Style: On Pointe Athleisure

One thing about me that I'm not sure I've ever actually talked about on this blog is that I was a dancer throughout my childhood. By high school, I had multiple classes at my local dance studio every night, and when I wasn't in class I was also one of the office assistants there and taught several classes. Dance was my first hobby and my first job, and I love things that remind me of the ladylike and magical culture of ballet. Blush pink was one of the most popular colors in virtually every aspect of design in 2016, and this past fall, I started to notice that swans had become the latest "critter" to gain popularity in home decor and fashion. Now, Target had unveiled a whole ballet-inspired collection from Mossimo. Here's a winter and spring gym-to-street wardrobe for the inner Sugar Plum Fairy in each of us.

1. Athleta crossback sweatshirt  2. Target ruched leggings  3. J. Crew Factory collector tee  4. Essie Gel Couture nail polish in "Lace Me Up"  5. Target wrap bodysuit 6. Target tulle midi skirt 7. Kate Spade swan stud earrings (set is actually 1 black and 1 white swan) 8. MAC Lipglass in "Signs of Spring"  9. Kate Spade Ridge Street Lance yoga bag

(Ballerina inspiration photo by Taylor and Porter via Wedding Sparrow)

What do you think of the ballet-inspired athleisure trend?

Pinspiration: Lush Meadow Green for Fall 2016

As most of you know, I'm a sucker for Pantone's seasonal color reports. I love seeing which colors the experts predict will dominate the runways and how those trends manifest in my favorite stores. Autumn is my favorite season for fashion - I love, love, love sweaters, scarves, knit dresses, tights, books, and jackets. One of my favorite fashion colors this fall is the rich green Pantone calls Lush Meadow (LOFT calls it Ponderosa Pine, and at Old Navy it's Winter Spruce). Here's some of my current inspiration:

What are your go-to colors for fall?

Transitional Style: Chambray

Chambray has been a huge trend in the fashion world for several seasons now, and I don't think it's going anywhere anytime soon. Denim's softer, gentler cousin (actually, the difference is all in how the fabrics are woven) is perfect for the transitional season as summer sandals and blouses give way to sweatshirts and tights, and chambray pieces can easily go from the workweek to the weekend.

1. J. Crew Factory dotted layered sweatshirt  2. Ruche midi skirt  3. Old Navy embroidered scalloped blouse  4. Sally Hansen XTreme Wear nail polish in "Babe Blue"  5. BC Footwear huarache sandals from Ruche  6. Yankee Candle "Crisp Morning Air"

What's your favorite way to make pieces work for multiple seasons?

Linking Up With:

Style Sessions at Style Elixir

Manic Monday at More Pieces of Me and The Daily Express

Let It Shine at Still Being Molly

Mix it Mondays with Fizz and Frosting

Passion 4 Fashion at Rachel the Hat

Spring 2015: Custard Yellow

Don't adjust your monitor - leading color authority Pantone's favorite yellow for spring 2015 really is that bright. Custard is a creamy, muted yellow that's popping up all over the place now that spring is just around the corner! Here are a few pieces I wouldn't mind adding to my closet.

1. Old Navy pleated skirt 2. LOFT polka dot pouch 3. ModCloth fruit earrings 4. LOFT hair ties 5. LOFT trouser socks 6. Francesca's knotted necklace 7. Old Navy crossbody purse 8. LOFT chino shorts

Anthropologie | Trina Turk via Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week

Jenny Packham via Style.com | Dennis Basso via Style.com

Please let me believe that spring is just around the corner, even though the forecast includes snow on Thursday...

Linking Up With:
Color Me Tuesday at Undergraduate Style

Style Sessions at Style Elixir

Style to Inspire with Rhea Et Cetera
Style Me Wednesday at Shopping My Closet

Manic Monday at More Pieces of Me and The Daily Express

Oh Hey Girl at Pumps and Push-Ups
Let Your Light Shine Thursday at Made With Zeal

Fall 2014: Navy and Cypress

Today's color combination reminds me of coming home for the holidays: it's classic, cozy, and welcoming.  Navy and cypress home decor and wardrobe pieces are perfect for fall, but will look sharp far into winter - they look great layered, too, whether the pairing is a sweater and scarf for a cross-country airplane ride or a duvet and blanket for the guest room.

