Photo courtesy of Kaitlin Yapchaian for Daily Candy

Jacket: Zara-old, (similar); Dress: Vintage, (similar); Faux Fur Stole: Club Monaco; Clutch: Vintage, (similar); Shoes: Steve Madden; Watch: Michael Kors

Blouse: J.Crew, (similar); Pants: Urban Outfitters-old, (similar); Belt: French Connection; Shoes: Zara, (similar); Necklaces: Kris Nations, Micah Yancey, Forever 21; Watch: Michael Kors

Dress (length altered): Urban Outfitters, (similar); Belt: French Connection; Shoes: Steve Madden; Watch: Michael Kors; Necklaces: Micah Yancey, Kris Nations; Bracelets: Kenneth Jay Lane, ASOS

Jacket: Zara (similar); Blouse: Zara (similar); Pants: Jenni Kayne; Heels: Steve Madden; Watch: Michael Kors; Bracelets: Micah Yancey, Kenneth Jay Lane; Necklace: Vintage

Pant: Citizens of Humanity, Blouse: J.Crew, Blazer: ASOS

I think this risk is going to need to the most convincing on my behalf…so I am going to zap your pre-conceived notions right off the bat, and then just cut to the chase.

• No, you aren’t looking at your grandmother’s curtains.
• Florals for Spring?…how groundbreaking. (Thank you “Devil Wears Prada”for that joke.)
• You’re just not the kinda gal who wears florals…you prefer plaid, and solids, and tweed? Oh, like the boys wear?

Prints, especially florals, can be intimidating. You look at them and think you could never pull them off. Or you think you don’t have anything in your closet that they will go with.

Well, guess what?! You can (reading this blog means you actually give a damn about fashion) and you do (umm, neutrals, hello, thats like your whole closet, right?).

So stop being a wallflower and just take a damn risk for crying out loud. If you look absurd, and your friends make fun of you, let them. Then compliment them on their basic black dress, hold your head high, and never listen to me again ;)

Who’s brave enough to stop and smell the roses and wear some florals?! Have you already?!

Xo, CK

Skirt: Naven, Sandal: ASOS, Flats: Old Navy, Pouch: Marc by Marc Jacobs

Skirt: Naven, Watch: La Mer Collections, Pant: Tibi, Bracelet: Marc by Marc Jacobs, Belt: Gap

I know what you’re thinking: “Courtney, I have no desire to look like a Sharpie highlighter.” And I get that. But do you have the desire to look like everyone else and blend in, though?! Navy and black are great staples (my closet is 50% neutrals)…but let’s be honest, how many times do you hear “Wow, I really admire her for branching out and wearing a black blazer!!”….UMM, LIKE, NEVER.

Open any fashion magazine and you’ll see that neons are a HUGE trend for Spring/Summer 2012. They graced the designer runways and now it time for them to make their way into your closet. You might be nervous that you have nothing to blend them with, but chances are, you actually do. Start with sprucing up all black with a splash of neon in your accessory, like a belt, or shoe, or handbag….then as you get more brave, invest in a neon blazer, or pant, or skirt…and in no time, you will be comfortable in these “NOTICE ME NOW” colors.

You can’t deny how gorgeous these neon pinks and yellows are…and you can’t say that they didn’t catch your eye. And chances are, they will catch the eyes of others too….and they’ll catch some compliments, as well.

Are you risky enough to rock these hues?! Have you already?!

XO, CK

Nude Dresses: TFNC Sequin Bodice Dress by Asos, Glamorous Mesh Sequin Dress by Asos. Headbands: (top) Clear Crystal Embellished Turquoise Headband by Ken Paves, (bottom) Rhinestone Bead Headband by Juicy Couture, (on model) Embellished Deco Headband by Asos

I religiously watch every award show known to man. And not because I give a darn about television shows, movies, or music….but simply because its an evening where every A-lister known to man donns what they think is the best outfit choice, and then potentially sacrifices themselves to a best or worst dressed list. And if you follow me on Twitter, then you certainly read my opinions about some of Hollywood’s red carpet looks this past Sunday during the Golden Globes…

There was the good (Charlize Theron…can she do any wrong??!), the bad (Reese Witherspoon…red prom dress and bad extensions), and the ugly (don’t even get me started on Claire Danes’ blazing nipples or Kelly Osbourne’s grey-ish hairdo). But throughout watching all the divas make their way down the paparazzi-filled carpet, I noticed two reoccuring trends: nude gowns and crystaled headbands.

Neither one of these concepts really reinvented a red carpet wheel, or va-va-voomed me to death with elaborate schemes or copious amounts of excessiveness…but the simplicity is what struck me the most. In an industry where sometimes “more is more,” these chic, ladylike looks really got my attention….all without showing a nipple.

Which Golden Globe red carpet looks made your best and worst dressed lists?!

Xo, CK

(clockwise, starting at top left):  Fleece Cape by American Apparel, Faux Leather Trim Cape by Blue Juice, Cape Trench by ASOS, Tweed Cape by ASOS, and Suede Trim Tweed Cape by Milly

When I think of capes, I am reminded of the Lone Ranger, Zorro, and basically any other superhero.  Chic does not come to mind.

But this season, capes are EVERYWHERE, yet have you been brave enough to try one?!  While many ladies think they can’t pull one off, they are a great addition to any closet no matter how trendy, risky, conservative, or simple you may be.  Instead of pulling my typical peacoat out of the coat closet on chilly days, lately I’ve gone for the cape, and its added some unexpected “ooh-la-la.”

