wardrobe wednesday

Five on Friday | Amazon Long Cardigans

Maybe it's because I'm a Colorado girl, but I'm a total sucker for cozy, warm knits. Once Halloween has passed, I'm all about the sweaters (though Mother Nature doesn't always cooperate with my weather timeline). And if the sweaters are long, soft and easy to layer? Well, I probably have them stashed in my winter closet! Here's five of my tried-and-true faves from Amazon that ship fast and won't break your budget!

 

1//Chunky Knit Stripe Cardigan ($39.99) I can't resist a good colorblock knit (though this one comes in numerous solids as well!) and the mustard/pink/ivory combo is so good from fall to spring! This one is fairly lightweight with batwing sleeves and adds effortless chic to a tee & leggings.

2//Star Print Cardigan ($35.99)  If it's adorned with stars, I'm gonna buy it - guaranteed! This duster is light enough for warmer climates and perfect for layering - I love it with a striped top, a band tee, or a sleek black turtleneck. It also comes in 7 other colour ways, so you're sure to find a fave!

3//Open Front Leopard Cardigan ($43.99)  Next to stripes, the most common pattern in my closet is leopard! I love this modern take on the print in a brown and pink combo (but it's also available in 30 other patterns and colors!) Planning to layer it over a pink tank dress or a band tee and jeans!

4//Buffalo Plaid Duster ($29.59) I will never give up the buffalo plaid trend - it's such a great (neutral!) pattern that plays well with so many other colors and prints! This lightweight and super soft duster is a versatile layering piece, and comes in so many others patterns and solids (if you're not a plaid fanatic like me). I'm eyeing the camo print as my next addition...

5//Cableknit Cardigan ($39.99) Nothing beats a textural knit and this one delivers with a gorgeous cable knit, oversized buttons and POCKETS! I love the brick red for all the winter.holiday 'fits, but there's so many color options, you're bound to find your fave!

 

Which knit is calling for you to add-to-cart? I'd love to hear your faves!

 

Five on Friday | J. Crew Sale

I can whole-heartedly claim that J. Crew is my favorite retailer, and my beloved collection of J. Crew catalogs dating back to the early 90s is a testament to my die-hard fan girl status. (But seriously, there's no better source for outfit inspo, pattern-mixing combos, and perfect preppy ensembles!) And they are currently have an incredible sale with an additional 50% off sale prices (use code BESTSALE), so you better believe I'm filling my cart. I've picked five or my favorite basics and five fun, splurge-worth pieces below!

 

1// Vintage Terry Pullover ($15.99) The softest, coziest sweatshirt you'll ever wear (and my sweatshirt collection has
three of them!). Perfect for cool summer nights by a campfire or lake and a timeless closet staple in navy & ivory stripe!

 

2//Gingham Chino Short ($33.50) A stretch chino short - because who wants shorts with no stretch, amiright??
This versatile gingham print has a 7" inseam and 10" rise that's a bit higher than J. Crew camp shorts of years past. 

 

3//Vintage Love Crewneck Tee ($13.99) A soft, broken in graphic tee with a sentiment we all need right now!
Simple enough to pair with a floral skirt or gingham shorts, but perfect with basic denim too.

 

4//Saturday Sneakers w/ Gingham Detail ($41.50)  A comfy pair of white leather sneakers is a must-have for any casual closet! These basics aren't too clunky and have a cushy insole that ensures comfortable wear
all day long, and the gingham heel adds a touch of preppy to any outfit!

 

5//Carryall Tote ($64.99) I've owned this tote for three years now and it just gets better with age! The size is perfect for all your essentials, but not so large you lose stuff in it's depths. A total steal for real leather and also comes in black!

 

1//Tiered Embroidered Ruffle-Sleeve Dress ($48.50) A simple cotton frock with the unmistakable J. Crew details (hello pink scallop sleeves, tiered midi skirt and perfect punch of persimmon). Would be equally cute with sneakers or sandals!

