Six Ways to Style--Three Colors!

We are back after a mini vacay! These girls are trying to hold on to every last bit of summer time!

Holly and I were chatting about one of my favorite trends--Origami Owl (post coming next week on this!) living lockets. We were flipping through the catalog for the necklaces and kept noticing how much we loved the color palette of the catalog. Ding!! Idea!! How about a Six Ways post that shows how you can style SIX DIFFERENT OUTFITS using only THREE COLORS + a unifer?? It was actually waaaay easier than we thought and we cannot wait to try a fall version. The colors we chose were: pink (hot and neon), neon yellow, and turquoise. We chose white as a base or unifying color in several of the outfits as well. Each color is represented in each outfit at least once. No matter how BIG or small! We hope you love it as much as we do!! Give us some suggestions for future three color posts in the comments.

1. Shorts Savvy
I have been sportin these hot pink shorts from Old Navy all summer long. They are soft and comfy and pop my outfit and my mood all in one fell swoop. Paired with my favorite white tee from Target and life is good. I added our two other colors using turquoise flats and necklace and a neon belt. 

Shorts: Old Navy (similar)
Tee: Target (similar)
Shoes: Old Navy(similar)
Belt: Forever 21(similar)
Necklace: Bass Outlet

2. Right on Ruffles
This dress was another great clearance purchase from Old Navy. It has incredible color versatility and I find myself wearing it to run errands or to an afternoon wedding. The hot pink, ruffled cardi demands to be noticed and almost gets outshone by the neon belt, shoes, and bracelet. 

Cardigan: New York and Co (similar)
Dress: Old Navy (similar)
Belt: Forever 21(similar)
Shoes: Old Navy (see link above)
Bracelet: Burlington Coat Factory

3. Maxi Style
Love maxi skirts this season! This one is turquoise and sometimes I question what to put with it...Until I started color blocking. I paired it with a white shirt with mini neon stripes. The hot pink statement necklace and sandals finishes it off for another pop of color.

Skirt: homemade by Emily's Mom
Shirt: Old Navy (similar)
Necklace: Jo-Ann Fabrics! $5.99 (same)
Sandals: Marshalls (similar)

4. Pump It Up
Any excuse to wear these turquoise pumps and this girl is going to take it. These shoes make my feet happy. People often say they could not pull of a brightly hued shoe and I say--do it anyway. I love the color blocked feel to this entire outfit and will totally admit that it has lead me to at least three other color blocked outfits--more from Holly on this later! 

Blazer: JC Penney (similar)
Top: The Limited
Belt: Target (similar)
Pants: Gap
Shoes: JC Penney (similar)

5. Rock This Trio
White is such a good summer neutral! It tones down the colors if your not feeling too adventurous.The pink and neon brighten up the top and the turquiose accessories pulls it all together. ADORABLE!!

Cardigan: Limited
Shirt: Gap
Pants: Ann Taylor Loft
Necklace: Jo-Ann Fabrics! $3.99 (same)
Shoes: Old Navy (See link above)

6. Accessory Ace
I love this 3/4 turquoise sleeve shirt. I wear it all year round. Throw it with white shorts and it's a summer look. Easy Peasy! (Sorry, I have kids) I added a pink belt, then a neon necklace and sandals. It all just goes together, we were having trouble picking our favorite 6 for you from all of our creations.

Shirt: Old Navy (similar)
Shorts: Old Navy
Belt: Target (See link above)
Necklace: American Eagle
Sandals: Herbergers

Six Ways to Style--Denim Shorts!

Who doesn't love to throw on some denim cutoffs during the summer? I have several pair ranging from a bit dressy to seriously distressed. In this post we are going to show you how to mix your desire for comfort with your desire to be darn cute. Both can happen with your denim shorts taking the lead!

 Our FAVE denim shorts: American Eagle, Old Navy, The Limited
Holly's are cut-offs from an old pair of jeans! Upcycle peopel!  

1. Coordinated Comfort
This is how most of us wear our denim shorts--with a tee. If this is where you want to stay with your denim simply knock it up a notch and choose a tee in a trendy color like this hot orange. A simply silver necklace and coordinating sandals make you look like you took a little extra time and it goes a long way. 

Tee: Target (similar)
Necklace: Cookie Lee Boutique
Sandals: Marshalls

2. Cardi Party
It may seem strange to pair denim shorts with a long sleeve cardigan--a contrast in seasons perhaps? Not so fast. Cardigans are the perfect layering element for cooler summer days and over zealous air conditioning.

Caridgan: Ann Taylor Loft  (similar)
Tank: Gap (similar)
Shoes: Maurices (basic flip flop)

3. Neon is Nice
I promise not to waste your time here with how much I love neon. Click on any post to the right and read all about it! This flowy top from Old Navy gives a punch of color in a very feminine way. Its loose bottom is perfect fit over some distressed denim shorts. I went with a nude flat to accent the nude print on the shirt. Dressing up denim is as easy as that. 

Tank: Old Navy (basic tank)
Top: Old Navy (similar)
Flats: Kohls (similar)
Necklace: American Eagle (similar)

4. Print Statement
Don't get stuck in the denim rut where they only work as a casual option. This outfit sports a sweater and an adorable statement necklace that bring these denim cut-offs an air of sophistication and style. The printed flats keep it all playful. 

Sweater: Marshalls
Necklace: GroopDealz
Flats: Target (similar)

5. Blazer knows best
On the same note as outfit #4, adding a blazer to denim shorts simply and immediately raises the style number of denim. Jeans/shorts are not just for casual days. You can easily dress them up and make them work for dressy occasions too. The simple tee and bright bubble necklace make the whole outfit shine.

