get cozy!

I know I've said about it before, but I'll say it again... my favorite part of the Fall/Winter season is wearing lots of layers.  It makes me feel cozy and happy. Like sitting in front of a warm fire with a huge blanket enjoying a good book. See, wasn't that a nice thought to have on a Friday?

To get you all prepped and ready to enjoy a cozy weekend, here are a few lovely, cozy items. I would love to wear any of these... and, probably all at once!

1. Cable Knit Tights, Topshop $24
2. Cable Knit Wrap Cardigan, American Eagle $90
3. let's get away knee high riding boots, Ruche $44
4. Soy Latte Cardigan, Modcloth $60
5. Country Soul Dress, Modcloth $50
6. Pink Studio "Geneva" bowtie tweed flats, Ruche $77
7. Pink Studio "Junnet" peep toe wedges, Ruche $95
8. Fossil "Vintage Reissue" Satchel, Nordstroms $178
9. Sorial "Tanya" Suede Drawstring Hobo, Nordstroms $188
10. Grey Horses Cardigan, Modcloth $70

old habits die hard

It wasn't so long ago that I was donning maxi dresses and sandals, and scurrying around town in my convertible. While the dog days of summer may be behind us, I'm still not over one habit. I am still seeing and loving maxi dresses. Fortunately, there still remains a selection of fall-appropriate options to choose from. I especially love the plaid dress from Free People on the top right corner.

Long hemlines + tall boots = perfection!

Just in case you missed it...

I am the feature article on Wikifashion today!  In the event you are unfamiliar with the site, it's a wiki - think Wikipedia - for all things fashion related.  You can search for blogs (like me!), look up information about your favorite fashion magazines, and peruse different styles and brands. Basically it's your one stop shop for all information regarding anything having to do with fashion. A huge thanks to the team for putting me on the front page! 

On another exciting note, I am thrilled to be able to introduce you to my first lovely sponsor - The Woodward Inns!  As you know, the hubby and I love to travel and we are constantly looking for unique places to stay. So, I couldn't be happier to have Elizabeth and her beautiful houses join The Flip Side of Oz! Look out for some awesome photos and reviews soon! 

Happy Monday, everyone!

Celebrity Style: Rachel Zoe

Happy Monday, dear readers! I have several posts planned for the week, one of which was supposed to go up this morning (check back tomorrow for leggings styling tips!).  However, after a series of technical difficulties resulting in my wireless completely going out last night, I was forced to postpone said posts until later in the week. So, for today I thought I'd highlight some celebrity style I'm seriously loving right now - Rachel Zoe.  The petite stylist has a penchant for paring long, voluminous skirts with some fabulously tall heels. Just what I've been craving lately! What I love the most is that she carries this style perfectly during both day and night.

forget the rules: part II

Last week I posted this, which spurred me to really think about the concept of fashion rules. I believe that these "rules" can unnecessarily cause women to over think getting dressed, which all too often results in playing it safe. So, in an attempt to help free us all from the "rules" of our daily game, I wrote this post for Blogher over the weekend. Enjoy!

I had an interesting conversation with some co-workers last week regarding fashion “rules.”  We’ve all heard them.  One well known rule that comes to mind states not to wear white after Labor Day.  I believe that these rules can unnecessarily make us all a little nervous about getting dressed.  As a result we end up spending too much time and money trying to look great when we already have in our own closets exactly what we need to look fabulous!  This isn’t to say that we should never buy new; I just think that we could all be surprised by what we already have if we’d just ignore the rules.  So, in effort to help women everywhere break free, keep reading while I de-bunk 5 well-known "rules."

