one blazer, eight ways

 

A lot of the bloggers I follow, for obvious reasons, have a style similar to my own. This really works out in my favor because not only am I consistently inspired by them, but many times they'll own a very similar, or the same, piece of clothing so I can totally copy them without much effort on my part! ;)

When I bought this blazer (which you can also now own for just over $30 with the current 40% sale items promotion - use code GAPSALE), I was really excited to see that Kimmie, Anne, and Erika all own it as well. They each have their own unique styles and lives (Kimmie is a working mom of two, Anne is an editor with her first babe on the way, and Erika is training to be a doctor) so I knew we would all wear it in different ways. I love seeing how we all wore it in different (but also kind of similar) ways!

my original | Erika's original | Anne's original | Kimmie's original

Blazer: Gap [exact now on major sale]

Skirt: Thrifted

Shirt: Banana Republic [exact]

Belt: Old Navy [similar]

Tights: c/o Hanes

Shoes: Tory Burch [exact]

Earrings: Tiffany & Co. [exact]

I just got the blazer back from the tailor and am thrilled with the results. Definitely worth the tailoring costs to have it fit better than it did off the rack.

linking up with AJ for Friday Favorites!

perfection pressure

 

I almost always take my pictures before work, except today when my battery died after one picture because my camera had somehow turned on in my purse and drained the battery. After work, my co-worker Emily came over so we could make the bouquets for her wedding (we made them like this!) so I again coerced her into taking my pictures. The problem with taking pictures at the end of a work day is that clothes don't really look as nice as they do 45 minutes after putting them on in the morning. I suppose the point of my blog is to show what a girl who works under a lab coat all day looks like, and so this is it, wrinkled pants and flat hair and all. 

I do feel a sense of pressure from myself, and just the blogging world as a whole, to be more put together. I wish I could be so effortlessly beautiful, just swipe on some red lipstick in the morning and go, but I feel lipstick draws attention to my small mouth and chubby cheeks. I wish I could wear heels to work and therefore on my blog because wearing flats all the time means stumpy legs are a constant issue when I take pictures of my outfits. I wish I didn't take 30 pictures just to find one that I feel okay with putting on here. There are a lot of things I wish were different, but I think the biggest thing I've learned from blogging my outfits is that it's okay that it's not perfect. Personally, I read blogs because I like to see what real women out there are actually wearing to work and in life. If I wanted to see fake perfection, I'll crack open a magazine. Seeing what woman wear on the job, or while raising a family is more inspiring than anything I've read in Glamour.

So I guess my piece of advice is to accept your so call "imperfections" because it may be what people like the most about you.

Blouse: H&M [similar]

Pants: The Limited [similar]

Necklace: Forever 21 [exact]

Watch: Kate Spade [exact]

Belt: Old Navy [similar]

Shoes: Sam Edelman via Nordstrom Rack [exact]

joan

 

Mad Men returns this weekend and I am SO EXCITED. Mad Men is the only show where I will completely shut off all my electronics and just watch the show. There's so much to pick up on that requires attention to detail - I'm just fascinated by how the show comes together. Have you read the fashion recaps on TLo? They pick apart their outfits, give the history on certain pieces, and show you how the clothes reflect the story line - it's amazing how much thought goes into the costumes! In "honor" of the show returning, I tried to do a little bit of a mad men look with my new dress, leopard belt, and patterned tights. I feel Joan would approve...or she would tell me to show more leg.

Dress: Gap [exact]

Cardigan: Old Navy [similar]

Tights: Target [exact]

Belt: Old Navy [similar]

Watch: c/o Daniel Wellington [exact]

Shoes: Tory Burch [exact]

Nails: Julep Jackie

Linking up with Plane Pretty.

skirted

Hi! It snowed today (after these pictures were taken). Blogger is not pleased.

