Friday, September 27, 2013

School Boy


There is something so sweet about a classic color story and print like these black and white polka dots.  I'm definitely no stranger to prints, but as I've openly confessed... polka dots are my all-time fave! I snatched this blazer up a few weeks ago from target and am so happy to have it in my collection!!! I struggle with finding things that are work appropriate, but also match my personal style: this blazer made the cut! Not only that, but I can also wear this a million different ways! My pixie pants were a great match, but I could also swap for denim and dress it down even more. My favorite thing about this blazer is that other than the texture of the fabric, it is almost an exact dupe for the Jcrew school boy! I am always on the hunt for budget-friendly pieces and target is always a hot spot for bargains! 

Blazer: Target (sold out), similar || Top: Forever 21  || Pants: Jcrew Pixie || Bag: Louis Vuitton 
|| Flats: Jcrew  || Watch: Michael Kors || Bracelet: Tory Burch (no longer available), similar





This definitely has not been my week. Either through Luke being around teenage germs all day or somehow at the office I came in contact with the worst stomach virus. I have honestly never felt so sick. It's so crazy how it comes and goes though. I'm going to name it the 48 hour hurricane. I am grateful that it is finally over and ready to move on to the weekend. We don't have any crazy plans other than figuring out what we will be wearing for engagement pictures!!! I am so excited to have those coming up the following weekend because we will also be visiting my family and doing pictures in my mother's hometown. It really is one of my favorite places and I think the pictures are going to turn out great. Luke and I really haven't done a ton of planning the last few weeks just because of timing... we really have all the major details ironed out and are waiting to get into the little things like cake and flowers a little closer to time. 



Enjoy your weekend and thanks for reading!



Tuesday, September 24, 2013

All About Bronze



I've always thought of metallic apparel in the most terrible of ways... You know, like the sweaters your teachers would wear starting in October prepping for Christmas! Crazy blues with snowmen... you get the picture. I've just always considered metallic pieces to be cheap and tacky looking. This sweater changed my mind!!! I remember seeing it pop up on a facebook page for one of my favorite local boutiques and I immediately had to have it!!! The open back and dolman sleeves make this piece one that can be dressed up and down effortlessly and really can be worn anywhere. I opted for something more casual with this look, but merely swapping the boots for a pair of black heels would make it Saturday night dinner date appropriate. 


Sweater: BB Dakota (also comes in silver!!!) || Pants: Jcrew Pixie ||  
Boots: Jcrew, similar || Clutch: (old) similar || Watch: Michael Kors  
|| Earrings: TjMaxx, similar || Bracelet:  (old) similar


How will you be making metallics work in your wardrobe this fall?


Thanks for stopping by!

Sunday, September 22, 2013

State of Gray





Top: gap(old), similar | jeans: 7fam, the skinny | shoes: Zooshoo, here | 
bag: Louis Vuitton, neverfull mm | watch: Michael Kors | bracelet: forever 21 
earrings: Tory Burch | necklace: similar here



Fall is here! The best time of the year! Pumpkin patches, pumpkin spice lattes, college football, (the unfortunate time that Luke becomes consumed with fantasy football.. I don't understand either ladies!), sweater weather, the September issues... the list goes on and on! My favorite part is getting back to cozy, simple outfits. Fall is the time that throwing on a pair of skinny jeans, an oversized sweater, and heels can be classified as "dressing up". Doesn't get much better than that! Especially when you have to wear super conservative, black-based business attire all week long. We all need a life outside the office, but that becomes hard when you are rushing between work and whatever plans you have for the evening. 

With the weather finally being cool here (especially in the mornings when I leave for work), sweaters have made their way back into my life! I picked this darling little sweater up in early May this year (not really the time to be buying sweaters!!!). Needless to say, I didn't get an opportunity to wear it before now. Even though the eyelet trimming screams spring and summer, I think it also helps to make this sweater the perfect example of fall transition. Going into sweater season doesn't mean that everything has to be heavy and dark. Why else would we have layering? Don't tuck all your light and airy pieces away just yet! You can find ways to wear them throughout fall and keep your cost per wear extremely low! 

I hope this finds you well and wrapping up an awesome weekend! Luke and I spent the weekend braving the Jcrew Warehouse sale... what a mess! It took up most of our day Saturday. Today was quite different. I was thankful to have time to spend together with family, had an amazing church service, and prepped for the week. The weekends are never long enough.

