Today's Everyday Fashion: The Rainbow Dress

/
 
 

The benefit to having several events back-to-back? Shopping for them all at once! I found today's rainbow dress, the orange red jumpsuit I posted last week, and the green ruffle dress all around the same time. What I love about this particular dress - besides the amazing rainbow stripes and $55 price tag - is the fact that it could be dressed up or down. With flip flops and a denim jacket, it could work for so many casual occasions. And with heels and statement earrings, it's perfect for a wedding or event! 

Dress: Nordstrom, $55
Purse: My Stella & Dot
Earrings: J.Crew Factory, $15 (similar)
Shoes: JCPenney, $14
Approx. dates: Earrings are 1 year ago. Shoes, clutch are recent. Dress is new.

Also... how cute are these colorful new arrivals? I literally want them all! What should I order??

Top  /  Top  /  Skirt  /  Top
Pants  /  Jumpsuit  /  Top  /  Blazer  /  Dress
Shoes  /  Bag  /  Earrings  /  Shoes

Gifts Mom Will Love With Macy's

/

We are proud to partner with Macy’s and ShopStyle for today’s post. Sponsors are carefully selected in conjunction with our mission statement to bring you style content we think you’ll love! All opinions and editorial decisions are solely my own.

 
 
 
 

One of the best feelings in the world has got to be the satisfaction of giving a great gift! I just love picking out things for friends and family that I know they will enjoy. Mother’s Day being one of the best opportunities to let your mom, mother-in-law, sister – all the moms in your life – know how loved and appreciated they are!

That’s why I’m excited to partner with Macy’s today for some amazing Mother’s Day gift ideas. I’m wearing a pair of pearl and diamond earrings that are a part of their Mother’s Day promotion. It’s a classic gift that any mom would love to receive, but also, a seriously great deal! They retail for up to $800, but they are currently only $280! (Use code “FRIEND” for an extra 30% off Macy’s fine jewelry, April 27-May 7, 2018, restrictions may apply.)

Check out more of my top gift picks below. Or head to Macy’s to shop their entire guide!

Who are you shopping for this Mother’s Day?

 
 

Earrings  /  Earrings  /  Ring  /  Necklace  /  Necklace
Necklace  /  Earrings  /  Earrings  /  Bracelet  /  Necklace
Bracelet  /  Earrings  /  Necklace  /  Brooch set  /  Bracelet

Today's Everyday Fashion: Striped Sweater, Part 1

/
 

Inspiration: Maggie Marilyn via Boutique 1

 

I'm playing a little catch-up today after an unplanned pause! (We were traveling internationally and had a period of no internet connection.) The original plan was to post these two green striped sweater outfits back-to-back, so I'm sharing both today instead. In this first outfit, I wanted to get creative and find a way to wear this sweater besides "just jeans" - and the inspiration photo nailed it! I have worn this seersucker dress so many times and I love the idea of adding sneakers, a striped belt and a sweater over the shoulders for a super comfy and preppy look. Keep scrolling down (or hit "next") to see the second look!

Sweater: Rebecca Minkoff c/o Amazon, $100 (cheaper, similar, plus)
Dress: Mud Pie, old (similar, similar, similar)
Shoes: Adidas, $52 (same)
Purse: Mud Pie c/o, $13
Belt: Limited, $20 (similar)
Earrings: Kate Spade outlet, $15 (same)
Approx. dates: Belt is 5 years ago. Dress is 2 years ago. Sneakers, purse are 1 year ago. Sweater is new.

Today's Everyday Fashion: Striped Sweater, Part 2

/
 
 

I have no problem dropping $100 on a dress for a special event, so why do I cringe at spending more than $10 on something I wear every single day?! These are the internal musings of a lifelong bargain-hunter. It's also precisely why I bit the bullet and got the sweater I've been sale-stalking for months. It's made of great materials (cotton/silk/cashmere), it was 40% off, and I wore it three times the first week I had it. It's the perfect "throw on and go" piece! (Ps. I found it for even cheaper here, and an awesome look-alike for $32 here, and in plus.) What are your favorite "throw on and go" pieces?

