wardrobe wednesday

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!

OOTD Round up | 04.03.2021

Well hello there! It was so fun to style some spring outfits this week because the weather actually cooperated. Well, unless you count the surprise snow on Tuesday, but it melted quickly and we enjoyed beautiful days the rest of the week. Here's a look at what I wore!

Graphic Tee  |  J Crew Lace Skirt (similar)  |  GGDB Sneakers  | Wrap Bracelet  |  Earrings

 

Umgee Tunic | Boutique Cardigan (similar) | Guess Jeans | Frye Boots | Earrings (similar)

 

Madewell Overalls (similar)  |  Boutique Kimono (similar)  |  Aerie Tank 
Freebird Booties (similar) | Lapis Ring | Earrings

 

Old Navy Jeans  |  Graphic Tee  |  Old Navy Hoodie  | Gap Slip-On Sneakers (similar)

 

Jean Jacket  |   J. Crew Tee  |  Coldwater Creek Skirt (similar)  |  Slide Sandals

Wishing you all a blessed and happy Easter!

OOTD Round up | 03.13.2021

Happy weekend! I just returned home from the grocery store, where as a result of the impending Snowmaggedon that's been forecasted, shelves are bare and people are stressed! Luckily I did procure the snowed-in necessities of White Claw, Dots pretzels and ice cream sandwiches, so we should be all set.  Of course, the three-to-six feet of snow that is apparently coming for us means my hopes of spring outfit styling are probably dashed. But at least I got a few spring-y things featured this week!  Here's a round up of what I wore!

 

Jean Jacket  |  Mujer Fuerte Tee  |  Gap Camo Skinnies  |  J Crew Loafers (similar)

 

 

Madewell Overalls (similar)  | Who What Wear Sweatshirt  | J Crew Slides (similar, similar) | Silver Wrap Bracelet

 

Time & Tru Dress (similar)  |  J Crew Tee |  AE Jeans  | J Crew Shoes (similar) | Similar bracelet

 

 

 J Crew Sweater  |  Mossimo Jeans (similar)  |  Gap Leopard Slip-ons (similar)

 

Camel Cardigan  |  Knox Rose Blouse (similar)  |  Madewell Jeans (finished hem) |  Freebird Boots (similar)  

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend and stay warm, hydrated and hopeful for spring!

 

OOTD Round up | 03.06.2021

Welcome to this week's round up of my OOTDs! I'm definitely feeling the urge for a bit more color and "spring-y" items, even if the Colorado weather isn't really cooperating. I know it won't be long before I'm complaining about the heat, so I'll try to enjoy what March has to bring!  I've linked the items I'm wearing if available (and if they are old or not in-stock, I've linked similar things!)

Chenille Cardigan (similar) | Floral Tee (similar; similar) | Old Navy Jeans | BaliElf Wedges

 

 

Jean Jacket | Graphic Tee | Boutique Skirt (similar) | Freebird Booties (similar) | Bracelet

 

 

J. Crew Tee | Betsey Johnson Belt (similar) | William Rast Jeans (similar) | Pink Mules (similar)

 

Target Turtleneck Dress (similar)  |  Jean Jacket  |  Doc Martens  |  necklace

 

 

  Jean Jacket  | Knox Rose Dress |  Freebird Booties (similar)  | Bracelet |  Dainty Ring Set

Looking forward to another warm-ish week and hope yours is wonderful!

 

Five on Friday | Ruffle Neck Blouses

I'm constantly asked about the blouses I use in my Wardrobe Wednesday flat lays and feature ruffled necklines because they are such staples for layering under cardigans, crewnecks, or jackets! The majority of mine have come from J. Crew, who always seems to have a selection of these cute tops, especially in the spring. A simple white or ivory blouse is a must-have for any closet, but this round up includes many other color options as well!

 

 

1//Mixed Media Ruffle Blouse ($44.99) This understated piece is framed in simple pleat ruffles at the neck
and sleeves and layers perfectly under a blazer! It comes in basic white and a stunning red,
as well as a muted olive green (priced slightly lower at $39.99).

2//Crown & Ivy Ruffle Top ($25.25) A simple popover top in cotton/rayon blend with a stand-up ruffle
neckline that peeks out under v-necks & jackets. This top also comes in a variety of spring-worthy colors like
turquoise, neon pink, lemon yellow and white!

