Inspiration can come from anywhere.  Sometimes it’s surprising and sometimes not.  In this case, it’s really not.  I can’t get this ensemble out of my head.  Spotted on my incredibly fashionable little sister—it begged to be recreated here.

It works—Possibly because it shouldn’t.  Take a rocker-chick base layer, pair it with show-stopping wedges and pull it together with the preppiest of preppy toppers.  What’s not to love?

Shop it! Striped Seersucker Jacket, White Skinny Jean, J. Crew Tank, Pallai Bootie

The following was originally published on Examiner.com by Amy Price March 9, 2012

SMYL brings beauty and smiles

Nancy Finnegan MUA prepares Melinda for her photo shoot.

SMYL (Stylists and Makeup Artist Making You Lovely) offers those struggling with life-threatening diseases a chance to feel like a queen for a day. A team of talented, Huntsville area beauty and fashion industry insiders dedicate and donate their time and services to give deserving applicants a royal treatment.

Founded by Nancy Finnegan, popular Huntsville make-up artist, SMYL is based on the wonderful work of the Make-A-Wish-Foundation. Two of Finnegan’s children suffer from a life-threatening disease and after seeing the impact Make-A-Wish had on their lives, she was inspired. Using her talents and connections, Finnegan created SMYL in the Huntsville, Alabama area, receiving an enthusiastic response from local photographers, artists and businesses.

The most recent recipient of SMYL’s efforts is Melinda. Melinda was diagnosed with anal cancer in late 2010 and has since suffered two bouts of the disease. In July 2011 she had an abdominoperineal resection. She credits a wonderful support network, a loving fiancé and a sense of humor with getting her through it all. In Melinda’s words, it’s the kind of cancer that “gets funny looks.”

On Thursday, March 8, Melinda’s SMYL Team provided professional hair and make-up for a fully styled engagement photo shoot in celebration of her upcoming marriage.

The following artists, boutiques and businesses donated goods and services to make Melinda’s SMYL Day dream come true.

Photography: Allison Jansen of Allison Jansen Photography

Makeup: Nancy Finnegan, MUA

Hair: Hillery Parker of So Vain Salon

Apparel and Accessories: Silhouettes Boutique

Other Services: Unique and Timeless for donating a bouquet for Melinda’s wedding day, Advanced Clinic, El Omeca in Owens Crossroads.

You can see more photos and read more about Melinda’s story here.

If you would like to submit a candidate for SMYL or would like to donate your services, please contact Nancy Finnegan nancyfinneganmua@gmail.com.

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Always a favorite of mine (she is the Auntie Mame of my imagination) Iris Apfel’s spotlight intensifies yet again.  Her eclectic style and far from understated fashion sense is celebrated in the Iris by Jimmy Choo.  As she says, “If your hair is done properly and you’re wearing good shoes, you can get away with anything.”   These would be just the kicks with which to test that theory.

Want more from this inimitable lady? 

Like a true New Yorker, Apfel does a great one-liner. One of her best is: “When you don’t dress like everybody else, you don’t have to think like everybody else.” She is far from immune from fashion snobbery, and has been known to rail against fat people wearing stretch jeans, and anyone at all wearing flip-flops, but she speaks sense on the subject of ageing. “Coco Chanel once said that what makes a woman look old is trying desperately to look young. Why should one be ashamed to be 84? Why do you have to say that you’re 52? Nobody’s going to believe you anyway, so why be such a fool? It’s nice that you got to be so old. It’s a blessing.”

Jess Cartner-Morley

Maybe I’ve been watching too much Top Gear lately, but this luscious color makes me think of a classic T-bird. 

Pairs perfectly with white jeans and black leather—more Sandy from the end of Grease, than Sandy of the sweater set and saddle oxfords.