 

2//Floating Flowers Earrings ($17.99) If you aren't a bold color kind of person, this is the perfect way to a pop of sunshine to your outfit! These chandelier floral earrings are lightweight and so pretty
(and they also come in a soft pink version!)

 

3//Ruffle Wrap Gingham Top ($27.49) I'm a basic tee kind of girl, but once a season, I try to add a fun, frilly top into the mix and this is my pick for summer. A fresh orange & pink gingham with just enough ruffles to dress up
a pair of denim shorts or white jeans!

 

4//Pleat Short in Ratti Floral ($34.99) When J. Crew does a fabric collab, they always do it right! I love the bold, bright Ratti patterns featured in many of their dresses, skirts and tops this season, but these shorts just scream SUMMER to me! With a crisp white button-down shirt and espadrilles?? C'mon!

 

5//Suede Espadrille Wedges ($48.50) These feminine wedges with the pretty ankle bows can dress up shorts, skirts, capri pants or dresses! Super great quality, comfy and well-made - pretty much a perfect summer sandal!

 

From basic staples to whimsical, fun finds this J. Crew sale has it all! What's in your cart?  Do share!

Five On Friday | Summer Graphic Tees

One of the most requested links in my #OOTDs are graphic tees (and I'm constantly adding to my beloved collection!)  I love these versatile statement pieces to top flowy skirts, layer over dresses, and peek out from under a blazer. Here's five cute options that I think would be perfect for summer!

 

1//Pink Floyd Tie Dye Tee ($11.99)  Tie dye is trending like crazy this season, and while I'm not opposed to the psychedelic pattern, I'm not planning to invest big wardrobe bucks into it! This muted tee is a perfect way to dip your toes in the tie dye pool and it would be super cute with a pink skirt or shorts!

 

2//Old Navy Wild & Free Tee ($10.00)  You can always count on Old Navy for a great selection of graphic tees at bargain prices. I love floral-themed designs with several colors as they make the tee super versatile in your wardrobe! This cute piece could work with white denim, a red patterned skirt or floral shorts!

 

3//Elizabeth & James "Love All" Tee ($24.00)  This line from Kohl's has some of the best boho designs (think Free People without the $98 price tag!) and I especially love this simple sentiment in vintage aqua. It would be such a great topper for a patterned skirt or peeking out from under a plaid jacket!

 

4//MTV Floral Print Tee ($18.98) This iconic tee comes from the mens' department at Target and I love the
bold graphics (and slightly longer fit that men's tees have!) I can picture this tee with polka dot shorts,
black denim or a sweet yellow skirt!

 

5//Vintage Led Zeppelin Tee ($29.95) Band tees have my heart, especially ones I actually used to listen to...
because nothing's more embarrassing than sporting a band logo and not being able to name one.single.song in their library. This colorful tee is perfect for summer and could be paired with so many colorful combos!

 

TGIF and long live graphic tees!

 

 

From Casual to Date Night | Target Finds

Whenever I purchase a new piece of clothing, I try to immediately style it several different ways so that I can mentally catalog a list of outfit options when I want to wear it. (And, if we're being honest, I also photograph the idea because #imsoold and #iforgetthings)!  Here's a few of the ensembles I created with pieces from my Five on Friday finds from Target. They easily go from casual and comfy to dressier date night!

 

CASUAL:  Graphic Tee |  Straw Hat  | Polka Dot Pants |  Sandals

DATE NIGHT: Old Navy Cami (similar) | Polka Dot Pants | Jean Jacket | Isaac Heels (similar)

 

While these polka dot pants are easy to pair with a solid tee or tank, don't be afraid to mix them with other patterns! A graphic tee or floral camisole are a great contrast with the pants and add so much more fun than a simple solid!

