What I Call Casual Chic

 Top: LOFT (similar); Jeans: LOFT (similar); Sandals: Sam & Libby via Target (similar); 

Handbag: Rebecca Minkoff via Gilt (various colors);

Necklace: BaublesbyAndrea (Coming Soon); Shades: Ann Taylor (similar); Earrings: Gorjana; 

Lip Color: Laura Geller Beauty Raspberry Roast

There are so many things I love about this look. I love how easy and laid back it is, yet chic enough for dinner with family and friends. I'm calling it casual chic.

 I have admired this top for a while now, and thought it was sold out, until I shopped the LOFT top sale. And there it was! I immediately added it to my basket and checked out as fast as I could. I am loving the distressed jeans with cute tops for evenings out. It's a great way to incorporate my laid back style with some of my cute tops that I would normally wear with skirts and pants.

 

 

Then there is the necklace. I am so excited about this one. It's a new piece from BaublesbyAndrea that I literally created right before wearing it! I just couldn't wait. And it will be available on Etsy soon! (FYI, it's a made to order piece.) 

Happy Monday, everyone!! Hope you had a fashionable long weekend!

The Highs and Lows

 Top: Anthropologie (on sale); Jeans: LOFT (similar); Sandals: Lovely People (similar); 

Handbag: Rebecca Minkoff (various colors througout site); 

Necklace: BaublesbyAndrea (coming soon); 

Lip Color: Revlon Colorstay Ultimate Suede in Couture

It's appropriate that this top is a little high and a little low because that's what I've been going through with this blog lately. I've had some great highs with the blog, but I'm at a low right now and I'm wondering if it's time to call the whole thing quits. I can tell a huge difference in my readers response to my "new" wardrobe and it isn't favorable. However, there isn't much I can do about it as I'm not in corporate America anymore and I'm not wearing my "traditional" pieces. I'm not sure where the road will lead....

While I figure things out, let's talk about today's look. Remember my post about finding more casual tops? Well, I went shopping the other day and walked away with two tops, this being one of them. There are so many things I love about it. The color is great, the texture of the material is cool, and it's a great piece to transition into fall. (And since we are experiencing some rainy cool days lately, this was a great investment!) I also love that this is another way of wearing a crop top without really wearing a crop top!

 

Another piece from BaublesbyAndrea! I love this cool blue color within this amazing stone! 

 

It's funny that clothing can speak to you without really saying a word. The highs and lows of the top and the highs and lows of my blog came together in one cute look. It's Kismet!

Fluctuation

Top: J.Crew Factory (similar); Boyfriend Jeans: LOFT (similar); 

Sandals: Seychelles via Gilt (similar); Shades: Prada (gift); Handbag: 

Rebecca Minkoff via Gilt (various colors); Lip Color: Laura Geller Beauty Raspberry Roast

What does one wear when the day starts out in the upper 70s with large amounts of humidity, but ends with lows in the upper 50s and lots of rain? This, I guess! I started out the day with the air condition running in the car to keep my hair at bay and had the heat on while driving home. Only in Kansas, right?

I am not one for a tunic. I feel like they hug me in all the wrong places, but there was something about this one. I loved the color combo and sweet vine design so decided to take the plunge. I'm thinking it will look darling with denim cut offs and will really pop against white jeans. Now, to find the perfect fitting white jean....

 

The Boyfriend Jeans: Before and After

Stripe Pants

Denim Jacket:  Levi's (similar); Top: Ann Taylor (similar); Pants: Ann Taylor; 

Sandals: Coclico; Handbag: Rebecca Minkoff via Gilt (on sale); Shades: MARC by Marc Jacobs; 

Bracelets: J.Crew (similar)/Ralph Lauren; Necklace: BaubleBar (similar); 

Lip Color: Mary Kay Mystic Plum

As you all know, I am in love with stripes. So much so, I can't even count the amount of stripe tops I own. And now my love of stripes has moved on to pants! These are the new elastic waist pants I am totally into for spring. So now that I own elastic waist pants that sport stripes, I'm pretty sure these will be my go-tos all spring and summer!

 

 

The Top: Before and After

 

Feeling Like Myself

Shirt: J.Crew; Tank: LOFT; Jeans: Banana Republic; Shoes: Coclico;

Shades: MARC by Marc Jacobs; Necklace: BaubleBar/Lord & Taylor; Bangles: Ralph Lauren

Handbag: Rebecca Minkoff via Gilt

Yesterday was the first day I've felt like myself in about a week. I've been sick since last Tuesday wearing only pajamas and lounge wear, so you can imagine how good it felt to finally get dressed. (Aside from Easter Sunday.) I didn't take the look too far though. Boyfriend jeans, my wardrobe staple, and a springy, pink gingham shirt was perfect for my first day back.

 

 

The Top: Before and After

I had all but forgotten about these shoes! I love them! They are the perfect mix of casual/dressy. A great way to complete this laid back look.

 

I have to say that this is one of my favorite looks to date. And, it's one I plan on wearing a lot in the future. More on that later in the week....

Styling Moments...

 

Jacket: Wrangler (my mom's); Top: Ann Taylor (similar); Skirt: ASOS; Belt: Ann Taylor;

Pumps: Prada (on sale/Saks credit/similar); Handbag: Rebecca Minkoff (various colors); 

Necklace: Banana Republic; Shades: MARC by Marc Jacobs; Lip Color: MAC Ruby Woo; 

Nail Color: Essie Sure Shot

I am having a love affair with my midi skirts, however I find them challenging to style. I've turned to Pinterest and other bloggers for inspiration. However, I find that when I wear what I love, my true style shines through. 

I love this look! Is it odd that we bloggers compliment ourselves? Kinda sounds conceded, no? But I love it none the less. It's simple, yet chic. And those are the style moments I love the most!

The Skirt: Before and After

Recognize the bag? It's the Rebecca Minkoff Cupid bag from my On the Hunt post a couple of weeks ago. I originally had my eye on the pale pink version and then this coral bag literally fell into my lap. Okay, it didn't fall into my lap, but Gilt had a Rebecca Minoff handbag boutique that I discovered a day after my post! It was roughly half off, and I had a credit on my account, so I paid very little out of pocket for this amazing piece! Love it when that happens!

 

This look is from last week, when spring was in the air. Today, it's freezing and snowing. Mother Nature clearly didn't get the memo....

Happy Monday!

XOXO

Splash of Color

Dress: Loft; Belt: Ann Taylor; Shoes: Sam Edelman;

Bangles/Earrings: Silpada; Ring: Tiffany;

Sunnies: DG

 Day three of swimming lessons and I'm back with a dress. I found that Tuesday's outfit was just too much to deal with post lesson. A dress goes on over the head, add the belt and I was done! Oh, and the whole flip flops versus heels by the pool is working out really well.

I wore this dress at the beginning of summer last year. What a great dress! First off, its 100% cotton which equals comfort and cool. Its pretty lifeless without the belt, but if it makes the cut throughout summer, I might try it loose. The shoes are new and a perfect mix with the colors in the dress. Look closely and you can see that splash of coral in a couple of places in the design. I wanted to pick up on that and the shoes were a perfect fit!

How I wore the dress before: