Finding Your Method to Style – Tips, Inspiration & Encouragement
Style tips aren’t just about how to pair a cute top and bottom together….it’s a much bigger picture. It might seem like alot right now; but as you read through the reasons WHY certain things matter, HOW they are interpreted in your look, and WHAT fits and flatters you best, that’s going to make you unstoppable.
I love a challenge, so recently, I was given an assignment to go to my nearest H&M, and pick out an article or an outfit, that suits my style. It’s been a long time since I’ve been to this store; but it was an all time favorite just a few short years ago, so I …
Every year, it seems like I’m on the hunt for my new favorite T-shirt….to pair with shorts, jeans, skirts, you name it. Last year, I fell for the TopShop version of the everyday T…which is very similar to THIS ONE, and I got it in both Navy and White and kick myself for not getting it …
Today was one of those days that didn’t quite go the way I had planned. Between kiddos not feeling good, to my curling iron going to Heat Styling Heaven (guess I’ll be doing a post on what my replacement wand will be!), my daughter and I still managed to leave the house and make it to a very sweet friends bridal shower. Only an hour and fifteen minutes after it started; but thankfully, it was a come and go event so we didn’t even have to worry about being “fashionably late”. PHEW!
   
This is one of my favorite combinations for outfits and it’s been on the Instagram feed a couple of times. It has been literally decades since I owned a pair of khaki pants, and last Spring, I came across these ones from VINCE. They are the Boyfriend Trouser style, and Vince does change their colors each season, so you may not get this exact green. If I’m being honest, I bought them because I think they make my butt look great. Yep….that’s why and I feel GREAT every time I put them on. Perfect sized pockets, I can actually put my whole hand in (they aren’t just “decoration”), and the front lays nice and flat from hip to hip with no buckling so there is no bunching in unflattering areas.
The top is from a brand called Lush and I found a couple of beautiful versions of it from this season HEREÂ and HERE. They are flowy, easy to accessorize and will go with anything from skirts, to jeans, to oh…look at that….khakis ;D I recommend having a couple of tops like this in your closet because they look and feel dressed up every time; but aren’t so fancy you can’t wear them causally.
These shoes get a ton of feedback and I can’t say enough about how happy I am that I bit the bullet and got them last year. I really do wear them so much, and I can definitely appreciate the quality in these shoes and they are a great example of how investing in a higher end piece, and taking care of them properly, will give you great style for a long time. These ones are from VINCEÂ and great news!! They are 25% off!!!
How about those ACCESSORIES!! This is just a perfect example of how the right pieces can totally customize this outfit to your personal style! This top and pants is just a blank canvas waiting to be made perfect for YOU. I chose some brand new Summer Collection pieces from STELLA & DOT. The long necklace is called the Mirage Pendant, and I’ve layered my shorter Engraved Bar and the Arc Necklace with it. My stud earrings are part of the Mondrian Ear Jackets, I wear these every day. My arm party is pretty typical for me! The Icon Watch with the double wrap strap in Latte, the gold Renegade bracelet (I truly think everyone should have this in their favorite finish…either gold, silver or rose gold!) I’ve also got my Engraved Cuff and the Gilded Path Double Wrap.
  
This perfectly summer tote is called the Riviera Tote in Raffia Fringe and it is as totally on trend (with that fringe tassel) and a fun bag to carry around. Fits everything I need!
And finally…..STELLA & DOT is now into SUNGLASSES!! These are the Miramar Blonde ones (also available in black) and I was VERY excited to start wearing them. There are 5 different styles to choose from and all come with a super cute hard case and cleaning cloth so you can wear them, store them and keep them clean with ease.
So when the day doesn’t end up going the way it is supposed to, it’s always nice to put on an outfit that is tried and true and give the impression that you totally have it all together! Happens all the time in this house…how about yours???
xoxo Taryn
Now this outfit doesn’t really scream Spring Lunch on the Patio; but that’s exactly where I wore it yesterday while celebrating a beautiful friends birthday. We were lucky to have a gorgeous day to enjoy, we were under some shade so I wasn’t sweltering hot in my black pants, and I just felt a little bit edgy today, which is always fun 😉
One of my biggest tips about an outfit like this, and my Method Behind the Style, is to look for pieces for your wardrobe that have points of interest on them. Just a subtle thing that sets that shirt / dress / jacket apart from the average everyday one you may see a lot. For this outfit, I loved the angled cut of the hemline of this shirt. It would have been a cute enough normal tank top with just a straight hem and those stripes; but I think the fact that the stripes flow in the opposite direction of the cut, make it interesting to look at! Giving it additional movement when I walk, and elongating my legs on one side, while looking long and dressy on the other. I bought this tank top by Gibson at Nordstrom just this week…you can look at it and lots of other great Spring tops HERE (even comes in solid colors too!)
These jeans have been on my Instagram feed a couple of times….I got them as a Christmas gift from my hubby (with the help of my shopper friend at Nordstrom!) and I kind of feel like a rock star in them. Need a boost of confidence? Slide into these gorgeous JOIE JEANSÂ (but check out their Spring / Summer looks….so cute!) and you are feeling it! Coated denim gives it the leather look….and that is all I have to say about that.
And I have to give a kudos to the heels….I was searching everywhere for a fun, strappy black heeled sandal and as I was browsing Amazon last summer, I came across these TED BAKERÂ beauties. Once again…put these heels on, and I’m ready to take on anything!
My accessories by STELLA & DOT are more on the delicate side, with a long necklace paired with my engraved short one, and some sparkle, leather and edge to the rest of the look. I think it came together perfectly!
So the Method Behind the Style today was to show on the outside how pumped I was to be joining friends on a Thursday afternoon, AND I had just gotten over being sick for a week. I was stuck in my house feeling miserable with no voice, so the fact that I was feeling better was reason enough to make a statement. :)  That alone calls for getting a little dressed up, right?! When is your next lunch with friends….maybe you need to dust off your cute heels to wear with your jeans now too!
xoxo Taryn
Friends, when I tell you I love this dress….it is true to the letter. I definitely love everything from the fabric, to the pattern, to the cut, to the way it swishes when I walk. Here’s the Method to my Style with this beauty:</p> I walked into Nordstrom last summer just browsing. Not sure if …