Okay, I've been experiencing a bit of nature's cruel irony this past week. The moment the skies turned blue my immune system gave way to a brutal cold. And it's always a bummer to feel sub-par with warm weather (which makes me assume that everyone in California must be happy and healthy, like, 100% of the time). But on the other hand, I push myself to dress the part despite my stuffy nose and foggy head. A trend of late that's high on my list of spring/summer must-haves is pattern mixing. These seasons are the time to be a bit bolder with my wardrobe and combine different styles into one look. I adore the playfulness of this striped, swingy skirt and the glam element of an embellished top.