The $100 cashmere sweater + linkup

Last weekend we were in Chicago, and this week was a whirlwind between after work commitments and planning a big event for my team at work.  So I was excited for a chill weekend at home and cooking dinner for my mom to celebrate Mother's day.

Panda bamboo sunglasses [similar]  //  Cashmere sweater [exact only $100]  //  Tunic tee [exact under $20]  //  Release hem jeans [similar]  //  Everlane Day Glove flats c/o [exact]  //  Straw tote c/o [exact]  //  Ear crawlers [exact - my fav, these are fun too] 

She love veggies, so I went with an arugula, beet, citrus, avocado, pistachio, and goat cheese salad, steak (not pictures cause steak's not pretty), and husband's homemade bread.

I also made Girl & the Goat, Stephanie Izard's sauteed cauliflower.  It's SO good, I highly recommend making it, even though there's quite a few steps involved to make the peppers and the compound butter.

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Activewear at Usery Mountain Park

Happy Spring, friends!

I am vying so hard for the Arizona weather we left behind, as I write this post it's SNOWING.  Not cool, Mother Nature.  

I wore this for an AM hike at Usery Mountain; it was stunning!  If you're ever in the Mesa area, I'd highly recommend making the trek.

  

Did you know that saguaro cacti can live to be 200 years old and tower over 50 feet?!  Being amazed by all the varieties of cacti caused me to do some research, and now I find them even more fascinating!  They grow SUPER slow, typically only 1 inch in the first 10 years.  SO crazy.  Then it takes at least another 50 before an "arm" starts to grow.  Makes you really appreciate those giant cacti, no?!

Panda bamboo sunglasses [similar, similar]  //  Mesh panel 7/8 leggings [exact under $30]  //  Cutout back tank [exact under $20]   //  Nike sneakers [exact]  //  Favorite running socks [exact]  //  H&M destructed denim jacket [similar]  //  Favorite backpack [exact]

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Pink Suede Loafers + Hello Monday Linkup

Hello friends!  Happy Monday.  

I hope everyone had a great week and weekend.  We laid pretty low, which is rather unusual, and it was wonderful; take-out Chinese, binge watching 24 (which I've somehow never seen?!),  lots of pup cuddles.

Speaking of unusual- hot pink anything is very unusual for me.

H&M utility jacket [similar]  //  Wildfox tee [similar $20 option, similar]  //  7 for All Mankind jeans [similar]  //  Vince blush tote [similar]  //  Suede loafers [exact under $50]  //  Nadri ear crawlers [exact]

Yet when I saw these suede loafers online, I fell in love.  They seemed like such a fun pop to add to my otherwise very monochromatic-feeling work wardrobe.  They're also buttery-soft suede.  I've found that they are a great way to spice up casual basics too, like my trusty utility jacket and favorite white tee.

If hot pink is a little much, these loafers also come in tan, black, and navy.  They run true to size and are super comfortable.  Oddly enough, I liked the pink the most though!

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A Little Bit of Everything + Hello Monday Linkup

Happy Monday!
These last couple weeks have been a little hectic, and a lot cold!  So formal blog photo content is a little scarce.  

That being said, I have a few work outfits to share and a few other fun odds'n'ends.

Who wore it best?

I wore this look to work a little while ago, and then posted the 'who wore it best' poll on Instagram, and it wasn't even a competition.   Ha!  Sherlock won by a landslide, as he should've.

Target scarf | A&F sweater | Ann Taylor skirt | Frye boots

Business Casual Work Wear

I also wore this outfit to work a week ago on Thursday.  I had zero meetings, and decided to see if anything bad happened if I wore jeans to the office to literally sit at my desk all day.   Spoiler, nothing happened.  Nobody cared.

Theory blazer | J.Crew Factory cardigan | H&M neckerchief | J.Crew tee | 7 For All Mankind ankle skinny jeans | Jimmy Choo flats

Serious Shoe Decisions

I stumbled upon Margaux shoes looking for the perfect navy flats.  Then I fell in love with the navy suede heels.  I think I may pull the trigger on those this month, and if they're as amazing as I hope, add the ballet flats in cognac or pale pink next month.  What do you think?

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Suede & Cozy Knits + Hello Monday Linkup

Hello friends!

