Denim Shirt-Dress

 - outfit details -
dress || Target (similar)
wedges || Marshalls (old)
bag || Francesca's
hat || Target
lip color || Cover Girl Lip Perfection - "Hot - 305" 

Even though these photos were taken back at the beginning of the summer, this an outfit that can easily transition to fall by switching the shoes (I'd go with either a pair of heeled ankle boots or closed-toe flats) and throwing on a scarf &/or light sweater! Also, a red lip is another great addition to your fall outfits, as it provides a great pop of color against fall hats and scarves. 

Also, a shout-out to my handsome husband below! :) He's truly my best friend for life. 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!

Faux Fur + Sequins

- outfit details -
top || Forever 21 (scored for $5 at end of season this time last year! also seen here)
vest || Forever 21 (same story as previous! also seen here)
skinnies || Target (old)
booties || Target (also seen here & here)
statement necklace || Francesca's Collection (old)
statement ring || Dillard's (old)
bag || Phillip Lim for Target (no longer available)
watch || Michael Kors
lip color || CoverGirl LipPerfection "Red Hot 305"
nail color || Essie "Forever Yummy"

Well, we're here! The last day of 2013. I don't think a single blog post could contain all that happened this past year. Without a doubt, getting married to my best friend was completely life-changing and the best thing that's ever happened to me next to my relationship with Jesus! The love and support from family and friends has been and continues to be humbling and overwhelming. We feel incredibly blessed and are filled with contentment and joy as we enter 2014! 

Also, I must say I am extremely grateful to each of you who stop by this blog and appreciate your support and feedback! This truly is like a "retreat" for me, and another outlet to express creativity, whether it be through sharing outfit inspiration, home decor or simply what's going on in my life! 

Have a safe New Year's Eve, and I'll see you in 2014! :) 

Target Obsessed

-outfit details-
top || Target (similar)
jeans || Target (old)
booties || Target
bag || Phillip Lim for Target
necklace || Francesca's Collections
rings || Forever 21 & Windsor
watch || Michael Kors
lips || Covergirl LipPerfection "Hot 305"
nails || Revlon Nail Enamel "Fearless"

I wore this outfit to a Ben Rector concert Reed and I attended this past weekend. We LOVE Ben Rector. It was our third time to see him together, my fourth time total. We used at least 3 of his songs throughout the course of our wedding. We're just a little obsessed.

I've noticed lately on almost a daily basis that I've been answering "Target" for any given item of clothing or accessory I'm wearing. I'm literally wearing it head-to-toe in the outfit above. So I guess that means I'm just a little obsessed with Target as well. When I find a band/artist I love, I can't help but go all out. I have the need to get every album they've ever released (on our way home from the concert, Reed and I found an album by Ben that we didn't own and immediately proceeded to download it from iTunes). I guess the same can be said for stores I love. Within reason of course. I promise I haven't bought everything from Target's fall line :).

From a serious, practical standpoint though, buying multiple items from the same line or collection at any store can make creating outfits much easier, almost to the point where they create themselves! This is such a blessing when life gets hectic, just like it's starting to become with the holidays around the corner.

Holidays. Wow. Are we really this close to Thanksgiving and Christmas??? Heaven help us :)

Thanks for stopping by, I know I've slacked over the past couple of weeks! Thanks for bearing with me! :)

Red, Black & Blue

- outfit details - 

top || Target
pants || Target (older)
heels || Charlotte Russe
clutch || Francesca's Collections (older)
earrings || Kohl's
cuff || Kohl's
lips || MAC "Ruby Woo"

My love for Target continues! When I came across this cobalt tunic-style top, I knew it would be another staple in my fall wardrobe (also available in black and white). Cobalt is on trend for this fall and universally flattering; the tunic-style can work with both jeans/pants or leggings.

Also, I've been on the hunt for a pair of ankle-strap heels and was excited to find both an affordable and stylish pair at Charlotte Russe recently. I like this pair because it will work well for fall/winter because of the pointed, closed toe. I like the open-toe version of this heel as well (throughout the summer I've seen that style on many of the blogs I follow), but I will most likely wait until spring before I incorporate that particular style into my outfits. (I'm a fan of practicality and timing when it comes to adding to my wardrobe!)

style tip || Match shoe color, lip color & nail color to create an overall polished look!

Have a lovely weekend! Thanks for reading!

Peplum & Polka Dots

top || Target
shorts || Target (older)
heels || Charlotte Russe
clutch || Francesca's Collections
sunglasses || Target
statement ring || Dillard's
watch || Michael Kors
lips || MAC "Ruby Woo"

Here's some "peplum & polka dot" inspiration for Labor Day! I hope everyone can enjoy a relaxing day off! Oh, and if you're looking to add some fashionable pieces at affordable prices to your fall wardrobe, I highly recommend checking out Target. I'm SUPER impressed with their fall line right now.

Thanks for reading!

Back to ("Fall") Basics

Jacket: JCPenney
Top: H&M
Jeans: Old Navy
Shoes: Chinese Laundry (Ross)
Bag: Steve Madden (Ross)
Watch: Macy's (Style Co.)
Bangles: BCBGeneration (Dillard's)
Sunnies: Simply Vera Vera Wang (Kohl's)
Lips: Covergirl LipPerfection ("Hot" - 305)

My "fall" basics...

• I love that denim jackets have a strong presence this fall! In jr. high I literally think I wore one to school almost every day. A denim jacket can instantly bring almost any casual outfit together. I like to dress up my denim jacket with heels, though flats work just as well! 

• Leopard print always seems to catch my eye, whether it's clothes, accessories, shoes, notebooks, furniture, etc. It's just so fun! Not to mention timeless. I can't think of a time when leopard print hasn't been in style. I usually prefer leopard print in smaller doses, so this scarf is perfect.

• Speaking of scarves - to me they are the number one fall/winter accessory! They're wonderful because they not only compliment outfits, but they're functional! I love the warmth they bring, especially since I'm extremely cold-natured! 

• Black. I can never have enough black. I wear it all year round! It flatters figures and goes with everything. I'm particularly fond of the black tank I'm wearing above because it's long enough to wear with leggings and helps make light-colored skinny jeans look more flattering on those of us who don't have super skinny legs ;) ...

• ...but just because I don't have super skinny legs, doesn't mean I'll stop wearing skinny jeans -  they're my favorite style! My collection of colors continues to grow. I'm currently on the hunt for a pair in burgundy! Oh, and that whole "no white after Labor Day" rule? Yeah...I don't follow that... 

• I usually go for a black bag for fall/winter, but I love my neutral, camel-colored bag above. It goes with almost every outfit and is the perfect size for carrying everything I need for my "on-the-go" lifestyle.

• A watch is probably one of the best accessories/jewelry items you can be utilizing right now. Because of their growing popularity, you can find really cute ones in nearly every price range! Though I have a silver watch and a fun mint-colored watch, my gold watch gets the most wear, hands down. 

• I used to be terrified to try red lipstick, but the more I wear it, the more I love it! It really "pops" and "wakes up" my face. It's basically like an accessory and can spice up any outfit.

Let me know what YOUR favorite fall basics are by leaving a comment below! Thanks for stopping by & spreading the word of my new blog! :) 

- Lael