Dust on the Bottle

The title of this post has nothing to do with anything except for the fact that I’m inspired by dusty rose colors today, and the word “dust” reminds me of one of my favorite country songs, David Lee Murphy’s “Dust on the Bottle.” A loose association at best, I’ll admit, but it does highlight a) the cloudiness I’m feeling this early morning {please excuse the absence of a post yesterday; Scarlet took a tumble on Friday night…meaning this little Magpie, teetering in inappropriately high heels — these, to be exact, in a beautiful nude suede — tumbled down the stairs and hurt her footski and then spent the rest of the weekend doing nothing but watching Downton Abbey and letting Mr. Magpie wait on my hand and foot…} and b) the acute nostalgia I’ve been experiencing for my good old undergrad days at UVA, when I used to attend a yearly date function called “Bonfire” that involved kegs, live country music, a dark barn-like structure, and, yes, bonfires for roasting marshmallows. “Dust on the Bottle” was featured heavily in the musical line-up. So.amazing. But I digress.

So dust. This color profile should come as no surprise thanks to the lovely pastels that have been flooding the market and my personal wish list for the past few months. I’d begin with this color-blocked top (BAM, too hot trends in one — $365, StyleBop), worn with a chunky bead necklace ($223, Wendy Mink), white skinnies and these to die for t-straps (loving that gold bar in the middle — and check out all of the amazing colors it comes in! — $68, Endless):

I’d pair the look with this sweet bow clutch ($52, Deux Lux)

The bag would look equi-awesome with this Maison Martin Margiela booties ($835, Shopbop). I know, I know — hello impracticality. But…they’re lilac booties! And they are outrageously amazing!

I’d wear them with a printed top (ugh, this Erdem style is to die — $800, Net-A-Porter), a tangled gold necklace (only $15, H&M), and white skinnies:

I’d finish with a lilac clutch ($22, ASOS) and maybe these ladylike earrings ($30, ModCloth):

Or, mix in the muted blush/rose color with the neon trend by pairing this silky tee ($126, Secret Squirrel) with a beaded necklace ($128, PiperLime) and hot pink skinnies ($176, Revolve) and some white rattan flats (Bloch, $120, Net-A-Porter):

Finish with this dreamy acquisition ($505, Matches):

Or, get just a little pop of the dusty/pastel in the form of these ah-may-zing Missoni flats ($495, Intermix), a gauzy scarf ($135, Chan Luu) or a watercolor clutch ($169, Molten Store):