loafer time

jacket: classic Gap jean jacket

shirt: Pug tee ℅ Fur & Collar (check out all of their available breeds - so cute!)

skirt: Lulu's (only available in solid colors, but I found this almost identical striped skirt from Chicwish!)

shoes: Penny Loafers ℅ Johnston & Murphy

purse: Rebecca Minkoff quilted crossbody (also loving this slightly smaller cross body bag from Michael Kors)

All Photos | Catherine Truman Photography

Everyone knows that loafers are perfect work shoes - stylish flats are seriously my answer for every possible work related style issue! But I wanted to show you something a little different. These loafers are from Johnston & Murphy & I think they are the bees knees - the touch of polished patent teacher, & oh so comfy (teacher day tested & approved). And bonus, right now they are on sale for $80 off! 

This outfit makes me happy because I love the mix of masculine loafers with a girlie skirt & I am so proud to finally share my obsessed pug mom status to the world. I mean, I literally wear my pugs around everywhere with the crazy amount of dog hair that I pick off of my clothes on a daily basis, but I feel like this tee is a much better way to advertise that I have 2 adorable pugs living at home. 

My blog friend AJ just launched this line of tees over on Fur & Collar. Check out their line up of breeds - these would totally make a fun Christmas gift for every dog lover on your list!

Bloggers Who Budget: Holiday Layers for Less

hat: J.Crew Factory felt fedora

coat: J.Crew lady day coat  (currently 30% off)

sweater: Old Navy cable knit turtleneck (no longer available, but this similar style from J.Crew Factory is under $50)

jeans: Citizens of Humanity flare leg jeans (loving the wash on this pair, and this similar pair is now on sale!)

shoes: Sole Society leopard wedges

purse: Pour La Victoire (several years old, but I found this similar style for $44)

lipstick: Nars "Heatwave" (one of my all time favorites!)

All Photos | Kate Davis Photo 

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

Coats can be a major investment in your closet & is a difficult piece to find within the budget. My only tip for finding your dream coat, at a price that doesn't crush said dreams, is to buy your jackets in February/March. Many retailers slash prices on coats at the end of the season, and graduate school Jessica managed to snag this J.Crew jacket (usually $300+) for close to $100 by stalking it until it was reduced + additional discounts.

I am going to be doing a round up post of my must have coats in the coming weeks, the ones that are worth the splurge and the ones that probably aren't. If you are in the market for a nice new coat you should totally put your dream coat on your radar now so that you can stalk it for the next couple of months!

Make sure to check out the other Bloggers Who Budget, because this month we are dishing on our must have layers, all at budget friendly prices!

What is the most expensive coat in your closet?

Any tips for score deals on pricey outerwear?

settle down

coat: Old Navy puffer coat (similar options, at all price points, linked at the bottom of the post)

sweater: J.Crew (similar)

pants: ASOS ripped Ridley jeans

shoes: J.Crew Factory faux leather ballet flats

accessories: J.Crew beanie (similar) & leopard scarf

All Photos | Kate Davis Photography

This down puffer coat was one of those crazy holy grail post-Christmas sale finds from college. I was shopping with my sister at Old Navy & spotted this jacket laying forlornly on the way to check out. At the time, it reminded me of a much more expensive J.Crew puffer coat, & for what I remember being a price around $25, this coat has given me warmth for many many seasons. Now I can't help but notice how similar it is to this (almost $1000) Burberry down coat (seriously, almost identical!)

My favorite features? The outer layer fabric is a nylon-type that totally repels pug hair (the bane of my existence!) & the tie waist helps to give shape to my oversized sweater looks (or PJs when I'm running to Kroger, 'cause that's how I roll!)

My tips for shopping cheaper styles (when the style you really want is out of your budget), are fit & fabric! The most expensive items in my closet are the ones that more often than not fit the best - the shoulders line up perfectly, the waist falls at my naturally skinniest spot, & the length is right where I need it for my height. With many cheaper styles, this means that I have to go visit the tailor, but fit is the fastest way to make something look more expensive than it is. For jackets like this, a tie waist can make the difference between something extremely frumpy or totally chic!

The other factor in my book, is fabric. Look for sturdy fabrics that won't pill, show problem colors (for me, pug hair), & have sturdy construction. For a $25 coat, the fabric & construction of this coat are on point, with only the faux fur hood trim looking a little scraggly now some 8 years later.

Shop similar items from this look (note: the prices do not reflect current sales, click through to see the discounted prices!)

Weekend Reading: 12.5.15

1 // 2 // 3

This weekend why don't you :: rethink your denim! I love the added touch of the scarves & cozy sweater above!

{what you might have missed on Here&Now}

{1.} Having so much fun with layers this season & my leopard coat is a major player! 

{2.} What I'll be wearing to my work holiday party this evening! Sparkly polka dots? Yes please! 

{3.} Don't forget to enter the $100 shopping gift card giveaway! Ends Sunday & a chinch to sign up! 

{4.} This plaid shirt has been on heavy rotation in my closet this Fall - see how I styled it for both casual errands & a glam Christmas card shoot.  

{5.} The cozies tees & each purchase supports an amazing organization that helps to find homes for dogs in high-kill shelters (discount code in post!). 

{posts I'm loving around the internets}

{1.}  I have never much gotten bought in to the whole thigh high boots trend (unless your name is Julia Roberts), but I love how Shelby styled this pair!

{2.} Color blocked accessories are catching my eye lately. Loving this cape on Emily, scarf on Blair, & poncho on Kristin!

{3.} There are some bloggers that I have followed for so long online that I am convinced we would be real life BFFS (despite never having met) & AJ is one of those people. A fellow pug mother, I love how she styled this pug sweater! #puglife

{4.} What are your feelings on {faux} leather leggings? Kendi rocks them (of course), but I don't know if I can still pull them off!

{5.} Midi skirts have a dear place in my heart & I can't get over how chic this camel midi skirt number is on Emily!  

{what I'm shopping now}

{1.} J.Crew Factory has new arrivals!!! From the women's section, I'm loving this printed blouse (the blue color is so gorgeous!) & the pattern on this fair isle sweater reminds me of feathers (in a good way). If you fit into the kids clothes, I'm obsessed with this sweater from the girls' department & would rock the heck out of this striped hoodie from the boys' section.

{2.} My husband is defending his thesis this coming Wednesday, & after 6 years of being students in Nashville (he has been working on his Ph.D. the whole time, I spent 4 years on my Master's & have now been teaching middle school for the last 2 years) it feels like major changes are coming our way. I like to celebrate new chapters in our lives with art prints & love all of the selections from Rifle Paper Co. - my only black Friday purchase was their "The world is your oyster" print, it just arrived & is perfect! Big things coming for our family in the coming months! 

{3.} After my husband defends said Ph.D., he is traveling to Europe to celebrate, & just got this awesome bag from my sister & brother-in-law, to take with him. It is carry-on size, & can either be worn as a cross body or backpack! What a great gift!

{4.} I know these are all turning out to be dude things, but guys are so hard to shop for & when I find good things, I have to share! My husband needed some new jackets, so I got him this buffalo plaid one from J.Crew Factory & a peacoat from Gap Factory. I love the basic outerwear currently available at Gap Factory - perfect for any guy in your life!

{5.} I have been trying to find new ways to style my shorter length hair & the best tool I have found for straight and curly styles is this 1 inch flat iron from ghd - it is spendy, but is seriously the only hot too you'll need!

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!