B.Cannon Look Book

I must say that I am absolutely obsessed with fashion right now! 

Since fashion is cyclical, it occasionally goes through phases that are not always my favorite. During those times, I tend to stick to my basic chic looks... but right now, I'm all about adopting the trends! 

This spring, fashion is all about creating a fabulous look with a POP of COLOR!

Here's my look for today:

TJ Maxx knit top

Zara black leggings

Ann Taylor necklace

Tory Burch wedges

Why it works: 

This blousy knit top looks great with the super fitted black leggings because the proportion is balanced. The color blocking on the top is super cute but not over the top. The salmon color on the top is perfectly paired with the salmon color in the necklace, which adds a little sparkle and excitement to this fun yet casual look. This look is incredibly comfortable, effortless, and completely in fashion. It's perfect for my day of running errands and doing chores-- I love it!! 

Style Challenge:

Take a neutral color palette (such as black, white, and tan-- as shown in this look) and add a pop of a bright and exciting color! You can even try adding a touch of neon to your palette!

Looks I'm Loving:

H&M Top

J CREW Necklace

J CREW Shorts & Top

J CREW striped dress--
the perfect canvas for a pop of color!!

Marc by Marc Jacobs Dress

Marc by Marc Jacobs blouse--
the perfect canvas for a pop of color!

BCBG Maxazria skirt

H&M Blazer

H&M mini-dress

Banana Republic cuff bracelet

XO,

B.CANNON

B.Cannon Look Book

Yesterday I spent most of the day working on my review for my first exam in grad school. So far my review is 6 pages long, and I'm not even through all of the power-point presentations OR the 7 chapters of text. I have to finish my review today because it's my last day off before my test. I have a feeling it's going to be a looooooooong day!

Other than studying, I went to The Container Store and Hobby Lobby to pick up a few things for the store. Then, when Eric got home, we went to Sushi Zen and rented Drive from Red Box. We didn't know much about this movie, but it seemed like it would be a good action flick that would be worth the $1.12 charge. Well, this movie was DIFFERENT, to say the least. It was soooooo sllloooowwwww for most of the movie, then when things finally did get exciting it was overly graphic and pretty gross. I like all of the Kill Bill movies, and those are really graphic, but this movie had me looking away and nearly gagging. As a whole, it was OK. I'm not mad that we spent $1.12 on it... but I might be upset if we paid $5.00 to rent it through AT&T U-Verse. Haha.

With all that being said, here was my look yesterday... 

Vintage {my late great-grandma's} Ballantyne of Peebles mustard yellow cardigan

Anthropologie paisley a-line top

Zara chocolate brown leggings

Gianni Bini tan slouchy boots

Ann Taylor LOFT burgundy necklace

David Yurman cuff bracelets

Louis Vuitton bow bracelet in Rouge Fauviste

Here's a close up picture. 

This cardigan is super special.

Here's the old-timey label in the sweater. So cool.

Why it Works: 

This look is perfect for a day like yesterday-- studying, running errands, going to a casual dinner, etc. It's extremely comfortable and easy. The color palette is what I love most about this look. Mustard yellow, burgundy, brown, navy... all of these colors are super rich and bold-- they look amazing together. As with the last look I wrote about, this look plays with proportion nicely. The loose fitting top and cardigan balance well with the slim fitting skinnies. This cardigan is truly unique, and every time I wear it I get tons of compliments. It's so fun to incorporate something vintage that was passed down from a family member. To make it even better, this sweater really is on trend. The color, shape, and Peter-Pan style collar are all being reflected in several designer collections right now. As a whole, this look is fun and playful while still maintaining an on-trend appearance.

Style Challenge: 

If you have something vintage in your wardrobe, do some surfing around on the websites of designer collections to see if your item is similar to something currently being shown. For instance, here is a picture I found on Google of an item from the Louis Vuitton Spring/Summer 2012 Ready To Wear collection...

