office to office party

coat: J.Crew lady day coat (similar from J.Crew Factory)

scarf: Old Navy faux fur snood

heels: leopard wedges ℅ Sole Society

purse: Coach purse ℅ Dillard's Green Hills - 2 similar styles available now: 1 // 2

dress: blue shift ℅ HumbleChic.com

clutch: embossed clutch ℅ Gigi New York 

heels: These are old from Shoe Dazzle, but I found super cute glitter heels now available at Sole Society. Shop these similar styles: glitter d'orsay pumps // glitter pointed toe pumps // glitter almond toe pumps

tights: ℅ Hanes

necklace: I layered 2 old necklaces to get this look. Achieve a similar style by layering this pearl statement necklace + this sparkler!

See makeup details below.

All Photos | Catherine Truman

The most annoying part about holiday work parties (except for those that limit you to 2 free drinks… are you serious!?), is the limited window of time that you have between actually being at work & then being expected to be at the event. 

Today's look in inspired by this gorgeous blue shift dress from HumbleChic.com (love the scalloped details on the sleeves & hem!). It is a perfect frock that looks great at work & transitions seamlessly for after hour celebrations.

For day, a bright coat, cozy faux fur snood, neutral purse (big enough to hold what you will need to change into for the party!) & practical (but chic!) wedges are office appropriate.

To take this look to night, I belted the dress (gives it more shape & takes the hemline up a bit), layered on blingy necklaces (layer this on top of this), threw the essentials into this monogrammed clutch & switched out the practical wedges for party ready pumps!

The final touch is make up updates. This is my day makeup routine (I LOVE all of my It Cosmetics products!), but for night events, add some glam to your face with this bronzer/blush/highlighter palette, red lipstick & glitter on your lids. I like the look of layered black eyeliner + a swipe of this glitter liner (goes on liquid, allow it to dry for 30 seconds before opening your eye) to really up the drama.

My beauty look was done in partnership with Ulta Beauty. For more holiday make-up inspiration, make sure you check out the tags #UltaTrendAlert and #StyleHunters4Ulta on social media, and follow @UltaBeauty for more tips & discounts!

HumbleChic.com has lots of party ready looks - shop my top picks below:

2013 Year Budget: In Review

Well, I've gone & done it - a clothing budget based on the WHOLE dang year… & I just know y'all have been waiting on pins & needles for my recap… riiiight? Ok fine, here she blows!

If you want to see each post from January - December, in it's nitty gritty glory, start {here} & then work you way back through the year {here}.

As a refresher - I used my typical monthly clothing budget (see {here} for how I decided upon my number) & multiplied it X12 to get a year budget of $3,000. Then got my shop on! There were ups, there were downs, & in the end, I was $400 under budget (I'm shocked too!)

It was like picking my favorite pug… but here are my top 13 purchases in 2013 (clever, huh?)

{1} felt fedora - this year I learned, I'm a hat person! This was a Fall favorite.

{2} {faux} leather jacket - goes. with. everything. Sundresses - check. Jeans & a tee - check. Tulle skirt + heels - check.

{3} bright pencil skirt - this is becoming one of my favorite ways to add color & personality to my outfits… maybe something to keep in my mind when building my teacher wardrobe.

{4} basic booties - I'm going back to buy another pair #deadserious. Under $35, & the most flattering bootie I found all year.

{5} ankle strap heels - When I was 13 a girl told me I had cankles, enter 10+ years of hating my ankles (thanks 7th grade bully!), but these shoes made me love my ankles again… that just got deep.

{6} baseball tee -  all other tees are dead to me.

{7} Rebecca Minkoff purse - a birthday present to myself, a true grown up lady purse that was to me, from me. I will have it for always.

{8} polka dot blouse (similar) - This top says, "I'm a grown up, but I don't take myself too seriously"

{9} Panama hat - the year of hats really started strong at the beginning of the summer with this adorable number. I love it so much it has started to loose its shape, so this will be a repeat purchase in 2014.

{10} colorful pointed pumps - my favorite shoe shape, in a fun, updated color.

{11} leopard skimmers - I waffled about this decision for months, but am happy that I thought it through & decided to purchase these. Awesome quality, make any outfit.

{12} black tank - and then I got it in every other color. Such a perfect base piece, everything you want, nothing you don't.

{13} leather tote - I use this bag every day. No question. 