As I was drafting this post, I saw that this jacket is marked down 40%- and the black and red are also marked down!  I love this jacket- it gets so much wear.  The color is so rich, and looks great with everything.  I also like the simplified design compared to the more pervasive version with a belt (which I may or may not own in olive...)- mostly because the belt buckle on the other version clinks when you walk.  Maybe that sounds silly, but I notice noisy fashion when walking around the office... shoe zippers that click, pants that swish, and I find myself getting self-conscious about it.  

I find that it runs about a size small- I purchased this one in small, but I can only layer lightly with it.  Oddly, the forearms and elbows are the tightest part.  I own the olive in medium, and it's perfect for a thicker knit or sweater underneath.  

BlankNYC suede moto jacket [exact 40% off!]  //  H&M chunky knit sweater [exact, similar]  //  ACNE Studios jeans [exact, similar under $100 I also love]  //  H&M booties [similar]  //  $13 Sunnies [exact in black]

Outfit Details

BlankNYC suede moto jacket [exact 40% off!]

H&M chunky knit sweater [exact, similar]

ACNE Studios jeans [exact, similar under $100 I also love]

H&M booties [similar]

$13 Sunnies [exact in black]

Pick of the Week

I just scooped up this sequin tee- and it's on mega sale right now.  I think it will be perfect with a black pencil skirt to dress it up, or skinny jeans and a metallic shoe for a more casual approach.

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Work Wear Week 6

I'm a few weeks behind sharing work outfits- but I'm still excited to share this set.  It's one of my favorites, even a little late.  

Monday

BlankNYC suede jacket | Banana Republic tie-neck blouse | Banana republic coated tweed skirt (in Tall) | Gucci loafers

Tuesday

Banana Republic sweater | Banana Republic lace pencil skirt | Jimmy Choo flats | Kendra Scott necklace

Wednesday

Theory blazer | Banana Republic sweater | Ann Taylor skirt | Gucci loafers | Kendra Scott pendant

Thursday

Target cardigan | Gap tee | Milly skirt | Marc Fisher flats

Casual Friday

H&M utility jacket | H&M dress | Toga Pulla booties

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Work Week Wear

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The Black Midi Skirt + Hello Monday Linkup

Hello Friends! Happy Memorial Day!

This is what I wore to church last Sunday.  Today, I'm actually wearing these very patriotic shorts, paddle boarding, sunbathing, and drinking lots of peach lemonade :)

Gap striped tee {exact, similar}  //  H&M denim jacket {similar}  //  Forever 21 full midi skirt {similar}  //  Chunky jasper necklace {Etsy seller's shop- no white in stock but she'll usually accommodate requests 😊 }  //  Vince crossbody bag {similar}  //  Sorel Addington sandals {exact}

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Lace Sleeve Blouse & Hello Monday Linkup

Lace-trim wide-sleeve blouse [exact under $40]  //  Paperbag waist pants [exact on mega sale]  //  Vince crossbody bag [similar]  //  Hinge wedges [similar]  //  $12 sunnies [exact]
Happy Monday! Last week I was out hunting for a top to pair with a certain Milly skirt and I struggled.  I checked all my usual spots at the mall to no avail, but I did snag this super cute top at H&M.  It definitely doesn't match the skirt though 💁

When I was thinking about what to pair this top with, I immediately thought of my high-waisted bottoms, since it's a bit cropped.  Earlier this week I wore it with some high-waisted cropped straight leg jeans and loved it.  Then Rachelle reminded me I own these paperbag waist khakis- and since the blue stripes have a subtle khaki outline- the combo seemed perfect. 

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A Week of Outfits + Hello Monday Linkup

Old Navy Cardigan- available in other colors | Lou & Grey scoop neck tee |  Loft skirt | Kendra Scott Carole lapis pendant (similar) | Rebecca Minkoff Mini Avery tote- available in other colors | Belle by Sigerson Morrison flats- similar

Utility jacket via Nordstrom Rack (similar) | Banana Republic striped tee | Sun & Shadow crops (similar) | Gucci Brixton loafers - $80 option - under $40 option | Rebecca Minkoff Mini Avery tote- available in other colors

Adrianna Papell jacket (similar) | H&M striped tee (option) | Gap paper bag waist pants | Nordstrom colorblocked mules (option) | Meet Matte Hughes liquid lipstick in 'Trustworthy'

Gucci Brixton loafers - $80 option - under $40 option | H&M utility jacket (similar) | State of G cardigan | Gap tee | Alexander Wang jeans (similar, similar all sizes stocked) | Causegear tote | $12 sunglasses

