Uniform

My fall uniform: blazers and scarves. It's the easiest way to layer easy and there are endless combinations. This look is inspired by the styling from the J.Crew website for this blazer. A collared shirt, swater and blazer was a bit much for me so I just added a scarf instead. See, easy!

I have wanted this watch ever since I saw it on Kelly at Alterations Needed. I haven't been able to afford buying it for myself so I begged hinted at Chris that it would make the perfect birthday present.

He's too good to me.



Like Kelly, I plan on replacing the watch band. She used a brown band but I think I'm going to go for navy.

Blazer: J. Crew in tall  {exact}
Sweater: Old Navy  {similar}
Scarf: H&M
Jeans: Joe's Jeans
Shoes: Simply Vera Vera Wang
Watch: Kate Spade  {exact}






Linking up with Real Girl Glam, Work it Wednesday and wiww.

EBEW: Schooltime

This month's Everybody, Everywear theme is back to school. I already wore a back to school outfit last week, but I don't need many excuses to wear my new blazer and scarf!

A note on the blazer: I've been looking for a red blazer for some time now, both for regular outfits and for football Saturdays. I got this baby for $27 (I refuse to buy anything from Old Navy at full price - there is always a sale going on!). It is unlined and a bit stretchy which means it isn't that bulky. The only fault is that the material that makes the lapel and opening of the jacket has folded over fabric that would sometimes stick out. I bought iron-on adhesive (~ $3 at a fabric store) and ironed down the inside fabric. It was super easy and the added stiffness really makes the blazer sit better.

I was debating wearing my yellow loafers but I felt it was a little too Ronald McDonald...

Blazer: Old Navy (exact)
Scarf: DIY (you can win one here!)
Tee: Gap
Jeans: Urban Outfitters
Shoes: Simply Vera Vera Wang
Watch: Boccia
Nails: Seen here







Linking up with EBEW, wiww and real girl glam.

Bang Bang

I may have gone a littttttle crazy yesterday while getting my hair cut. Full on bangs. I've never had them before but they're pretty fun! Any styling tips for bangs?

The more I wear my vest, the happier I am that I kept it. I can't wait for the temperatures to drop a little bit more so I can wear it outside of work too.

I've been seeing tons of ladies wearing theirs in cute ways so check them out if you are looking for some new ways to style a cargo vest:

26 and Counting
Because Shanna Said So
My Here and Now
Lilly's Style
Putting Me Together
Sterling Style
Bon Chic Bon Gastronomique
J's Everyday Fashion
C's Evolution of Style
Clothes, Kinks and Curls
Librarian for Life Style

Let me know if you'd like to be added - I need the inspiration :)

Vest: Old Navy (sold out online, try in stores)
Shirt: Old Navy  (similar - on sale!)
Jeans: Urban Outfitters
Shoes: Simply Vera Vera Wang
Watch: Target (exact)
Bracelet: J. Crew

One of my closet friends Alexa (the one that gave me my favorite scarf) is back from New Zealand for 6 weeks - I'm so excited to have her back stateside! Her family just got this adorable yellow lab that we've been cooing over all afternoon - her name is Cali - isn't she just adorable?!

Let's Not Get Carried Away

I leave the house by 7:10 every morning (okkk, most mornings) and even though it's still August, it's been getting chillier. Chilly enough to need a jacket? Maybe, maybe not. But I can't help but reach for them, even if it's just for the walk to my car.


Jumping the gun on fall? Perhaps.

Jacket: Banana Republic  {save, spend, splurge}
Shirt: Forever 21  {similar}
Belt: Madewell  {similar}
Jeans: Urban Outfitters
Shoes: Simply Vera Vera Wang

1 day left to enter to win an intro box to Julep Maven. I just received the "your box has shipped" email - I'm so excited for this month's colors!

2for1

Today I was at the shipping dock, which is in a different part of the building than I work in. A man I occasionally work with was also there and asked if where I work is cold enough to warrant a scarf. It's a silly question to have to ask someone in August, but the room I sit in IS really cold. Hence the scarf. It looks a bit silly coming out of a lab coat though...


Cardigan: thrifted J. Crew
Tee: Target
Scarf: H&M
Jeans: Joe's Jeans
Purse: Coach - graduation present
Shoes: Simply Vera Vera Wang
Watch: Boccia

I went in the opposite direction as last week and went dark. Remember that there are 6 days left to win an intro box from Julep Maven. You can enter here!

Blue: Essie Midnight Cami
Gold: Julep Oscar, c/o



P.S. I'm guest posting for Jen at Librarian for Life Style while she is on vacation!

Linking up with Mani Monday and the Nail Files.

Thrifted

My love for getting a good deal is well documented. I rarely pay for anything full price - I always shop the sales at stores I can't really afford full price items (J.Crew, Banana Republic, Ann Taylor), and try to use coupons/codes at stores I can afford to pay full price but try not to (Gap, Old Navy, Loft, Express).

You would think with all of that I would be all for thrifting for clothes...yet I never have. I go to Goodwill and Savers lots, but it's to pick up house items. I went to Goodwill specifically to buy a frame for a print I bought down town, and wandered into the clothing section...and found this blazer waiting for me. It's more of a cardigan blazer and I'm positive it previously belonged to someone's sweet grandmother but with a snip of the scissors to remove the shoulder pads, it became the newest member of my closet. I also found an old leather purse whose straps I  removed to make an awesome new clutch.

All for less than $10! What took me so long?!

Blazer: Thrifted {similar? haha}
Shirt: Buckle
Jeans: Urban Outfitters  {exact}
Necklace: Present  {save, spend, splurge}
Watch: Boccia  {similar}
Shoes: Simply Vera Vera Wang {save, spend, splurge}


Do you thrift a lot of clothes? Any tips for a newbie?


Linking up with wiww and harper's happenings

Skinnies

A year ago, I wouldn't have been caught dead in skinny jeans...and now I'm on to my 6th pair. I've been getting really sick of my black pairs of skinny jeans, and after seeing so many cute pictures of maroon and green skinny jeans, I was hooked. Luckily for me, Express had some in both colors. Ultimately I knew that I would wear the maroon pair more than green ones, as cute as they are. I'm so excited to wear these this fall with boots!

These were going for $80 but I had a promo code so they were only $50. If you are in the market for some new jeans, Express is having a buy 1, get 1 half off jeans!

Jeans: Express
Blouse: H&M (similar)
Belt: Gap (similar)
Necklace: Forever 21
Shoes: Simply Vera Vera Wang (similar at Target)