From the Desk to Date Night: Pattern Play

|| Dress: J. Crew Factory || Blazer: J. Crew Factory || Heels: Kate Spade (sold out) || Earrings: Lisi Lerch in Miss Pink || Handbag: Kate Spade (same style, different color) || Ring: Tiffany & Co. || Photos: Melanie Foster Photography ||

I am jumping for joy while typing this post. I have been dying to share this look! It's also great timing since most of this look in on sale. Earlier this summer, I was in New Orleans for a work conference. I wore this to the conference on Friday morning and then later to dinner with Jered. My presentation was on the last day, and I needed to set the tone for my workshop. My presentation style is very animated and lively, so why would I wear something boring? Even in a professional setting, I try to incorporate color when possible. When I find the chance, I also like to squeeze in pattern mixing to elevate things. If you are new to pairing different patterns, don't give up. It just takes a little practice and a whole lot of confidence!

This shift dress is a J. Crew Factory staple. I have been shopping here for a little over seven years now, and when the outlets in Oklahoma City opened, it was a big day for me. When the seasons change, J. Crew Factory is one of the first places I look when I am in need of a closet refresh. Honestly, I love looking good while saving money. Back to my point, they seem to keep this dress design year-to-year, switching the patterns and materials to correlate with the season. This dress is appropriate for the office (since it falls right above the knee) and perfect for special events like weddings. Looking at the online reviews, users are saying it fits true-to-size. However, if you happen to be on the thicker side on your bottom half, you might need to size up. Right now, this bright printed pleated shift dress is on final sale for less than $60.

This schoolboy blazer is another item that J. Crew Factory repeats. I have this in multiple colors and different fabrics. This cobalt color struck me when I was in the store last. Honestly, I should wear blue more often. It makes my blue eyes and brown hair really pop! Believe it or not, I didn't even think to pair these two items together until I was packing for my conference. The linen and cotton mix, is the perfect weight for summertime. I ended up going up one size, my arms are a little on the muscular side (they are not twigs thanks to PureBarre). I am not sure how long it will last, but this gingham blazer is on final sale for less than $65.

To me, the earrings tie this outfit together. These Lisi Lerch in Miss Pink are the icing on the cake. This earring style is called Kate and come in twenty colors. With such a colorful pattern, you could pull your jewelry from any of the colors in the pattern of the dress. I am sure you already own something that would pair really well with this.