Ponte Education

I tweeted about it, but I wasn't joking.  I wore my elephant-dot print top again today!  As it turns out, I wanted to get all my styles per cost done in a row...

"Ooooo," says Elephant conversationally, "I look good with gray too!"

Elephant and dot print top $4.20 VV Boutique

Charcoal cardi $10 VV Boutique

Skirt $7 VV Boutique

Gray cozy tights hand-me-down

Triple-strand necklace $4 VV Boutique

Miz Mooz boots $100-whatever-totally-worth-it-fall-2011

This skirt got me thinking.  It's a sneaky skirt.  At first, I didn't even realize it was chevron stripe, which has been on my hunting list for a while and I totally missed that I found it!  Then, as the term "ponte knit" popped up all over fashion blogs like Hems for Her and Beauty Style Growth , it dawned on me I might have me a bonafide Ponte Knit!  So, I've done some research and am prepared to share my education.

Ponte is pronounced "pon-tee," like "panty" with an "o."  That changes things a little.  Before I had images of ballerinas for some reason... point shoes, pas de deux...  Now I think of panties with a British accent.  Anyhoo, a ponte knit has a combo of rayon, polyester and spandex in differing amounts, and results in a super comfy stretchy but chic-looking piece that holds it shape and never wrinkles.  In other words, pure awesomeness for anyone living a real life!  I was drawn to this skirt because it had a bit of weight to it so I originally dubbed it my "winter skirt" after discovering some skirts have to stay in summer.  However, I am certain this beauty will be cool and comfy in every season! 

Just removed the elephants for a minny to showcase the skirt with a solid colour.

Was wearing this blue tee underneath for warmth, but if I were to wear this as is,

I would add a belt; YES this skirt has belt loops and a flattering wide waistband!

As a result of my education, "ponte knit anything" is on my hunting list for the foreseeable future.  I would love a blazer or some pants in a ponte knit!  For now, I will cherish my Chevron Ponte!

I heart you Chevron Ponte.

You know what to do.  Get to your nearest VV Boutique and find you some ponte knit!  





Conversational Prints

Well now that people have finally stopped hounding me for autographs (hee hee), I will expound a bit more on what I was wearing when I became famous: conversational prints. 

I have had "animal motifs" on my hunting list for a while since seeing those cute fox sweaters and such pop up all over Pinterest.  Then there was Kendi's post on a gorgeous elephant-print top which got me thinking about elephants specifically.  I have a long history with elephants.  I'm not going to explain, but one person knows what I'm talking about.  Then, Anthropologie sent me their siren call email about conversational prints and I heightened my search.  Luckily, luckily, I stopped in to VV Boutique to make a donation and do a quick hunt because I found this elephant print sleeveless top and got to use my 30% off stamp card...

  Elephant and dot sleeveless top $4.20 VV Boutique

Ann Taylor skinny cargos $6 VV Boutique

Oxmo cardi circa 2009

I wondered if it would be a bit baggy, but I love the fit - very forgiving yet not sloppy-looking!  It is so versatile - I wore it for my high-fashion shoot with a velvet blazer, but last week I paired it with this (washable) simple black cardi for work.  And the necklace... happy sigh... This hand-me-down Accessorize necklace is a serious necklace.  You either need to wear it with something plain and let it shine on its own, or with something that can hold its own.  Well, elephants can hold their own!  They don't have four knees for nothing!  (Style and random mammal facts.)

Sperry Top-Sider Hayden Penny Loafer $9.80 VV Boutique

I wore this look again today to church with my Bordeaux Merino wool sweater instead of the black cardi.  I haven't even tried it with my coloured pants yet, or tried to do some funky pattern mixing to look just like a chic Anthropologie ad OR considered how awesome it will be when the weather warms up in 6 months.  That, my friends, is an awesome piece.  See how we're chatting about it and all its possibilities?!!  That must be where the term "conversational print" comes from.  That, or you want to chat about more elephant facts.  Or why exactly I would have any kind of 'history' with a 4-kneed mammal...  All this chit-chat = even more awesome, and all for $4.20 from VV Boutique!