Blazer: Marshalls
Tee: Target
Necklace: Groopdealz
Shoes: Target

6. Denim and Lace
This picture is less than stellar but the overall idea is there---a simple white tank with an adorable lace vest over the top makes for a super cute, casual denim outfit. You can still be uber comfy yet pull of girly style at the same time. I wore this outfit to a photo session and was cool and comfy and cute with hardly having to try.

Tank: Old Navy (similar)
Lace Vest: TJ Maxx (similar)
Flats: Old Navy (similar)
Necklace: old 

Mint and Red

Mint and Red by hollymuilenburg featuring high waisted pants

Rich Royal rich royal
$50 - zalando.co.uk

Pieces high waisted pants
$43 - nelly.com

Ked
keds.com

Belle Noel by Kim Kardashian gold necklace
shopthetrendboutique.com

Color Blocking/ Blue & Orange

Color Blocking/ Blue & Orange by hollymuilenburg featuring stephan & co

Joie colorful tank top
$205 - harveynichols.com

Long sleeve sweater
amazon.com

Levi’s Made & Crafted levi s made & crafted jeans
theoutnet.com

Coach ballet flat
coach.com

Stephan Co stephan co
nordstrom.com

OOTD--a little more red!

Carrying over our red blazer love from this weekend's Six Ways to Style post! 

Sweater: Limited

Tank: Old Navy

Shorts: Limited

Necklace: Groopdealz

Shoes: Target

The goal of this outfit was to be stylish yet also to stay cool. I always layer--even in the summer--because although it is hot outside, the air conditioning in most places is frigid. The shorts add a playful vibe to the whole outfit while the wedges do their best to make my short legs appear long! Plus--you gotta love the RED! 

Six Ways To Style--a RED blazer!

Boy was I thrilled to add this fiery piece to my wardrobe--It will be featured in an upcoming Fashion Foundation on outer layers too! I personally love blazers as outer layers because they cleanly and simply bring an outfit a level of sophistication not many other layers can do. This red one is such an awesome pop of color and can carry pretty much amp up any outfit singlehandedly. We tried to pair the blazer with other fashion foundation items to help double your outfit options. We also tried to keep the color palette of the outfits securely in the neutral zone to let the blazer do all the talking and all the workin.


 Red Blazer from the Limited (similar, similar, similar)

 1. Chambray and Cuffs
You all know about our love affair with chambray...and chambray and red are perfect together. Cuffing the chambray over the red blazer gives this a laid back vibe. The white pants act as brightener for the whole outfit.  Top it off (or bottom it off..) with a pair of neutral flats and you are out the door.

Top: Charlotte Russe (similar)
Pants: Old Navy (similar)

Shoes: garage sale $1 (similar)


2. Red Hot Polka Dot
I am a big sucker for polka dots. We mentioned how a good polka dot tee/tank/blouse should be part of your fashion foundation because of its versatility. It acts as a pattern but doesn't steal the show or fight with other patterns you may want to pair it with. It is the perfect accent to the blazer here. We styled it with jeans to give the whole outfit a casual/day vibe.

Shirt: Forever 21 (same)
Pants: Union Bay, Herbergers (similar)
Shoes: Sperry (similar)

3. Black Means Business
Here is an outfit with a lesson in contrast. The black and red are both bold colors that demand attention. However, when placed together they act like best friends. The white bottom is the perfect balancer. Throw in a feminine vibe with some girly T sandals. 

Top: gift (similar)
Shorts: Old Navy (similar)
Shoes: Marshalls (similar)


4. Target Khaki
Am I the only one who avoids pairing red with khaki for fear of being see as someone who works at Target? Don't get me wrong, I luurve Target but I do not want to be asked which aisle the baby oil is in because the poor soul saw my red and khaki and made an assumption. However, there is a reason Target went with this color combo--it looks GOOD together. Get over your (or maybe it is just my) fear and throw a little subtle khaki on with your red blazer. Maybe just don't go to Target while you have it on.

Top: Limited (similar)
Necklace: Groopdealz (similar)
Shorts: New York & Co. (similar)
Gold Flats: Target (similar)

5. Graphic Know How
A blazer paired with a graphic T is super trendy right now so get going on it! Some people care too much about what is on their graphic T when you really just need something with visual interest that grabs the eye. This graphic T is not where you profess your love for your favorite 80's band but a piece that pops underneath your blazer. We threw in some color blocked leggings to continue the visual interest on the bottom half. The wedge booties elongate the legs and are the perfect finish to the look. 

Tee: H&M (similar)

Bottoms: Target (similar)

Shoes:  Target (similar)

6. Anchor's Away
Anchor graphics are BIG BIG right now. People enjoy them for all sorts of different reasons. I personally love the spiritual significance of the anchor and its relation to hope. I had placed an anchor T on my shopping wish list and always had my eye out. The Limited is carrying a line right now with anchors as the graphic focus. I snagged this top during their 40% sale and have been in love ever since. I love the nautical feel it gives off when paired with this red blazer. The distressed shorts make this outfit wearable while the wedges lead the eye downward and tie the whole thing together.

Top: Limited (same)
Shorts: American Eagle (similar)
Shoes: Target (same)

OOTD: Neon & Stripes

Sleeveless: Nordstrom Rack

Necklace: Target

Neon skinnies: Good Will $7.99! (Target brand)

Belt: Old Navy

Flats: garage sale for $1! 

This look is perfect for cooler days we've been having lately. This neon green is my new favorite "color pop" essential. Love it!

~Holly