Sweater: Rebecca Minkoff c/o Amazon, $100 (same, similar, plus)
Jeans: Levi's c/o Amazon, $35
Shoes: Adidas, $52 (same)
Purse: Rebecca Minkoff/Stein Mart, $149 (same)
Earrings: My Stella & Dot
Approx. dates: Sneakers, jeans, purse are 1 year ago. Sweater is new.

Today's Everyday Fashion: Throwback With A Twist

/
 
 

Today's outfit is inspired by a look I first posted in 2013! This color combo still feels fresh, and while I do have all the items in my original outfit, I decided to re-create this look by turning it into a work outfit instead. I started with the same necklace and a similar color palette - lavender top, yellow bottoms - then added a pink cardigan instead of the coral shoes. The end result is so fun and creative! White bottoms or jeans could work here, too, but the yellow really gives it a little extra something! Would you wear it?

Cardigan: Ann Taylor/thredUP, $13 (similar)
Top: J.Crew Factory, $17 (similar, plus, similar)
Pants: LOFT, $42 (similar, similar, similar)
Shoes: Steve Madden/Ross, $25 (similar, similar)
Purse: Aldo/Amazon, $40 (similar, similar)
Necklace: boutique, old (similar below)
Approx. dates: Necklace is 5 years ago. Purse and shoes are 3 years ago. Top and pants are 1 year ago. Cardigan is recent.

Today's Everyday Fashion: The Wedding Jumpsuit

/
 
 

The hubs and I attended a wedding over the weekend and this is what we wore! (We snapped these on our way to the venue so this is about as real-life as it gets, people!) Jumpsuits are seriously the best thing ever for events - I wore a similar pink one to a wedding last year, see below. (I would've happily repeated that same outfit, but the pink one is too big and sadly doesn't fit now.) Jumpsuits feel like pajamas and yet I've never felt more stylish, either. You could go all-out glam with today's orange red jumpsuit, pairing it with black and metallic shoes and accessories. I went full color wheel this time, though, with possibly the cutest pom-pom clutch of all time, yellow shoes and colorful earrings. It was such a fun night!!

Jumpsuit: Asos, $60 (also in petite, and in blush, yellow, green, and black)
Purse: My Stella & Dot
Earrings: Panacea/Saks OFF 5th, $20 (similar, similar, similar)
Shoes: JCPenney, $14 (from this post)
Approx. dates: Earrings are 1 year ago. Shoes are recent. Jumpsuit and clutch are new.

At a wedding in February 2017 (left) and Now (right)

Ps. Shop the hub's affordable blue chambray suit here and here!

Bring on Spring With CeCe at Macy's

/

We are proud to partner with Macy’s and ShopStyle for today’s post. Sponsors are carefully selected in conjunction with our mission statement to bring you style content we think you’ll love! All opinions and editorial decisions are solely my own.

 
 

I’m ushering in all the sunny, spring-time vibes today with two looks from CeCe at Macy’s!!

If you’ve never shopped CeCe before, they are exclusive to Macy’s. Their vibe is all about feminine charm, and the perfect mix of trendy and classic. Everything is so well made, and mostly falls within the $60-120 range. I tried out three pieces for today’s post and all three were beautiful in person, fit like a dream and absolutely brought the spring-time vibes!

Check out more CeCe picks below and tell me – which look is your favorite??

 
 

Top  /  Top  /  Top  /  Top
Jumpsuit  /  Pants  /  Dress  /  Skirt  /  Dress
Top  /  Top  /  Top  /  Top

Today's Everyday Fashion: Pink Bow Shorts

/
 
 

Have you ever found yourself rolling into a Monday feeling like last week chewed you up and spit you out? That's me this week! Between a sick dog, broken down vehicle, health issue, and a broken flash on the camera... all while trying to do double the work to get ready for a week where we will likely have no internet access. Eek! These are some of the photos we took without flash in a pinch so if they look a little funny you know why! :-) What I AM loving is how much this rainbow sweater and pink bow shorts are giving me LIFE. There's nothing like a fun outfit to cheer up an otherwise "blah" Monday. 