It's similar to the color of my cardigan, and it features a similar neckline and collar shape. It's fun to wear sentimental or vintage pieces while still making them look current and fresh!

XO,

B.CANNON

B.Cannon Look Book

I can't believe January is OVER and it's almost Eric's birthday and Valentine's day! 

This year is going to fly by... 

I can already tell. 

To give you an update on Grad School, things are going very well! I'm getting the hang of online classes and so far I've had to write 3 papers, participate in a couple online discussions, and take a couple quizzes. Best news yet-- I have a 100% in one class and a 97% in the other class. WOO!! I have my first exam this week, so I'll spend most of the day today creating my review for the test. Wish me luck!!

In other news, my dad turned 50 on January 30th, 

and Eric turns 28 on February 9th! 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY 

to both of you wonderful men!

Last night, Eric and I went to the city manager's house to watch the Superbowl. I loved the halftime show-- Madonna throwback songs will win me over anytime any place. Haha! She's so fabulous. And what's more impressive-- she's old enough to be a mother to any player on that football field, but she still looks absolutely fabulous. Her thigh-high boots were making me drool. Although I was not happy about the Giant's victory, it was a fun evening anyway.

Here's one of my looks from a couple weeks ago. It was actually what I wore to my follow up appointment for my LASIK surgery. That explains why I'm wearing glasses in my picture-- I wasn't allowed to wear eye makeup yet! 

 BCBG Maxazria black, long sleeve shirt

Ann Taylor black cowl neck, sleeveless tunic

Ann Taylor LOFT gray skinny jeans

Louis Vuitton lurex shawl monogram in Amarante 

Nine West over-the-knee black leather boots

David Yurman jewelry

Anthropologie glasses

Why it Works: 

I love this look!! It's super chic but still casual enough for running errands, lunching, etc. The key here, as I've mentioned before, is the proportion. The long tunic with the tall boots gives excellent balance to this look. The monochromatic color palette also helps to make the look feel sophisticated. The pop of color with the deep purple scarf is perfect because it's not too much color, but just enough to give the look a little extra something. The silver lurex threading in the scarf compliments the gray skinny jeans nicely, adding a hint of glam!

Style Challenge:
Try using a single pop of color on a monochromatic palette for a super sophisticated yet very fashionable look! Also, remember to layer and use proper proportion! :)

XO,
B.CANNON

B.Cannon Look Book

Can you believe January is almost over?! 

That's CRAZY.

Well, amidst my errand running, studying, friend visiting, lunching, and working... I have still managed to create new looks for your viewing pleasure. Not really-- haha-- I do it for my own pleasure. I just absolutely love styling myself {or others} ...But I hope you do enjoy my looks and maybe learn a little something, too ;) 

This was an errand running day, which concluded with a dinner date with my hubby at Bricks Pizza and Wine Bar! {LOVE that place.}

LOFT black and white tweed jacket

BCBGeneration woven blouse with blue/black/white abstract print

LOFT skinny jeans

Nine West over-the-knee black leather boots {Love 'em-- can't get enough!}

Banana Republic black, silk scarf

David Yurman cuff bracelets

Louis Vuitton bow bracelet

Earrings-- not clearly visible-- are chandelier style with dark blue crystals

Why it Works:

Color. Composition. Proportion. That's the magic formula here.

The palette is cool and collected with cobalt blue, black and white. The combination of textures, patterns, and prints gives this look a ton of depth, excitement, and contrast. It's not very visible in this poor quality photo, but the scarf actually has a black-on-black woven design that consists of several giant polka-dots. Especially in person, the different textures are really interesting. Additionally, the flow-y, delicate, chiffon-like top contrasted against the bulky tweed jacket is unexpectedly chic. Finally, the proportion is correct with high volume on top and sleek lines on the bottom-- which are made even more sleek with the tall, black, high heel boots. The earrings, although not fully visible at all times, offer just the right amount of sparkle that is eye catching when they are seen in the right light. In total, this look has a great balance of romantic and bold elements that combine to create a look that is super stylish.