1. Never wear black and brown together.  One commenter on my blog replied, “I always wonder about that black with brown rule... I mean, how fabulous is leopard print?” Regardless of whether or not you enjoy wearing the animal print, this is a valid argument.  The reason it works: black and brown are both neutrals and neutrals pair well with any color – including other neutrals.  So, the next time you need a pair of leggings to wear with your brown boots, grab black ones and laugh at this fashion rule!
2. Never wear white after Labor Day.  Hello, what color is snow? In my opinion, it seems slightly ridiculous to relegate our white pieces strictly to the days prior to Labor Day when the environment generally turns white during the days afterward.  With that being said, I will also say that there is a difference between summer and winter whites that should be acknowledged.  Winter whites tend to come in fabrics that are thick, like wool, or dressier fabrics, like silk.  White handbags are also a great winter white option because they serve as a neutral (there is rule #1 again!).  Whites to avoid during the winter, of course, are pieces like white linen pants.  However, not all whites should be banished after Labor Day.
3. Always match your handbag to your shoes.  It is my belief that this rule should almost always be broken.  Why?  Because, accessories are the part of your outfit that makes it unique and fun!  For example, you wouldn’t necessarily buy or wear red pants, but the pop of color you get from a red shoe can be amazing with the right outfit!  Now, try matching that red shoe with a red bag and you could be headed toward full on fashion disaster.  Instead, grab a shoe that looks great with an outfit – like a red pair of heels with a navy dress – and then grab a bag that compliments the entire outfit, including the shoes – like a tan or ivory bag.  No matching, no headache, no problem.
4. Never wear a mini/short skirt after 35.  Please!  This fashion rule has less to do with age and more to do with body type.  Every woman knows which part of her body is her best asset and which one she needs to help out a little bit.  I know plenty of ladies under 35 who don’t feel comfortable in short skirts and so they don’t wear them.  On the same token, also I know ladies over 35 who have amazing legs and should (and do) show them off.  I say that if you have the legs to wear it, flaunt them in a mini skirt no matter what your age. 
5. Dress to impress… yourself.  Okay, this isn’t really a fashion rule, but more of a mantra to conclude.  In the end, you are the one getting up every day and preparing to face the world.  All day long you are the one that has to be happy with how you look.  Take time to figure out what you like and dislike.  Which outfits make you feel beautiful and confident when you walk out the door?  Which ones make you feel uncomfortable?  It is my experience that impressing someone else with how you look will never bring about the same satisfaction as is received from impressing yourself.  If you love your style, then others will be impressed by your confidence!

forget the rules

Last week I found myself in an interesting conversation with several co-workers regarding the "rules" of fashion. You know the ones I'm talking about - i.e. never wear black and brown together or no white allowed after Labor Day. My personal favorite states that a woman should always match her handbag to her shoes. {insert eye roll and gagging cough here} I think sometimes we make getting dressed harder than it actually is because we overthink it! This morning I tried to avoid playing by the "rules" and instead looked through my closet for options that just seemed to pair well together. The end result: a knee length Breton striped bathing suit cover-up tucked into $10 coral skirt I found on clearance at Target. Sometimes I think we could all be surprised by how many options are already hanging in our closet if we'd just forget the rules.


So, what are some of your favorite fashion "rules"? 

style, fashion, & other affairs of the heart

image via The Sartorialist

I love this picture. Her skirt/slightly baggy shirt combo & wedge heels are amazing (as are her legs!). He is incredibly handsome, also. I love his oxfords without socks. The hint of ankle showing creates a crisp look. Together, their style makes for an incredible photo. However, the part I love the most is the way she is looking at him. For me, that's what life is all about. 

Fact: I am a hopeless romantic. 

Inspired by: Oklahoma! Part II

my race track ensemble by gleighb featuring Frye boots

Prior to the Rodeo in the Club adventure, we did something else in Oklahoma that was a first for me - attended horse races. If you know me even slightly well, you know that I love an equestrian look. So, everything about being at Remington Park was inspiring for me.  From the boots, to the bold colors, to the saddle bags and leather.  I hope one day to make it to the Kentucky Derby, if for no other reason than to take in the sartorial views... and of course to wear a big hat. 

 

inspiration.

The thing about inspiration is that it sometimes strikes at weird times. And then there are times when it doesn't strike at all... so, you have to go find it. That's one of the biggest benefits of being a part of the blogging community - there is always something inspiring to find. Last night I was catching up on my blog roll when I found this post from Clothed Much, which came from inspiration she found in another blog, which gave me inspiration for my outfit today.  Simple, perfect, and the inspiration behind exactly what I never ever knew I wanted to wear today. Sometimes what you’re looking for is so obvious that you can’t find it without a little help from others.

Inspired by: Asian Fusion

The Inspiration

Marc Jacobs Brocade Jacket

My Version

Last week I was browsing one of my all-time favorite fashion blogs - Who What Wear -when I saw something that got me really excited: Asian influenced clothing.  You see, about a month ago the hubbie and I spent several days in DC with his aunt and uncle.  During our visit, his aunt was generous enough to let me peruse her closet for items that I might like.  That was when she introduced me to this beautiful jacket that she purchased while they were living in Japan.  I love the beautiful detailing, and the quality is surperb.  Not that the Marc Jacobs Brocade Jacket above isn't gorgeous... but I like to think mine has a special "umph" that you can't purchase from a store.

