Saturday, September 8, 2012

Finding A Balance

Some of you may not realize this, but I'm new to women's clothes.  I try to improve my nascent talent by experimenting.  At times I go to extremes, but that's only so I can see what happens when you do.  I explore new territory.

To quote James Tiberius Kirk, I boldly go where no man has gone before...

I recently tried one end of the spectrum (prim schoolmarm) and then wildly swung to the opposite end (brightly-colored trollop).  There is, of course, a middle place where most of you spend your time.  I want to visit you there.

I bought an attractive, slightly-conservative wrap-dress in a nice print.  To perk it up, I searched for and found a colorful sleeveless top to wear underneath.  I like the combination of the pieces.  On my feet are some cute kitten-heels I found at Payless.  To top off the outfit, I added a ring and necklace just given to me by Lynne.  Lynne is an exceptionally-generous woman whose blog, if you haven't visited it, is a must-read.  She dresses as nice as she is.

Thoughts?


 

 

 

30 comments:

  1. I like this Ally. The addition of the sleeveless turtle neck is great for transition periods like winter to spring or summer to fall. A cardigan over all this would look nice too.

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  2. I love the red with the graphic black and white. I also think the shoes are perfect with this ensemble. Your nail polish color is FAB, too!! What is it?

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    1. Thank you. I like the shade a lot. The bottle says the maker is "wetnwild Wild Shine" and the color is "red red". It was an inexpensive dept. store purchase.

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  3. you look awesome, and i really love your makeup!

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  4. I love! this. The shell gives a great pop of color against that fabulous print. The accessories jazz up the look perfectly. Lynne has such great taste. Congrats on finding some cute kitten heels. I personally think the middling looks are your most successful ones. A little dash of wild and carefree "teenaged" Ally with a little dose of mature Ally.

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  5. I really like how the prints work with the solid shirt beneath. Paired with the necklace it really works visually. Also love the jewelry!

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  6. I think it takes a lot of swinging from side to side to find our own middle ground. I make a lot of mistakes just to narrow my style down. And then it changes again. ;)
    I love the details of your added splash of color. I think you look best with colors up toward your face best.

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  7. I'm wearing that same exact nail polish right now, Ally! haha I just put it on for the first time this past Tuesday and loved it. Was considering going back to purchase more since I like the color so much. You know me and my "supply" issues. haha
    I absolutely love this look on you. You hit a home run here. Perfect from head to toe.

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  8. I like the solid top under the print wrap dress... hmm... maybe I'll do that if I ever wear a dress again!

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  9. I enjoy the extremes of your clothing choices ... yes, we tend to hover in the middle where its safe and where there is less chance of much criticism or eyebrow raising.

    Love your new car and so glad you're treating yourself to it. Looking forward to a picture of you in it. Do you name your cars? I name mine ... mines name is Ceecee ... shorts for Cheeky Cherry.

    Hugs my friend

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    1. Love your car's name. Usually a name comes to me when I'm in contact with a vehicle; I don't impose it upon the car. I'll keep you posted. :)

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  10. I really like this "middle ground" look, Ally - although I wouldn't label it middling at all - the great pop of hot pink against the graphic print makes a fab statement, and the bling is wonderful. And yes, Lynne is an awesome lady.

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  11. Ally, this dress is especially good on you! Into fall, it'd be awesome over a long-sleeved turtleneck with tall boots. My favourites among your finishing touches are the necklace from Lynne and that incredible ring - the scale of both pieces is just right.

    I would be tempted to stick all your bracelets together on your right wrist to play on the asymmetry of your belted waist and let the ring shine. It's a figure-flattering trick to do bracelets on just one side, as it has the eye move diagonally rather than horizontally, but this may not always be a priority. See what you think.

    As always, that vivid pink is wonderful on you, and a great combination with the print. You look very stylish!

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    1. Nice tip about the bracelets. Thanks, I'll try it.

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    2. I am kind of feral at woman-stuff myself - I suspect I may have come across that tip during a voracious devouring of Sally McGraw's Already Pretty archives. :)

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  12. I adore that sparkly bracelet! I really like this look. It is more of an everyday, nicely dressed look. Wrap dresses are quintessentially feminine and practical. I agree that it would look great with a long sleeve stop underneath and tall boots. Wow, it would be great. The accessories are just the perfect touches.

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  13. Ally, this is adorable!! Patterns are my favorite and this looks fantastic. It's a great length of dress and I love the black and white! Nice job!

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  14. The print of this dress is so wonderful. I love prints! They are so playful and fun and can create curves, which I love.
    I love your use of color too!!

    Amber

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  15. Ally, my love, you look ready for work as a lady lawyer. Add a well-cut blazer for court, and you'd be both stylish and appropriate. You've actually given me a fashion trick. I never think of wearing my wrap dresses over anything but camis. Of course, I enjoy all your forays into fashion, but I do like seeing the Ally that might go out into the real world as simply Ally.

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  16. Very cute outfit! I love layering bright colors under my neutral dresses. One point of critique, if I might: I would have chosen a more neutral eyeshadow. The bright pink and the bright purple are kind of competing for my attention.

    If you weren't looking for critiques, then my apologies. I never really know where the line between positive feedback and honest feedback should lie when it comes to other bloggers, haha.

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    1. Thank you, Emma, for the constructive advice. I'm always looking for feedback since that helps me learn and grow. Your point makes perfect sense.

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  17. I love the print on the dress and love the pop of red underneath. I agree with others that the dress will look great over a long-sleeve turtleneck too.

    My only advice is to tone down the jewelry some; it's a bit much with it all on at once. Personally, I'd remove the pearls and just go with the bracelets and rings. Unless, of course, a lot of jewelry is your thing, then I say go for it!

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    1. Gracey, I have NO idea what I'm doing, so your feedback is very valuable. Thanks for it.

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  18. I would have never thought to put a shell/sleeveless turtleneck under a dress, but I like it! I'm partial to cardigans. I agree with Gracey, though - the pearls take away from the patterned dress/shell combo. I usually never comment on outfits, but as I know you are always looking for honest feedback from us, its something that actually stuck out to me. The bracelets + ring look awesome! That is a great shade of red polish, definitely pops. Do you have a fuchsia nail polish (not a glittery one, just a solid color) I think you'd rock that well, also! :)

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  19. Very pretty combination. Elegant with a touch of bold.
    Your nails look great! Did you do them yourself? I can never get polish to look that neat when I do it myself.
    Daphne.

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    1. Yes, I applied it myself. Truth be told, my left hand (applied with my dominant right) always looks better than the other hand.

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