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Monday, February 29, 2016

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dress: Nordstrom shirtdress (now on sale for under $50!)

jacket: Gap jean jacket (get 35% off your Gap purchase with code THANKU)

purse: "Nevin" bucket bag c/o Sole Society

shoes: two-tone mules (super old from Jessica Simpson, but I scouted out this similar pair from Steve Madden)

watch: Michael Kors gold watch (now on sale!)

sunglasses: Ray-Ban aviators (currently marked down 20%)



We have been in this strange weather pattern where the weeks are super cold, but the weekends bring bright sunny days, with temperatures reaching into the upper 60s.  This pre-Spring time can be tricky to dress for, but I felt like this outfit finally struck the right balance!

I have had this jean jacket since college & it is an all time favorite. I actually have a much more expensive designer denim jacket, but this Gap classic is the one I reach for most of the time! (Get 35% off your Gap purchase with code THANKU)

I recently took a tough look at what I had in my closet - identifying what the areas that I need to stop purchasing, but also pinpointing what pieces I wear most often. During warmer months, I love being able to throw on casual dresses & appreciate how simple it is to look pulled together in a dress + easy accessories. In my effort to add more casual dresses, I found this shirtdress & fell in love with the tied waist detail & long sleeves that look great rolled up! (Sale alert - all sizes are still in stock & it is now on sale for under $50 - shop it here!)

Then it is all about the details. I've had these Jessica Simpson mules for several years & at the time that I purchased them they were a style that I thought was super unique & wasn't seeing around hardly at all. Now, mules are all the rage, and this style will continue to be hot for Spring/Summer. This Steve Madden pair is super similar to the ones I have on, while these Tory Burch babies are topping my lust list, and I just added these Hushpuppies mules to my closet & adore the color blocked details. 

The other piece that I added to my closet for Spring is a neutral bag that can be worn for many occasions - my new bucket bag from Sole Society! The cognac color is so dreamy & the size is spot on. This is my first entry into the bucket bag trend, and now I can see why they are so popular! If you are on the search for a bucket bag of your own, I do highly recommend this style & it comes in other colors & a fringe option too!

Shop these exact pieces:

Sunday, February 28, 2016

Sunday Shopping: Green

When you think about it, some months have a strong color association - February is red/pink, October totally is orange, and January an icy blue! Whenever I think about March, I think about GREEN! My green buzz started with these green tassel heels & this is the green green rabbit hole that I found! What month's have a color to you?
1 J.Crew hunter green blazer // 2 Banana Republic tassel heels // 3 laser cut out green party dress // 4 green multi-strand necklace // 5 laser cut out green blouse // 6 Kelly green dress shirt // 7 green scalloped shorts // 8 BaubleBar tassel earrings // 9 striped one piece swimsuit // 10 Old Navy jumpsuit (their jumpsuit game for Spring is STRONG!) // 11 bunny sweater

Saturday, February 27, 2016

weekend reading: 02.27.16

1 // 2 // 3

This weekend why don't you :: lace it up!
Thinking about finally jumping on the laced up flats trend & dying over this pair (in nude) from Steve Madden!

{what you might have missed on Here&Now}

{1.} This week I joined forces with Fab.com to make-over my home office & upgrade my everyday style (this post also has a hilarious insight into life with pugs). Don't forget to enter the $1,000 Fab shopping spree giveaway

{2.} I've been trying to break out of my work wear rut lately! This outfit highlighted my usual teacher outfit of cardigan + skirt (both pieces on sale now!) + I finally allowed my self to bust out some of the Spring pieces in my wardrobe to update the Fall/Winter items that I am sick of seeing already - resulting in this outfit!

{3.} One of the popular styles for Spring that you can totally wear now is the loose peplum trend popping up everywhere! I love how the striped peplum tee in this outfit totally elevates pieces that I have had in my closet for years. 

{4.} This month the Bloggers Who Budget highlighted how to wear neutrals for less - I rocked a long camel colored cardigan that is so dreamy, perfect for this transitional weather! 

{5.} Finally starting to put a regular work out routine in place - of course new (CUTE!) work out wear was required! 




{posts I'm loving around the internets}

{1.}  How to price yourself as a blogger. This is something that can be so nebulous & I'm thankful that more bloggers are being transparent about their pricing - definitely helps with my own brand negotiations. 

