Mixed Animal prints!  I adore print mixing of all kinds.  It's a bold move to put together clashing prints and not look like you've gotten dressed in the dark or going through some emotional issues! LOL  I'm wearing my black long-sleeved Vogue 8815 peplum top with my McCall's 6038 zebra print pencil skirt.  When I bought these sandals from ShoeMint.com, I knew I had to mixed these prints into an outfit.  Kinda matchy-matchy, but I like it!

Lemon, lime and leopard!  This was my way of "stepping into spring"!  The pants are Vogue 1143 in the "Color of the Year - Emerald Green".

This is another ShoeMint.com purchase.  I'd been wanting a pair of metallic silver heels.  And they're perfect as a neutral for spring.

Another day of pleasant weather where I was feeling the spring in the air.  I'm wearing Simplicity 2250 - white blazer.  I'm seriously going to start working on another white blazer next week, before this one is threadbare.  I wear it just that much.  Also, my colorful silk chiffon caftan which is New Look 6051 over Vogue 8774 - corduroy jeans.  I had just noticed I hadn't worn these all winter.  They'd gotten pushed back in the closet.

When I saw this look on Tumblr, I knew I had all of the components (except the cute striped clutch) in my closet.  So I pinned it as a reminder.

It was chilly this morning and 70 degrees by this afternoon.  Perfect outfit for layering.

Jacket:  Vogue 8480 (I changed the covered buttons to gold buttons).

I'm still in love with color blocking and I can't see that love affair waning anytime soon.  I plan to carry it right over into spring!

My red pants have become one of my most favorite clothing items this season.  I make it a priority to wear them at least once a week.  

Do you all remember this jacket?  It's McCall's 6207.  I usually wear it with jeans, but this time I decided to pair it with these pants.  I hate driving in a coat and this blazer was perfect to layer over a sweater without being cumbersome.

Today I wanted to get to the mall and get in those last few gifts.  I live pretty close to the mall and I *thought* that since the weather was pretty bad and being that it was a Thursday morning that the crowds wouldn't be too bad.  Yep, I was wrong.  Parking was atrocious and the lines were ridiculous.  I guess everyone had the same idea.

I was feeling pretty festive and decided to wear my red pants.  I wore them with my black turtleneck, black leather moto jacket, black tights and black suede wedges. And I've really been enjoying my new bag from Urban Expressions.  I'm not vegan, but the bag is.  I love the Chanel-esque styling.  I was in TJ Maxx and  it just happened to jump off the rack at me.  I'm more inclined to carry a black bag on a daily basis, so I figured it may as well be this cute one.

I still have one or two things I may buy, but I knocked out pretty much everything that was on my list.  That's an accomplishment for me being that I still have Friday and Saturday shopping opportunities!  Go me!

Worn with my red Vogue 1039 ciggies!

Vogue 1261 from Alice + Olivia.  I cut the size medium.  I used a "mystery" sweater knit that I've had in my stash for YEARS!  I don't even remember where I bought.  Probably Walmart before they stopped selling fabric.  Every so often I would find some real gems for $2/yd!  

I love the neckline and the raglan sleeves.  I like the "idea" of the suggested design details, but they just didn't work for my fabric choice.  I didn't do the outside seams or the ribbon detail and I didn't leave the edges raw.  

In an effort to perfectly match the stripes, I ran short on fabric and had to cut the sleeves shorter than I wanted to.  But I'm happy with the way it turned out.

Then I made...

Worn with my favorite sequined tunic and my Donna Karan cape.

McCall's 6404 leggings or skinny pants.  They are not MY idea of leggings because the leg opening isn't as narrow as I'd prefer a legging to be.  When I think of leggings, I think of something so fitting that it goes on like a second skin.  These are not leggings.  But regardless, I like them -- A LOT!  

We all know that details are most difficult to capture on black fabric.  But the seaming detail is why I was drawn to this pattern.  I lengthen the rise by an inch and an inch for the leg.  I cut the medium in these because I wanted them to be really fitted.  I used the most fabulous jersey fabric ever!  I  bought this black super stretch heavy RPL from Gorgeous Fabrics months ago and finally got around to using it.  I can already tell you that these pants are going to be a winter staple.  They're heavy and feel like ski pants.  The fabric is so thick that Spanx aren't even a thought.  They smooth everything out.  

Worn with a fur gilet and over-the-knee suede boots.

On yesterday, we tailgated for the Magic City Classic.  And I decided to pair the tunic with the pants to represent the black and gold colors of the Alabama State University Hornets (they lost... better luck next year).

These are two pieces that will be well worn by spring!

Yep... I chopped off all of my hair!

Project Details:

Pattern: Vogue 1039 OOP - Donna Karan

Pattern Sizing: 8-22, I cut the 14.

Fabric: Stretch Cotton Twill

Photography by my husband