And now to break it down with some official stats:

Average amount spent per month - $216.45 

Most Spent - September ($428.37)

Least Spent - July ($89.98)

Biggest month for savings:

January - got $577.48 of retail product for $149.94

Runner up: July - got $293 of stuff for $89.98

Worst month for sales: April

And for some reader questions:

- Any items you regret passing up on?

I regret buying quantity instead of quality, and while I don't really have 1 particular piece that comes to mind, when looking back I would have rather had 1 nice accessory (still wanting some leather driving gloves) over a truck load of polyester cheap stuff.

- What season was the hardest to control your spending?

The Fall, as I had expected - Summer sales, new Autumn inventory. I blame H&M for staring online sales in the US during Sepember too… it's a love/hate thing. I really expected to spend less during the Summer but I have no clue how June happened!

- Goals for the new year?

Not be afraid to spend my WHOLE MONTH'S budget on 1 or 2 pieces. It's not like I need more clothes, so I would like to start replacing some of my wardrobe items with more FOREVER pieces… we shall see. Quality, quality, quality.

Because my life and income situation are a little shaky right now as I transition from a grad student to unemployment to teaching next school year, my shopping is on a hiatus. I haven't decided how I will be sharing my budgeting this year, but you can always see my closet additions here on Pinterest.  

And of course, if you have any other questions, let me know in the comments & I will update this post as necessary :) 

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):

Day 19: pink lady

{ What I Wore: J.Crew beanie & sweater // Zara tweed jacket // Old Navy rockstar skinny jeans // Nine West black pumps }

{ Get the look }

pink beanie {$10.00} + tweed jacket {$39.99} + pink sweater {$24.94} + skinny jeans {$34.50} + black pointed toe pumps

Things you are not surprised to see - me wearing another beanie (best solution for my current long hair unsureness), & me talking about my obsession with tweed again.

I have talked about investing in tweed, about my journey to find the perfect tweed jacket, & even heralded the tweed jacket as one of my 50 closet staples that will serve the foundation for a fully functional wardrobe. 

Why is the tweed jacket on my short list of closet necessities?

Tweed is not only a classic piece, easily dressed up and down, and versatile enough for many seasons, and outfits: 

See here these fabulous bloggers pairing their tweed with dresses, leather, denim, and flowy blouses

{ Jane // Jean // Wendy // Blair }

The tweed jacket that made all of my dreams come true, was a classic salt & pepper weave with special details like chains & spikes. To get the classic Chanel-esque look, choose a cropped black & white number with chic piping on the pockets. Or for a modern update on this ladylike piece, pick one in a pop of color, or sporting a chic moto-zipper accent

If you are tweed-jacket-less, get your tweed on & shop my favorite picks (Target is killing their tweed jacket selection right now!):

Day 12: blogger bash

{ What I Wore: J.Crew Blythe blouse // BaubleBar necklace // Storets vegan leather skirt // Nine West pumps }

{ Get the look }

silk blouse {$39.99} + pleated leather skirt {$59.00} + bauble necklace {$36.00} + cable knit tights {$6.99} + pointed-toe black pumps {$30.00}

Read more to hear all the juicy deets about my first blogger event!

buying in bulk

When "people" said that pointy toe heels were "back", I laughed. Black, 3" heel, pointed toe pumps are my go-to shoe, and pretty much have been since I started wearing shoes.  

I am very particular and only buy heels that don't have a leather covered heels, because, let's be honest, I am clumsy, and step in a lot of cracks/grates/dirt that do quite a number on my shoes, so I need them to be as hardy as possible (but my cobbler sure does appreciate my business! haha)

In fact, when I find a pair of heels that fit my perfect heel description, for a good price, I usually scoop them up immediately, and then hoard them away. In the above picture the pair I am wearing currently are on the far right, and the other two are my bench warmers ready to be called in to the game, if need be!

Do you have any go-to items in your closet that you stock up on?

What is your favorite pair of shoes? Are they the fanciest, or the ones you wear the most?

Hope you are enjoying your Presidents' Day (I'm at work, whomp whomp)

xx

Jessica

early to bed

{ What I Wore: Storets leather skirt // J.Crew graphic tee & necklace // Nine West pumps }

{Get the Look}

leather skirt {$59} + graphic tee {$49, great quote} + bubble necklace {$34} + pointed heels {$36}

Well shoot, the sun is leaving me earlier and earlier these days... 

totally not grooving with this style blogger's ways

wash & go

Shoes: Nike Internationalist ℅ Kicks USA

Jeans: Gap Factory "sexy boyfriend jeans" ℅ 

Tee: Old Navy linen boyfriend tee (LOVE the fit - starts at $7.50!)

