District Couture

(Top - The Limited; Jeans - CAbi; Shoes - Steve Madden via DSW)

Inspiration: I'm a big believer in that if you don't have anything to say, then don't say anything. All this to say, this wasn't an "inspirational" outfit - I just really love this top and think it looks so feminine and perfect for spring, so I decided to wear it. The jeans are great - kind of a charcoal color and are meant to be slouchy like boyfriend jeans. I was hoping my new sandals from Target would have come in, but alas that standard shipping is really standard this week.

I did minimal accessories this day - just a mildly-sequined belt to go with the mildly-sequined top, a black cocktail ring, and a purple feathered headband to add a little something unexpected to the mix. Overall, a casual, pretty in pink, or should I say - pretty in pinkquins outfit!

And you know I love my sequins...see here and here.

(Jacket - H&M; Jeans - CAbi; Shoes - Nine West)

Hey y'all - I'm back! Sorry for the impromptu hiatus. But if you kept up, then you know my 30 for 30 Challenge didn't go as planned. Lesson learned - plan for abrupt changes in the weather. I definitely will pick up the challenge again - it was a lot of fun. But it's also limiting and there were days where I wanted to wear something NOT in my challenge wardrobe and it just became frustrating. So for now, I'm back to doing regular old personal style posts, but I'm sure I'll interject a few challenges for myself here and there.

And before I get into my outfit inspiration, I just want to say a HUGE thank you to everyone who's been reading my blog. To know that my friends are reading this is so special to me, but when I hear from friends of friends, colleagues of friends and even parents of friends who have read my blog, well...my heart just smiles so brightly! It means the world to me that you care enough just to check it out :)

Inspiration: Working from home, I don't get out of the house much ... My Starbucks office doesn't really count. Yesterday, I was invited to a ladies lunch with some colleagues (of sort), which I jumped for joy at the opportunity of doing something to break up the work day. I knew this was the perfect occasion to try out my new white skinny jeans! I think white pants and white jeans are so chic. Throw that "no white before Memorial Day" rule out the window - it's so passe! White is hot and I felt very chic in my navy jacket - you know I love me some nautical fashion!

(Blouse - CAbi; Sunglasses - Steve Madden; Necklace - F21)

I rolled up the cuff of the pant to give it a little edge, and I even have cute belt, but it's hidden under the billow of the blouse. I tried doing the half-tuck with this, but with the jacket on, it just looked sloppy.

You also know how much I love my baubles. From chunky necklaces, to bunches of bangles, I definitely indulged in the jewelry for this outfit. I love the way the turquoise beaded necklace intermingles with the ruffles from the neckline of the blouse.

It finally hit me - Royal Wedding fever! Admittedly, I was not super interested in the Royal Wedding. I thought Kate and William made a lovely couple, but that was the extent of my interest...until yesterday. The excitement started to hit me and my intrigue about THE DRESS began to stir a frenzy within me.

Well, that and also the realization that Kate and I share something in common - middle names and reverse initials. She is Catherine Elizabeth Middleton (CEM) and I am Marie Elizabeth Coleman (MEC). It's like we're kindred spirits, lol! Alright, enough of the silliness.

I didn't wake up at 4am to watch the coverage, but when my alarm went off at 7am, THE FIRST thing I did was Google 'Kate Middleton' on my iPhone. And then I saw it...the dress. McQueen!!

After about three seconds of fawning over the photo of her dress, I ran out to the living room, turned on the TV to see the newly dubbed Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (that's Will & Kate for lay-folks), emerge from behind the sanctuary. William was holding Kate's hand and in that moment, I got choked up  - they just looked so beautiful and happy. And darn it, I knew I would have to write about the Royal Wedding.

So without further ado....Princess Catherine:

I think what really makes me sentimental about the dress is that it's a creation of Sara Burton, Creative Director of Alexander McQueen. Those who have been following my blog know that I have a very soft spot for Alexander McQueen that goes back before his untimely death. To learn that Kate selected a McQueen creation is so touching and, to me, makes the dress that much more beautiful.

Also what I love about the dress are the long sleeves and the lace. There is something that's both sexy and demure about lace. Placed in the form of fitted long sleeves and you have a very chic gown, fit for a princess...and a McQueen. In fact, it's somewhat reminiscent of Princess Grace Kelly of Monaco's wedding dress!

