If you haven't gathered yet, I am quite fond of mixing it up. I am far too complex of a person to not express all my many facets and put them on display. I feel as though my creativity tries to break free of this shell of a body and existence. I can almost physically feel it coming to a head and needing to burst out of me. Not exploring those different sides of me only helps in stifling myself in ways I just can't get behind. So this is me, a mixed bag of artistic expression, a person who thrives and leans on juxtaposition as though it were life or death.

I had a conversation (one of many) with a newly expanded upon friend(ship); we spoke of everything under the sun (those are my favorite types of relationships), and I explained how my mind works. After the explanation she called me a contrarian. Of all of the words I've heard and worked with throughout life.....this was the first I was hearing of this word. I asked her to elaborate. She explained it as a someone who MUST go against the grain. The dictionary explains it as a person opposing or rejecting popular opinion; going against current practice. That couldn't be more accurate.

This outfit was born from that. When Ashley Nell Tipton came out with the white studded floral print moto jacket (for JCPenny Boutique), I saw many bloggers pair it with the pink lace dress that said designer also designed. It was an awesome pairing, logically sound....but...I wanted to do something different. I wanted to use this as an opportunity to concoct a print cocktail.

The first jacket is a sheer bomber with the same coloring and print as the leather moto but it gives a slightly different vibe. I wanted to show a way to mix things up AND demonstrate how by merely changing the material and structure of a piece; it really does change its already existing and beautiful vibration.

I threw on a studded belt with the bomber to break up the print of the dress and didn't with the moto because the leather jacket already had enough stud. The look with the bomber jacket gave me some 80's T's; with the inclusion of the heart-shaped glasses. When I took off the belt and the shades and replaced it all with the leather moto, I immediately and effortlessly gave femme with edge. The best part about it all...? I can give similar looks almost all year if I wanted; the first look obviously being Spring/ Summer and the second look being Fall/Winter. I'm not sue if that was Ms. Tipton's intention when it came to what pieces to include in the collection; ten gold stars for her if it was.

The dress is an oldie but a goody that I got from Wetseal when it still had an online presence. With the size of the print and the color palette next to the floral with its particular color scheme, these pieces were pretty much kismet.

What I'm Wearing:

Headband with bow from Forever21. $3.90
Necklace from Forever21. $6
Floral print moto jacket from Ashley Niltipton via JCPenny.com $36.99 (On Sale)
Floral print bomber jacket from Ashley Niltipton via JCPenny.com. $24.99 (On sale)
Dress from the late great Wetseal.com $36.90 (On sale...wetseal no longer exists online)
Bracelet from Burlington Coat Factory. $7
Belt was borrowed from a friend. $Free dollars free cents (similar HERE, and HERE)
Booties from Mandee to the rescue. $15 (On sale and no longer avail., similar HERE)

This dress was one of the items sent for review by CowCow and I chose it because of the phenomenal print, but the cut was something I wanted to test out because it isn't typically what one would deem the most "flattering" for my shape. Skater dresses are usually a fail safe and this reversible "skater" only has a slight flare; the flare also starts much lower than the standard skater but not low enough to be considered a drop waist. Needless to say I was intrigued.

You might also be wondering why I chose this print, even why I felt it necessary to put a long sleeve under a jacket in the middle of summer. To be honest the first time I laid eyes on this print what came to mind was that song wild horses by "The Sundays", you know from the Buffy the Vampire Slayer soundtrack? That was an incredible album man, I truly miss those days and that kind of music. I added the long sleeve because I wanted so badly to have a peek of a rust color below the scrunch of the jacket sleeves.

So here we have it, a lightweight denim jacket with sweatshirt sleeves on top of a dress that's on top of a rust colored long sleeve.....let's not forget the over the knee faux suede boots. Yep folks, that's me, fashion over function most all of the time.

I know, I know....it's hot out, even with fall looming around the corner (in the best way possible), it's still balmy AF. But I've said it once and I'll say it again; I'm that person who complains about the heat and refuses to let that change my outfit plans and/or allow me to peel pieces of my outfit away just to fulfill my comfort "needs".

As for how the dress worked out; truthfully I'm not too keen on the cut but the print is so phenom and I am horrendous at returning things. I also have confidence in finding ways to make things work even when they kinda don't...but do.....but don't.

With this print being super on point and the color palette equally as poppin', the decision to pair it with this mixed medium jacket from "Forevers" (Forever21)... just came easy.

Autumnal feels all the way.

I don't know about you but I am waiting impatiently for Fall to officially hit so I can delve deeper into my jacket collection. I HATE the summer and my denial is so "vivid and true in color" that I WILL in fact wear shit that is not in season because I said so, because I refuse to play this game with Summer.

With the song wild horses on the brain, I was almost certain I would name this post "Wild horses", but while editing all I had in heavy rotation was a long list of trap music...because though the other song was the original choice, and although alternative music is life, my heart bleeds all forms of Hip Hop/Trap music....so again here we are.

TRAP, TRAP, TRAP, TRAP, TRAP, TRAP.

"See the look on my face (woo!)
Like Carol City one state
N****$ hate on my sound
'Til I went the first round
Then I earnt the Lombardi
Ain't no fuckboys allowed..."

What I'm Wearing:

Sunnies from Torrid. $15 (On sale)
Necklace from AFAZE. (3 for $10 sale)
Jacket from Forever21. $24.90 (Circa 21 million years ago, alternative HERE, HERE, & HERE)
Long sleeve from Boohoo.com. $7 (On sale)
Bracelet from Burlington Coat Factory. $7 (Alternative, HERE)
Dress from CowCow via Amazon.com. $16.99 (Sent for review)
Boots from Avenue.com. $30 (alternative HERE)