Boldly and fearlessly mixing colours, and Shoe Challenge #5

One of my New Year's Resolutions was, in these exact words: "boldly and fearlessly mix unexpected colours".  It was not quite accurate.  I don't think colours should be mixed fearlessly at all, I think they should be mixed boldly but cautiously.  I like the idea of combining colour-wheel opposites, but in those cases I think one should be either a dark-approaching-neutral (say, orange with navy blue) or a pale-approaching-pastel (say bright green with a blush pink).  Another possibility is to combine two bright colours, but in unequal amounts: say, a bright yellow dress with a purple headband and belt.  Then I leave the rest of the outfit in the plainest of neutrals like black, white, and tan.  The final test, of course, is the full-length mirror test.  If it looks so bright as to be clownish or unbalanced, something must be changed.

I thought I'd repeat the same pose from the last rainy day I carried this umbrella!

Today I went for this rich royal purple and yellow combination, but the yellow is a lovely buttery shade; it also only shows in a small-ish triangle.  I actually was given the yellow top by my sister-in-law and I altered it.  It used to have little pearl beads sewn all over and a ribbon that ran awkwardly across the bust.  I carefully cut off the ribbon and all the beads and turned the ribbon into a bow that I attached with a combination of safety pins and fashion tape.  Voila! I can move the bow wherever I like.  Did I mention I adore bows?

 And for Shoeper Shoe Challenge #5, these Spring shoe-boots with covered buttons, worn last week as well here.  I ordered them not quite realizing the heels were that high but kept them anyway.  They do start to hurt after a whole day of walking around, but who am I to let that stop me?

I wore this outfit to "work" which is actually tutoring a high school student.  I absolutely love that family: they make me the most delicious tea every time!  And my student is so sweet and polite.  It's a perfect job for during the school year: for 2-3 hours a week it basically funds me buying tea and the occasional lunch on campus (although normally I'm a "packed lunch" kinda person) and my occasional nights out.  And also my cheap clothes and shoes habit!

I just realized here my approach to style: "do it your way, but don't get crazy." (i.e. Don't overdo it.)
If you haven't already seen this video, watch it now.  If you have, enjoy it again.  You're welcome!