Nov 15th, Three for Thursday, Utility Vest

Welcome to another edition of Three for Thursday, where I show 1 item worn 3 ways!

Today I am highlighting my utility vest.

I first saw this vest all over style blogs last summer. I immediately drove to my local Old Navy and snatched one up! It is a fun piece to have, and I continue to see women wearing it, so this trend is going to be around for a while.

My first look I have paired the vest with jeans, a striped shirt and a scarf. This look is super casual, easy and fun. Don’t be afraid to mix a striped shirt with a floral pattern scarf. Pattern mixing is another trend that is here to stay. Quick note about my scarf- please make sure you buy scarves that are large and have some bulk to them. A scrawny scarf will not look cute, instead it will look like you are trying to hard- and missing the mark.

This scarf is one of my favorites! I love the floral pattern!

My next look is a fun one- I decided to pair the rugged vest with a dainty lace shirt. To add a little more  interest I chose my red jeans and my Tory Burch flats. I think a necklace might be the perfect final touch!

Contrasting the feminine lace top and the rugged vest is a fun way to mix things up.

My last look is one you’ve probably seen me do before (and will see a different version of next week).  Here I have layered my vest over a dress. It’s a fun way to make a dress casual enough for day use (you could wear this anywhere!). To keep warm, I have on socks and boots. To add a little color and interest, I chose my Stella and Dot statement necklace.

I love this necklace, but not sure it’s totally right for this look… hmmm…

Top Picture: Jeans: Nordstrom, Shirt: J Crew, Vest: Old Navy, Scarf: Boutique in Yakima, WA

Middle Picture: Jeans: TJMaxx, Lace shirt: Madewell, Vest: Old Navy, Shoes: Nordstrom

Bottom Picture: Dress: Land’s End, Boots: DSW, Necklace: Stella and Dot

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 12th, Work it Wednesday

This blue and white striped shirt is such an easy piece to throw on with anything!

This is almost the opposite of the outfit on the left.

Can’t believe it’s already Wednesday! Once again, I’m participating in Work it Wednesday, where I show 1 article of clothing worn 3 ways. Today I’ve selected one of my favorite tops- my striped shirt from J Crew. Which I wore here.

In the picture on the left I’m wearing it with my boyfriend jeans, my new fur booties and my utility vest from Old Navy. A very casual and easy outfit. I’ve heard you are never supposed to wear horizontal stripes- because it makes you look wide- but paired with the vest, there is now a vertical line to break up the look.

On the right, I’ve taken the same concept and flipped it- putting the utility on bottom (cargo pants, rolled up to add style) and adding a denim jacket (sleeves rolled up to add personality). Again, the jacket acts as a vertical line to break up the stripes. I still have on booties, but a different pair that look a little better with these  pants.  Otherwise it is basically the same outfit in reverse.

Below I’m showing a 3rd look- Here I’ve paired the striped top with my dark skinny jeans, ballet flats and a grey cable knit oversize sweater. This is a little dressier look (the dark denim, flats and pearls), but the oversize sweater adds a casual element to it. Perfect for running around town in!

A huge rain storm blew in while we were taking these pictures, so it’s very dark and hard to see. I apologize!

Pardon the umbrella- it started pouring during my photos!

To be honest, I’m not sure which look I like the best- probably the one with the jeans- which is what I actually wore! Which one is your favorite? Please comment and let me know! I love hearing from my readers, it truly makes my day!!

I really love the easy casual look of this outfit. So me!

Other Work it Wednesday posts can be found here and here !

Jeans: Gap, Shirt: J Crew, Vest: Old Navy, Cargo Pants: Louis Permilia, Denim Jacket: Old Navy, Skinny jeans: Anthropologie, Cable sweater: White house, Black Market, Shoes- Fur booties: Marshalls, Booties: Kohl’s, Flats: Nordstroms

Sept 28th, Work it Wednesday, Everybody’s Got One

Over a tank and a mini- a whole new look!

