Today's Everyday Fashion: Leather at Work

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I've had this inspiration photo saved for ages, and when I realized my latest Stella & Dot necklace was a good match, I knew I had to re-create. It took me a couple tries to get the tones right - a gray skirt I was planning to use had too much brown in it and not enough blue, so I went with this seafoam skirt instead. I'm happy with the result and I love the idea of wearing a leather jacket over a conservative work outfit. Not sure if a leather jacket would fly in most offices (if I've learned anything from talking to women about style, it's that company dress codes could not be more different!), but I at least like the jacket on the way to work, and you could remove it, revealing a cardigan in a similar black, navy or monochromatic gray color to wear around the office. Would you wear leather at work? If so, how?

Inspiration photo: InStyle
Leather jacket: Victoria's Secret, $257
Shirt: Banana Republic, $35 (similar)
Skirt: LOFT, $55 (similar, similar) (similar pants)
Necklace: My Stella & Dot website, $79
Shoes: Banana Republic, $50 (similar, similar)
Ring: My Stella & Dot website $39 and $69
Bracelets: My Stella & Dot website $32 and $39 and $79

1. Express  2. ModCloth  3. Urban Outfitters  4. New York & Co  5. Lord & Taylor  6. Bluefly  7. Arden B  8. Mango
Top two rows are vegan; bottom row is genuine leather.

Today's Everyday Fashion: North Dakota

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I'm headed to North Dakota this weekend and could not be more excited for chilly weather and an excuse to bundle up! I started brainstorming some ideas for packing, and the outfit above is a contender for a travel day. When I bought the shirt a couple months ago, I put together the outfit below but never wound up posting it. I'm loving the winter version with mustard jeans and a thick, wool navy coat above (I'm also adding a navy cardigan and cognac gloves for warmth). Which version do you prefer?

Also, if you live in North Dakota be sure to check out the Grand Forks Women's Show. I'll be giving a style seminar on Saturday afternoon, which is chock-full of tips for organizing your closet, budgeting, and shopping smart, and I'll be staying after to answer one-on-one questions. My dream as a kid was to be an author and a traveling motivational speaker (that's why I majored in journalism), so in some ways this trip is that dream coming true. I always imagined it would be a second career later in life, so getting to do my dream job now? Somebody pinch me. :-) What is your ultimate dream job?

Shirt: Gap, $7
Navy wool coat: LOFT, $50 - see below
Jeans: Unionbay c/o Kohl's, $23
Boots: c/o Chinese Laundry, $150
Necklace: c/o Red Dress Boutique, $30
Purse: Karen Millen, $235 (similar, vegan)
Watch: Michael Kors, family gift
Ring: My Stella & Dot website $49 and $69
Bracelets: My Stella & Dot website $59 and $59 and $32 and $39


Inspiration photo: People
Shirt: Gap, $7
Skirt: c/o LOFT, $30 (similar, similar)
Necklace: local boutique (similar)
Shoes: Nine West/DSW, $60
Purse: Karen Millen, $235 (similar, vegan)
Watch: Michael Kors, family gift
Ring: My Stella & Dot website $49 and $69
Bracelets: My Stella & Dot website $59 and $59 and $32 and $39

1. Delia's 2. LOFT 3. ASOS 4. Delia's 5. Delia's

Today's Everyday Fashion: Cobalt Blue

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Today I'm sharing two work looks with my cobalt blue pencil skirt. In the first look, I was inspired to pair my skirt with a mirror print top from this summer, and then added cognac brown blazer and shoes. Below was a similar evolution - the photo inspired me to pair my skirt with a black and white striped shirt, and from there I added a black blazer and shoes. For those of you in a colder climate, you could easily sub in pants for either of these looks, see my shopping picks below! Which way would you wear it?

