Pattern - Leopard vs. Cheetah

You know I don't get all preachy on here, but I'm going to get a little preachy today.  I'm not trying to be hateful, I'm just trying to be helpful.  I'm a fabric designer, a designer that deals with a lot of prints and patterns.  And this makes me so anal about terminology , I'm anal because getting a placement depends on the proper communication of what is desired by a customer.  Or on a more practical level, what I'm looking for when I go shopping for clothes/shoes/home furnishings.  Lately there have been a slew of missteps when it comes to what is labeled as "leopard print".  I'll see things that are obviously not leopard print being labeled as "leopard print" (like one snakeskin print jacket recently - really?) but more often than not I'll see a cheetah print being labeled as "leopard".  While they are similar, they are not alike.  A quick big cat lesson:

First up - the leopard (snoozing in a tree - aren't cats all the same on some level? They love to get their nap on.)

Leopards have the distinctive spots that are known as "rosettes".  Tan ground, black spots surrounding a darker brown spot.

 Next is the jaguar - has the same rosette spots as a leopard

Basically, interchangeable with a leopard print.  Work it, you jaguar, you!  Meow!

Lastly - the cheetah (aka the fastest land animal)

The cheetah has a tan ground with just black spots - I would say like an almost irregular polka dot.  None of that third color rosette stuff.

Here are some examples of the patterns out in the retail world:

 While I love them both, I'm a bit partial to the leopard because of that third color that adds a little more depth and sophistication.  Now both of these patterns can be used as neutrals and make for outstanding additions to your wardrobe (I always encourage everyone to own a pair of leopard shoes).

What do you think?  Do you prefer Leopard or Cheetah?

Images of the cats via National Geographic

My Take - Reed Krakoff Spring 2013

Yay!  First "My Take" in a long time (too long).  I picked this outfit from Reed Krakoff's Spring 2013 collection because it's super cute and I could visualize wearing it, and of course, recreating it on a budget!

1. Baseball shirt - similar from Forever 21 - $9

2. Shorts - similar from Old Navy - here $23 and here $27

3. Vince Camuto clutch

4. Enzo Angiolini sandals - $60

5. Steve Madden sandals - $70

I'm finally able to limp along with the new Shopstyle, but I created this look over a month ago and it disappeared, so I had to try and figure out what I had used.  The next one will be better with the exact links, etc.  It's always something...

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links

Runway image via Style.com

Best Dressed - Met Ball 2013

Well, last night was the "Oscars" of fashion, the annual Met Ball gala for the Costume Institute.  This year's exhibition is "PUNK: Chaos to Couture".  From the pictures I've seen of the exhibit, it looks pretty weak, I feel like we've seen this before with the McQueen and the Anglophile shows of years past.  Time to do something completely different next year, please.  The red carpet looks were pretty weak too, not many brought the punk and those who did seemed a bit forced and random.  Anyway, here are the looks I liked (punk or not punk):

Naomie Harris in Donna Karan Atelier with an Edie Parker clutch (obsessed with these clutches) - hands down my favorite look of the night.

Jessica Pare in Jason Wu (with Jason Wu)

Blake Lively in Gucci Premiere

Honorable mention for actually bringing a punk vibe (in a high fashion way) - Sarah Jessica Parker in custom Giles, Philip Treacy headpiece and custom Louboutin shoes

What do you think?  Did you have any favorites?

Images via Style.com

What I Bought - April 2013

Here are the goodies I brought home this month.  This is a pretty typical month for me.

1. Prabal Gurung for Target dress - $10.48 on clearance at my store

2. Merona basic tee from Target - $6 on sale

3. Covergirl nail polish in Forever Fawn - $5

4. Flower nail polish in Eye of the Tiger Lily - $5

Total out of pocket for April = $26.48

Go forth and shop responsibly!

Disclosure: This post contains an affiliate link

What I Bought - March 2013

Not much this month (this is way more typical than last month's gift card purchases):

1. Mossimo Falk Thong  - Target - $20

2. Prabal Gurung for Target flats - $30 (returned)

I wanted to like these flats but I just wasn't 100% so they went back. Still on the hunt for the perfect pointy toe, black flat.

Total out of pocket for March - $20

Go forth and shop responsibly!

See you tomorrow for April's purchases.

What I Bought - February 2013

I thought I would start rounding up my clothing purchases on the blog each month.  I love when other bloggers do this, so I thought I would jump in and do it too!  I'm going to hit you with three months over the next three days (and get caught up).  Now, first a little about the "B" word - Budget!  I don't have a set monthly budget for clothes specifically.  I have a very strict food/household goods budget that I stick to.  I'm so militant about staying within my means (nothing is worth the stress of consumer debt).  I don't work outside the home (I work part-time from my home and when I do have to go to the mill I have a company uniform I wear).  So really my needs are slim (meanwhile, my wants are out of control - ha!).  I like to keep things simple and basic and I can't stand a crammed closet.  I generally buy good quality items that I know will last a while.  Therefore, I rarely spend more than $100 a month on clothes/beauty items.  This month was an exception because I won a gift card to Coldwater Creek!  Here's what I got in February:

Top from R to L:

Printed jeans from Coldwater Creek - $37.16 (on sale)

Broken-in straight khakis from Gap - $40 (20% off promotion)

Slim ankle pants from Coldwater Creek - $41.96 (on sale)

Winter Wonderland cardigan from Coldwater Creek - $49.54 (on sale - no longer available)

Middle R to L:

Slim ankle pants from Coldwater Creek - $44.21 (on sale)

Indigo Dream ankle jeans from Coldwater Creek - $53.06 (on sale) - LOVE these, so soft!

Slim ankle pants from Coldwater Creek - $41.96 (on sale)

Bottom:

Castaway shell from Coldwater Creek - $41.96 (on sale - no longer available)

Necklace from Coldwater Creek - $27.99 (on sale - no longer available)

Total = $377.84

-$337.84 (Coldwater Creek gift card)

Grand total spent out of pocket = $40

Go forth and shop responsibly!  

See you tomorrow for March's purchases!

What I Wore Wednesday 5-1-2013

One outfit this week.  It's a bright and cheerful one though!

Tee - J.Crew outlet

Pants - Gap

Shoes - Max Studio

Bag - Momentum Textiles trade show swag

Here's a better look at the bag from a few contract trade shows ago.  I ran across it in my closet and thought it was perfect for this time of year.  And bonus, I didn't spend a dime on it! 

I'm linking up again with The Pleated Poppy for WIWW and Shanna for Random Wednesday today!