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! 

{Closet Staple} Denim Vest

- outfit details - 
sweater || H&M
vest || Target
jeans || Target
ankle boots || Forever 21
headband || Charlotte Russe
rings || Forever 21
sunglasses || Forever 21
bag || Phillip Lim for Target
nails || Essie - "Ballet Slippers"

A denim vest is a great staple piece for your closet. The best thing about vests in general is their versatility to translate throughout all seasons. I found this particular denim vest at Target recently and have no doubt I will be looking for many excuses to wear it!

Other trends I'm loving right now are headbands/headscarves and layering midi rings. Forever 21 is a great spot to pick up various styles of midi rings at a low price, especially if you're wanting to experiment with the trend for the first time. (Tip: to avoid the grayish/greenish color that Forever 21 jewelry can leave over time, coat the inside of the ring with a light layer of clear nail polish.) They also have some great headbands/headscarves for spring and summer, again at low prices.

How do you guys like to style denim vests and what other trends are you experimenting with right now? I'd love to hear your feedback in the comments! Thanks for stopping by & have a wonderful Monday! :)

Mixing Prints

- outfit details - 
sweater || Target (also styled here)
tee || Target
pants || H&M
booties || Target
bag || Steve Madden (via Ross)
earrings || Stella & Dot
necklace || Forever 21

If you follow my blog regularly, you'll recognize that sweater from this post last month. I've found myself reaching for it A LOT over the past couple weeks! It's comfortable, a great layering piece (I love both the longer length & the lightweight material), has a fun print that surprisingly can be styled many ways, etc. Usually when putting an outfit together, I take a "classic" approach, however I was feeling a bit eclectic with this particular outfit and was happy with the final result. The blue tee and green earrings provide great pops of color against the neutral grays, and the unexpected pairing of "tribal" print with leopard print surprisingly just works (at least to me! lol).

I've always considered leopard print to be a neutral in terms of color, but as of late, I'm also considering it to be as neutral of a print as stripes. Keep in mind that mixing prints has a lot to do with proportions - I think part of the reason the prints in this particular outfit work together is because the leopard print is kept to a minimum in being restricted to the shoe area, while the tribal print covers the focal point of the outfit, the sweater. Plus, there's a solid color pant giving some space between the two prints which prevents the mixing of the prints from looking chaotic!

Which particular prints do YOU like pairing together? Have any suggestions on a pairing I should try? I'd love to hear your thoughts!

Thanks for stopping by! :)

Sleek Chic

- outfit details - 
blazer || Target
top || H&M
jeans || Target (old)
heels || Charlotte Russe
earrings || Target
cuff || Target
bag || Phillip Lim for Target
sunglasses || Target

This outfit is one of my favorites from recent posts. There's honestly nothing too exciting about each piece individually, but pulled together with a sleek ponytail, coordinating lip/nail/shoe color, plus a few key accessories, and the overall look comes off polished, sleek and chic. 

Yesterday was my 24th birthday, and I'm still overwhelmed by all of the love from my husband, family and friends! Every birthday feels like the birth of a new season, but this particular birthday has brought that feeling stronger than ever. I'm still processing all of the goals and dreams God is stirring in my heart for this year but hopefully I'll be able to share more in the coming weeks! 

As always, thanks for stopping by! Enjoy your Monday! 

Studded Ankle Boots

- outfit details -
top || H&M
jeans || Target (old)
ankle boots || Target (recent)
messenger clutch || Francesca's Collections (old)
statement ring || Forever 21
cuff || Target 
nails || Revlon ColorStay

With the exception of some brown lace-up combat-style boots, the boots pictured above are the only other "flat" ankle boots that I own. I used to shy away from ankle boots completely because I didn't think they were flattering on the shorter legs that come with my 5' 3" frame. While I've gotten more comfortable with high-heeled ankle boots, I still find myself having reservations with the flat versions (and yes, I realize the boots pictured above have like a one-inch heel, but in my world that may as well be considered a flat ;) ).

One key I've found to make flat ankle boots work - or at least make me more comfortable in them - is to wear the same color of pants/jeans as the color of the ankle boots. This creates an "illusion" of a longer leg. Another key is being mindful of proportions. For example, in retrospect, I should have worn a shorter top that hit closer to my waist than the middle of my thighs - this would have also contributed to the illusion of a longer leg.

Any other shorter girls out there have tricks to making flats and ankle-boots work well on our frames? I'd love to hear your tips!

And just to clarify... I'm perfectly content with the 5' 3" frame the Lord gave me :) - for me personally, the whole point of creating a "flattering" look is to avoid the opposite - a distracting one!

Thanks so much for stopping by! Have a blessed day!

Leopard Love

- outfit details -

blazer || Target* (recent)
top || Target (older)
pants || Target (older)
heels || Charlotte Russe
necklace || Target (recent clearance)
clutch || Francesca's Collections (older)
rings || Forever 21
sunglasses || Target (recent)

Yet another post showcasing my love for Target. I wasn't kidding when I said their fall line is amazing! I spotted (no pun intended) this blazer a few weeks ago and knew it would be another great staple in my fall wardrobe. Though a seemingly bold piece at first glance, I actually find this lightweight leopard blazer to be very versatile. I look forward to styling it in a variety of ways utilizing varying color schemes. (*For some reason I couldn't find the link for this blazer on Target's website - not sure if they've already sold out? I have, however, still seen it in-store the last few times I've been over the past couple of weeks.)

Ironically, incorporating new Target pieces into my fall wardrobe has reminded me of previous Target pieces I've acquired over the past year or two that have become proven staples in my overall wardrobe (the black top and cobalt pants from the outfit above). Once a Target girl, always a Target girl! 

 Thanks for reading! :)