Color Block Coatigan

Hi Loves! I feel like it’s been a hot second since I’ve been on here. The whirlwind of the holidays really got to me, and I feel like I haven’t had much time to do anything outside of work and prepping for Christmas! And sometimes not even that much. I feel like lately I have had zero energy when I get home from work, and even though I always have big plans to be super productive on weeknights, 99% of the time it ends with me falling asleep on the couch by eight thirty. I’ve recently discovered (rediscovered? Given into?) the magic of an afternoon cup of coffee, and WOW I’ve checked so many things off my list the past few nights. As I write this though, I have just forced myself to get up off the couch, where I fell asleep waiting for my nails to dry (somehow found the energy to paint my nails), and am fighting the zzz’s with all my might. The struggle is real. Anyone else feeling this way lately??

Anyway, I’ve been loving pops of color, or just color in general in my sweaters this fall/winter! Reds, pinks and oranges have been popping up on my radar lately, and I feel like it’s nearly impossible to not be in good spirits when wearing bright hues like these. I’ve linked a few other color block sweaters that I’m crushing on right now below! Happy shopping Loves! xoxo

Cardigan: Max Studio (More fun color block options here, here, here and here)

Turtleneck: Old (Similar here and here)

Denim: BLANKNYC (Similar here, here and here)

Bag: Anthropologie

Booties: Steve Madden

Fall Florals + Pops of Red

Happy Saturday Loves! I don’t know about you guys, but I am SO HAPPY it’s the weekend. This week flew by, but I was so incredibly exhausted. Does anyone else make big plans to be super productive at the end of the week, but then get home and just fall asleep as soon as you sit down on the couch? Yeah, that was me last night.

Anyway, I can’t tell you enough how much I LOVE this dress! The coloring is so perfect for fall, and the details really make it a standout piece. Whether it’s the bright red ruffle hem, or the detachable velvet bow on the neckline, I just can’t get enough! I’ve decided that I want my closet to become more unique and eclectic recently, and this piece is a step in the right direction. I’m taking a stand against the easy oversized sweater and legging combo that I gravitated towards often last winter, and trying to find more interesting pieces, or add a standout accessory to step my outfits up a notch each day. Simply adding this double ring belt really pulled my outfit together, and added some shape to the dress! Also, P.S.A. This belt, which looks very similar to the iconic Gucci belt, is a perfect dupe at a fraction of the cost. And when I say fraction, I mean less than twenty dollars!! Belts are back, and becoming more and more trendy every day, so don’t be afraid to add one when you’re getting dressed! Happy weekend, and happy shopping Loves! xoxo

Dress: Vila

Belt: ASOS DESIGN

Bag: Anthropologie

Booties: Steve Madden

My Top Five Tips for Organizing Your Closet + Lots of Stripes!

Just wanted to hop on here quick and talk about this super fun jumpsuit, plus my top five tips for cleaning/organizing your closet! First off, this jumpsuit is P E R F E C T - it is so beyond comfortable, and works for any type of summer weather. I just wore this bridesmaid dress shopping with my friend for her wedding, and it was 95 degrees and humid. The lightweight material made the fact that I was wearing pants completely unnoticeable, and was actually preferred since I avoided that awkward leg sweat from sitting in one place for more than 20 minutes!! Does anyone else totally relate to this issue when it's this dang hot out?? Also, don't get me wrong - not complaining in any way about the sun and warm weather - this is my favorite season!

Ok, on to the good stuff. As you may have seen, I spent TWO WHOLE DAYS cleaning and organizing my closet last week, and I want to share my top tips so you can get your organizing game on too! I was so stressed out by my mess of a closet, and finishing this massive project literally gave me life! Follow these tips and you'll be a closet organizing ninja in no time -

