Fluorescent Adolescent

Wearing: Old Navy blouse (luxury version), Timing faux fur jacket (similar), Charlie capri jeans c/o Lucky Brand, Mondani neon bag (similar), & Fioni Night kitten heels


I never thought the day would come, but it has. I'm actually wearing kitten heels! Although I'm a self-professed boot addict, I'm inspired by the demure vibe these pumps project, especially when paired with cropped jeans.  It's nice to step outside of my comfort zone by switching my shoe selections, but leave it to me to throw in a neon bag.  It reminds me of my adolescent days when sporty neon pieces paired with a deep tan were all the rage.  While I'm all about wearing sunblock (and not getting tan) as an adult, I will indulge in the fluorescent trend another time around with a fun satchel that's roomy enough for all of my daytime essentials.

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Shoe Confessions

Wearing: Dorothy Perkins floral garland, Solemio crochet dress (dream version), UNIF the robe in floral bouquet (similar), Bakers Showdown boots, and H&M fox handbag


Fashion for me is often about playing a role and channeling a very specific source of inspiration.  This look has bohemian written all over it, and my inspiration came from the Threadsence Zodiac lookbook in addition to a visit to Free People, where I admired a few crochet dresses last weekend. The boots are a comfortable addition to my arsenal of comfortable throw-on-and-go ankle boots.  (You may have seen similar boots that I have in black and in blush, and this rust pair completes the trio.)

Since I seem to get frequent comments and questions about my shoe collection, I'll answer a few of the most common things that I'm asked:

How many pairs of shoes do you have? I haven't counted, but I'm guessing it's over 100. Yes, I'm a shoe addict.
How do you store your shoes? I use plastic stackable racks from Target, and my bedroom floor accommodates the closet overflow, although everything stays organized.
How high are your highest heels? My Steve Madden Collosul boots are about 6.5".  The high platform makes them stable and easy to walk/dance in, so they're more like 4" heels.
What are your favorite shoe trends for spring? I'm loving pumps right now, especially Mary Janes, pointy, kitten-heeled, and glittery ones.  Neon accents, color blocking, and snake prints are also on my radar.
Do you have a favorite pair? My Ashish for Topshop zebra wedges from 2009 are near and dear to my heart. They never fail to elicit a variety of comments from strangers.
Are there any shoes you won't wear? Oddly enough, I've always found flip flops to be uncomfortable.
What's your favorite go-to bootie? Right now my black Sam Edelman Louie boots are in heavy rotation due to their comfort and versatility.
What are your favorite stores for bargain shoes? GoJane and Urbanog take the cake for trendy and affordable shoes, and they always have an extensive selection of new arrivals.

So if you're a fellow shoe addict, let me know your shoe confessions in the comments: how do you store your shoes, how many pairs do you have, and what's your favorite pair/brand?

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The Road To Vertigo

Wearing: INC sequin jacket (similar), H&M Guns N' Roses T-shirt, Couture Collection straight jeans c/o James Jeans (similar), vintage Coach bag, & Forever 21 leopard boots (similar)

This is one of my favorite places for photos because of the stunning panoramic views. It's well worth the tinge of vertigo that I experience on the way up just for the scenery...oh, and if I appear to be thinner in any way, I cannot take credit for that.  Despite being loyal to my workout routine, I have to give credit where it's due.  These James Jeans have a slimming effect and the way they mold to the body is very much appreciated.

The handbag is a recent thrift store score. I always wonder what my closet would look like if I'd developed a thrifting habit much earlier.  Due to the unpredictable pricing strategies at the stores my in my area, I've been fortunate enough to score some gems, including this bag. While other shoppers around me overlooked it, I immediately grabbed it. Later, in the back of the store, I encountered that exact same bag in brown, except for $10 more. I'm dying to discover the mysteries of how thrift stores determine their prices because in my experience, there seems to be no rhyme or reason.

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Cocooning

Wearing: Nine & Co. beanie, Kensie cardigan (similar), American Apparel T-shirt, Cheap Monday jeans, Charlotte Russe bag(similar), & Diva Lounge fringe wedge boots (get the JC version)


This sweater has an uncanny ability to keep me as warm as most of my faux fur coats on a chilly day.  The best part is that it's not even the slightest bit itchy.  It served me well during my short trip to San Francisco in November, where I repeatedly wore it layered over inappropriately lightweight tops.  The muted mix of colors and roomy silhouette evoke the comfort and softness of a cozy blanket, which serves particularly useful for cold winter mornings when I'd rather cocoon beneath the covers.

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Instagram Addict

It's my most frequently used iPhone app, and the thing that offers me constant visual inspiration throughout the day. I can't imagine life without Instagram. It's addicting, I swear.  I'm drawn to the ease of use, fun filters, and the chance to see what others are eating, buying, wearing, etc. Not to mention the adorable pet photos, stunning sunsets, and fun party pictures that predominate. You can see what inspires me and what I'm spotting/buying while shopping (ahem, ahem, lots of shoes) by following me @thekeytochic.