3//Nine West Ruffle Blouse ($37.39) A great basic in both black and white, this flattering v-neck
is an ideal layering piece under cardigans or jackets, adding just a touch of feminine flourish to any outfit!

4//Ruffle Mockneck Shell ($49.50) A fun dot print with ruffled neckline is perfect for adding a dash of pattern
and this works so well under bright colors or a simple black blazer! The fluid poly knit is lightweight and drapey,
making this a fabulous layering piece.

5//J. Crew Ruffle Crepe Tank ($19.99) No one does closet basics better than J. Crew and this simple
sleeveless top is no exception! It comes in green, hot pink and a vibrant yellow ($24.99)
that are perfect for adding a dash of color this season.

6//Allegra K Polka Dot Blouse ($18.99) A smaller, subtle dot pattern is perfect for pattern mixing
and this sweet top features not only a ruffled neck, but slightly gathered puff sleeves as well.
Light enough to layer, but also wonderful on it's own...it's a definite closet workhorse!

 

It appears that the Five on Friday feature is quickly turning into six, but I wanted to provide lots of options for this versatile piece! Which is your favorite?

Boxy Cardigan | 4 ways

Living in Colorado means having plenty of sweaters for winter months, and cardigans are one of my favorite styles of knits for cold weather. This year's trendy silhouette of a boxy, slightly cropped boyfriend cardigan is not only comfortable, it's also super versatile for both casual and dressy wear.  This striped version is a fun (but easy to mix!) pattern and it happens to be available for purchase in my shop! Here's four ways I'd style it (or any boxy cardigan!)

Striped Cardigan  |  Tee Dress  |  Sneakers  |  Vintage Purse (similar)

 

 

Striped Cardigan  |  White V-Neck  |  J Crew Chinos  |  Red Belt  | J Crew Slides

 

 

Striped Cardigan  |  Graphic Tee  |  Gap Jeans  |  Sneakers & Laces  |  Baseball Cap

 

 

Striped Cardigan | Pilcro Jeans (similar) | Free People Bralette | Isaac Mizrahi Heels (similar)

 

Any way you style it, a boxy cardigan is easy to layer in so many ways! How would you wear it? I'd love to hear your ideas!

 

Pattern Mixing 101 | Leopard + Plaid

One of the most frequent styling questions I hear is how to successfully mix patterns in an outfit. For me, it's always been a visual process - I can see if two patterns are playing nicely together in terms of color and scale.  But trying to explain why they work together isn't as easy. So I started to deconstruct the process and I found a few basic concepts that help when combining two prints. (Check out this post for some starter tips!)

Two of my favorite patterns are plaid and leopard - my closet boasts a crazy amount of both - and while they may be a bit more challenging to combine than other patterns, I am always up for the task! Here's five outfits that combine the two, as well as a brief explanation of what makes them work!

 

Old Navy Jean Jacket  |  Buffalo Plaid Shirt  |  J Crew Skirt (similar)  | GGDC Sneakers

WHY IT WORKS:  The buffalo plaid and leopard print are both similar scale, and while this could result in an abundance of busy pattern, the bright red of the plaid makes it the star of the show. The neutral colors in the animal print help it act as a base that compliments, rather than competes with, the plaid. The solid jean jacket also helps to marry the two patterns with it's solid color.

 

A New Day Sweater (similar) | H&M Plaid Pant  | Frye Booties  | similar necklace

WHY IT WORKS:  The bold plaid pants are a larger pattern, and paired with the smaller leopard print, they become the focal point. Both prints also share a common color - the soft tan - and it helps tie them together visually.

 

Old Navy Sweater | Plaid Shirt | Leopard Pants (similar) | similar heels | similar necklace

WHY IT WORKS:  Because leopard print is technically a neutral, it will almost always work with a pop of red. A festive red tartan shirt might be too busy top these pants, but layered under a black sweater it adds the perfect accent of color but still allows the leopard to have the spotlight.

 

H&M Dress |  J. Crew Scarf  | Dr. Martens Boots | Fishnet tights

WHY IT WORKS:  Both the plaid scarf and leopard dress share a predominant color - black - and it gives the eye a "resting point" between the two patterns. The plaid is also a relatively large, loose pattern while the leopard is a tighter, more consistent print, and that contrast makes the two work well together!

