leopard layers

coat: ASOS leopard coat (only $100)

top: J.Crew Factory turtleneck (thin & perfect for layering)

pants: Storets sequin leggings (lined with fleece!)

heels: Steve Madden "Stecy" heels (now under $60!)

lipstick: Nars "Heatwave"

All Photos | Kate Davis Photography

When Blair, of Atlantic-Pacific fame, posted this leopard + pink + black outfit (almost 3 years ago!!), I immediately purchased the coat & shoes, and then proceeded to wear them together (outfit here - ignore the scary alley picture, including my neighbors' dumpsters!) - but seriously, does she ever have an off fashion moment?

Several seasons later, this coat is still a favorite cold weather piece of mine (linked an almost exact one, plus several similar ones below)! 

This year, I'm loving it with a black foundation & a touch of sparkle! This "tissue" turtleneck (only $17) has proved to be an awesome layering piece, but if you aren't into having your neck snuggled in warmth (haven't you heard, thanks to Drake, turtlenecks are totally trending!), I also love this boat neck tee from J.Crew Factory (under $20), or the fancy ruffle on this black tee that totally amps up the chic factor!

These sequin leggings are fleece lined & perfect for a night of drinks & exchanging gifts with girlfriends. The exact pair is still available (here, under $30), but I'm also crushing on this dark green trouser version (a total splurge!), & the gold sequins on this pair (under $25).

Would you rock a leopard coat or sequin leggings? How about both at once!

Don't forget to enter the $100 shopping gift card giveaway -- it's super easy to sign up!

Bloggers Who Budget: Leopard for Less

{ What I Wore: ASOS leopard coat (similar option for under $70 - shop more styles at the bottom of the post) // J.Crew Factory tissue tee turtleneck // Pour La Victoire purse ℅ Nordstrom Rack // Old Navy rockstar skinny jeans // BCBG heels via TJ Maxx // Kendra Scott Rayne necklace + cuff // Ray Ban aviator sunglasses // MK watch // Lip Stick - The Lip Bar "Crimson Wonderland" ℅ Glossy Box }

All Photos | Kate Davis Photo 

The weekend errand run is more fun with a leopard coat & a red lip. Check out how the #BloggersWhoBudget wore leopard for less this month, & be sure to link up with your own leopard look below!

Sharing My Sole | The Style Letters | Let It Be Beautiful | Here&Now | Pearls & Twirls | Stylin in St. Louis | Living in Color Style | The Pumpkin Spot

<center> <a href="http://www.myhereandnowlife.com"> <img src="http://i1130.photobucket.com/albums/m523/ashlyn_williams/BWB-LINKUP-BUTTON_zpsc4dfb71d.png~original" border="0" /> </a></center>

Bloggers Who Budget Link-Up Details: The Bloggers Who Budget ladies would like you to join in on the fun every 3rd Monday of the month, starting 8 AM EST! The BWB link-up is all about sharing how you shop on a budget. Each month will have a theme, which will be announced ahead of time. We want YOU to join in the fun of styling something around our monthly themes & can’t wait to see it! March's theme is the color of the year, Marsala. And then April will be Spring for Less, featuring your Spring wardrobe staples under $75!

Want to join the BWB link-up? The third Monday of each month at 8 AM EST, you can head to any one of our blogs to link-up your post. We kindly ask that you please follow all of our blogs (via Bloglovin’, Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest or Instagram!). Also, please provide a link to this in your post or add the button below to your blog. If you tweet, please use the hashtag #BloggersWhoBudget

all the statements

{ What I Wore: hat ℅ Surf Dome // ASOS leopard jacket // oversized sweater ℅ Front Row Shop // Windsor Store leggings // Steve Madden boots (similar) // purse ℅ Yes Walker // necklace ℅ iSanctuary }

{Get the Look for Less}
hat {$47.50} + leopard jacket {$95} + camel sweater {$42} + liquid leather-look leggings {$36.90} + over the knee boots {$62} + black cross body purse {$25} + statement necklace {$42}

Ok, so apparently this outfit is a culmination of all the "statement" pieces I am drawn to these days:

statement jacket - check

statement hat - check

statement boots - check

and statement necklace - check

(pretty sure a sweater this oversized could be considered a "statement" too - like a "hi I stole this from my boyfriend" kind of statement)

But the necklace is more than just a stunning piece, it is a statement of support. 

Since 2007 iSanctuary has been employing & supporting the survivors of human trafficking through the sale of products handmade by the survivors themselves, in both the US & India. 

(the "i" stands for International)

Their shop promotes "purchases with a purpose" - an idea of conscious consumerism that has been heavy on my mind this season especially.

Why not give two-fold during this season of spreading love?