Inspiration photo: Neiman Marcus
Blazer: Forever 21, $25 (similar, similar, similar)
Shirt: H&M, $25 (similar, similar)
Skirt: Limited, $25
Shoes: Restricted/Endless, $40 (similar)
Watch: Michael Kors, family gift
Ring: My Stella & Dot website $49
Bracelets: My Stella & Dot website $59 and $59 


Inspiration: Harper's Bazaar
Blazer: Express, old (similar)
Striped shirt: Limited, $31 (similar, similar)
Skirt: Limited, $25
Shoes: Colin Stuart c/o MJR Sales, $24 (similar)
Earrings: local boutique
Necklace: My Stella & Dot website charm $17 and c/o Jenny Present
Watch: Michael Kors, family gift
Ring: My Stella & Dot website $49 and $69
Bracelets: My Stella & Dot website $59 and $59

Today's Everyday Fashion: Kauai Travel Tips

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Here are a few more pictures and outfits from my trip to Kauai! And here are some quick travel tips for anyone wanting to visit:

- Kauai is by far the prettiest place I've ever been. An amazing mix of lush, green mountains and white sand beaches (there are 69 beaches on the island!). 
- Kauai is small, only about 500 square miles and a population of 65,000, and the one main road takes only 2-3 hours to drive from end to end. Most of the time we were the only people on the beach! 
- A huge portion of the island is only accessible by air or boat, including the famous Na Pali Coast and "Jurassic Falls" (waterfall from the movie). We did an air tour and a catamaran tour and that was plenty, everything else was easy to do by car.
- I highly recommend renting a car. There are so many beaches and look out points along the highway, you can easily entertain yourself that way for days on end. I had the most fun finding off-the-beaten path adventures like yesterday's Wailua Falls story, and well-hidden Larsen's Beach.
- Prices are very high. Gas is almost $5 a gallon and milk is $9 a gallon. Some groceries were normal prices - salmon was cheaper than it is in Orlando, and avocados were the same price, so if you make good choices and prepare your own meals you can actually live fairly thrifty!
- I was hesitant about spending so much money on a luau, but it was my favorite experience of the week and totally worth it. Definitely do a luau if you go!

I can't recommend Kauai enough. If you have more travel tips for Kauai or Hawaii, please share them below!

Waimea Canyon (right after snorkeling so please excuse my hair)
Waimea Canyon
Hanalei Bay
Catamaran tour of Na Pali Coast
My favorite spot on the North Coast
The North Coast; being goofy on the Gilligan's Island beach
Layover at the Phoenix airport; I was exhausted after sleeping on a plane the night before!

Today's Everyday Fashion: Hawaii

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Aloha! If you follow on Instagram then you may know that I just returned from the island of Kauai in Hawaii. This was a very spontaneous trip - I had a free place to stay and randomly found inexpensive flights only two weeks ago! I spent most of the week in swim suits and cover ups (and I also didn't take a break from work), but these pictures are from my favorite day, and also my favorite outfits.

The first half was spent at Wailua Falls (picture below). You can drive to the falls and observe them from up high, but we heard a rumor that you could also hike down, despite the hazard/warning signs. It turned out to be a 173 foot nearly vertical hike down and I was covered in mud, but it was totally worth it. I would've worn more serious gear if I had known how rough the terrain is, but my boat shoes held up surprisingly well. After a day at the falls I cleaned up in a public bathroom and headed to the luau. This lavender tunic and white coral necklace were great for the occasion, which consisted of a walk in the botanical gardens, huge buffet dinner and a theater show which detailed the history of Hawaii through hula and other forms of dance. It was fascinating to learn about and take part in the Hawaiian culture.

This trip got me thinking about the fun places I've been in the last couple years and how my first time on an airplane was my senior year of high school. My love for travel has certainly grown with time and I cant wait to cross off more places on my bucket list. What's your favorite place you've been? If you could travel anywhere where would you go?

Lavender tunic: c/o Red Dress Boutique, $39 sold out (similar, similar, similar, similar)
White shorts: Gap, $24 (similar)
Gold shoes: Rampage/Endless, $20 (similar)
Necklace: My Stella & Dot website, $79
Turquoise clutch: c/o KC Malhan

Fedora: Banana Republic, $20 (similar)
Striped shirt: Limited, $31 (similar, similar)
Olive linen shorts: Forever 21, old (similar)
Boat shoes: White Mountain c/o Ross, $25 (similar, similar)

Earlier that day at Wailua Falls
Luau ensemble
Trying to pet the peacock!

