This post is a slight diversion from my usual routine, but I found a recent comment by reader Kelly (read it here) to be especially thought-provoking, so I wanted to examine the topic a little more in depth, namely: Mixing muddy and clean colors in the same outfit. Can it be done? Successfully?

Looking at the world through an artist's lens, I think muddy and clean colors can blend together in the same ensemble—not to create a sense of harmony, but rather to create an intentional sense of contradiction, unease, even discord. Why would you want to do this? Art imitates life... Is every moment of every day happy? Nope. So why not let your clothing express a wide range of emotions and ideas?

Here's where I'll try to make the case that it's possible for muddy and clean colors to come together; obviously there's no right or wrong answer, I do believe fashion is subjective and deeply personal, and I'm curious to hear what everyone thinks:

I'm always awed by the beautiful photography and impeccable, eccentric styling at Anthropologie.com and in their catalogs, yet I rarely carry that inspiration into my own wardrobe. Why is that? I could use the excuse that their clothing is too pricey, but with a little creativity, I should be able to come up with some similar looks on a budget. Here's a quickie outfit I put together using items that can all be currently found at Forever21.com, plus the actual flower headband from Anthropologie. Do you think it captures the feeling of the original or are the subtleties lost? If you like either outfit, all items can be accessed via the widget below.

I'm a big believer in creating checklists for everything, including my wardrobe! Making a list of what you want to add to your closet at the start of each season can save you time and money, so here's a running list of the things I'm looking for this spring. Share what's on your list in the comments!

1. Short sleeve cardigans in neutral hues, plus one bright color like yellow or blue. I'll be swapping out my long-sleeve heavy knit boyfriend cardigans for lightweight short sleeve cardis as the weather warms up.
2. Lightweight scarves. Bright colors and ethnic-inspired prints are all still big contenders for me.
3. Classic trench. Alternatively, a chic anorak is a stylish option if you want something less conventional. I still have a great anorak that I picked up at H&M last season, so my search for the perfect trench continues!
4. A boyfriend blazer in beige, tan or pale gray. You probably picked up a black blazer for fall/winter, which will still get great mileage through the summer (think air conditioned offices, cool evenings, etc.) But for day, a lightweight cotton or linen blazer will be my go-to layering piece for spring/summer.
5. Vintage inspired shades. I'm thinking of getting some tortoise shell frames a la Cate Blanchett.
6. Relaxed hobo or another less structured handbag in a light tan, white (if you can keep it clean!) or brown. Metallics, brights, patterns are all great options, too!
7. Relaxed-fit shorts. I'm not a huge shorts person but I'll probably pick up at least one pair of relaxed fit shorts.
8. One solid tulip skirt in a nice neutral color that I can wear for casual or dressier occasions.
9. A denim skirt and/or denim jacket. The key for me here will be finding very current cuts and fades of denim.
10. A printed top. Perhaps I'll try a floral, abstract or wallpaper print that are so ubiquitous these days.
11. A maxi dress. I have a nice solid black maxi from last summer, now I need to be brave and add some color or a print!
12. Denim. Skinny, distressed, boyfriend—all still great options! I'll be bringing out my boot cuts to wear with wedges, and colored jeans to wear with simple white tees and sandals.
13. Stylish sneaks. I am due for a new pair of sneakers that I can wear while walking and running with my doggie. But they have to be cute!
14. Layering tees and tanks. I'm looking for long lengths, super soft cotton, and some nice crisp whites that will match everything.
15. One statement necklace. Got this already on Gilt.com, can't wait to wear it!
16. Jumper. I'm determined to get a jumper, possibly the Alexander McQueen for Target number. We shall see!
17. Shoes: There are so many great styles to choose from this season, so we'll leave this for another post!

Ok, your turn! What's on your spring shopping list?

Emily from Cupcakes and Cashmere models chic looks for a day of shopping in L.A.'s best boutiques.

A reader recently asked me for some advice about what to wear while touring Los Angeles in mid-March, and since I'm a Midwest-girl living on the East Coast, I was pretty much stumped! So I called on the lovely SoCal native Emily, author of the popular fashion/lifestyle blog Cupcakes and Cashmere and expert on all-things-fashionable on the West Coast, who kindly obliged to respond to my dear reader with her superb advice. Without further ado, here's what Emily had to say about some of the best places to shop in L.A. and how to look good while you do it. —BB




Written by Emily from Cupcakesandcashmere.com

One of the best parts about L.A. is the fabulous shopping. Of course, with all those adorable boutiques and designer duds come impeccably dressed women. Pretty much anything goes in Southern California, but it's not fun when everyone can tell you're an out of towner. Here are some of my tips for disguising yourself as a local when shopping amongst the stars.

• For the designer shops in Beverly Hills (and on Rodeo specifically), I would suggest some dark denim, comfortable high heels, a simple v-neck shirt and a blazer. You want to look put together, but if you're too fancy, your tourist cover will be blown. L.A. is all about accessorizing so whether you throw on some simple gold hoops or opt for a tangle of chains around your neck, it will help complete your ensemble.
  
  


• If you're opting for more California casual and browsing through beachy boutiques, maxi dresses are easy and comfortable. Plus, you can get away with a few bangles on your wrist and some metallic sandals and you're good to go.

Here are a few of my favorite neighborhoods for shopping.

I recently lost a substantial amount of weight (35 lbs) and went from a size 12 to a 6. So you can imagine, my old clothes are tad too big. … I need to buy new pants for the office. I literally have one pair of black pants that actually look normal on me, and I just want to be able to get the same (or very similar) style, cut and price for all colors (like grays, blacks, pin-stripes etc.) so I can be sure of how they will fit all at once. Places like TJ’s and Marshall’s are hit and miss with these kinds of things and I REFUSE to pay $60 for a pair of black or gray slacks at places like Express, Limited or NY&Co. I worked very hard for this weight loss, so I want to be able to wear a size that is true to my body, instead of forcing my old clothes to fit by awkward alterations and belts, but I never realized how expensive it could actually be! Help!! —Swimming in Old Office Slacks.

First off, congratulations on your weight loss: You set a goal, and you reached it! This accomplishment is certainly worth celebrating, but I understand how expensive it can be to build a new wardrobe basically from scratch. Fortunately, I think there are many places where you can shop for affordable, office-appropriate pants.