Happy fall! Don't catch the Monday blues! Everyday has something great to offer even if every moment isn't great! 



Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Leather Weather


top: via tjmaxx, similar here | leggings: forever 21, similar here | bag: Louis Vuitton neverfull MM | heels: Bcbgeneration Via TjMaxx, similar here | J Crew pearls |watch: Michael Kors | bracelet: forever 21 | sunnies: anthro barnegat, here | lippie: ysl #8 fetish pink



So.... if I were to pick someone out of a crowd to be a candidate for leather pants it wouldn't be me.... Until I put these babies on!! LOVE!!!! Most comfortable things I've ever worn and they are super flattering. So... I may not be an edgy girl, but I'm actually feeling leather pants after all. 


Something you'll pick up on... I'm not one to dive too deep into trends. I usually find one or two per season and find a way to water them down and make them my own. So with fall 2013 being super grunge chic inspired... I'm having to make variations that suit my style. 

I wore this for our road trip to North Carolina this weekend. We spent the night at the casino and got up early the next day to go fishing. This was definitely the right outfit choice to wear into the casino! I was comfortable yet still looked pulled together. Luke and I had dinner in the casino and did some serious people watching on Saturday night. Can't say that I'm much of a gambler, but it was definitely an experience and Luke and I had a great time. We also got to spend time with his parents which is always nice. I will definitely be blessed with amazing in-laws. 

I was so glad to have a weekend getaway, but am looking forward to a more relaxed weekend this week. What big plans do you have on the books? 

Have an amazing Tuesday and thanks for stopping by!

ps- this was meant to go up yesterday! Oops!!! Spent a little too much time playing with the puppy monster!!!







{have you met our little monster???}







Wednesday, September 11, 2013

Polka Dot Passion


Top: Forever 21, on sale here
Jeans: Forever 21, here
Shoes: BCBGeneration, via TJmaxx: similar here
Bag: Rebecca Minkoff: here
Lippie: Nars: 01 Angelika
Watch: Michael Kors: here

I seriously have polka dot fever!!! There was a point in my life that awarded me the nickname "polkadot lady". I'm not kidding... intervention and all: there was a time I was not allowed to buy anything with polka dots. Something about polka dots just makes me so happy! 

I sometimes struggle with keeping my polka dot favorites in the mix during fall in winter. Fall always seems to call for more serious patterns: plaids especially for this season! That doesn't mean your dots can't come out to play though. A simple black and white look can bring polka dots back to life for fall and winter. Just toughen the look with edgy shoes and accessories.

These pants are one of my favorites! With a $22 price tag, that doesn't hurt either! I found these at forever 21 about a month ago and fell in love. Even better: the top was $15 and I bought it in both black and pink. I don't plan on packing either away for winter. The possibilities are seriously endless.





I am so beyond happy it's Humpday!! Just a couple more days til the weekend!!!!! We are going on a little adventure to North Carolina this weekend and I am so excited I can barely stand it! Luke is taking me on my first trout fishing adventure! Biggest thing I'm excited about... well I guess second biggest... wearing my new duck boots!!! First would be spending time with Luke!! 

What do you have planned for the weekend??

Thanks for stopping by!!!




Sunday, September 8, 2013

Need for Tweed

Tweed... Something thought to be winter appropriate only, but truly a four season fabric! I love tweed. Something about this fabric is just so classic and timeless. When I found this skirt a couple months ago, I actually thought to myself that it would be great for a Christmas party! Definitely didn't picture wearing it to dinner in September. 

To my surprise, I pulled it out last night to wear to dinner. Luke and I took my Dad to one of our favorite places. The tiny little restaurant is literally in the middle of nowhere! The view makes the drive worth it though! In 80 degree weather I was still completely comfortable. I definitely won't limit my tweed pieces to winter from here go forward. My favorite part? The gold finish on the fabric is so subtle that it dressed up a basic chambray perfectly. I'm always down for an outfit that doesn't take a lot of thought. That's how I make myself presentable at 7 am. 

