Texture

It’s no secret that I love print mixing.  But what you might not know is that I am also a fan of mixing different textures and fabrics.  And when I stumbled on this fun version of a classic surplus coat while recently shopping for a dress for my cousin’s wedding, I just couldn’t help myself. It’s the perfect Fall piece with just enough of a twist to make an old staple feel new again…

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 Instagram Filter: Amaro

Jacket: Bohme (local SLC boutique), similar, similar | Tank: Express (old), similar | Skinnies: 7 for All Mankind Slim Illusion (BEST EVER-and they’re on major sale!) | Necklace: Stella & Dot (older style), similar, LOVE this one | Clutch: Clare Vivier, flat version (a little less expensive) | Sunnies: Ray-ban | Pumps: Enzo Angiolini via Nordstrom Rack, similar, similar

Lips: Urban Decay Revolution Lipstick in F-Bomb

Happy Friday y’all!  Thanks for stopping by!

Touchstone Crystal+Giveaway

Today I want to introduce you guys to a fabulous jewelry company called Touchstone Crystal.  Now I know the name sounds a little out there (at least that’s what I thought when I first heard about it), but this product is seriously incredible!  In fact, I first discovered it when I thought a girlfriend of mine was wearing diamond solitaire earrings, and when I asked her about them, she let me in on her little secret.  Touchstone Crystal was created by the Swarovski group, and all of the jewelry in turn is made with genuine Swarovski crystals and zirconia (Swarovski Zirconia is the finest simulated diamond in the world).  And do you know what that means?  Not only is the jewelry absolutely gorgeous, and top notch quality, but it is also affordable!  I picked up the beautiful statement ring I am wearing in the below photos and I can’t even being to convey how much I love it.  And not only that, but with most pieces under $100, I can’t wait to add a few more things to my jewelry collection.

Be sure to scroll below for your chance to enter to win one of 2 gift cards to Touchstone Crystal!!

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Instagram Filter: Lo-Fi

Dress: RACHEL Rachel Roy via Macy’s, similar, similar, LOVING this style | Bracelets: Stella & Dot, Fair Trade | Statement Ring: Touchstone Crystal c/o | Sunnies: Kate Spade via Nordstrom Rack |  Clutch: Michael Kors (sold out), Spring 2014 version | Pumps: Joe’s Jeans

And now for the good part!  Today I am teaming up with Touchstone Crystal to give away not one, but TWO gift certificates to their site worth $25 each.  Please click on the rafflecopter link below to enter for your chance to win!  Winners will be announced next Friday, March 28th! GOOD LUCK!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Also, I wanted to take a quick second to wish my hubby a very happy birthday.  There is never a dull moment in our lives thanks to his adventurous spirit, and I feel incredibly fortunate to get to share my days with my very best friend. So here is to you, J, and your best year yet! I love you!

HBD Justin

So Long, 2013…

I always get a little reflective and perhaps even pensive when each year ends and a new one begins.  It is a time of excitement and the promise of a new beginning and fresh start, but the turning of that page always makes me a little sad too.  The older I get, the faster and faster time seems to go.  Cliche, I know, but true none-the-less.

Looking back at 2013, this blog has really been such a highlight of my year.  And so, I wanted to take today’s post to THANK ALL OF YOU for being with me every step of the way.  Your support, your engagement, your ideas, your encouragement, your love-it has all meant the world to me. And I sincerely hope you will continue along this journey with me into 2014  I could not do what I do every day without each and every single one of you. So truly, from the bottom of my hear, THANK YOU.

And what better way to close out 2013 than with a look back at some of my (and yours too!) favorite looks from this year…

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Outfit #3

Outfit #1

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Wishing you and yours a safe and happy New Year.  Goodbye 2013, hello 2014!

I’ll be back Thursday with regular blog posts, so be sure to stop by!

Thank you all again for everything this year!

