The Top That Chose Me

So I was at Target last week, totally minding my own business, when this adorable Lily Pulitzer top in my size made its way toward me on a cart heading to the front with the other Lily returns.

"Hey, do you mind if I take that?" as I quickly snatched this little beauty into my own possession. I'm pretty sure if it had made it to the front, it wouldn't have lasted 5 minutes. So I tried it on and it was a perfect fit!

When I heard how quickly the Lily items sold out the day that they launched at Target, I literally didn't think I was ever going to own a piece. My cheap self just wouldn't fork out the money for something in one of their regular stores or on their website, so I just kind of accepted it and went on with life as it was. And honestly, I admire their styles because they're just so pretty and colorful, but I'm not necessarily one to be a brand-snob. So I was okay with not having anything Lily.

But it was 22 dollars so HOW THE HECK COULD I NOT? It's a limited edition, most likely only happening once-in-a-lifetime thing so I had to. I just had to.

When I got up to the register, I joked with the cashier about how I didn't pick this shirt but how it picked me...ha! :)

And this is how I styled it :) It actually has thicker straps, probably one to two inches, so I will definitely be wearing it a lot this summer by itself maybe with a pair of shorts or jeans or something. Did I mention how happy these colors make me?

And of course I paired it with my knock-off Jack Rogers because if you're going for preppy you may as well go all out.

How about you? Did you get to snag any Lily Pulitzer pieces from Target this season? :)

Wishlist: Bags Under $100!

One.   Two.   Three.   Four.   Five.     

I'm kind of in the market for a new purse, preferably something larger like a tote bag. I did some shopping around my favorite online stores, including Target (of course), Nine West, and Belk, and these a few that really caught me eye.

As you see, there's really a wide variety here!

Option One: Black and white is a big trend this summer, yet it's a very classic pair. I love the simplicity of this bag, yet the tiny details that make it a little more unique, like the stripes on the sides only and the gold accents at the handle ends. Plus it's neutral so it will basically go with anything.

Option Two: I'm a big Nine West fan, and this bag is no exception. To me, they have very good-quality products for a reasonable price. I bought a pair of dark brown wedged boots from a Nine West Outlet last winter and loved them to death! (No really, I wear my shoes until they die.) My favorite faux-leather color is cognac, so this bag is right up my alley! Oh, and did I mention it's over 60 percent off on the Belk website? Win-win.

Option Three: This bag is also Nine West brand, and I love everything about it! The color is really unique and it has a good structure to it.

Option Four: I'm not quite sure why, but this season I'm loving anything and everything hot pink! I went to Ulta a few weeks ago and picked up a nail polish and lipstick, both Revlon and both fuchsia. I wear a lot of navy, white, grey, etc. so pinks would pop against my usually neutral outfits.

Option Five: This one just looks so grown-up/professional to me. The details are just beautiful!


What are your favorite bag brands? Do you usually splurge and get a good quality one or have several that you alternate between?

Denim, Floral, and Grey

Temps here in eastern NC were a tad on the cool side this past weekend. Thankfully, the past two days have been absolutely lovely!

Top: Target   Scarf: Plato's Closet, Similar, Only 10 Dollars!  Pants: TJ Maxx, Similar

Jacket: Similar   Purse: Similar  Flats: Target

This was a simple little outfit taken by my wonderful photographer, aka my husband Casey. "Hey, hon, do you mind doing something completely random? Would you take a picture of my outfit? For my blog?" (Side note: I've got to take more outfit pictures outside! The quality comes out so much nicer! Blogger tips 101 that I'm slowly discovering.)

Let's take a moment to discuss this beautiful scarf. I found it at Plato's Closet for 4 dollars! Because you know how much I love that place. It has a nice fullness to it without being too hot and heavy, which just so happens to be my combination for the perfect Spring/Summer scarf. I didn't have a tag on it of any kind so I'm not sure what brand it is or where it originally came from. All I know is that this little beauty is now all mine.

I'm really in love with the floral + stripes trend now, and a floral scarf like this one paired with a striped shirt, skirt, or dress is the perfect way to do that! Now that I think of it, I should have worn a striped top that day instead of a solid. How cute would that have been? Oh well.

