Edgy with Pops of Color

 This jacket from Gordmans is turning out to be one of favorite pieces and I've been wearing it like crazy to and from school.  Today I paired it with this great necklace from Sira Mara.  It's so unique to anything I have and everything from Sira Mara is so reasonably priced! It's such a fun piece for giving a bit of edge to a look and I think I'll wear it like crazy this fall, along with this jacket.

jacket: Gordmans c/o similar

necklace: Sira Mara c/o same

top: Express similar

Jeans: Old Navy

Shoes: Nine West similar

Fair Isle Love

I shared with you all my love for this Fair Isle sweater last week, and when it arrived it did not disappoint.  I plan to wear it like crazy!  I also loved this navy vest, I just couldn't justify the price.  Last year I got a plain puffer vest at Sears of all places for less than $20, so I hit them up again and scored this navy vest for the same price this year. The quality is great and I know I will be able to wear it a lot!  

sweater: J.Crew Factory same 

vest: Sears  same

necklace: Edith Marie Jewelry same

bracelets: chloe + isabel c/o same and Stella and Dot same

jeans: Old Navy same

boots: Wanted similar

Linking up with:

What I Wore Wednesday

Random Wednesday

More Good Hair Days with Dove Pure Care Dry Oil Collection

More good hair days, isn't that what we all want?  I know I feel so much better about my overall appearance when my hair looks good too.  Tell me I'm not alone? 

I was excited to get to try Dove Pure Care Dry Oil Collection, and my hair felt silkier and easy to manage after just one wash. 

I was able to try the Dove Pure Care shampoo and conditioner, as well as the dry oil nourishing treatment with African Macadamia Oil. I loved the scent of the shampoo and conditioner and didn't feel like it left over any residue, which is always a concern when I'm trying a new hair product. 

I thought the nourishing treatment with African Macadamia oil was awesome.  The directions say it can be used prior to washing, after washing with damp hair, or once the hair is dry.  I have been on the look out for something like this to help smooth fly-aways.  I used a few pumps on my clean, damp hair and loved how it helped to tame fly-aways and keep my hair smooth once it was blow-dried and styled.

This Dove Pure Care Dry Oil Collection is great for all hair types, which I love. I also only wash my hair every-other day and felt like my second day hair looked just as good as the first, which is awesome.  There is nothing worse than hair that feels greasy or heavy, and the Dove Pure Care Dry Oil Collection did a great job or keeping my hair looking good.

This fall I'm seeing a lot of fun hair styles.  I don't have a ton of time to devote to styling, but I do have a few simple, go-to styles I thought I'd share today, and the Dove Pure Care Dry Oil Collection helped make me feel polished and put-together all day.

Each of the styles begin with blowdrying and then using a flat iron on my hair.  I've learned a few tricks when it comes to blowdrying.  First, start by using your fingers to dry your hair, instead of using a brush the entire time.  It will take longer and the brush really only helps with styling once your hair is almost dry.  Most importantly, before turning off your blow dryer and calling it good, do a cold shot of air all over your hair.  The cold seals the hair follicles and will keep your hair looking smooth all day, along with the help of the Dove Pure Care Dry Oil Collection. 

After blow drying my hair I use a CHI Air to straighten my hair, and although it's a bit pricey it works really well.   

This first style below takes less than a minute, but it's great if you want your hair out of your face, which is a definite pet peeve of mine. Simply gather your hair and pull it back to right behind your ear. Then, secure it with a bobby pin or two.  I sometimes keep it smooth like below and other times I twist it a few times before securing it, just to mix it up.

This next style is the one you see most.  Once again it's about pulling my hair out of my face.  For this style, find where your natural part is on each side of your head.  That is where you'll pull your hair back, then secure it with a bobby pin.  I then, pull the secured hair forward a bit to add a bit of volume.

This last style is all about a simple braid.  I couldn't French braid my own hair to save my life, but a simple braid I can do.  For this style gather a two inch or so section of hair and braid it until you have an inch or so unbraided at the bottom.  Next, pull the braid and the rest of your hair in front of your ear back.  Secure it with a few bobby pins behind your ear.

Just like the Dove Pure Care Dry Oil Collection has helped me to have more good hair days, they can do the same for you! Right now Dove is sponsoring the "Dove Silky Hair Dare." From now until December 31, 2014 you can try Dove Pure Care Dry Oil  risk free. 

Share your silky hair results at #silkyhairdare and  #silkyhairdaresweeps for a chance to win** $20,000 in prizes up for grabs. Visit Dove.com for more information. 