Sweater: J.Crew Collection/thredUP, $50 (similar below)
Shorts: J.Crew Factory, $27 (similar)
Shoes: JCPenney, $30 (similar, similar, similar)
Purse: Vince Camuto/Saks Off 5th, $70 (similar, similar, similar)
Earrings: Kendra Scott c/o Amazon, $36 (same)
Approx. dates: Purse, earrings are 3 years ago. Sweater, shoes are 1 year ago. Shorts are new.

More outfit ideas from my closet for today's pink bow shorts!

Amazon  /  Asos  /  Boden  /  Asos
Talbots  /  Missguided  /  Bloomingdale's  /  J.Crew Factory

Today's Everyday Fashion: Why I Post Imperfect Outfits

/
 

Inspiration: Modcloth

 

The truth is, I don't always 100% love the outfits I post. Sometimes they have flaws - flaws which I'm often quick to point out and discuss within the post! While that can be a bit unconventional for a style blog, I wouldn't want it any other way. Here's why I post imperfect outfits: 

  1. My opinion is not the only one that matters! Other people might like it and that's awesome.
  2. Fashion opinions are fluid. I may like something one week but not the next and vice versa, so even if I liked it once that could change.
  3. I enjoy the vulnerability of sharing the whole story - not just the perfect parts - on social media.
  4. I'm operating from an actual person's closet, not a magazine! I'm on a limited budget and have self-imposed sponsor constraints (I don't accept free items for regular blog posts the way magazines and many bloggers do). I post 20-25 "new" outfits each month using my own closet; it's not easy!
  5. I hope it's inspiring. All my bad outfits over the years lead to lots of improvement. I like my style so much better today, and that's because I kept trying! If you're going for a home run record, you're always going to have strike-outs, because it means you'll have to swing harder and more often.
  6. There's so much to be learned from the examples that don't work (why something didn't fit, or colors were off, etc.), often even more so than the ones that do work. 
  7.  I'm all sorts of human over here, and not even close to perfect, so my outfits are too.

About today's look: I threw it together at a moment's notice and though it gets points for being office-friendly and it's certainly creative, it's also perhaps a little too busy. Each element is super cute but together something feels off? I leave it up to you guys!!

Top: LOFT, $23 (also a dress)
Pants: LOFT, $35 (also comes in red)
Cardigan: H&M, $25 (similar below)
Scarf: H&M, $6 (similar below)
Shoes: Jessica Simpson, $59 (similar, similar, similar)
Purse: Aldo/Amazon, $40 (similar, similar)
Earrings: My Stella & Dot
Approx. dates: Cardigan is 7 years ago. Shoes are 4 years ago. Purse is 3 years ago. Top, pants, scarf are new.

Century 21  /  Talbots (plus)  /  Nordstrom Rack  /  6pm.com
LOFT  /  Zappos  /  Nordstrom  /  Zappos  /  Nordstrom Rack

Today's Everyday Fashion: Give Me All The Wide Leg Pants

/
 

Inspiration: Stuff She Likes Via WhoWhatWear

 

All I want to wear lately is wide leg pants!! I kissed a few frogs before I found this pair, but they are great! The material is thin (they were $20), but flesh toned undergarments do the trick, and they aren't super wrinkle-y either, which is a must. You can't, however, tuck a shirt into them because the bottom of the shirt shows through the fabric. A graphic tee or a white off-shoulder top would look great (with pants this shape your top should generally be fitted to your waist) but they won't work in this case. Thankfully this little crop top I ordered with the pants a rockstar. Not at all sheer (plus I added bra cups for more coverage), and great support. Are you liking this silhouette? Do wide leg/high waist pants work for you?

