two

 

A list of alternative titles:

+ you look just like ke$ha : my co-worker looked at the sequins on my shirt and said I was all sparkly and looked just like Kesha. I suppose, if Kesha dressed like a cross between an old man and a disco ball....so maybe that is an accurate description after all.

+ total copycat: AJ wore her chambray with her sparkly shirt so I wanted to too. That's what friends are for right, showing us how to wear our own clothes?

+ pro-layerer: months ago I wrote about how I really struggled with layering, how I knew what I wanted to look like, but wasn't sure how to make that happen (side note: don't let me dye my hair dark ever again). With a lot of experimenting, and a few helpful tips, I feel like I'm finally able to dress myself the way I wanted to. It's not that wearing one shirt over another is something that's difficult, it's just that I never felt comfortable, that there was weird bunching, or that I felt like there was just too much going on on my torso. I don't know what has really changed over the last 6 months, but I finally feel comfortable with the clothes in my closet and how I wear them. I don't spend all day tugging and pulling and wishing I was wearing something different - it just somehow clicked, ya know?

Chambray: J.Crew Factory [exact]

Shirt: Loft 

Pants: Urban Outfitters [exact]

Watch: Fossil [similar]

Purse: Coach [current style]

Shoes: Tory Burch [exact]

I am so obnoxious.

black & white & striped all over

This month's Marionberry Style "Challenge" is stripes...which is why I put that in quotes because with my collection of striped shirts, it wasn't really a challenge. When I was trying to figure out which shirt to wear, I realized I haven't actually worn my sequin striped shirt to work. Back when Whitney and I did our 4-ways-to-wear-this-shirt challenge (mine here, hers here), she layered a collared shirt underneath it. I thought it looked so great on her that I wanted to try it too. 

The shirt I used for layering used to have sleeves - until I hulked out in it during a time I was doing 60 pushups a work out session (which no longer happens, because my body structure does not need more bulk in the arms). I was wearing it mostly as a layering shirt at that point anyway, so I just cut off the sleeves where the rips had started. It actually makes it easier to wear now since I don't have to worry about rolling sleeves and adding even more bulk. 

Also, my nails have been bare for the last 2 days and it's driving me nuts. I hate the feeling of bare nails, but I just ran out of my favorite top coat (Seche Vite...go buy it immediately) and I'm doing some physician shadowing on Friday so no crazy nails for me. But trust, come Saturday my nails WILL have color on them.

Shirt: Loft  {similar}

Under-shirt: Francesca's  {similar}

Trousers: Gap

Watch: Boccia

Bracelet: DIY

Bag: Kate Spade  {similar}

Tassel on Purse: DIY by my mom

Shoes: Tory Burch  {exact}

Please go check out how everyone else wore their stripes today - and then wish Marion luck as she's due to give birth any day now!
















also linking up with wiww.

One Item, Four Ways: Loft Sequin Striped Top

I purchased this Loft top as a part of my November Budget. After finding out that Whitney also just purchased the same top, we decided it would be fun to show multiple ways of wearing the same top using pieces in our own closets. Although I maintain that my blog is not about dressing up (but rather actually showing what I wear every day), I had a great time playing around in my closet coming up with these outfits. It made me realize what I'm lacking (skirts, heels, evening bags) but also made me think of future outfits I can wear with my new shirt. Our four categories are work, date night, girls night and party. Make sure you check out her post as well! Girlfriend has a great collection of skirts :)

Work

At work, my legs have to be covered and my shoes have to be flat. I went with some of my favorite pieces - a classic blazer, dark wash skinny jeans, and cap-toed flats. It allows a fun and sparkly top to pop out without being overbearing in a work environment.

Blazer: J. Crew  {exact}
Jeans: American Eagle  {exact}
Shoes: Marc by Marc Jacobs  {exact on sale}
Earrings: Tiffany & Co. {exact}
Watch: Fossil  {very similar}
Bag: Kate Spade  {similar}
Purse Tassel: DIY by my mom (win one here!)

Date Night

Between Chris's long rotation hours and loans, and how much money I've had to put into school applications, most our our date nights are very casual and inexpensive. We like to go to movies (usually a matinee) or just going on walks with our dogs. For this outfit I choose comfy shoes, a crossbody bag, and my new cargo jacket I purchased in Germany. It allows a dressier top to seem a bit more casual.

