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Wednesday, March 29, 2017

picnic ready


I know I was just exalting the amazingness of stripes in my blog post yesterday, but can you really ever have enough!?!? This top is a new piece from The Mint Julep Boutique, and while I admittedly fell in love with the tie detail at the wrist like the basic lady that I am... when I put in on in person, it is the softest, most flattering striped shirt that I own (and I own enough to have put in my market research).

For some reason when I slipped this outfit on during a sunny, warm Denver Saturday a few weeks back, I felt like I should be headed to a picnic. This is just such a happy outfit & everything about it makes me smile. How can the simple act of tying a scarf on your purse change your outlook on the whole day!?

{Shop These Exact Pieces}


shirt: striped tee with tie details c/o The Mint Julep Boutique

skirt: J.Crew Factory (this style is several years old, but this style is very similar - easily styled up or down)

shoes: Saludos leather sandals (Obsessed with this pair - they sold out quickly last year)

purse: Vera Bradley Quilted mini-bag (Now on sale for over $100 off! I love the small size & on point details!)

**If you haven't checked out Vera Bradley lately, you are missing out. I could NOT be more in love with this watermelon mini-bag (just try to stare into this watermelon goodness & not fall in love too!)

sunglasses: Ray Ban aviators

scarf: vintage scarf (I usually find them on Etsy)


Tuesday, March 28, 2017

bonjour


My style as of late: I believe in simple pieces that can be paired many different ways. I believe in only having items in my closet that make me feel 100% every time I slip them on. I believe in taking style chances by mixing & matching what you already have. And I believe in stripes.

I have been a long time lover of stripes, & as I was searching for the last time I paired this scarf with a striped dress (yes, I'm that predictable), I found many favorite striped dress favorites from my blog archives. Surprisingly almost all of these pieces have survived every closet purge over the past 7 years - evidence that they are definitely in line with my style philosophy above.

May 2013: I picked up this neck scarf (as worn in the outfit above) in 2009 while traveling through Venice, and it is such an amazing example of tying memories to things. I have a hard time finding souvenirs on trips, but now I'm thinking that a travel scarf collection doesn't sound so bad. {full outfit}

February 2014: I was pretty happy with the fact that I found a way to turn this warm weather striped dress into an outfit for cooler temps too. Stripes are all powerful! {full outfit}

July 2014: Definitely thought this was a style risk at the time, but I love how pairing a striped top with a striped skirt turned out. {full outfit}

April 2015: I still love this striped dress to this day, and the blue + cognac accessories is definitely something I'm going to have to repeat soon. {full outfit}

March 2016: Stripes are classics in my book, but they can be fun too! This swingy warm weather dress is a perfect example of stripes for fun! {full outfit}

April 2016: The slip dress is back! I'm betting this will be a big trend for this Summer too. Happy that I took a chance on this Old Navy dress that looked pretty blah on the hanger, but pretty bomb once on! {full outfit}

{Shop these exact pieces}



dress: J.Crew Factory striped cotton dress (also linking some sleeveless options below)

shoes: J.Crew Factory bow flats (although if my work didn't require shoes with backs, I would live in these pointed toe slides... so dreamy!)

clutch"Bonjour Au Revoir" clutch from Le Tote (similar here)

scarf: purchased while backpacking through Venice - some of my favorite scarves are the vintage Vera ones I've found on Esty (I adore the colors in this one!)



What are your style philosophies?

Monday, March 27, 2017

In Bloom

This post was sponsored by Elizabeth Arden as part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central. All opinions expressed in my post are my own.

Since Spring has sprung, I've been a busy bee freshening up my daily routines for warmer temps. Tyler and I have been enjoying more days with the windows open and afternoons spent on patios with friends. This means that my clothes, and beauty routine needs to be updated for Spring too. There is something so amazing about seeing favorite clothing items that have been in hibernation since last year. While I am still not sure what is going on with Colorado weather, slowly sweaters are being replaced by tunics (how great is this floral one I'm wearing below), & booties are swapping places with sandals. Right now I'm in a stage of small changes - mixing in warmer weather items with my seasonless basics, like these black jeans that I can't get enough of, regardless of season. Eventually I'll be ready to bust out all the sundresses & open back tops, but for right now, I'm just happy my wrists and ankles are being kissed by the sun.

The transformation in my closet is happening slowly, but I'm fully embracing Spring with my daily fragrance. As a child of the 90s, it actually makes me giddy that my favorite celebrities now have their own beauty/fragrance lines. It has felt like I grew up with Britney Spears - from "Hit Me Baby One More Time" coming out in Middle School, to being on team Britney when she was making her come back, to seeing her in concert 2x as an adult, thinking of her & her music will hopefully always bring back happy memories of my youth.

During the cooler months, I have been using Britney Spears' fantasy fragrance, but have recently traded it out for her fantasy IN BLOOM perfume. This is one scent that is perfect for day or night, & it makes me think of fresh flowers every time I snag a whiff. 

If you are looking for a new Spring perfume, I definitely recommend Britney Spears' line. Britney Spears fantasy IN BLOOM is currently available at Kohl's nationwide & on Kohls.com.



Not only do I love the well balanced scent of cherry blossoms, the bottle looks so pretty sitting on my vanity! I love how Britney describes her latest fragrance:

I love flowers, and fantasy IN BLOOM gives me that fresh feeling of smelling a gorgeous bouquet. It’s like a daydream in a bottle – a beautiful garden where the warm sun is on your skin and blooming flowers are all around.” – Britney Spears 

Find Britney Spears Fragrances on Facebook & Instagram

Friday, March 24, 2017

wrap it up


We made it to Spring Break! And yesterday I officially accepted a job position teaching middle school engineering for next year at an amazing school in Denver. I feel so free going into this break, looking to finish the current school year strong, while also look forward to the possibilities of my new position.