Also, I got these grey jeans from TJ Maxx for my birthday this past year. I. Absolutely. Love. Them. They're such an easy way to get out of the jeans and cotton top rutt that I find myself getting into when it's not quite warm enough for shorts, skirts, or dresses.

Thanks for stopping by :) Hope you have a great rest of the week!

What I Wore to Work: Cute and Comfy!

Today I'm participating in Mix & Match Fashion's What I Wore Weekly Linkup!

I work with the Vera Bradley department at a store downtown in Greenville. This basically means I'm in charge of all of the ordering, merchandising, in-store promotions, etc. with Vera. I love it!

My workplace has a pretty laid-back environment, but I always try to look put together while still being comfortable! And trust me, this is about as comfy as it gets.

Shirt: Old Navy   Skirt: Target   Necklace: Old Navy

Shoes: Target

I had been looking for a graphic tee (preferably one in french, not sure why!) to go with this skirt. I've seen Merrick pull off a graphic tee and pencil skirt and love the concept! Plus, how adorable is this necklace?!

Plus, I got this shirt for $7, the necklace for $9, and I've had that skirt for a long while now but I'm pretty sure it was on clearance too.

Yay for clearance!

I hope you have a great weekend!

Second Hand Steals

So recently I was looking through my closet and decided I have way too many solid options and not enough prints. I mean, I love a classic solid tee because it basically goes with anything. Is it possible to have too many?

Yes.

Solids with solids gets really boring after awhile. Thus my little shopping trip to Plato's Closet and these little beauties you see before you.

Skirts $8 a piece, Scarf $4!

I've been pinning a lot of outfits on Pinterest (Follow me here!) that entail floral skirts with stripes, graphic tees, and even solid tops. Because of course I have tons of those.

The floral skirt is from H&M. I feel like this pictures doesn't really do it justice. The coral skirt is really adorable too, and I can see myself pairing it with a turquoise top for a fun color combo!

How beautiful is this scarf? Four dollars.

Just in case you wanted to see what they looked like on. There's nothing I love more than an A-line skirt in the summer! So cool, comfy, and chic! (Love my alliteration there?) :)

Striped Dress 3 Ways

I don't know about you, but I love a striped dress.

I also happen to love blog posts and pins in pinterest that show "so and so many number ways to do so and so". Call me a copycat, but I thought it would be fun to do one of my own! This is my first one, just so you know.

I got the idea for my first post to be a black and white striped dress a) because I just bought it not too long ago on Target clearance (YAY!) and b) I really didn't see that many ideas on pinterest on this particular piece.

Jacket: Old   Dress: Target   Bag: Target

Necklace: Cato   Shoes: Loft

1. Casual Look : The outfit on the left would be perfect for a Saturday shopping trip with friends, a trip to the park, or just for everyday! The jean jacket really makes the outfit more casual, but also adds structure and keeps you warm in the Spring when temps are constantly up and down. Also, did I mention how comfy these wedges are?! Love them!

Dress: Target   Necklace: Payless

Shoes: Payless

2. Dressy Look: When I'm going on a date with Casey or dressing up for a special occasion, I usually keep it pretty simple. I opt for a dress, a statement necklace, heels, and a bring lipstick, like red or fuchsia! This one is Revlon's Love that Pink.

Dress: Target   Scarf: Old Navy   Wedges: Target

Bag: Target   Earrings: Target

3. Pattern Mixing: Are you starting to see how much I shop at Target? Me too. I'm loving the pattern mixing trend! It's really so easy to do. I usually mix two patterns like stripes, floral, polka dots, or aztec. You can do gingham or plaid but I just really have anything in those patterns. The possibilities are endless!

So there you have it, my very first items 3 ways! Leave a comment below and let me know what you think! What other item(s) would you like to see remixed?

Little Deal Finder

I love shopping. It's just a known fact.

Due to my budget, however, I can't afford to spend a ton of money every month on clothes. This means that when I do go shopping, I want to try to get the most that I can out of my money. With experience, I've learned that with a little digging, you can get a lot of cute stuff!