Monotone

Sometimes throwing together a monochromatic look is a welcome change from the usual. Plus, pairing two like colors is an easy concoction to create and a great way to change-up your look without investing in anything new…

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Instagram Filter:  Valencia

Blazer:  H&M (old) similar, similar | Silk Tunic:  H&M (old) similar | Skinny Pants:  INC | Sunnies:  Marc Jacobs  | Necklace:  JCrew, INC | Bracelets:  Anne Klein, Stella and Dot, Juicy Couture | Watch:  Michael Kors | Bag:  Michael Kors Hamilton | Shoes:  Steve Madden (old) similar

I don’t know about you, but I am so happy it’s the middle of the week already.  I am practically counting down the days until the weekend-the end is in sight!

Thanks for reading!

xx

L.O.V.E.

Does anyone else remember that Ashley Simpson used to have a music career (outside of her lip synching debacle on SNL)? I had completely forgotten until I saw this shirt hanging on the rack at one of our Macy’s stores. And like a tidal wave, the bubbly lyrics and catchy tune of L.O.V.E. came flooding back to me and I knew the shirt had to be mine.  😉

But in all seriousness, and aside from my forgotten love for the younger Simpson’s bubblegum pop, I have been obsessing over graphic tees all fall. They are fun, catchy like your favorite pop song, and have the potential to add a little sass to any outfit while boasting the comfort of a t-shirt. And not only that, but in addition to obviously being great with jeans, they work well with blazers and cardis, colored and printed skinnies, and even skirts and leggings. Just another fab item to add to your wardrobe helping you to create endless outfit possibilities!

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Instagram Filter:  Amaro

LOVE Tee:  Material Girl via Macy’s (sold out) similar, similar, similar

Grey Cardi:  Old Navy

Black Ponte Pants:  INC via Macy’s

Heart Necklace:  Tiffany and Co.

Long Necklace:  Personal Collection of Charms

Watch:  Michael Kors

Sunglasses:  Marc Jacobs via Nordstrom Rack (last summer)

Handbag:  Coach (last fall)

Boots:  Kenneth Cole via TJMaxx (recent)

I actually wore the above outfit on a road trip to Montana this past weekend.  It was comfy and cute, and an easy transition from 8 hours in the car straight to dinner with family and friends.  The only thing I had to do was change my shoes.  I wore the black boots pictured above for dinner, but wore my Uggs in the car to keep me comfy and warm.  And although sometimes tough to create, I often love outfits that can transition from one event to another the best.  The older I get, the less time I feel like devoting to changing my clothes throughout the day so I’m always a huge fan of items that make things easier.  So if you are on the hunt for a great graphic tee, H&M and Forever21 are always a great place to start and should both have plenty of options at affordable prices!

Hope you all had a fabulous weekend!

xx

My Favorite Boyfriend

I have had a few boyfriends in my lifetime-some who were okay, but for the most part, well, not so much.  🙂 And while in hindsight I think I might have been in love with the idea of being in love in my younger years, I have come to learn over time that (besides my darling husband) there is only one boyfriend I’ve had in my life that has never let me down. And that my friends, is my favorite boyfriend jeans. Yes, you read correctly, my favorite boyfriend jeans.

Truth be told, I have had a long-standing love affair with boyfriend jeans-I just can’t get enough. And maybe it’s because I know I am going to have to put them away in a couple of months, but lately, I cannot stop wearing them. They are truly one of those pieces that not only go with a myriad of items from flip flops and tanks, to sweaters, to t-shirts, to oxfords, but they feel like home every time I slip them on. And as of late, my favorite (and go-to) look is to pair my boyfriend jeans back to a menswear inspired button-down and minimalistic jewelry, topped off with the girliest, most feminine shoes I can find in my closet. An unexpected combination that works perfectly together and never, ever lets me down.

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Instagram Filter:  Brannan

Buttondown:  JCrew (recent)

Cyrstal Necklace: SLC Farmer’s Market

Bracelets:  Tiffany an Co., H&M, Forever21, Macy’s

Watch:  Michael Kors via ShopBop (old)

Boyfriend Jeans:  Rich and Skinny via Nordstrom Rack (old)

Shoes:  Nine West via Macy’s (recent)

This is one trend that I sincerely hope never goes out of style.  The comfort and versatility of boyfriend jeans makes them incredibly easy to style and a must have for any closet.  So remember, ladies, men will come and go, but a great pair of boyfriend jeans is forever.