{2.} 8 wardrobe staples that are perfect for this transitional weather.


{3.} My motto for Spring: Be Steady.


{4.} Outfit crush: dressing up a sweatshirt. I recently got my own statement sweatshirt (outfit here) & I love the idea of jazzing it up with a blazer and fancy pants!


{5.} Should you build a capsule wardrobe? I love the idea of living with less - including less clothes in my closet - but this idea actually isn't for everyone.


{6.} How to wear white jeans for winter. I too am a proponent of this style - the perfect way to brighten up a dreary Winter outfit. My favorite white denim for Winter outfit that I've personally styled is here.



{what I'm shopping now}

{1.} Blue gingham dress - I think this is so cute! I love waist defining fit & flare frocks & this pattern + flattering cut make this a no brainer closet addition!

{2.} Asymmetrical striped skirt - I just cannot get this little number out of my head! I love that it also comes with a matching striped crop top & I'm busy pretending I have a million places to wear this get up!

{3.} Floral maxi dress - This style is slated to be hot for Spring, but I think with a floppy felt hat + brown booties this would be a great weekend look for right now!

{4.} Kortni Jeane swimwear - I love my suit from this adorable company (coming to the blog soon!) but they just released their new spring styles & prints including this top that I am dying over in the green cactus motif!

Friday, February 26, 2016

watch it girl


top: lace up bodysuit ℅ American Threads

skirt: J.Crew Factory blush pleated skirt



shoes: old from DSW - found super similar ones from Sole Society here.


Shop my favorite blush pink pieces:





Happy Friday! Today I have for you a story that perfectly sums up this crazy roller coaster of a week + the follow up outfit from my office make-over post with Fab.com. You choose if you want story time or just pictures, but be sure to scroll down for a chance to win a $1,000 shopping spree from Fab!

Story Time:
Last night after feeding the pugs, we heard Scout coughing a LOT. Breathing problems are nothing new for any pug owner, so we calmly went through the steps of making sure that her airway was clear, & ruled out any other common issues. None of our usual tricks worked, & all of a sudden I noticed that her tongue was turning purple (!!!). We ran to the car, rushing over to the emergency vet (luckily only a mile from our house), sure that she was going to totally stop breathing any second (I was in scary dog mom mode!). We sat in the car debating whether we were being over protective dog owners, or if the $85 fee to get into the emergency clinic was totally necessary. She continued to breathe (if somewhat belabored), & was actively coughing, so we sat in the parking lot to wait it out. After about 30 minutes I was ready to just go into the clinic to figure out what the heck was wrong with our little lady.

At the same time, Scout started doing this crazy sneeze/cough combo, & out shot a single kibble that had been lodged up in her nasal cavity - Tyler & I just looked at each other & started laughing.

Life lesson: 
I'm constantly tripping over myself by rushing for a resolution, however some problems just have to be wrestled with for a while, but eventually the kibble will dislodge itself... 


Ok, if you are just here for the outfit photos, I have to gush about some extra special accessories in today's look. I LOVE the leather strap watch (feels like buttah!) & amazing work bag (pocket perfection!) I found at Fab - both pieces are not only attractive, but high quality & functional! When we were shooting these photos, my photographer had to check out the bag for herself because she was so impressed :) .

In fact, we are still 10 months from Christmas & I am already planning my holiday shopping list around all of the amazingly unique finds on Fab

Looking to upgrade your every day style or your birthday/holiday gift giving? Fab.com is giving you a chance to win a $1,000 shopping spree! To qualify for entry, fill out the entry form over on Fab.com. You can qualify for extra entries by following/liking Fab.com on Facebook // Twitter // Instagram // Pinterest. The contest has now been extended to March 15th, 2016. Winners will be chosen at random and announced on March 16, 2016. Fab will reach out directly to the winner via email to send $1,000 site credit.



Wednesday, February 24, 2016

lack of color


blazer: J.Crew camel blazer (now on sale!)

dress: J.Crew Factory crepe work dress (currently sold out, but I also love this dress with scalloped details & this dress is very similar + has pockets!)



See more of my teacher style outfits here.


I spoke last week to my teacher style rut & goal to find some FREAKING work pants... still working on the whole pants situation, but I am allowing myself to bust out some of my Spring clothes in order to break the monotony of my weekly wardrobe.