Style Challenge: 

Try combining romantic and bold style elements to create your own chic look! {If you don't have a tweed jacket or blazer, it might be time to invest in one-- Be sure to choose something neutral that can be paired with countless looks!} Fashion is all about combining things that are unexpected, so don't hesitate to pair a romantic lace blouse with a bold blazer, a sweet chiffon top with distressed denim, or lovely pearls with weathered leather! Your options are limitless! Get to your closet right now and start exploring the possibilities :)

XO,

B.CANNON

B.Cannon Look Book

Sorry it's been so long since my last Look Book post! It sounds lame, and I promise not to continue using this as an excuse, but I just started my graduate program so I spent a good amount of time on my days off this past week trying to familiarize myself with everything. I'm taking 2 classes through The University of North Texas and they're both online-- my first time ever taking online classes! It's definitely different, but I think I'm going to do well. {Thank goodness I'm already very used to being on my computer a lot!}

So, without further adieu, here's one of my looks from the past couple weeks! 

Banana Republic jacquard a-line jacket in brown and gold

BCBG Maxazria gray cowl neck sweater

True Religion boot leg denim pants

Tory Burch brown wedges

Louis Vuitton gray belt with gold "LV" buckle

Why it Works: 

I won't lie, every time I wear boot leg jeans I feel dated. Skinny pants are so in style right now that I almost never wear anything else. However, this look is fun and trendy enough to compensate for the boot leg jeans. With that being said, if you're going to wear a boot leg denim pant, be mindful of what you pair with them so your look feels current and fashion forward. This look is sophisticated and casual at the same time, and I must say that I am in love with this jacket. I've had it for years, but the super timeless A-Line silhouette (reminiscent of Jackie O) makes it a staple that can be appropriately incorporated into any look regardless of the current trends. Plus, the combination of colors (brown and gold) along with the heavy, jacquard woven fabric gives it a super luxurious feel. Additionally, this color palette in general (all neutrals-- brown, gray, and gold tones) adds to the sophistication of this look. The gold hardware on the belt and the shoes is a fun and trendy addition that play off the metallic gold of the jacket, elevating the look and making it more polished or "finished". In this look, the belt is used in place of any other major accessory, such as a statement necklace or earrings. It's important to accessorize, but it's also important not to over accessorize :)

Style Challenge:

Try breaking out an item in your wardrobe that you've had for years and make it look current by pairing it with the right items that are on-trend. Also, challenge yourself to find an alternate way to accessorize than your normal routine. If you always find yourself throwing on a necklace, try wearing a scarf or a belt instead. If you're lacking accessories all together, challenge yourself to add a major accessory with every look! And remember to layer, layer, layer! 

Happy styling!

XO, 

B.CANNON

B.Cannon Look Book

This Christmas eve, I spent most of the day at work. 

That may sound awful, but I have to remind myself that I am incredibly fortunate to work for such a wonderful company and to have such a great group of co-workers who make each day fun. Additionally, on Christmas Eve we are allowed to wear normal clothes instead of our uniforms-- which is really exciting for someone who has to wear the same thing 5 out of 7 days of the week!

The only restriction was that our look had to be business casual and work appropriate, of course. I have a slight obsession with suits {tweed suits in particular}, and I probably have 10 of them that I never get to wear, so I knew I wanted to incorporate one of my suits in my look. I also thought that wearing a suit would look professional and help clients to differentiate me as an employee from the rest of the swarms of people in our store. {Seriously, you would not believe how busy our store was during the days leading up to Christmas.} I also knew that I wanted to wear my fabulous Louis Vuitton belt that my parents gave me for my birthday... so, this is what I came up with:
{sorry for the poor photo, this was taken via iPhone after working a full day, then driving 3.5 hours to Elgin on Christmas Eve}

Ann Taylor tweed suit jacket & skirt 

Ann Taylor LOFT blouse

Louis Vuitton belt

Express hounds-tooth tights

Tory Burch wedges

Ann Taylor LOFT silver & gold chain necklace

Louis Vuitton bow bracelet (not visible)

