MERLOT & LEOPARD

Before I dive right in, we need to set the record straight.

After work yesterday, I had a lovely evening with a few of my gorgeous friends...

... and we couldn't help but notice someone was a little confused about the weather lately.

It's not like it's THE WORST outfit I've ever seen, but it baffles me a bit.

So that's why we're briefly going to discuss what my darling friends like to call,

"THE IN-BETWEEN SEASON"

Ladies, gentlemen, there are ways to adapt your summer wardrobe for fall,

 but this is not one of them.

I know it's still relatively warm outside right now, but tank tops and scarves don't belong together.  Maybe to you it's not a big deal, but it just doesn't make sense to me.  Plus, that scarf is too cute for a "blah" outfit like that!  I mean the yoga pants... the flip flops... 

C'mon, girlfriend, where's your sass at.

Now maybe if she had had a cute cardigan with more seasonal shoes, my reaction might have been,

"Oh, that's a cute laidback early fall look!"

But it was not so.

So let's get to it, shall we?

This post is more about one of my favorite clothing combinations and not so much about one particular outfit.

 MERLOT & LEOPARD!

There's just something so awesome about these two together.  

I love the richness of merlot, and I'm not just talking about the color. ;)

And I wouldn't be a real Italian-American woman (well, partially) if I didn't love leopard print!

See, I even made a graphic representing my love for it.

BUT ANYWAYS...

I think because these are both so strong as a print and as a solid color, they come together in total perfection.

I will be wearing this combo all fall long.

So now that you've seen my awesome leopard print booties up close, 

let's take a look at the rest of the outfit!

I decided to balance the outfit with a bright neutral.

This is my all-time favorite blazer that I own; I could seriously wear it over anything.

I love this shirt without the blazer, but it matched my cream teardrop earrings and helped to break up all the darkness.  I'm all about contrasting colors; they make an outfit interesting.

I don't think you ever make a bad decision when you add a blazer to an outfit.

So like I said, think contrasting colors.

I wouldn't have needed the blazer necessarily if my jeans were white or beige.  

In my head, I picture beige, straight-leg trousers being SICK with the merlot lace top.

It would look awesome with a beige/cream skirt as well.

Also, remember when I mentioned my teardrop earrings? I let them be the only jewelry I wore because I didn't want to take away from the lace detail by adding a necklace.   

P.S., I love that top because although it isn't tight, the lace detail gives it a super sexy feel.

Now, let's check out yesterday's take on merlot & leopard!

Blazer: Charlotte Russe for about $30-$35

Top: Victoria Secret for about $25-$30

Jeans: American Eagle $35-$40

Booties: Charlotte Russe $30

Earrings: Charlotte Russe < $10

So like I said earlier, the outfit isn't super stunning, especially in that picture,

but I promise you, if you combine merlot & leopard, you are going to absolutely LOVE IT, whatever your pieces are.

Comments? Suggestions? Hate it? Love it?

Let me know!