The Last Hurrah

You guys, this is it.  It feels like the end of an era.

143 linkups later, Caryl and I are calling it.

Not on blogging, just the linkup.  We both agreed that the pressure to post every Monday took some of the fun out of blogging, and balancing work, travel, additional activities, and blogging is a lot.  Sometimes too much.

I'll certainly still be blogging, and hope you'll still pop by, it just may not be on Mondays.

Striped tee [exact]  //  Pleated skirt [exact on sale]  //  Leather bucket bag [exact]  //  Madewell bandana [exact]  //  Leather sandals [exact]

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Olive Green Overalls + Linkup

Happy Monday!

We had planned to visit Memphis this weekend, but plans shifted last minute.  So instead I did some organizing/cleaning and may have binge watched season 4 of Jane the Virgin (OMG that cliff hanger at the end?!  I can't take it).

On Saturday, we also stopped by Frankly Sausages and Ikea.  While their namesake sausages are delicious, I live for their fries.  They are SO crispy, while being insanely creamy in the middle.  The house smokey catsup doesn't hurt either.

Panda bamboo sunglasses [similar]  //  Diba True 'No Evidence' convertible flats c/o [exact get $30 off with 'JENNAMARIE']  //  Baggu leather crossbody [exact on sale]  //  Linen blend overalls [similar, similar]  //  Ruffle sleeve henley [exact on sale]  //  Madewell bandana [similar]  //  Dior Lip Glow in 004 Coral Glow [exact]

This time, I got their wild boar sausage with pickled green strawberries and mint.  The sausage was pretty tasty, but I was indifferent about the topping.  Husband got their burger (a recent addition to the menu) and oh my.  It was SO good.  I might cave and get that next time, despite their self-proclaimed specialty.

Since we were going to Ikea after, comfort was key in outfit selection.  I went with an old favorite pair of linen overalls, and these super comfortable, soft leather shoes from Diba True.  They very generously let me pick a pair from their new releases, and it was a tough choice because there were SO many cute options.  I ultimately settled on this style, No Evidence, because I think they'll look adorable with both skirts and jeans, and I love that the back is convertible so they can function as slides too.  They also provided a coupon code for readers- get $30 off any pair with 'JENNAMARIE'.  Winning!  I also love this wedge sandal style and these olive suede wedges.

I finished my outfit off with a few other items I've been repeating over and over- this $14 scarf (last seen here and here) which I recently ordered in another pattern (sheer pink multi) and this ruffle-sleeve henley.

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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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Picnic Apparel + Linkup

Hi Friends!

I wore this on Saturday in Chicago.  We grabbed sandwiches (and I had to try the black cherry chocolate chunk rice krispy treat...) at Publican Quality Meats, threw them in our picnic basket, and headed to the park for an afternoon catching some rays and enjoying the warm Spring weather.

Panda bamboo sunglasses [similar]  //  Ruffle sleeve henley [exact under $20]  //  Pleated knee length skirt [exact]  //  Madewell bandana [similar]  //  Everlane Day Glove flats c/o [exact]  //  Straw tote c/o [exact]  //  Ear crawlers [exact - my fav, these are fun too] 

This tote was perfect for the occasion.  I fit a few more goodies for lunch, plates, a cheese board, my camera, and my usual purse contents with ease, and the strap fits over my shoulder too!  I loved this 100% cotton ruffle sleeve henley too.  It's under $20 right now, comes in a bunch of colors, and is also super cute tucked into or left out high-waist jeans.

And these shoes <3

Not sure I can say enough good things about them.  I've worn them SO much since getting them, and I usually share the shoe love across my collection pretty evenly.  Not anymore.  These are so insanely comfy and the pale blue seems to just go with everything.  And speaking of over-wearing, this skirt has become a staple as well.  I love that it has a zipper and elastic in the waist for the most perfect fit.  The pleats and length are also super flattering.  I've worn it at least once a week since receiving it in the mail.  

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Spring Flowers + Hello Monday Linkup

Happy finally feels like Spring!

Seriously though, Mother Nature has been a little cruel these last few weeks (not that it matters since I literally (but not really) lived at my office.  (I did go home at night, but late, and to eat/shower/sleep in preparation for back to back marathon days at the office, YAY WORK!)

But I made it out alive, and those deadlines were met, so I celebrated Spring and my recently rediscovered work-life balance with flowers 💜

Chambray blue plaid print dress c/o [exact]  //  Large straw tote c/o [exact]  //  Floral embellished sandals c/o [exact]

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My Favorite Roasted Sweet Potatoes & Linkup

One of my favorite places is the kitchen.  Starting in high school, I took a pretty serious interest in cooking, and as soon as I had an apartment and my own kitchen in college, I started a food blog to document my cooking ventures.  Well food photography is really hard, and my blog eventually died, but that was my first foray into blogging and gave me the courage to start my fashion blog way back when.  I guess I've come full circle, writing about food on my fashion blog 😉.

Tunic hoodie c/o [exact]  //  Destructed skinny jeans [exact]  //  Superga sneakers c/o [exact]  //  Straw tote c/o (perfect for the farmer's market!) [exact]  //  Gap white tee [similar]

A couple years back, my coworkers and I did a "vegetarian month" challenge, and that's when I devised this recipe.  I've made it at least once a month since then.  It's so easy, lasts well in the fridge, and makes so many dishes yummier.

Start by cubing a few sweet potatoes, tossing them in a bag with seasoning (recipe below) and enough avocado (coconut or olive will do too) oil to liberally coat them.