1. Do a little at a time - Spending a half hour a day tackling the organization of your closet makes it much easier to get started. Clean out just one drawer of your dresser, organize just your shoes, etc., and then come back tomorrow! Or, if you're like me, and let your closet get to the point of no return, just take the whole day (or more) and get it done. You'll feel a lot better. Trust me.
2. DECLUTTER. This is the most important part. If you haven't worn something in over a year, let it go. From my experience, taking everything out and slowly adding it back in is the easiest. Start by adding back the items that you know you love or wear all the time. Start a "maybe" pile next - try everything on in this pile and take a look in the mirror. What's your first impression? If it's "meh" or you wouldn't buy it if you saw it at the store tomorrow, toss it. Get rid of anything that's too big or doesn't fit you anymore, or is damaged and unable to be fixed.
3. Invest in coordinating hangers! This will make your closet much more aesthetically pleasing. I personally love velvet hangers - they prevent your clothes from slipping off and ending in a pile on the floor, and they are thin, which means more space for the clothes you love!
4. Color coordinate! This will make finding that one specific shirt you want to wear a breeze when you're running late for work in the morning. I typically sort my clothing by type/silhouette, and then color coordinate within each of those sections.
5. Store out of season or least used clothing in clear plastic bins in less accessible areas of your closet. For me, this means storing my sweaters in the spring/summer on my top shelves that are harder to reach. Just keep a little ladder nearby in case you need a second layer on a chilly summer night.

When you're all done, sell your gently used clothing and accessories at a resale boutique, and donate everything else! Do you have any tips you'd like to add? Drop a comment below! Happy shopping (and organizing) Loves!

Jumpsuit: Found at TJ Maxx (other fave striped jumpsuits linked below!)

Booties: MIA (Similar here, here and here)

Earrings: Robert Rose (Similar here, here and here)

Pearl Necklace: Designs by FMC (Similar here and here)

Y Necklace: Relativity (Similar here, here and here)

Watch: Movado

Bag: Michael Kors (Similar here and here)

Denim Jacket: Old (Similar here and here)

That Gingham Glow

Hi Loves! It's been a little while since I've been on here (sad!!), but life has been SO crazy lately! I don't know if many of you know, but I was a buyer for a large department store chain that is currently going through a liquidation process. I bought trend and sterling silver jewelry, and when I say I absolutely loved my job, I'm not exaggerating at all - I truly think that buying jewelry is the path that I'm supposed to be on. So when the company filed bankruptcy a few months ago, and subsequently had to start a liquidation process for all of our stores, I had so many emotions running through my mind. What was I going to do next? How long will it take for me to find a new job? And not just any job, but a job that I love? Going through a career change has been one of the most scary and stressful things that I've done; not knowing what's next can do a number on your sanity. I've had a lot of moments where I stop and question what I'm doing, if I'm allocating my time to the right things, or if I should take that leap into the unknown and just start the company that I've always dreamed of creating. I would love for you guys to follow along on this journey with me, and I hope that I can be an inspiration to you to stay strong and believe that good things will come, if you're ever in a similar situation.

On another note, gingham has been the trend/pattern of the season! I'm L O V I N G this tiered ruffle number by Fashion Union (found at none other than my favorite store, aka Asos). This is such an easy dress for summer, and the long sleeves are so great for when the sun goes down. I paired my dress with some fun statement earrings and white booties, and I'm still trying to get over how much use I've gotten out of these shoes! I've linked everything below, as well as some of my other favorite gingham dresses! And as always...happy shopping Loves!

Dress: Fashion Union

Booties: MIA (similar here, here and here)

Sunnies: Ray-Ban

Earrings: Etsy (Similar here, here and here)

Watch: Movado

Ring: Unknown Brand (Similar here, here and here)

Closet Staples from Day to Night

I absolutely love it when I can take an outfit from day to night, and this a-line skirt and cold shoulder top combo easily fit that bill. And, not to mention, the neutral color palette of these closet staples makes accessorizing so. much. fun. This look can be quickly changed into so many different outfits, just by switching out the scarf, necklace or shoes; this is exactly how I made my outfit do the work for me just by removing my scarf for a dressier, nighttime look. No sitting in my closet pondering what to wear for a second time in one day when I have plans after work! By simply taking off my scarf and switching the focal point of my outfit to this gorgeous Kate Spade pearl statement necklace, I completely changed the aesthetic of my look and essentially created a second outfit - perfect for dinner with friends or date night with your significant other!

