Style challenges: Doubling the score

I’m doubling up again today, with two style challenges!

First up is the final theme for this week’s “We ♥ Target” style challenge, hosted by Whitney @ Along the Lines of Style and Heidi @ Literate and Stylish, which is favorite score. It’s funny how one of my favorite Target purchases ever wasn’t even on my radar at first. This navy trench coat from the Jason Wu for Target collection was one of the few things I was able to grab during the mad shopping dash at the opening day of that boutique collection. But over the past year, I have come to rely on the instant chic factor this classic trench coat brings to any ensemble I wear, on the weekend or for work.

And the other style challenge today is from this week’s beautiful SIA inspiration painting.

Inspiration:

Colette Calascione, Illumination, 2004, oil on panel

Interpretation:

I had a lot of fun with this one, including a real-life tableau:

I focused on combining textures and patterns, like in the inspiration painting. And I got quite a few compliments from co-workers today on my pattern-mixing, but I would have never thought of pairing my graphic-print teal ankle pants with this tunic if it weren’t for this SIA challenge.

Details:  Floral tunic:  Woolworth’s, Abu Dhabi, 2008  /  Graphic print ankle pants:  Ann Taylor, winter  /  Teal tank top:  Old Navy, gift-carded this month  /  Grey flats:  DKNY via Macy’s, Fall 2011  /  Gold hoop earrings:  Birthday gift last year  /  Gold-and-coral ring:  My paternal grandmother’s

The oh-so-innocent expression on my face in the photo above seems to be saying, “What me, pattern-mixing again?”

And the (slightly impish) response below?  ”Of course.”

And the hair was also inspired by the SIA painting, as I echoed the center part and made three braided pinwheels to represent the flower shapes in the painted lady’s hair.

Below are a few more highlights of my navy trench coat to round out today’s double mix of style challenges.

Look 1  |  Look 2  |  Look 3  |  Look 4  | Look 5

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Link ups:  We Love Target Style Challenge  /  Friday’s Five  /  Casual Fridays  /  Fashion Informant Linkup  /  Friday Favorites Remix

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• Classic Trench (thethreadengine.wordpress.com)
• Burberry Long Oversize Resinated Cotton Trench Coat (recoram.wordpress.com)
• How to wear a trench (75only75.wordpress.com)
• Timeless Fashion: TRENCH COAT DRESS (louloustarfashions.com)
• Trend Alert: Spring Trenches (thefashionfoot.com)
• Eddie Bauer Christine Trench Coat (recoram.com)
• Women Wardrobe: Trench Coat (chictip.com)
• Updating a Classic: The Trench Coat (forbes.com)
• Grey + teal pattern-mixing (librarianforlifestyle.wordpress.com)

All-in-one floral

Today’s outfit was inspired by the latest IFB project, sponsored by the film EPIC, to share a nature-inspired look. I don’t have that many florals in my wardrobe — or at least I thought I didn’t! – but as I was taking another look at my tunics (most of them bought overseas while working in the UAE), I realized most of their patterns are floral-based. Take this tunic, for example, that has a paisley-like pattern, but one made up of flowers.

I often wore this tunic for work overseas, so I thought it fitting to wear today while giving a presentation at work about my time in the UAE. I also wore my Arabic name necklace, which can be seen close-up here in this post.

Details:  Floral tunic:  Dept., Abu Dhabi, 2010  /  Trousers:  Woolworth’s, Abu Dhabi, 2009  /  Sandals:  Target, last summer  /  Necklace worn as bracelet:  Birthday gift, Abu Dhabi, 2009  /  Arabic name necklace:  Dubai, old  /  Sunglasses:  My mom’s, Dubai, old

And here’s a prior look featuring this tunic, from last spring, when I paired it with a cardigan and skinny jeans:

Link ups:  IFB Project #94  /  What I Wore Wednesday  /  Wardrobe Wednesday  /  Whatever Works Wednesday  /  Dress for the Day You Want  /  Trending Pretty Wednesday

Related articles:

• Springtime pattern-mixing (librarianforlifestyle.wordpress.com)
• Spring florals style challenge (librarianforlifestyle.wordpress.com)
• the perfect tunic(s) (tenacious-dee.com)

Grey + teal pattern-mixing

It is Tuesday, which means thank goodness it’s not Monday. ‘Cause I had a “case of the Mondays” if ever there was one. BUT! At least I felt comfy and cute yesterday, all things considering. Silver linings, right?

Pattern-mixing for the win! No weird looks for the pattern-mixing today — I must be wearing people down! I think it helps that the pattern on these ankle pants is so subtle that it just reads as teal from far away.