Erika Barker Photography

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I'm so excited to share the amazing, talented Erika Barker Photography with you today! I asked Erika to snap some head shots for branding my new website and Facebook page, and this was the result. Our session was fast, and my favorite part - she sat me down and immediately showed me all the pictures. I was beyond happy. She has a graphic design background and is a photo editing whizz, but the pictures already looked awesome without it! (I asked her to please keep them as real/natural as possible.) She is a genius and her rates are incredibly reasonable (book now before she becomes famous!), so visit the Erika Barker Photography website and Facebook page the next time you or anyone in Orlando needs portrait or fashion photography. Now comes the hard part - deciding which pictures to use for branding! Which one(s) do you like?

Dress Calvin Klein/TJ Maxx, $50 (similar), watch Michael Kors, earrings local boutique, rings my Stella & Dot website $49 and $69 and bracelets $79 and $32 and $59 and $59.










Today's Everyday Fashion: Fall Colors

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I recently spotted this Banana Republic look on their website and it was all kinds of yummy fall colors in my opinion. I decided to combine gray, camel and maroon items already in my closet to come up with a fall work look (and added some leopard print for fun). These are fall colors I simply can't get enough of! What are your favorite colors for fall this year?

Inspiration photo: Banana Republic
Blazer: Banana Republic, $75 (similar, similar)
Purple shirt: Gap, old (similar)
Belt: Urban Outfitters, $20 (similar, similar)
Skirt: Limited, $20 (similar, similar)
Shoes: Banana Republic, $60 (shop similar here)
Necklace: My Stella & Dot website charm $17 and c/o Jenny Present
Watch: Michael Kors, family gift
Ring: My Stella & Dot website $49 and $69
Bracelets: My Stella & Dot website $59 and $59 and $79


My sleeping naked photo was revealed on Twitter last night! Please go here to vote for my picture and help win $10k for my charity To Write Love on Her Arms (TWLOHA). You can vote as many times as you would like between now and 11/9. The campaign is for Swisspers, a line of U.S. Cotton products, and the idea behind sleeping naked is to encourage women to develop healthy beauty habits and sleep without makeup (more info here). My picture was taken minutes after waking up, with zero makeup and crazy hair! :-) My charity TWLOHA is a non-profit movement dedicated to presenting hope for people struggling with depression, addiction, self-injury and suicide. It's a cause near and dear to my heart; I chose them because a friend attends TWLOHA meetings in her hometown, and a beloved family member committed suicide when I was in college. Thank you for helping me win this donation for their movement! Please vote here.

Today's Everyday Fashion: Polka Dots

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Oh J.Crew, your quirky combinations never cease to delight. I love the idea to wear a camel polka dot sweater with pink jeans. I'm also obsessed with her shoes and wish I was wearing them! (Love the similar pair here, kitten heels here, or flats here.) I added a jacket for all you cold-weather folks, and went with black leather because I like the idea of "toughening up" retro polka dots. (I've also had lots of requests for a picture of this jacket so hopefully this helps!) Are you loving polka dots this fall?

Inspiration photo: J.Crew
Jacket: Victoria's Secret, $257
Sweater: Old Navy, $17
Jeans: Limited, $40 (similar, similar)
Shoes: Colin Stuart c/o MJR Sales, $24 (similar)
Necklace: My Stella & Dot website charm $17 and c/o Jenny Present
Watch: Michael Kors, family gift
Ring: My Stella & Dot website $49 and $69
Bracelets: My Stella & Dot website $59 and $59 and $79
1. Gap 2. Gap 3. Forever 21 4. LOFT 5. Nordstrom 6. Conversation Pieces

Today's Everyday Fashion: Creative Flair

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I've always been a fan of creative work attire, so this J.Crew inspiration photo is right up my alley. My pale pink sweater and necklace are a close match to hers, my skirt is slightly more yellow (I like hers better) and my shoes are a similar print but in a toned down color palette. Dressing creatively at work always brightens up my day and I think as long as you are in dress code it signals to your boss you are happy to be there (one thing to note - my v-neck is too low for an office, so I suggest wearing a cami underneath). Do you dress creatively at work or do you play it safe?

