Throwing a Fit: My Love Affair with Spades

Guest post by LL in KC

Since Jess is away in NOLA, she asked me to cover Fits for the weekend. It has bee a long time since I wrote for the bog, so I was excited to take her up on the offer. For those of you who are new to the blog, when Jess and I started Fits a few years ago, she was the fitness powerhouse, where I focused more on the fashion handle. So my guest posts will be about fashion...you've been warned.

In the time since I last wrote on the blog, I have begun a very torrid love affair with spades...Kate Spade that is. How can you not love the bright, fun, youthful patterns and colors that are signature of Kate Spade. Yes, I may be a late bloomer, I know. But in my defense, graduate students working for non-profits will NEVER be able to afford KS - they need to find corporate jobs to do that :-)

Recently, I wandered into the Kate Spade store on the Country Club Plaza here in KCMO and found myself in the middle of a sale. Here are a few things that caught my eye that you can also get on the Kate Spade website (along with a few suggested looks to go with them).

Navy & White Stripe Franny Coat with Back Bow (for under $300).

The navy and white stripes, matched with the 3/4 sleeves and back bow make this coat girly, yet professional; trendy yet classic. These are the pairings I had in mind:

This yellow River Island mini:

Or, these JCrew green slim pants:

To dress up or down the skirt or the pants, I really like the following footwear:

The Steve Madden Sincere are currently 33% off at Nordstrom. 

Or the Aldo Edulia in coral, currently 25%. 

I also have been throwing a fit for polka dot capris this spring. So I was super-pumped to find these Broom Street Capris in navy and white for less than $100.

White polka dots on a blue pant screams spring/summer nautical. I can see these paired with the following:

This coral JCrew Factory tank:

or this one:

And this outfit would not be complete with one of these amazing necklaces (all for prices that fit the bill):

Option #1:

Option #2:

Option #3:

I am a strong believer in invest pieces. However, I think you need to think through how an invest would fit into your current wardrobe. If you cannot come up with at least 5 different looks from your current wardrobe, you should not be purchasing that piece. Kate Spade is definitely an investment and can be challenging to justify the bright, statement pieces at the higher cost. But do not let me discourage you...I haven't ever encountered a Kate Spade piece I did not immediately love. I just force myself to be selective, and keep my husband close as sounding board.

I also believe that a more expensive investment piece always feels better when paired with more affordable accents, like I've provided above.

Throwing a Fit: Capes

By LL 

This is LL in KC, covering the blog for Jess while she is in Berlin. It has been awhile since I’ve blogged (last post was here on classy animal print). My work life has become a lot more hectic. My fitness and fashion isn’t falling by the wayside, but to make sure it doesn’t, my blogging has gone down. Big thanks to Jess for running the show!

So even though I haven’t been able to blog, I’ve still had time to throw a fit about some of the awesome fall fashion for 2013. If you are new to the blog, then you are not that familiar with my passion for autumn (the sophisticated side of fall). Pumpkin Spice Lattes (my guilty pleasure in cooler temps), wool sweaters, boots, suedes, scarves and, capes? Yes, capes!

I am throwing a fit for this transitional piece of outerwear. It can be worn as an outer layer or as the primary statement piece. Take a peek at some of the 2013 cape looks from the Runway: 

{From Stylecaster.com}

Here are some more budget-friendly options for those of us who can only drool over Derek Lam. 

{Lands End on sale for $89.99}

{Cole Haan for $374.99}

{Modcloth for $150}

{H&M for $59.99}

Some people I've spoken to about capes say they feel they are too boxy and unflattering on a wider frame. I think the belted option is a good solution to accentuating the waist and eliminating that boxy feel. In addition, I think that a larger shaped cape should be paired with skinny jeans/pants. It is important to keep in mind proportions when deciding whether to pair a cape with skirts.

Stay tuned and see what type of cape I end up getting for the season. 

Throwing a Fit: Yellow Gold

By LL

When I was in high school and college, I never thought that I would wear yellow gold. It reminded me too much of the late 80s and early 90s. It seemed fake and over the top. But here I am now, gravitating toward yellow gold - jewelry, accents, you name it. I particularly think that yellow gold looks great with a summer glow. Not sold yet? Here are a few of the pieces that I am throwing a fit over right now.

{Steve Madden Serenite - $49.95}

Confession: I already have these, but am thinking about replacing them with the ones below!

{P-Stacie in Cognac by Steve Madden - $59.95}

{J.Crew Enamel and Gold Bangles - $49.50}

{Kate Spade Necklace - on sale for $54.50}

{TopShop tank and clutch - sold out!}

There are many different ways to start integrating yellow gold into your wardrobe. But you must remember to edit. Wearing too much gold or the wrong gold pieces paired together can make you look cheap and over-the-top. Try adding a few gold bangles and pairing it with a gold-accented tank. Space the gold out into different parts of your look. Try to avoid yellow gold jewelry with a yellow gold dress - I do not think that I need to explain this one!