It seems like every style blogger I read has shown this year’s must have item- a military style utility vest.

 I loved mine so much I ended up buying two! I got my vest at Old Navy, (as seen here, scroll down to August 25th)  then I stumbled across this utility jacket at Marshalls and knew I had to have it. It is so versatile- as seen in these pics. To participate in this week’s Work it Wednesday, (where you try 1 piece 3 different ways- see more ideas here), I paired it with 3 totally different looks to show you how easy it is to throw this piece on almost over anything- and voila, you’ve got style (and warmth)!  I’ve also linked up with The Pleated Poppy, What I Wore Wednesday, so there are lots of great looks out there for you to see, check them out! 

Which one is your favorite? I think mine is the one with the skirt- it’s so unexpected, yet it works! There are so many ways to wear this piece- if you haven’t already bought one- go get yours now!

Over a black t shirt, dark skinny jeans and an un-expected pop of color in my scarf!

Super casual- thrown on with boyfriend jeans, a floral top layered over a tank.

Sept 10, Soccer Mom

Soccer moms can be stylish too!

Jeans and a tank- no effort outfit.

It’s officially fall, or at least the beginning of soccer season! Today is my daughter’s first game, luckily it looks like it will be another beautiful and warm day.

Since I’m going to be outside trudging around a dusty, dirty park I need to go very casual today. Ideally I’d wear a pair of boyfriend slouchy jeans- but since that’s on my shopping list, I’m making do with what I have. These jeans are from Banana Republic, and they are one of my favorite weekend pairs. I like the light blue wash and I love the way they fit- especially that they come up high enough around the waist that there is no crack peeking out! Personally, that is about the ugliest thing to catch an accidental glimpse of!  In the picture on the right- I’m wearing them as normal. They look a little blah. On the left, I have rolled the cuffs to add a little style to my look. On the right I just have on a simple white tank- untucked and un-accessorized. To top it off, I’m wearing my Birkenstocks again. This look screams- I don’t care what I look like!

On the left I have re-styled this same concept. I rolled the jeans up a bit to add some style. I partially tucked in the tank, added a cute braided belt and braided bracelet (it’s hard to see, it was my hubby’s in college and I think it’s so cool!). Inspired by the cute military vest style that is popping up everywhere (see my More Everyday Mom’s page)- I threw on my vest to add a little style and warmth. I also added a long necklace with a pendant and some cute brown sandals that I scooped up off the clearance rack at Kohl’s for $10- originally $40. What a deal!!

To see this vest on another fashion blog- click here!

Re-styled with belt, necklace, vest and better shoes.

I love the small details on this tank. The buttons down the front add visual interest.

Tank: Target, Jeans: Banana Republic, Vest: Old Navy, Belt: American Eagle, Necklace: Lia Sophia, Shoes: Kohl’s

August 25th, Not So Boring Black

LBD with striped short sleeved cardigan

without the cardigan, it has enough detail to stand alone

Everyone should own a couple LBD’s- one for day, one for night, and so on… this one I bought a few years ago and it’s become a favorite. It’s oh-so comfortable, yet still stylish. I threw on a striped short sleeved cardigan to add a tiny bit of warmth- but as the day heats up- I’ll can take it off and the dress works well alone. The tiny black necklace and cute black and beige heels pull the whole look together.

For a totally different look I was inspired my new blogging friend, Melanie from http://shoppingscout.kansascity.com/. She posted on this cute utility vest yesterday, so I rushed to Old Navy and quickly snapped up my own. I decided to try it with this dress and patent leather flats for a totally different look. What do you think? I think I’m in love…

The Utility Vest- Inspired by Melanie Scout- A Mom's Guide to Stylish Living

The Utility Vest- Inspired by Melanie from Scout- A Mom’s Guide to Stylish Living

Dress: Nordstrom, Striped Cardigan: Marshalls, Shoes: Banana Republic, Flat: Nordtsrom, Vest: Old Navy