Try-it-out Wednesday: my new clutch, or, superpowers I don't possess

     For Christmas, my friend R gave me this clutch. Which is kind of amazing considering that we had discussed my lack of such a bag months and months ago. The fact that she remembered this, and hunted down one for me as a present, proves she possesses that female gifting superpower. Sadly, this is a superpower that I do not possess.

   
One of my blog goals for this year is to post one outfit a month that incorporates a bag. The right bag and right pair of shoes can elevate a look from ho-hum nice to unforgettable. This bag and shoe combining is another superpower I don't possess (yet!)

     Old Navy's clearance rack is irresistible. I liked the colors of this shirt's floral print, but wasn't sure if the very exaggerated ruffle (front and back) was going to work.  However, it is surprisingly feminine and flattering. I couldn't find this in XS, so I settled for a small, which means the bottom is rather long. A partial tuck took care of the excess fabric.

   While my closet is overflowing with certain items, it is oddly devoid of some classics. This year, I'm on the hunt for classic items, such as a little black dress and a good blazer. I think I found the latter (sneak peek in the photo above), and at a place I don't usually shop! :) I'll be posting a review soon.
    Getting back to superpowers, what's yours? For me, it's a toss-up between my amazing appetite for chocolate (the Mr. finds it appalling that I can drink a cup of cocoa and eat chocolate at the same time), or my ability to read quickly (a skill honed by my former career).

Clutches by Jessica Simpson

Try-it-out Tuesday: the versatility of red

    Way back when (OK, maybe a year or so ago), I thought black or brown were the best colors for things like shoes, jackets, or anything you would end up wearing often. I figured it matched everything and no one would notice how often you wore it. Color was pretty, but seemed impractical.
     This cardigan has changed my mind.

JJ Basics cardi, AE camisole.

    While I've paired this camisole with stripes before, I like how pairing it with red makes the bright colors in the camisole's floral print pop. (Florals might need to be added to the list of surprisingly practical items too!)

Forever 21 flower ring

    For a dash of whimsy I added my flower ring (a garden can never have too many flowers, right?) I also put on faux-pearl studs from Forever 21 and a classic pearl pendant.

Pearl necklace (previously worn by mom)

      Happy Tuesday! What's something you once thought was impractical, but now can't live without?

Try-it-out Tuesday: pattern mixing

This American Eagle Outfitters ruffled camisole has up until now been relegated to weekend wear. On Friday, however, I wanted to experiment with ways to make it work-friendly.

With a pair of jeans and my new striped blazer, it was ready to work! This blazer was my first purchase from Loft online, and it’s a little snug across the back. If I buy a similarly cut blazer from them again, I will definitely consider a 6P.

This floral top has a surprising blend of colors, from red to navy to yellow. I'm looking forward to pairing it with other items (maybe a colored pencil skirt?), or even just adding jewelry and accessories to play up certain hues.