navy + blush

shirt: J.Crew Factory striped breton tee

pants: J.Crew Factory "Winnie" pants 

(Striped shirt & "Winnie" pants also mentioned in my top 10 products post)

shoes: Tieks (budget friendly option from Old Navy)

purse: quilted purse c/o Vera Bradley

scarf: vintage // sunglasses: old from Krewe du Optic (almost identical from Warby Parker)

All Photos | Kate Davis Photography

As I mentioned on my Instagram post, one of my New Year resolutions is to wear more of the clothes in my closet & if I find myself not wearing particular items, to sell/donate/give away those pieces. These navy pants were one of the items that I purchased this year, but for one reason or another, only wore them 1-2 times. After loving the "Winnie" pants in black so much, I thought the navy version would also be a great addition to my closet, but the color was more difficult to style than anticipated. 

Maybe some would call it self-punishment, but when I find myself consistently reaching for an item & failing to wear it out, I make myself promise to either find a way to wear it, or remove it from my closet. This week I will be showing off 3 ways that I have now worn these pants in the past month - meaning that they have passed the test & get to stay in my closet.

How do you weed out unworn pieces? Are you a believer in having a simplified closet, or do you live by the philosophy of bigger = better? Any particular style resolutions this year?

When I struggle to style certain pieces, an easy place to start is by pairing the item with other foolproof favorites. This striped tee is a champion in my closet, & the combo of navy + blush pink felt like a safe place to start!

oldies but goodies

{ What I Wore: J.Crew Factory striped tee (currently sold out, shop the most similar style that is available now) // Madewell lace shorts (super old, linked similar below) // Birkenstock "Arizona" sandals // J.Crew straw tote // stamped necklace ℅ TAudrey }

All Photos | Kate Davis Photo 

I like to think that my closet is getting close to containing only pieces I truly love - some old, some recent, but all living together in perfect harmony! This certainly makes getting dressed every day much less stressful & actually fun! When you only have have you love, & not those "meh" pieces blocking your view, the outfits come together that much more easily.

This outfit is a perfect example of this "keep only what you love" principal. I have had the Birkenstocks since college (2008), snagged the straw tote for vacation in 2010, picked up these shorts in 2012, & this striped tee has been the rockstar purchase of 2015. 

I seriously cannot get enough of this top - the fit, the weight of the fabric, the cut of the sleeves & neck… it is a dream boat piece! Unfortunately, it is not currently available at J.Crew Factory, & while I am hopeful that they bring it back (I would definitely get a duplicate of it in a heartbeat), this pink stripe top will be my next addition to the stripe family growing in my closet (the stripe situation as seen on Instagram).

See the ways I have worn this stripe tee on the blog!

These lace shorts on the other hand, have been sitting in my closet for 3+ years (see their cringe-worthy blog debut here… no judging!), & in that time I can count on 1 hand the number of times I have worn them. But I recently came across them, & now I can't stop pairing them with all my Summer outfits! I also wore this almost exact same outfit, but with my Panama hat, jean jacket, & leather sandals (before it turned to be a million degrees hot in Nashville!)

I love the delicate & classic touch of lace & am happy that these shorts still look as beautiful as they did the day I brought them home over 3 years ago. If you are looking for a touch of lace on your shorts, this pair is sporty, while this pair is more feminine. If you are looking for a larger dose of lace, these lace culottes are blowing my mind! 

Bloggers Who Budget: Stripes For Less

{ What I Wore to weekend: J.Crew Factory striped tee // Loren Hope necklace via Rocksbox* // Citizens of Humanity flared jeans // Steve Madden heels // The Lip Bar red lipstick }

*I was provided a complimentary subscription to Rocksbox, but am truly hooked! Sign up using my code and get your first month free! "HEREANDNOWLIFEXOXO"

All Photos | Kate Davis Photography

It's time again for Bloggers Who Budget! This month we are sharing our favorite striped pieces! This is hands down the most obvious section in my closet. I just counted and I have almost 20 striped pieces. However, I do have a favorite striped child, and it is this top! Currently on sale at J.Crew Factory for only $24.50! Be sure to check out these other striped ladies 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

The most common theme in my closet - stripes!

Some of my favorite striped items have been heavy hitters on the blog. Including this Old Navy wide stripe dress, this fit & flare striped dress, my J.Crew Factory striped skirt, & then this breton stripe top that I am wearing above. It is my current go-to outfit starter. I love the cut, the fabric, & the weight! Totally one of my top 10!

Speaking of The Top 10 Remix. I am still on the bandwagon (see the first post here). 

Curious to know what my top 10 items are? See below & click to see how I've worn these  pieces in the past.

1. Panama Hat

2. Silk button downs

3. Flare leg denim

4. Wrap dresses

5. Breton Strip Tees

6. Polka dot blouses

7. Black Pencil Skirt

8. Colorful cardigan

9. Knife Pleated Skirts (own it in mini, midi, and maxi lengths)

10. Pointed Pumps

Again, these aren't necessarily the things I wear most, but the things that feel the most ME every time I wear them.

What are your top 10?

Check out the Top 10 Remix visionary's blog here: Sarah's Real Life

Shop my favorite striped tops for less:

Shop my favorite flared jeans (at all price points):

weekend transition

{ What I Wore to weekend: J.Crew Factory breton stripe tee (now on sale for under $40!) + wrap skirt // Converse sneakers // Coach bleecker bag ℅ Dillard's Green Hills // Gap jean jacket // Ray Ban aviators // pearl necklace - gift from my sweet Valentine! }

All Photos | Kate Davis Photography

I loved this skirt so much for work (outfit here), that I couldn't help but wear it for the weekend too!
Officially adding this skirt to my list of FAVORITES - along with this most perfect striped shirt (seriously, this is stripe perfection), lived in denim jacket, & classic chucks.

What have you been transitioning from work wear to weekend wear?

weekend stripe

What I Wore to weekend: J.Crew Factory tee // cross body bag ℅ Gigi New York // Citizens of Humanity boyfriend jeans (ancient from college - have my eye on this pair that won't break the bank) // Anthropologie sunglasses // Cole Haan tennis shoes (way old, loving these fresh ones from J.Crew Factory) }

All Photos | Kate Davis Photo

This tee y'all - it is a new favorite that I have worn for weekend frolicking in Nashville, after work meetings, & way more than I would like to admit to my teaching job! I love that it is a really thick knit - totally reminding me of much more expensive St. James tees!

Scoop it up for only $44! 

I am also interested in trying the new striped tees from Everlane (can you have enough striped tees!?!? Is that even a thing!?!?) - Have you given them a try yet?

This is the look of my weekend these days - thankfully Nashville has been so mild & we have been getting out to enjoy it!

Two weekends ago, we rocked out a pub tour via bikes (the ride share B-cycles are awesome & so are Yazoo, Jackalope, & Tennessee Brew Works breweries!), & then this past weekend we totally stalked The Grilled Cheeserie food truck (#YUM)!

What has your weekend looked like lately?