I took a little shopping trip to Kohl's earlier today and had awesome luck! The stuff in that store is usually overpriced to me for what it is, but if you dig you can find some great things!

That top was on sale for 9.99, and the bathing suit bottom was stinkin A LITTLE LESS THAN FOUR DOLLARS. Plus, it's so super adorable!

Overall, I spent about 24 bucks for a cute top, a bathing suit bottom, and three pieces of jewelry. I don't know about you but I think that's pretty awesome!

Earrings for $2.40, 80% off? Heck yes.

Here's a few tips I have for find good deals when shopping:

1) Search through all of the clearance items first. I like to see signs like "60 percent off!" and especially with an extra 20-50 percent. Know that not everything on the clearance rack is a great deal. For instance, when I went to Kohl's, there were pieces still 20-30 dollars with no extra percentage off. If it's something you really love and it fits you like a glove, and especially if it's good quality, then go for it! I'm just saying keep looking and you might find something discounted even more that you love just as much! I usually go through every rack at least twice to make sure I didn't miss anything!

2) Always take a trip to the jewelry section. There have been times that I went to a store that I would never think to buy jewelry from, and then I find that they have a ton of really cute stuff for super cheap! For example, the Payless here in Greenville is absolutely amazing about having jewelry on sale. I've gotten necklaces and earrings for 5 dollars and below before! Of course I went in to look at shoes, but you can't pass up a necklace for $2.50! (I was asked at the Loft once if I bought it from them! It's beautiful!) Basically, I would say I never pay more than 10-15 dollars for a piece of jewelry, especially if it's a trend, and as you see above I get some really cute stuff!

3) Get the Retail Me Not App on your phone! I just downloaded this, and it's amazing! Just put in which stores you like and it gives you online codes, coupons, and information about sales.

4) Know what you're missing in your closet. This is probably the most important aspect because it helps you search the sale racks, which can many times be disorganized and overwhelming. Do you need a graphic tee, or a floral skirt, or maybe a jacket to complete your outfit? Skim over the options looking for these things in mind so you can get the must-have item at a good price!


Hope you enjoy these little steals and tips for finding things like them!

Spring 2015 Favorites Online

J Crew Dress, Loft Statement Necklace, J Crew Factory Navy Top

 Loft Teal Earrings, Sole Society Wedged Sandals, J Crew Factory Lace Top

Spring has finally decided to show up here in North Carolina. Looks like it will be in the 70-80 degree range for the next couple of days. That means dresses, sandals, and short sleeved tops without freezing!

I've done a little online window shopping on the Loft, J Crew, and Sole Society websites and found some really cute Spring things I'd just love in my wardrobe (if only my bank account would allow it...sigh). The great part is that both J Crew Factory and the Loft are having great sales right now, so check them out!

My outfits these days basically consist of a solid top, a statement necklace, and flats. I tend to like simple clothing with little details like ruffles, lace, or zippers. I'm all about comfort while also looking put together and cute!

Also, as you can see, I'm loving anything coral, mint, or navy!

What Spring styles have your eye? :)

Spring Wishlist

A couple of weeks ago, I talked about my love for winter clothes. Pea coats, skinny jeans tucked into boots, scarves, I love it all. The funny thing is that I haven't always loved winter, but I think it's because I didn't know how to dress for it and look cute. I would think winter and think grandma sweaters and overly-puffy coats. Crazy, right?

However, now that the brutal chill of winter is over (I live in NC, can I really complain?) I was excited to finally change out my heavy coats for my spring clothes! I always feel like I'm getting new clothes when I place pieces in my closet that simply haven't been there in awhile :)

I don't have much of a budget for clothes right now, especially since I'm trying to save for a wedding, but once in awhile if I find something cuter for a really good price I may pick it up.

Be forewarned, most of these are from Target. Okay, all but one. So if you aren't obsessed with don't like Target as much as I do, this post may not be for you.

Here are a few things on my Spring wish list:

         
             
       
                   

Necklace : I'll start off with the only that's thing not from Target. It's actually from Forever 21, but Target has one just like it that's just as beautiful in at least two other colors that I know of, red and turquoise, but this one's a few dollars cheaper. I could do any of the colors, but there's something about the pastel pink of this necklace that seems very Spring to me. I've had my eye on the flower statement necklaces at Target almost every time I've gone in, so I may just cave in within the next few weeks.