David Yurman cuff bracelets (not visible)

Why it works: 

Tweed is super timeless, sophisticated, and classy all at the same time. Additionally, black and white is always an ultra chic combination. I chose to wear the hounds-tooth tights to give the look more texture without adding contrast {as I mentioned before, mixing different textures of the same color is a very chic way to give dimension to your look without losing sophistication by adding too many colors}. The bright red and fuchsia blouse adds a festive pop of color, and the ruffle down one side of the neckline gives a funky yet feminine touch to the look. I love the belt with this look, as the silver and gold tie nicely together with the necklace, bracelets, and the gold hardware on the shoes; it makes a statement without looking out of place because of it's neutral palette. 

Style Challenge:

Add a single pop of bright color to a neutral look. If you're wearing all brown, add a pop of bright teal or orange. If you're wearing gray, add some yellow or purple. If you're wearing black, just about any pop of color will do... although red is my favorite combination with black and white. {And don't forget about layering and mixing textures of the same color to give your look more depth and dimension}!

XO,

B.CANNON

B.Cannon Look Book

HAPPY WEEK BEFORE CHRISTMAS!!

Can you believe this year is already almost over?! I can't. It feels like time literally flew by! 

Today is my ONE day off this week. During the month of December, all salaried managers for Louis Vuitton work six day work weeks... lucky us, huh? So I have REALLY enjoyed my day today. I got to sleep in until 10:30am {amaaaaazing}, then I went to a luncheon for Shenanigans Weddings and Events {a wedding planning company that I write blog posts for... the same wedding planning company I used for my wedding, actually!}, and then ran a few errands! The weather is YUCKY {rainy & cold} but my look is super cute, regardless! 

Here's the look I'm cruising around in today... 

Ann Taylor LOFT tan, knit vest with faux fur collar

Ann Taylor LOFT cream blouse with brown & green splatter print

Ann Taylor LOFT gold & silver chain necklace with tassels

Zara chocolate brown skinny pants {I'm not calling these leggings because they are much thicker than normal leggings, therefore less awkward when your behind is exposed}

Gianni Bini tan slouchy boots 

Detachable faux fur boot cuffs from... {you're going to die}... CLAIRE'S! {For, like, $6!}

David Yurman cuff bracelets

Louis Vuitton rouge fauviste bow bracelet

{oh, and say hello to my little Lucky dog in the background of my last photo... haha}

Why it works:

Well, this looks is super fun. I was actually really excited about the way this turned out because I definitely threw it all together in a hurry on my way to the luncheon. First, let's start with proportion... if you're going to wear something that has a large amount of volume on top {such as this faux fur vest and very blousy/unstructured top} it's very necessary to make sure your bottom half is slim or fitted {and vice-versa}. The color palette works beautifully here-- a gradient of browns {all the way from cream to chocolate} and some pops of olive green. {Neutrals always look nice together.} Also, fur is a big deal right now, so the vest and the boot cuffs make the look feel very current. Now, let's talk about these $6.00 faux fur boot cuffs, haha! Wearing just anything from Claire's is not necessarily OK. It takes a very keen eye to decipher the gems among the garbage in a store like that. The same goes for Forever 21 and all other teeny-bopper stores, as I like to call them. However, it IS possible to find some great things if you have the right eye for it. These faux fur boot cuffs are a nice color and texture that, when observed casually, can pass for being more upscale. Additionally, I put them on a good looking pair of boots that fit the bill perfectly in color and style, looking as if the fur cuff was part of their original design. The necklace is a great choice because it's long, and matches the proportion of the top and vest. If I were to put a short necklace with this look, the balance would be off. Likewise, the silver and gold chain design compliments the look nicely, keeping consistent with the neutral palette and trend-right appearance.