Top: Forever 21, $8
Pants: Forever 21, $20
Shoes: Charlotte Russe, $20 (similar)
Purse: Forever 21, $30 (similar, similar, similar)
Earrings: Amazon c/o, $8 (fair trade)
Approx. dates: Shoes are 1 year ago. Purse and earrings are recent. Top and pants are new.

Today's Everyday Fashion: Another Old Favorite

/
 
 

All it really takes is a few updated accessories to make something old feel new again! That's what I'm realizing this week as I go through and re-wear several old favorites. Straw purses and tassel earrings were not really a thing yet in 2014, but now they are all the rage. Add those two items to this mint shorts + pink gingham combo four years later and it's one outfit I'd be happy to wear all summer long!

Top: J.Crew Factory, $41 (similar, similar)
Shorts: J.Crew, $25 (similar, similar)
Shoes: Jessica Simpson, $59 (similar, similar, similar)
Purse: Forever 21, $30 (similar, similar, similar)
Earrings: Amazon c/o, $8
Approx. dates: Top, shorts, shoes are 4 years ago. Purse and earrings are recent. 

[[Shout out to Corkcicle for letting us borrow their office bike, aka the "Corkcycle"! Thank you!!]]

Today's Everyday Fashion: Five Years Later, Part 2

/
 
 

Does this outfit still hold up five years later? Let's discuss. I'm personally still a big fan of this color combo (and always will be), and I like how the texture on the top and skirt create a slight print-mixing affect. I am not too fond of how shiny the skirt is, though. And I'd probably swap the statement necklace for a statement earring. What are your thoughts - pass or fail on this look five years later?

Cardigan: Limited, $18 (similar below)
Top: Forever 21, $22
Skirt: LOFT, $40 (similar below)
Shoes: JCPenney, $30 (similar, similar, similar)
Purse: Aldo/Amazon, $40 (similar, similar)
Necklace: Stella & Dot (similar below)
Approx. dates: Top is 8 years ago. Cardigan, skirt are 5 years ago. Purse, necklace are 3 years ago. Shoes are 1 year ago.

Asos  /  Kohl's  /  Macy's  /  Kohl's
Yoox  /  Express  /  Eloquii (plus)   /  Yoox
Talbots  /  Nordstrom Rack  /  JCPenney

Today's Everyday Fashion: Five Years Later

/
 
 

That's the same top, skirt and necklace I'm wearing five years later... only a few small details have changed! The purse on left is still my go-to casual black purse; I got the one on right for work looks. I ordered the mules because I wore the flats on the left so much. I also nixed the bulky watch, and added hoop earrings. So much has changed, and yet the same basic outfit still works five years later! 

Top: Windsor Store, $27 (similar below)
Skirt: Banana Republic, $35 (similar below)
Shoes: The Fix c/o Amazon, $85 (flats, heels)
Purse: Marc Jacobs/Saks Off 5th, $288 (similar, similar)
Necklace: Stella & Dot (similar, similar, similar)
Approx. dates: Skirt is 8 years ago. Top and necklace are 5 years ago. Purse is 2 years ago. Shoes are 1 year ago.

Express  /  Bloomingdale's   /  Asos  /  Express
J.Crew Factory  /  Macy's  /  JCPenney (plus)  /  Macy's  /  JCPenney

My Spring/Summer Wish List With Mud Pie

/

We are proud to partner with Mud Pie for today’s post. Sponsors are carefully selected in conjunction with our mission statement to bring you style content we think you’ll love! All opinions and editorial decisions are solely my own.

 

Top  /  Bag  /  Bracelet

Top  /  Clutch

Top

Top  /  Purse  /  Bracelet

 

Top  /  Bag  /  Bracelet

My spring/summer wish list goes a little something like this:

Which are all things you’ll find in today’s post with Mud Pie! You may recognize them from the 16,000+ boutiques nationwide that carry their brand – not only fashion, but also their amazing kids line and home décor. All the Mud Pie items I’m wearing today are available to shop directly from the Mud Pie website. Their clothes are affordable, high quality and so easy to wear. I find myself coming back to my favorite Mud Pie pieces time and time again!

