Oct 10, Denim Shirt

Today’s OOTD is another Nordstrom inspired look from the email marketing campaign I received over the weekend.

The advice for today was to build a look around a classic accessory like a wool felt hat, which is adorable on some people, but not me! Instead I decided to build my outfit around a classic piece- my denim shirt.

I’ve had a denim shirt for years now, and if you don’t own one- I highly suggest you buy one asap. Either that or a denim jacket, which may be my all time favorite! A denim shirt (or jacket) is so versatile, it literally goes with everything. I always pack one when I travel, as it is the perfect layering piece. The one I’m wearing today is from American Eagle, but I also have one from J Crew that is more fitted.

Today I have paired my shirt with joggers. I like the casual, loose fit, but I don’t want to look messy, so I needed to tuck it in and roll the sleeves. To really add some style I have chosen snakeskin slides. While it’s tempting to just wear my comfy slip on sneakers, these shoes are a statement piece and truly complete the look.

Joggers- Marshalls

Shoes- Nordstrom Rack

Shirt- American Eagle

Oct 9, Menswear

Today’s Nordstrom inspired outfit is based on the theme of menswear.

I don’t own any menswear inspired pieces, so my black blazer will have to do. But wouldn’t you agree, it does add instant polish to my outfit!

A black cardigan could have worked, but the blazer adds a layer of sophistication that the cardigan lacks. Replacing the cotton t shirt with a cute striped silk top is also an improvement, and the cropped jeans & slip on driving shoes complete the look.

Jeans- Lucky

Blazer- Nordstrom

Top- Ann Taylor

Shoes- Vince (Nordstrom Rack)

Oct 8, Jumpsuit

As I mentioned yesterday, this week I am planning my outfits based on a marketing email I received from Nordstrom. Today’s look is a jumpsuit!

First of all, in the effort of full disclosure, I am not actually wearing a jumpsuit today. I’m teaching 3rd grade, and that would not be practical at all! But, wanting to follow the outfit suggestions from Nordstrom I thought I’d show a jumpsuit outfit anyway.

Truth be told, I’m still on the fence with the whole jumpsuit trend. I see tons of gals online wearing them- and they all look adorable, but I’m not sure it’s really me. And in my opinion, the most important thing in fashion is to wear what you are comfortable in.

So, since I’m not even 100% on the jumpsuit trend, I sure as heck wasn’t going to go out and buy one just for today’s look! Instead I am showing an old one that bought at Target years ago and have worn a couple of times (to my cousin’s wedding and in also in Vegas on a girl’s night out).

My before and after is pretty basic. Looking at the inspiration photo she kept her look very simple, but I decided I wanted to add some depth and color, so I added this gorgeous Free People blazer from Nordstrom (old). I think this look would be perfect in an office. So what do you think? Are you a jumpsuit fan? Or is this a trend you will skip?

March 12, Hunter Boots

Living in Seattle, it’s essential that I have some good rain boots! So when Hunter boots first became popular I HAD to have a pair. Before that, I was wearing rain boots from Fred Meyer- and they looked like this photo from when I started blogging back in 2012! A lot has changed since then, but I still love my Hunter Boots!

In my before photo, I am wearing a golf shirt with black leggings and my Hunter Boots. I think a collared shirt looks odd with leggings. Something just seems off with this. I also think the length is bad, it’s too short.

So I kept to the black and white theme (I really love that color combo, obviously) but ditched the weird golf shirt for this cute striped shirt. I like the way this shirt gathers around the tummy area- hiding my food baby. Then, to cover my behind, and add a little color, I threw on this fabulous pink lightweight cardigan from Nordstrom. You may recognize this sweater from this outfit. Ok, now I’m ready for you rain!

When wearing leggings (if you’re over 40), please cover your butt. Unless you are super fit- then you go girl! Me, I like mine covered.

Leggings- Athleta

Shirt- OC Style (my favorite local in home boutique! but she ships anywhere!!) Check her out on Instagram. @shopocstyle

Sweater- Nordstrom (similar)

Boots- Hunter, Nordstrom

Jan 31st, Tying the Knot

Ok, bad pun- but I couldn’t help myself. Sorry!

Today’s ‘before’ look is jeans and a t shirt (seems to be a pattern here- see yesterday’s post), but today I’m switching up my outfit by tying a knot in my shirt instead of doing the half tuck that is so popular. The knot is a great option, especially if you have a little tummy that you want to hide.

I also added this cute long cardigan in a soft pink color, I added a necklace and switched out my shoes for the Paul Green booties that I love. I actually really like the slip on tennis shoes in my before picture- but thought the boots might be a bit warmer today.

 

The after look is much cuter- and so easy!

Jeans are Joe’s from Nordstrom Rack. They are super soft and I love the cute frayed uneven hemline.

Necklace- my sweet sisters (Kara and Erin) made this for me years ago. I love it!