Style Challenge: 

Wear fur!!! Regardless of whether your fur is real or faux, find a way to incorporate fur with your look! BUT-- beware of gross looking faux fur! If you're going to go the faux route, make sure the color and texture of the fur appears tasteful. Also feel the fur before you make a purchase to make sure it has a nice, smooth feel and not a yucky synthetic texture. {If the fur looks like it needs to be brushed with de-tangling spray, then it's probably a no-go!} Also avoid colored fur. It's very rare for colored fur to look tasteful-- so it's best just to avoid it unless you feel confident that it's a great quality piece and your look is better because of it. {I do have a pink and black mink head wrap, which I LOVE... but it requires just the right look to make it appear fashionable and not tacky.}

Tips for shopping at low-end retailers: 

• Never wear anything that has a design element on the front that should continue onto the back but it doesn't. {For example-- when a shirt is striped on the front, but then a solid piece of material was used for the back. Or when a shirt is sequined on the front but the back is solid. You will NOT find this in up-scale designer collections. The design is ALWAYS complete from the front to the back.) 
• Fabric is SO important. Don't buy anything that looks like it would melt if you ironed it-- for starters. Cotton is usually a safe bet, and less color is typically better. {It's hard to tell if a top is $10 or $100 when it's solid black!}
• No rouched elastic bands!! If you're buying a cute halter from Forever 21, turn the top around before you buy it and check out the back! If it has that nasty rouched gathering from the elastic band, then put it back on the rack and walk away. Sometimes elastic rouching is acceptable, but not often, and that's usually when it's on the waist band of a skirt... not on a top. {The rouched elastic is used when the design needed a zipper, but elastic was MUCH cheaper option. You'll never see elastic used this way in a high-end designer's collection, thus it's a dead giveaway that your look is not luxurious.} 

XO,

B.CANNON

B.Cannon Look Book

Yesterday was my one and only day off this week, so I tried to make the very most of it without wearing myself out too much!

I worked a little {not as much as I should have} on addressing our Christmas cards, took our Christmas stockings to the embroidery place in Grapevine Mills Mall, renewed the state inspection on my car and got a car wash, did some dishes, wrote a blog post, and then went Christmas shopping with Eric when he got home from work! Believe it or not, that's a pretty relaxing day in my book.

During all of my errands, I styled myself in the following:

BCBG Maxazria gray, cowl-neck sweater

Ann Taylor LOFT tan cardigan with gray crystal embellishment on the pockets

Zara chocolate brown leggings

Donald Pliner cheetah print flats with a chocolate brown bow

David Yurman cuff bracelets

Ann Taylor LOFT silver & gold chain necklace

Why it works:

Neutrals always make a great color palette. This combination of brown shades with accents of gray was a sophisticated blend of neutral tones. Additionally, the gray crystal embellishment on the pockets of the cardigan tied the color palette together nicely. The silver and gold necklace and the cuff bracelets added a little extra shine to the look so the bling from the pockets didn't look out of place. Lastly, the cheetah print flats were a fun and unexpected addition to the look, bringing in a playful print that incorporates all of the same colors from the existing palette. Cheetah print and/or fur (these flats are made of calf hair) is being featured all over the place in nearly every designer's collection right now, which is a plus for any look where incorporating this element would be fitting. Lastly, it's always in style to mix patterns and prints that coordinate without matching too perfectly. Being matchy-matchy is not what fashion is about, but carefully mixing unexpected patterns and prints to compliment each other is always en vogue.

Style Challenge:

Choose an unexpected pattern or print to wear with your look. Instead of reaching for the plain colored shoe, scarf or whatever... Choose something that compliments your look without matching perfectly. Polka-dots and stripes, florals and plaid... Nothing is off limits as long as the combination has complimentary colors and vibe.

