The Long of It

Top: Zara (other colors); Leggings: Kohl's (on sale under $15); Heels: Macy's; 

Handbag: BCBG (fun option); Jewelry: Stella & Dot/Alexis Bittar; 

Lip Color: Revlon HD in Obsessed

Saturday night I attended a birthday party for my dear friend Curt. The room was full of people I love and call my family. And because it was going to be a fabulous party, I needed a fabulous outfit! Remember that top I blogged about from Zara several weeks ago? Well here it is in person! I love it! So comfortable, a piece that will never go out of style (in my own style opinion), and so chic! And who doesn't love black on black with a pop of hot pink!

 

The Leggings: Before and After 

    

 

Was your weekend fabulous? I sure hope it was! The weather here was beyond beautiful. We are getting super spoiled by this amazing spring like weather at the end of February! I'm a little worried about March. Crossing my fingers that it doesn't come in like a lion!

Tomorrow is Leap Day. Any big plans to celebrate the day that only comes around every four years? It's supposed to be 70 degrees again so I'm thinking it could be time to break out the bouncy house for McKinley, if the wind cooperates! He can leap all he wants for the afternoon!

The Big Reveal...My Home Office

Here it is! My home office! I completed it this week, with my dad's help, and I love it! I've been working in the space for a little over a week, but I wanted to hang a few things before I showed you all the final product. I think it's perfection. Keep reading to get all the details on how I pulled this space together.

As you know, this is what the space looked like before I got started. I loved this space, for it's original purpose, but I needed a place to call my own. A space where my laptop wasn't always on my lap. Where I wasn't using my coffee table as my daily desk top. I place where I felt like I was a little more organized while still being a part of the daily family grind.

I was inspired by this HomeGoods Instagram photo when I starting thinking about my initial design scheme. I loved the mix of colors and eclectic design. I started my search at our local, and favorite, antique store, but never really found what I was looking for. We went to a couple of other local places, but again nothing screamed "take me home." My first purchase was the black writing desk from Target. I blogged about it in my original Wednesday Wants and it was honestly the best fit!

My mom and I actually got the bulk of the room from HomeGoods. After we had the desk, I knew I wanted to add fun pops of color to contrast against the black. I literally set up a space in the aisles of HomeGoods and loved getting feedback from others who passed by. It was all very favorable. I was heading in the right direction! Yellow and gray is one of my favorite color combos and the touch of blue just pulled it all together. 

My dad was the painter. He insisted. I told him I would help, but he said it was a small space and a one person job. I let him do it. I wasn't going to argue. I love the color. It's Winter Solstice from Benjamin Moore and I find it to be such a soothing shade of gray. 

As for the accents on the desk, I didn't want a lot. It's not a huge space to begin with, but I wanted to make it personal. A letter "A" for obvious reasons, a sweet reminder of needing daily glitz from my friend Julie, a candy dish for moments of weakness, a coaster, and fun pens in a cute holder rounds it out.

     

The knobs that came with the desk were perfectly fine, a brushed nickel that goes with the rest of the room, but I wanted something a little more me. I went with vintage inspired crystal knobs and they are simply divine! The yellow cabinet is actually my parents, a piece I have coveted for years, and when they couldn't make it fit in their house, I basically stole it from their basement! It's the perfect place to hide all my clutter. Printer paper, extra catalogs, and other work necessities all fit neatly behind closed doors. And, the rustic piece is lovely!

 

 

In addition to the mirror, a style I've always admired, I knew I wanted to add a few extras to the wall. I decided to frame my first catalog with the company. I wanted something to remind of where I started.

And lastly, my daily motivation! Who doesn't need a little something to keep them going in the right direction, even if they feel as though they are running off track! This saying resounds with me. In taking my Leap, I believed I could, so I did! 

And there you have it! My home office. What do you think? Did I nail it? I totally believe I did! It's everything I thought it could be and more. I'm happy here. I feel motivated to work from here daily. And I find I could stay here long past the time I need to take McKinley to school or head to bed at the end of the night. I've finally found my space!

It's Friday!! We have another full weekend and I can't wait to get started. I hope you all have a fashionable weekend that brings you joy!

See back here on Monday!

Muah!

A Play on Camo

Jacket: Levi's (similar); Sweater: Loft (cute option); Cami: Loft (similar);

 Pants: J.Crew Factory (cute option); Sneakers: Converse; Jewelry: Stella & Dot

McKinley and I spent the entire day on Tuesday at Crown Center doing exactly what he wanted. In the words of my husband, we did everything in one day that most people in about a month. We went to the aquarium, Crayola Cafe for lunch, spent some time in the Animal Tails and Trails exhibit where he made some new friends, headed to Kaleidoscope for the first time, and then over to Union Station to spend time in the model train exhibit. By the time 3:00 rolled around, I was exhausted. And McKinley was too. He took a little backseat nap on the way home. I would definitely say a fun time was had by all!

