celine