Sequins and sunlight

(Priorities vest, Alice + Olivia sequin dress, J.Crew belt, Kenneth Cole boots, F21 glasses)

From that sharp bob cut she rocked in her "Umbrella" music video to the crimson corkscrew curls she sports today, Rihanna remains one of my all-time favorite celebrities who's constantly pushing the envelope, reinventing herself, taking risks. In the April 2011 issue of Vogue, she said,

"When I am putting looks together, I dare myself to make something work. I always look for the most interesting silhouette or something that’s a little off, but I have to figure it out. I have to make it me. I think that’s the thrill in fashion."

Rihanna has cobbled together looks that are inspiring and wildly creative, ones that make me think she's a kind of fashion genius. And then there are outfits that have left me confused or disappointed. But while another starlet strutting down the red carpet in a pretty LBD may look perfectly polished, Rihanna's never bored me with predictable style. So when I threw on this crazy ensemble - sequin mini dress, combat boots, a skinny fluorescent orange belt - I made sure to keep RiRi's words of wisdom in mind, daring myself to try and make it work!