Stripes + Plaid {and Hey Girl Linkup}

Vest: Old Navy (similar, more sizes)  //  Sweater: Loft (similar)  //  Button Down: H&M  //  Jeans: East & Lo c/o  //  Flats: Julie Lopez c/o  //  Bag: Old Navy (similar)

 

Wanna hear a sad story?  I'm going to tell you a sad story.  It serves a purpose, promise.
Each summer during college, I would move home to work.  After a long day of packing and cleaning, my car was loaded to the brim.  It was a disorganized mess of bags, boxes, loose shoes, piles of laundry, and other very tidy college-y things.  With plans to take off the next morning, I crashed at a friend's apartment really late.  I vividly remember making the conscious decision to just lock my car, not sett the alarm.  You see, when I clicked my remote twice to set the alarm, my little car  honks really loud and that seemed like a rude thing to do at nearly 3:00am.
You know what else is really rude?  Breaking someone's window to steal their stuff.  That day, when I awoke bright and early to leave, I was greeted my a pile of glass and less stuff in my car than the night before.  My laptop and a backpack got stolen, which totally sucked.  But you know what I may have been most upset about?  Since I had packed so frantically, there was just ONE of my absolute favorite shoes in the backpack that got taken.  They were the cutest emerald green patent leather flats with a pointy toe and knot at the front, and I loved them.  (Maybe not quite as much as my stupid-expensive Apple Macbook, but I was still pretty devastated about those shoes...)  I held on to that lone shoe for years, like I would somehow stumble upon its mate.  Alas, I did not.
Fast forward many years, and depspite my accomplished status as a champion shoe shopper, I have yet to find a replacement pair of emerald green flats.  That is, until I discovered Julie Lopez shoes.  Not only are these flats tremendously comfy, but they're EMERALD GREEN.  Every pair is made in Italy, and they're superb quality.  And don't tell my poor lonely emerald flat, but I like these even more.

Outfit Details:

Vest: Old Navy (similar, more sizes) Sweater: Loft (similar) Button Down: H&M Jeans: East & Lo c/o Flats: Julie Lopez c/o Necklace: Purple Peridot Bag: Old Navy (similar)

AND I'm co-hosting a bonus linkup today with the fabulous ladies of Pumps & Push Ups, so make sure and join in after the break!

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cozy saturdays

Cardigan: Nick+Zoe (similar, similar, similar) // Turtleneck: Old Navy // Jeans: East&Lo {also seen here} // Boots: Bearpaw c/o  (on sale here) // Bag: Old Navy (similar, splurge) {also seen here}

Cardigan: Nick+Zoe (similar, similar, similar) // Turtleneck: Old Navy // Jeans: East&Lo {also seen here} // Boots: Bearpaw c/o  (on sale here) // Bag: Old Navy (similar, splurge) {also seen here} Over the weekend I wore this when I just wanted to be comfy and cozy for a few casual errands and tidying the house in preparation for the upcoming holiday.  This cardi brings the visual interest, and the boots keep my feet happily toasty.  I love that while being casual booties, the buckle and wrap-style top add a little flair.  And did I mention toasty?  Because I've been wearing these nonstop in the chilly temperatures.
linked up with  manic monday with more pieces of me and on the daily express // #howifall with chacha and rachelle  // style to inspire // monday morning gossip // sophisticated style    // whitney nic james  //  Style Elixir  //  Trend Spin Linkup with Walking in Memphis in High Heels and The Fashion Canvas  //  Mama and More  //   I Do DeClaire  // induffinitely me // still being molly 

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Off-Duty Looks & Weekly Linkup

Jacket: H&M | Shirt: H&M (similar) | Sweatpants: Target  (similar) | Tote: Old Navy | Slip-ons: Madden Girl

Vest: Old Navy | Chambray: J.Crew | Sweats: J.Crew | Tote: Nordstrom (similar, love this tote too) | Slip-ons: Madden Girl

Hoodie: H&M | Jeans: East & Lo c/o {also seen in all these posts} | Sandals: Birkenstock (similar) Some days, sweatpants, hoodies, and sneakers win out.  While none of these outfits made the cut as their own post, I like sharing my outfits from all occasions (not just the glamorous ones).

And of course today is linkup day!

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Over the Knee Boots

 

