Oct 24, Chunky Sweater

Today’s outfit is a pretty purple sweater I bought last winter. I’ve noticed that sweaters this season have a lot of detail to them, and this sweater is no exception. See below for a closer look!

In my before outfit I’m wearing black jeans (which are perfectly fine), but to add a little spice I decided to wear my distressed ones instead. I also have on my giant cozy fleece in my before look. Now, to be perfectly honest- I LOVE this fleece. I wear it around the house all the time. It’s so warm… but for out in public, I can do better.

This sweater is a lot cuter. It has a great knit pattern, the color is really pretty, and I like that it is sort of cropped, which makes my legs look longer! See below for a better look.

Gotta run! I’m taking the ferry to Bainbridge Island today for a tennis match, so full disclosure, I’m not actually wearing this outfit today. I wore it last weekend! 🙂

Oct 18, 6 Ways to Wear a Graphic T Shirt

For my final day in my ‘theme week’ I have chosen to show a graphic t shirt worn 6 different ways! This was actually a lot of fun for me- because up until a year ago I would have NEVER worn a graphic t shirt anywhere but to bed! But I’ve been inspired by all the fashion posts on Instagram. I see women of all ages rocking a graphic t and looking super stylish! So here goes my take on how to wear a graphic t shirt!

1. Distressed jeans/ Free People Blazer/ Black Booties
2. Black distressed jeans/ Faux fur vest/ Paul Green flats
3. White distressed jeans/ grey and white shrug sweater, grey booties
4. Black pencil skirt/ denim jacket, leopard flats
5. Dark skinny jeans, off white blazer, pointy toe heels
6. Wide leg jeans, casual grey cardigan, loafers

Now I need to decide which I like best! I’d love to hear your thoughts!

By the way, this cute T shirt is from Target!!

Oct 7, Cozy Sweater

Every Saturday morning I wake up early and plan my meals for the upcoming week. To keep it super easy, I keep a general plan (Asian Monday, Taco Tuesday, Whatever Wednesday, Souper Thursday, Pizza Friday), this helps me plan meals without feeling overwhelmed. Once I’ve figured out what we are going to have I print all the recipes and create a grocery list. Then as soon as my hubby gets up we go out to breakfast and head to the grocery store. We think of it as our weekly date (how romantic!), plus it keeps me organized and is helpful after a long day at school to come home and know exactly what is for dinner that night!

I am sharing this because over the weekend I received a marketing email from Nordstrom with outfit ideas for the week (cozy sweater on Monday, jumpsuit on Tuesday, menswear on Wednesday… and so on) which made me think about how I spend so much time planning my menu- but have never thought to plan my outfits for the week. Below is what Nordstrom sent:

Today’s theme: a cozy sweater.

I’m wearing a color block fuzzy sweater from Nordstrom (old). It’s so comfy and cozy, and perfect for a chilly fall day. I’m going out on a bit of a limb by wearing ripped jeans, hoping the school I’m subbing at today won’t mind. It’s a middle school, so I thought the ripped jeans might be ok?! I sure hope so! As usual, I have tucked my sweater in, just so it doesn’t look like I’m swimming in it! And finally, the black booties are sleeker than the clunky Uggs.

Have a great Monday, and check back tomorrow for another Nordstrom inspired outfit!

Sept 23, Black and White, Day and Night

Today’s outfit is not a before and after, instead it’s a day to night look. I’m teaching school today, and then going to dinner with friends this evening, so I wanted an outfit than can easily transition from one to the other.

I started with black jeans, because they are an easy base for any outfit. Plus, being black they will hide any dirt that I may get on them while at school today.

As most of you know, I rarely wear prints, but every now and then I find one I like such as this cute top with the little hearts. It’s fun and different! For my school outfit, I added a draped cardigan which is comfy and warm. I finished the look with flat black booties since I will be on my feet all day. These are super comfy- and best of all, I can wear socks with them!

For my evening outfit, I will swap out the cardigan for a blazer. I have been seeing a lot of blazers lately on Instagram, but most of them are oversized and more of a throwback to the 80’s. This fitted version is not as trendy, but it is still stylish and adds some polish to my look. To dress it up even more, I replaced the booties with these cute peep toe heels.

Jeans- Gap

Top- Marshalls

Blazer- Nordstrom

Cardigan- Calypso

Booties- Nordstrom Rack

Peep toe Booties- Marshalls

Sept 4, Striped Camisole

Today’s OOTD is my distressed black jeans paired with a printed camisole. What I want to point out is how in the before photo the camisole has a wide band right around my tummy.