Go for a neutral color that you can layer over anything, whether it be a simple tee and boyfriend jeans, or a sexy shift dress and heels.  You’ll find yourself wearing it everyday and loving how comfy it is…your other outerwear will get jealous.

Now if only it gave you superhero powers, as well.

Are you risky enough to try a cape? Have you already?

Xx, CK

If you watched season 1 of Bravo’s Most Eligible Dallas, you probably noticed that I am no stranger to jewelry.  I ADORE IT.  I OBSESS OVER IT.  There is no such thing as too many bangles.  A statement necklace is always a “need” purchase.  And my arm never has to be twisted when it comes to colored stones.  

So imagine my excitement, surprise, and joy (and any other adjective you can think of) when I found out that one of my favorite jewelry designers, Kendra Scott, was slated to open her third retail boutique in one of Dallas’ premier shopping centers, West Village.  Previously, I had to purchase my KS items at Neiman Marcus, Zappos, or Endless, but now I would have the luxury to scoot over there any day of the week to pick up a new “OMG WOW, WHERE’D YOU GET THAT?!” bauble.  And oh, have I ever. 

For a gal who got her start in 2002 with $500 extra bucks making jewelry in the spare bedroom of her house, Ms. Scott has undoubetedly become a household fashion name amongst women across the world.  Not only is she a regular on The Rachael Ray Show and CNBC, but her jewels have even been worn by celebrities such as Eva Longoria, Sophia Vergara, and Hilary Duff.  Her pieces can strike a cord with any age, demographic, or taste level, and Kendra hits the mark when it comes to my jewelry non-negotiables…statement necklace, pop of color, “hair goes up” to show these off, va-va-voom, or shiny metals.

Here’s the scoop on my personal Kendra Scott collection:

• Harlow Necklace (statement necklace)
• Danielle Earrings in Green Agate (“hair goes up” to show these off)
• Tela Ring in Turquoise (pop of color)
• Eva Earrings (shiny metals)

And here’s my never ending Kendra Scott wishlist:

• Zoe Earrings (va-va-voom, pop of color, and “hair goes up” to show these off)
• Vaire Ring (pop of color)
• Golden Circle Cuff (shiny metals)
• Hammered Golden Bangle Set (shiny metals)

But in case that wasn’t enough to get you excited….here’s a special treat for yall:  Kendra Scott is offering my readers 2 giveaways…which means yall have the opportunity to win 1 of 2 prizes: either 1)a Harlow Statement Necklace, or 2)Danielle earrings and a matching cuff!  How exciting is that??!!  All you have to do is send an email titled “Kendra Scott Giveaway” (don’t forget to include your name in the subject!) to WhatCourtneyGaveAway@gmail.com to enter!*

Good Luck!

Xoxo, CK 

*Winners will be chosen through a random email generator.  Contest runs through Monday, January 23, 2012 at 11:59pm.  Winners will be notified by email.

2012 is officially in full swing. At the dawn of every new year, I always feel thrilled at the opportunity for a fresh start. I look back on the year behind me and reflect on the good, the bad, and the ugly.

It’s probably a safe assumption to say that most of us failed to follow through with all of our 2011 New Year resolutions:

• I didn’t learn Spanish (the Rosetta Stone is actually still in a sealed package)
• I didn’t treat myself to that trip to Napa Valley (I did drink plenty of chardonnay in Dallas…so does that count?)
• I didn’t sign up for cooking classes (okay, now that’s just worthy of a good laugh)

Well, you know what?! SCREW THOSE RESOLUTIONS.

Even though I didn’t keep my “official” resolutions, there was A LOT to be proud of in 2011:

• I worked out regularly (not always necessarily by choice)
• I started this fashion blog (still a work in progress and difficult to keep up with in addition to a full time job…but I am getting better at it!)
• I became the Ambassador for the charity, Dress For Success
• I took a leap and dyed my long, ombre-blonde locks chocolate brown (okay, still freaking a bit over that)
• I made smart, wise shopping purchases and built a wardrobe that isn’t full of trendy, here today, gone tomorrow, fad pieces…but timeless, classic, ladylike pieces
• And let not forget….I sold myself to the “reality show gods” and was a cast member on Bravo’s “Most Eligible Dallas”…..which undoubtedly, has opened more doors for me that I EVER, EVER could have imagined possible.

Well, we’ve got 2 weeks of 2012 under our belts, and this year I am not going to make resolutions. Some might say I’m waving the red “I forfeit” flag just 12 days into the new year….and call it what you wish. But for me, I want this year to be about taking chances, making leaps of faith, and risking it all! We aren’t guaranteed tomorrow, so our resolutions, to-do-lists, and planning could all be worthless in the end.

And what better way to kick of my new year than with my favorite kind of risks…FASHION RISKS! All next week, I will be featuring what I call a “Week of Fashion Risks.” Each day I will showcase an item, a concept, or a trend that might make some of yall “safety net” types a little nervy…but what’s there to lose?! It’s FASHION! It’s FUN! Can’t wait to hear which risks yall try, which ones you’ve already tried, and which ones just flat out scare the hell out of you!

“Fashion without risk is like having no sex and expecting to have a baby. You have to take a risk.” -F.E. Castleberry

Xoxo, CK