Create28: Jewel Tones

Regardless of what Pantone says, jewel tones will always be the colors that most make me think of fall!  Isn't there something about the leaves changing colors and a crisp breeze blowing that makes you want to wrap up in deep emeralds, vibrant rubies and bold golds?!

As soon as I learned that I would be featuring a look for Create28: Jewel Tones, I knew that I wanted to wear my new emerald dress from Old Navy.  This dress is absolute perfection!  It's a flattering fit and flare style, a bold beautiful color and it's striped!  The dress is unfortunately sold out online but perhaps you can still find it (and the other fun colors it comes in) in stores!

When I started styling this ensemble, I added the amethyst cardigan but something was missing.  Two hues just weren't enough for a post devoted entirely to jewel tones.  But how to add another?  I'd seen mannequins wearing layered sweaters before but had never tried it myself.  Don't they get too hot?!  I suppose not because they're mannequins-- but could this look work in real life?  Yes it can!  Neither cardigan is super heavy and the multiple layers up top were balanced by bare legs on bottom.  And I think the second cardigan provided the perfect pop of gold to complete my jewel toned outfit!

Instead of the car messing up my shot, can we just say that I added ruby to the mix?

Let's see those beautiful jewel tones on Instagram (#Create28FallLooks) and please come back to visit Casey tomorrow as she shows us how to style a cozy blanket scarf-- one of my fall favorites!

What I'm Wearing:

Dress: Old Navy (similar, similar)

Mustard Cardigan: Target (similar)

Purple Cardigan: Old Navy (similar)

Flats: DSW (exact)

Stepping Out

One of the reasons I started Whitney à la mode was to motivate myself to look at my closet and use my wardrobe more creatively.  In other words, I wanted to get out of my style rut!  I think that this goal is more about the journey than the achievement.  No matter how well I master remixing my clothes, I can always look at what I have in a different way.

I'm writing this post as a motivator more so to myself today than to anyone else.  I feel that I've fallen back into a style (and therefore a blogging) rut.  Part of the problem is exhaustion due to work.  I think I mentioned before that I've taken on more responsibilities this year and they have left me feeling drained of all my creative juices.

The other factor to blame actually sounds like the opposite of a problem at first: I really like all of the pieces in my closet!

I know, I know, this is great, right?

YES!  This is something that I've been working towards!  The problem, though, is that I like my pieces so well that I can get away with boring and repetitive combinations.  As a result, I haven't felt excited about getting dressed lately.  This really isn't me and this certainly isn't à la mode behavior!  It's time to step out of the box!

Two of my favorite bloggers receive inspiration credit for my first step out of that box!  Last week, Maricel layered an open button-up and an open cardigan over a shirt.  I thought to myself, "Why haven't I tried this before?"  So I did!  And I liked it!  Layering is one of my favorite ways to add interest to an outfit so double the layers is double the fun in my book.  

Over at Putting Me Together, Audrey is putting together weekly challenges to encourage all of us to use our closets more creatively.  This week our task is to wear a bright color.  Done, done and done!  As much as I love color, this was a bit of a challenge this week since I've been so drawn to neutrals lately.  I liked the outcome so much, though, that I've been reaching for more and more of my vibrant pieces.

Have you gotten into any style ruts lately?  How can I help you out of them?  Let's do this together!

What I'm Wearing:

Shirt: LOFT (similar, similar)

Gingham Shirt: Old Navy (similar, similar)

Cardigan: Old Navy (similar, similar)

Skinny Jeans: American Eagle (exact)

Booties: Old Navy (similar, similar)

Linking-Up:

The Brandied Pair and Styled Honestly- Fab Five Fridays

I Do DeClaire- Confident Twosdays

Putting Me Together- Style Challenge