Hope you all had a fantastic weekend!

xx

Navy+Mustard=LOVE

Navy is what we call one of the new neutrals. Like black, it goes with everything from brights, to neons, to jewel tones, to other like neutrals. It is a great staple to have in your wardrobe and because of its ability to be mixed with many different colors lends itself to creating countless different looks. But one color in particular that navy works especially well with, and in fact, one of my favorite color combinations of all time, is the pairing of navy and mustard.

No matter the season, no matter the trend, navy and mustard always work seamlessly together. Summer or fall, winter or spring, this is a color combination that always works, is easy to create, AND looks great on everyone…

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Instagram Filter: 1977

Striped Tank: H&M (recent)

Mustard Skirt: JCrew (last summer)

Red Bubble Necklace: H&M (last summer)

Gold Love Bracelets: Forever21

Silver Bracelets: Tiffany and Co.

Cocktail Ring: House of Harlow via Nordstrom

Gold Watch: Michael Kors via Nordstrom Rack

Double Wrap Belt: DownEast Outfitters

Wedges: DV by Dolce Vita Jude via Macy’s

And in keeping with the theme of thinking summer while preparing for fall, mustard and navy is another prime example of something you can wear now, and wear later. In fact, my very favorite way to wear mustard and navy is with a dark pair of skinny jeans and tall pair of cognac boots-but I’m obviously not quite ready for that yet!

Hope you are all having a fabulous week!!

xx

The Fab Four

When I look back on my summer wardrobe, there are four specific (fabulous) pieces that really stand out to me. Pieces that I not only wore more than just about anything else in my closet, but that will also all transition perfectly into my fall wardrobe. And good thing! Because I’m not ready to let go of any of them yet.

When J and I were in Montana on vacation, I was too busy playing all day everyday to ever save myself much time to get ready for evening fun. So most nights, I found myself rushing to get ready and throwing outfits together without much thought and absolutely zero rhyme or reason. And on one such night when getting dressed for dinner with our dear family friends, I just happened to throw on all 4 of these favorite thing at the same time-which is perhaps why I am so pleased with the results of this outfit!

So what are these fab four pieces?? Drum roll please!!!

1. Bubble Necklace: If you follow this blog you know how much I love my bubble necklace. And understandably, I am not alone in my obsession. This necklace is such a fantastic way to add a pop of color to any outfit and brighten up an other wise boring or mediocre ensemble. AND because of its popularity, there are now many sites offering a version similar to the original JCrew but for a fraction of the price. (check out these great finds here, here, and here)

2. Gap Skinny Jeggings: I LOVE these jeans. You can see them in just about any post where I am wearing pants. I have them in black and in a dark wash denim and both have become my go-to jeans, even with a closet full of cute bottoms. They have enough stretch that they are incredibly comfy, but don’t bag out and keep their shape all day long. The length is great, not too short, and not too long and bunchy at the ankles, and the fabric is the perfect density-not too thick and not too thin. AND Gap has them in store and online again. Check them out here.

3. DV by Dolce Vita Jude Wedges: These wedges are the best. They are incredibly comfy, a great height, and look really great on the leg with jeans or with skirts (check out yesterday’s post to see them with a skirt!). Dolce Vita actually had these shoes in their higher end line last year (the Jade) and because of their extreme popularity, created a version for their DV line this year at a little more affordable price. And right now many sites and stores have them on sale, so you can get a great deal on them (here, here, and here). Plus they look great with tights too (I also have them in red suede and can’t wait to wear them through the fall/winter!).

4. Denim Vest: Oh my love for this little denim vest just keeps going strong. Not only do I love it with dresses, and tanks, but I also love it over long sleeves. You can see some other ways I’ve styled it here, here, and here.

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Instagram Filter:  Earlybird

Denim Vest:  Macy’s (similar, similar)

Chiffon Top:  H&M (recent)

Skinny Jeans:  Gap Legging Jeans

Bubble Necklace:  Ily Couture

Silver Bracelets:  Tiffany and Co.