Inspiration photo: J.Crew 
Sweater: Express, old (similar)
Skirt: J.Crew, $45 (similar, similar, similar)
Shoes: Banana Republic, $60
Necklace: My Stella & Dot website, $114
Watch: Michael Kors, family gift
Ring: My Stella & Dot website $49 and $69
Bracelets: My Stella & Dot website $59 and $59 and $79

1. Chinese Laundry 2. Anne Klein 3. ZiGiny 4. ASOS 5. DSW 6. Calvin Klein


Also - a little teaser about an upcoming project I'm working on! Tomorrow a picture of me sleeping naked (that's a metaphor) will be revealed, all in an effort to win $10,000 for my charity of choice - To Write Love on Her Arms - as part of National Sleep Naked Night. Stay tuned for more details!

Today's Everyday Fashion: The Army Jacket

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This outfit is loosely based on Olivia Palermo's and contains one of my favorite fall trends, the army jacket. I'm loving army jackets for their versatility, and how comfortable and yet stylish they are. I did two national TV segments on celebrity-inspired fall trends recently, and this outfit was featured in both. (Daytime - the video is unfortunately really blurry - and Life, Love, Shopping which airs on We TV.) Will you be rocking an army jacket this year?

Also - it was tough to put the experience into words, but a full recap of the mission trip I took to Sierra Leone is now posted, go here if you'd like to read it.

Inspiration photo: FabSugar
Jacket: c/o Conversation Pieces, $45
Shirt: Limited, $31 (similar)
Belt: Limited, $15 (love this one, similar)
Black jeans: Gap, $35 (similar)
Boots: c/o Chinese Laundry, $150
Purse: Karen Millen, $235 (similar, vegan)
Watch: Michael Kors, family gift
Ring: My Stella & Dot website $49 and $69
Bracelets: My Stella & Dot website $59 and $59

1. Mango 2. Urban Outfitters 3. Amazon 4. J.Crew 5. Urban Outfitters 



Today's Everyday Fashion: Purchasing Decisions

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I never in a million years would've thought to pair this polka dot shirt with orange-red, and that my friends, is why I love inspiration photos! The top half was decided, and pretty much any bottom would work (skinny, boot, flare), but I decided to pull out this old pair of Joe's. The story behind these jeans still makes me cringe. Four plus years ago I was in a pinch and needed jeans that were nice enough to wear to work. So I went to Nordstrom and bought my favorite pair, not thinking twice about the $175 price tag. I've only worn them a few times (they are slightly too long), and if I could go back in time I would tell myself three things: 1. don't make big decisions in a hurry (spend the extra time looking for similar jeans for less), 2. don't settle (especially with such a huge price tag! if anything is off, then don't buy that item), and 3. set a budget (so that you will have a scale to help with deciding when a price is outrageous and when it makes sense, see "How to Set a Clothing Budget"). Have you ever made a purchasing decision that you regret? How did you handle it?

ps. Today's shopping picks are dalmatian, another print I've been loving lately. That Old Navy cardigan will be mine!

Inspiration photo: Stella & Dot homepage
Cardigan: H&M, $18 (similar, similar)
Shirt: Lauren Conrad c/o Kohl's, $22 (similar)
Jeans: Joe's/Nordstrom, $175 old (similar)
Necklace: b-day gift from my friends (inspiration, similar, similar)
Taupe pumps: Banana Republic, $50 (similar, similar)
Purse: Calvin Klein/TJ Maxx, $120 (similar)
Watch: Michael Kors, family gift
Ring: My Stella & Dot website $49 and $69
Bracelets: Banana Republic, My Stella & Dot website $59 and $59

1. DSW 2. Old Navy 3. Forever 21 4. Old Navy

Today's Everyday Fashion: Retro Colors

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I wore this outfit to my niece's birthday dinner a couple weekends ago. It wasn't until I got home that I realized this Pinterest photo subconsciously inspired me to put this look together!  I love the turquoise + orange-red + mustard color combo; it reminds me of a 50's diner. To winterize this outfit I would switch to orange-red skinny corduroys and add a camel blazer. Would you wear these retro colors?