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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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Under $50 Distressed Skinny Jeans + Hello Monday Linkup

Howdy friends!

I just got back from a few days in Arizona (where these photos were taken) for husband's sister's wedding (yayyy!) and dang do I miss the weather already! Although it did get a little chilly at night, so it was rather unfortunate when I arrived Tuesday night and realized I somehow didn't pack jeans 😒

So Wednesday, when we were out running a few last minute errands for the bride, I also tracked down a reasonably priced pair of jeans to wear the rest of the week.  I didn't want to buy something I basically already had, so when I found these super soft, lightwash destroyed skinnies for under $50, I was stoked.  They run true to size, if not a tiny big, and are super comfortable and lightweight.  Perfect for Summer.

Destructed skinny jeans [exact on sale for $44, orig $108]  //  James Perse tee [similar]  //  Birkenstock sandals [exact, similar under $40, love these too]  //  Vince crossbody [similar]  //  Madewell bandana [exact under $13]  //  Panda bamboo sunglasses [similar, similar]

Also perfect for Summer- these sandals.  I love LOVE and wear mine so often.  They're as comfortable as traditional Birkenstocks, but the more delicate, shiny straps look so much more feminine.

Spiced up one of my favorite Vince crossbody bags from last year with a fun, affordable scarf.

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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 White Blouse One More Way + Hello Monday Linkup

Recognize this shirt?  Yup, this is the third look in a row featuring this machine-washable white silk blouse.  I've worn it many more other ways already too.  I wish I found the perfect white blouse earlier.

Speaking of repeated wear, these pants and shoes are absolute workwear staples.  I have the pants in charcoal and black and wear each one probably once a week.  They look polished, but are insanely comfortable and don't stretch out at all.  It's amazing.

Outfit Details

Banana Republic white silk blouse [exact]

Vince ponte pants [exact]

Banana Republic neckerchief  [similar]

Express blazer [other colors]

Vince Camuto flats [similar]

Nadri ear crawlers [exact]

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The DVF Find & Hello Monday Linkup

Hey Strangers!
These last couple weeks have been insane; sorry for the unannounced radio silence.  Work was very hectic there for a bit, and it caught up with me.  I got hit hard by a nasty bug and while I'm much better now, I'm definitely still recovering.  Thankfully, we had a warm weekend earlier in February, so I still have a few looks left to share.

So a few months ago, the husband and I were grabbing Raising Cane's (have I mentioned I love chicken tenders?) and it's right next to my favorite TJ Maxx in St. Louis.  Favorite TJ Maxx sounds like a funny thing, right?  But this location has such a great designer section.  So, while we were in the area, husband asked if I wanted to make any other stops before chicken tenders, and I requested we peruse TJ Maxx.  Mostly I just wanted a couple new candles, but a little looking never hurt.  Right?  Well, I fell in love with this vest AND spied this skirt, but they only had a 2, and while it narrowly zipped, buying it that small was not responsible.  

\

After a bit of internet sleuthing I 1) found my size available online and 2) discovered the perfect sweater produced to go with it.  The sweater however was sold out EVERYWHERE.  Miraculously, while texting Annie whining about not being able to find an orange sweater to pair with this skirt, I decided to search for the DVF style one more time and I found it brand new with tags at The RealReal!  Since I had never shopped at The RealReal, I got $25 off my purchase, so it was such a bargain!  Such a shopping victory.

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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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New Favorite Lip Combo + Hello Monday Linkup

Hello friends!

A couple weeks ago, I shared a huge Sephora haul on Instagram stories (sidenote- do you guys like that type of content covered on the blog as well?) and a few stand-out favorites have emerged.  Namely, the Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb Universal Lip Luminizer.  It is amazing!  I haven't been big on glittery glosses lately, but after seeing Psyche and Rachelle tag Fenty Beauty over and over on Instagram, I wanted to try something from the line.  After looking through what's available, the crazy good reviews and seemingly universal shade of this gloss won me over, and goodness it didn't disappoint!  

For everyday wear, it's perfect solo, or when I'm getting a little more dolled up, I fill my lips with this liner (in 'Whirl') and then layer on the gloss.  It lasts really well and I love the shade.  Plus I'm convinced the super-shiny finish makes my lips look fuller. Ha!

American Eagle shearling coat [exact, similar]  //  BP tunic tee [exact under $20]  //  Golden Goose sneakers [similar, budget option under $30]  //  Joe's jeans [exact, similar under $50]  //  Lips [liner in 'Whirl', gloss]

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Polka Dots, Leopard + Hello Monday Linkup

A couple weeks ago I wore this blouse to work.  I walked into my VP's office for a meeting, he stopped, inspected my blouse, and titled it 'interesting' 😂  I can see how it may not be everyone's cup of tea, but I love a good pattern and exaggerated sleeve.  

I also love this jumper.  I had been shopping around for one for awhile, and I was thrilled to stumble upon this one for under $30!

I wanted it to be a little relaxed, and ended up going two size from my usual to achieve that fit.  For reference, I wear a 4 at most stores.  This jumper is from a British store, and I tend to order 6s most often, and this fit how I wanted in an 8.

H&M polka dot blouse [similar, similar]  //  Column pinafore dress [exact under $40]  //  DVF heels [similar, love these too]  //  Dagne Dover tote [exact, smaller size]  //  J.Crew crystal burst earrings [exact]  //  Lips [liner in 'Whirl', gloss]

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