accessorize your life

One of the women I work with went to Cambodia over the holidays (her son was getting married there) and brought this beautiful silky scarf back for me. I love when I can build an entire outfit based on a single accessory (did anyone else watch The Fashion Show: Ultimate Collection last night? If so, OMG I want those carousel earrings that Jeffrey used in his winning look), and that's what I did here.

(dress/tights/socks: tjmaxx; scarf: gift; earrings: f21, gift; belt: thrifted; shoes: payless; ring: antique)

I used the all-black palette of the dress as a backdrop for some of my lesser-worn accessories. I hardly ever wear earrings because my lobes are so sensitive I usually have to take them out after a couple of hours, but I received this pretty peacock pair as a Christmas gift so I thought I'd give them a shot :) I bought the ring at an antique jewelry shop on an impromptu trip to Troy, NY last year, and the lavendar tights don't get enough wear because they are a little wackadaisical and fall outside my usual color scheme. All-in-all, I think the whole get-up came together rather well, and the purple really pops against the snow!


As for using a single accessory to inspire an entire outfit, I am definitely a fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants sort of girl when it comes to dressing and designing (oh, and life...). A couple of weekends ago I spent several hours browsing Jo-Ann Fabrics for the perfect fabric (in the discount section, of course), and ultimately ended up designing a dress in my head based entirely around an interesting strip of ribbon. Hopefully I'll have some time to devote to my latest sewing project in the next couple of weeks...