*If you are not completely satisfied with the Dove Advanced Hair Series Pure Care Dry Oil system, Dove will refund your purchase (from 9/21 – 12/31). Visit hairmoneyback.com for details

**No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited. The Dove Silky Hair Dare Sweepstakes is sponsored by Conopco, Inc., d/b/a Unilever. Open to legal residents of the 50 U.S. & D.C., 18 & older. Begins 12:00 p.m. ET on 9/25/14 and ends 12:00 p.m. ET on 11/20/14. For Official Rules, visit http://www.dove.us/Products/Hair/Advanced-Hair-Series/rules.aspx

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

Leopard and Green

Last winter I pinned this look because I absolutely loved the combo of green and leopard, however I didn't own a green sweater.  Recently I was on thredUp and I found this one from Gap, similar to this one for $10.  I wish the color had been captured better in the pictures, it's not really neon; the color is really more like the one in  this pin.  I decided to pair it with my beloved denim jacket, black jeans, and my black ballet flats for school.  I wore these jeans like crazy last winter and really need to be on the hunt for a replacement, but I really dislike jeans shopping.  Where are your favorite black jeans from?

Have you joined  thredUp yet?  If not, sign up here and get $10 of your first order and I get $10 too. : )

Denim Jacket: The Limited similar

Sweater: Gap (via thredUP) similar

Scarf: Boutique similar

Jeans: Old Navy same

 Bracelets: chloe + isabel c/o same, same 

Shoes: Vera Wang similar

Floral and Denim

This week marks the end of the quarter and I'm so excited to have Friday as a work day.  The kids are great, but I am ready for a bit of a break.  I'm not feeling very motivated and I think the weather really changing has really bummed me out.  I'm just not ready for cloudy days and the necessity of coats. 

I really do like today's outfit, though. I'm wearing my booties for the first time this fall, and it's fun to have them back on.  In the midst of my gloomy attitude, this outfit feels like the best transition to fall look, denim jacket + dress + booties = easy, comfy look.  I still can't get over finding this dress for $7 at Target (thank you who ever returned it after letting it sit in your closet unworn until I could get it for a steal). 

jacket: The Limited similar

dress: Target similar

Necklace: Mariposa Medley c/o same

Bracelets: chloe + isabel c/o same, same 

Booties: Amazon similar

Wednesday:

Linking up with:

What I Wore Wednesday

Random Wednesday

Currently Craving: Fair Isle

Recently I had the chance to do some styling for the wonderful Susan at Charming Lucy.  One of the pieces I picked out for her is this awesome  Fair Isle sweater from J.Crew Factory.  I ended up buying it last week at 50% off! I thought I'd share with you a few of the outfits I created for Susan featuring this sweater, I'm definitely excited to try them for myself too!

The first look features pairing the sweater with a plaid shirt, I love these two together and this combo will be perfect when it begins to cool down.  

Gap top / Fair Isle Sweater / Gap jeans / Crown Vintage ankle boots / Necklace

This next outfit is one I want to wear, like now.  I decided to pair the Fair Isle with the colored denim, then layer a denim jacket on top.  I paired this with booties, but I think flats would be great here too.

Gap blue jacket / Gap red skinny jeans /  Fair Isle Sweater / Crown Vintage ankle boots / Crystal cluster necklace

Gah, this sweater! I decided to pair it with the great navy vest here and jeans and loafers.  Such a great casual look for this winter.

Zipper vest /  Fair Isle Sweater / Gap jeans / Adrienne Vittadini pointed toe shoes / Steel necklace

Coral and Leopard

 Well, another Monday is here. I had a nice, relaxing weekend. Saturday Grant and I went to the library, then Saturday night Brian and I went to a charity event. Sunday we went to church then I spent Sunday afternoon watching The Walking Dead while Grant took a long nap. Of all the shows out, I have to love the zombie one that gives me nightmares. Awesome. There's just something about the characters and their post apocalyptic lives that has my eyes glued to the screen.

 Sunday night I got together with my girlfriends for small group, which is the best treat. This week at school marks the end of the first quarter, which is crazy!

As for today's outfit, I recently got this J.Crew blazer from thredUP for a steal and it looks brand new. It's actually more coral than orange, like it looks here.  I thought I'd try it today with my leopard scarf and this fun top from Old Navy.  I love how it turned out and I think it has a lot of fun possibilities for this fall and winter.

If you haven't tried thredUP you can sign up here and get $10 off your first purchase.  Seriously you guys, I have gotten some of the most amazing pieces for next to nothing!

Blazer: J.Crew (via thredUP) similar

Scarf: boutique similar

Top: Old Navy

 Bracelets: chloe + isabel c/o same, same 

Jeans: Joe's Jeans similar

Shoes: Aerosoles same

Being this blazer does look a bit orange today, I thought I'd share a graphic I created last year again.  Orange can be great for fall, but know how to wear it can be tricky!  I love it with neutral colors, but it can be great with complementary colors too.