Skirt : I seriously almost bought this skirt from Target with my birthday money a few weeks back, but I didn't because they didn't have it available in my size. Sad. This is a comfortable skirt that would go with just about anything! You could make it casual with a plain t-shirt and a necklace, or dress it up with a cute blouse and some heels! Really you just can't go wrong with this purchase. Who doesn't love stripes?

Shoes : These are actually on clearance on the Target website for less than 10 bucks. What a steal. I actually saw some in the store the other day that I couldn't find online, but they were the canvas style flat similar to this only in white or black crochet. How stinkin' adorable. I really would like just something similar to this for my casual outfits. I'm a flats-kind-of-girl so this is right up my ally.

Dress : Can you believe I only own 2 maxi dresses? They're so comfortable I used to literally nap in them on Sunday afternoons after church when I was in college. There's also so many different ways to style them, I would love to add another to my closet perhaps similar to this option! I love that it's sleeveless and colorblocked.

Shirt : Here we go again with the pastel pink, but what can I say? I'm all about cute and comfortable these days, and this shirt with a statement necklace and jeans would be just that! They go with literally anything, so you can never have too many solid t-shirts.

What's on your Spring wishlist this year?

Making the Most of My Closet

I have come to reeeeally love blogs. I have a list of blogs that I look forward to reading on a daily basis, which I actually wrote about here. Of course I've mentioned The Small Things Blog is my absolute favorite. If you've somehow haven't experienced the greatness that is Pinterest, and you therefore haven't seen her many hairstyling tutorials, she's definitely worth checking out! She's the best at natural-looking makeup tutorials. They have pretty much changed my life...dramatic much?

I love reading about all types of things, like encouraging spiritual posts, delicious recipes, crafts, and clothes. I really enjoy the blogs that inspire me to mix things up a little in my closet or try out things that I wouldn't usually wear.

In fact, I just read an old post of Janssen's about how she ruthlessly took the plunge to go through her closet and get rid of things that she never wears (twice, actually!) I really related with her when she said she hates to throw out things because she equates it with throwing out money. Unless an article of clothing has a stain that won't come out or a rip of some sort, I usually won't throw it away right away. I'll stare at the piece, wondering if there is some way, some how, that I could just make it work.

But then I realize that I just don't like it. It's that simple, huh? So why do I allow it to take up a hanger in my closet that could be used by an article of clothing that I absolutely love?

That's my plan for slowly perfecting my wardrobe. I want it to be so much easier to put together outfits, and I want to have a closet that can be easily mixed up to create many different options.

Some tips I've learned from blogs:

1. Neutrals are your best friend. The great thing about neutrals is in the name itself : they go with anything...include each other! If you have a closet with mostly neutrals, you can basically mix and match your entire closet to create endless outfit possibilities.

2. You can't go wrong with solids. Once you've laid a good foundation of neutrals, the solids will be a second group that you can bring into the mix.

3. Don't have too many different patterns. This is really a tip I'm going to try to apply to my own wardrobe. I feel like it's going to work for me...so do what you feel is best for you! A wild patterned blouse could really go well with a solid black skirt, but it may not match much else in your closet. My plan is to stick with only two of my favorite patterns: polka dots and stripes (for the most part...I will probably still have some other patterned options, but very few). Pattern mixing is huge right now, and polka dots and stripes are easy, classic patterns that will probably never go out of style. I really don't ever wear plaid to be honest, but that would be another easy pattern to mix. Gingham is another favorite :)

4. Have a good selection of accessories. Necklaces, earrings, belts, bags...you name it! They are an easy way to add a little fun to an overall simple wardrobe.

The Fun Part of Fall

Who doesn't love fall? Leaves on the ground in hues of bright reds and yellow, holidays just around the corner, and pumpkin spice flavored e v e r y t h i n g .

Bring it on.

My fun part of fall, of course, is the cute clothes that come along with it :) Scarves, cardigans, boots, and jackets anyone?