 

J. Crew Blazer (similar) |  J. Crew Plaid Shirt  |  A&F Jeans  | H&M Heels 

WHY IT WORKS:  This versatile leopard blazer is a simpler print consisting of just tan + black, so it's not overly detailed. When layered over a predominately black plaid, the two patterns play nicely. They are relatively the same scale, and the common color of black helps tie them together. And once again, a pop of red in both the plaid and the statement shoe adds a festive touch to the ensemble!

 

So are you ready to try combining these two prints in your next outfit? While there's no hard and fast rules, these tips just might help you take the leap!

Trumpet Skirt | 4 Ways

You can't really go wrong with a basic black skirt - it's seriously a blank canvas for any outfit you could dream up! From casual to dressy, it's a closet staple that can do it all. I especially love a trumpet shape as it's flattering on all body types because it accentuates the waist while adding a fun flirty touch with a flared hem. Here's four ideas for styling this versatile basic (which is currently available in the Wardrobe Wednesday shop!) 

 

Gap Shaker Knit Sweater  |  WHBM Trumpet Skirt  |   Frye Campus Boots |  Wrap Bracelets 

 

 

Queen T shirt  |  Old Navy Jean Jacket  |  WHBM Trumpet Skirt  |  GGDB Sneakers 

 

 

J Crew Leopard Shirt |  WHBM Trumpet Skirt  |  Fluevog "Steinem" Heels

 

  WHBM Trumpet Skirt  |  J Crew Sweater Blazer  |  Target Blouse (similar)|  J Crew Booties

 

So how you would wear this piece? I'd love to hear your ideas! The possibilities are truly endless with a classic skirt like this!

Jersey Dress | 4 Ways

With a wardrobe that largely consists of jeans + casual tops, I love the variety a basic dress can add to my closet. And unlike jeans, a soft, stretchy dress will never refuse to button after a weekend of dietary indulges, so there's that. This deep teal jersey dress from Lou & Grey is as comfortable as the lounge wear the brand is famous for, but with a bit more polish (and it's available in my Wardrobe Wednesday shop). Here's four ways I styled this cozy, comfy piece!

 

Lou & Grey Dress  |  J Crew Plaid Scarf  |  Frye Campus Boots in Dark Brown

 

Lou & Grey Dress  |  Old Navy Jean Jacket  |  GGDB Sneakers  | similar necklace

 

Lou & Grey Dress  |  Plaid Flannel  |  Dr. Martens "Pascal" Boots  |  similar necklace

 

Lou & Grey Dress  |  J Crew Sweater Blazer  |  Target Turtleneck  |  J Crew Leopard Booties

 

Seeing all these cute options makes me want to keep the dress! It is undeniably versatile and the fact that it doesn't remind me that I ate way too many donuts this weekend pretty much makes it my new best friend. 

Patterned Shorts | 4 Ways

I'll admit that my collection of denim shorts rivals any other item in my summer wardrobe because, after all, they are an easy staple and a crucial part of my tee-and-jeans uniform. But that doesn't mean I don't like to mix it up with a fun patterned short every now and then (like when I haven't done laundry for weeks and there are no more clean jean shorts!)  Patterns take a little more thought to create a pulled together look, but here are some of my favorite tips for creating an outfit around your favorite floral or print!

Old Navy Shorts  |  Madewell Central Shirt  |  Circle Cross Body  |  J Crew Loafers (similar)

 

 

Old Navy Shorts  | Gap Denim Shirt |  Target Sandals  |  Straw Hat 

 

 

Old Navy Shorts  |  J Crew Blazer  |  Chambray Tank (similar)  |  Sandals  | J Crew Necklace

 

Old Navy Shorts  | VS Tee (similar, similar)  |  Converse  |  Burberry Sunglasses (similar)

 

I've linked my shorts in the photos above - they are great linen blend I highly recommend them! But here's some other options as well!

1// Wild Fable Ruffle Hem Shorts ($17)      2//LOFT Zinnia Riviera Short ($20)

3//Old Navy Linen Blend Short ($15)    4//GAP Utility Pull-On Shorts ($24)

5//J. Crew Factory Floral Basketweave Short ($35)    6//Paperbag Waist Daisy Shorts ($9)

 

Wishing you all a very happy weekend!