Day to Night: Featuring Zelle Boutique & Twirls+Pearls

It’s always nice when you can go to work in one outfit & then transition the SAME outfit for a date night or girls night out. I was able to take this look from day to night with a few easy changes.

To start the day look, I paired this dress with my oh so handy combat boots, and this RAD cargo jacket from Zelle Boutique. Pairing these items together gave the look a super casual & relaxed vibe that would fit in with any school or day job.

So let’s talk about Zelle Boutique for a second. Their cute little shop is fully of lots of super trendy items that will really jazz up your outfit. Whether you feel like wearing something bright or something with awesome patterns or sequins, you can find it here. Use the discount code: STYLEWISH at checkout to receive 15% off of your ENTIRE order.

Transitioning my look into the night was easy as cake. All I did was remove my jacket and swap out my flat booties for some heeled booties. Without the jacket it really showed off my accessories, including a super cute handmade bangle from Twirls+Pearls. Denise hand makes all her bangles and they are oh so lovely.

Last, I can’t forget to mention how DARLING my little Titus looks in his cute overalls. I can’t believe how big he is getting. He’ll be 7 months next week and is already standing up and climbing all over the place.

Day Look:

Night Look:

 Shop the look:

Dress: Similar at MISSGUIDED // Jacket (c/o): Zelle Boutique // Combat Boots: Similar at Nordstrom Rack //

Heeled Booties: ALDO Shoes // Cheetah Bangle (c/o): Twirls+Pearls

A Poncho for a Rainy Day

So I’m pretty sure we’ve had more rainy days than snowy days this winter. Global warming is real people!! lol. But what a perfect day to wear a poncho, hat, and wedged ankle boots. I love how ponchos are a layering piece that bring dimension to your outfit. I’m also a little hat obsessed and found this cute hat from Icing.

There are two things you can always do to take your outfit from cute to I GOTTA HAVE IT from everyone on the streets. Those are: layering & accessorizing. Both of these things have the same effect.

1. They make your outfit look more high quality & expensive.

2. They add extra details that people can’t seem to keep their eyes off of.

3. They make it so you can take one clothing item and then style it in many different ways.

If you don’t currently layer or accessorize, you should try it and see the difference that it will make!

Shop the look:

Poncho: Similar at Nordstrom // Skinny Jeans: Similar at Nordstrom 

Hat: Icing // Ankle Boots: Famous Footwear

Featuring KRZA by Krystle Dawn

I absolutely love getting introduced to new things, especially when it comes to fashion. I found the cutest headwear shop that I am so excited to introduce you all to. It’s called KRZA by Krystle Dawn. Her shop ranges from all different sorts of headbands, to beanies, to scarves & hair ties. Every item comes in so many different colors/prints to chose from. She even has a set of “Mommy & Me” items.

I chose to go with the “Tie Side” because it gives me a little retro feel. I love it because I can style my hair with it in so many different ways and it just makes me feel so cute! It definitely comes in handy for those bad-hair days, I just throw it on and you would never know! ;).

Shop the look:

Pants: Cotton:On // Tank: Cotton:On // Jacket: American Eagle Outfitters //

Shoes: Converse Allstars // Head Band: C/O KRZA Tie Side

Baby Suspenders <3 : Featuring Sweet N' Swag

Picture from Sweet N’ Swag

If your heart doesn’t melt seeing a baby dressed like a little-man, I don’t know what does. Let me tell you about Sweet N’ Swag: I have been searching at stores, HIGH and low for baby bow ties, and have had no success. Then I bumped into Sweet N’ Swag and all my life problems were solved! lol. Not only did they have bow ties, but S U S P E D E R S!! What?? I was in heaven. Not to mention, they have THE most affordable moccasins around. Only $20 a pair!! They have so many cute options to choose from. So.. if you have a baby, niece, nephew, grandchild, baby shower to attend… etc. etc. etc. go check them out. You will not be disappointed. And you JUST might end up ordering a thing, or two…. or ten.

So let me tell you a story. After I ordered my items from Sweet N’ Swag, I just HAD to complete his look with some baby nerd glasses. So I go to Google and type in “baby nerd glasses.” Tons of options came up under the “shop” option, and many with pictures of glasses on babies. So I pick a pair (no baby in picture) and order it. They arrive at my door and I anxiously open the package to try them on my boy. But guess what……….. they were my size. I was SO MAD! Grrrr.. So to sum it up, my baby’s look would have been even cuter if he had little nerd glasses on. But I guess it’s a good thing he doesn’t, because then these pictures would be too much cuteness to handle ;).

hehehehehehehe

Shop the accessories:

C/O Sweet N’ Swag: Brown Mocc’s // C/O Sweet N’ Swag: Bow Tie & Suspender Set

Tencel Pants & Fur : Featuring Stella Carakasi

First off I want to take a moment to say how grateful I am for the amazing support I have received on my blog in such a short amount of time. I started blogging just a few short months ago having no idea where it could take me, and now I see a really bright future in it. The blogging community is such an amazing support group in and of itself. From fellow bloggers, to friends & family, to amazing photographers & shops & designers that have taken the time to work with me. THANK YOU!

I spoke about Stella Carakasi in my last post, and here I am again to talk about how amazing they are! These pants are going to get warn out because I LOVE them. The material is S O O O O soft and comfortable, I kept thinking I was in pajamas by the way they felt. Also I love that they are high rise around the waist, that way I don’t have to be stuck pulling my pants up throughout the day (don’t you hate that with low/regular rise pants?). And  because of their  neutral color, they are super versatile and can be paired with almost anything. If you haven’t checked out S T E L L A   C A R A K A S I’s site yet, go now!! What are you waiting for?

Also, remember to enter the giant wedding giveaway (for engaged couples) that Diana Putnam Photography is hosting. Credit for these pictures goes to Diana. She just made me feel so beautiful in my own skin and she could do the same for you.

Shop the look:

Pants: c/o Stella Carakasi // Faux Fur Vest: Target //

Blouse: Target // Pumps: Target

All About the Coat: Stella Carakasi

Right now it’s cold enough outside that I don’t even need to worry about my shirt when I have a beautiful coat to wear, because I’ll probably never take it off! The other day I ran across this beautiful designer: Stella Carakasi, and I am so glad I did. Like my coat, most of her stuff has an asymmetrical element to it which really makes her work stand out. If you want to wear something that isn’t like everything around, yet still has elegance and beautiful simplicity, you can definitely find it in Stella Carakasi’s designs.

For this look, I just wanted neutral colors again, but adding the pop of this beautiful green color really made my outfit stand out. I also played with textures here. Because of the texture of the coat, I thought a textured pant & shoe would make it look just perfect. So velvet leggings and shoes it was!

Photography credit goes to: Diana Putnam Photography. Her work is amazing! And don’t forget to enter her wedding giveaway and share the giveaway with any engaged friends you know!

Shop the look:

Coat: c/o Stella Carakasi // Leggings: Similar at 6PM.com //

Pumps: Similar at JustFAB // Purse: Target: Same color/different style or same style/different color.

Featuring: A Pop of Chic

Today’s look was fun by having the chance to style an outfit around a piece of jewelry, instead of styling jewelry around an outfit. Thanks to Cynthia from Pop of Chic, I have this beauty of a bracelet!! All of her stuff is SO beautiful, I wish I could have her whole shop ;).

Something that I LOVE about small shops is that they always have the cutest packaging. When I received my bracelet in the mail, I was delighted to see it packaged in such a sweet box with the definition of “i m a g i n a t i o n” printed on top.  This got me thinking about my own imagination and all of the things I dream to do one day. Here are a few:

1. HAVE A CLOSED OFF/STEAM SHOWER WITH SHOWER HEADS ALL OVER THE PLACE IN MY DREAM HOME. Every time I’m showering and a cold breeze sneaks in over the open ceiling, I just close my eyes and imagine living in my dream home, showering in a shower that cold breezes can’t sneak in on.

2. ONCE AGAIN HAVING THE BODY I HAD AT MY PEAK PHYSICAL STATE. When I was in the best shape of my life, i still thought I was “fat.” I can’t believe how dumb I was to think that! I would KILL to have that body back… but such is life ;).

3. HOLDING A MICROPHONE IN MY HAND WHILE SPEAKING INTO A CAMERA ON A FOOTBALL FIELD. If you have ever visited my about me page, you would know that I am majoring in broadcast journalism and plan to be a sports broadcaster one day. Although that is years away, I still day dream and imagine having that job right now.

4. HAVING A JOB THAT I CAN BE HOME WITH MY BABY MOST OF THE DAY. Although I love my current job, I hate leaving my baby to go to it. He is my motivation for writing this blog. I imagine every day what it would be like if I didn’t have to leave him to work that “nine to five” (but really 3-11 lol).

5. LIVING IN A ZOMBIE APOCALYPSE. Who watches The Walking Dead?? I definitely do!! And sometimes I imagine a zombie apocalypse really happening so I can use all my zombie killing skills that I learned from watching this show hehe.

What are things that you frequently imagine???

Photo credit for the look once again goes to the amazing Diana Putnam Photography. She is hosting a photography wedding package giveaway right now, so be sure to check her out and inform all of your engaged friends.

Shop the look:

Bracelet: c/o Pop of Chic// Romper: Nordstrom (on sale)//

Shoes: Similar at MISSGUIDED// Purse: Michael Kors// Cardigan: H&M

At Home Leg Workout

Hey guys! So like I said in my previous fitness post, I have spent years of my life focusing on my fitness, and although I’m not in tip-top shape right now, I still have some stuff to share.

This is one of my very favorite leg work outs that requires almost no equipment. Every time I do it, I can’t walk normally for at least a couple days. However, if you want it to have the same effect on you, you need to push yourself, do it complete and with correct form, even when you’re cringing in your teeth with pain. All of these moves can become more advanced by adding weights if you already workout frequently.

1. 20-30 squats.

Start with your feet shoulder width apart. Squat down to a 90 degree angle and make sure your knees do not extend past your toes.

2. 20-30 lunges, alternating left leg & right leg (10-15 on each leg).

Start standing with your feet shoulder width apart. Lunge forward so your front leg is at a 90 degree angle, and your back knee is barely above the ground. Make sure your front knee doesn’t extend past your foot on this one as well. Proceed back to standing then repeat with your other leg.

3. 20-30 hamstring curls.

Start by laying on your back with your feet resting on the center of an exercise ball and your hips raised in air so they are parallel with your shoulders and feet. Next, bring your feet in to the position on step 2, and make sure your hips continue to stay in line with your shoulders and feet. Push your feet back out to the extended position in step 1, and repeat. These ones start burning after about 15 reps, and oooo do they burn!

4. 20-30 calf raises.

Find a step or stool to do these on, and make sure you have something to hold on to. Start by lowering heels below toe level, then slowly raise up as high as you can, keeping your legs straight. Slowly release back down. Doing it slowly is what’s going to give you the best results on these.

5. 10-15 squat jumps.

1 rep of these is the full set of steps above. Start by squatting with your feet together, jump up and then squat with your feet apart, jump up and squat again with your feet together.

6. Jog or walk for 5 minutes then repeat 2 more times for a total of 3 sets.

Congratulations, you have completed the work out!

Shop the look:

Top: GapFit // Pants: GapFit // Shoes: Nike Frees

I Woke Up Like This: Graphic Tee

The other day I got to meet up with two of my best friends as we took each other’s pictures. When I put this outfit on, Sarah from The Style Gala just had me acting silly, and I couldn’t help but be reminded of all the times she has had me laughing until I couldn’t breathe. Sarah & my husband are two people that have consistently kept me giggling and I am so grateful for that! I can’t imagine laughing any less than I do. I feel like all too often people feel that they have to put on a serious front in public. Well I think everyone needs to step out of that comfort zone from time to time, and be a little crazy. Strike a silly pose and don’t be afraid to be YOU.

Graphic tees are so fun and playful, I really need to get more of them. These harem pants make me feel funky, and for some reason I feel like a professional painter with this beanie on hehe. This outfit is AGAIN mostly from Cotton:On. Can you see my obsession with that store yet? 😉 The only problem is I can’t always find the stuff in store, online. Grr!!

Combat Boots: Similar at Nordstrom // Harem Pants: Similar Cotton:On //

Graphic Tee: Similar at Tees in the Trap // Beanie: Target // Cardigan: H&M

Yellow Sweater – Cold Weather

It’s literally FREEZING COLD outside, which means time to bundle up! I found this sweater at GAP and am gaga for the color. It is just so bright and happy and makes me want to jump for joy! Not to mention this cowl scarf that is so fun and double sided. You can wear one pattern, or the other, or both at the same time! And if you haven’t noticed by now, I’m a sucker for faux leather pants, I may wear them too much, but I don’t even care cause they look good with almost anything. Lastly I found these super comfy boots by Kenneth Cole that I’m sure you’ll be seeing in many posts to come.

 Shop the look:

Sweater: GAP // Cowl Scarf: GAP // Faux Leather Pants: H&M // Boots: Unlisted – By Kenneth Cole