leopard is the new neutral

Leopard print is now considered a neutral and being paired with almost anything.  Normally I would pair these flats with a solid top and let them stand out, but I thought I would try the "trend" and not only paired them with stripes, but a little bit of floral.  

{Anthropologie Fleur Trimmed Henley; jeans: Guess by Marciano (old, similar);

GAP Animal Print Ballet Flats; sweater: James Perse (old, never worn!); bracelets: H&M}

I've always loved leopard print.  When it's a "trend", I think, "But isn't it always?"  I still have my first ever leopard print pumps (with pink trim!) that I bought from Aldo years and years ago.  (I also bought the matching bag, seen here).  I would love to wear them, but I just don't do 4"+ heels anymore.  Unless it's for a wedding or something.  So I've been searching for a pair of leopard print flats for a while, but couldn't settle on a pair until I saw these.  I love the fact that they're a mix between a leopard print and, my other favourite print, polka dots.  They're super comfortable and, for the price, they're a steal! 

stripes & florals (again)

 

{top: Tibi; shorts: GAP (sold out online, bought in-store); sunglasses: MBMJ;

espadrilles: MICHAEL Michael Kors (sold out online, orange version here); 

bracelet: J.Crew (similar), H&M (bought in-store); hat: Roxy (similar)}

I love a great sale.  I used to be a bargain shopper in college.  My friends were always so impressed with my skills.  My closet consisted of items ranging from $5 to $25.  I would basically only shop at outlets in Toronto.  Oh, how things have changed.  Now, I hardly buy anything on sale.  My problem used to be that I would buy things just because they were on sale.  Now I'm more cautious.  (I'm also usually too excited for the brand spanking new items that come out.  I've already been looking at fall pieces.  I love fall fashion so much.  I'm anxiously awaiting my September issues (InStyle, Glamour...) and, of course, Vogue.)  Anyway, my process now when it comes to sales is to only buy items I was previously eyeing at regular price.  Or if I come across a pair of Valentino shoes at 50% off.  Usually anything Marc by Marc Jacobs on sale I scoop up, no question.  My recent score was a beautiful MBMJ sweater, an MBMJ tee and this Tibi top.  With the price I paid, I basically got the tee and this top for free.  That, my fashion friends, never gets old.

A couple snaps from my Instagram today... follow me @marikachi!

mixing patterns: stripes & polka dots

{top: Wilfred (old); shorts: J.Crew (also here); shoes: Guess (old, but love these);

sunglasses: Juicy Couture; bracelets: BCBG, H&M (in-store); nails: Essie 'Blanc'}

Of course when I saw these J.Crew polka dot shorts, I was all over them.  (I also love these.)  It's safe to say my polka dot obsession is getting out of hand.  It's taking everything in me not to buy the other pair.  But they're so cute!  I know, I have a problem.  Well, my friends do call me a shopaholic, so it's safe to say that I'm also a polkadotaholic.  Speaking of which, I wore my Marc by Marc Jacobs polka dot jeans yesterday with a simple white tee and it reminded me that sometimes something so simple is so perfect.  But, for the most part lately, I have a hard time not mixing patterns.

black & white / stripes & polka dots

{sweater, shorts: GAP; booties: Topshop; hat: Roxy (similar); 

bracelets: H&M (recent, in-store); sunglasses: Marc by Marc Jacobs}

I saw this outfit on the GAP website and fell in love immediately.  I love my stripes and I love my polka dots + mixed with black and white = perfection!  Now yesterday's weather escalated quickly and it became very hot.  So I guess that's what I get for my post yesterday.  But I'm still not diving into summer gear and sticking to my sweaters.  I'll just ease into it by pairing them with shorts and my favourite new booties.

stripes + polkadots / black + white

{denim shirt: Marc by Marc Jacobs (sold out, but love this one from J.Crew); sweater: RW&Co. (old); jeans: Paige; denim jacket: J Brand; booties: Michael Michael Kors (old); watch: Marc by Marc Jacobs (old);
bracelet: BCBGMAXAZRIA (in store, recent), sunglasses: Marc by Marc Jacobs (old)}

I love mixing and matching.  Stripes and polkadots... stripes and florals... polkadots and leopard print.  Even polkadots and polkadots.  A great denim shirt helps pull the look together.  I've been living in this Marc by Marc Jacobs one.  It flares out a bit so it also looks great with dark skinny jeans for a denim on denim look.  (Another look I love.)  Oh, and of course the big trend...black and white.