Jacket: Hof Germany  {similar}
Bag: Gift from my BFF Hannah {similar}
Jeans: American Eagle  {exact}
Shoes: Rocket Dog via DSW  {exact}
Watch: Target
Bracelet: DIY
Nails: seen here

Girls Night

I think this top was made for girls nights. It's cute, sparkly and can stand alone without too many accessories- everything you need in a top! I paired it with my beloved black skinny jeans, a black trench for the treks between events (read: bars), a simple clutch and a pop of red.

Trench: Banana Republic  {very similar}
Jeans: Urban Outfitters  {exact}
Shoes: Unlisted  {similar}
Clutch: Forever 21  {similar}
Bangles: Forever 21

Party

I'm in love with this outfit and wish that I had somewhere to wear it to. Subtle pattern mixing and classic pieces allow the top to take center stage. Sequins were made for the holidays!

Skirt: Target  {similar}

Belt: Old Navy  {similar}

Heels: Nine West via Marshalls  {similar}

Clutch: Charming Charlies  {similar}

Bracelet: InPink

November Budget

1. J. Crew Factory Tippi: $70 + 50% off = $35
2. Forever 21 Striped Top {seen here}: $20
3. American Eagle Skinny Jeans {seen here}: on sale for $35
4. Urban Outfitters Staring at Stars Cardigan {seen here}: $69
5. Forever 21 Polka Dot Contrast Scarf: $13
6. Banana Republic Outlet Earrings {seen on instagram}: $7
7. J. Crew Outlet Perfect Gingham: $60 + 50% off = $30
8. Loft Sequin Striped Tee {seen here}: $50 + 40% off = $30

November Budget: $239







While this is $90 over my self-imposed budget, I sold over $120 worth of clothes on eBay this month, so I feel that it kind of evens out how much I spent. I should have been smarter about purchases this month as I spent a majority of this month's spendings (~$120) over the Thanksgiving week (the 2 J. Crew tops, the Loft top, the scarf and the earrings). I felt like I was holding back on purchases as there were several items I put back in their place instead of taking them to the register, but again, writing it down makes me realize that those 5 items add up quickly. I think December will be much better for my budget. I have quite a few new items that I already have several ideas for (look for a post about this later this week!) and my family is also not exchanging gifts this year for Christmas as we are going on a family vacation, so that will keep me away from the mall as well.

How did you do this month? Did you find some awesome deals during the Black Friday sales? Do you put away money the rest of the year to save for this weekend? Link up with Budgeting Bloggers below -  please make sure you link back so your readers can discover other budgeting bloggers.



P.S. Don't forget to enter the Leather Tassel Giveaway!

sequins for all

Happy Black Friday! Did you guys enjoy all of the sales today? Chris and I didn't leave the house until 8 AM for the mall and the outlet mall - we weren't going to fight anyone over some discounted shirts so we figured we might as well sleep in. I ended up buying a scarf (at full price....) at Forever 21, and then a button up and a sweater at the J. Crew outlet store. I also purchased this shirt at Loft on Wednesday. I bought my mom the same shirt as a birthday present - a girl can never have too many striped shirts or sequins! Later next week Whitney from Along the Lines of Style and I will be doing a "different ways to wear this shirt" post. I already know she's going to look adorable!

As far as "tightening" went over Thanksgiving, Chris and I took the pups on a 3 mile run that morning (it was like 50 degrees here!) and I didn't take seconds at dinner. I still got to enjoy everything about the day, but didn't feel as guilty at the end of it.

My youngest sister Karoline offered to take these pictures so I made sure to throw in a few fashion blogger poses. Here's the over the shoulder /skinny face / hair touching picture. Looking good gurrrrl.

Top: Loft  {exact}

Jeans: American Eagle  {exact}

Belt: The Limited

Shoes: Tory Burch  {exact}

Bracelets: Borrowed from Mom

Earrings: Tiffany & Co  {exact}

Nails: Maybelline Racy Red

We also tried to take pictures for our Christmas card. I've heard that taking pictures with children is hard, but I feel dogs are even worse. Look at Baer being such a good boy, posing like the stud he is. Hans could not care less though.

Does this say "Merry Christmas from the Stewart-Hasselhof household"? Or does this say "Feed your boyfriend a cheeseburger, medical school rotations are starving him"?