Nov 10th, Backwards?

Due to the buttons down the back, the last time I wore this sweater I had a few people comment (probably jokingly) “I think you’re wearing your sweater backwards”.

I can assure you, it is not on backwards! I swear!

I fell in love with this sweater the moment I saw it- I love the camel color, the 3/4 sleeves, the cropped cut and the way it just looks like Fall. For some odd reason, it reminds me of Love Story- although Ali McGraw probably wore nothing like it.

Anyhow- today I am pairing this sweater with my off white pants. I decided to keep this look very simple- very understated.

By keeping each piece of this outfit in the same color family, it looks classy and expensive (which it isn’t!).

To add a bit of my personality, I’ve chosen my leopard heels, an animal print bracelet and this cute necklace from Forever 21.

For a totally unexpected twist, I'm using my black purse again.

Pants: Express, Sweater: Sears (Land’s End Canvas), Shoes: DSW, Necklace: Forever 21, Bracelet: H&M

Oct 31st, Another Halloween Party

Gosh, does it seem like Halloween has turned into a whole week of activities? What’s up with that?

We have had parties, haunted houses, a trip to the pumpkin patch, we’ve carved the pumpkins into elaborate designs, baked and decorated Halloween cupcakes… and now the class party! I’m exhausted and we still have trick or treating tonight. Seriously?!

Since I’m the room parent for my son’s class, I’m in charge of his class party. I want to dress festive- but also not embarrass him (he is in 5th grade and pretty much everything I do is embarrassing), so rather than wearing a costume- I’ve opted for jeans and an orange sweater. It’s appropriate, yet not ridiculous.

Speaking of ridiculous, do you remember those awful sweaters with the applique? Yikes!

I’m wearing my Paige Premium denim jeans with a bright orange cardigan. On the right I’m showing the cardigan with just a plain shirt. There’s nothing wrong with this look, but it just seems a little plain.

On the left I’ve re-worked it with a blue and white checked shirt, added a necklace and a belt. Below I’m showing the same look, but with the sweater open… not sure which look I like better. What you do think?

I’m off to school… have a Happy (and safe) Halloween!

Which is better? Buttoned or unbuttoned?

Jeans: Paige Premium Denim, Sweater: Sears (Land’s End), Blouse: Sears (Land’s End), Belt: Target, Necklace: Forever 21, Shoes: DSW

Oct 30th, Weekend Casual

I’m dressing today for a casual Sunday of running errands and getting ready for Halloweeen. Lots to do between today and tomorrow- so I need an outfit that is functional, comfy and cute!

Since I wore my jeans 2 days in a row, I decided to go with my cargo pants. I’ve said this before, but these pants are seriously comfy. They are like wearing sweat pants- but cuter! My only issue is I never know what to wear on top.

Today I’ve chosen a cute, long sleeve orange and white striped shirt.

Alone, it looks a little dumpy and frumpy, so I paired it with this cute white vest. The vest breaks up the stripes and adds a layer of warmth. To really change up the look, I’ve rolled up my hemline, changed out my shoes and added a necklace.

I’ll admit- this isn’t the cutest or the most stylish outfit you’ll ever see- but at least I’m making an effort.

I love the way rolling the hems really changes shows off these cute booties.

Pants: Louis Permilia, Shirt: Gap, Vest: Nordstrom, Shoes: Marshalls, Necklace: Kohls

Oct 29th Halloween Party

My hubby and I went to a Halloween party last night, and I thought instead of posting what I’ll be wearing today (raincoat and rainboots- another soggy Saturday soccer game), I’m going to post our costumes- in case you are looking for a last minute idea for your party!

I went as Katy Perry and hubby was Russell Brand. I couldn’t find a Katy Perry costume, so I bought at blue wig, a Candyland dress (who goes as Candyland?) and the piece de resistance was my cupcake bra! I bought a hot pink bra at a local thrift store- and then found some soft, squishy cupcakes and super glued them on.

My cute hubby went as Russell Brand- he bought skinny black jeans, and then wore them with a white shirt unbuttoned, a sports coat and then a wig, sunglasses and some jewelry. The best part of his look was that in order to look scruffy and have facial hair  he took hair wax and spread it on his face, then he opened a tea bag and spread the tea leaves all over his face. It stayed on all night long- and truly looked authentic!

Some other really cute costumes from the party were:

1. Tooth fairy- man in white tutu with a toolbelt around his waist and a bag of ‘teeth’

2. Velma from Scooby Do

3. A Roller Derby team (complete with skates)

4. Steven Tyler- complete with missing tooth and black eye- hilarious!

5. Black Swan

Oct 28th, Cozy Sweater

One of the things I love about fall is being able to wear a cozy sweater (and no coat) when running around town. Today’s look is a good example of that.

The outfit on the right is cute, but seems a little plain. The sweater has no shape or interesting features to it. A cute necklace or scarf might help- but to really change things up I decided to try a different sweater.

This sweater works better because of all the ruffles- it adds interest to the look.
I’m wearing skinny jeans (yes, I am wearing them 2 days in a row- don’t tell!), I’ve  paired them with a tank (which is always great under a sweater so that you don’t have to deal with sleeves getting bunched up!) and a cute and colorful scarf.

For comfort I have on my Tory Burch snakeskin flats. These were such a great purchase, they were expensive- but since the snakeskin is basically a neutral- I can wear them with just about anything. Definitely worth the money!

Enjoy your day!

I like the way this scarf adds color to an otherwise very neutral outfit. Plus, it's warm!