Which outfit or item is your favorite in today’s post??

 

Top  /  Clutch

Top

Top  /  Bag  /  Bracelet

Top  /  Purse  /  Bracelet

Top  /  Clutch

 

Today's Everyday Fashion: What I Want, Not What I Need

/
 
 

The shopping habit I can't seem to shake: buying what I want, and not what I need. Is that really such a bad thing, though? Surely, "want" has a place, too. Life is short and meant to be savored. Most days I'd rather be dressed in colorful and over-the-top, and fun things like these embellished espadrilles, lemon earrings and yellow polka dot top are the spice of life - at least for this girl wearing them they are!! Consider it a little joie de vivre, straight from my closet!

Top: LOFT, $30 (same in plus, petite)
Sweater: LOFT, $20 (similar below)
Jeans: Express, $37 (similar, similar, similar)
Shoes: Chinese Laundry/Ross, $35 (same, same)
Purse: Mud Pie, $13
Earrings: Francesca's, $14
Approx. dates: Sweater is 6 years ago. Jeans are 3 years ago. Purse is 1 year ago. Top, earrings and shoes are new.

Target  /  Talbots (plus)  /  Amazon  /  Macy's
Francesca's  /  Chinese Laundry  /  LOFT

The Designer Event on a Budget With Saks OFF 5TH

/

We are proud to partner with Saks OFF 5TH and ShopStyle for today’s post. Sponsors are carefully selected in conjunction with our mission statement to bring you style content we think you’ll love. All opinions and editorial decisions are solely my own.

 

One  /  Two  /  Three  /  Four
Five  /  Six  /  Seven  /  Eight

One  /  Two  /  Three  /  Four
Five  /  Six  /  Seven  /  Eight

 

Mary Katrantzou  /  Carmen Marc Valvo    
Marchesa  /  Zac Posen  /  Monique Lhuillier  /  Sonia Rykiel

It almost sounds too good to be true: designer brands including Versace, Missoni, Prada, Valentino and Marchesa for up to 70% off?! That’s what’s happening this week at Saks OFF 5TH – I’m not even pulling your leg. More than 75 already reduced brands are an additional 30% off with code DESIGNER (details below). I put together some of my favorites in today’s post; almost all are under $150. If you’ve been looking to add quality, classic pieces to your closet, now is definitely the time to shop. I’ve already got several items in my cart - you know I love a good deal! 

The Designer Event - Private Preview (4/11 - 4/12, online only)
The Designer Event (4/13 - 4/17, online and in stores)
Promo Code: DESIGNER for 30% off
Plus, sign in as a More! Insider to take an additional 10% OFF
Excludes accessories, handbags, shoes and swim
Other restrictions may apply
Starts 4/11 at 12:00am EST
Ends 4/17 at 11:59pm EST

 
 
 

Escada  /  Escada  /  Escada  /  Mary Katrantzou  /  Versace

 

Today's Everyday Fashion: Another Old Favorite

/
 
 
 
 

Whenever you're in a style jam: reach for an old favorite! That's exactly what I did yesterday for a photo shoot for Orange Appeal magazine. In celebration of their 10th anniversary, they gathered some women from past covers (I was on the Sept. 2016 issue) and we shot these pics afterwards. I threw on a colorful outfit I first wore on the blog 3 years ago and have repeated many times since. The top is different but the skirt and shoes are the same. It's not quite as old as some of the flashback posts I've been doing lately but it's certainly one of my favorites!

Top: Vince Camuto/TJ Maxx, $25 (similar)
Skirt: H&M, $50 (similar below)
Shoes: Missguided, $40 (similar, similar, shorter)
Purse: Aldo/Amazon, $40 (similar, similar)
Earrings: Kendra Scott/NM, $55 (same)
Approx. dates: Shoes are 4 years ago. Skirt is 3 years ago. Purse, top and earrings are 2 years ago.