This transitional time of year - not quite warm, but not absolutely deathly cold either - can be a fun time to experiment with your clothes. This dress (previously worn on the blog here) was always in the Summer section, while this blazer (see all the ways I've styled it before here) solidly lived in the Winter area of my closet, so they never had a chance to meet before. Luckily I really wanted to wear this dress, but it was too cold to sport on its own, so I started seeking out appropriate outerwear & the blazer just stood out to me! A new combo was born!

So now that you have some insight into how my style choices get made before I've had an adequate amount of coffee... what recent mixes have you been surprised by?


This purse is a recent addition to my closet & I was shocked that I didn't own any white purses!

I then immediately remembered the time that I wore my brand new white purse with my brand new pair of jeans, causing my pretty Spring bag to have a giant indigo striped down the side... resulting in me dousing this baby in Scotch Guard & vowing to treat it better than bags that have come before it.

Vera Bradley is continuing to wow me - first with their release of amazing leather bags, & now for Spring, some super fun shapes! This is their "angled bowler" bag & I am equally in love with this sporty belt bag too!

Did you see Monday's post revealing my home office makeover?
Don't forget to enter to win the $1,000 shopping spree from Fab.com! Enter to win here

Shop these exact pieces:

Monday, February 22, 2016

Fab-u-lous!

I am excited to share my home office with you today! I worked with Fab.com to upgrade my office, making it a place that I love working everyday!

Here&Now: Fab.com office upgrade

This is the spot in our apartment that my husband calls my command center - aka, where the behind the scenes of this blog happens! I love the farm table that I inherited from my parents, but the whole area was looking a little bland.

I have window shopped on Fab.com before & their curated selection of unique pieces is great inspiration for your home or personal style.

As you might have seen on Snapchat, I am obsessed with my new cactus vase & pineapple tumbler that I found on Fab.com. Both of these pieces are so unexpected yet fun, & drinking iced coffee out of a pineapple while staring at my favorite flowers chilling in a cactus definitely ups my overall productivity!

Check out the rest of my office make-over & be sure to scroll all the way down for a $1,000 Fab.com giveaway!

Here&Now: Fab.com cactus vase
Here&Now: Fab.com pineapple tumbler
Here&Now office upgrade
Here&Now: Fab upgrade pineapple tumbler
Here&Now office upgrade
Here&Now home office
Looking to upgrade your every day? Fab.com is giving you a chance to win a $1,000 shopping spree! To qualify for entry, fill out the entry form over on Fab.com. You can qualify for extra entries by following/liking Fab.com on Facebook // Twitter // Instagram // Pinterest. The contest has now been extended to March 15th, 2016. Winners will be chosen at random and announced on March 16, 2016. Fab will reach out directly to the winner via email to send $1,000 site credit.


Friday, February 19, 2016

mix, match, repeat



sweater: J.Crew Factory university sweater (now on super sale)

tank: J.Crew Factory tank (one of my favorite layering pieces)


shoes: ShoeMint blue suede pumps (also found similar blue heels at Sole Society: 1 // 2 // 3)



It's been a month since I posted my last #teacherstyle post & I didn't want you to think that I haven't been wearing anything to work, more like I have been wearing the exact same thing to work every. single. day.

These are the dark days of teaching - like literally it is dark when I wake up & dark when I get off - & my motivation to look cute at 5:30 am has really been lacking!

I got both this skirt & sweater from my parents for Christmas (thanks guys!) & it is a cuter version of my recent uniform rut. Most days I pull a sweater, skirt, black tights & my Dansko clogs out from the closet (in the dark, while my husband & pups slumber... no bitterness... okay maybe a little bitterness for my little sleeping beauties!), hope that they mix & repeat the same process 5 times a week.

My thoughts on the recent work style rut:
1. I could never live in a place that has longer Winters because I don't know how anyone wears tights for more than 60 days straight!

2. I really need to figure out my whole work pants situation - I have been saying that for YEARS, & every couple of months, I order a pair, but none have ever worked out. I really just need to dedicate myself to the task & figure. it. out! I was recently looking for Spring pants & ordered this pair of denim trousers from J.Crew Factory - they were ca-razy long & weird in the crotch on me. This pair of linen trousers look so cute on the model but were a wrinkled disaster the moment I moved in them. Le sad.