Inspiration photo: Pinterest
Shirt: Old Navy, $10
Skirt: c/o LOFT, $30 (similar, longer)
Belt: H&M, $6 (similar)
Pumps: Forever 21, $22 (similar, similar)
Purse: Karen Millen, $235 (similar, vegan)
Necklace: gift from my niece
Watch: Michael Kors, family gift
Ring: My Stella & Dot website $69
Bracelets: My Stella & Dot website $59 and $59

1, LOFT 2. Loehmann's 3. Piperlime 4. Target 5. LOFT

Today's Everyday Fashion: Hand In Pocket

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I'm so excited to introduce a new boutique to you today! Everything I'm wearing is from Hand In Pocket - an Atlanta store and online boutique that specializes in brand-name denim and overall adorableness. They sent me some items to try out and I went to town coming up with outfits. Everything I'm wearing (minus shoes) is from Hand in Pocket and is borrowed (not my own). Check out the details below and enter jday20 at checkout to enjoy 20% off all online orders through 10/26/12 (woo hoo!). Which item or outfit is your favorite?

Above: I love the Chevron pattern on this dress and the neutral color couldn't be more versatile. From a fall look with boots and a navy cardigan, to leggings and ankle boots for a comfy plane ride ensemble and even the dress on its own is just too cute! I also loved this belt. It's corrugated gold metal with black leather and is slightly stretchy so it easily stays in place.

 1. Chevron shift
2. Michael Stars navy cardigan
3. Melie Bianco purple bag
4. Crochet purple cardigan
5. Tears of joy earrings
6. Carrie belt (in store only, call 678-309-9550)


Patterned denim is all the rage this year and it was fun trying these out! I loved the fit (just say no to muffin top), and they were surprisingly versatile, especially when paired with a collared ivory blouse. From an uptown look paired with black and navy, to more of a preppy vibe with cognac accents, to a totally 70's hippie outfit, these are great jeans no matter your style personality. 

7. Carrie belt (in store only, call 678-309-9550)
8. Orange necklace (in store only, call 678-309-9550)





And last but not least, here are some of my favorite items from their website! I would wear all of these in a heartbeat. Which one(s) are your favorite?

1. Cut and Sew camel blazer
2. Perspective blouse
3. AG Jeans
4. Melie Bianco purse
5. BB Dakota sweater/dress
6. LA Made shirt dress
7. Chevron pullover
8. Hazel skirt

 This post is brought to you by Hand In Pocket boutique. All editorial decisions and opinions are my own! :-)

Today's Everyday Fashion: The Chambray Shirt

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I felt like Goldilocks looking for the perfect chambray shirt this year. "This one is too dark, this one is too light, this one is too expensive"... and then I spotted this one walking down the aisle at Kohl's. It was exactly what I was looking for! I didn't really shop at Kohl's prior to winning a gift card last spring, and I've used most of it on supplies for Africa and household items, but the occasional fashion item has caught my eye such as this top, and the mustard jeans I'm wearing. I love both and can already tell they will be staples this fall, because I've worn this outfit twice and we are barely into chilly weather. What is your ideal chambray shirt? 

Shirt: Mudd c/o Kohl's, $20
Jeans: Unionbay c/o Kohl's, $23
Necklace: My Stella & Dot website, $98
Purse: Karen Millen, $235 (similar, vegan)

Today's Everyday Fashion: Tweed

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To pin without the inspiration photo, go here. 

Be still my tweed-loving heart. This outfit makes me want to drink hot cider and roll around in a pile of leaves. The minute I tried on this blazer at H&M I knew it had to be mine. It's tweed and yet it is super-soft, it has elbow patches and cute buttons; I'm in love. Will you be wearing the tweed trend this fall? Which jacket below is your favorite?