Of course, I suppose I'm partial to lace and long sleeves because my mom wore long lace long sleeves on her wedding dress too:

(The stain is on the photo, not the dress...sorry!)

All photos of the Royal Wedding credit: Getty Images

(Blouse - Old Navy; Shorts - The Limited; Shoes - Steve Madden via DSW)

Inspiration: Or not. Well,"sprummer" (spring + summer) has finally hit Washington, DC. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE the 80+ degree weather we're having! But when I embarked on the 30 for 30 Challenge, we were having an extra long winter. March and most of April was only in the 50s and 60s - so all the cute long sleeved blouses I had planned were perfect for the weather. Now I'm in a sticky situation - abide by the rules of the challenge and be hot and miserable in my remix selections, or break the rules and add in a few pieces that will get me through the final 19 days.

This predicament has got me so bummed out because today's outfit, for instance, I had not planned to remix for a little while. I mean, are you getting bored of this shirt already? My goal is to keep the outfits fresh and appealing, and if it looks like a repeat from Straws & Sequins, well then I have let you and myself down.

The official Challenge rules state that you can use less than 30 items - I'm thinking this is the only way I can continue without flat out breaking the rules. And for the next 30 for 30 I do - I'll make sure it's in the height of that particular season so that I don't run into this problem again!

Other than my grumbling, my inspiration for this outfit I suppose is a slight nod to the 40s. I love the polkadot scarf belt, of course the wedges with the shorts is slightly reminiscent of a pinup girl. Overall, I really like this outfit, so I'll try to keep my idealism for this challenge out, and just continue having fun with it. Onward to day 12!

(Shirt - H&M; Jeans - Express; Shoes - Steve Madden via DSW)

Inspiration: CONFESSION. I cheated. Sort of. So remember the flat Steve Madden gladiator sandals from the Jennifer Aniston/Grunge Gone Glam post? Well, they broke. Grr. And so I replaced them...with a new pair of espadrilles...what?? They were so cute! I couldn't resist!

But since I already have a pair of espadrilles for the Challenge, I still need a pair of flat sandals. And the whole point of the 30 for 30 Challenge is that you're supposed to wear the original 30 items for 30 days and you're not supposed to go shopping. Believe me, I am policing myself and feeling very guilty about cheating. But it's not like Kendi's reading my blog anyway, right?! (If you are, then I plead mercy from the court! lol). So we'll just keep the secret between US! :)

As for the outfit - this is another outfit I've been excited to wear. I know it's super simple - white shirt and jeans, but I think it's a great way to demonstrate how easy you can take the MOST BASIC outfit and glam it up! Plus it's got a 70s sailor/nautical vibe to it - I can't decide which it's more of, so I decided that my inspiration today was "Sailor Moon." Children of the 90s, do you remember her? Well I used to LOVE watching Sailor Moon and when I threw on this red, white and blue number, I had a little childhood flashback!

I also chose this outfit today because it's been quite the social week for me (read: imbibing libations with good friends, nightly.) Since I was going to a goodbye happy hour for my friend and former colleague, Doug, who is leaving us to return home to Utah (sad!), I figured it was a good time to put on something simple and comfortable and chic it up with heels and jewels. If you haven't noticed, I get a lot of mileage out of that red belt! :)

(Necklace - NY&CO)

(Cardigan - NY&CO; Tube Top - CAbi; Shorts - CAbi; Shoes - Charlotte Russe)

Inspiration: Recognize the sequin top? Yup, it's also the sequin tube skirt I wore a few days ago! Talk about a remix, huh?! Since it was in the 80s today in the DC area, I knew shorts would be in order. I've been dying to wear this outfit too - love the belted yellow cardigan with all the black - like a chic little bumble bee :)

If I had my way, I would not have actually worn these shoes with this outfit. I actually have a cute pair of patent leather open-toed heels that would look great balancing off of the sequins, but since the 30 for 30 Challenge includes shoes, I was stuck. Also, absent from today you'll notice is much of my jewelry. I had plans for a chunky black gem necklace of mine, however it broke during a trip to New Orleans last summer, but I haven't been able to part ways with it. Since no other necklace seemed to do this outfit justice, I panned all the jewelry except for the hoop earrings - which you can kind of see in photo #4.

