For this weeks how to Tuesday I am talking all about mixing things up.  Whether you have a go-to color combination (mine just happens to be pink and anything)... or crushing the Pantone 2015 color Marsala an earthy wine red color, or you simply enjoy sticking to the classics, you can become a Closet Mixologist!  By following some simple color rules you can help yourself create an effortless-looking outfit in no time.

There are three levels to pattern mixing or "Closet Mixology" so you can find your own comfort level by starting off easy and working your way into the next level.    

For the Beginners ~ The easiest way to begin mixing prints is to simply replace your solid colored top with a monochromatic pattern in that same color.

For the Intermediates ~ Once you've replaced your navy top with a navy polka dot top, try mixing two prints with one unifying color.

For the Master Mixers ~ After you've mastered coordinating  two patterns with one color, try adding one more.  The easiest way to add a third pattern is by adding a monochromatic or neutral pattern.  Oftentimes, my "neutral" is leopard.

Here are some examples of how I pattern mix. See how I start simple with a pattern pant, and a smaller pattern on my bag mixed with a analogous color blouse and my wedges act as my neutral. 

I wore this my last day in California and traveling home.  I spent my last morning in Cali with my son and of course on the beach.  It was such an amazing trip and the quality time we had together will be memories we both will treasure forever.  I cried like most mothers when it was time to say goodbye.  It was hard leaving him knowing it would be the holidays before I would see him again. 

 I made it to the airport and on my plane just fine but something stirred inside me when 

we taxied down the runway and the tears started to flow again.  I was a sap and was trying to contain myself.  Talk about making the person next to you feel weird.  I think I hid it and pulled myself together and tried to focus on my magazines and of course my fabulous treats from Bottega Louies I picked up while in LA the day before.  It was a long day of traveling  with full planes and coming back to the reality of no cool evenings, ocean walks, and not a care in the world!  Welcome home to the hot humid Midwest... you know what they say; There's no place like home and my own bed and pillow were a welcome sight.  

Orange generally isn't a color I am drawn too.  But these muted stripes somehow were appealing.  The fit of these shorts are comfy and I liked the length for me.  I wasn't too sure what I would wear them with when I first got them, but knew if all else failed a white tank would work.  Being the pattern mixer I am, I immediately went right to this tank in my closet and loved it together.  I accessorized pulling the blues from the top and my new Kendra Scott earrings.  We have a new store opening here next week and I cannot wait to try out the color bar.  Have any of you experienced the color bar?  I would love to know what you made!   

Put a little pink on me and watch me shine!  Gab alway says, my best pics are when I am wearing pink!  I think she is right!   It doesn't hurt that my bag is pink either!  

I love a good polka dot and this shirt does not disappoint.  When I found this soft pink cardigan I knew I would want to pair them together.  To elevate my pattern mixing, these pants are a black on black leopard print.  If you read my post How to Pattern Mix, then you know I am not shy of mixing it up!! Because the pants have a leopard pattern in them I chose a solid black shoe.  Adding a few good items to my closet that I can multipurpose in different seasons is always a good investment.  Have you added any transitional items to your wardrobe lately?  What are some of your favorite items to multipurpose?  

Remember earlier this week when I shared my Talbots pink paisley skirt and I wasn't overly pleased with my top selection?  Well this time I did a hem tuck.  I think sometimes it is referred to as a half tuck, but this is clearly not half tucked in!! I like the way this striped tee works with my paisley skirt much better.  Don't you agree?  You know I am always up for some fun pattern mixing and my Clare V leopard bag was the perfect amount of mixing this outfit needed!  Don't be afraid to mix and match items in your wardrobe.  All of these items were already in my closet so there was no need to purchase anything new for a fun summer look. 

Style tip:  When pattern mixing be sure to keep your prints in two different scales. If you are still hesitant to mix things up, read my entire post on pattern mixing. Notice how the narrow stripe with the larger paisley works well; a wider stripe would have been too much.  Remember the rule: leopard is a neutral!

