Wonderful Wishing

December 18, 2013Leave a comment

Here’s to a holiday wishlist full of wonderful things!

I feel like throughout the year I go about my business and suddenly Christmas is here again. I seem to always forget to think of ideas early, write them down and try not to purchase them myself! I’m all about instant gratification, much like the rest of my generation, and sometimes it is difficult to think of things that I wouldn’t buy myself and would make life better. Yes, sometimes it’s nice to get something that you just don’t want to spend your own money one but it’s hard to think of those ideas when someone puts you on the spot.

Next year my goal is to try to think of things early, write them down and avoid purchasing things myself. This will ensure the magic of the holiday remains year after year.

(Handbag: Fossil, Boots: Hunter, Swimming Suit: J.Crew, Necklace: J.Crew, Coat: Zara)

This year I want: a beaded fringe necklace, one floral swimming suit, a plaid cargo jacket, my first pair of Hunter boots and a leopard leather Fossil bag, just to name a few!

What’s on your holiday wishlist this season?

Friday Play

September 20, 20131 Comment

By adding this very sparkly wreath necklace and strappy nude heels to this outfit gives it a whole new look. I choose nude instead of gray to bring out the blush color in the shirt and to create a longer leg line. The main thing to do in this case while switching accessories to transform the look is to add height and shine. Fun heels really change an outfit. Even if you wear heels to work, try switching them for something less conservative. Add bigger and brighter necklaces and bracelets to enhance the shine and sparkle.

Also, downsizing from a large tote to a clutch can make the look more carefree.

Work Day Wednesday

September 18, 2013Leave a comment

Two ways to wear: from day to play.

Taking something as simple as a tee shirt from work to late night can be a mystery for some; here are a few tips in choosing the right work essentials! All you need is a quick change of a few accessories and your daytime look becomes ready for an evening out. (Stay tuned for Friday’s post to see the finished product!)

For this look I chose to add in my favorite magenta and touches of gray. My flats and sweater are perfect pops of color and are sensible for work. I find myself layering at work so if I get cold I can add and if I’m hot I can remove a layer. The necklace and bag bring in a modern neutral that compliments the shirt and skirt. I love this large tote bag, it is the perfect size to bring all of the essentials to work. It can fit a laptop, files or even a few accessories for your extra curricular activities!

What are your go-to work essentials?

Cobalt Blue

September 16, 2013Leave a comment

Sometimes a simple sweater is all you need! Take your sweaters to the next level by adding more accessories and bringing in other colors. I found this waffle textured sweater at Madewell and love the unique color pairing and comfy feel. Sometimes on chilly days, it’s all to easy to trade style for comfort. Adding a bold accessory is just the thing to make a comfy outfit look chic. I spiced it up with this J.Crew necklace, now on sale, to bring out the gray and tan tones.

For other accessories I threw on a matching cobalt sling bag for consistency and magenta flats for something unexpected. Both are older items that I’ve had for years and have made their way back into the rotation.

What’s your chilly day attire?

Mustard Stripes

September 11, 2013Leave a comment

Sweaters and shorts: the perfect summer transition.

During this time of the year, the weather can be very unpredictable. (Here in MN, it was nearly 100 degrees yesterday and we will be lucky to hit 70 on Friday) Jeans and a tee can get a little drab day after day and that’s when I reach for a sweater and shorts. Once Fall hits, all I want to do is layer and wear my sweaters that have been hiding away all summer. Pair fall colors with light neutrals to create mixed pallets that crossover into multiple seasons. This particular look was beginning to have a very light feel so I added this J.Crew statement necklace filled with tortoise, turquoise and burgundy.

What are your transition pieces?

Basic Black

September 9, 2013Leave a comment

Anyone can throw on a black tee and a black cardigan. Mix with printed printed flats (I choose camo) and a statement necklace to create an easy and stylish outfit.

I always said that I would never be one to sport camo. Coming from a family of hunters it’s not exactly seen as a chic print. I came across these Target flats and figured I should give it a try. I went with pointed toes instead of rounded so that they were a little bit more feminine. They also have a line of studs up the back for some edge. I’m coming around to the idea of camo in small doses, but don’t expect a full on camo post anytime soon!

What prints are you daring to try?

Jewel Tones

September 6, 2013Leave a comment

Basic tees can take you a long way in your wardrobe. It’s important to have different types of basics for different seasons and occasions. This long sleeve Madewell tee comes in great fall colors and can be worn casual or dressy. I wore this outfit to a patio happy hour and dressed it up with leopard flats (difficult to see with the long grass!) and J.Crew jewels. I have been a huge fan of all J.Crew Group basics for a long time (J.Crew and Madewell). They always have great cuts, colors and fabrications. J.Crew has great linen and thicker cotton tees while Madewell has amazing jersey knits. Madewell’s tee shirts also tend to have longer sleeves and hems so you can hide unwanted areas; the sleeves go about halfway between your shoulder and your elbow.

Where do you buy the basics?

I Love Leopard

September 4, 2013September 4, 2013Leave a comment

Today’s shoot was done at the cabin and it happened to get taken over by the dogs! Dakota and Luci were let out of the house in the middle of my photo session and demanded some face time. Dakota is my baby. She is a nine and a half year old yorkie and is the queen of the castle. Luci is our new puppy, and at one and a half years old, she is all play and loves to give Dakota a hard time. I love having two dogs that are so different, I get the best of both worlds!

I’ve had leopard sideless flats in my mind for while now and have been searching for the right pair that wouldn’t break the bank. Although I thought I wanted them to be full leopard, I happened to find this Steve Madden pair while the store was having a Labor Day sale! The sideless flat is a twist of the unexpected and is great for work or play. They are a fall must have!

What are your favorite fall flats?

Vested

September 2, 2013Leave a comment

Vests make everything better, and army green is my new neutral. A plain outfit can be taken to a whole new level of style just by adding a vest. In the winter it usually has fur, but even in the summer army green and denim dominate the vest world. A vest is a great way to add an edge to your look. They come in many styles, colors and structures, still looking good with a tee. Denim vests pair great with all of the great colored pants of summer; you just have to be careful about putting it with the same colored denim. Army green always looks great with denim and black pants of any kind and mixes great with multi-colored tops!

Happy Labor Day!

Double Take

August 30, 2013Leave a comment

This outfit may look like a shirt and a skirt but don’t be fooled. This is actually a maxi dress that I layered with a denim button-up and then tied for a finished edge. The dress can now double as a skirt and no one will know! This is a great way to take a maxi dress or skirt into fall.

As you know, my stance on jewelry is the more the merrier. I doubled up these two J.Crew statement necklaces to create something even more magnificent. Doubling up takes your jewelry collection further and creates unique pieces. When picking two items to layer, start with a common thread. These both have the same crystal gems in them. The black in the one necklace then adds a little more drama to the outfit. J.Crew jewelry in particular has great stackablility. If you look on the website or in the store, they have many pieces layers and doubled. I think the ability to not only put two different pieces together but also to pull it off with an outfit really shows others you have an eye for style.

Would you double up?

Stylessence

Everyday achievable, with a splash of the unexpected.

Tag: J.Crew