Easy Mixing of Black and Brown

Black Cardigan: Ann Taylor Loft

Black Tank: Merona

Brown Cuffed Pants: Banana Republic

Black Pumps: Pleaser

Neckerchief: Stolen from my grandmother

I've seen several people mix black and brown with great style. It's a color combo that used to be "off-limits" but now looks sophisticated and chic. However, because it was taboo for so long, I've never been able to quite get comfortable with it.

I've found that for me, the easiest way to mix the colors on my own is with a touch of leopard print. It ties the colors together and makes it obvious that the combination of colors was desired and not a mistake. I think that's the key when mixing colors like black and brown; black and navy; pink and orange--that you make it clear you meant to put the two together!

What "taboo" color combo do you like to try from time to time?

Cookie Exchangin' Ally

My friend Keri hosted a cookie exchange today and not only was it a great time, but the weather was nice and mild...58 degrees!!

Brown Cardi: Target

Brown/Black/White/Pink dress: JC Penney

Pink Tajmina: Target (Trae and I call them Tajminas b/c we're dorks!!)

Belt: NY&Co.

Tights: Walmart:

Shoes: JCP (gift from my bargain' hunting Mama)

Necklaces: Walmart and a gift

Pink leather bracelet: JCP




Geeze! I'm wearing a lot of accessories! I wanted to layer in case the weather turned cool (they say if you don't like the weather in the Ohio Valley to just wait 5 minutes and it'll change), but didn't want to get hot in a house full of cookie exchanging women!

I wish I had worn a black pair of tights under these brown ones. I don't like when they get sheer in spots - looks cheap. I mean, they ARE cheap - I'm not kidding anyone with that, but I think they look better when they're more opaque.

Last time I wore this dress I promised Erin and Kimberly I'd wear it with brown. Happy now?? :)

Who's gone to see "Burn After Reading?" If not, see it. It's probably the funniest movie I've seen in a long time. It's dark, but so clever and well done. Tilda Swinton inspired today's necklace layers. While in bed with Clooney (bitch) I couldn't help but notice her layered pearls and gold necklace. I don't have an amazing gold necklace like hers (or Clooney...but I digress), but I thought this silver necklace was still a classic style and would mesh nicely.




See that gold necklace? I want it. I also want her hair color, but I'm not going to push my luck!

(You can clicky the pictures to enlarge any of them. Just be sure to click "back" to come back to us!!)




Oh! Obviously, my Christmas tree is finally up. I'm not quite in the holiday spirit yet, but it seems I usually don't until I get presents wrapped and sorted. Ho ho ho *sigh*

Ode to my favorite store

Black Chunky Knit Cardigan: The Limited

Leopard Print Cami: The Limited

Brown Linen Pants: The Limited

Shoes: Steve Madden

After I got dressed today, I realized I was dressed in my favorite store from head to toe. I do that rarely...but you can probably tell that it's not hard for me to do! It's very easy for me to end up wearing an entire outfit from the Limited or CAbi from head to toe and not even realize it until I'm out the door. I think part of the reason for this is that both lines have trendy items with a classic twist--and very rarely ever go out of style (plus their sizing is consistent and I know 9 times out of 10 exactly what size will fit without trying them on which is big for me). Although I look for affordable clothing, I tend to "invest" more in classic items and then find my trendier items at a discount store or on sale. I'm the type that will spend $150 on a khaki trench because I know it'll never go out of style and will last for years--and the same day spend $15 on a crazy shirt or accessory.

Realize after the fact that this is the second time in three days I've been rocking the leopard print. I'm not sure what that says about my mood this week!

Tuesday -- Ally

Whew! Monday's are something, aren't they? I'm soooo glad it's over...I'm ready to move right along!
Dress: Worthington (JCP - one of my super awesome deals. This was $18 on their website)

Cardi: NY&Co

Necklace: Walmart

Shoes: Target

I sorta love dresses with pockets. I never put anything on them, but what if I need to???








This dress may be my "starter" into wearing brown/black together. I'm going to ease into it with a brown shoes or cardi next time...gosh I'm such a rebel!

Pardon the extreme closeup on my chest but I'm trying to show the detail of the dress but, well. You know.

Moving right along...









I wear the heck out of these shoes! They're surprisingly comfortable but after 8-9 hours they start to press on the top of my big toe...ow!!

Thursday -- Ally

***This is a little late - sorry! My dear, sweet friend and sorority sister, Maria, was in town for the evening and we just HAD to stuff ourselves on Indian food. No time for blogging!***


Silk skirt: WD*NY (TJMaxx deal courtesy of Mama. She buys me the cutest stuff)

Top: No idea. Cheapo from TJMaxx from years ago. Mama might have bought it for me too.

Shoes: Nine West. I love these babies. No close up shot today b/c I sorta forgot.

Bag: Furla. More on her later!








Today's laundry day. Y'all have those outfits, right? Yup. This one's close to tragic and in the interest of being 100% honest, I'm going to over-share today.

My skirt is too big and too long so that makes for a WAY too long skirt. What's a girl to do? Oh, you know, PIN IT TO HER BRA. Seriously. How trailer is that? *sigh* It worked, however, and I made it through the day. The instant I got home, I unpinned that sucker and threw it in the back of the closet where I found it this morning, remembering why the damn thing was in the back in the first place. Anyone want it? Free to a good home.*


See that ivory peeking out from under the shirt? Uh huh. That's another pattern repeat on the skirt. There's 6-8 more inches of skirt up there. :)

It's actually really lovely. It's silk and has embroidery and some beautiful flat sequins on it. I can't get it hemmed unless I go to someone who can take a hunk out of the brown section else the skirt would look silly. Regardless, it's getting a new home :)












The bright, shining spot in my day? My bag. I looooooooooooooove this bag. Like T's Marc by Marc Jacobs bag, she's cute but certainly not cheap.

I went to Rome a little over a year ago and this was my souvenir. Some people buy postcards, others sweatshirts. I buy expensive leather goods.

I don't remember the style name, but I have the tag at home somewhere. I'll post about it another day. Maybe I'll give Romina (what you don't name your bags?) her own spotlight blog entry :)

She's so smooth and is soft and slick and just perfect. It's silly, yes, but I'll never forget sitting on a bench on Via Nazionale in front of the Furla boutique waiting for it to open. The Romans are on their own laid back schedule so opening promptly wasn't a priority. Those 20 minutes of sitting and people watching are some of my best memories of the trip.

Kasmira of What I Wore Today was a big inspiration in this outfit despite it not really working. She has great "tutorials" about wearing and mixing color and her "How to wear brown and black" section was a great help. I'm now on the search for more colors to mix.


*Seriously. Email me and it's yours. allisonrae AT gmail DOT com