Shirt: Equipment via eBay [same style]
Skirt: Thrifted  [similar]
Scarf: c/o The Posh'mina
Tights: Target
Boots: Frye  [exact]
Belt: Old Navy  [save | splurge]
Watch: Kate Spade  [exact]

Don't forget that the 5 Days, 5 Ways link up starts next week! As a reminder of the line-up:

Monday: Tops

Tuesday: Pants

Wednesday: Accessories

Thursday: Dresses

Friday: Casual Friday

I hope you join Whitney and me!

hunters, chambray, and cowls

During my February budget post I mentioned that Sam and I were going to Chicago together and that I planned on purchasing a few items as a part of my tax return that I was allowing myself to spend. Well, some asshat stole her wallet the day before we were supposed to go, so our trip fell through. I was determined to get rain boots though, so I went to a local shoe store to figure out what size to order.

I realized that due to marching band calves (no for real, that's a thing), the traditional rain boots were not going to fit me properly - the tightness around the calf made them awkwardly squish down in the middle. I then debated between getting the Huntress which has a thicker shaft all the way down, and the originals with an adjustable back. I ended up deciding to get the adjustable ones as I think they create a nicer line (as much of a nice line as rain boots can make) as I have relatively slim ankles compared to my calves. 

I'm really happy that I finally have a nice pair of rain boots as the last 2 pairs from Target tore within weeks. I even took the pups on an extra long walk after work so we could splash in all of the puddles!




and don't worry, I didn't wear these all day at work ;)

In a chambray popover update, Ellie mentioned to me on this post that J.Crew Factory has a similar version to the J.Crew version for about half of the price. J.Crew Factory is currently running a 30% off sale (with code STYLESCORE ) so the shirt is around $35 now! I put in my order this morning - I'm hoping it's "the one". As soon as it comes I plan on doing a post about all the different versions out there.

Sweater: Gap  [similar]
Jeans: Urban Outfitters  [exact]
Boots: Hunter  [exact]
Belt: Old Navy
Watch: Kate Spade  [exact]
Glasses: c/o Firmoo
Earrings: Tiffany & Co.  [exact]

I highly recommend everyone to go out and buy a cowlneck/turtle neck sweater. You can spend all day like this and no one can question it.

fate

You know how sometimes when we're shopping and we find something that we think is cute and it's the last piece and it's our size? We tell ourselves it's fate and buy it because the universe has clearly decided that it was meant to be for us to own that jacket / scarf / ring. Yeah, I'm not immune to that feeling either.

I mentioned that I was looking for a new pair of boots and when I saw that this pair (at the time) only had one pair left and in my size, I did not even hesitate to press buy. Obviously the fashion gods felt that I needed to own those boots. A week later they arrived at my front step, and I'm now a fashion atheist because girl, no. They look like plastic rain boots! Not what I expected from something that claims to be leather boots. I know my expectations are higher because I love my Frye boots so much, but another pair of such expensive boots is just not a possibility right now (especially since I need to be good about saving money while I'm still working). Back those go. Next up: this pair or this pair.

Maybe they'll make me be a believer again.

Dress: Old Navy  {exact}
Vest: Old Navy  {similar for less than $30}
Tights: Target  {exact}
Belt: Old Navy  {similar}
Scarf: Victoria's Secret
Boots: Frye  {exact}
Watch: Target  {similar}

Day Four of TOPIO











linking up with Sunday Style!

Sir Mix-a-Little

I classify my style as pretty classic and although I mix it up sometimes, I try not to follow every trend. I don't like neon, peplum scares me, and you will never ever find me wearing ankle boots.

But pattern mixing...that I can do. I already have a long standing love affair with striped shirts, florals are slowly creeping in, and polka dots are pretty much here to stay. Plus pattern mixing involves no purchasing, just playing around with the clothes and accessories you already have - perfect for someone on a budget!

Blouse: H&M (similar)
Belt: Old Navy (similar)
Jeans: Urban Outfitters
Flats: Rocket Dog
Bracelets: Forever 21, Express
Nails: Essie No Place Like Chrome (up close)



And speaking of trends, I'm "substitute teaching" over at Along the Lines of Style about my love for chambray so make sure you check it out.

Which trends are you on board with, and which ones will you pass on?







Linking up to wiww :)