Friday, March 28, 2014

What I Bought This Month: March Haul


I realized while putting this collage together that I mainly got tops and heeled sandals this month. I was glad to pick up some new tops since I've felt very blah about the ones already hanging in my closet. I keep doing these mini closet purges where I feel like I'm giving up a lot, but I'm still not wearing much of what's left in there. I need to get rid of the old stuff for good! Next go-around, I'm going to employ the "would I purchase this if I saw it in stores right now?" method. That's sure to knock out the stragglers.

As far as the sandals, I basically live in these as long as the weather allows for open toes (about 9 months of the year in TX). Since I'm short (and my legs are a bit thicker than I remember, ha!), I like wearing some form of heel on a daily basis. I think it really is a good way to feel a bit slimmer, just as long as you are still comforable. I like sandals with a chunkier heel because they are generally quite comfortable to run around in. And since they don't all have crazy high heels, I can get away with them for work as well.

Budget status= $24 over. Not terrible, but I'm not happy about it either. I had every intention of selling clothes this month to make up for the overage, but I didn't make enough to account for my over spending.

Here are the details:

1. Tan Sweater (J.Crew)- I saw this sweater on several bloggers and loved it, so I used my J.Crew Rewards to pick it up. It's been great for this weird in-between weather we've been having.

2. Grid Printed Bag (Coach)- As soon as this bag went on sale, I used a Nordstrom gift card I had been saving to get it. It's a great size and very versatile! I'm just afraid it will get dirty if I carry it too often.

3. Red Heels (Zara)- Love, love, love these. See how I styled them here.

4. Floral Blouse (H&M)- I was really excited to add some more floral to my closet with this pretty blouse.

5. Lavender Shorts (J.Crew Factory)- My luck has been great recently- I won a $50 gift card from Pearls & Twirls, and waited for a 30% off coupon code before I bought these. I have another pair of J.Crew chino shorts that have a 3" inseam, but I thought the extra inch on these would make me a little more comfortable wearing them.

6. White Studded Heels (Charlotte Russe)- Ever since I saw the Valentino version on Sequins & Stripes, I was kind of on the look out for a replica pair. I got the black too, but I thought the white were fun and different. These were on sale for around $15 each, so I figured I would just get both! :)

7. Black Studded Heels (Charlotte Russe)

8. Pink Sweater (Gap)- Continuing my blush pink obsession. I think I subconsciously think I'm adding a blush pink item of clothing to every category (heels, tops, sweaters, bags, coats...my next conquest is a blazer!).

9. C'est La Vie Tee (J.Crew)- I don't really own any graphic tees, and I liked the colors in this one. It's great under a blazer, and I'm sure I'll live in it all spring and summer.

10. Striped Pullover (Gap)- I've been loving all the striped oxfords at Old Navy and Gap, but I thought that the vertical stripes in this one made it a bit more unique. 

11. Striped Tee (J.Crew Factory)- I picked this up with my J.Crew gift card as well to go with the lavender shorts. I like the idea of wearing a pink and purple together, as long as one is a pastel shade.

12. Strappy Sandals (Belk)- I won a second gift card from Here & Now to Belk. And I think I looked through every item on their site before I found these. I'm curious though...do any of you out there shop at Belk? I never have, but I was not impressed with their online selection at all. I was surprised how many times I had to go back and search the site before I found something that was actually worth it. These sandals are really cute, but I'm not thrilled with how they look on my feet. They may be going back.

Previous haul posts: January | February


Linking up with: Budgeting Bloggers

Thursday, March 27, 2014

Red, White, and Blue

Tunic- c/o Aeropostale, Jeans- American Eagle, Heels- Zara, Bag- Zara

Red, white, and blue is always a classic combo. I feel like the only logical thing to pair this Aeropostale tunic with is white jeans, or white shorts during the summer. And since I already had white and blue, all I needed to add was the red.

P.S. A big thanks to Meghan and Bethany for featuring last Thursday's look in their Three-Fer Thursday link up!


Tuesday, March 25, 2014

What To Wear to Work During a Fashion Rut

I mentioned last Thursday that I've been feeling a bit blah about my work wardrobe. Every morning, I wake up, grab the first matching pencil skirt and blouse combo I can find, and run out the door. There have been so many days when I've gotten to work and thought to myself, "I hate this outfit!" or "This outfit is so boring!" (Those are the days I don't post my #ootd to Instagram!) Since I wear my work clothes more often than my causal clothes, I became determined to find work wear inspiration and gathered what I found on a new Pinterest board.

I work in healthcare IT, and while the dress code is business casual, I still feel comfortable wearing bright colors and more fashion forward pieces. I don't mind experimenting as long as I feel appropriate and pulled together. Keeping that in mind, I put together three work-ready outfits using non-traditional pieces that I have every intention of wearing to work ASAP. And those I will document on Instagram!

Each item I featured below is under $30 (because you can look professional on a budget!).





