One of my favorite fashion tricks is mixing high-and-low in an ensemble. Would you ever know my oxblood booties are $19 from Forever 21? I actually have them in two colors and they’re among most comfortable shoes I own.

My personal style has evolved significantly as of late. As a result, packing (and shopping) for Fashion Week last month was particularly challenging for me. What’s a girl to do when she wants a great collection of clothes without investing too much money on trendy items?

As a happy medium, I’ve focused on finding pieces that are seasonless and can be styled a number of ways, rather than stock-piling tanks, tops and separates that tear after two wears.

I realize this isn’t a groundbreaking sentiment, but said another way, I’ve been crafting my style around the idea of a creative (and colorful) collage, rather than a some-skill-required puzzle with too many pieces.

This Nicole Miller dress falls into this category. I fell head-over-heels for the print and mix of colors since I first laid eyes on it. She came with me to New York, and since then, I’ve styled her (yes, her) every which way: With a blazer and nude pumps for the office; with stilettos, chunky jewelry and a colorful clutch for a night out; and most frequently, with a carefully undone chambray button-down and ankle booties on the weekend.

I’ve repeated my NYFW mani twice since my return to Chicago. A little personal branding goes a long way, don’t you think? And, on another note, that looks a lot like Blair (Atlanta Pacific) and Alicia (Cheetah is the New Black) behind me, doesn’t it?

*Wearing: Nicole Miller dress, F21 booties, BCBG bag, Tory Burch sunnies