Since this is my ‘problem area’ I really don’t want to wear anything that draws the eye there. So, my solution is to tuck the top in- therefore removing the offending horizontal stripe. By switching from cropped dress pants to distressed jeans I look less dated, and the strappy sandals are an improvement over the ballet flats. Now I’m off to the dentist. Ugh! Wish me luck.

August 30, Date Night

This is my ‘fake date night outfit’, I say ‘fake’ because I’m not really going on a date with my husband tonight, unless you count watching TV on the couch together a date? If so- than I have a HOT date tonight! But… if we were going out on the town- this is what I would wear. I love the all black look- but as usual, just throwing on black jeans & a black top is not stylish. I know I say this ALL THE TIME but it comes down to details. 

In the outfit on the right, the blouse has some lovely details. It’s super hard to see in the photo, but below is a close up so you will get a better look. This sheer top with Swiss dots has a built in v neck camisole underneath. It’s a leotard, so it all stays together nicely and doesn’t come untucked. Plus, I love the poofy sleeves, and the ladylike neckline. Paired with  ripped black jeans & pointy heels = a sexy, edgy date night outfit. Now if I could just get my hubby off the couch?! LOL! Truthfully, on Fridays, we are both so exhausted that the couch is my favorite place to be!

 Blouse is from Nordstrom Rack, Shoes from Nordstrom 

July 20, Date Night

We have a rare weekend where both kids are gone- so my hubby and I are having a date night tonight.

One of my favorite Insta style gals is @Fashion_Jackson. She wears a ton of neutrals and always looks amazing! So, with her as my inspiration, I have chosen black jeans and a simple white top. However, as you can see- there is a huge difference between the outfit on the left and the right. On the right I have replaced the regular jeans with a distressed pair. This gives the outfit a little attitude and edge. I also replaced the orthopedic sandals with my pointy toed heels. I’ll be honest, these kill my feet and I will only wear them if I know I will be sitting most of the night. But don’t they look good?! Lastly, I swapped out the thin white tank for this cute faux silk draped tank. It’s a dressier, and dare I say, sexier look. I purposely kept the neckline clean- I have on a delicate necklace (hard to see in photos, sorry) but to add some interest, I am wearing a statement bracelet.

Jeans- Zara

Top- Uniqlo

Shoes- Kenneth Cole, Nordstrom

May 29, Floral Blouse

Today I am wearing this cute printed floral blouse that I have paired with my white jeans in the past. Wanting something different, I first tried them with dark blue jeans, but then thought that since there is a tiny bit of black in the pattern, I’d try them with my black skinny jeans instead.

Comparing the two looks, I love the contrast between the dark jeans and the light blue blouse. I also think it looks better tucked in (you know I love my half tuck), and I think these pointy toed shoes are an improvement over the ballet flats. They dress the outfit up a bit, and add some style with the pointy toe. Plus, these are seriously comfortable shoes and I am going to be on my feet all day! 

Happy Hump Day! 

Blouse- Nordstrom, old- but here is a similar one

Jeans- Gap

Shoes- Paul Green, mine are old- but here are a similar pair (and they are on sale!)

May 20, Grey Monday

Good morning! It’s dark and grey outside, and I have a feeling it’s going to be like this all day, so I am wearing jeans, a sweatshirt and tennis shoes.

However, I do have to go to work, and the outfit on the left is a little too casual. While I love my Seahawks hoodie, this is not appropriate for my workplace. The cute camo sweatshirt is a little dressier (did I just call a sweatshirt dressy? Oh my!) and the black tennis shoes make my legs look a lot longer since there is one continuous line of black. Do the half tuck to emphasize my waist, throw on some bracelets for a little sparkle, and I’m ready for you 1st graders!

A close up of my bracelets today. The 3 on the left are new- a gift from a dear friend. Love them!

Jeans- Gap

Sweatshirt- American Eagle (this is similar, mine is last season)

Shoes- Adidas

May 13, Asymmetrical Sweater

I bought this cute asymmetrical sweater years ago, and I don’t wear it very often because I was always unsure what to pair it with. I’ve tried blue jeans, and didn’t love that- so today I decided to try pairing it with black.

The before photo looks messy, the pants are too long and baggy, and the proportions are off. Since the sweater has a flowy feel to it, I need something sleeker on the bottom. My ripped, cropped black jeans are perfect. Also, I pushed up my sleeves so show a little more skin (it is spring after all), and swapped out the dated black ballet flats for cute strappy black sandals. I may go back and switch the tank in the after photo for the one on the right- I actually like the thinner straps better. It’s a small, minor detail but it does make a difference. Have a great Monday.

I love the cute hemline and details in this sweater.

Sweater- Prana

Jeans- Zara

Sandals- Lucky Brand