XO, 

B.CANNON

B.Cannon Look Book

I'm so happy to report that the response to the first B.Cannon Look Book post was super positive! It was wonderful to hear so many comments via Facebook, Twitter, and of course, Blogger! :) More than anything, I'm glad that someone {anyone} found the style tips helpful, and wanted to read more! Well, have no fear!  Posting about fashion and style advice is way fun for me, and knowing that people enjoy reading about it is like the last, super shiny coat of varnish on a Louis Vuitton Melrose bag! {Cough... that's the bag I want next... Cough!}

Here is my casual Friday night look, which I wore to our neighbor's house for several rounds of Catch Phrase and some tasty beverages! {Please excuse my pathetic looking makeup... it was a loooooooooong day at work. I'm glad this photo is kind of blurry so you can't see my face too clearly. haha!}

Ann Taylor LOFT brown sweater

Ann Taylor LOFT cashmere scarf

Zara chocolate brown leggings

Gianni Bini tan, slouchy boots

Why it works:

As I mentioned in my last post, combining textures of the same color is a safe and easy way to create a chic look. Similarly, this look combines several shades of brown, with a multicolored scarf. The colors from the scarf gave the outfit a playfulness that was perfect for my casual evening, and also tied together all of the shades of brown. Additionally, boots, leggings and over-sized sweaters are featured everywhere in fashion right now-- just make sure your sweater covers all or most of your bottom, please. I don't know about you, but I'm not a fan of a bare bottom in leggings unless it's for athletic purposes-- which I also am not a fan of {haha}. Anyway, lastly, I would like to add that without the layering piece {aka: the scarf} the outfit is very two-dimensional. The scarf adds excitement and gives the outfit more depth, very similarly to the role of the fur vest in my previous look. Remember, a really good look should include at least three pieces-- and sometimes a really amazing necklace can count as a third piece. Shoes {usually} don't count, so without the scarf this look would have been boring incomplete. 

Style Challenge: 

Wear at least three pieces! Start with a top and bottoms, then add something fun, like a huge statement necklace, a pretty scarf, or a super fab fur vest! It's easy, and it makes all the difference!

XO, 

B.CANNON

B.Cannon's Look Book

As you may already be aware, I have a serious passion for fashion. Not many things make me as excited as clothes, accessories and super great looks {that's what I call an outfit-- a look}. So I couldn't help but be inspired by Christin's blog at classysouthernwife.com when she does her "Outfit of the Night" posts. She takes a quick snap of her outfit, and then gives the details. I love this idea, so I want to do something similar in my blog!

I'm going to post "B.Cannon Look Book" entries periodically, and I'm also going to briefly explain why the look works, give style tips, and whatever fashion related goodness comes to mind at that moment. I hope this will be fun for others to read... but if nothing else, I'll love looking back on my different looks over time to see how my style evolves!

~

Without further adieu...

Here's today's look! 

BCBG Maxazria black, long sleeve under shirt 

Forever 21 antique gold, cap-sleeve tunic 

BCBG Maxazria black, rabbit fur vest

Nike black, thermal leggings (they're SO warm)

Nine West black, knee-high boots (as seen on The Zoe Report!)

Ann Taylor LOFT gold, chain necklace

Why it works: 

Black and gold (always more black than gold) is such a fabulous combination and it's hard to screw up. I put the long sleeve shirt under the tunic primarily because it's freezing cold outside, but it was a fashionably appropriate choice because the spandex-like texture and fit of the top matches the texture and fit of the leggings. Additionally, layering is a major part of creating a stylish look. The fur vest was the right addition because it adds texture and volume. Not to mention, fur is a big deal right now. Without the vest, everything is very flat, but the black fur creates excitement without adding too much contrast. {I love playing with different textures of the same color.} This theme is continued with the knee-high leather boots, which add to the various textures of black. Another key note in this look is the varying garment lengths-- the vest is short, as is the tunic, and the boots are tall. Proportion is very important in every look, and this has just the right balance. The necklace is the right finishing piece because it is a muted gold, similar to the color of the tunic, and it has black stone accents, which tie together the black and gold color palette. Additionally, the simplistic chain design helps to maintain this very chic yet understated look.

Style Challenge: 

Mix different textures of the same color and see what you come up with!

XO, 

B.CANNON