This is the third look in my series of styling these Ann Taylor trousers for my Teacher Capsule Wardrobe. I previously styled them with a stripe top that I can't get enough of (here), & a punchy yellow floral look (here). 

What I really like about this outfit is the ballerina inspired combo of pink stripes & a wrap sweater that nips in the waist. This combo easily pairs with a pencil skirt and ballet flats too!

{Shop these exact pieces}




shoes: Sole Society wedges (several years old and they have truly stood up to the test of time, and the test of a teacher work day - comfortable and high quality!)


Thursday, March 23, 2017

flower power


As of this moment I am 100% on cruise control until Spring Break. After this Friday I am celebrating my twin nieces 5th birthday, headed to visit my best friend in Houston & family in Arkansas. While my mind is firmly in Spring mode, I'm also crossing ALL of my extremities that we get a snow day soon - they keep telling me that Colorado weather is unpredictable!

Sorry I haven't been as plugged in to blogging/social media recently, I am busy looking for a new teaching gig for next year, and really throwing myself in the search so that I can find a great fit at a school where I could see myself staying for the next 3 - 5 years! I already have 3 job offers plus several interviews on the way, but please keep me in mind, I'm hoping to find a placement by the end of Spring Break!

{Shop These Pieces}

top: J.Crew Factory floral blouse (from last season, love this one for Spring!)


shoes: Sole Society wedges (now in limited sizes, but I also love this similar pair from J.Crew Factory)

purse: Dagne Dover petite tote (in a limited edition color from last year)

sunglasses: Ray Ban aviators


Wednesday, March 22, 2017

birds of a feather


I am excited that over the next few days I will be showing 3 outfits that I created with these Ann Taylor trousers as the foundation, as part of my Teacher Capsule Wardrobe (round 2, see the full recap of my first go here). 

I have struggled for YEARS to find appropriate work pants that could stand up to all of the rigors of teaching middle school everyday. These Ann Taylor trousers passed every trial - don't gap at the waist, stay put when I raise my hands, perfect length with my go-to teaching wedges, flattering cut with lay flat pockets, & a nice all-season weight. If you are curious to know all the trousers that I tried out before settling on these, check out this post where I reviewed 15 pairs of work pants & these were my hands down favorite!

While my husband might judge, there is always room in my closet for another striped shirt. I adore the boxy cut of this one from J.Crew, & I am super impressed with the heavy, luxurious weight of the fabric.

{Shop These Pieces}




top: J.Crew color blocked striped tee (now on sale 30% off! Also found a similar style from J.Crew Factory here)


necklace: Taudry hand-stamped necklace (mine is stamped with my social media handle @jesshereandnow) 


purse: Michael Kors "Selma" purse (now available with reversible/changeable covers - love this combo here)


Also - this is one of my favorite mural walls along my favorite street. If you are in town, you have to hit up Larimer Street in RiNo to see the best street art! The art is always changing, so I'm hopeful that I will always have a fresh stock of murals for my photo backgrounds. #BloggerBliss

Tuesday, March 21, 2017

rawr means i love you


In my opinion, when you have the right accessories, you can make everyday closet staples look like standouts. This Kate Spade T-Rex purse was just too much perfection to pass up, and adds the perfect pop of interest to an otherwise straightforward combo. It is pretty spendy - especially when you consider its limited functionality - but with tax refunds on their way, I say TREAT YO SELF!

This is the 2nd outfit in my teacher capsule wardrobe - I swear I am going to post a round-up of the pieces included in my capsule collection SOON - but until then you can check out my first outfit here (mock turtlenecks for the win!)

My comfort zone is certainly skinny cropped pants with an easy top, but I did try to take a little risk by layering this sweater shell over the tunic length button down. It feels a little 90s "Clueless", but I dig it! What risks have you taken with your everyday outfits lately??

{Shop These Pieces}



top: J.Crew Factory white button down (this longer tunic style can be worn so many creative ways, but this classic white button up is my favorite if you are looking for a more traditional style)



shoes: J.Crew Factory flats (love the bows on this similar style, but also crushing on the x-straps from this pair)

sunglasses: Ray Ban aviators


Wednesday, March 15, 2017

wear it everywhere


Highlighting some more of my all time FAVORITES today! I feel like the outfits I have been posting since my blogging break, truly represent where my style is now - simple, easy to mix, & versatile for work + play. And this outfit totally gets me.

Check out my first outfit for hanging out & about here & my first Teacher Capsule Wardrobe outfit here.

I can't get enough of this suede leather jacket - the details are on point, even better in person. One of my favorite combo to pair with a dress is a moto jacket, & I'm adding this look to my repeat-soon file (see one of my other dress + moto jacket combos for colder weather here). 

This floral dress in general has been on steady repeat since it found its way to me last Fall. I love the dark background that has lent itself for tights + boots over Winter months, & the ruffly floral details that will work their way right into Spring. I find that Banana Republic dresses are usually originally priced more than my typical budget, but they have such great sales & are of such high quality that I know will last for years. This exact dress is no longer available, but I've linked several other similar shirt dress styles & some amazing new designs for Spring below. 


dress: Banana Republic shirt dress (purchased last Fall - many similar dresses on sale here & linking my favorite BR dresses for Spring below)


sunglasses: Ray Ban aviators

purse"Bonjour Au Revoir" clutch from Le Tote (similar here)

watch: Le Coeur "Lisbon" watch (I also have and LOVE the blush pink leather strap)


{Shop my favorite Banana Republic Dresses}