Here are some things that have caught my eye:

By the way, no I didn't post links. But I did post the website store that I found these all, so you can easily search for them there :)

1) Chunky infinity scarf (Target) : Aren't they everywhere? I can't go into target without taking a moment to admire this scarf. It's a perfect neutral that would match just about anything, and it would work perfectly to do just what a scarf is supposed to do (keep you warm, duh).

2) Brown wedged boots (Belk) : I have a pair of flat brown boots similar to this that I purchased last year (my first ever boot, can you believe that?) but I've really wanted a pair that were wedged because they'd look much more dressy, but they would also be much more comfortable. I think they'd be the perfect completer for a dressy- casual fall outfit.

3) This peplum cardigan (Target) : I almost died. Grey + white + peplum + cardigan all in one? I haven't seen this in my town's Target, so I just may think about getting this online.

4) Brown mini-wedge (Target) : I saw these the other day at Target and thought I need these in my life! I love these because they're a mini-wedge that really almost look like a flat. If I do a wedge, I do a very mini one, as you can probably tell. I love the color, too.

5) Black opaque polka dot tights (Gap) : Ahhh I love these. I have found that tights are actually something worthy to be invested in. Cheaper tights will hardly make it through the winter. I love the size of these polka dots, and they'd make a fun piece to pattern mix easily.

6) Navy and white scarf (Gap) : Navy, white, and polka dots? Enough said.

As you can tell, I really lean toward neutrals in the fall. They're that much easier to mix and match. Of course, I still like color, but these are all very versatile pieces that make for an awesome fall wardrobe.

Happy Fall :) Now to go get a pumpkin spice latte from Starbucks.

Etsy Wishlist...

I assume you've heard of Etsy. If not, you need to check it out.

 

Like, seriously.

 

I haven't bought anything off of the website yet, mostly because I'm a poor college student and I've snagged a few good deals in stores lately. (Like an 118 dollar adorable cotton dress from Belks for 17 bucks? Yepp, that is how I do it, guys.) A few friends of mine have purchased some items off of the Etsy website, and they said only fabulous things about it. Many of their items can be personalized how you want it, but you'll want to ask the seller before placing your order. The shipping can be a bit pricey, depending on the item and where you live, but many of the items I was interested in weren't all that bad.

 

After a little browsing, I've found a few items that have caught my eye that I would love.

You know, in case anyone feels the desire to make me a very happy girl :)

 

Chevron makeup bag for 16 bucks + shipping.

Not a bad deal if you ask me. My makeup supplies have expanded over the past months, so I'm in need of a bigger one. Chevron, navy, and pink? So made for me.

 

How cute is this summer dress? I'm in love with the stripes, plus I don't have one in these colors or anything like it.

 

More chevron. Too cute.

 

I found this cute cocktail dress for a decent price that would be perfect for Spring Banquet next year. I am definitely going to do a knee-length dress, so something like this would be ideal.

So modest too :)

 

Now this isn't an item I would purchase online. I can't see myself paying 60+ dollars for a wreath that I could easily make myself for a small fraction of that price.

 

This is more like inspiration for my next wreath project...we'll see :)

 

Alright, folks that's it for today. And if you haven't ever been to the Etsy website, I hope this convinces you to do so! Something cute is only a click away :)

 

A Little Lace

This evening after eating supper, I had a few minutes to spare before I had to head to church...so where better to go to allow the time to pass than Target? Of course I headed straight for the clothing section and perused through their clearance section, and I found the most adorable lace skirt. Just so happened to be the same one I have had my eye on for the last couple of weeks, but now it was half off, 12 bucks.

Here it is, in all its glory.

 

I must admit this is my second lace skirt. My first is more of an A-line shape in coral but I love it. Lace + pink? So made for me.

 

Paired with a solid cotton tee and the right accessories, it's a sure winner.

 

I may even venture out of my comfort zone and try it with a striped cotton shirt. I usually don't mix patterns or textures but I love the idea of stripes on top of floral patterns or lace and I'd love to give it a try for a fun little twist :) I'm living life on the wild side these days.

 

 

Did I mention I'm getting my braces off tomorrow? Maybe I won't be mistakened for a 15 year old anymore ;) Pictures to come!