I always find black and white combinations a bit stark on me… but am realizing that the contrast can be softened with pretty patterns, intricate designs, and soft textures.

Oh, and the “pin”?  Clip on earring.  Yep.  Works incredibly!
(Thanks to my friend who made the recommendation!)

 

Moving update: we are in the middle of our move currently (at a rest stop right now) and should be in Baltimore soon!  Likely won’t have internet there for a bit which is why I’m making this post now.  Also, a few of you asked… no, we did not live out of boxes for 2 months because we had so much stuff to pack!  We actually have very little, as we were living in a studio apartment and are currently driving ourselves cross country in a teeny moving van.  However, for our last two months in Chicago, we were apartment sitting, so therefore had to pack up everything for the move beforehand!  Thank you all for your well wishes!