(Shirt - Banana Republic; Skirt - NY&CO; Shoes - DSW)

Inspiration: I'm just gonna say it - every time I put this skirt on, I feel like it's a little nod to Dorothy Dandridge in Carmen Jones. I almost always pair this skirt with a black top and this red belt - all I'm missing is the flower in my hair! (ok, and Dorothy's stunning good looks!) The skirt is linen, so it's super lightweight and airy - perfect for a spring day in DC! And since I'm going to a Breast Cancer charity event tonight, it makes for a great day-to-evening outfit as well! Plus, who doesn't love black, white and red?! One of my favorite color combinations!

(Top - NY&CO; Pants - CAbi;)

Inspiration: I was recently told that my style is "blingy." I was kind of turned off by that description. That term, in my head, conjures up images of Vegas showgirls, or at least the blue-haired old ladies in gold-lemay tracksuits that frequent casinos. But there have been a number of instances recently where it's become unavoidable for me to deny that my style is somewhat blingy/sparkly or whatever variation of the word.

What can I say...I like shiny things - I think sequins are pretty and glamourous, so naturally I gravitate towards them. Which is why it was also unavoidable that my 30 for 30 Challenge would have at least 2 sequined items. You saw the first on Friday - here's the second.

I love this shirt. And when I paired with these casual/slouchy/cargo-y pants, I realized this "grunge gone glam" outfit was reminiscent of several Jennifer Aniston outfits, which made me love this shirt (and outfit) even more!

I love Jennifer Aniston's style - and it seems the older she gets, the better she gets! She can make a pair of cargos and simple white tank look like high fashion! She has mastered that girl-next-door-I'm-not-phased-by-how-beautiful-I-am-and-to-prove-it-I'm-gonna-wear-this super-simple-outfit-that-looks-simple-on-you-but-hot-and-chic-on-me (smile!).

So today's outfit is a little nod to Jennifer Aniston and her simple but chic style!

(Jacket - H&M)

(Sandals - Steve Madden)

You may have also noticed that my beloved bangles are back in effect today. I'm wearing my new Starfish Bangle and Bamboo Bracelet I got from Fornash at the District Sample Sale. Check 'em out up close below:

(Shirt - Old Navy; Skirt - CAbi; Shoes - Nine West; Hat - H&M)

Inspiration: For those of you who are following me on my 30 for 30 Challenge (thank you!), I'm finding the biggest lesson to learn is "if at first you don't succeed, try, try again." Each day, I put my daily outfit on, and like clockwork, I start to second-guess myself, spend valuable time reconfiguring the outfit, only to find out it was perfect exactly as how I had planned it.

Today was no exception - I almost ditched this outfit for a "safer" choice (read: sans sequins), but I am so glad I waited until the entire look was complete (straw hat and all!).

If you're a woman reading my blog, I would just ask the next time you see something you like in a store, but think you can't wear it - TRY IT ON. If you're in your closet, trying to pull together a fun, new outfit and you start to second guess yourself - TRY IT ON.

I think as women, we miss out on opportunities to really shine through our wardrobe because we tend to be our own worst critics. I'm not saying to wear something completely inappropriate or ill-fitting, or I don't know...ugly. I'm just saying to try it out - with shoes, accessories, hair and makeup, the whole sha-bang. Because once the look is pulled together, you might find you have a NEW favorite outfit that becomes YOUR new norm!

On to today's outfit! Some of you may think sequins during the day is a no-no, but that's just not true. Sequins over the past year or so have become very chic to wear during the daytime. And no, you will not look like you're doing the walk of shame by wearing them during daylight hours! By pairing sequins with something simple and basic, like a button-down shirt or oxford shoes, you've created a dressy-casual look that can easily be worn from day to night.

Moving on, I knew I needed to wear a skirt today. I have four skirts planned for this challenge, and it's day 6 and I hadn't worn a single one yet. For some reason I gravitated to the sequin tube, even though I was going for more casual look today. The hat and the shirt really make the look more casual, with the skirt and the shoes dressing it up. There's a hundred ways to do this outfit (Converse sneakers instead of heels, cute headband instead of the hat, etc.). But I think what really solidified the dressy yet casual look was the lack of jewelry.

The only accessory I'm wearing today is a simple pair of silver hoop earrings. No necklace, no bangles (I know, shocking!), no ring - nada. I just felt this outfit didn't need it. I could have worn a long necklace and it wouldn't have detracted from the look, but I'm really happy with this outfit overall - just the way I planned it!