Look 1: Skirt- Sheinside, $24, Top- Sheinside, $16, Pumps- Amazon, $27
Look 2: Trousers- Sheinside, $24, Blazer- Sheinside, $29, Blouse- H&M, $20Sandals- Target, $30
Look 3: Crop Top- Sheinside, $25, Blouse- Target, $23Trouser- H&M, $15, Oxfords- 6PM, $28


Linking up with I Feel Pretty | Random Wednesday

A White Shift

Dress- Asos, Heels- GoJane (similar), Necklaces- Lulu's (similar here), Earrings- Target (similar), Ring- Boutique to You

I was very happy to add a white dress to my closet, and this one is just about perfect. I love the sheer stripes up top- a very wearable way to emulate the ones on the Spring 2014 runways. I also really like the uneven hemline. I think it makes it just a touch more casual.

I wore this out for what I called my "0.5" anniversary with my boyfriend (6 months!). We went back to one of the first restaurants he ever took me to- Italian, of course. I was very careful not to get any pasta sauce on my dress, and I succeeded!


Linking up with  Style Sessions

Thursday, March 20, 2014

Work Wear: Spring Floral

Coat- H&M (similar), Sweater- Gap (similar), Pants- Promod (similar here, here), Heels- Windsor (similar),
Bag- Michael Kors, Necklaces- Lulu's (similar here, here), Bracelet- identical

I've been feeling a little bored with my work wear lately. I find myself wearing the same combo of button up shirts and pencil skirts or cropped pants quite often. Instead of running out and buying tons of new stuff as I might have done in the past, I'm trying to incorporate more of my wardrobe into my work outfits. I've worn these pants to work before with a blouse in a coordinating shade, but this chunky sweater seemed like a more fashion forward choice to mix things up a bit. As for the shoes, I traded my traditional pumps for something with with a little more interest.

I've been spending most of my monthly clothing budget on casual pieces, and but I think I'll add a few more work appropriate items to my arsenal in April. I'm thinking fun pencil skirts (like this or this), and probably a pair of  black cropped pants.


Tuesday, March 18, 2014

Blush Crush

Blouse- H&M, Jeans- c/o Aeropostale (similar), Heels- Michael Antonio, Earrings- Forever 21 (same in mint), Necklace- Forever 21 (love this)

If you couldn't already tell (see here, here, here, here, and here), I have an obsession with blush. When I saw these blush jeans at Aeropostale, how could I not add them to my closet? I plan for them to be just as wearable and versatile as my white jeans. While I can see them adding the perfect feminine touch to an edgy look, the first outfit idea that came to mind was to pair them with this blousy floral top for date night. Thankfully, the boyfriend has been more than willing to take pictures for me before we go out. We've been having a lot of fun experimenting with the camera!

Speaking of cameras, you may have seen on instagram that I bought my very own DSLR! I've been borrowing a camera from a friend for about six months now, and I figured it was finally time to invest in my own. I'm starting small with a Nikon D3100 and a 50 mm 1.8 lens. I'm going to recruit all my friends to model for me soon so I can practice the basics. So far I really only know how to focus, point, and shoot! If you have any tips for a first time SLR user, feel free to leave them below.


Monday, March 17, 2014

Candy Colored

Coat- c/o Sheinside (on sale), Tee- Hanes men's tee , Jeans- c/o Aeropostale, Boots- Wanted (similar), Earrings- Jeweliq (identical), Bag- Kate Spade

What do you wear when the weather insists on being cold well into March when you are absolutely sick of your winter wardrobe? Wear a candy colored coat of course! I was actually excited for cold weather yesterday since it meant I could break out this blue beauty from Sheinside. I loved the way this shade of blue paired with my new blush Kate Spade, and was inspired to paint my nails the same pink shade.

This is my second piece of outerwear from Sheinside, and I have to say, I'm impressed with the quality you get for the price. Their coats are affordable enough that you can pick one up in a fun shade for the transition into spring. Just remember to size up! I'm wearing a medium and the fit is pretty snug.


Thursday, March 13, 2014

C'est La Vie

Blazer- Zara (similar), Tee- J.Crew, Jeans- c/o Aeropostale, Heels- Zara, Necklace- Jewelmint (similar)
Bag- Michael Kors, Watch- Fossil, Bracelet- Glam Grab (similar)

I love Zara heels. I have quite a few pairs, and they are by far the most comfortable heels I own. Most of the ones I own are from the Trafaluc line (since they are a lot cheaper, duh!). I don't have any red shoes, so I decided to snatch up this pair to create some of the outfits I've been dreaming up. I wore this out to a concert with the bf and his friends last Friday. It's been a while since I've seen live music and it was tons of fun. I'll admit though- while these shoes were perfectly comfortable to walk around in, standing up for 2 hours was not a good idea. I'll know better next time.

I debating getting this blazer tailored since its several sizes too big, but after trying it on a few more times, I decided it was actually the perfect "boyfriend" fit. Of course its not something I'd wear to work, but I liked it over a t-shirt for a casual night out look. I'm really digging the powder blue and red combo (inspired by this)!