Neon in Winter…

Sweater: Arizona@JC Penney Shirt: Worthington Skirt: JCREW Hose: Merona Boots: Nine West Sunnies: Franco Sarto Jewelry: JCREW
Sweater: Arizona@JC Penney   Shirt: Worthington  Skirt: JCREW  Hose: Merona  Boots: Nine West
Sunnies: Franco Sarto  Jewelry: JCREW

So…it’s not quite winter..but I just couldn’t help but go with this title…I was thinking of The Lion in Winter but then thought neon in winter and well…a few stream of consciousness thoughts later..voila!  My title.

I found this spectacular sweater at such a simple spot, JC Penney.  There were several that I really liked but I went with this one and it’s beautiful and bright colors.  Who says fall or winter should be drab?!  Check out the Arizona Sweater at JC Penney!

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The rest of my outfit was from last season but here are similar items you can buy now!

Ankle BootsDotted Denim ShirtNeon Skirt

Hope you’re having a great week!  xx….

Bisou Bisou, How I’ve Missed You, Missed You…Bisou Bisou Skirt

I’ve been a fan of JC Penney’s Bisou Bisou line for years. I thought the line peaked a few years ago though and lately I had not found a lot of pieces that interested me. That changed this past Friday when I visited JC Penney to see what new items they were showcasing and stumbled upon this wonderful Bisou Bisou skirt.

I loved the skirt’s vibrant print and the fit was just right. Plus, it was such a steal on sale! I also liked the fact that the print was so unusual. I’ve been looking for prints to pair with some of the solid colored jackets I have. I have a yellow jacket that would look really cute with this skirt also but that is a post for another day!

Along with the skirt, there were many other cute Bisou Bisou pieces that I’m considering. If you’re looking for something new and want a designer look at a discounted price, check out this line!

http://www.jcpenney.com/women/bisou-bisou/cat.jump?id=cat100250126

Cortneybre…

© Cortneybre and http://Cortneybre.com, 2014. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Cortneybre and http://cortneybre.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Everyday Inspiration…Beauty is Beautiful

I look for fashion inspiration everywhere.  I was told by a dear friend that I represent beauty.  Not that I, myself, am beautiful but rather that I am drawn to beauty and it is drawn to me.  That was one of the nicest compliments I’ve gotten and I like to think that it is true.  I am excited by beautiful things – fabrics, colors, sparkle, texture – regardless of its form.  I am physically moved by beauty and feel my soul stir when I find something that strikes me.

As I’ve searched for fashion inspiration in planning the outfits that I post on this blog, I’ve learned that inspiration comes from everywhere. Lately, I’ve started collecting images I find beautiful and working to build outfits based on those images.  I’ll be showcasing some of those this week along with the image or item that inspired the outfit.

Today’s picture post was inspired by a beautiful mirror that a sweet friend gifted to me at Christmas.  It is just gorgeous with its sparkly peacock pattern.  I took the mirror home to place it in my closet – which for me is my secret play & plan place.  I display as much of my wardrobe and jewelry as possible so that I may visually plan the next day’s garb.  I placed the mirror on my shelf and realized that it matched the pants hanging just below it!  And so, the post below was inspired by my beautiful gift.  {I must also admit that I did – for a short second – contemplate somehow hanging the mirror from a chain and wearing it as a necklace or accessory with the pants.  Obviously…that didn’t work out which is a good thing because I don’t think I could have pulled that off but it was contemplated!}

And…although it isn’t an excuse, it is at the moment, VERY COLD where I live and that has affected my ability to photograph as I normally do.  I thought I was leaving the cold when I returned from New York but that doesn’t appear to be the case and it is in fact colder where I live versus NYC.   So, dear readers, please take that into account when viewing my posts.  Until it warms up here – which should be this weekend or so, my photos will be a bit rushed, the lighting might not be perfect and I’ll appear a bit windblown!    Cheers!  Cortneybre…

Beauty Inspiration
Beauty Inspiration

Live Life Colorfully…A Guide to Wearing Bright Colors…

It’s a rainy day here and very drab.  I was thinking about how “ugly” it was outside today when I picked my attire this morning.  I chose a bright (as in, don’t look directly at it for fear of blindness!) yellow jacket with a black and white striped skirt.  Why not wear something bright on a rainy (or in some cases snowy) day?  Bright colors are always so happy and eye catching yet many people shy away from them.  Here’s a little guide I use for choosing and wearing bright colors.

When in doubt choose one bright color:

As you become more comfortable, you can possibly add an accent color but when first adding color to your wardrobe, stick to simple.

Start with a bright blouse or shirt under a dark jacket:

A bright blouse will shine underneath a darker jacket.  This POP of color will brighten your wardrobe and your day! (as will the tons of compliments you receive!)

Be careful when wearing brightly colored jewelry with brightly colored clothes:

I see this very often, especially in summer.  Someone is sporting one color from head to toe and to top it off, a beautiful necklace (and maybe earrings) of the same hue.  Too much of a good thing is…uh… a bad thing.  When you wear too much of one color (bright or not) it appears overwhelming and the outfit loses focus.  Plus you can be identified as “the lady who wore that REALLY “insert bright color worn” outfit that day and caused everyone’s eyes to water”.  No one wants to be that lady.

 Pair a bright color with black and white patterns:

This is an instant hit!  No matter what the black and white pattern, you can typically wear it with ANY bright color and it looks great!  Browns and denims can also be used this way as they are neutrals.  Check out my look for today as I’ve used this rule and paired my yellow jacket with a black and white striped skirt!

If at all possible, wear bright red lipstick:

Ok…this is just my personal mantra but I do SO enjoy red lipstick.  And it often pairs wonderfully with bright colors!  Give it a try!

When you’re ready…add a compatible color:

This can be tricky but if you get it right, the result is a whole lotta awesome!  It may sound silly but you can use a color wheel to pick your wardrobe.  Here are the rules:

Pick colors that:

  • Are directly next to each other (example: yellow and orange or yellow and green)  OR
  • Form a right angle with each other (example: orange-yellow and red or red-orange and violet) OR
  • Directly across from each other (example: yellow and violet or orange and blue)

colorwheel

 

Live life colorfully, my friends!

Cortneybre…

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