Details:  Floral top:  LOFT, Chicago trip, old  /  Ankle pants:  Ann Taylor, winter  /  Cardigan:  August Silk via Nordstrom Rack, last winter  /  Flats:  DKNY via Macy’s, fall 2011  /  Silver hoop earrings & circle necklace:  Kohl’s, old  /  Sunglasses:  Vintage, my mom’s

Link ups:  Style Sessions  /  Real Girl Style  /  Anything + Everything Blog Hop

Related articles

• Mutual Inspiration: Grey + teal (librarianforlifestyle.wordpress.com)
• Of classics and comfort (librarianforlifestyle.wordpress.com)
• Trophy Piece Friday: Floral (Printed) Pants (punkrock-chic.com)

Library conferencing style: Double the fun

The last two weeks, my friend and fellow librarian, Amy, and I have attended two library conferences together. Information literacy forever! ♥ Wait, where was I… oh yes, style! Conference wear is always a little tricky, as you want to be comfortable yet stylish but also not like you’re trying too hard.

Library Conference #1:

Amy and I didn’t think to get pictures of ourselves while at this regional conference in Bend, Oregon (we were obviously distracted by the beautiful scenery!), but I recreated what I could remember with Polyvore inspiration boards.

The first night was a get-together at a local restaurant (with the conference sessions starting the next day), so I mixed in a bit of casual with the Pride & Prejudice-themed sweatshirt and a bit of professional with the red ankle pants. My go-to combo of skinny jeans + blazer worked just fine for the all-day sessions.

Amy’s personal style is more edgy and cool. She wore a graphic t-shirt — not this exact one, but this Target t-shirt has a similar muted vibe — under a more structured cardigan to amp up the professional side.

Library Conference #2.1:

And now for actual photos! Amy and I always have so.much.fun together, and Sam was happy just to be there to capture the craziness.

I was so touched when Amy said she used my go-to formula of skinny jeans + blazer + patterned top as inspiration for her first-day conference outfit. My favorite bit is the brooch on her tweedy blazer. And as you can see, I brought out my red ankle pants again, following one of the inspiration boards I put together for this eShakti polka-dotted top.

Library Conference, #2.2:

On our first day at this state library conference, I saw lots of bright florals and graphic prints. So I took a different route for my second-day outfit, recycling one of my favorite looks with a bright floral tunic and wide-leg trousers. (It also helped that I didn’t have to pack a suitcase for this conference, as it was only a short distance away. So I didn’t really “plan” my outfits in advance like I normally do for conferences, to maximize suitcase space.)

And I love Amy’s blending here of cool and classic pieces. How fab are those red wedge flats and that top with the deconstructed houndstooth pattern?! I also liked how we echoed each other across the two days with our black, red, and white combos. Twinsies! ♥

Thanks, Amy, for your willingness to share your style on my blog!

Did y’all enjoy double the librarian style? Please leave a comment and let me know.

Link ups:  Style Sessions  /  Real Girl Style  /  Anything + Everything Blog Hop

Related articles:

• What to Wear: Day-to-night Outfit (iampaulaaquino.wordpress.com)
• Variations on a theme (librarianforlifestyle.wordpress.com)
• The Most Playful Libraries in the World (flavorwire.com)

Blue stripes + florals

Today reached into the 70s, so I again inflicted my pale legs on the general populace.

And today marks the debut — on the blog, at least — of three recent (gift-carded) purchases. The blue, sleeveless dress and striped, cropped cardigan were featured in last month’s budget round-up, and the floral cotton scarf — my first! — is another clearance find I scooped up at JCPenney last weekend (where I also picked up this mod top). I like the scarf’s moody color scheme — feels very Pacific NW to me — plus one side has a subtle sparkly glow, which you can just see in the upper right corner in the pic above.

Details:  Blue dress:  Old Navy, gift-carded in March  /  Striped cardigan:  Old Navy, gift-carded in March  /  Floral scarf:  JCPenney, gift-carded this month  /  Flats:  DKNY via Macy’s, Fall 2011  /  Pearl studs:  Old Navy, gift-carded last winter

This last photo cracked me up! So dainty!

Link ups:  Look What I Got  /  What I Wore to Work  /  Vodka Infused Lemonade

Related articles:

• Spring, sprang, sprung (librarianforlifestyle.wordpress.com)
• What I got with gift cards (March 2013) (librarianforlifestyle.wordpress.com)
• OOTD: Navy Cardigan (thelazygirlblog.com)
• Fun scarf and an orange cardigan (suzegeeksout.com)
• Dressing For The Awkward Season (punkrock-chic.com)