My Mission

I logged into Blogger two days ago to find that The Flip Side of Oz has achieved a significant milestone: 50 posts.  For some, this may seem like a small thing to celebrate.  But, for a girl who could barely remember her Blogger password a little under a year ago... this is huge!  

50 posts later, I have to admit that this site has evolved and will hopefully continue evolving and changing to become even better.  The Flip Side of Oz has become an outlet in which to share my creativity, my interests, my passions in life, and I dare say that it has even become therapeautic. 

With that being said, I have been doing a lot of soul-searching on ways to improve.  So, for you dear readers, who have stuck by me during these early (and often times rough and sparatic) days, I would like to share with you my goal and mission - to attract more readers in order to meet and engage in dialogue with others who have a similar appreciation for fashion and personal style, and most importantly, create a site that fosters and inspires creativity in myself and others.   

I am proud to report that my first step toward achieving this mission is that I have joined IFB - Independent Fashion Bloggers.  IFB brings fashion bloggers together to share thoughts, ideas, tips, and help support others in their blogging endeavors.  Dear readers, I have greatly enjoyed the last 50 posts, and here's to 50 more that are even better!

Timeless Style

I fell in love with this picture when I stumbled across it while perusing my daily blog list yesterday.  Each of these women have a very classic, but distinct style.  The billowing pants and those pink shoes... it makes me want to see more of their closets!  But, more than anything they look like they are having so much fun.  Nothing beats spending time with good friends - that is truly timeless.

Currently Browsing: Coats

If there's one thing that I find therapeutic, it's shopping. On most days I could spend hours in a department store staring at shoe-lined shelves, combing through racks of beautiful clothing, and scouring handbag tables for the perfect item to add to my wardrobe. However, there is always the rare occasion that malls or department stores make me a little crazy. One thing I never get tired of, however, is online shopping. Give me a laptop, a cup of Java, and a cozy chair and I could shop online for hours. I like to think that it spurs my fashion creativity and I am usually able to find things that I may have looked over or not seen at all in a department store.

So it occurred to me that since perusing cyberspace for steals and deals brings such joy to my life, it seems only natural that I share it here. I mean, why keep something so fantastic to myself - it's just rude! This will be the first of a recurring blog entry entitled Currently Browsing. I hope you find it a source of inspiration also, and please feel free to share if you see other items out there in cyber-land that myself or others might enjoy as well.

Today's installment: winter coats. As I've noted in nearly all of my entries for the past month, it is cold here. And, while I already have several wool coats that I have loved, I am afraid they are beginning to show their wear and tear. Therefore, I am currently browsing winter coats. Check out the assortment below. 

I like the high neck and big buttons on this one, but in black from Nordstrom's

I like the laid back feel of this one from J Crew

I like the shorter length on this one, and the pleating at the top from Victoria's Secret

But then again I can always go for a knee length - it's so classic, also from Victoria's Secret

Decisions, decisions.  I guess that means, I'll just have to continue my quest tomorrow! 

My Uniform

I think we could all admit that we each have a uniform.  I don't mean uniform by the literal definition, I mean that outfit that brings us comfort.  The one that we know we look good in and therefore, seems to pop up everyday on our body regardless of which shirt, skirt, pants, shoe and bag combination we have on.  It's our uniform.  Mine lately has been dark skinny jeans or grayish hue leggings, a neutral long sleeve tee or sweater dress layered under a cardigan or blazer, with either my Uggs or a my fav pair of knee high boots.  Throw a ginormous camel bag over my shoulder and scarf around my neck and I'm set. 

Knowing all of this, I started analyzing my style earlier last week.  Other than the aforementioned uniform, what is it that I gravitate toward when I'm shopping or perusing fashion mags?  So, I took some time over the last few days and did some style-soul searching.  What I'm about to share with you are the articles of clothing this season that make my fashion-minded world go 'round.  If you stare at these picutres long enough you will start to see bits and pieces of my uniform re-emerge. But you know what, that's fine with me.

Side Note: I am in love with the polish pictured above. Sephora by OPI does the best nail polish in my opinion and this shade, Dark Room, is magnificent! My philosophy is that you should always be able to have fun with your nail polish - that's what it's for!

One more side note: I so badly want Tory Burch's breakfast nook pictured above. The wall paper is divine and the chairs are so retro-chic!