Top:  Jcrew Keeper Chambray, here
Skirt: ABS Allen Schwarz old, similar
Shoes: H&M here
Bag: Tory Burch here
Sunnies: Anthro Barnegat here
Necklace: boutique, similar
Nails: Essie: Good as Gold
Lippie: YSL #8 Fetish Pink



{Luke & I at dinner} 

{the amazing view!!!}

It was so nice to have a low key weekend! I actually took a nap for the first time in months today and I can't explain how nice that was! It's the little things!!!! Luke and I worked on some projects around the house and spent time with friends and family. Sundays always have a way of making me feel refreshed and ready for the week. I'm so thankful for that.  

I hope you enjoyed the weekend! Thanks for stopping by & have a happy Monday!!





Saturday, September 7, 2013

Summer Spotlight

This is a little be-lated, but here are my "Best of Summer 2013" Accessories. I literally wore these pieces out over the summer and am grateful to know that many of them can transition to fall! I began this post with the plan of doing both accessories and clothing and it became too large for just one post. If you would like to see apparel please let me know. I went with accessories only and  I've listed them below by category. I had so much luck with finding great pieces this summer.

Arm candy:




Earrings:


  • Kate spade bows  here
  • Multi color studs Old Navy (sold out)
  • pearl studs (similar here), jewel drops (similar here)
  • hoop dangles Diana Warner here.<--- Tennessee native right here!!! 


Necklaces:






Shoes: 
 

  • Dorothy Perkins leopard heels Sold out
  • Zara glitter heels (here on sale)
  • Ivanka Trump kitten heel sling backs almost identical
  • Michael Kors Carla here.  
  • Jcrew Emory flats here
  • Gap leopard skimmers here
  • Dune bow flats via Asos (sold out)
  • Tory Burch Revas here
  • Jacks and Sperrys: here and here


Add ons:



...::Sunnies::... 
  • Heart shaped (here)
  • Prada wannabes (via amazon)
  • Anthro Ava tortie Here
  • Anthro Bernegat here



A few photos to share looks featuring a few of the pieces above: 


Have an amazing weekend *&* thanks for reading!


























Thursday, September 5, 2013

Keep it Casual

As the week has gotten progressively cooler here in Tennessee, I've been adding a little more layering to the mix. Being able to start wearing things I have picked up over the past month has really been refreshing, and I can't wait to dive into my fall wardrobe. I am loving the simplicity of of today's featured pieces and how they are great when paired together, but also work when added to other outfit pairings. Having pieces in your wardrobe that work with your lifestyle and transition from day to night is key. I find myself often making the morning walk to the closet and saying to myself, "I can't wear any of this!". It's kind of like, what's the point? Buy what you can actually wear. I say this with serious conviction being that I have half of my closet laying in the spare bedroom waiting to make its way onto poshmark, ebay, etc. I'm ready to start over with pieces that work together, not just individually. 


I told you I love my Pixie pants!!! (I wasn't kidding!!) This is pair number two and I also have them in navy. Love! Something I struggle with is not going too crazy with one thing that I like... needless to say I haven't made many moves in the other direction.
  

Top: Cynthia Rowley via TJ (similar)
Pants: Jcrew Pixie
Flats: Jcrew Emery
Bag:Tory Burch  Amanda Hobo
Scarf: Off5th (similar)
Sunnies: Anthro Barnegat
Lippie: Chanel 05 Mademoiselle
Nails: Sephora by OPI Metro Chic



Have a Happy Friday!!! We don't have nearly as much on our agenda this weekend as last so that should make for more time to lounge and take care of forgotten things on the to-do list! I am so grateful for my weekends! I will also have another post up tomorrow so keep your eyes peeled!

Thanks for stopping by!


Monday, September 2, 2013

So Long Sweet Summer

Hi friends! Happy Labor day! I hope Everyone had an amazing weekend and that it didn't go by as quickly as mine!! Just wanted to share a quick outfit post today. I had to get one more red, white, and blue look in before summer officially ends. Summer holidays always call for this color combo in my opinion! 






Enjoy the last few hours of freedom while you have them! I hope the week is wonderful for you! I will be doing a couple of posts this week: one being a be-lated best of summer post and one being a review. Have a happy Tuesday and make it a fancy one!




Top: Joules UK (Sold out)
Shorts: Urban Outfitters (similar)
Shoes: Tory Burch Jelly (here)
Bag: Target (similar)
Watch: Michael Kors (here)
Lippie: YSL #8 Fetish Pink (here)








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