3. I don't care what anyone says, some days my Dansko clogs are the only thing on the planet that understand me. Pretty? Eh, not so much, but I don't think the 12 year olds notice! (Disclaimer: these heels were worn only for photogenic reasons, there were too cute with the rest of the outfit & I couldn't help myself! Thank you for allowing my indulgence.)

 

Anyone else in a work style rut?

Any answers to the age old question - why do work pants have to be the most unforgiving article of clothing EVER?!?!?

Shop my favorite sweater + pencil skirt combos below:


Wednesday, February 17, 2016

pep


shirt: Nordstrom striped peplum top (currently sold out, similar styles below). Additionally, this top is from the brand Chaser & I am super impressed with the quality of their items & how soft each tee is. How cute is this lip print tank!?


shoes: Sole Society leopard pumps (one of the best leopard prints I have seen on a shoe yet!)

necklace: LOVE necklace c/o Sheer Addiction Jewelry

purse: "Carly" convertible purse c/o Gigi New York (told you I would be wearing this purse a ton! See how I wore it as a clutch in Monday's post)


Here is the problem with my budget shopping ways: I usually purchase things when they go on super sale, & then by the time I receive the item, photograph it, & write up a post for this here blog, the specific items are typically gone! Which is sadly the case for this adorable striped peplum tee (original link here in case they restock it - fingers crossed!).

But what I love about this top is the shape, so I have found several similar tops with peplum details for you. The peplum style this year is slightly less structured than the manifestations we have seen in previous years (some brands are even calling it a "flounce" instead of a true peplum), so pair it with more fitted bottoms or skirts for a super polished look!





Ladies - don't throw out your skinny jeans, but jean styles for Spring/Summer are popping up with more and more bootcut/flare leg options! I have had this pair of flare jeans since college (see all the ways I've worn them on the blog here) & I love how they look with a pointy heel!

If you have abandoned your wider leg options since their last round of popularity, I am linking my favorite premium styles below. These are all from denim brands I have worn & loved like Hart Denim & BLANK - with a couple of them under $100! And this style I found at Old Navy looks extremely similar to the style I am wearing today & they are only $30 (with most sizes in stock).




So what goes around really does come back around - if the resurgence of the 90s clothing I wore as a kid weren't enough of a reminder - it now time to embrace the peplum & flare leg styles once again!

What old-is-new again trends are you planning to rock for Spring?

Monday, February 15, 2016

Bloggers Who Budget: Neutrals for Less





jeans: ASOS Ridley jeans (I have the petite version)


scarf: J.Crew (solid version)



hat: J.Crew Factory felt hat (also loving this similar style at Nordstrom)




I hope everyone had a wonderful Valentine's Day weekend! Tyler & I tried out a new Nashville brewery - Smith & Lentz - on Saturday, & then continued our V-day dive bar tradition with burgers & pool at Gold Rush (super smoky, but with cheap beer + $1 pool games, we were willing to give it a try!)

Today the Bloggers Who Budget are back showing off our neutrals for less. I have been living in these ripped black jeans ever since I brought them home at the end of the Summer. In fact, they have already appeared on the blog 7 times (8 now with this post!), which is wild because if I photographed my outfits every single day, I'm sure the number would be closer to 70! The base of this outfit (black jeans + black top + black shoes) is also what I refer to as my "cat suit" because I can add accessories to it a million different ways, making a new outfit each time.

This leopard scarf was one of those J.Crew purchases that I paid way too freaking much for at the time, but now it's cost per wear is down to pennies & I wish they still sold this exact piece! I think it's best feature is that it is oversized & looks great worn looped around or just hanging straight. Plus it will always be my airplane wrap because it is the perfect size + weight for wrapping around my self during an on board nap (one of my super human skills is being able to settle in for a nap even before the plane takes off!). This print is currently sold out, but this is the exact J.Crew scarf (only available in solid colors) & I am loving the print on this scarf for Spring. 

I am also super excited that I tried out this long sweater look & it actually worked. As someone who technically qualifies for petite status (5'3" over here), I was worried that the longer length cardi would overwhelm my frame, but I am quite happy with the end result.  Unfortunately it looks like this exact sweater is now in limited sizes, but I've rounded up similar styles below: 





What have you tried out lately? Anyone else living in neutrals lately? 
Although, everything I've purchased in the past month is either baby blue or blush pink - I blame Pantone!

Shop these exact pieces: