A Floral Winter

Holy-freakin’-blizzard, it’s cold and rainy outside! I live in Florida and I’m freezin’ my butt off, which means you are likely really, really cold too. You can probably imagine that as a Florida girl I don’t have a variety of winter outfits so I have to get pretty darn creative when the temperatures start dropping. This means that everything in my closet is fair game. There are no such things as seasonal clothes or fashion rules. What’s that you say? A spring floral vest for winter?! Gasp! No, it’s true. Now it’s my winter floral vest and it works great. Throw on a scarf and some sexy heels and bam. Spring turns winter.

Here’s to hoping that I don’t have to figure out how to make my bikini a winter item…

How are you staying toasty this winter?

How to Mix Patterns: From Beginner to Advanced

Have you been eager to jump on the mixing patterns train but don't know how? It’s actually a lot easier than it looks. Just make minor changes to your outfits until you feel comfortable to go full speed ahead. Below are steps you can take (from beginner to advanced) to get that creative engine running.

Thrifty Thursday: A Tribute to the Discarded

“Latest and Greatest”

In our everyday lives it seems like we are constantly being marketed with those simple words. “Get it now – it’s the latest and greatest.” We yearn for that new car smell and get consumed with keeping an item in mint condition. Could it be that without even noticing we have become so obsessed with the idea of “newness” that in the process we’ve forgotten the intrigue of “distinctiveness” and “old charm”? Instead, we describe those items as used, ordinary, bland and cast them aside.

Well, here’s to the forgotten and the discarded.

4 Essential Pieces for your Florida Winter Outfit

Winter is finally coming to an end. No more cold days and freezing nights. Say good-bye to branches with no leaves and the constant blanket of snow. Alright, who am I kidding? I live in Florida. A few days ago it dropped to a frigid 50 degrees and everyone freaked out over here (admittedly, I was one of them). While I can’t provide you with words of wisdom on how to survive the end of this cold winter, I can provide you with tips on how to survive winters in Florida like a true Floridian. Here are some essentials:

Harriett’s Park Ave Fashion Show

Lights, camera, action! It was finally time for the main event: Harriett’s Park Avenue Fashion Show (read about my backstage experience here). As soon as I heard the music start I quickly headed to the media pit to take my place. ‘Alright, Iris—Take a deep breath and dive in.’

There I was with my tiny DSLR, holding it tightly like a newborn baby while I squeezed my way into the media mosh pit. So what if I was tripping over somebody’s tripod and occasionally getting elbowed when a professional photographer hit the shutter button. I didn’t mind it at all. Another photographer was kind enough to point out a small but cozy corner on the platform for me to sit. Clearly, I must have looked lost and confused. She looked up at me, smiled, and motioned for me to sit. Finally, I got my spot and I got my camera, that’s all I need. Now to document the show! Check out below for some of my favorite looks.

Unapologetic, big, bold, statement jewelry from Bahalia:

Marie Claire: Women in Business Event

Orlando, The City Beautiful, just as we were growing to be the best of friends, the city threw some curve balls. These include torrential rainfalls on the only days I don’t have my umbrella, crowding of the malls with busloads of tourists on the only days I have time to shop, and closing every restaurant near me at 9:00pm on the days I need to grab food late.

But then, just as I was about to give up hope on the city, I got invited to The Women in Business Event hosted by Marie Claire and Ruth Chris Steakhouse. It’s almost as if the city wanted to cut me a break and take me out on a nice date. This time it pulled out all the stops.

Beach Neutrals

How fun are spring trends lately? Bright, bold colors, and stripes are just some of my favorite. Actually, I’ve been so crazy about these trends that the neutral clothing in my closet has been neglected. The poor things. I skip over them as I reach for my purple jeans and bright yellow shirt and they cry a little inside. As an equal opportunity fashion lover, I decided it was time to put a stop to it by taking my favorite neutrals out of the closet and into the sunlight.

Now, I didn’t pick just any neutrals, I picked neutrals that reminded me of one of my favorite places. The beach! A beach-blue ruffle skirt spices up my sand-colored cardigan. I then added an oh-so-cute owl pendant to complete the beach-inspired neutrals look!

What clothing of yours have you been ignoring lately and what will you do to add it back into your life?

Fashion Tip: Be inspired to wear your neutrals by incorporating some of your favorite accessories! Any color is fair game for your accessories so be creative with those pendants, necklaces, or fashionable earrings!

What I’m Rockin:

Ruffle skirt: Express
Cardigan: Taken from my sister

Cream colored undershirt: Charlotte Russe
Owl Pendant: c/o Mango
Assorted Bracelets: Nordstrom Rack

Wedges: Marshalls

It’s a Bird, It’s a Train… No, it’s Fashion!

You may have noticed that I have a fascination with old trains (see this post).  No surprise that I was intrigued by this colorful and whimsical one. I couldn't resist striking a pose with a train that looks like it was pulled straight out of a 1920’s children’s toy set! This life sized toy brought memories of my own childhood. I quickly realized it would be the perfect match for my playful bird blouse!

The pattern of vibrant birds reminds me of the bright shirts I would wear in elementary school. But now it’s a modernized and mature version. As soon as I saw the blouse my 5-year old inner Iris screeched with joy. I quickly snatched it up! She screeched again when I passed this train. I felt like little Iris playing with my old train set while wearing my Rainbow Brite inspired outfits. Life sized toys mixed with fanciful fashion…what more can a little girl ask for?

What fashion brings back memories of your childhood?

Fashion Tip: Bored of pairing your patterned tops with solid colored bottoms? Try pairing it with tweed bottoms. Tweed will add color and texture to your patterned tops!

What I'm Rockin':

Blouse - Lily White via Millenium Nordstrom Rack

Shorts - Forever21

Heels - Qupid

Bracelets - Gift

Belt - Goodwill (also worn here)

Last Minute Valentine's Day Inspiration

Need some last minute inspiration for tonight? Don’t have time to go out shopping for a new outfit? Reinvent your Little Black Dress (LBD) for a sure hit on Valentine’s Day!

Romantic Evening

You are ready to be swept off your feet like a true fairy-tale princess. It will be a romantic evening with the love of your life (or the flavor of the month, whichever you prefer). 

Fashion Tip: Blend sweet, classy, and sexy.  Remind him why he loves to brag about you to his boys but also why he wants to take you home to mom. Slip a satin or silk shirt over that LBD and pair with sparkly shoes for some sex appeal that’s not over the top. Add an air kiss and a wink and he will be yours all night long.

Girl’s Night Out

You have no plans to sit at home sulking over a tub of ice cream. You and your girlfriends find Valentine’s the perfect opportunity to let loose, show your spunk, and maybe even run into the future hubby.


Fashion Tip: Time to try out your favorite trends! Your friends will truly appreciate your fabulous outfit. Express your style and fierceness by complementing the LBD with eye-popping accessories. Leopard print, chains and big cocktail rings are all fair game. This is not the time to hold back. Celebrate love, even if it’s love between you and your best girlfriends!

What I'm Rockin':

Dress - Express 

Romantic Evening:

Gray belt - Forever21

Purple blouse - A'gaci

Black Glitter Pumps - Love Culture

Purple necklaces (assorted) - vintage

Cocktail Ring - Forever21

Girl's Night Out:

Gold chain necklace - Filthy Magic

Leopard Pumps - Charlotte Russe

Cocktail Ring - Forever21

Assorted bracelets - Nordstrom Rack

Happy Valentine’s Day!! Don’t forget to follow me on Google Friend Connect and “Like” me on Facebook!