"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! :)

Airport Style

- outfit details - 
jacket || Old Navy (similar)
tee || Target
jeans || Target
flip-flops || Old Navy (similar)
bag || Francesca's Collections
sunglasses || Forever 21
hat || Forever 21
rings || Forever 21

This time a couple of weeks ago, my husband and I were aboard a cruise ship on our way to Jamaica and the Caymen Islands to celebrate our one year anniversary, which is actually tomorrow! :)  Neither of us can believe how fast our first year of marriage has flown by! But more on that in tomorrow's post...

Before heading out on a trip, I try to keep a few things in mind when planning my airport outfit...

• wear slip-on shoes (makes going through security quicker/easier)
• wear a light jacket/sweater (or at least bring one along) over a lightweight top (helps with fluctuating temperatures)
• wear comfortable bottoms like boyfriend jeans or leggings (an uncomfortable outfit + a long airplane ride is not a fun combo)
• consider a hat (to me, it's the more stress-free option versus trying to keep up a certain hairstyle through long flights, layovers, climate changes and all the other factors that often come with traveling) 
• carry a smaller, messenger-style purse (especially if bringing an additional carry-on bag - it can be a hassle to juggle multiple bags through the airport/plane, so the smaller the better with only the key essentials) 

I'll be sharing some outfits that I wore throughout our trip in coming posts - hopefully they'll provide some early summer outfit inspiration! Thanks for reading! 

Neon Understated

- outfit details - 
sweater || Target
tank || Forever 21
jeans || Target
heels || Charlotte Russe
bag || Francesca's Collections
rings || Forever 21
watch || Michael Kors
nail color || Essie - "Ballet Slippers"

The neon color trend is one of those trends that I tend to like more on other people than myself. Personally, I'm drawn to more neutral, understated color palettes on any given day, though I do like mixing things up with brights every now and then. If I do go the neon route, I'll usually keep it simple by incorporating the color through minimal accessories, or I'll style the color in an understated way as with the outfit above -- the white, cut-out sweater tones down the bright neon yellow tank layered underneath, yet there's still an obvious pop of color.

Thanks for stopping by! :)

{Dressed Up} Boyfriend Jeans

- outfit details -
top || Ross
jeans || Target
heels || Charlotte Russe
clutch || J. Crew
watch || Michael Kors
lip color || Cover Girl Lip Perfection "Hot"

I'm surprised it's taken me this long to jump on the "distressed boyfriend jeans" train. I see them pop up on fashion blogs and the "street style" section of magazines all the time and always think to myself how much I like how they look, but it was one of those trends I was hesitant to try myself. My go-to jeans style has always been the "skinny jeans", occasionally mixing things up with my "flare jeans". I can already tell though that I'm going to be looking for an excuse to wear these jeans A LOT. I love the versatility of how they can be styled, plus they really are comfortable! My favorite way to style them so far is contrasting the distressed, edgy feel of the jeans with "dressed up" accents like a lace-collared blouse and a pair of strappy heels.

Thanks for stopping by! Inconsistent Oklahoma weather plus crazy schedules between my husband and I put a delay on posts for the past month, but I'm working to get back into a more consistent posting schedule! Have a great day!