One of the easiest pattern combinations to mix are stripes and polka dots.  The first rule for pattern mixing is size of patterns you are pairing together should be different scales.  The wide stripes of my sweater compliment the small polka dots of this fun jersey dress.  You may read my entire post on pattern mixing here.  If you want to add a pop of color to this outfit, I would suggest pairing a leopard heel then bring in your color with your bag with this look.   Another option would be a leopard scarf.  I paired my Clare V bag for this daytime look.

Style tip:  Leopard is a neutral but a little bit goes a long way.

These shoes are not available this season unfortunately, but I did find a similar pair and linked to them below.  I can still pull off my wool hat for a few more weeks but then it will time to switch up to my panama hat for a lighter look with warmer temps.  Are you as excited as I am for spring weather?  My legs, (as proof by these pictures) haven't seen much sunlight and I am longing for a sun filled warm day to fill me with vitamin D.

Take a peek at how two other ladies styled this polka dot dress by following this link to Tulip Facebook page.  While you are there you can vote for my look too please and thank you!!    

It has been a while since I shared a pattern mixing post.  Today I mixed some of my favorites.  Leopard (of course), gingham and army green.  It was such an easy outfit to pull together. 

Throwing patterns together comes pretty easy for me.  I hear all the time from my friends and followers; "I just don't know how to put it together".  I did an full post dedicated to just this and you can read my entire pattern mixing post here.  I really enjoy when someone shares with me how they stepped out of their comfort zone, even just a little with their outfit.  What are some of your favorite patterns to mix?  I love gingham and leopard together, and I love florals and stripes!  To me, fall is the best time to mix patterns.  You have the option for so many different types of layers, it makes it easy to pull a super fun outfit together. 

Happy New Years eve my friends! I appreciate each and every one of you for being here and sharing this journey with me.

I rounded up my favorite outfits from the past year. Starting with last January on a chilly day and then we move into some of my favorite outfits where I really started to experiment with colors and pattern mixing. There was my favorite color pink throughout my spring outfits; let's not forget the all white outfit that I just loved with just a pop of color. I then headed into summer with plaids and stripes sharing some of my favorite looks from my trip to sunny southern California. August was a memorable month with the launch of The Blog Guild and our launch party. Fall came late and there was plenty of time to transition sleeveless outfits and white denim and I shared both of these looks with a few fun outfits on the plaza. With fall came my wool hat. Then came capes, and me mocking old western movies feeling like an extra on the set.

If there is one thing I can tell you that is a constant on my blog it would be the color pink, and pattern mixing. You can bet that if I can mix the patterns I am going to try the outfit. Sharing style from my perspective and helping you think outside of your wardrobe box to try new things has been my mission from my first outfit post. Trends will come and go and you not always following them is a good thing. Style will always be a quality you possess from the inside out. It's a way to say who you are without having to speak a single word.

Green With Enve

Polka Dot Portofino 

Spring Sweater 

White Out

Pink Suede Shoes 

Tunic Love 

Pink Shorts 

Traveling the Pacific Coast Highway 

Los Angeles Murals 

The Launch Party 

Neon Pink Tassels 

Black and White 

Blush Moto Jacket 

Hot Pink Statement 

How to Wear a Plaid Poncho 

Casual Vibes 

Monochromatic Flutter Top 

One of my favorite looks so far with this tunic is this combination.   I'm pretty sure by now you can see how many ways I have styled this tunic and I can only hope you have picked one of the colors up for yourself! The light blue is on sale too!   You can see the other ways I styled my tunic here, and  here.  Taking an ordinary stripe and shopping within my own closet brought this entire look together.  Refer back to this post how I share pattern mixing and this post on the balance from the color wheel If you need a reminder of what and how to mix your patterns and colors.  Are you thinking about what is in your closet that can transition into fall?