Snow Leopard Style

Last Sunday's home jewelry party featuring the fab creations by local She Does Create (and co-hosted with My Favourite Megan - who BTW is shrinking as we speak thanks to the Game On Diet which she raves about - we're cheering you on Megan!) took me down style-memory-lane.  We had magazines out for people to do the "determining your style" exercise by the awesome ladies at Ain't No Mom Jeans.  I did this exercise in early spring 2011 and came up with these:

Themes: skinny belts, clean lines, neutrals with colour, interesting necklaces and not-too-obvious matching.

On the left: Stripes + solids + interesting details.

On the right: cargo, blush, arm party.

Neutrals with interesting or unexpected details.

Pairing colour-contrasting accessories with neutrals.

Bold colour!!!!!!

Yay orange!!

Colourful prints, interesting layers.

I had not looked at these in ages; not since I caught the Pinterest bug, and not since starting this VV Boutique adventure, but it was so cool to see how the themes are playing out in my VV Boutique selections:

• I already have a good selection of stripe pieces, but my VV Boutique bottoms have provided great pairing options.  Then there is the chevron stripe skirt that I scored - great for winter and great for bottom stripes!
• My Ann Taylor skinny cargo pants might just be my favourite VV Boutique piece yet!  I could wear them every day.
• Pretty blouses, especially when paired with those cargos...
• I suppose I should note that the crop pants are cute but gave me a false sense of crop ability.
• Blush tops... I'll show you soon but found something I loooove!  For $3!!!  Stay tuned...
• Neutrals with interesting details
• Neutrals with colourful accessories.
• Bold colour! Sigh, I love my orange pants.
• Colourful patterns appear over and over and over and over and over and over...
• Interesting layers are a recurring theme!

I plan to do this exercise again with current magazines that might reflect the winter season better.  Though I love Pinterest and frequently look to it when playing with my clothes, there is something about real magazines that capture the essence of the exercise, I think.  However, rather than calling it "determining" your style, I would call it discovering my style.  It's like unfolding, unwrapping, finding new variations that speak to you and capture your you-ness and make style ... enjoyable!  No matter if you shop regular retail or VV Boutique, style is a privilege of providence that ought to bring joy!

It was the first style collage that inspired me this morning - the cardi, skinny belt, clean lines and interesting necklaces were calling to me!  Just after seeing this post by another inspirational style blogger J's Everyday Fashion, I found an Ann Taylor snow-leopard print cardi and cried tears of happiness!

Ann Taylor cardi $7, green Talbots sweater $10, DKNY teal cords $9, teal belt $3 and pointy flats $7

All VV Boutique! 

Teal leopard necklace by She Does Create

I love these pants - so warm and cozy and perfect for a day like today when I'm home with the kids then travelling for work, then off to supper and Bible study.  Busy days require sturdy warm comfy clothes!  Though I like the colour mixing of green and teal, I didn't like the different collar lines on these pieces, so I swapped out the green for a scoop neck blue Gap sweater from my closet.

 We'll call this the monochromatic trend!

Better, don't you think?!

Now that I'm satisfied with my outfit, I better get on with my day!  Happy Thursday everyone!