My obsession of the season is tiny little animal prints on clothes.  I can’t get enough.  And if you have kids (which I do, obviously), they love ’em!  (“Mommy, why do you have elephants on your shirt?  You’re so silly, Mommy!”)  I recently found a bunch of floaty scarves with owls on them that make perfect end-of-year gifts for my kids’ teachers: playful, but right on target for these hipster educators (often spotted in brightly-colored skinnies).

I’ve also been experimenting a bit with the print-on-print trend, though I still feel it’s somewhat risky.  For a low-commitment, totally elegant take on the looks I might pair this black and white bird blouse with the subtle metallic bird skirt from Anthropologie…and keep shoes totally simple in a nude patent leather.  If it’s chilly, there’s no reason you couldn’t throw this elephant-print scarf around your neck with a black blazer.

If dresses are your thing — and they’re usually mine; is there anything simpler?? — here’s one cheeky office look (with an edgy flat, lady like bag, and cute owl necklace) and one desk-to-dinner sheath (with a fab cross-body bag, a sexy heel and some killer earrings) that do the job right.

– Jaime