Casual Deconstruction

similar denim jacket ; another option | tee | Chloe + Isabel necklace c/o ; similar J.Crew necklace |

flannel option ; another ; another | identical pants ; dressier option ; love these

Wayfarers  ; in leopard! | watch | similar flats from Target ; love these ; in metallic | clutch option

Happy Tuesday, amigos!

Confession time:  I have had these blue pants from Forever 21 for well over a year, and this is the second time I have worn them.  Every time I grab them from my closet, I find them a little difficult to style and so I throw them back in search of something else.  I think it's a combination of the fabric and thigh insecurities that always puts me on the struggle bus.  They are actually very high-waisted and made of a neoprene material, which translates to too-tight for a tight-fitting top {say that 5 times fast.}  My solution to this?  Pile on thick, deconstructed layers with tons of texture.  The flannel and denim make these slacks feel more casual and less nightclub. 

If you haven't noticed by now, I am a huge fan of weekly blogger linkups.  I love getting style inspiration from other pros in the business and finding new blogs with new blogger friends.  One of my favorites is the weekly Trend Spin hosted by the two bombshells Laura of Walking in Memphis in High Heels and Erin of The Fashion Canvas.  This week yours truly is being featured for my denim ensem in this post .  So, go check me out today and make sure to follow these two blogging babes.  If you're a blogger, make sure to linkup each week, and if you're just a fashion-fanatic, go find some new inspiration!

{ps - the Subtle Luxury Giveaway ends at midnight est today!}

Thanks for reading!  Linkups below.

Linking Up With:  Laura // Erin // Lauren // Karly Kim

A Decade of Love

similar denim jacket ; save | vest option ; another | similar sweater ; love this one | pants 

shoes in blue | watch | clutch option ; another | Moon & Lola tortoise cuff c/o | Trendz earrings c/o

Style Lately nail bangle c/o | Lat & Lo coordinate cuff c/o

Happy Thursday, Snow Bunnies!

I'm sure you have all heard by now, but winter storm Leon dropped buckets of ice and snow here in Eastern NC for the first time in three years.  Snow shuts down this part of the world.  We simply cannot handle that there is something on the roads/grounds.  I took full advantage of the snow day with cinnamon pancakes, a Gossip Girl marathon and homemade snow cream.  I also loved seeing how crazy the snow makes the puppies.  There was so much ice they turned the backyard into a race track slip-n-slide and chased each other until their paws started to freeze.

In March or April of 2000 my mom came home from a day of shopping with this J.Crew denim jacket.  And I hated it.  Nobody else in my small-town high school had a denim jacket {or if they did they hadn't worn it since the early '90s}  I mean, nobody.  And the last thing I wanted to do as an unpopular freshman was to stick out even more.  I tried it on over and over...and over... and finally agreed to keep it.  And wouldn't you know Mom -and J.Crew - are always right.  A year or so later I was lost in a sea of  jean jackets at school.  I can't tell you how many times this forced-fashion process happened with me and my mom growing up.  At the time I would smirk at the items and bury them in my closet until they became "popular."  Now, I am extremely grateful for her influence.  I know it's one of the reasons I love to take risks in fashion and why I still play dress-up every day.  

And in a rare hair-up post, I wanted to show off these gorgeous earrings from Trendz Boutique.  The pictures simply don't do justice to the colors and detail.  Trendz never fails to impress. - and at $10 and under for most of the earrings, they never break the bank either!

Thanks for reading!  Linkups below.

Linking Up With: Bethany // Meghan // Agi // Jacqueline // Erin // Tara

Distressed Denim & Faux Fur

faux fur vest | denim | gingham | J.Crew loafers | tote | watch | similar sunnies | bracelet

Happy Thursday, lovers!

distressed denim + faux fur = BFF 4ever.

The combo of this faux-front vest and the skinny-boyfriend denim looks so effortlessly casual and chic.  Add your favorite pair of loafers and you are styled perfectly for a day of shopping, errands or brunch.  Shamefully, I forgot about this pair of jeans for a few months.  I was thrilled to rediscover them in the depths of my closet and take a break from the skinnies.  We ALL need a break from skinny jeans once in a while.  And while I may be a bargain hunter on the regular, I always recommend investing in quality denim.  You simply cannot cheat the fit and sustainability of a good pair of jeans. What's even better about this look??  I added this fluffy, animal-friendly vest to my wardrobe for only $2.56.  And it was brand new.  

I suppose you want me to dig the receipt out of the garbage to prove it.  True Life:  my husband asked me to do just that.  But, I can't blame him.  I went to my local department store "just to return a few things" and came home with this baby sporting a $50 price tag.  Our interaction ensued as usual:  

he raised his eyebrow

I whined "but it was on saaaaale"

he rolled his eyes

"but it was only $3 - how could I not buy it"

Then I had to prove it.  Moral of the story:  don't pre-judge the clearance rack of your department stores.  While I agree it is mostly picked-through, leftover items need to go somewhere far away to die, there is always a hidden gem or two waiting for a friendly fashionista with a good imagination.  {the vest is linked above - it's only clearance for $12.99 and was an extra 10% when I bought it.  I also had $10 Belk Dollars to bring my out-of-pocket to $2.56}

Thanks for reading!  Make sure to stop by tomorrow for one more look-for-less post!  Linkups Below!