I knew we would be indoors for most of the day, but would need to head outdoors to walk back and forth from the aquarium back to Crown Center. I wasn't expecting to do it twice! Instead of a heavy coat or sweater, I opted for layers. I haven't worn my camo sweater in about a year and decided it was time to bring it out again. It's a great light weight sweater that can be easily layered and a denim jacket was the perfect pairing piece. I thought olive green pants would be a fun play on the gray camo and sneakers were the best shoe option for a day of being on your feet!

The Sweater: Before and After

    

Can we just talk about this face for a minute? He melts my heart!

I am still tired and this outing was Tuesday afternoon! Here's hoping that the weekend brings a few naps and possibly later mornings! One can wish, right!

Can you tell that this mama is looking forward to the weekend?

Wednesday Wants - Fringe

When most people thing of fringe, they think of the overly exaggerated fringe of the 70s. It usually accompanied a suede vest. Then there was the fringe of the 80s. It usually appeared on a leather jacket down the sleeves. Today's trendy turn with the fringe is much more subtle. You find it in almost frayed edges of sweaters and jackets. Along the ends of tassels. In cute bunches along a sandals strap. Or in the form of wispy pieces of jewelry. And I can't get enough of any of it!

With spring around the corner, you can't really escape this darling trend of fabric and why would you want to? I have compiled my list of favorites below. Check them out! I think there's something for everyone!

1/2/3/4/5/6/7/8

I'm pretty partial to numbers 2,3,4,5,6, and 7. I mean, I love one and eight, but I don't wear heels as much as I used to and leather is a little heavy for the upcoming months. I guess eight could work its way into my summer wardrobe with cute sleeveless tops! Okay, add number eight! 

Which ones do you prefer? Do you like the full on fringe or just the simple frayed edges? Let's discuss!!

Can you believe it's Wednesday? And the last week of February? Time to start shopping for those spring finds and I think you should start with fringe! 

This Jacket.....

 Jacket: Ann Taylor (gift/in navy); Top: Ann Taylor (similar); Jeans: Loft (similar), 

Boots: Rachel Zoe (similar); Handbag: Badgley Mischka (similar); Shades: MbyMJ; 

Jewelry: Stella & Dot

This jacket. I got it for Christmas and have practically lived in it. (Between it and the black and white checked flannel shirt.) And yes, this is the first time I've actually captured it in photos. Honestly, every time I wear it, by the time Joel gets home to take my picture, it's entirely too dark to do so. You will just have to trust me when I say, I've worn it like it's a second skin.

I wore this for a Sunday working brunch. And when people say that, do they really work over lunch? Well I can say that I actually did! I met my pacing partner Michelle for the first time and we really hit it off. Two Blood Mary's, and notebook page full of notes, we are ready to finish out the first quarter with a bang! And, with a little liquid courage, I was able to conquer my fear and approach a table full of darling gals that I thought should be wearing some Stella & Dot. See, you can work over lunch!

It's Tuesday! McKinley and I are off for a fun filled day of play! We're heading back to Crown Center for some aquarium fun, lunch, and to check out their latest interactive exhibit. Can't wait!

Hope you're having a stylin' day!

XOXO

Blue on Blue with Blue Sparkles

 Sweatshirt: J.Crew Factory (fun option); Button Down: J.Crew Factory; Jeans: Loft (similar/on sale);

Shoes: Boden (gift/similar); Shades: Target; Necklace: Stella & Dot; Lip Color:Chanel Jean

Last week the weather turned into full on spring around here and we took full advantage! I began my brief break from winter by layering pieces that didn't require a coat! I took a chambray button down and threw on one of my favorite light-weight sweatshirts. Then I paired it boyfriend jeans and my new sparkly sneaks! They were a gift from Christmas that I haven't been able to wear before now. Can't wear sock with these babies. From there, I threw on my awesome new shades, a bright pink lipstick, and my new Arc Pendant and I was ready to take on the day!

And by taking on the day, I mean heading to our rental shed to pick up pieces for a condo we staged over the weekend. Did I mention my mom and I are stagers? Well, we are! From there, it was back home to spend some time in the sun with my son and plot our course for arranging said furniture in the condo. It was an eventful day that allowed us to spend some much needed time outdoors! Actually, the first of five!

 

The Sweatshirt: Before

   

 I hope your weekend was as amazing as ours! We literally spent the last five days, starting with last Wednesday, outside and enjoyed every single second! They may not have all been fashioned filled, but hey, life sometimes just gets in the way of fashion. 

Happy Monday, Fashionista's!