What pieces in your closet do you consider staples of your wardrobe? How do you make your favorite outfits work for both day and night? Leave a comment below!

Happy shopping loves! xoxo

Top: H&M - no longer available (similar here, here and here)

Skirt: H&M - no longer available (similar here and here)

Scarf: Collection Eighteen (similar here, here and here)

Necklace: Kate Spade

Tights: Simply Vera Vera Wang

Bag: MICHAEL Michael Kors (similar here)

Booties: Jessica Simpson (similar here, here and here)

Bracelets: Erica Lyons

Ring (Green): Glamour Rings

Sunnies: Ray-Ban

Ruffle & Pearl Details

Feminine details is one of the biggest trends of the year, and what better way to wear this trend than to show off some ruffles and pearls. I've always loved pearls; pearls may increase in their trendiness every few years and become more popular in waves, but they will never go out of style. Pearls will always be a classic, and are easy to pair with almost every outfit combination in some way. These pieces from Erica Lyons take classic and turn it into fun and trendy. The stackable bracelets, updated ball drop earrings and tassel details on the necklace make these a closet must-have. I paired these pieces with a ruffle sleeve sweater and destructed denim to dress up a more casual look - an easy outfit to take from day to night! Don't forget to layer in some velvet booties and a crocodile leather handbag for some added texture/interest, and your look is complete! Happy shopping Loves! xoxo

Sweater: Found at TJ Maxx (similar here, here and here)

Denim: William Rast

Booties: Jessica Simpson (similar here, here and here)

Bag: MICHAEL Michael Kors

Earrings: Erica Lyons

Necklace: Erica Lyons

Bracelets: Erica Lyons

The Boyfriend Jean

I don't know about you guys, but I always have the HARDEST time finding boyfriend jeans that fit - if I go for my normal size, the jeans aren't actually baggy like boyfriend jeans should be, but if I size up, the waist is huge and the jeans are constantly falling off of me. I searched and searched for months, and I finally found this destructed pair from Kiind Of - the waist is true to size, and the acid-like wash adds a fun element to any outfit.

The struggle doesn't end there though. Finding the right pair of shoes to wear with your boyfriend jeans might just be harder than finding a pair of boyfriend jeans in the first place. I typically go for heeled booties when completing my outfit; wearing some type of heel with these jeans helps keep the look proportionate, and balances out the bagginess of the denim.

I don't believe the Kiind Of brand is available anymore, so I'll be on the lookout for the next perfect boyfriend jean to share with all of you! A denim collection just isn't quite complete without this staple. Happy shopping loves! xoxo

Sweater: LOFT

Boyfriend Jeans: Kiind Of

Booties: BCBGeneration

Bag: MICHAEL Michael Kors

Activity Tracker: Michael Kors

Bracelets: Alex & Ani

Sunnies: Marilyn Monroe Eyewear

When Winter Just Won't Leave...

I don't know about you guys, but I've been over winter clothes for at least a month now. Seeing all the warm weather dresses, tops, etc. in stores and online is giving me some major spring fever - not good considering winter just can't seem to let go. Kind of like the Jennifer Aniston movie, "He's Just Not That Into You," I'm just not that into winter anymore. So, I've had to get a little creative with my outfits lately to try and sneak in a spring "touch" while still staying warm. I found this gorgeous sweater at GAP recently (it's on clearance now!) and I'm in love. The lilac color, which is my absolute favorite, combined with the cropped silhouette, gives a fresh look that leans more spring. Pair with cuffed jeans and tan leather booties and you're ready to take on the day in style! This is also a great Casual Friday look for work for those of you who are lucky enough to enjoy that perk. You could also throw an oxford shirt in another pastel hue underneath, and finish with a chunky statement necklace for a more preppy look. Or if the temperature rises above 65 degrees, try this sweater with distressed girlfriend denim shorts and slip on sneakers for running errands. Happy shopping loves! xoxo

Sweater: GAP

Jeans: GAP

Booties: Vince Camuto

Stone Ring: Express