Checkmate

So the calendar says that it is officially Spring, but the weather in my neck of the woods has been all over the place (as crazy as it can get for So-Cal)! I hardly know how to dress, one day it feels like Summer, and the next like Fall, and then finally almost like a So-Cal Winter day O_O From what I’ve read, weather is on the flux all over the world, and that’s a sad thing…Heard of global warming anyone?

Today’s #ootd really came together based on the inconsistency of the weather! I figure if the weather doesn’t have to make up its mind, why should I? LOL! Insert summer scarf worn as a head-wrap, scuba sweater, leather skirt, white sandals, and a white fringed bag of course =)

Let’s start off with this peplum sleeved sweater from UK retailer Boohoo. So I’ve admitted time and again that I am not really crazy about online shopping. Not only do I find better deals in-store, but I enjoy the experience of brick and mortar shopping and all that it entails, versus scrolling and clicking and waiting on the mail. Nonetheless, there are times when I do peruse online retailers, and one day while doing so this baby caught my eye. 

So they say that peplum is out, but I say that it stays - and that it always has a place in my wardrobe. This sweater lingered in my virtual basket for several days, because let’s be honest: Boohoo’s quality is not the same as let's say Ralph Lauren... I kept debating whether or not it would be worth ordering. As it happens a coupon code started, and I decided that deduction actually took off the price of shipping plus the sweater was already on sale, so I ordered it. Would you believe that it took almost 2 months to arrive?!?! And when it did, I discovered that I probably should have went with a smaller size, but after all that hassle who wanted to send it back and so on??? This is why online shopping, especially outside of the USA, gives me cause to pause…

Moving on, you already know how much I dote on black + white combinations! I actually wore this sweater more casually to a Make-up Forever event over the weekend, but when it came time to dress it up a bit I opted for black & white, my beloved stand-by. It’s been way too long since I last wore this leather skirt (see here), a throwback from Saks in the early 2000's. I love how it looks with this sweater. I actually folded up the bottom of the sweater up to make the fit more appealing to my eye. Popped on my faithful white strappys, grabbed my fringe clutch and hit the door.

Until next time Babes!
XO

Scarf: Souvenir from Iraq| Sweater: Boohoo, size large| Leather skirt: Saks Fifth Avenue (Real Clothes, also worn here), size 16
Sandals: Tildon (also worn here)| Fringed clutch: Carlos Santana (also worn here)

Sweet Plum Meets Pastel Blue

Can you believe that there are only 4 more days left in the official Summer season?! 

I say “official” because although some are likely experiencing Fall-like temperatures, here in SoCal we’ve been contending with the 100's (Fahrenheit) and humidity to boot O_O!

What’s a gal to do when she is Fall-ready but the temperatures in her neck of the woods simply will not cooperate? 

There are several ways to handle this type of crisis (LOL), however this time around I worked to style a merger between the two seasons. Who says that you can’t have your cake and eat it too?!

I paired a deep wine colored silk blouse with a summery blue pastel midi skirt. To seal the merger I added a crisp white handbag. This idea was inspired by an ensemble set I saw on YouLookFab! Check it out on my Pinterest board, “I’m Inspired” here. Overall I like this color combination, and plan to try it at least once more. 
Thank you for checking out today's post and commenting below ;) 
Until next time Style Lovers!

Sunnies: Francesca

Earrings: Natasha

Silk blouse: Ralph Lauren (also worn here)

Statement ring: Loehmann's

Bangles: Nordstrom

Pastel blue midi skirt: boohoo

Handbag: Coach (also worn here)

Shoes: Enzo Angiolini

30PlusStyle: Sangria on the Rocks

As a perfect follow-up to Friday’s post Red Hot for Fall, #30PlusStyle returns today (click here to see our last post) and we’re rocking SANGRIA, Pantone’s top forecast for Fall 2014! Follow us on FB: www.facebook.com/30plusstyle. Oh, and check out my FB page too: https://www.facebook.com/InMyJoi1

Let's be honest, is there anyone who does not enjoy a glass of Sangria?! 

I mean seriously, Sangria when made properly is delicious!!! I especially like mine COLD and sweet ;)

In my opinion, the same description fits when it comes to describing dark red colors. Fall 2014 is officially Code Red. Actually the top 10 fall colors for women and men are just about the same, according to Pantone, the authority on the hues used in paint, fabrics and manufacturing.

Sangria is celebratory, yes, even intoxicating. I’m wearing a darker rendering of Sangria; the manufacturer actually calls it “Wine”.  

I am so pleased with this shift in color palettes for Fall, although attempting to dress Fall-like in 100+ degrees Farenheit is a C H A L L E N G E…

I added accessories that speak to my #vintagelove, and that aid in creating an illusion of Fall-like weather. See more of my vintage ensembles by clicking here.
When it comes to wearing red, whether you choose a little or a lot, plug it into your wardrobe and watch things heat up!

There are so many color combinations to try using dark reds, I will share a few of my favorites here on the blog. Follow me to be sure you don't miss a post! Please do share, are you excited about the shift in reds for Fall?

Check out all the #30PlusStyle Babes in SANGRIA today:
www.mode-plus.com
www.grownandcurvywoman.com
www.prettypluspep.blogspot.com
www.pumpsandstudz.blogspot.com
www.thejenesaisquoi.blogspot.com

We're looking for guest bloggers to join us for a future #30plusstyle post. If you're interested, contact us at 30plusstylecollab@gmail.com. Please be sure to include your blog's URL!

Hat: Vintage
Dress: boohoo PLUS
Gloves: Vintage (also worn here)
Clutch: Vintage
Shoes: Nine West

Thank you very much for stopping by and commenting below =)