Wednesday Wants: Rachel Zoe Fall 2016

As most of you know, I am a huge fan of Rachel Zoe. I've watched all of her reality shows and I wonder when and if Fashionably Late with Rachel Zoe will back on the air any time soon. I'm also a big fan of her apparel. I own several pieces (seen here/here/here) and would gladly add more to my closet. So when her fall 2016 presentation images were released, I immediately reviewed them and picked all of my favorites.

According to Rachel, this line is very different than anything she's done in the past. As she told InStyle, "The '60s and the '70s—it's my thing, and it's never going to change. Hopefully, people will always come to me for a great flared pant or a great jacket. But I also want to show what else I can do." This collection took inspiration from the 1930s and then traveled back to the 1990s.  "We have menswear tailoring with feminine silk slip dresses, pearl beaded sweaters, velvet pajamas, and super rich fabrics. This girl feels very expensive and glamorous without trying."

What I love about the collection is that there is definitely a nod to past designs with the faux fur, over-sized coats, and sleek blazers. What I especially love this go around is the white! I'm obsessed with all the white. I adore the dramatic look of the long top coat in a mix of black and white. It's definitely a statement making piece. I love the flirty white dress with shaggy black accents on the sleeve and hem. And the grayish metallic suit is fab! Simply put, this collection is gorg!

Now, what would I actually wear from the pieces I've chosen? I would have to say a lot of it. Sure, I'm a work from home mama who doesn't really get that dolled up anymore, but when I do, I would strut it in all of this! The long coat would be amazing with flared jeans. The shaggy black vest could be worn with pretty much anything. All of the white pieces could be mixed and matched with other pieces in my closet. And the suit? Well, I would just find a place to wear it!

One last look that really stood out to me is this.

Would I wear all the pieces together? Probably not. I mean, I'm not Rachel Zoe. But the coat is ridiculous. The cropped top would be flattering with black pants or paired over a black dress to give it a little something extra. The print is amazing. The colors are crazy. And it's signature RZ!

"I like to make clothes that people want to live in and dance in all night," she says. "I want to have fun with fashion." 

I would say everything about this fall collection is just that, fun!

All photos courtesy of Rachel Zoe. 

Basket of Hearts

Jacket: Banana Republic (similar); Sweater: Talbot's (gift); Pants: 

Ann Taylor (similar/on major sale); Flats: J.Crew;  Tote/Jewelry: Stella & Dot;

 Lip Color: Revlon HD Obsession

 

Obviously yesterday was Valentine's Day, and if you're someone like me, you dress for the day of love! I always have. But yesterday was a little more special. I worked a vendor booth at a wedding expo and it was truly filled with love! Brides and grooms galore. Mothers of the Bride, bridal parties, and even flower girls were in attendance. You couldn't help but feel the love all around!

Remember when I blogged about my Valentine's Day picks? Well my sweet aunt got me the sweater that was on my list! Isn't it the sweetest? And it was the perfect thing to wear to a bridal expo. I mean, it's a basket full of hearts! I did struggle with how to style the sweater. Then I remembered my beloved red pants that I literally lived in for about a year or more. A neutral leather jacket (which was a saving grace from the air that blasted throughout the convention center) and nude flats were the perfect compliments to the bold red and pink. As for my bag, a girl needs an awesome tote when carrying all her belongings and this Stella & Dot version is fabulous!

 

The Pants: Before and After

   

 

How was your Valentine's Day? Was it filled with love and joy? I sure hope it was!

McKinley is off from school today so not sure what the day will bring. I'm hoping something fun will be in the air. Or at least a nap!

Happy Monday!

XOXO

Wednesday Wants - Casual Chic Pants

 You all know how much I love my jeans. I pretty much wear them on a daily basis, but I try to switch out my styles as often as I can. I do adore my distressed boyfriend jeans, but I've been trying to wear nicer pairs with my casual looks as well. However, I'm growing weary of wearing them all the time. 

That's the thing about winter, my options are kind of limited. I can't wear legging and sweaters all the time, I don't have that many sweaters that are long enough for leggings, and I don't own that many leggings! Remember this look from a couple of weeks ago? I loved the idea of still having a denim look without truly being in jeans. But with warmer weather on the horizon, I know my dresses, skirts, and shorts are coming back into rotation soon.

In the meantime, I've been looking for pants that can replace jeans from time to time, that are casual enough for the zoo and other kid friendly outings, and still chic. I think I've found some pretty good pieces! Check them out!

One/Two/Three/Four/Five/Six

What is your go-to item when you tire of jeans? Do you ever tire of jeans? 

I have to say my favs are the striped jumpsuit from Loft, the navy floral pants from Zara, and the cullotte jeans from the new Olivia Palermo line at Nordstrom.

Here's hoping your week is going fashionably well!

XOXO