Ok, just one more statement - today I have the great pleasure of co-hosting the Spotlight of the Week link-up with Elle & Jacqueline. This week we are spotlighting Statement Jewelry… so pile on your bling, & link up after the page break -->

South'ester

What are those things people in the Northeast are always talking about - Nor'esters? Pretty sure we had one of those this weekend - it was snowing, people were freaking out & I had an excuse to not take my wellies off for 3 days straight. Ok, so it was 36 degrees, no snow stuck around & all that.... but people were freaking out... About 99.99% positive we only have 1 salt truck in this town, so there actually is good reason to make a run on the grocery store.

{ What I Wore: Seams to be beanie (won in giveaway) // J.Crew turtleneck sweater // ASOS leopard coat // Old Navy Rockstar skinny jeans // Hunter wellies }

{ Get the Look }

beanie {$28, exact} + turtleneck {$29.99} + leopard coat  {$63} + skinny jeans {$29.50} + wellies {$135, exact}

In my book, if the weather is going to be dreary anyways, my as well spice things up with a little leopard!

I'm plan on wearing these boots for the rest of my life!

Look you can totally see a snowflake in this picture! (not pug hair on my clothes like usual!)

How's the weather in your neck of the woods?

What is your best trick for staying fashionable in the cold? Snow or not!

into the blur

Drumroll please.... these are the first outfit photos that have been taken with my new camera!

See that background blur in the first photo, oh yea buddy! 

I. Feel. So. Cool.

I literally have ZERO bad things to say about the Canon 50 mm f/1.4 lens - sure, I have MUCH left to learn about this new addition, but so far it has generated photos that look way better than my current skill level should be able to create. 

I think some of you might be considering this lens purchase for yourself, so I am just going to talk about it a little bit (I do NOT know all the appropriate photography words for the things I am about to discuss, if you know, or have any additional info, please share it in the comments, let's chat!)

This little f/1.4 lens is substantial! Made of metal, even though it is more squat than my 18-55 mm lens (f/3.5-5.6), it has much more heft, you can definitely feel the difference in your hands. 

There is no "zoom" capability - only your feet. With the 18-55 mm lens you can twist the lens to "zoom", but the 50 mm f/1.4 does not do this. I also feel as if I have to stand further back from my subject when using the 50 mm f/1.4 lens. 

Can we talk about bokeh for a second? Bokeh, or background blur, was something that my first 18-55 mm lens couldn't do, and was the main reason I desperately wanted to upgrade my lens. You see, I can't convince my neighbors to all wheel their trashcans out of the alley when I want to take pictures, so the next best thing is to blur them out. There is a fine balance of background blur and maintaining focus on the main focal point (one thing I am still working on), and these pictures were taken with a f-stop around f/2.0.

Light - the f/1.4 aperture lets in so much more light, so bright & crisp photos are possible even at low light, & all my photos have a more "true to life" look.

Ok, those are the 4 things I can think of right now. If you are looking to get this lens for yourself & have any additional questions, let me know and I will do my best to help you out in the comments!

{ What I Wore: ASOS leopard jacket // Forever21 striped tee // Cole Haan cross body purse // COH boyfriend jeans // Steve Madden pumps // Bobbi Brown creamy matte lippy in True Pink }

{ Get the Look }

leopard jacket {$55.00, exact one} + stripe tee {$14.80} + boyfriend jeans {$69.95} + nude pumps {$24.80} + gold cross body purse {$24.80, so cute with scallops!}

My new "Leo" necklace from Boutique Onze

What type of camera do you use?

What's your best outfit photo taking tip?

P.S. Don't forget to enter my $50 J.Crew giftcard giveaway { here } & the Because Shanna Said So group giveaway (for a prize package worth $200+!!!) { here }

seeing double

{ What I Wore:  ASOS leopard coat // Everlane tee // Old Navy Rockstar skinny jeans // BHLDN bow slingbacks // Target cateye sunnies}

{ Get the Look }

leopard coat {$60.00, exact one} + pink pashmina {$12.99} + tee {$15.00, exact one} + skinny jeans {$29.50, exact pair}+ pink bow heels {$80.00, exact pair} + cateye sunnies {$16.99, exact pair}

Since the ever fabulous Blair of Atlantic-Pacific is the reason I finally took the plunge & purchased a leopard coat of my own, I found it only fitting to pull together this look inspired by her as my inaugural leopard coat outfit on the blog. 

I love when a new piece instantly adds a little needed oomph to go-to looks already in my outfit rotation... and this leopard coat is the epitome of that. I want to add it to allllll of my looks, and so far it has looked great with everything!

Do you have any pieces that instantly pack a punch to any outfit?

Anyone else rocking a leopard coat these days?