Scarf: Gift, Sweater: Anthropologie, Jeans: Anthropologie, Shoes: Nordstrom

Oct 27th, Utility Vest

 It’s funny how this one item keeps popping up everywhere I look! It definitely seems to be the ‘go to’ look this fall! I’ve worn mine several times as seen here and here.

I can’t put my finger on what it is exactly- but it adds a little something extra to an outfit.

Today’s look is a checked blouse and skinny jeans. On the right is my original look- I even went so far as to match my orange shoes to my top! Sadly, this doesn’t actually look very good- a little too ‘matchy, matchy’.

On the left I have switched out the sandals for my rugged booties  (much more weather appropriate) and then added the utility vest to give the look that little oomph!

The blouse is ultra preppy- so this vest really takes it down a notch- which makes it more my style!

Blouse: Sears (Land’s End), Vest: Old Navy, Jeans: Anthropologie, Booties: Marshalls

Oct 26th, Work it Wednesday

Today I’m participating in Jill from Good Life’s weekly link-up party where we show 1 item worn 3 ways. I’ve decided to go with a wardrobe staple, the black pencil skirt.

I love the pencil skirt for work because it’s so easy to wear and so much cuter than black pants.

I work in a very conservative field- so this look is perfect for me- but if you work in a more trendy field, make sure to keep your outfit current with a cute top,  jacket, sweater or accessories!

As seen on the left, I paired it with a animal print top and cute jacket. The animal print is unexpected, yet because it’s under the jacket- it isn’t too edgy.

On the right I decided to try another very conservative jacket- but paired with this bright orange tank makes it more modern.

Below, I’m showing an outfit I wore a few weeks ago- I paired my skirt with a sweater, scarf and boots. I think this one might be my favorite!

If you don’t own a pencil skirt- you could try any of these tops and jackets with dark jeans- it would look really cute as well!

Skirt: Gap, Jacket on Left: JC Penny, Jacket on Right: White House, Black Market, Leopard Shirt: Express, Orange Tank: H&M, Shoes: Nordstroms

Oct 25th, Jennifer Aniston Inspired

I’m showing what I call a ‘Jennifer Aniston inspired’ look today. As some of you might know, I’ve always been a huge fan of her style!

Don’t laugh, but often when I’m shopping I think, ‘would Jennifer Aniston wear this?’. If not, I will put it back. I know, make fun all you want!

Seriously though- it’s a good idea to have a vision of what your style is- especially when you go shopping. It’s so easy to get distracted by everything in the store- and make a mistake and buy something you would never really wear (black booties anyone?).

In this outfit Jennifer has the perfect mix of casual- cuffed faded jeans, and classy- the blazer with the gold buttons.

In my interpretation, I’ve opted for flats instead of tennis shoes, and my blazer is black and doesn’t have buttons. I’m also missing the belt and I’ve added a necklace… but those are minor details. The goal isn’t for me to dress up like Jennifer, it’s for me to see something that works and make it my own.

Here is what this outfit would have looked like before:

Oh my gosh, it's even worse on film! These shoes are awful! Why didn't someone tell me?

Again, here is the after:

On second thought, a blue blazer might have been cuter. Maybe next time! And, no my zipper is not down, I swear! 🙂

I’m linking up with this cute blog challenge, called ABC’s of blogging. Today’s is C- for celebrity inspired. Click here to see more cute ideas!

Blazer: Nordstrom, Jeans: Gap, Shoes: Target, Sweater: Ann Taylor Loft

Oct 24th, Good Old J Crew!

I’ve titled this Good Old J Crew because I bought this skirt 2 years ago and it’s one of my favorites. I usually wear it all summer long- with a t shirt and sandals as seen on the right.

Today I decided to try and make this a fall/winter look by pairing it with tights and a black turtleneck. Typically turtlenecks can be really matronly- but with the short sleeves and paired with a mini- I think this works. The long necklace creates a v down the front of my body- which breaks up the solid black a bit and also draws the eye down- a good slimming trick.

To keep my legs warm, I’ve put on black tights and black menswear inspired shoes- this is all the rage this fall, and although I hate to be too trendy, I decided to give this look a try. I bought these at DSW and they are ultra comfy and I think they are super cute.

To keep the look current, I’ve created a small arm party with a group of silver stacked bracelets.

Hope you have a great Monday. Sorry for the delayed post- I had a rough morning. Two kids who both got up on the wrong side of the bed… it wasn’t pretty!

Skirt: J Crew, Tights: DSW, Shoes: DSW, Tops: Louis Permilia, Necklace: Gift from my sisters! (love you guys!)

Oct 23, Copycat

This is not an original outfit- in fact it is a complete copy of an outfit I saw on some of the other blogs I follow.  Sadly I can’t remember where, or I would give credit. If you know, please feel free to comment.

On the right I am showing how although this is a simple and easy outfit- there is still a chance to get it wrong, as seen here! The high waisted black pants aren’t doing much for my figure, the black boots are boring and the shirt tucked in is just plain bad…

On the left is the look I copied. I untucked the shirt, threw on a necklace and changed the baggy and wrinkled cargos for skinny black pants. Notice my brown Target boots. This seems to be a trend this fall- the brown and black combo. Who would have thought?

A small detail to point out- my leather braided bracelet. This was my husband’s in college, and I love the vintage look and feel to it! Very cool!

I guess I really like this look because it is so easy, simple, yet seems stylish. And just to be clear- the whole reason I started this blog was to get inspired and get ideas from more fashionable people… so don’t get mad at me for being a copycat, ok? And yes, you’re right- I should have ironed this shirt!

Pants: Gap, Shirt: Target, Boots: Target, Necklace: Anthropologie