Disclaimer:  Amazon and ModCloth item links contain affiliate codes.  Thanks for supporting Beyond the Aisle!

1. H&M cable knit sweater  2. Faribault for Target backpack  3. Terrain cypress topiary  4. Pottery Barn palampore bedding  5. Merona tote from Target  6. J. Crew No. 2 wool pencil skirt  7. J. Crew Factory straight and narrow corduroy pants  8. J. Crew Factory crystal necklace  9. Zoya nail polish in "Hunter"  10. ModCloth messenger bag

Inspiration:  1. Home via Houzz  2. Outfit via Cabins for Everyone

Linking Up:

Passion 4 Fashion at Rachel the Hat

Style Sessions at Style Elixir

Style: Summer Brights

It may not officially be summer according to the calendar, but as far as I'm concerned, now that school's out, it's on!  Coral, citrus and melon-inspired shades are perennial favorites for the summer months, and it's no wonder - they're an instant shot of happy whether paired with a simple white t-shirt or a pretty maxi dress. Here are a few picks for adding some extra warmth to your summer wardrobe and beauty routine.

Disclaimer:  Links to ModCloth items contain an affiliate code.

View this set on Polyvore

1. J. Crew Factory Swiss dot dress  2. J. Crew Factory eyelet skirt  3. Anthropologie watch  

4. J. Crew snood scarf  5. Philosophy shower gel  6. ModCloth colorblock sandals  

7. Fossil bracelet  8. Merona ballet flats from Target  9. Merona 3" chino shorts from Target 

10. Essie nail polish in "Roarrrrange," "Resort Fling," and "Serial Shopper"

Linking Up With:
Funday Monday at Still Being Molly
Style Sessions at Style Elixir
Casual Friday at Two Thirty-Five Designs

spring color: pistachio

True confession:  I'm pretty sure I'd do Polyvore posts even if no one visited this little ol' blog.  It's grown-up paper dolls, and I accept that.

I have a fresh, fun spring color for you today!  And please come back and see me tomorrow - I'm going to be hosting my first-ever linky party, a spur of the moment idea I had for Autism Awareness Month.  If you'd like more information now, or if you'd like to co-host with me, just let me know in the comments!  Disclaimer:  ModCloth links contain an affiliate code.

View this set on Polyvore

1. GAP striped pleated skirt  2. GAP skinny leather belt  
3. ModCloth "Grand Tour Guide" blouse  4. Banana Republic scarf  
5. Deborah Lippmann nail polish in "Spring Buds" from Nordstrom
6. J. Crew Factory statement necklace  7. Lilly Pulitzer ruffled polo  
8. Garmin GPS watch from Athleta  9. Mossimo sneakers from Target

Which of these springy picks is your favorite?  I don't have anything in this shade currently in my closet, and I'm eyeing the Lilly Pulitzer polo and GAP striped skirt for spring and summer!

Linking Up:
Casual Friday at Two Thirty-Five Designs
Passion 4 Fashion at Rachel the Hat
Three-Fer Thursday at Perfectly Coutured

Fall Color: Caramel and Carafe

I love fall neutrals, and this season's pieces are saturated with rich shades of brown and tan.  Pantone calls this fall's chocolate brown "Carafe," calling up images of coffee beans and comfort.  Pair it with caramel shades for a head-to-toe neutral look, and you can't lose.

View this set on Polyvore

1. LOFT sweater  2. Fresh soap from Sephora  3. Clinique nails in "Indie Rock" from Neiman Marcus
 4. O.P.I. nails in "Warm Me Up" from HSN  5. Drop earrings from Max & Chloe
6. J. Crew wool pencil skirt  7. J. Crew leopard print iPhone case
8. Old Navy v-neck and crew neck sweaters  9.  Mossimo cardigan from Target  10. Ruche trench
11. Old Navy studded ballet flats  12. Vera Bradley wristlet 13. J. Crew leopard print ballet flats
14. GAP infinity cowl scarf  15.  Old Navy faux-leather moto coat  16. Ann Taylor leather gloves

Fall 2013: Turbulence Gray

This autumn, gray has a split personalities: sweatshirts and t-shirts are going glam with jewel embellishments, the moto jacket is showing a softer side, and classic work pieces like ballet flats are getting cozy.  Here are a few of my favorite wear-anywhere pieces for this season.

