Tights Weather

 It's officially tights weather here and as much as I love tights, it's the general coldness I strongly dislike.  However, this year I stumbled onto the sweetest pair of tights I've even owned Esprit fleece lined tights similar to these.  They are amazing and they go perfectly with my new booties, which happen to have fringe on the back of them.  If you follow me on Instagram you already know that my 4th grade self would be pretty jealous.  Esprit and Fringe?  The awesomeness is endless. : )  I decided to pair these two with a gray dress, my favorite cardigan, and a chunky belt.  To finish this up I added my new infinity scarf I snatched up for $10 from an old lady at a craft fair.  Last year I tried to knit one for myself and I think I did about three inches in six hours, before I ultimately gave up. I'm telling you, craft fairs are the best!

Cardigan: Banana Reublic $7 (thrifted with tags) similar

Dress: $5 (thrifted with tags) cute option

Belt: The Limited $5 similar

Scarf: Craft Show $10 cute option

Bracelets: Stella and Dot Renegade, Urbane

Tights: Esprit $5 (via TJ Maxx)  similar

Booties: Jessica Simpson $37 same

Linking up with:
What I Wore Wednesday
Get Your Pretty On

Pinspiration

 I've really been trying to work on some more casual looks (that I can also get away with wearing to school).  A few weeks ago Tara wore black and red together with boots and I absolutely loved it. Then I pinned this.  I was sold! Around that time I was at J.Crew Factory and picked up this sweater, along with a number of other great J.Crew Factory options.  Great wool basics like this were definitely missing from my wardrobe! I was also on the hunt for a great black vest and Whitley posted on Instragram that Sears had this vest on super sale.  I love how this look came together and have some many outfit ideas for this vest in the future it's ridiculous.

Linking up with Glossy Blonde today.

Sweater: J.Crew Factory (Christmas gift from Mom) same

Vest: Sears $18  same

Button Down: Target $3? (via Plato's Closet) almost exact

Necklace: Stella and Dot same

Bracelets: Express and Stella and Dot same

Jeans: Old Navy $15 same

Boots: Born (three years old) similar

Chelsea and Ginny Take On: Black Friday

This week Chelsea and I are taking on Black Friday!  I'm definitely not a "get up at 3:00 and shop all day" kind of girl, but I do like to go out for a couple of hours to try to snag up a few deals.  When it comes to Black Friday I think it's important to think about what you wear.  Here are some of my thoughts:

• To me, there's nothing worse than being too hot inside with a coat, but freezing outside, because you don't have a coat, so wearing a puffer vest is perfect.  
• I also think it's important to consider what you're shopping for. If you're looking for boots, you should  wear skinny jeans so you can make sure they work with the jeans.  Trying to find tall boots while wearing bootleg or flare jeans just doesn't work well. 
• Same thing goes for shirts, if you're on the look out, don't wear multiple layers, it will make changing in the dressing room no fun.  Keep it simple with a sweater and camisole. 
• Comfy shoes are important too, these boots are Borns, so they are super comfy for being on my feet all day. 

I'm super excited about today's outfit.  Recently I made made the (ten minute) trek to our brand new outlet mall, and if you follow me on Instagram you saw the loot I happily found at Gap and J.Crew Factory. I've been working to create some more put together casual looks and pinning quite a few too, so when we went to the outlet I had casual looks on he brain.  I was excited to find this sweater at J.Crew Factory, the back is green and it has ELBOW PATCHES!  I'm only slightly excited about this.....  I also knew I wanted a vest like this.  I wasn't crazy about Target's option when I saw it in person, and and the J.Crew Factory version (not online) was still $108. Luckily, Gap had an option I really liked (sold out online) and it was 50% off due to the grand opening.  

 

Vest: Gap (Christmas gift from Mom) sold out online love this option

Sweater: J.Crew Factory (Christmas gift from Mom) same

Necklace: Stella and Dot same

Bracelets:  Chimera, Moxie , Renegade Stella and Dot

Jeans: Old Navy similar

Boots: Born (three years old) similar

To help you get ready for all your shopping Chelsea has created breakfast cookies.  Best. Idea. Ever.  Make sure to stop by Whatcha Makin' Now to get the recipe for this treat!

Chelsea and Ginny Take On: Thanksgiving

Since Thanksgiving is almost here, Chelsea and I decided to take it on.  You know what that means? No, I'm not talking about Black Friday shopping, though that is fun. I'm talking about Thanksgiving Dinner and the need for comfy clothes. Enter my maxi dress, it feels like pajamas, but looks like actual clothes. Nice! I decided to try it as a skirt and love the result.It was pretty easy to throw a fitted tee over my dress, then I added a denim jacket and fun infinity scarf. I'm now official convinced that maxi skirts aren't only for warm weather, and I'm now on the hunt for one like this. To me, this will be the perfect Thanksgiving look, with plenty of room for turkey and all the other goodness my mom, sister, and husband will bring to the table....I don't so much cook....

Denim Jacket: The Limited (like a decade ago) almost exact

Shirt: NY and Co. $3 (thrifted) similar

Dress:  Loft $30 love this option!

Scarf $1 (Dollar Tree, yep.) similar

Bracelets: Moxie , Renegade Stella and Dot

Boots: Wanted $29 (via eBay) similar / same in black

Chelsea has made an amazing Chocolate Chip Pecan Pie for the occasion, make sure to stop by Whatcha Makin' Now to get the details.  You better believe I'm requesting she make it again when Thanksgiving gets here! 

Linking up with:

What I Wore Wednesday

Get Your Pretty On

Putting All the Pieces Together: Building A Wardrobe

I've spend the last week and a half sharing wardrobe essentials as part of my Build A Wardrobe Series, so now it's time for you to get started!