I wore this outfit for our 2-year anniversary date.  We kept things casual, and went out to dinner at PF Changs, which is a little sentimental since we frequented it on our honeymoon.  This outfit was the perfect mix of comfort, with the drapey sweater (I may have eaten a few too many tempura green beans... sorry not sorry), and dressy with the blazer and subtle pops of gold in the purse and bangle.  I was also excited to break these boots out...  
Last winter, I caved and ordered the rather pricey Stewart Weitzman 5050 boots.  I had very high expectations.  When I received them, they were quite pretty, but after wearing them for a few laps in my apartment, I couldn't justify the price tag at all.  They were fairly comfortable, but my Frye boots were far superior in that regard.  The leather was soft and supple, but as a result they pooled at my ankles a bit.  The sole was also quite thin, and offered no protection against scuffing the buttery leather.  Basically, I'd likely be too afraid to actually wear them given any chance of rain, snow, or rough terrain.  So, long story short, they went back. (And my bank account thanked me...)
Fast forward to this season, where gortex/elastic-backed leather or suede over the knee boots are everywhere.  I am usually a bit of a boot snob (I like leather), however I fancied for under $50 this faux suede pair was worth a shot.  I even had a coupon for $10 off.  Overall, I'm pretty satisfied with my budget version.  They're certainly no leather boots, but given that I don't anticipate wearing them very often, they're just the right price, comfort level, and quality.   ________________ wearing: Jacket: Nordstrom Rack, in stores (similar) {also seen here} Sweater: J.Crew Factory (similar) {also seen here} Jeans: East & Lo c/o {also seen in all these posts} Boots: DSW (similar, splurge) Crossbody: D'Andrea c/o {also seen here} get $25 off $100 purchase with code 'Mistercollection2014' Bangle: Nadri via Nordstrom (similar)
Linked up with What I Wore with The Pleated Poppy   //  Whatcha Wearing Wednesday with The Mummy Chronicles  //  What I Wore Wednesday with Cappuccino & Fashion  //  Style Me Wednesday with Shopping My Closet  // Because Shanna Said So

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colorblocked

I wore this over the weekend to check out a potential new home.  I had to get dressed quickly, since I spent a decade doing my hair and it's probably not ideal to be late meeting up with the person who may also be collecting your rent.  When in doubt, I migrate toward a neutral palette.  It's quick, chic, and pretty hard to mess up. The townhouse we saw is really spacious, has a small fenced yard for Sherlock, more bedrooms than we know what to do with (who wants to visit?!),  a community pool, and the landlord is willing to pay for materials for updates if we do the labor.  The house is a little dated, but the bones are great, and it's a stellar deal.  The contract just needs to be drafted, and it's ours.  I cannot wait to start moving and make it our own, after we tear down plenty of awful wallpaper.  Yeah!!! _____________________ wearing: Tunic: Loft (similar) Scarf: H&M, in stores (similar) {also seen here} Jeans: flying monkey via east&lo c/o {also seen here} Bag: Rebecca Minkoff (other colors) {also seen here} Earrings: nomorerack.com c/o {also seen here} Booties: Toms via Nordstrom linked up with Style Elixir  //  Trend Spin Linkup with Walking in Memphis in High Heels and The Fashion Canvas  //  Mama and More  //   I Do DeClaire  // induffinitely me // still being molly 

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leopard jacquard

 

Happy Monday!  Last week was great, things are looking up, and I'm excited for a new week :)  The husband got an official offer from the law firm he's been working at, we found a place to live (SO stoked), and celebrated my birthday, all in one week.  Looks like St. Louis is the place we're going to call home for awhile.  It's not Chicago, but there's a Trader Joe's, Costco, and Nordstrom, which are the sarcastic qualifications I cite when qualifying whether or not I could put down roots somewhere.  

Also exciting news, this jacket looks great with silver and gold and is 25% off with code '25OFF' this week.  Winning.

_______________

wearing:

Jacket: Leona

Tiered tank: Leona

25% off through Friday with '25OFF'

Jeans: East & Lo c/o {also seen here}

Clutch: Soigne c/o {also seen here}

Flats: Sam Edelman {also seen here}

Sunglasses: Forever 21

Earrings: Nomorerack.com c/o {also seen here}

linked up with whitney nic james  //  manic monday with more pieces of me and on the daily express // #howifall with chacha and rachelle  // style to inspire // monday morning gossip // sophisticated style  //  mix it monday  //  creative monday //i would so rock this

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Denim Giveaway!

I love denim.  I worked in denim-oriented retail from the time I was 16 until I graduated college (first Buckle, then The Rail department in Nordstrom).  So, when East & Lo contacted me about reviewing their new exclusive denim line by Flying Monkey, I was a very happy girl.  I love my premium denim, and finding the same quality under $100 is awesome.  The finishing is perfect, the denim is lightweight, comfortable, and they retain their shape so well; I've worn them 3 days in a row, trust me ;) And because you all take the time to read my blog, which I appreciate so much, one lucky winner will get to pick a pair of jeans from East & Lo's new line- just check out my Instagram account for details! _____________________ wearing: sweater: joe fresh via jcpenney jacket: leona jeans: flying monkey via east&lo c/o {also seen here} flats: sam edelman {also seen here} lipstick: rimmel lasting finish by Kate Moss matte lipstick in 102
linked up with Style Elixir  //  Trend Spin Linkup with Walking in Memphis in High Heels and The Fashion Canvas  //  Mama and More  //   I Do DeClaire  // induffinitely me // still being molly // whitney nic james  //  manic monday with more pieces of me and on the daily express // #howifall with chacha and rachelle  // style to inspire // monday morning gossip // sophisticated style  //  mix it monday  //  creative monday //i would so rock this

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