 

CASUAL: Tank Dress | Woven Tote | GGDB Sneakers | Sunnies 

DATE NIGHT: Tank Dress | Boutique Kimono (similar) | Espadrilles | similar necklace 

There's nothing more comfortable than a cotton tee dress for summer and this neutral charcoal has so many styling options! It also comes in cream, sage green, coral, rust, periwinkle, black and royal blue - so you're sure to find a color you love.  A total Target win on this one!

Have a wonderful weekend, my friends!

 

Five On Friday | Target Staples

It doesn't take me long to fill up a cart with cute, trendy pieces from Target, but my last few trips have yielded some great closet staples that are proving to be so versatile in my spring and summer ensembles. Here's five items I'm loving right now!

 

 

1// Who What Wear Wide Leg Pants ($36.99) Your girl can't pass up anything with polka dots!! This pair is so
flattering in a lightweight twill and the quality is equivalent to Madewell - but a fraction of the price!
And how can you not be in good mood with polka dots on your pants!

 

2//Rae Espadrille Platform ($34.99)  I bought the cognac suede version of these sandals last year and they were
my most-worn sandals of the summer. Not only are they super comfy, the quality is spot-on and they've held up
incredibly well despite being worn almost daily!

 

3//Universal Thread Tank Dress ($15.00) I'm blown away by the price of this dress and since it comes in seven
other summer-worthy colors, I just may have to stock up. I sized up two sizes for a more relaxed fit & a bit more length
and I adore the soft cotton and cute flutter sleeve!

 

4//Universal Thread Striped Tote ($35.00)  I love to give my leather handbags a break in warmer months and this neutral woven purse is a great update for summer! The fun fringed edges give it a beachy vibe and it's large enough (and well padded!) to carry a laptop and all the mom essentials.

 

5//Universal Thread Tank Top ($12.99)  Due to my propensity for spilling, usually have to get a new white tank
every season and this basic fits the bill perfectly. I like the higher neckline and the modified racer cut to show off those shoulders!

 

Stop back by tomorrow to see how I've styled these pieces - and happy weekend!

Target Trip | Spring 2021

 I spent some quality time in my faovrite place over the weekend - the aisles of my local Target. Went in for nail polish remover...and as usual, came out with so much more! Here's a few of the stand out items that caught my eye (and may have jumped in my cart!)

 

1//Universal Thread Sleeveless Dress ($20.00)  There's nothing better than a simple tee dress and this mid-length version is perfect dressed up with heeled sandals, thrown over a swim suit, or worn casually with a jean jacket and sneakers. I'm partial to the camo print, but it also comes in ten other prints & colors!

2//A New Day Crossbody Bag ($25.00) I've had a white purse on my wishlist for awhile now, and I love the texture and size of this one! The magnetic flap closure features a woven texture that looks way more expensive than $25, and it also comes in gorgeous spring tones like mint, lilac and peach.

3//A New Day Puff Sleeve Tee ($12.00) I can't resist a good basic and these tees have extra-cute details
that take them beyond basic! The puff sleeve adds a dressier touch that would be perfect with jean skirts,
paperbag waist shorts and joggers! 

4//Universal Thread Brittin Sneakers ($24.99) The last year definitely brought a trend toward all things comfy and so I've stepped up my sneaker game! These cute spotted sneaks are comfy and perfect with jeans, dresses, leggings and more. (Sizing note: They run a tad narrow so I went up half a size.)

5//Olive & June Nail Polish ($8.00) My Instagram feed is always full of rave reviews for Olive & June, and I excited to see the products in person at Target! Their iconic polish gets high marks for longevity and ease of application, and the variety of colors (especially soft pastels for spring & summer) is impressive!

6//A New Day Pull-On Shorts ($17.00) I love having a few options to denim shorts for summer, and these super soft shorts feature a wide waistband and loose fit that equals major comfort! This muted leopard print is perfect for pairing with graphic tees or a denim tank, but the shorts come in six other colorways as well.

