Cardinal Red

This shop is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group™ and People StyleWatch and InStyle magazines but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #PeopleInStyle http://cmp.ly/3/8vNxcO.

There are so many trends on rotation in magazines, on blogs, worn by celebrities and promoted in stores that it can be hard to keep up and almost make your head spin. Pair this with that. Wear that with this. Seasonal Pantone palettes. Popular prints. Must haves of the moment. 

Being a lover of fashion I enjoy challenging myself to styles that I honestly wouldn't put together on my own if it weren't for being mildly obsessed with flipping through the pages of InStyle and People StyleWatch magazines. Yes, I also get an immense amount of inspiration from style bloggers, but these magazines are where I really begin to think outside my "normal" style box. 

Blazer: Lauren Conrad for Kohl's (similar here and here) // Pants: Old Navy Rock Star Skinny Denim // Top: Forever 21 Oxford (similar) // Shoes: Zara Ankle Boot Heels (similar) // Bag: Phillip Lim for Target (similar and similar) // Necklace: Lookbook Store c/o // Glasses: Forever 21 (similar) // Bracelet: Lilac Bijoux c/o // Ring: Kendra Scott c/o Jeweler's Wife Watch: Michael Kors c/o Jeweler's Wife // Earrings: Forever 21 (similar)

This look is a perfect example. I must admit that I first I laid eyes on the monochromatic red ensemble on Atlantic Pacific's blog, but then as I was paging through this month's issues of said magazines and I kept seeing one of my favorite colors over and over again. It's not as if red is anything new, but for some reason it's a current color crush in the world of fashion. The best part, it's a color that I have plenty of in my closet. I have had both the boyfriend blazer and pants hanging for awhile, waiting to be paired together. This look was a little out of the norm for me, but that's what it's all about. Taking risks, stepping outside of our comfort zones and having fun. It's one ginormous experiment except you can't blow anything up if you don't get it right the first time. 

I encourage all of you to pick up the latest issues of InStyle and People StyleWatch. Thumb through the pages, pick a few looks you love (even if you don't think you can pull them off) and rock them before we ring in the new year. Yes, that's a challenge from me to you. Go for it, have fun and take a risk. It's not rocket science...it's called being a girl and playing dress up.

Make sure to swing by Target from 11/29 through 12/7 to pick up BOTH magazines because you will get a $5 gift card to spend at the greatest store on the planet. Plus, both issues have some pretty fabulous holiday gift ideas. Below are this month's covers...just trying to make things easier on you ladies!