pink about it

This "sleeveless blazer" was all the rage last year (I styled it here & here), but I had been struggling lately to incorporate it into my weekly wardrobe - so it was find a way to wear it, or send it to the donation pile.

I was looking for layers to use in my Teacher Capsule Wardrobe & I thought it would be a great time to put this trendy piece to the foundation item test. This is one of the ways I have been wearing it to work & I can't wait to show you the other ones as well.

Pink on pink is such a fun way to do "neutrals" in my book.

top: J.Crew Factory pink striped tee (also available in short sleeve here)

skirt: J.Crew Factory pink pleated skirt (I also have this pleated skirt - available in lots of colors, just not pink - & love it)

This pink, linen skirt is also super chic for Summer! Shop it here.

blazer: sleeveless blazer (old from BB Dakota) - linking similar styles below

shoes: black booties from years ago - shop similar styles below

necklace: Bauble Bar "Queen Bee" Necklace

bag: Tori tote c/o Gigi New York

watch: Daniel Wellington classic "Sheffield" watch

All Photos: Noah Berg Photography

{Shop these exact styles:}

if you learn one thing...

If you learn one thing from my blog, it is that when you have things in your closet that you LOVE, the outfits just make themselves!

Every item in this outfit is something that I shopped around for, planned for, budgeted for, and ADORE now that it lives in my closet.

And this outfit also came from me standing in front of my rack of clothes, lamenting "I have nothing to wear", so I just grabbed a top I loved, a skirt I feel great in, a pair of shoes that go with everything, and my favorite purse to throw in my work bag & went with it. It isn't the most style-shattering, OMG outfit, but I felt great wearing it, & it feels like ME!

So stop holding on to those clothes that make you feel meh, and only keep the LOVE pieces.

**An anecdote from today: The sweater I wore to work is super cute, but after an hour of wearing it, I remembered that I actually HATE to wear it because the arms bag out like WOAH! So I came home, threw it in the wash & then into my donation pile... no use holding on to clothes that don't make me feel like the goddess I am, and I'm pretty sure bagged out sleeves do not accomplish that goal!

top: J.Crew Factory white collar tee (no longer available), but my other go-to with this skirt is my striped long sleeve tee (shop it here)

skirt: J.Crew Factory pink pleated skirt (I also have this pleated skirt - available in lots of colors, just not pink & picked this midi skirt on super sale & love both of them)

shoes: Sole Society leopard pumps (loving this pair of sandal leopard wedges too!)

bag: "Carly" convertible clutch c/o Gigi New York

All Photos: Noah Berg Photography

Don't have a pleated pink skirt of your own? Shop my top picks:

What is the most loved piece in your closet?

What about it just makes it work for you and your lifestyle??

Bloggers Who Budget: Blush for Less

I purchased this J.Crew Factory skirt a few months ago & really liked how I styled it for the blog back in February (post here), but then I saw a Kate Spade shop girl wearing a similar pleated skirt with flat motorcycle boots & she just looked so gosh darn COOL that I knew I had to recreate what she had going on! This is my best attempt - while I usually trend more preppy in my style, I like this extra bit of edge added to the sweet pink skirt!

Looking for an extra does of blush in your life (one half of the dynamic duo that Pantone named as the colors of the year), be sure to check out my fellow Bloggers Who Budget to see how they are styling their budget friendly blush pieces this month!

Pearls & Twirls | Let It Be Beautiful | Here&Now | Living in Color Style | Stylin in St. Louis

skirt: J.Crew Factory pleated blush skirt (no longer available in the blush color, but I found this near identical style for only $49 & linked several similar skirts below)

tank: J.Crew Factory layering tank

jacket: H&M faux leather jacket (several years old, but they have a similar style available now)

shoes: Rockport Chelsea boots {now under $100} (similar + budget friendly options here & here)

necklace: Sheer Addiction jewelry 

All Photos | Catherine Truman Photography

I have a yellow pleated midi skirt that is similar to this skirt, & I have found myself re-creating some of the outfits I originally styled with the yellow skirt including this look & these outfits too! When you find what works… buy it in every color…? That is a saying, right?!

What pieces have you been wearing & re-wearing already this Spring?

Get the look - shop blush midi skirts:

watch it girl

top: lace up bodysuit ℅ American Threads

skirt: J.Crew Factory blush pleated skirt

bag: computer bag ℅ Fab.com

watch: leather strap watch ℅ Fab.com

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

All Photos | Catherine Truman Photography

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.