7//A New Day Stripe Tee ($12.00)  I've never met a striped tee I didn't like and this wide-stripe long sleeve version is perfect for transitioning into summer! This is a slightly boxy fit but works well with high-waisted jeans and shorts.

 

1//Universal Thread Espadrille Wedge ($17.49)  I own these sandals in solid brown (and they've held up really well
for two summers!) so I'm thinking of grabbing this patterned pair as well. The platform is surprising comfortable and
they work with both shorts and dresses!

2//Dipped Stoneware Mug ($4.99) Does anyone else like to drink their coffee from a seasonally appropriate mug? No? Just me? Well this cute yellow-dipped version is like a little ray of sunshine serving up caffeine on spring mornings. Highly recommend!

3//Makeup Revolution Pout Bomb ($7.00)  I'm old enough to be considering injections for those dang fine lines around the lips - but I'm absolutely terrified of this whole process (and all the things that COULD go wrong) so I'm sticking to over-the-counter options in the meantime! This plumping gloss gets good reviews - and doesn't involve needles
- so I'll let you know how it works for me!

4//MTV Floral Tank ($19.95) Layering tanks and kimonos are my summer jam, so I've added this cute floral tank to my collection! It would also be super cute under a pink or white denim jacket for a casual, cool outfit!

5//Hearth & Hand Throw Pillows ($18.00) There's nothing a few new pillows to freshen up a room and I love the textural options in this line! The fabrics look and feel much more expensive than they are and make for
an easy decor refresh for spring.

6//A New Day Gingham Dress ($27.99) To me, gingham is the pattern of the season and this adorable dress is perfect for styling with a jean jacket and sneakers, a lacy cardigan and heels, or with a graphic tee knotted over the top. The brown and white check is a bit less bold than black or navy and I love the softer look for spring!

7//Universal Thread Triple Tote ($39.99) Obviously, my leopard addiction is still alive and well because this bag is on my wish list! I own this tote in cognac and it's been durable and so functional with three separate compartments that hold A LOT (Like planner, tablet, wallet, phone and even my big DSLR camera - it all fits!)

8//Threshold 3-Tier Serving Tray ($29.99) I'm in spring organizing mode and while this metal piece is in the kitchen section, I'm thinking of using it for make up storage in the bathroom or possibly for crafting supplies in my office. I love the rustic finish and it's big enough (20' high) to hold a lot of little treasures!

 

Thanks for joining me on my little Target trip! What caught your eye there lately? I'd love to hear!

Bike Shorts | 4 Ways

To be honest, I was not sold on the bike short trend when it first came onto the fashion scene. I've owned these shorts years ago when I wore them with a high-cut leotard to step aerobics. The thought of reintroducing them to my wardrobe brought back not-so-fond memories of stumbling through choreography my clumsy self would never master and more than a few mis-steps that resulted in my well-deserved reputation as the Elaine Benes of step class.

But embarrassing memories aside, once I actually convinced myself that I would wear these shorts outside of an exercise class, I was hooked. After all, they are really just the warm-weather version of leggings, right? So I challenged myself to style them much like I would black tights, and here's what I came up with!

 

MTV Tee  |  Bike Shorts  |  Leopard Sneakers

 

Striped Tee  |  Olive Camp Shirt |    Bike Shorts  |  Leopard Slip-ons |  Coin Necklace

 

 

Kimono |  Black Tank  |   Bike Shorts  |  Straw Hat  | Sandals  |  Necklace

 

Jean Jacket  |  FP Tank (similar) |  Bike Shorts  | Sandals  |  Tote

 

My basic black bike shorts are linked above, but I'm also thinking a more colorful (or camo!) pair might be just as versatile.  Here's a round-up of some that I have my eye on!

1//Wild Fable Patterned Shorts ($12)    2//High-Rise Contour Curvy Shorts ($20)

3//High Waist Compression Short ($2)

4// AE High Waisted Camo Short ($30)   5//Focusnorm Cycle Short with Pockets ($14)

6//Aerie Laser-Cut Bike Short ($26)

 

So the lesson I've learned in this style session that you can't always judge a book by its cover...or in this case, a pair of shorts by their exercise class :)

Have a great weekend, my friends!