Asos  /  Amazon  /  Asos  /  Yoox  /  Bluefly
Yoox  /  Rue La La  /  Asos  /  Yoox  /  Macy's
Amazon  /  Yook  /  Nordstrom Rack  /  Nordstrom Rack  /  Yoox

Today's Everyday Fashion: KC Fashion Week Outfit

/
 
 

This dress sold out before it arrived in the mail, however, I wanted to share what I wound up wearing to emcee KC Fashion Week! I originally ordered this dress to wear to a friend's wedding. I just love the idea of a green maxi for spring - check out some similar options below. Also below are pics from KC Fashion Week. The glam squad did an amazing job, especially on my makeup. I'm usually uncomfortable wearing so much of it, but it was actually really fun for the event! Now if only I could re-create it for the wedding. ;-)

Dress: Asos, $53 (similar below)
Earrings: Amazon c/o, $40
Shoes: Charlotte Russe, $25 (similar)
Purse: Macy's, $55 (similar, similar)
Approx. dates: Purse and shoes are 2 years ago. Dress and earrings are new.

Asos  /  Boohoo  /  Asos  /  Asos  /  Zappos
Asos  /  Asos  /  Eloquii  /  Asos (plus) /  Asos (plus)

 
 

Today's Everyday Fashion: My #1 Spring Must-Have

/
 
 

Inspiration: Stockholm Street Style

The yellow pants saga continues.... You may recall my recent "bananas" post with yellow pants that were not quite fitting correctly. Today's pants are higher quality and fit better, and I was loving this outfit idea until I saw the pictures afterwards. It's kind of giving off an Aladdin vibe, no? I'm still undecided and may keep trying! Let's talk about the "win" in today's post, though, which was the #1 item on my spring wish list - a straw bag! I ordered a few to compare, check out my two favorites below. The crossbody seems more practical, but I love both for different reasons. Which do you like better?

Top: Everlane
Pants: ModCloth, $67 (similar here)
Shoes: Marc Fisher/Amazon, $89 (similar, similar, similar)
Purse: Forever 21, $30
Necklace: LOFT, $30 (similar, similar, similar)
Earrings: Amazon c/o, $38 (similar, similar, similar)
Approx. dates: Top, shoes and necklace are 1 year ago. Pants and purse are new. 

Left purse: Forever 21, $30  //  Right purse: Amazon c/o, $40

"Style and Value For All" With JCPenney

/

We are proud to partner with JCPenney and ShopStyle for today’s post. Sponsors are carefully selected in conjunction with our mission statement to bring you style content we think you’ll love. All opinions and editorial decisions are solely my own.

 

Top  /  Jeans  /  Shoes  /  similar earrings

Jeans  /  Shoes 

Top  /  Jeans  /  similar earrings

Top  /  Jeans  /  Shoes  /  similar earrings

Top  /  Jeans  /  Earrings

Top  /  Jeans  /  Earrings  /  Shoes

Top  /  Earrings

Top  /  Jeans  /  Earrings  /  Shoes

 

I literally cannot with how cute these outfits are from JCPenney! Not to mention the amazing prices - the floral ball gown was only $55 with a coupon (what?!), and most other items were between $10-20. The dress is so perfect for a fancy wedding or event, and both white jeans outfits are totally my jam. Especially the gingham mules with bow and the floral mint top, both which could be worn for work and weekends alike.

As if that weren’t enough, the message behind this JCPenney campaign is also so good. JCPenney “celebrates the human spirit - in any form. People of all walks of life, and a diversity of size, age, gender, personality, and lifestyle.” My guiding word for J’s Everyday Fashion has always been “inclusiveness” and making fashion something everyone feels welcome to enjoy is my goal, so we are totally on the same page, JCPenney! I’m proud to take part and had so much fun putting together today’s looks.

Head on over to shop, and tell me: which item or outfit is your favorite?

Top  /  Top  /  Top  /  Top
Hat  /  Purse  /  Shorts  /  Swimsuit  /  Joggers  /  Pants
Shoes  /  Purse  /  Earrings  /  Earrings  /  Earrings