Throwing a Fit: Stripes and prints

By LL in KC

Growing up, I learned a few fashion rules passed down from wise women, one of which was that browns and blacks don't go together just like stripes and prints don't go together. Well, after years of abiding by this rule, I am hear to tell you that I have become a rule breaker. I have, in fact, paired browns and blacks and loved every minute of it. Cognac boots and black skinnies were a staple of my fall/winter wardrobe, and it wasn't like I was the only one wearing this combo.

{An example from The Skinny Blonde Girl}

{Ellen Pompeo}

But with winter finally gone, I have placed my cognac boots in storage and have moved onto the great bold patterns that define summer. Here are a few of my more recent purchases:

{Loft - $49.50 with an additional 40% off today}

{Loft - $59.50 with an additional 40% off today}

These will be nice paired with solids, or how great with another pattern!! You might need a minute to digest that idea...I did. Or, you might need a few test runs pairing different prints together while staying in the safety of your home. But here are a few great looks to give you some inspiration. 

{Kendi Everyday}

{Jessica Quirk of What I Wore}

{Denim & Ink}

{Atlantic - Pacific}

{There Afterish}

{Glamour}

If you still need some more inspiration, or you flat out don't trust me saying that pattern mixing is totally hot (not hot mess) this spring/summer, then check out this article: How to Mix Patterns Without Looking Like a Hot Mess. 

Enjoy!

Friday's Favorite Fit: Cobalt Blue!

By Cool J in Minneapolis

LL frequently handles the fashion portion of this blog, while I write more about fitness. But both of us agree that we are throwing a fit for the same thing right now in fashion....cobalt blue!

As LL wrote about here, we were also throwing a fit for mint recently. I definitely still love mint! I donned my favorite mint necklace the other day for work, paired with a mint sweater from the Gap, and a chambray shirt from JCrew.

 So, we're still loving mint, but now we're also in love with cobalt! LL has found some very cute cobalt pieces to complement her looks, such as:

Suede Aldo pumps- find them HERE for only $30!

How about some Old Navy cobalt flats? Find them here for only $14!

And this gorgeous cobalt Zara blazer!
Find a similar one HERE

LL has definitely found some good deals to fulfill her need for cobalt. I've only purchased a few cobalt pieces, but I'm loving them! I purchased this Banana Republic skirt last fall.

Remember my post about the knockoff JCrew flower bib necklaces? (Read it HERE) Well, cobalt blue was my of color selections!

TopShop has lots of options in our new favorite color. 

3D Flower Collared Shell Top- Buy it HERE

And my newest favorite, the Cole Haan LunarGrand Wingtips for women. 

Normally $198, but I found them on sale for much cheaper!

So that's our favorite fit for this Friday- cobalt!

What color are you loving this season? Purchased anything cobalt lately?

Throwing a Fit: Plum and Turquoise

By: LL
Do you ever stumble across a color combination and cannot seem to shake it? A few months ago I was all about navy and mustard, now I am throwing a fit about plum and turquoise. And to make matters worse, every store I go into lately has amazing deals on plums - perfect compliments for my turquoise J. Crew Bubble Necklace. Two weekends ago, I wandered into H&M and picked up this plum blazer on sale (as all of you long-time readers know, I have a blazer addiction - so this was a no-brainer purchase for me):

And then the other day, I got this fiesta purple button-down top from J. Crew:

I know that plums were a big color of the fall, but at that time I was too caught up in orange/rust colors. So if you are like me and joining the plum bandwagon in January, here are few of my favorite looks combining plum and turquoise:

{Blake Lively}

{From J's Everyday Fashion - absolutely love her bold color choices here}

{From Bon Chic Bon Gastronomique}

{Rachel Roy}

Who knows what the color combination I will be throwing a fit over in a couple of weeks, but for the next month or so, one of my outfits each week will likely include this color combination in one way or another. 

Throwing a Fit for Fair Isles Sweaters!

By Cool J

Remember when you were a kid, and fair isles sweaters were part of your every day winter wardrobe?

Well, they're back, and I'm throwing a fit for this look! Fair Isles sweaters are definitely a perennial winter fashion favorite of mine; that Nordic-style knit which conjures up images of Aspen lodges and hot toddies sipped on bearskin rugs before crackling fires. Pair yours with leggings, edgy boots and simple silver jewelry to balance proportions and keep your look modern!

J.Crew has a "Farmyard Fair Isles", mixing orange and navy with little cats dancing across it. Love it!

Buy it HERE for $98

How about this "Harley of Scotland" version, also from J.Crew?

The Harley of Scotland version is a little pricey for this budget minded gal, at $225.
(Check it out HERE)
How about some options that Fit the Bill?

I found some affordable ones at American Eagle.
 (Fun fact- LL worked at American Eagle for many many years in high school and college!)
This reversible cardigan is on sale right now for only $60:

H&M has several affordable options, running around $35.

Pair your fair isles sweater with a funky hat and sunglasses like our friend Victoria Beckham below. Apparently she's throwing a fit for Fair Isles as well!

                                                       

So, go ahead! Bring back your favorite winter sweater look from your childhood.

 I know I will be sporting one today!