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Kicking Leaves

Wearing: vintage blouse (similar), collarless faux fur jacket by Timing, Cheap Monday jeans, Qupid snake print boots c/o GoJane, & H&M fringe handbag (similar)


So there's a sprawling, scenic park on the outskirts of town that oddly enough, remains empty most of the time. It's especially quiet and peaceful this time of year.  I often ride my bike through this picturesque area, where picnic tables abound, squirrels dart below the towering tees, and a hidden brook lies hidden below the hills. Although I've heard rumors that there are rattlesnakes in the vicinity, fortunately for me, the only snake-like thing I spotted on this day were my ankle boots.

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Sheer & Starry

Wearing: Forever 21 star print top (dream version), Frenchi T-shirt, H&M metallic jeans (similar), Aldo handbag, and Aldo Netz sneakers


Confession - my star print top is actually a robe from Forever 21's sleepwear department.  At first sight, I knew it would make an ideal lightweight cover-up and layering piece for the unusually warm winter days we've had recently.  There's nothing like wearing a robe during the daytime that evokes the casual comfort and ease of sleepwear without looking or feeling like an actual robe. For spring, I envision styling it with a breezy top and distressed cutoffs or over a fitted mini dress with ankle boots or strappy wedges. For now, though, when paired with metallic jeans and concealed wedge sneakers, it's just the type of outfit that's fit for enjoying a sunny day during a leisurely visit to the park.

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Lemon Lace

Wearing: Missoni for Target cardigan (luxury version), and dress (similar), boots (similar by JC), and bag from Forever 21


In the past, if you had asked me whether I'd wear neon lace, the answer would have been a definitive "no."  That was before Christopher Kane's memorable spring 2011 collection.  Since then, I've amassed a small collection of lace dresses, ranging in color from seafoam green, blush pink, and cobalt to neutrals such as ivory and classic black.  But nothing too bright until this month.  So when I spotted this lemon-hued dress at Forever 21, I found myself attracted to the bold yellow hue, and I immediately reached for it.

When it comes to color, bright yellow isn't something that I'm completely comfortable with, so I wanted to balance the dress with cool colors that I'm typically drawn to.  Once I got the dress home, I knew I'd style it with a bright sweater that included shades of blue in order to balance the warmth.

For late winter and early spring, saturated colors and pops of neon are on my style radar. There's something uplifting and cheerful about wearing bright colors during the winter, especially in anticipation of longer and warmer days on the horizon.

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Noir, Blanc Et Bleu

Wearing: Lumiere two-tone faux fur jacket (luxury version), Xhilaration striped T-shirt, Charlie capri jeans c/o Lucky Brand, Shiekh studded pumps, and Forever 21 quilted handbag (similar)


In an effort to experiment with new hairstyles, lately I've become intrigued by the ballerina bun.  After watching a few YouTube tutorials and making my own sock donut, I practiced at home until I achieved somewhat satisfactory results. I honestly never thought I'd wear socks on my head, but they work well to form the donut-shaped base of the bun.  Tip: it works best if you choose socks that blend in with your hair color in case it shows through.

Since I styled my hair prior to getting dressed, I was inspired to channel a Parisian vibe with a striped top, colored denim, and some pumps that have been stashed in my closet for years. (At the moment, all I want to wear are skinny jeans with pumps and oversized tops.) Thankfully, the jeans were the perfect length to pair with my pumps - no hemming required.  With my current color blocking obsession, I look forward to pairing the jeans with boldly hued tops, sweaters, and blazers.  The bright (but not too bright) shade of cobalt blue may be the ideal complement to fuschia, red, coral, and royal purple pieces in my closet, however, for this day, a clean black and white color palette evokes the classic French glamour that inspired me.

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In With The New

Wearing: sunglasses via Buffalo Exchange, Jayne fringe top from Nasty Gal, Cheap Monday jeans, and Forever 21 floral Mary Janes (similar) and aviator jacket (get the look)

While I've shared my obsession with texture in previous personal style posts, there's a new fashion fixation for me, namely, the pairing of pumps with cropped or cuffed skinny jeans. I'm temporarily setting aside my beloved ankle boots in favor of a French gamine-inspired style.  Think simple color palettes, ballerina buns (as seen on my Instagram @thekeytochic), and casual ensembles consisting of skinny jeans with pumps.  Not that the furry fringe top reads as gamine, but I still cannot resist anything with tactile texture right now.  Some post-holiday shopping on Nasty Gal's deeply reduced sale section has left me as the proud new owner of some items that I've been stalking on their site for a while now, including this top.  After some highly effective closet purging and reorganizing sessions in the past two weeks, I'm ready to start the new year with extra space for my new purchases.

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