Here's a reminder of all the topics I covered:

• Essential Blazers and Jackets
• Essential Cardigans
• Essential Skirts
• Essential Jeans and Dress Pants
• Essential Shoes and Accessories
• Essential Shirts
• Essential Dresses

Here's a visual of all the pieces I recommend having as part of versatile wardrobe:

I've also created a checklist to help aid you in creating an essential wardrobe. Here' a printable copy!

• Take a minute to print and fill out the checklist by checking the things you still need in your closet.
• I also included a line for you to write in an additional items in that category you know you'd love to buy (for example, I didn't list a bright colored blazer as an essential, but you know that's on your wish list for fall, write it in!).
• This should help you narrow down the holes you have in your closet and make it easier for you to do some purposeful shopping.
• With these pieces, your outfit combinations are vertically limitless, and that is well worth your investment. : )

I went back through some past posts and pulled some looks that are created specifically with pieces from my Wardrobe Essentials listed above.  I thought it would be some good inspiration for you all.  The link to the full post is below each picture.

I love the whimsy of this outfit.  The pieces individually seem so different, but together they totally work! For winter this would also be good with the slight change of tucking the shirt in and adding a navy blazer.

View full post here.

I love the classic look of this outfit and I always feel special wearing this lace detailed dress.  Here I feel like the jewelry is the show piece of the look, without a great statement necklace this outfit might have felt plain.

View full post here.

I love how basic these pieces are individually but how they come together to create a great color palate.  

View full post here.

I love the polka dot blouse with this combination.  It brings a special touch to the look, but is still perfect for work.

View full post here.

I love the color combination her, one I hadn't thought about previously.  When you have a closet with different essential pieces, the outfit combinations becomes limitless.

View full post here.

I love the subtle pattern mixing between the stripe shirt and print scarf.  I also love pairing a traditionally dressy blazer with jeans, such as they boyfriend ones.  The combination is perfect for when you want to dress casually but still look put together.

 View full post here.

I hope you've found this series beneficial.  It's been fun for me to write! I think I'll also plan to do a follow up series in the spring to add in versatile pieces to fit the changing season too. Also, next Tuesday I'll be posting on how to best utilized what you already have in your closet, so make sure to check back then : )

Building A Wardrobe: Dresses and Belts

I'm excited to be continuing my Building A Wardrobe Series again today. One the first day of the series I shared Essential Blazers and Jackets, one day two I shared Essential Cardigans, on day three I shared Essential Skirts, on day four I shared Essential Jeans and Dress Pants, on day five I shared Essential Shoes and Accessories, and on day six I shared Essential Shirts. Today I'm going to continue my Building A Wardrobe series by sharing essential dresses with you.  I love dresses and I definitely think it's important to invest in some great versatile pieces.  Here are my thoughts on essential dresses to include in your wardrobe:

• I recommend purchasing a great black and navy sheath dress.  These classic pieces will be well worth the investment and because of their classic nature can be worn for years to come.
• I also recommend getting a sold dress with great texture, such as the coral lace dress below. Texture will make this dress special, but due to the solid color, it will still be a versatile piece in your closet.
• Lastly I recommend getting a striped dress.  I'm showing a cute fit and flare option, but get a shape that fits your style, such as a sheath, jersey, or a-line.  A great black and white stripe dress will be very versatile and mixable in your wardrobe.
• I also picked some additional options for you, such as a plaid t-shirt dress, leopard, great print, and bold stipes.  I love all these options and they definitely will add value to your closet, however, I wouldn't start hear, as these pieces could be great outfit "show stoppers" but they probably won't be nearly as versatile.  I'd shop the sale rack for these types of pieces after you have a few more essential in your closet.

 black sheath dress / lace dress / navy sheath dress / stripe dress /  plaid shirt dress /leopard dress / print dress / 

 bold stripes /

I'm also going to discuss essential belts today.  A reader asked for my thoughts and I realized I hadn't planned to share any, whoops!  I think the number of belts you can have is endless but here are my thoughts on essential belts:

• I think skinny belts are most popular right now, but I recommend have a wider black and brown one, as these still look great when you want to belt a dress
• I also recommend having a metallic one, I have a brown metallic and I wear it all the time!
• Look at the bright colors you wear most, consider buying a bright belt in that color or in a complementary color.
• I also recommend getting a leopard belt, well, because it's leopard : )
• Lastly, I recommend having a skinny black and brown belt, these are the ones you'll probably wear most often.
• Shop the clearance racks, especially at Kohl's.  I've gotten most of my belts there for between $1-$2 bucks.  
• Belts can be key to defining a waist and I highly recommend wearing them with most outfits, you'd be surprised how much they can add to your final look!

Here's a visual for my thoughts on essential belts:

wide black / wide brown / leopard / fun color / skinny black / skinny brown / metallic

Today I'm wearing a great floral print dress and I've belted it to help define my shape. I can dress it up with a cardigan or blazer with heels or dress it down like I did today with a denim jacket and booties.

I'm working to start the spring transition in my closet. That means no more tights, if I have anything to say about it. I bought this dress last fall from Target for like $6 and it's one of my favorite pieces to wear. Today I thought it would be fun to style it casually with my denim jacket from thredUP  (use this thredUP link to get $10 off your first order) and my black booties. I'm thinking I'll be wearing booties for a few more weeks, then sayonara until next fall.   I'm also wearing this adorable  neckalce from Chelsea Row. I got it at a fashion swap brand new! I love a good statement necklace, but am really loving more delicate pieces like this lately.