View this set on Polyvore

1. LOFT embellished sweatshirt  2. Merona oxford blazer from Target
3. Xhilaration jewel embellished tee from Target 4. Fornash stud earrings from Tuckernuck
5. LOFT moto sweater jacket  6. Stella & Dot "Jessie" and "Urbane" hematite bracelets
7. Mossimo pleated skirt from Target  8. GAP flannel ballet flats
9. Modcloth jersey blouse  10. Hive & Honey varsity jacket from Piperlime
11. Banana Republic handbag  12. LOFT straight leg jeans  13. GAP sweater tights
14. Essie nail polishes in "Cashmere Bathrobe" and "For the Twill of It" from Target

summer color: coral, teal, and gray for work

My last two Tuesday style posts have featured two of my favorite transitional colors for late summer and early fall: coral and teal.  I especially love these colors for late summer because the go with any neutral.  For the end of my first week of work, I paired coral and teal with gray for outfits that mixed casual and dressy pieces.  Here's my favorite.

Cardigan: Old Navy, Tank: Old Navy

Pencil skirt: George at Wal-Mart (this year's version is a bit shorter but still really good quality!)

Sandals: Jacee by Bare Traps at Belk

I wore this coral and gray outfit for the first Thursday of the school year, which was also the day I was in charge of leading an assembly for all of the students on my team.  I've led assemblies before, but they were talent show assemblies - it's been the end of the year and there has been singing and dancing!  Leading a beginning-of-year assembly to go over rules and expectations is a whole different ball game - I tried to challenge my inner camp counselor and keep the tone welcoming and approachable.  I loved this fun print tank when I saw it at Old Navy and I like the way it kind of looks like a colorblocked dress when paired with a gray pencil skirt.  Finally, I can't recommend these sandals enough - they're comfortable enough to wear every day, the pewter color is really versatile, and I've gotten tons of compliments on them.

fall color: black and blue

This week's color combo is a classic for fall, inspired by this season's runway shows...

1. Ann Taylor striped ponte dress  2. Kirna Zabete for Target leopard print trench 

3. Dorothy Perkins viscose biker-style jacket  4. LOFT striped crinkle blazer 

5. Butter London nail lacquer in Royal Navy 6. Ann Taylor striped colorblock skirt

Stay safe and dry today, friends!  So far we still have electricity but schools

in our area are closed today because of high winds from Hurricane Sandy.

I am thankful that I don't have to drive today in dangerous conditions.

fall color: lilac and rose for a ballerina with edge

Next stop on our tour of colors you'll be seeing everywhere this season:  lilac and rose, or, if you want to get technical and use their Pantone names, "Dusty Lilac" and "Rose Smoke."  Even though they look like traditional spring colors, they're making their fall debut paired with metallics and neutrals.  I've thrown in a little rose gold, starfish and mushroom for good measure to keep the pink from being too precious.  These colors are great because they look good on just about every woman regardless of her complexion and hair color!  

1. LOFT pleated neck tee in pink lilac  2. American Eagle wishbone trio earrings  3.  Essie nail polishes in Don't Sweater It and Lady Like  4. Makeup inspiration from Peter Som runway via Harper's Bazaar  5.  LOFT strappy metallic sandals  6. Old Navy dark red ikat scarf  7. ZOYA nail polish in Shay  8. LOFT python skinny belt  9. LOFT rose watch  10. American Eagle rose beaded hoops

Keep reading for inspiration on how to work lilac and rose into your outfits!

summer/fall color: kelly green

Since it's essay-writing season in my life, I'll start this post with a thesis statement: kelly green makes people feel cheerful, is in style regardless of season, and looks good on every woman.  I won't spend three paragraphs convincing you my thesis is true; instead, I hope the inspiration pictures I've gathered will persuade you that a few basics in kelly green - a cardigan, a pencil skirt or cropped pants, and a tee - will make your closet a happier place.

My4Boys on Polyvore shows how the kelly green version J. Crew's Jackie Cardigan can transition from summer to fall.  It's like this color has multiple personalities - fun and preppy with seersucker and flip-flops, completely sophisticated for the office with a tan skirt and animal print shell.

Navy blue is kelly green's best friend.  You cannot go wrong with this combination.  The easiest kelly green outfit is a navy blue top and kelly green pencil skirt, as seen on the Marc Jacobs runway (via Fashionologie) and the styling used to advertise the Emerson Fry 2 Button Belt Skirt.

summer/fall color: driftwood, french roast and titanium

It's common knowledge to those who follow home decor and fashion blogs and magazines that gray is having a moment right now.  This most versatile neutral can adapt to any other color and style as an accent or stand on its own in a great print or texture.  Gray works for everything from workout wear to a bridesmaid's dress.  Pantone has identified Driftwood, French Roast, and Titanium as this year's most popular gray-toned neutrals.  Here are some of my favorite ways to work gray into my wardrobe as we transition from summer to fall.

1. American Eagle Ikat tank 2. LOFT Metallic scarf 3. GAP Open-knit sweater 

4. La Posh Style Floral dress 5. Ruche Beaded earrings 6. American Eagle Sporty watch 

7. LOFT Animal print jeans 8. La Posh Style Striped hoodie 

9. American Eagle Colorblock sweater 

10. SAKS Fifth Avenue Striped slippers 11. Old Navy Woven wedges

1. GAP Striped cardigan 2. Target Solid cardigan 3. Ruche Statement necklace 

4. Scotch Naturals Charmer nail polish 5. Tartan and lace inspiration from Peter Som via Fashionologie 

6. American Eagle Solid hoodie 7. Target Dot print shell 8. The Outnet Wrap style dress - Similar Items 

9. Land's End Canvas Floral print dress 10. Makeup inspiration from NARS for Philip Lim via Zimbio 

11. Frock Candy Embellished flats 12. LOFT Flowy peplum blouse 13. J. Crew Factory Pleated skirt 

14. Makeup inspiration from Bobbi Brown via Makeup 4 All

Which of the following summer and autumn items are your favorite?

spring color: mint

This spring's mint is a fresh take on 1980's seafoam.  Here are the color pairings I've seen that make mint contemporary, feminine and chic.

Mint and neutral via Sunday Crossbow

Mint and navy from Wicked Preppy

 

Mint and black - Nails via Arianne B.B. on Pinterest; 

Goody Goody Gumdrops necklace from Dogwood and Poppy on Etsy

 

Mint and white - Nails via Pshiiit; Rosie earrings from Modcloth

spring color: solar power

I've seen a lot of neon yellow inspiration on the web this spring, and I.  love.  it.  Maybe it's my love of blindingly-bright Sharpie highlighters spilling over into my love of fashion?  Maybe it's just so freaking cheerful, and I need as much cheer as possible in my life?  Unfortunately when I went into actual stores in search of neon I came home empty-handed.  Fear not:  that's why we have the Internet.

Anthropologie tucked tiered skirt

Treasure Blue Peruvian bracelet - each is one of a kind and adds a little boho flair.

LOFT snakeskin sandals - on my spring wish list!

Neon French tip manicure from Cult of Pretty - I think this is amazing.

Mellow Yellow... for your wardrobe!

Going back to our Pantone pallete for fall, I'll be focusing on pretty ways to work these colors into your wardrobe, your home decor, and your celebrations.  I'll start with bamboo yellow, the first shade on the pallete, which is popping up everywhere in clothing stores, on Polyvore, and on Etsy.  Everything on this list is under $50 because bamboo yellow is a bold color and clothes and accessories are a good way to test it out before using it in home decor or event design!

Geometric Tank by Simply Vera Vera Wang for Kohl's, $24.00 || Ruffled Grosgrain-Trim top, $19.50 at Old Navy

Petite mustard colour block skirt by Debenhams (sold out online), $23 || Yellow Embroidered Hem Skirt, $20 at Topshop

"Taking Notes" Skirt Tutorial from Sewing in No Man's Land

Bliss mustard yellow bracelet by flourishleather on Etsy, $5 || Chloe crinkled floral scarf by Apt. 9 for Kohl's, $16.80 - I have this scarf and it is so bright and cheerful I will be wearing it all the way through spring!

 

Mustard silk knot headband by Dorothy Perkins, $12 || Vera Bradley "Happy Snails" Accordion Wallet, $46 (Sold out online)

 

Sailor Tote Bag by banyanhippo on Etsy, $33 || Lovely bag by banyanhippo on Etsy, $29