trend salad

I tend to think that I'm not a very "trendy" dresser. I've said that usually by the time I warm up to trend, it's already over so I choose not to participate at all, which is great for my wallet but can be a bit boring sometimes. I liked the idea of floral pants and so when I found this pair for under $12 at Target a few months ago, I figured that was the time to try out this trend (which at this point had already been around for at least two years). I was driving to work this morning after taking these pictures, thinking about my outfit when it dawned on me that I'm a trend salad today. 

Statement necklace? check

Chambray? check

Ridiculous printed ankle pants? check

Please tell me you'll forgive me.

Shirt: J.Crew Factory [exact]

Pants: Target [save | splurge]

Necklace: Ann Taylor Outlet [similar]

Watch: c/o Daniel Wellington [exact]

Shoes: Old Navy [similar]

linking up with wiww.

mind changer

I don't really plan my outfits in advance (I really should though, as I keep telling myself) so the great thing about blog challenges is that it gives me a direction when getting dressed. Marion's monthly trend this month is lace, so I knew I wanted to wear my Forever 21 lace tee...as it's one of the only lace items I own (so that makes the decision for me!). Bri's link up for Third Thursday Threads was winterizing a warmer weather item, so what's better than...a tee! 

So to winterize it I decided to wear a button down underneath it like I have in the past. I wore my leopard button up, that I generally shy away from, in hopes that I could find a new way to wear it. Although I liked the outfit just fine when I left my house, I quickly grew to hating it when I started to take pictures. It felt unnatural - the colors didn't go together, the leopard always scares me, and I dont know - I just didn't like it!

So I hopped into my car, took the shirt off, and felt much better. 

Tee: Forever 21  [exact]
Blazer: thrifted
Jeans: American Eagle [exact]
Necklace: Ann Taylor Outlet  [save | splurge]
Watch: Target
Shoes: Tory Burch  [exact]

via Instagram

also linking up with wiww.






Have you entered the above the knuckle ring giveaway yet?

blog worthy?

Well I since I've been feeling chatty lately, I figured I might as well continue with that. 

In the past 5 days I've taken pictures of 3 different outfits and have not been happy enough with any of them to post them. They're all fine outfits, but really nothing that I feel deserves to be blogged. And that's how I feel now - that everything I wear now should be worthy of standing in the cold, taking pictures, editing, uploading, writing a post, tagging, and pushing publish. Truth is, sometimes pictures don't turn out the way I want (oh hey puppy butts in all of these pictures) or it's snowing too much, or I'm not really feeling the outfit, and so then I feel that I shouldn't put them on the internet for all of you to read since...it is not blog worthy.

But...that defeats what I want my blog to be. The outfits I wear on my blog are actual outfits I wear. I don't have someone to take my pictures during "the magic hour" - I take them myself with a tripod set up in the trunk of my car before I have to be at work by 7:30, and I don't have an endless supply of money to buy new things (or buy things, wear for the blog, and return). That's fine that that's how some people run their blogs/lives, but that sounds exhausting. Not everything (anything?) I wear is pinterest-worthy, but it is what a real girl wears in the real world and if nothing else, I learn something about myself and my closet every day, and that's what matters in the end.

So here are three of the outfits I felt weren't blog-worthy but will blog about anyway because like I've said, this is real life and not just dress up.

Outfit 1: 

Shirt: J. Crew Factory  [save | exact]

Sweater: Gap  [save]

Scarf: H&M

Jeans: Urban Outfitters  [exact]

Shoes: Tory Burch  [exact]

Watch: Fossil  [similar]

Bracelets: Tiffany & Co. [exact], J. Crew

Outfit 2:
Shirt: H&M  [save | splurge but on sale!]
Cardigan: Ann Taylor Outlet
Jeans: American Eagle  [exact]
Belt: Gap
Shoes: Tory Burch, thrifted by my mom!
Watch: Kate Spade  [exact]
Glasses: c/o Firmoo

Outfit 3:
Blazer: Christian Dior, thrifted  [save | splurge]
Jeans: Urban Outfitters  [exact]
Boots: Nicole via DSW  [exact]
Scarf: H&M
Watch: Target

Linking up with Mix and Match fashion!

inspired

This is a slight rip-off of this outfit with a few adjustments to my accessories. My second favorite part about blogging (the first is all of you ladies) is how inspired I am by other bloggers. I sometimes I look at my closet and wonder how I have all of these clothes but can't come up with an outfit...but then I just head to my Pinterest board full of outfits I pinned with pieces I already own and instantly find something to put together. Isn't providing and finding inspiration the whole point of blogging? 

But don't forget - there is a difference between finding inspiration and straight up copying. Give credit where credit is due and find your own style somewhere in the middle :)

And if you need more inspiration for styling a mustard cardigan, check out Audrey's recap of the way she's worn hers! I'm also doing a little guest post for her so please check it out!

Cardigan: thrifted  {save / splurge}

Blouse: H&M  {similar}

Jeans: American Eagle  {exact}

Necklace: Ann Taylor Outlet  {similar}

Watch: Kate Spade  {exact}

Purse: Madewell  {exact}

Shoes: Crown Vintage  {save / splurge}

hussy ankles via Instagram

Understated Statement

This month's Marionberry Style Trend is statement necklaces. I, like just about every blogger out there, has a knock off J. Crew bubble necklace that was a gift from my sister (she bought it at H&M Germany). I decided not to wear it this time because 1. how original and 2. sometimes a little understated statement necklaces are more appropriate for wearing under a lab jacket.

Plus now I get to look like I'm celebrating the 4th of July.

Cardigan: Old Navy {similar in black}
Necklace: Ann Taylor Outlet  {similar, similar}
Blouse: H&M  {exact}
Jeans: Gap Outlet
Shoes: Rocket Dog
Watch: Fossil
Bracelet: J. Crew

Linking up with Real Girl Glam and wiww.

Dotty in AC

I wore this for my half day at work on Friday and then for my drive down to Chicago...where I immediately changed into a sundress since it was 90 degrees outside of my air conditioned car. If you follow along on instagram (@FHasselhof) you saw all the fun things we drank, ate...and bought.

Blouse: Francesca's (similar)
Necklace: Ann Taylor Outlet (similar)
Watch: Fossil (similar)
Bracelets: Forever 21