Cut-outs Have Clout but aren't Clouts

So who knew that "clout" could mean so many things? I love rhyming in my titles so imagine my complete and utter glee when I found the following definitions for clout (among other things):

1 informal a heavy blow with the hand or a hard object : a clout on the ear.2 informal influence or power, esp. in politics or business : I knew he carried a lot of clout.3 archaic a piece of cloth or clothing, esp. one used as a patch.
Hopefully you understand what's going on here now ;). 
Let me say that with this outfit, I was going for some sassy ventilation. But mostly, I just wanted to be Zoe S. as seen below:

 Instead of all denim everything, I opted to make the denim (with cool shoulder cut-outs) the focal point by working with some black shorts, flip-flops and a crocheted purse. To top it off, I threw in a long shimmery (NOT SEQUINED) necklace and of course, toocoolforschool aviators.
Denim is in, which is cool and everything but why not make it your own? Take a risk, have some fun and give the fashion-world a clout ;).

Fondly,The Style Scribe 

Color A La Mode

I've tried to be okay without posting to this blog.

*Clears Throat*

I've tried to wear outfits that I find fun and not share them.

It's not working.

Therefore I've decided that it's better for me to post occasionally to relieve my writer's itch (worse than Athlete's Foot y'all—I'm assuming :D ) than to not post at all. While I can't commit to posting weekly, I can commit to posting consistently every now and then. Sound good to you? Awesome sauce.

Also, instead of a sermon about my sabbatical, I'm down to get right back into what we all love discussing— style.  Seeing that it's still summer, vibrant color is definitely a la mode. We all have that cute cyan romper, those canary yellow shorts or that rainbow top that we look for to express our summer love.

But there is an opportunity for color that often, I see go unnoticed....

Wait for it.....

SHOES. Yes shoes. I mean vibrant, loud, kaleidoscopic shoes. Before you seek to run and escape (did she just say kaleidoscopic?), hear me out.

For me, summer is about fun and adventure. What better way to have fun with clothes than to pick out your outfit from the bottom up? I usually pick a particularly colorful pair of shoes (usually some variation of TOMS) and decide on a dress/top that will compliment the footwear.

On the bright day in Valencia pictured here, I went for a coralish crochet dress with a camel belt and purse. The key with the crazy shoes is to stick to only one major bright color up top. We're trying to keep color a la mode, not metamorphose into giant Disney spiral lollipops.  If you're feeling a little less adventurous, you can stick to neutrals up top.

Fondly,
The Style Scribe

Going Block is so Hot

You've spent enough time staring at the background, so get it together. Thank you. Can we actually talk style now? :)

Don't you just love block-colored outfits? I mean, when else is it really legal to put yellow, red-orange and white together? Even though I don't always go simple, I'll always stand by it. Simplicity is what makes this work. If this blouse had all of a sudden been patterned...poof! I'd belong in an Austin Powers movie. I chose gold thong sandals and gold, tiered earrings to top it off.

Can you in good faith think that that block isn't hot? I think not.

Fondly,
The Style Scribe

All-American- Mostly

An entire year later we must all be wondering what's going on. "That Style Scribe doesn't even post anymore," "Pshh, I'm deleting this from my Google Reader!" Although I make no excuses, going from writing essays and taking exams to teaching 120 middle schoolers has been quite a lifestyle switch. I have to say I've missed this though, and considering that I now live in the Nation's Capital, I should have plenty of interesting things to report style-wise.

I felt that a Fourth-of-Julyesque post would be a fun return to the blogosphere. 

Even as a person who didn't grow up in the good ole US of A, I really do enjoy the Fourth of July. There's food, fireworks and fun. Some people think that holiday-themed outfits can't be chic- but I don't think the two are mutually exclusive. Here, I pair my favorite stars and stripes halter with a white, 100% cotton long-sleeved button-up (tied at the waste to keep it casual). I thought it'd be a great way to give off that "I'm sexy and I know it without trying too hard" feel. I wanted to keep it fun so I popped a red headband and red earrings to keep the colorful, cheerful vibe going.

And to top it off, what says quintessential American gear more than aviator Ray Bans? If you think of something, pray tell.

All in all— you can go with the theme of the moment, without being the meme of the moment.

Fondly,

The Style Scribe

Derby in a Hurry

Firstly, I have to thank Caleb Fox for taking this amazing photo. I went to a "Kentucky Derby" themed boat party so you can imagine all the fabulous hats that were on display. I happen to really enjoy hats, but typically, not the huge Derby-worthy kind.

It's also not a good thing when you realize an hour before the party starts that the dressiest hat you have is a fedora— panic time. This is when you learn to make something otherwise unfitting into something fabulous.

 This hat was initially adorned with a long black scarf, but I felt it was a little boring for this type of party. I decided to replace it with something a lot more colorful and summery.  The scarf is 100% silk, and is actually one of my favorites, it's an item that gets quite a bit of mileage in my wardrobe.

So, as you can see, even the Style Scribe doesn't have everything in her closet. But it doesn't matter as long as you learn the meaning of a good ole transformation.

Fondly,
The Style Scribe

Rad Grad

First off, congrats to all the 2011 UT graduates. It took a lot of work and dedication to get to this place! 

Obviously no outfit to speak of here. What I want to tell you is that just because you have on a robe, doesn't mean you can't still be stylish. In this case, it's all about the shoes (which is pretty much the only thing it can be about). I chose zebra print because save for the kente stole (which is multicolored) it goes perfectly.  My College of Communication regalia was red so you can imagine that it quite a statement while walking across the stage. 

So whenever it's your turn to take to the stage and get a piece of paper that's actually not  your diploma, do it in style. 

Fondly,

The Style Scribe

Eternally Wild

Not that kind of wild. Get it together. I mean this ^ kind of wild. The kind that's just enough but not too much. The kind that adds a splash of fun without looking overdone (wow I'm just on a roll with the rhyming today :) )

But honestly, on those days when you pop on a simple blouse and some distressed jeans, you can still make a statement with an accessory that pumps things up. This picture doesn't do the detailing of the scarf justice. It's really a mash-up of different prints from leopard to zebra, with little dots of color here and there. The scarf (coupled with some gladiator-inspired sandals) really takes the outfit from simple to sizzlin' (I promise that's the last corny line for the day).

I think this outfit shows how key accessorizing is. I'm sensing a blog post on the topic coming along, so sit tight. You might even get a perfect little graduation dress feature if you're really good :).

Fondly,

The Style Scribe