Linking Up With:  Bethany // Meghan // Agi // Jacqueline // Tara // Erin

The High & Low of it

 

Dooney & Bourke satchel | watch | necklace option | riding boot option | similar boot socks | gingham option | similar sweater | skirt option | Cathryn Ann Designs tassels c/o

 

Happy Tuesday!

 

It is 29 degrees here and I think I may just freeze to death.  I know, I know... all of you buried under 14 inches of snow and ice with a -44 wind chill are rolling your eyes and saying mean things to me right now.  I get it.  I cannot even wrap my brain around negative 44 degrees.  Does that mean you instantly turn into stone/ice and thaw out in Spring?  I won't try to compare my cold to yours.  BUT - for this beach girl, 29 is bone-chilling.  Bone-chilling and a great excuse to pull out all of my snow gear that stays tucked neatly in the closet year after year. 

 

This outfit is such a perfect example of saves and splurges.  Why I am not a coupon-clipping, serious savings expert, I do have a few tricks for stretching my paycheck and closet.  By making sure I save on trendier items or over-priced basics, I can treat myself to more pieces that I have been lusting after {like this gorgeous piece.}   - that, and I can continue to stock my closet while my financial investors my parents help to supplement.  One of my New Year's resolutions is to be less impulsive when shopping, and to save up for pieces I really want.  Often I find myself looking at half of my closet and wondering why and where I bought half of it. 

 

One of my favorite tips for stocking up on basic pieces, or trends you want to try without investing too much, is Forever XXI.  I like to refer to it as Forever 31, because let's be honest - we are all still rocking it way past our 21st birthday.  I found this lightweight merino sweater for about $18 online and made sure to hit the $50 minimum with other pieces I needed to qualify for free-shipping.  The gingham button-down is Gap and the corduroy mini is J.Crew, but both were purchased for $15 (including shipping) from two of my favorite Instagram thrift shops.  I live in a very small town and thrifting is not very lucrative.  Since it is so hard to find quality pieces at home, I have turned to the IG world for thrifty finds.  The statement necklace is identical to the J.Crew piece, but at a fraction of the price from T.J.Maxx.  I am definitely a Maxxinista.  I balanced out all of the thrifted and budget-friendly pieces with a few splurges - my Dooney and Bourke satchel and the J.Crew Nottingham riding boots.  Most of my outfits are typically this mix of high and low pieces to create interest and variation...  and to keep my budget in check. 

 

I hope this post helped you to think outside of your normal shopping routine.  Do you have any budget-friendly tips to share with me? 

 

Thanks for reading!  Linkups Below

 

Linking Up With: Laura // Lauren // Elizabeth
 

 

Scarf Obsession

 

FRAAS metallic scarf c/o | similar peplum top | Ameera Noor tassel necklace c/o | Hudson denim | J.Crew Darby loafers / option | Reece & Blaire bangles c/o | Brina Box diamond bracelet c/o | similar sunnies

 

TGIF Ya'll!

 

 Whether you are back to your normal routine or still traveling and celebrating, I hope you have a wonderful Friday.  My parents are still in town and are hosting a bingo night at their house tonight.  I am so looking forward to a few Holiday cocktails and making memories with best friends and family.  This is a new tradition for our family this year, and one that I hope will last.  I am usually terrible at bingo because I am always too distracted by everything to listen to the numbers being called.  Maybe there will be an honorable mention prize??

 

I was so excited to show you this gorgeous scarf from FRAAS today!  For more than 125 years, FRAAS has upheld a family tradition of manufacturing high-quality scarves that are unlike anything else in the world. You can see the level of attention to detail which is unique to FRAAS. It is this which enabled FRAAS to establish itself as the world´s largest scarf manufacturer.  This holiday scarf is just phenomenal with the combination of metallic threads and zebra print.  It makes such a statement with an otherwise simple outfit.  It's safe to say I have a slight obsession with scarves just for that reason.  I was so excited to add this one to the collection, especially this time of year when I am craving all things gold and metallic.  

 

How incredible are these loafers?!  Santa Dad and Mom definitely nailed it with these J.Crew Darby patent leather beauties.  They feel so vintage to me.  Styled with the cuffed denim I feel very 50s in them.  I also have a huge crush on this tassel necklace from Ameera Noor .  They offer so many gorgeous, staple accessories that I know  you will find something to spend that Christmas cash on!

 

I hope everyone has a fabulous weekend!  Linkups below.

 

 

Linking Up With: LuLu // Kristen // Lauren // Allison