Hooks the Look

Embroidered Floral: Powers The Flower

Most fashion bloggers are nearly always keen on using different locations for shooting their photos. It was with that in mind that I made my suggestion for the restaurant that The Husband, my cousin and her husband, and I would have dinner at a couple of weeks ago. The Husband and I had dined there before so we knew that the food was very good and that there were many options for where photos could be taken because taking photos was on the to-do list for the day.

True confession time … I have a fondness for peplum tops, florals, and embroidered details so when an item with all three comes along, I’m usually unable to resist from buying it. And when there’s a pattern along the hemline that’s continuous from front to back, I’m sold.


Cardigan – Old Navy, bought many years ago (pretty option, another choice)
Peplum top – Kohl’s (exact)
Embossed print pants – Jennifer Lopez, no longer available (similar look, another option)

Such is the tale of this top and despite what I’d like to have you believe, I don’t have unlimited financial resources to spend on clothing.  However, I don’t want my clothes to look cheap so I pay close attention to some key details that help to make inexpensive items look more upscale. In my opinion, stripes and patterns that match up at the seam is one of those details as is the continuation of an embroidered edging detail around to the back side of the garment like you see on this top.

There’s quite the mix of patterns and prints in this outfit as well. Along with the bright and bold floral motif of the cardigan that adds unexpected color to an otherwise black and white ensemble, the pants have an embossed snakeskin pattern that unfortunately doesn’t seem to come through well in the photos.

I opted for my white sandals instead of a black pair for constrast and to avoid the illusion of head-to-toe black. Another option I could try is to reverse this pairing with black sandals and white jeans.

Besides the lovely architectural aesthetics of location for these photos, there were hanging baskets of flowers that I thought were pretty enough to share on a post with the theme of floral.

Let’s Wrap This Up

Now, onto the Fine-Whatever link up for this week. My featured contributor from last week’s link-up is Anne from SpyGirl. SHE MADE A PAIR OF SHOES! How freaking awesome it that? Anne is also Blogger #2 on my newly revealed Wall Of Fame and I just spent a fabulous time with her over the last couple of days at a Fierce 50 Revolution weekend.

Do you have a fashion or style weeknesses? Are there any specific details that you look for or avoid? How much is too much when mixing patterns and prints?

Let’s connect! Subscribe, tweet, follow, friend, love, pin … all options are available and waiting for you. I look forward to hearing from you. And don’t forget to add a post or two to the link up.

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22 Comments

  2. shelbeeontheedge1

    That peplum top is adorable, Rena! You look fabulous! And I have weakness when it comes to just about anything with regard to clothing and accessories. Ha. Recently, I have been accumulating a lot of feminine high heels! And I just watched the one live video from your Fierce 50 meet up. How wonderful it was! What an amazing experience for all of you.

    Shelbee
    http://www.shelbeeontheedge.com

  5. Jodie

    I recognize that peplum shirt, Rena!!! It’s totally something I would wear too! And I love how it’s hanging out the back of the cardigan because it almost looks like a lace extender that way!!
    Jodie
    http://www.jtouchofstyle.com

  6. budgetbelles80

    I don’t have a unlimited spending on clothes either so I pick things that can last and take care of it. I love your cardigan it is so pretty and I love the print. Thank you for hosting the linkup!

  8. Jennie

    The design on your peplum hemline is a very nice detail and it offers such a fun pattern mix with your floral cardigan and subtle snakeskin pants. I completely agree with you about the little details being important when picking out affordable pieces. Great location photos, too!

  9. Marilee Gramith

    This outfit is terrific Rena!!! I also am completely taken by anything embroidered and your mix of patterns is so pretty! You look like you are really enjoying what your wearing here. An extra twinkle in the eye or something! I wish that the pattern in the pants had come through because embossed patterns are also one of my favorite things. Finding those quality details is important and like you I look for good prices combined with good quality. I’m shocked and a little insulted when some of the high end vendors want ridiculously inflated prices for their far less than high quality products!

  10. Emma Peach

    I love the peplum top Rena! The embroidered hem peeks out from below the floral print cardigan beautifully! I like to mix up my photo shoot locations but it often isn’t practical – my photographer isn’t always very patient 😉

    Emma xxx
    http://www.style-splash.com

  12. Andrea@WellnessNotes

    That’s a really pretty top, Rena! It looks great with the floral cardigan.

    I have a weakness for embroidery, too. But so far I’ve found something wrong with most of the pieces I’ve seen, so I haven’t bought much, even though buying a few more embroidered pieces is on my list…

    It looks and sounds like the Fierce 50 Revolution weekend was a lot of fun. I loved seeing all the photos!

  16. Shelly @ The Queen in Between

    This is a great peplum find…love the detail. I think when mixing patterns it’s all about finding the balance in the size/color of the prints you are mixing together. I love mixing stripes/floral/leopard but if they are not the right balance it could be a slight disaster.

  18. Anne M Bray

    Thanks for the feature! I’m still thinking about SHOES.
    Love the detail work on the peplum of your top.
    xxox

  21. stinedurfdl

    I kinda have a thing for peplums too, Rena so I totally get ya! I love the top and you could not have paired it with a better cardigan. The floral print paired with the embroidery is gorgeous!
    Debbie
    http://www.fashionfairydust.com