For Freckles in April‘s 10th day in the Winter Challenge, she challenged us to wear something that scares you. It took me a long time to figure out something that freaked me out in my closet but this is what I came up with:

I’m scared of wearing:

• white pants for fear they’re going to get stained
• the same thing two days in a row
• precious pieces of jewelry
• overly tailored jackets because it makes me look too corporate
• high heels because of what they do to my ankles

Today I threw caution to the wind and wore all of these things.

Outfit Breakdown

• Rust blazer – thrifted
• Multi-strand necklace – gift from Grandma
• Paisley tunic, transformed into a tube top – Nordstrom Rack (I wore this yesterday, but differently)
• Nude layering tee – modbod
• Braided belt – F21
• Watch – fossil
• Bracelet – Annie M. Jewelry
• Nail polish – Deborah Lippmann @ Nordstrom
• White pants – Gap
• Nude heels – some shoe store I can’t recall

One thing I am not scared of is orange. It’s my favorite color and wearing it gave me courage so wear all these other things that scare me.

Fill in the blank: Wearing ________ scares me.

For the last few days I have been participating in Freckles in April‘s 10 Day Winter Edition Blog Challenge (which let me tell you, has built such a great sense of community — I’m eating it up!) and today’s challenge was to dress up a jacket. I decided to embellish my jacket with a scarf, worn as a necklace, and a matching head warmer… for lack of a better description.

And can I just say? This was my first time taking my own photos with a tripod and self timer — I think they turned out pretty darn good!

Outfit Breakdown

• Headwarmer – The Powder Room
• Jacket – Eddie Bauer
• Scarf – Van Hausen
• Ivory tunic – The Powder Room
• Watch – Fossil
• Velvet leggings – Kohl’s
• Suede purple flats – Born Shoes

What’s your favorite way to embellish a jacket? (See more ideas here!)

I have been wearing a lot of red lately since it is a color that grounds me. The idea of layering the turtleneck for warmth ended up working wonderfully! If you want to try a similar look, this is the layering rule of thumb:

Every layer to the outside must be visually or actually heavier.

In other words, you won’t be wearing a light chiffon blouse over a thick wool sweater, it would just look ridiculous. But you could wear a silk turtleneck underneath a wool sweater, for example.

Outfit Breakdown

• Red dress – Shabby Apple
• Black turtleneck – Gap
• Belt – RW&Co.
• Tights – Kohl’s
• Ankle booties – Naturalizer

What’s your favorite way to layer?

PS: Today’s blog was inspired by Freckles in April, a blog that’s doing a 10 day winter challenge. Today’s challenge was to wear something bright!

What is on your home decor wish list?

I admit, when I was told during my image consulting training that the color olive was flattering on me, I was immediately resistant. Maybe because it was boring. Maybe because it was too old lady. Whatever the case, I didn’t like the idea of wearing olive. But when I found this dress, olive was non-negotiable. The angular print won me over and olive was part of the package. And now olive and me, we’re just fine.

Outfit Breakdown

• Sunglasses – AE
• Black turtleneck – Gap
• Olive dress – modbod
• Leggings – Kohl’s
• Boots – Frye @ Macy’s

Is there a color that looks good on you that you resist?

I’ll tell you what I couldn’t resist is these Frye boots!

Orange isn’t just for wearing! Make orange a part of your home decor this year.

Eyeballing that tangerine chevron wall art? Here’s a guided tutorial on creating your own chevron stripe wall art.

Want more fashion videos? Let us know if you have a video topic request!

(Sidebar: I’d like to note that I don’t make it a practice of taking photos of other people’s children in public. Since my readers have asked for photos of examples like this, here we go.)

It was then I noticed her older sister, wearing a red and black buffalo check button front shirt with blue slim jeans, brown riding boots and a Canadian mountie’s hat. In the image below, you can even see the girl salute the woman at the counter before leaving the store.

The two sisters’ personal style was like night and day, yin and yang. These girls couldn’t have been older than six and yet they already had such clearly defined personal styles.

My mentor Judith Rasband, the Image Expert, tells a story about her father bringing her gifts when she was a girl — frilly frocks that were far too feminine for her personal style. Already at a young age, she knew the boundaries of her personal style.

Do you think that personal style is something we cultivate from childhood? Have you seen evidence of this in your life?

Using a wooden clamp hanger, drill some holes in either side and screw in cup holders to hang your belts on. Voila! No wall holes required.

Do you have a clever way to organize your belts?

As an amateur flamenco dancer, I am deeply inspired by the exquisite control that Cirstina has over her body, allowing her to produce such a mesmerizing live performance. Honestly, I can’t stop watching.

This isn’t the product of procrastination. You can tell she has devoted countless hours to honing her art. May we be inspired to do the same.

Photo: 9to5chic.com

Photo: ThisTimeTomorrow-Krystal.blogspot.com

Photo: 9to5chic.com

Photo: Honor Pre-Fall 2012

Photo: PopSugar.com

Want to give red and pink colorblocking a try? Here’s some tips:

• Pair it with muted accessories in neutral colors.
• Bring up red or pink to your face in your lipstick or blush. This will help make you part of the color scheme with your clothes.

Would you try red and pink together?