Gap striped sweater on sale for under $25 obsessed | Old Navy swing tee | Kendra Scott Rayne necklace (similar) | Sun & Shadow crops (similar) | Birkenstock Mayari sandals

Old Navy Cardigan- available in other colors | Gap tee | H&M midi skirt | Etsy necklace | Naturalizer sandals c/o 

And since it's Monday that means Linkup Day! (yes, totally a proper noun)

Hosted by:

Carylee: More Pieces of Me | Bloglovin | Instagram

Jenna: Sincerely Jenna Marie | Bloglovin | Instagram

Whether it's fashion, lifestyle, fitness, food, or DIY, share your latest musings with the Hello Monday Linkup! We just ask that you link back to the hosts within your exact blog post and throw a follow our way on Instagram or Bloglovin'. Thanks for linking up!

An InLinkz Link-up

Linked up with  Pink Sole //  Jo-Lynne Shane

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My Uniform + Hello Monday Linkup

Pretty sure I wear a variation of this outfit at least three times a week... 

jeans + t-shirt + this exact cardigan, utility jacket or both layered up + flats

So while this look is pretty basic, it 1) is a really accurate representation of what I'm wearing any given weekday, and 2) a few of the pieces in this iteration are new and felt worth blogging about.

I'm a big fan of this high-waisted denim trend, but after picking up a couple pairs, I realized they called for a fitted top, and I didn't own virtually any truly fitted tops.  So, I ordered a couple classic fitted crew neck tees, and this gray one ended up being my favorite.  It's a really sturdy fabric with a lot of stretch, slightly longer sleeves (I hate the cap sleeves found on many crew neck tees), and tucks in very smoothly.  I also ordered the white, and it's pleasantly opaque.  

Speaking of high-waisted denim... I've been shopping for them a couple months now.  I ordered this budget-friendly pair and wasn't crazy about the rear view, and this Madewell pair, and the bottom was wider than I hoped.   Then I scooped up this pair by Alexander Wang in-store a couple weeks ago and adore them.  I also stumbled on a medium wash, release hem pair at Nordstrom Rack for $16, but sadly they're not online.  

Last, but certainly not least, these loafers are also new.  *Sigh*  These are the most expensive splurge I've ever bought myself.  I saved my shoe shopping pennies for a few months, and then the husband got me a Nordstrom gift card for Valentine's Day, but even then ordering them took me little while.  Once I hit 'Complete Purchase', I almost hoped they wouldn't fit, or live up to the Gucci hype, but alas, they are absolutely wonderful.  The leather is so dreamily buttery, and they were comfortable from the get-go.  I can already tell they will get plenty of wear.  I plan to do a detailed review of them later- because I had a really hard time finding helpful sizing information online... There were plenty of forums siting what size ladies wear in Valentino, Prada, and other Gucci shoes, compared to this style, but uh how about Nikes? lol.  However, I found they run true to size- I ordered a 38, and I wear an 8 in almost all shoes, and an 8.5 in Nikes.  

Oh and these $12 sunnies are new too, woot!

H&M utility jacket [under $25 option, love this one too] wearing 8  //  State of G cardigan [exact, similar under $30] wearing small   //  Crew neck tee [exact 40% off] wearing small regular  //  001 Denim x Alexander Wang jeans [similar, similar all sizes stocked] wearing 28, runs small  //  $12 rose gold and tortoise sunnies [exact]  //  CauseGear canvas and leather tote via Green Heart Shop [exact]  //  Gucci 'Brixton' loafers [exact, budget faux leather option, under $100 leather option] wearing size 38, TTS

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Cargo Pants + Hello Monday Linkup

I've been hunting for a good pair of relaxed olive cargo pants for awhile now, so when I stumbled upon these a couple weekends ago, I was very excited!  The first couple times I wore them, I kept it pretty casual, but I like to make sure and mix in a girly detail or two so the look doesn't go too masculine.  

Last time I added these satin ankle-tie flats to contrast the utilitarian vibe of the pants. 

This time I wore them, I decided to really go wild and pair all the ruffles and leopard with them.  I think I dig it.

H&M ruffled half-zip sweater [similar, similar]  //  Olive cargo pants [exact on sale, option under $30]  //  DVF leopard calf hair pumps [option]  //  Tory Burch mini crossbody [exact]

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