Styling Overalls 2.0

- outfit details - 
sweater || Old Navy
overalls || Target
heels || Charlotte Russe
bag || Michael Kors
necklace || Forever 21
sunglasses || Forever 21
watch || Michael Kors
lip color || Revlon Colorburst Matte Balm - "Standout"

This outfit may remind you of this post from last month where I gave a few different suggestions for styling overalls. If you still haven't given this trend a try and have wanted to, there's definitely still time for experimenting (overalls are one of Harper's Bazaar's top 8 street style trends for 2015). The style inspiration for this particular look came from the Pinterest board I created for last month's overalls post. I love the versatility of an outfit like this because it can transition from casual to dressy casual, simply by switching out accessories and shoes.

Thanks for stopping by! :)

Plaid Scarf

- outfit details -

sweater || Old Navy (end of last season clearance | similar)
jeans || H&M
denim jacket || JCPenney
boots || Forever 21 (last season)
scarf || Gap (end of last season clearance)
glasses || Forever 21 (similar)
lip color || Revlon Colorburst Matte Balm - "Standout"
watch || Michael Kors

I love a great bargain, but I love finding great bargains for items I can wear in current seasons or right before. Sometimes I'm hesitant about buying end of the season clearance items - even if something is marked down to an amazing price - because I worry that I won't like it a year from then or it might be a short-lived trend, which then makes the fact that it's on clearance irrelevant and pointless to saving me money. The plaid scarf above, however, was an item I most certainly knew I'd wear this season (and probably many to come - plaid is timeless!) when I bought it nearly a year ago at a great bargain! I love the red, white and blue combo because I wear a lot of denim and cream, and I love a good red lip, all of which are complimented by this great scarf! Of all the prints to choose from for a fall/winter scarf, I recommend going with plaid or tartan first! The variety of colors will enable you to wear it with a lot of different outfits, and plaid and fall just seem to go hand-in-hand!

Happy scarf hunting! Thanks for stopping by! :)

"The Reese"

- outfit details - 
top || Lucca (clearance find!)
jeans || Target
heels || Michael Kors (Dillard's clearance find!)
bag || "Reese" by Michael Kors (gift from my amazing husband!)
watch || Michael Kors
sunglasses || Forever 21

So I've never really had what I've always considered to be a "big girl" purse, partly because I could personally never justify spending my money on one (graduating college debt free was a way bigger priority!) and partly because I've never felt like I've reached that "grown-up" / "big girl" stage of life that warrants a purse of the same title. While I still can't totally justify spending money on a "big girl" purse (though I will admit I've noticed the extreme difference in quality!) and still don't quite feel like a grown-up (there are days when 16 seems like yesterday!), my amazing husband wanted to bless me with a gift for my birthday last week that he knew I've daydreamed about as my 25-year mark finally arrived. Reed is the best at making me feel special, valued and appreciated, especially when I don't feel worthy or the least bit deserving, so his heart behind this gift means ten times more to me than the actual bag (though let's be clear, I do LOVE the bag! ;) ).

I truly had a remarkable birthday week last week thanks to all the beautiful, thoughtful, loving people in my life! Every text, gift, tweet, post, hug, smile and birthday wish seriously meant the world, so THANK YOU to everyone who took that time! I love and appreciate you all so much! 

I wouldn't change a single thing about the first 25 years of my life. They by no means have been easy, and I'm not entering this new season of life free of problems and pain, but the faithfulness of my Heavenly Father makes it impossible for me to be discontent. The day I realized I had a choice to be thankful set my life on a course filled with unexplainable joy and peace. Paul says it best… 

"I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. 

I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, 

whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 

I can do all this through Him who gives me strength." 

Philippians 4:12-13

Summer Blazer

- outfit details -
blazer || Target
top || Forever 21
jeans || Target
sandals || Target
bag || Target
sunglasses || Forever 21
nail color || Essie - "mint candy apple"
rings || Forever 21
watch || Michael Kors

Blazers are one of my favorite items of clothing, and thankfully, because of their classic, timeless nature, they're easy to style year-round. For spring and summer, I often stick with sleeveless tops in a sheer or lightweight fabric - this obviously helps to keep you cool in warmer temperatures but also brings a feminine softness to the masculine structure of blazers. Boyfriend jeans also pair well with blazers, especially for spring and summer. Add some sandals, a bright bag, and a fresh lip color and you have an effortless, polished, chic look. 

style tip || When wearing a button-down top, button the top button for some added polish. 

beauty tip || Match your lip color to one of your outfit accessories (bag, shoes, jewelry, etc.) - this pulls your whole look together and makes the color "pop".

The color palette of this outfit reminds me of the 4th of July, which I can't believe isn't that far away! Happy first day of summer and thanks for stopping by! 

Date Night

- outfit details - 
top || gift from sis-in-law
jeans || Target
heels || Charlotte Russe (similar)
clutch || Francesca's Collections (old)
bangles || Dillard's (old)
rings || Forever 21
necklace || Forever 21
watch || Michael Kors

My sister-in-law got me the cutest faux leather tank (the back is sheer) for Christmas, and the cruise my husband and I went on last month was the perfect time to try it out solo without a jacket. As I mentioned in my last post, I loved "dressing up" for dinners on the cruise, even the "casual dress" ones, because every night felt like a date night!

Speaking of date nights, this is a great go-to date night outfit. A leather tank (or any top with leather accents) provides a bit of sass/edge, while boyfriend jeans give off a relaxed vibe, and a pair of strappy heels incorporate some sophistication. Add a few metallic accessories, a classic clutch, and a bold lip (try a red-orange shade for spring/summer), and your date night outfit is complete!

Thanks for stopping by! :)