Sweater- Nordstrom

T Shirt- American Eagle. This is one of the softest t shirts ever. Seriously! And I love this color. Not sure what to call it?!

Please comment with your suggestions and thoughts! I love to hear from you- it truly makes my day!

🙂 Megan

 

Feb 6th, How to Wear all one Color

You may have noticed this about me- but in case you haven’t, I’ll state the obvious. I love neutrals! I feel very comfortable in neutrals- and especially love wearing clothes in the same color family. The only problem is that it can be really plain and boring- as seen on the right!

In my ‘after’ look, I replaced the tan t shirt with a cable knit sweater. The cable knit adds a subtle pattern, and the denim shirt underneath is a nice contrast. I especially like the tails hanging out below the sweater (breaks up the solid cream) and the sleeves rolled up (another place to add a bit of color).  As for my feet- I chose my loafers.

Now I have a comfy, warm and cute outfit- too bad I’m just heading back to lay on my couch! LOL!

Pants: Nordstrom, Shirt: J Crew, Sweater: Madewell, Shoes: Target, Necklace: Gift

Jan 21st Frumpy to Fab!

Well, I don’t know about fab– but the comparison between these two looks is quite a contrast, don’t you think?

Let’s start with the look on the right- these baggy rolled jeans paired with my UGGs looks frumpy. The plain white t shirt (part of the problem is the ultra high neckline) under the boyfriend style cardigan also contribute to the frumpy look.

In the look on the left I have replaced the frumpy (and baggy) mom jeans with some cute skinny jeans (please know that you DO NOT have to be a size 0 to wear skinny jeans- I am somewhere between a size 4 and 6). I’ve got on brown boots instead of the UGGs. I then switched out the plain white shirt for a cute tank- it’s a very small detail, but notice the cute ruffle around the neckline. Small details like that add so much interest to a look. Lastly, I added a cute necklace to tie the whole look together.

Tank- NY and CO, Cardigan: Nordstrom, Jeans: Madewell, Boots: DSW, Necklace: gift

Jan 11th, Inspired by Pinterest

If you haven’t already discovered Pinterest, let me warn you that it is a total time suck! Plan on spending hours looking at all the amazing and creative ideas people post. You can find outfit ideas, decorating ideas, party ideas, recipes, parenting tips… basically it’s a gathering place for people to share (or discover) ANYTHING you want!

I tend to go on it when I look at my closet and think ‘I have nothing to wear’. I’m always able to find inspiration- and usually have items in my wardrobe that are close enough to copy an outfit that I like.

Hence- today’s outfit.

Below is my inspiration photo plucked from Pinterest:

Now, I don’t have the exact same sweater (wish I did though, this is cute) so I decided a turtleneck in a similar color would work. Below is my version:

And just cause I think it’s fun to see before and after pictures- below is my before! Please know that I would never actually wear these jeans for real. I bought them for a Halloween costume- but they are such perfect ‘mom jeans’ that I keep them in my closet purely for comparison!

Let’s look at them side by side:

Jan 8th, Faux Suit

I have a work meeting this morning, so I want to look somewhat professional- but not too formal. I decided to go with a pencil skirt and my leather jacket- to make sort of a ‘faux suit’.

I paired my brown pencil skirt with my lace t shirt and then layered my leather jacket over the top (instead of a suit jacket). To complete the look I opted for my brown boots.

Looking at the photos, I don’t like seeing my bare legs peeking out, I may need to go put some tights on. What do you think? Should I add tights?

Skirt: Nordstrom, Top: Madewell, Jacket: Nordstrom, Boots: DSW

Jan 3rd, Plain White Shirt

I’ve read several times that every woman should own a plain white shirt in her wardrobe. While I’ll say I definitely agree- it’s important to keep in mind there are lots of different types of white shirts.

Originally, I thought I needed a pressed & starched formal white button down- as seen on the right. However, truth be told- most days, this just isn’t me!

I’m more casual, and unstructured- so it wasn’t until my husband bought me this version of a plain white shirt that I fully understood what this style rule actually means.

A white shirt can be any type of white shirt-as long as it suits you- and in this case, this shirt is so me. It’s soft, it’s flowy, it’s long enough to cover my hips and bum… and being white it is so versatile it can go with anything!

When shopping for a plain white shirt- look for interesting details- and look for a style/ fabric that suits you! Below is a picture of the pocket on this shirt- I included it to show the amazing detail of this shirt (which is hard to see in the above photo). There is little tiny stitching along the pocket that adds interest.

It’s also important to add your own details and pieces of interest- or else your outfit can be too boring. As seen below, I added a cool necklace and bracelet- and then finished the outfit off with grey cords and short cowboy boots. It’s a very simple, understated look- but I think it works!

Shirt: James Perse (Nordstrom), Jeans: Banana Republic, Necklace: Plateau Jewelry, Bracelet: Accessory Concierge, Boots: Target