Inspiration: Pinterest
Blazer: H&M, $60
Sweater: American Eagle, $20 (similar)
Jeans: Target, $23 sold out in burgundy (similar, similar)
Boots: c/o Chinese Laundry, $149
Purse: Emma Fox c/o Ross, $60 (same purse)
Necklace: My Stella & Dot website charm $17 and c/o Jenny Present
Watch: Michael Kors, family gift
Ring: My Stella & Dot website $49 and $69
Bracelets: My Stella & Dot website $59 and $59
1. Urban Outfitters 2. Banana Republic 3. ASOS 4. ModCloth 5. Max Studio

Today's Everyday Fashion: Spitting Image

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I don't usually post outfits with items I'm planning to return, but this Olivia Palermo top was just too good not to share!! When I got home and saw this picture, I was pretty convinced that my LOFT shirt is the actual shirt she is wearing. The fit on mine is a bit more frumpty dumpty, but I think that's because it is a size too big (the XS was sold out at the store), and she also has a slimmer skirt on the bottom, which is balancing out the looseness up top. As discussed in this shopping update, the top is going back in favor of another bow blouse I found a few days later and liked more, but don't you just love knowing celeb looks are obtainable on a budget? 

ps. I've done 6 outfits with this pleated skirt so far, but this first one is still my favorite!

Inspiration photo: People StyleWatch
Shirt: LOFT, $31 returning
Skirt: Express, $18
Shoes: BCBG/Ross, $20 (similar)
Purse: Calvin Klein/TJ Maxx, $120 (similar)
Watch: Michael Kors, family gift
Ring: My Stella & Dot website $49 and $69
Bracelets: My Stella & Dot website $59 and $59 and $79
1. Love 21 2. BB Dakota 3. Urban Outfitters 4. Need Supply Co.

Today's Everyday Fashion: Polka Dots, Four Ways

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I wore outfit #4 with the yellow shorts to run errands last week. When I snapped the photos, I got a *little* carried away coming up with different combos and couldn't help but share all four ideas with you guys! I would wear all of these versions, the first two for work, the jeans look for church and the last was easy breezy for running errands. Four choices, which way is your favorite?

Shirt: c/o Francesca's Collections, $34
Cardigan: H&M, $18
Necklace: b-day gift from my friends (similar, similar)
Brown skirt: Limited, $20 (similar, similar)
Brown pumps: Restricted/Endless, $40 (similar)
Mint skirt: LOFT, $55 (similar, similar, similar)
Taupe pumps: Banana Republic, $50 (similar, similar)
Jeans: American Eagle, $25
Aqua pumps: Forever 21, $22 (similar, similar)
Yellow shorts: Gap, $35 (similar)
Brown sandals: Nine West/DSW, $60

1. LOFT 2. Target 3. Urban Outfitters

Today's Everyday Fashion: Nighttime

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I would wear this inspiration outfit in a heartbeat! The gold cuffs are amazing and *if only* I could afford her t-strap studded Valentinos. I don't have a baby blue skirt like hers, but I do have a top, so I switched the two colors to achieve a going out/nighttime look. I'm also showing the same outfit with black jeans, for those readers who may not prefer to show as much leg. How would you wear it?

Inspiration photo: Refinery29
Shirt: Marshall's, $13 (pricey version, t-shirt)
Skirt: Express, $5 (similar)
Jeans: Gap, $35 (similar)
Shoes: Colin Stuart c/o MJR Sales, $24 (love these, similar)
Purse: Urban Outfitters, $30 (love this one)
Necklace: My Stella & Dot website, $138
Watch: Michael Kors, family gift
Ring: My Stella & Dot website $49 and $69
Bracelets: My Stella & Dot website $59 and $59 and $79

Also, a little shopping update:

1. Banana Republic blouse - I was so excited to score this chain-print blouse at Banana for only $40 last week! It runs true to size (I got a 0 Petite).
2. Banana Republic cardigan - Even more exciting was scoring this burgundy cardigan for only $19. Both prices were right off the sale rack, no coupon.
3. Express peplum top - I spotted this top online and couldn't wait to try it on in the store. However, the fit was way off. The XS was slightly too small in the bust, and the S was way too big. It also cuts in very sharp making it more of a halter and not really work appropriate, so I passed.
4. LOFT blouse - This shirt is way better in person and is super-soft. Love it, but it's similar to #1 so I may pass.
5. Urban Outfitters shoes - I learned a cool trick with Urban Outfitters. A reader told me that these shoes were 50% off in the store, even though they are still full price online. I called my local store but they didn't have them in stock, so I asked if they could ship from another store. That's when they told me they would order them online, free shipping, and I would get the same 50% off store price. Score!
6. Piperlime shoes - I had a 20% off coupon for Piperlime so these shoes were only $48. I don't love them though and they are slightly too big (they fit true to size - I'm a 9.5 but can never find that size so I got a 10), so they are going back.
7. Piperlime dress - This dress was only $30 with the coupon, and I'm on the hunt for sheath work dresses. I would say this dress fits true to size (XS) but the slit in the front is a big no-no on my height. One step forward and I'm showing my whole thigh, which negates the whole work-apporpriate thing. 
8. Gap camo pants - I'm dying to find camo pants or a camo jacket, but I was not a fan of these when I tried them on. They are super-stretchy and way more leggings than actual pants!
9. Gap plaid pants - I loved these pants. Totally would've bought them, but I already bought two pairs of cropped pants this fall and don't need another pair so soon. 

I struck out on most items, but couldn't be more excited about both Banana scores! Find anything exciting this week? Share your links below!

Today's Everyday Fashion: Customize It

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I wore the first look for my drive to Tampa on Monday, and the second outfit is the cooler weather version I would rock if I lived up north. I'm also sporting not one but two pieces of customizable clothing! My feather print top is from eShakti, an online store that custom-makes clothes based on your height and other measurements, and is a great resource for petites and talls. I went for the standard size 0 in this top and plugged in my height to order it. (I'm happy with it, although I removed the black beads from the front.) I'm also wearing a new charm that is near and dear to my heart. I've had a Stella & Dot chain and "J" initial for awhile, but I recently added a custom "Sierra Leone" charm + crystal charm from Jenny Present, see close-up below. Have you ever ordered custom clothing? What custom resources do you recommend?

Shirt: c/o eShakti, $49
Jeans: Target, $23
Cardigan: Banana Republic, $35
Sandals: Nine West/DSW, $60
Heels: Restricted/Endless, $40 (similar)
Purse: c/o Karen Millen, $235 (similar, vegan)
Necklace: My Stella & Dot website charm $17 and c/o Jenny Present
Watch: Michael Kors, family gift
Ring: My Stella & Dot website $49 and $69
Bracelets: My Stella & Dot website $59 and $59 and $79

Instagram

Today's Everyday Fashion: Weather Permitting

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When I brought home this blazer a couple months ago, this was the first outfit that popped into my head. I love the mustardy-brown color mixed with the bright royal blue color of the stripes. Also - I know that posting a white jeans outfit in October is going to raise a lot of "white after Labor Day" questions. My personal opinion is to go by weather, not date. In Florida it's still bright and sunny and has barely cooled off, so there's no reason not to wear white. Up north, I would feel just as comfy wearing this with a pair of knee-high brown boots instead of flats for extra warmth. If there's snow on the ground I would skip it, but on a brisk, sunny day? I say rock those jeans. :-) How would you wear this look considering the weather where you live? 

Blazer: Forever 21, $25 (similar, similar, similar)
Shirt: Gap, $3
Jeans: Gap, $30 (similar)
Belt: H&M, $18 (similar)
Shoes: Michael Kors c/o Marshalls, $50 (similar)
Purse: c/o Karen Millen, $235 (similar, vegan)
Necklace: My Stella & Dot website charm $17
Watch: Michael Kors, family gift
Ring: My Stella & Dot website $49 and $69
Bracelets: My Stella & Dot website $59 and $59 and $79

1. Mango 2. Gap 3. Zappos