Sunglasses: Ray Ban aviators (mine are in green + gold)

All Photos | Kate Davis Photo 

I have lots of cute ballet flats & pumps for work/dressier events, but I often struggle with what to wear on my feet for weekends! Since adding these classic sneaks to my closet, the choice got a whole lot easier!

Pairing them with boyfriend jeans was an easy first move, but I hope to get brave enough to sport them out with dresses + skirts soon! Thinking a comfy knit dress would be the perfect side dish for my new babies!

In the market for your own pair of weekend sneaks? The selection at Kicks USA is on point - including lots of throwback classics, & modern favorites.

I have mentioned before that while I admittedly have some diva moments (like being obsessed with my new eyelash extensions), mostly, I'm a shower & go kind of girl. The majority of the time, this is a great thing for my husband, but just recently he pointed out how I never wear a fragrance, & he kind of wished that I did (guys really do say some of the strangest combo of cute + creepy things!). Many moons ago (college is the last time I can concretely remember)… I wore perfume everyday. Then it ran out, & I never found the time to go sniff a million samples at the department store in the mall. So I went without.

Last month Scentbird reached out to me about trying their subscription based perfume service & I liked it so much I had to share it with you (+ a giveaway below!)

The whole thing takes away the headache of sniffing & sniffing, never really knowing how it will smell on, and having to drop $60+ for a new perfume! Instead you take a quick fragrance quiz to determine your best scent profile (I like spicy scents, that are not super feminine). Once you have your profile, Scentbird suggests perfumes that would be a best fit (I got paired with Chloe's L'eau de Chloe). You pick your scent & for only $14.95 a month, you get a 30 day supply of designer perfumes. I have been carrying mine around in my purse (it comes in a super cute + easy to tote spritzer), & it is so fun to really "test-drive" the scents!

Sounds like something you might like? Enter the giveaway for a free month below - a random winner will be selected next week. 

Get social with Scentbird: Website // Twitter // Facebook // Instagram // Pinterest

a Rafflecopter giveaway

the damage: March 2014

I didn't shop much in January, & not at all in February, for reasons that included wedding costs, leaving grad school, having a case of style paralysis & taking time to really figure out what I would need for my new day job as a middle school teacher. I haven't put together a shopping budget as I am in this transition period & know that things will change once I start getting my teacher paycheck & Tyler & I have a serious talk about combining our finances once we are Mr. & Mrs. (in just a few short weeks!!!) So I am still operating by my ~$250/month allowance, & focusing on items that work equally well for work & the rest of my life (ok the leopard booties are just down right ridiculous for any setting, but I love them & scored them for cheap on eBay!) Next up on my shopping wish list - the perfect dress pants, I am going to suck it up & go try on every option at the mall!

In March, I stayed right at my budget & brought home:

{1.} J.Crew Factory tie neck dress - my new favorite for work or play! purchased on sale for $41.65

{2.} J.Crew Factory polka dot blouse (runs super big, I had to switch out the S I ordered for an XXS!) purchased on sale for $45.45 

{3.} Pour la Victoire purse via Nordstrom Rack originally $338, Rack price $119 (received a $100 gift card from Nordstrom Rack)

{4.} DSW open toe booties 

I also ordered this pair of booties to test out. You can see the two pairs side-by-side in this Insta. I ended up keeping the ones I did because the heel was about a quarter of an inch higher & the leather was softer. Oh & I got them for only $59.95 using a $10 DSW rewards card (got it when I signed up!). If you are in the market for a pair of your own, I've also heard really great reviews about this pair. 

{5.} J.Crew grey merino tunic sweater - I want it in every color so I can wear it everyday! purchased during a 25% off promotion for $66

{6.} ShoeMint grey heels - adding to my rainbow of classic pointed toe pumps. Retails for $79.98 but I took advantage of a $40 off promotion combined with $29.99 of Mint credit, thereby only spending $9.99!

{7}. Coach bleecker bag - now on sale! (gifted by my local Dillard's)

{8.} ShoeMint Jolly leopard wedges, via eBay $12.99 - I have been wanting these for ages & finally got around to tracking them down on eBay! If you are between sizes, round up!

This month I was also gifted a fun gold foil heart tee from Style Lately, this gorgeous emerald necklace from Accessory Concierge & the 501 shorts from Levi's that I am going to wear the heck out of this Summer! 

Any great purchases for you in March? Anyone else working on figuring out a clothing budget?