Colorblock for Writer's Block

Our family took a trip to San Francisco over the long holiday weekend so the blog - and the majority of my work - got neglected last week while we played tourists. From Alcatraz to Fisherman's Wharf, and then over the Bay Bridge to visit my son at Cal Berkeley - it was a fun-filled trip that only solidified my love of the Bay Area. And the fact that I packed perfectly for the weather AND wore every item I took has to mean it was the ideal vacation, right?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

J. Crew Sweater
Madewell Jeans
J. Crew Factory Booties
Circle Belt
J. Crew Necklace

 

We were welcomed home with super cold weather and more snow - yippee! (I'm struggling with how to effectively convey the sarcasm in my tone without using expletives here). I'm also struggling with how to write an interesting blog post about sub zero temps, wool sweaters, February in Colorado, blah blah blah. And so to combat my winter writer's block, I'm donning my favorite color-blocked sweater and calling it good. (Though I'd be remiss if I didn't mention that my leopard booties are now an additional 40% off with the code LEVELUP, making them $78 and a hell of a good deal!)

Stay warm (and colorful!) my friends!

 

For the Love of Leopard.

I've added more leopard patterned items to my wardrobe in the past six months that I ever thought I'd need (or want) and I'm pretty sure my 13 year-old self is dying in humiliation at the grown-up I've become, because who wears leopard except little old ladies? Well, my dear pre-teen self, this old lady is proudly rocking the leopard in 2020.  Who knows what's next - orange lipstick and a beehive, maybe?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

J. Crew Parke Blazer (on ebay; similar)
A New Day Turtleneck
AE Jeggings
Steve Madden "Holly" Boots
XIIX Crossbody Bag (similar)
Madewell Necklace

 

 

My newest leopard piece is this amazing blazer from J. Crew. When it first released, I was stubborn and refused to fork over the $178, waiting because I was certain it would go on sale. But instead, it sold out. And I cried. Then a few weeks later I happened to be perusing my local Nordstrom Rack and I stumbled upon one IN MY SIZE. MARKED DOWN TO $65. AND YES I (NOT SO SILENTLY) SQUEALED IN ALL CAPS.

It was a happy day indeed! And proof that patience sometimes does pay off - an adage that, in repeating, makes me sound like the little old lady I am apparently becoming. So with that, I'm off to send a fax and clean out my pocketbook. Have a great Friday! 

Long Live Crazy Pants.

My closet always seems to contain a few pairs of what I’ve dubbed “crazy pants” - those pieces that add a nice little wallop of fun amid the sea of plain denim and otherwise neutral trousers. I can trace my affinity for eccentric pants back to my sophomore year in high school, when I purchased a pair of teal green haram - aka MC Hammer - pants and proudly wore them (with perfectly matching mock turtleneck) to school. And while I may have looked like complete jackass, I felt incredibly fashion-forward. Never mind that I could have toted a complete turkey dinner around in the crotch of those pants.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

H&M Sweater
H&M Plaid Pants
Marc Fischer booties
Thrifted purse from @thriftstyleboutique
Bracelet

 

 

 

Fast forward to today, and I’m still game to try out peculiar pants (see here, here, and here for proof!) I actually set out to buy the matching plaid blazer to these pants, but after coming up empty handed, I settled for the pants instead. They are a great piece for spicing up a simple ivory or tan sweater, and if the local clown college needs a substitute teacher, I have the perfect ensemble ready to go.

 

(In all seriousness, though, these pants are super comfy with a high rise, pull-on styling, and lots of stretch. And HELLO they are only $18 bucks!)

 

So while you may not admire my taste in crazy leg ware, hopefully you can appreciate my commitment to the trend. Long live crazy pants!