Daily Look: Silver and Gold

Sweater: Loft // Skirt: J. Crew // Shoes: Aldo // Tights: Target // Earrings: Etsy // Bracelet: Found

I don't know why, but winter decided to have one last hurrah this weekend with chilly winds, mist, and the return of sweaters. I decided to embrace it by wearing allover silver and hints of sunny gold. I used to be afraid to mix metals, but these flats sort of give me a free pass. And the rhinestones on my shoulders and wrist make me stand out against this dreary day.

Daily Look: Show Your Stripes

Shirt, Earrings, Necklace: Banana Republic Factory // Pants: Gap // Shoes: J. Crew Factory // Bracelets: Banana Republic, Target // Sunglasses: Ray-Ban

Last weekend, my husband and I drove west to the outlet mall in Michigan City for a day of bargain hunting (my sport of choice). I picked up some tops, necklaces, earrings, and shoes. I put several of my finds together with this outfit, which I wore to run some weekend errands. It was another unseasonably warm day (look Ma, no jacket!), so this nautical look felt extra-appropriate.

Daily Look: Neutrals and Neon

Shirt: J. Crew // Pants: Gap // Bag: Target // Shoes: BC Footwear via Endless // Earrings & Bracelet: Francesca's

I don't usually show my bags, but I just got this one from Target and I love it! I've been admiring the recent neon trend, so when Lauren told me about these affordable purses, I hopped on the bandwagon. I love how the intense pop of color brings excitement into an otherwise unremarkable outfit. And the neutral color palette keeps the neon from crossing into teenybopper territory.

Runway to Reality: Reem Acra Fall 2012

As has become the norm, I completely fell in love with nearly every look from Reem Acra's Fall 2012 show. I especially liked how she made black leather feel simultaneously ladylike and tough. This was one of my favorite looks of the show:

Of course, for those of us who don't make Oprah scratch (or Oprah's assistant scratch, for that matter), Reem Acra's clothes are definitely out of reach. But this is definitely a look that could be recreated fairly easily, and for a lot less. All you need is a peplum jacket, a faux fur scarf, a shiny pencil skirt, and strappy sandals. The pieces in my version range from $20 for the scarf to $75 for the jacket.

Are you loving the peplum waist trend as much as I am? Would you wear this hot-off-the-runway look?

Daily Look: Black Rebel

Shirt: Nanette Lepore for Target // Jacket: BB Dakota // Pants: Gap // Booties: Cooperative via Urban Outfitters // Bracelets: Forever 21 // Sunglasses: Ray-Ban

I decided to unleash my inner bad girl by wearing my black bomber jacket with black skinny corduroys, black booties, and black sunglasses. I piled on some spiky bracelets to complete this rocker-inspired getup. I may never be able to live out my fantasy of rocking out onstage as the lead singer of a band--apparently you need to have a good voice for that--but at least I can dress the part.

Daily Look: April Inspired

Sweatshirt: Urban Outfitters // Shirt: Forever 21 // Jeans: Gap // Shoes: Zara // Earrings: Francesca's

This outfit was inspired both by the springlike weather we have been enjoying and by Parks and Rec's April Ludgate, who I recently spotted wearing this same sweatshirt. I mostly bought the top as lounge-wear, but after seeing the show, I decided I needed to pair it with more than just pajama bottoms. I really love the coral and gray stripes together, and adding the chambray shirt underneath gave the outfit a polish that I didn't expect to achieve from a simple sweatshirt.

Daily Look: Right to Bare Arms

Blouse: Ann Taylor // Pants: Zara // Earrings, Necklace: Banana Republic // Bracelets: Forever 21, Annie Gogglyn // Shoes: Nine West via Endless

Oh my god it's finally warm enough to wear short sleeves and go sock-less! Okay, so it was also super crazy windy (gusts over 40 mph), and it's not going to be all that warm tomorrow, but I'll take it! We had a fire drill at school, so I grabbed a cardigan on my way out the door (obviously, my priorities are well in order), but when I stepped outside, I quickly realized that I didn't even need it. Oh, the sweet joy of being comfortable in short sleeves in early March. It is a joy I did not know before moving to Indiana.