Candy Coated

Coat - Lulu's, Scarf - F21, Top - Old, Flats - Local Boutique

So if you're not new to BSMMH, I think you know that I have a serious affinity for bright colored coats in the winter time. I am a bit coat-obsessed actually! Nothing cuts through the gloom of winter quicker than a spiffy, bright coat, whether it be yellow, lime green, or deep plum. And with my very public love of orange, you knew it was only a matter of time before I had a bright orange coat to round out my collection. Sorry the coat turned out a little more red than orange in the pictures. Sometimes my camera has a mind of its own.

I love how this coat just adds such pep to an otherwise simple outfit. The key with wearing bright colored coats is to keep the rest of the outfit simple, since you don't want to attack anyone's eyes. I usually wear complementary or color blocking colors underneath to keep the attention on the coat (as if you could look anywhere else with that bright orange, I know). I thought the polka dots added a little extra fun and allowed the white to break up all the blue. Because the coat is not too bulky, I plan on wearing this puppy well into spring, with skirts and dresses, as well as jeans.

Do you have a bright colored coat you like to wear to combat the gloomy days of winter? Here are some cute, versatile, and affordable options, if you're in the market for one!

ModCloth

ASOS

John Lewis

ModCloth

Bloomingdales

Yabba Dabba

Tank - F21, Belt and Skirt - H&M

This is my Wilma Flinstone necklace. I've had it forever, and I think of her every time I put it on. If you think about it, Wilma and Betty were quite the little fashionistas of Bedrock. Notice how Wilma has the most perfect LWD and Betty 's dress is the most envioius shade of aqua, one of my favorite colors for spring. And don't even get me started on Fred's fashion sense. Hello, orange and teal? Fred is an expert color blocker from waaaay back.

I love polka dots, but I particularly love this polka dot skirt because the dots are so big. It makes the outfit instantly festive, and you don't need a lot of accessorizing to jazz up your look. I went for a simple monochromatic scheme to make the polka dots pop and opted for my Wilma Flinstone necklace and round black ring to keep with the circle/dot theme. (Alas, I dropped my circle ring and broke it shortly after this picture was taken...tear).

It was about 100 degrees the day I sported this outfit, and I'm glad I opted for something cool and summery. I have been running around like a mad woman this week, putting together a little first birthday party for my  pup and her puppy friends. Yeah, yeah, I know it's a bit cheesy, but I LOVE throwing parties, and I figured a dog's birthday is as good a reason as any. The boyfriend says I've gone a bit overboard planning this party, but I only have one speed when it comes to event planning, so what can I say?

Can't wait to post pics from the party and have you share in all the fun. Have a great weekend!

Po-Po-Po-Polka Face

Jacket - CLOTHES c/o Marshalls , Tee, Mary Janes - F21, Skirt - H&M, Necklace - Target, lengthened

One thing you need to know about me is that I have a SERIOUS love affair with polka dots! (Just to warn you, I have a serious love affair with a number of things, as you will soon see:  chocolate, sky-high heels, pumpkin-flavored anything, Orlando Bloom, etc.) I have a number of polka dot pieces in my wardrobe, and for some reason, I can't stop sneaking more in all the time. Shirts, dresses, pajama pants, scarves, clown costumes (just kidding!), you name it...I've got it. And when I saw this polka dot skirt, with its polka dots in a blushy color...I just had to have it! See more of my love affair with blush HERE and HERE. See? Another love affair. What can I say, I have a lot of love.

I wanted to tone down the "little-girl" vibe of the polka dot skirt, so I paired it with this biker-type jacket and a chunky necklace (see how I remix the necklace for work HERE). I love this jacket but have been majorly struggling with ways to style it, since I'm afraid that it makes me look a bit too masculine. Having broad shoulders and some meat on the bones can make a motorcycle jacket look too rough and manly on me, I think. I don't want to look like I'm ready to break up a bar fight. I want to look like I'm ready to order a bright-colored cocktail in a sugar-rimmed glass and THEN break up a bar fight.  I will be experimenting with styling this jacket in upcoming posts, so let me know if you have suggestions for feminizing a piece like this!

Not much on the plate for this weekend (yay!) except for much-needed lunch with a girlfriend and an early-Valentine's Day brunch double date.  These meals will not occur on the same day, although I'm really not beyond doing that.  The mans and I are storing up our energy this weekend since we'll be traveling the next two weekends...can't wait!

Have a great weekend, everyone...happy shopping!