Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Cherry Tunic Goodness and... Too Bright or Just Right?

First up, today's outfit. Tunic is from Chico's last spring. I love the pink and red together - much like the J Crew constellation dress. And, bonus, last spring, I had to leave the bottom button undone. This year, buttoned all the way down, thank you very much. It's a great spring/summer piece. And I paired it with my new outlet matchsticks. (Still need to compare to the real thing - Jemma Ruby raised an excellent question when she commented on my previous post, so I am curious to check it out.)

Going with my semi-boho flair (or as boho as I ever get), I topped it off with the Dina hoops, fireball necklace, and BR crystally necklace that I always pair with the fireball or the twisted crystal. (really need to get a better, or shorter name for that necklace)

When M (my almost-9-year-old) came into the kitchen after I was dressed, he said "You look really nice. Are you going to a dance?" Needless to say, it made my day and almost made my cry. So sweet, that boy.

Polyvore for today (usng the JC cherry blossom blouse as a substitute for the Chicos tunic):
Wearing Today-5/20/09
Wearing Today-5/20/09 by HeidiGblog featuring Old Navy


Too Bright or Just Right?

I need an opinion here, ladies (& gentlemen). I got the J Crew canvas boardwalk city tote as part of my sale+20% off order from last week, in the neon yellow. Aptly named, let me tell you. It is the exact color of a tennis ball. So here's the question...is it too bright and just totally obnoxious? Or is it just right for brightening up my mostly neutral wardrobe? (Keep in mind, $39.99, less 20%, so not full price.) I would love your opinions, asap, since I'm headed to the mall tomorrow to do returns at the Crew and pick up the Trina Turk Clinique bonus at Nordstrom. Thanks for your input!!

33 comments:

LRA said...

I personally love it!! I have the boardwalk tote, in natural with pink handles, and love it for summer! I think regardless of color, it makes such a perfect summer tote:)

Emily said...

Cherry tunic is so sweet on you! I like the boardwalk tote in the pic and I don't think it looks too bright. It's perfect for summer. I just went by Nordstrom to get Clinique bonus and I love the bag. Would probably be cute inside the boardwalk tote.

Ms.Mer said...

I dig the tunic! And have to say, what a sweet boy.

The tote doesn't look too bright in the pic, but I assume that's your camera washing it out? According to the photo I think it looks just fine. I do agree with you that it would go well with your neutrals. I guess if you think you'd get plenty of use out of it, and it doesn't make your eyes hurt... keep it! :)

Anonymous said...

I think, if you take this handbag with mild toned clothes - go for it. It's perfect for spring/summer + neon is in fashion (still, I hope, I'm not very keen on my fashion update :D).


And I really like the tunic. I love pink as well! Everything bright is good in spring!

HeidiG said...

thanks for the feedback, ladies!

mrsanketell - I loved the natural but was too afraid of how dirty it would get and if I would be unable to wash b/c of the handles. I saw the natural w/ pink and it was so pretty.

Emily - excellent point about the TT bag - I am headed to Nordstrom tomorrow for that bonus.

Ms.Mer - camera is washing it out a bit (e.g. the walls are a yellow, not tan) but it doesn't hurt my eyes too much - good points to consider, headache vs. no headache. and yes, he is such a sweet boy. :)

-smile- you are absolutely right - all the mags are saying neon is hot for spring/summer, so this would be a more subtle way of doing neon. and by the end of the summer, it probably won't be as bright due to dirt, wear, my kids, etc.

Carol said...

You look beautiful in both pictures!

Anonymous said...

I have that tote in white, and love it! It's so chic, but down to earth. It's very versatile and roomy, and I love the generous zipper pocket and key chain.

I got it with the Mickey card...25% off 49.00. Such a great deal considering the leather. However, the bottom does sag very easily, and I would have paid more for a vachetta contrast base for looks and support.

I love it so much, I want the navy one now. The color you got is too strong and not versatile enough for me, but I'm not a neon yellow person, lol. I think it's cute for what you paid, and you'll get a lot of use out of it, but if I were you, I'd exchange it for one of the neutrals, and pay the difference.

Anonymous said...

I love the tote! I just got one in the seafoam (mint green) color and am on the fence too (it arrived yesterday). I've been making tons of sets on PV to see what it will go with, maybe that will help with your decision too. I realized than even though mine is an odd color, it mixes things up a bit. I like the size too.

Great outfit and what a sweet boy!! I really want to try those jeans. :)

GingerSnap said...

I think the color of the bag is definitely bright, but I also think you can work it. Neon seems to be really in right now, and as long as you don't pair that bag with a bright blue blazer and neon tube socks I think you'll be ok :) Sport it girl!

sparrowsandsparkles said...

I LOVE that tunic on you! Not too bright at all... love the color combo. As soon as I saw it I thought "constellation dress"! imo the bag is great too... I'd wear with neutrals :) And I love your son's comment too... what a sweet little guy!

Ema said...

Love the cherry tunic.

The tote doesn't look too bright but it really comes to personal tastes about colors. My two cents: each time that I bought something in a weird color I always ended up not wearing it... Also another factor to take in consideration is: if you liked a different color more but you bought this instead because of the price I would return it.

Summerilla said...

I think the tote is a keeper! I love the neon bright, so in right now. Definitely pair it with neutrals so its not over done. I had been eyeing that bag myself but I'm saving up for a new bag with a steep price tag.

I love the tunic you wore today. I really like the pink/red combo.