Gold Bracelet:  Oia Jules

Cocktail Ring:  House of Harlow via Nordstrom

Watch:  Michael Kors via Nordstrom Rack

Cognac Wedges:  Dolce Vita Jude

Even though I don’t want to see summer go, I’m already starting to get the urge to start layering, wearing boots, and shopping for fall.  But this post is a good reminder that as we move from season to season it is always good to take stock and evaluate what you already own in your wardrobe and find pieces that you can transition (just like my fab four) so that you aren’t creating duplication and unnecessary repetition in your closet, all the while saving yourself some money!

xx

The Planner In Me

I am a planner, both personally and professionally. And when I have fun or important events on the horizon, I most definitely like to plan my outfits ahead of time. In fact, I found the dress I wanted to wear on our 5th wedding anniversary before we had even made plans! And while I knew we would ultimately do something where I would be able to wear it, my plan was solidified when we booked a condo on Main Street in Park City for the weekend. And even though a big storm came through the evening of our anniversary, the sun came back out and the temp rose just enough for me to get away with this hot pink one shoulder BCBGMaxazria dress. And thank goodness, because I didn’t pack any other options!

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Dress:  BCBGMaxazria via Nordstrom Rack

Bracelets:  Oia Jules, Thailand, Macy’s, Tiffany and Co.

Watch:  Michael Kors via Nordstrom Rack

Cocktail Ring:  House of Harlow via Nordstrom

Shoes:  Michael Kors via Dillards

I mentioned a few posts ago that I got an amazing deal on this dress, and I did.  Let’s just say that Nordstrom Rack came through for me for me once again. My pink dress was originally just shy of $300, but I found it at the Rack for $34.99. (my jaw about dropped when I saw the price tag).  And not only that, but I recently saw the same dress at the BCBGMaxazria outlet for over $200.   So if you haven’t already been let in on the secret, I am here to tell you that with a little patience and time spent sorting through the racks at Nordstrom Rack,  you can almost always find incredible name brands pieces for a fraction of the price.  Everytime I take a shopping trip there, it tends to be well worth my time.  So while I adore my dress for it’s rich fabric, gorgeous pink color, and one shoulder styling, perhaps the purchase price trumps all on this one.  😉

xx 

Sunday Funday

One of my favorite things about Park City is summer Sunday afternoons. Main Street is always filled with people brunching and sipping cocktails, the market is vibrant and fun, and there is a different band or musician playing every few blocks. It is the perfect setting to make you feel like you are far, far away from the real world and the hustle and bustle of the city-life is just a little slower up there which always makes me feel like home.

And so, after an amazing weekend celebrating our anniversary, J and I obviously decided to spend our last day on Main Street taking in the scene, relaxing, and just enjoying the last few hours of our weekend getaway. And because it was such a special weekend for us, I got a little more dressed up than I normally would for a Sunday in PC. But none-the-less, my black lace skirt, neon tank, and feather earrings still felt perfect for the occasion. And while of course I love lace, I am feeling especially pleased with the purchase of this black lace skirt. Initially, I thought it would be a piece that I would only use for more dressy occasions, but I am loving that it is also possible to dress it down with the right accessories. It’s always important to have pieces in your wardrobe that can serve multiple purposes and this one is a great example.  And as an added bonus, it will be an awesome transitional piece into Fall (not that I’m ready to start thinking about that yet!)…

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Instagram Filter:  Hudson

Black Lace Skirt:  American Eagle (recent)

Neon Coral Tank:  American Eagle (recent)

Cognac Belt:  Mossimo for Target (old)

Feather Earrings:  The Icing

Beaded Bracelets:  H&M

Silver Bracelets:  Tiffany and Co.

Silver and Gold Cocktail Ring:  House of Harlow via Nordstrom (recent)

Gold Watch:  Michael Kors via Nordstrom Rack

Neon Bag:  Rebecca Minkoff Mini MAC via Bloomingdales

Gold Aviators:  TJMaxx (old)

Gold Flats:  Target (oldies, but goodies!)

It always seems to me that the things we look forward to the most are often the things that go by the quickest.  I hate that it has to be like that, but am so grateful for such a fun weekend and for all of the amazing memories we now have to add to our arsenal!  I hope you all had a wonderful weekend too.

xx

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