Completely jealous your heading out to J.crew tomorrow... I think I might make a pit stop there on Friday. I think I've decided to return the watercolor strapless dress. I just can't justify keeping it because I can't figure out enough events to wear it to. Plus I had originally bought it to wear to the tea party and we all know that didn't happen!

AppGal said...

oh i love your outfit! and your son's comment is just TOO CUTE! you look beautiful...pink and red is a great color combo and it looks great with your coloring. beautiful! :)

i like the tote, and it's definitely a good price. personally, i would find it too bright (although the pic doesn't look that bad), but then again, i only have like 3 purses that are all neutrals. but i think you can pull it off--esp. if you use it with a more neutral outfit! that would look just lovely!

Patina said...

love the tunic on you. as for the tote...it's a keeper.i love the color and agree with Ginger-you can totally rock this bag.

A said...

I actually love both of the brights on you. The tote looks great in the photo. You can also accessorize it to blend more with your outfits if you want by tying a colored scarf on the handle. The hot pink is lovely on you too. Reminds me of some of the pieces I have from last summer that I'm waiting to wear when we have more sunny days.

Unknown said...

Love the tunic. You're radiant in bright colors. Even more so than you usually are. And the tote is not too bright. You *do* have a lot of basic colors so it's a nice pop.

Anonymous said...

You should get the navy. It would look great with many of the outfits you're showing lately, especially the Jaspe and those green khakis. And you wouldn't have to worry about stains.

HeidiG said...

Again, a lot of very insightful comments. I truly appreciate them all, thank you. I definitely don't want to exchange for the white (as pretty as it is), but I would consider the navy or spearmint. Or maybe even the weathered stone (ducks heads and runs away). Ok, ok, I know it's a neutral, I promise I won't do that.

dinagideon said...

AGH!!! I am about to do cartwheels--you look that pretty in that top!!! And your son agrees. Perfection.

The tote is cute, but did you expect me to say anything else? Tennis ball green=AWESOME in my brightly colored life. teehee.

:) Have a great day. I am calling tomorrow. Headache plus costco is craziness in my world. I need a drink. (Preferably two. Or three.)

Drewablank said...

Shoot, why am I so late in commenting?! :p

First things first, that tunic is just all kinds of awesome on you! I do love me some pink and red, especially when done together! ;)

Your little boy is too precious for words. It's just those small, unexpected comments from lil ones like him that just make your day, week, month, year! :)

About the bag, I'd say that would totally depend on you and your wardrobe. I'm with the other ladies - if you keep this tenny-colored bag, go with more neutral tones in your outfits. Judging from your IRL posts, I'd say this bag was a safe bet. (I remember this post.)

Although, you can't go wrong with the navy one either. And with the neutral/pop of color theme, you can pair this colored bag with your more colorful outfits, and maybe even tie a scarf around one of the handles for a bit more accesory. ;)

Cari said...

LOVE those flats! xo Cari http://isnotfashion.blogspot.com

post-fab princess said...

Your tunic is adorable and looks great with the jeans! I like the tote to! You're exactly right - a subtle way to jump on the neon train. And you look so darn pretty in that pic!!!

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Anonymous said...

congrats on the bottom button! and I like the yellow bag. they're very in right now. Did I just say that?

snaphappy said...

M is too cute!

I love the bright tunic!

Melissa@AllThingsSimplified said...

Love, love the tunic...you look radiant! As for the tote, I would exchange for the Navy...you'll get many years of use out of it, whereas the Neon yellow will be quickly dated. :)

Jemma said...

That tunic looks fabulous on you! If you think the tote is too bright, give it a wash, it may tone it down. However, that being said, I love brights for summer and I think it will go with a lot in your wardrobe like many others have commented. I cant wait for your matchstick outlet vs. matchstick store post!!!!

Zoë Moët said...

I think the bag is just right! I think it looks more like key lime than tennis ball but maybe that's just the lighting :)

HeidiG said...

To repeat yet again, thank you all for the insights and opinions. Even if I don't go with the path you suggest, trust me, I have given it careful thought.

My bottom line decision was to keep the bag (which, if you've seen my Polyvore for today, you probably figured out). I have been dying to pull it out and use it in the 2 days since it came but I was doubting myself and wondering "is that really just way too obnoxious?" (ps - it's ok if you think yes, as I'll be carrying the bag, not you.)

Since I primarily living in black, navy, gray, khaki, and white in the summer, it works well with all that. I thought carefully about navy but realized I wear way too much black in the summer (more so that in winter, ha) in large part due to LBDs.

Next year, I'll re-evaluate the bag - 1 summer's worth of use (i.e. soil) will most likely tone down the bag so it won't be so passe. Or I can use it to tote stuff to the pool - my current pool bag is actually too big as the kiddies carry their own stuff now. Or I'll give it to E b/c she definitely loved it and thought I should keep it. It's not a leather bag in which I am investing a lot more $$ - in which case I never would have gone with this color. But for canvas...sure.

Again, thank you!!

Cloggsy said...

Love the shirt on you! Hmmm, I think just right, not too bright. J.Crew can be really misleading with colors - have you seen their version of "keylime"?!

Anonymous said...

The Chico's tunic looks spectacular...I luvee the "boho" look...it's such a casual effortless full of vibrant color look~and so you achieved that all the way!
The canvas tote...I'm not a fan of the color...depends though on how it fits in with your other stuff...

HeidiG said...

Thanks, Cloggsy & luvallthingsjcrew!

3-Penny Princess said...

I personally love this shirt on you! I think the colors are divine! I would have gotten it myself, but I have last year's Cherry Blossom Frances.